Shimla: The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) was poised to be on the UNESCO World Heritage Site soon as the nomination of the same had been accepted and evaluation process was likely to take place early next year. This was revealed by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, in the 5th Wild Life Board Meeting held here under his Chairmanship late last evening
Chief Minister said that presently there were 33 Wild Life Sanctuaries, 2 National Parks spread over an area of 7,161 kms. and rationalization process of the same was in progress to take inhabited areas out of the purview of the Wild Life Sanctuaries. He said that rationalization process was nearing completion and would take 1.5 lakh population of 775 villages out of the sanctuary area which had been a pressing demand of the villagers falling in the area. He expressed concern over the increasing monkey and wild life menace amongst the farming community and said that the State Government had been making consistent efforts to take every possible step to check the population explosion of the animals and had set up 4 monkey sterilization centres in different parts of the state while 21 more had been proposed to be set up in near future. He said that so far over 35,000 monkeys had been got sterilized. Board agreed for enhancement of the grant-in-aid from existing Rs. 1.35 crore to Rs. 2.80 crore to further strengthen the programme.
Prof. Dhumal said that The Himalayan Snow Leopard Research Centre would soon be developed near Kibbar village of Spiti valley at a cost of Rs. 5.15 crore to preserve the wild life specie in its natural habitat and carry research and development programme over the same. He said that a large number of migratory birds had been visiting the wetland in the State during winter season and a detailed study was being carried by the experts into their behaviour. He said that the Wild Life Wing of the State would be strengthening the satellite tracking studies of various such migratory bird species in collaboration with Bombay Natural History Society and fit in 18 more solar powered transmitters to 18 more migratory birds. He said that a Migratory Bird Research Centre would also be set up at Pong Dam by associating local youth in their preservation as also work as guide to visitors to generate income for themselves. He said that Rs. 2 crore Eco-Tourism Project in Pong Dam Wetland would also be executed with the help of Tourism and Civil Aviation Department to create infrastructure to meet requirements of the visitors. He expressed satisfaction over the efforts made
by the Wild Life Wing in captive breeding of endangered vultures which had helped in increasing their population. He said that Himachal Pradesh happened to be the first state in the country for having undertaken such a vital project in hand and succeeded in the same.
Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh had emerged the First State in the world where successful breeding of Western Tragopan had taken place at Sarahan village in district Shimla, which had made its image as the ‘Western Tragopan Village’. He said that a presentation to this effect was given by Mr. John Corder, Vice President, World Pheasant Association, UK whose services had been requisitioned by the State Government as Advisor, Conservation Breeding of Pheasants Programme. He said that the presentation given by him in the UN Assembly to 5,500 delegates from the world over had acclaimed a huge applaud for the achievements State had made in conserving the Western Tragopan. He said that Conservation Breeding Programme of Monal would also be strengthened by developing Conservation Breeding Phesantry for Himalayan Monal, near Manali by spending Rs. 2 crore in the first phase. He said that a Wild Life Crime Bureau would also be set up by working out modalities with the Government of India. He underlined the need for setting up of Online Wildlife Information Management System through CAMPA Funds so that regular monitoring of the wild life was carried. He directed the Board to constitute a Committee under the Chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) to clear the forest clearance cases pending the final decision at the Board Meeting.
Prof. Dhumal thanked the wild life experts for their valuable suggestions which would go a long way in conserving the precious wild life in the State and make Himachal Pradesh a safe haven for flora and fauna. He laid stress over the deployment of the wild life trained staff in the Wild Life wing. He advised the authorities to strike a balance between development and the nature so that both could benefit equally.
Board granted approval to allow setting up of 200 MW Bara Banghal HEP; divert forest land for drawing water from Pazeena Khad in district Solan to supply drinking water to the villagers; permit installation of Radar System at Dalhousie keeping in view its strategic importance; recommend enhancement of compensation rates for damages caused to human being and domestic live stock by wild animals; carry repair and maintenance, metalling and tarring over Bir to Rajgundha and Barot to Baragram road in Baijnath Sub-Division of district Kangra.
Shri John Corder, Advisor, Conservation Breeding of Pheasants Programme, congratulated the State Government for earning name at international level for successfully carrying captive breeding programmes of endangered species of birds like Western Tragopan and Vultures etc. . He said that the UN Assembly had also appreciated the concern State had towards conserving the flora and fauna. He congratulated the Wild Life Wing for developing an unique conservation breeding programme of Cheer Pheasant at Chail, which was unique in the world.
Dr. M.K. Ranjit Singh and Shri Vijay Bhushan, former senior Bureaucrats and experts in wild life, also deliberated upon different modes to be adopted to preserve and conserve wild life in the State.
Shri S.Roy, Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) welcomed the Chief Minister and said that the Wild Life Wing was working overtime to identify different species of birds and wild animals and taking effective steps to preserve the endangered species. He said that 130 species of bird had been identified in Shimla itself recently. He said that 21 more monkey sterilization centres were being set up on priority in different parts of the State.
Dr. A.K.Gulati, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wild Life Warden, conducted the proceedings of the Board Meeting and invited suggestions from the non-official and official members on each of the items.
Shri Sanjeeva Pandey, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wild Life), proposed vote of thanks.
Shri Tejwant Negi, Shri Parveen Sharma, Shri Gobind Sharma, MLAs, Dr. D.S. Manhas, Director General of Police, Shri R.K.Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, senior officers from different departments of Government of India, heads of the departments, senior officers and non-official members attended the meeting.
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