Sanctuaries: Himachal gets a month to finalise draft

The sanctuaries proposed to be denotified are Norgu in Mandi’s Chuhar valley,Daralghat and Silli in Solan district and Gobindsagar in Bilaspur district. Naina Devi Sanctuary,on the other hand,will be converted into a conservation reserve.

Earlier,the state government had appointed nine deputy commissioners as collectors under Section 19 and 25 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act-1972 to look into the settlement of rights of people living within the sanctuary areas.

Additional Chief secretary (Forest and Environment ) Sudipto Roy said: “The Supreme Court has given us two months’ time. The deputy commissioners have been told to complete public hearings and finalise the draft within a month. I believe by January 15,I will be able complete the entire exercise and submit the papers to the Supreme Court.”

In Kullu,the deputy commissioner has to finalise boundaries of the Great National Himalayan Park — proposed to be a UNESCO heritage site — Khirganga National Park,Inderkila National Park,Kanawar,Khokhan,Nargu,Sainj and Tirthan Sanctuaries. When contacted,Deputy Commissioner B M Nanta said: “We have received certain objections from the natives of these sanctuary areas.I have told the committee — set up for public hearings — to take an early decision so that the exercise is complete within a month.”

While the deputy commissioner of Sirmaur will look into Simbalbara National Park and Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary,Shimla DC will be responsible for Churdhar,Daranghati and Talra sanctuaries; Solan for Chail,Darlaghat,Majathal and Shilli; Kangra for Dhauladhar and Pong Wildlife Sanctuary; Chamba for Gamgul Siyabehi,Kugti,Sech Taun Nalla,Kalatop Khajjiar and Tudah wildlife sanctuaries; Lahul-Spiti for Kibber and Chandertal wildlife sanctuaries; Bilaspur for Gobinsagar and Naina Devi; and Mandi for Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary.