SC: Exclude inhabited areas after expanding sanctuaries

The Supreme Court took up the issue last week and directed the state government to first make a notification under Section 18 of the National Wildlife Protection Act 1971 to include new areas under the protected area network. Only after the results of addition to sanctuaries would the court proceed with permission for deletion.

“Our work for rationalisation has been appreciated; the Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan has asked us to complete some more formalities before granting permission for carrying out the whole process,” said Chief Conservator of Forests (Faunal Diversity) Sanjeeva Pandey.

The matter is now listed for hearing for July,before which the state government is to notify the additions.

As per the recommendations of the state,the National Board for Wildlife and the Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court,the area of wildlife sanctuaries would increase from 7,160 square kilometres to 8,405 sq km after the rationalisation. The number of wildlife sanctuaries would decrease from 33 to 24 and national parks would increase from three to five.

At present the state has two national parks,the Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu and the Pin Valley National Park in Lahaul and Spiti. The Khir Ganga National Park in catchment of Parvati river in Kullu (710 sq km),Inder Kila National Park near Manali at Hamta Pass (200 sq km) and Simbhalwara National Park in Shivalik hills of Sirmour district would be added.

Many sanctuaries would be completely deleted,including Naina Devi,Darlaghat,Norgu and Sili. Churdhar,Chail,Majathal,Kalatop,Shikari Devi,Pong Dam lake and Tunda sanctuaries would lose some area; and Daranghati,Sechdeuan Nala,Dhauladhar,Kibber,Kanawar,Gamgul Siavehi and Kugti sanctuaries would expand.