Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that wildlife infuses life in the natural grandeur and heavenly beauty of Jammu and Kashmir and stressed the need for preserving and protecting rich fauna of the State.
Chairing the 3rd meeting of State Board for Wildlife (SBW), the Chief Minister, who is also the Chairperson of the Board, said that Almighty has bestowed Jammu and Kashmir with rare fauna, flora, water bodies, wetlands, meadows, pastures, mountains and places of charming beauty which need focussed attention for conservation.
Minister for Forests, Mian Altaf Ahmad, legislator, Er. Rashid, Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, Director General of Police, Ashok Prasad, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B.B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Atul Duloo, Commissioner Secretary Forests, Aijaz Iqbal, Chief Wildlife Warden, A.K. Singh, various members of the Board and senior officers were present in the meeting.
The Chief Minister gave nod to the enhancement of compensation to Rs. 3 lakh in case of loss of the human life in animal-human conflict. He also approved the enhanced compensation for grievous injury to 30 percent of Rs. 3 lakh and Rs. 15,000 for minor injuries.
While stressing on the need of reducing the chances of animal-human conflicts, Omar Abdullah asked the Wildlife Department to appear a comprehensive summary for paying compensation to the affected breeders on account of loss of animals in animal-human conflicts.
The meeting discussed various matters pertaining to wildlife. It also took stock of the action taken by the Wildlife Department on the decisions taken in earlier Board meetings. The meeting also discussed various suggestions put forth by the Board members.
In a PowerPoint presentation, the Chief Wildlife Warden presented resume of the present status of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and measures taken by the department for the conservation and protection of wildlife in the State.
He said that increase has been registered in the population of Hangul in Dachigam area from 197 in 2004 to 218 in 2011. He said 16 sites have also been identified to be of high potential as Hangul habitation. He said Hangul have also been sighted in Kishtwar area. He said population of Markhor has been registered at 150 in 2012 and these have been sighted in Hirapora and Poonch areas also. He said Markhor population of 25 to 30 have been reported in Tahkhuti-Kalamund and Khara Gali.
He said that the population of Black Necked Crane has gone from 79 to 139 while Chiro population has also shown remarkable increase.
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