Strengthen wildlife sanctuaries: CM

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 22

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today stressed on further strengthening wildlife sanctuaries and reserves in the state so that the rare wildlife species, for which Jammu and Kashmir is known world over, are protected adequately and these places become good attractions for adventure lovers and tourists.

Chairing the fourth meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir State Board for Wildlife here today, the Chief Minister underscored the need for protection and conservation of world-famed hangul, markhor, musk deer and other rare species which have given the state a place of pride not only in India, but also in the world.

She said the biodiversity of the state was so rich that almost half of the mountain fauna of the world was found in Jammu and Kashmir only and asked the department for taking concrete steps for the conservation and protection of the same. Minister for Forests Lal Singh was also present in the meeting.

Mehbooba Mufti also stressed on ensuring a natural environment in these sanctuaries and reserves rather than pushing modern day necessities deep inside to provide the wild animals an ambience in which they didn’t feel scared or threatened.

She said, “Nowadays we see more and more human-animal conflicts and the reason for that is that we have interfered in the lifecycle and food chain of wild animals.

She appreciated the decision of the Forest Minister to plant 30 per cent fruit trees in forest areas so that the wild animals didn’t have to come down to civilian areas in search of food.

Asking the experts to ponder over these issues, the Chief Minister, who is also the chairperson of the board, said what was required was that the human intervention in the life of wild animals should be minimised.

She said where ever required, these protected reserves should be given wild environment in its own way rather than using the modern day concrete methods for that.

Mehbooba complimented the department for bagging the top slot in a survey conducted by a national media house and hoped the officers and activists together would work for the conservation of flora and fauna in the state.

She also advised rationalisation of manpower among the sister wings of the department to meet the shortcoming of staff.

Earlier, briefing the Chief Minister about the activities of the Wildlife Department and the board, Lal Singh said J&K boasted of a rich and varied wildlife fauna.

He said around 16,000 sq km of area in the state had been earmarked as protected by the department. He said there were five national parks, 15 wildlife sanctuaries and 37 conservation reserves spread in the area.

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