Revenue Deptt approached for early settlement of rights
Endangered, rare species to get protection
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Dec 17: In order to protect endangered and rare species besides rich flora and fauna, the Government is all set to constitute a Wildlife Sanctuary and a Wildlife Conservation Reserve in Bani and Rajouri-Poonch areas of Jammu region and Revenue Department has been approached for early settlement of rights.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that Standing Committee of Board for Wildlife in its 15th meeting held on October 18, 2019 under the chairmanship of the then Advisor to the then Governor of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir had cleared the proposals for declaring vast area in Bani as Wildlife Sanctuary and in Rajouri-Poonch as Wildlife Conservation Reserve.
The decision was taken as rare specifies in these areas were facing the threat of extinction from hunters, loss of habitat due to human intervention and climate change factors. Moreover, these areas have other rich flora and fauna, which is required to be protected.
In compliance to this decision of the Standing Committee of Board for Wildlife, the Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Forest, Ecology and Environment Department Manoj Kumar Dwivedi has issued two separate notifications.
“The areas identified by the Wildlife Department have adequate flora and fauna, geomorphology and natural significance for the purpose of protecting, propagating and developing wildlife and its environment. Therefore, in exercise of powers conferred by Sub-Section (1) of the Section 18 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Government hereby declares its intention to constitute Bani Wildlife Sanctuary and Mughlan Goral Wildlife Conservation Reserve”, read the notifications, the copies of which are available with EXCELSIOR.
“We have approached the Revenue Department for early settlement of rights so that formal notification about these wildlife protected areas is issued in shortest possible time”, said Suresh Kumar Gupta, Chief Wildlife Warden J&K when contacted, adding “with the issuance of notification declaring intention of the Government, the Wildlife Department will shortly take over the identified areas”.
In response to a question, the Chief Wildlife Warden said, “this step will go a long way in protecting the rich flora and fauna besides endangered species available in these areas”, adding “with this the number of Wildlife Sanctuaries in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will increase to 14 while as that of Wildlife Conservation Reserve to 30”.
The Bani Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 99.76 square kilometres and is situated between the Chatter Gala ridge and Sunbain glaciers in north, J&K boundary with Himachal Pradesh is Northeast, Kunsun Da Naal in Southwest, spur starting from Kaplash Kund towards South up to Nukunwal in West and Chatter Gala ridge towards Kaplash Kund Northwest.
Prominent specifies of mammals are found within the limits of the proposed and adjoining areas. Endangered Himalayan Tahr (Karth) is the key specie of the area. The other endangered and vulnerable species in the area are Musk Deer, Grey Himalayan Goral (Pijjar), Serow (Urred), the Barking Deer and the Hog Deer etc.
Some species of the birds, which are found within the limits of the proposed and adjoining areas of the Bani Wildlife Sanctuary are Himalayan Monal Pheasant (Neel), Koklass Pheasants, White-crested Khaleej Pheasant and Himalayan Snow Cock.
The Mughlan Goral Wildlife Conservation Reserve is spread over 21.30 square kilometres in Manjakote, Thanamandi and Surankote tehsils. The area is rich and diverse in faunal species due to attitudinal variation in climatic conditions. Among the prominent mammal species in the area is Goral, a goat like animal holding an intermediate position between goat and antelope.
A small population of Goral was reported in 1996-97 after the survey conducted by the Wildlife Protection Department. Western Tragopan is reported from the higher reaches of the proposed areas adjoining Dehra-ki-Gali. The key faunal species include Asiatic black bear, Jackal, Porcupine, Pea fowl etc.
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