Biosphere reserve status for Kanchenjunga

Talking to a group of visiting journalists, he pointed out that the proposal was to declare nearly 2,200 square kilometer area as biosphere reserve. Out of this, about 1,700 sq kms area is already covered under the Khangchen Dzonga National Park.

Throwing light on the proposed initiatives, Krishna said the aim was to disallow any sort of interference in the `core zone’ and to regulate activities in the `buffer zone’ so as to preserve ecology of the region.

Once the area is declared as a biosphere reserve, the key stone species of the region would be identified and protected, he said adding that detailed studies regarding the manifold aspects including assessment of landscape changes, human dimensions, wildlife flora and fauna would also be undertaken. Besides, all natural resources sites would also be monitored regularly.

Krishna said the institute had also suggested some measures regarding trekking activities through the Yuksam-Bakhim-Tsokha- Dzongri of Khangchen Dzonga trek as it felt that few regulations were necessary to protect the environment. Referring to the studies being conducted by the Institute about the geo-environmental assessment of landslide hazards in parts of Himalayas, Krishna said they were working on a model for coming out with solutions to the problem.

Krishna said at present the study on landslides was being conducted with special emphasis on Sikkim and other Himalayan regions but it could be extended to other areas facing similar problem. Describing the problem of landslides in Sikkim as serious, he said it caused traffic disruption and many areas remained cut off during monsoon.

Favouring restriction of construction activities in the landslide prone areas of the city, Krishna said the Institute had conducted a study after the incident and submitted its report to the State Government.