Plan to raise solar fencing at Corbett

Tribune New Service

Dehradun, April 29

A proposal to construct boundary walls and solar fencing at Corbett National Park for reducing the frequency of accidental straying of wild animals from their habitat is actively being pursued by the Uttarakhand Government.

“We will bring before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) this proposal as to how the fencing and the construction of the walls will help us prevent the straying of animals in areas that are outside the state’s jurisdiction. But before this, we will have to construct the Kandi road,” said Uttarakhand Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat on Monday.

Significantly, the new BJP government has already announced its intention to revive the Kandi road that passes through Corbett National Park. For this, it requires the permission of the NGT. The government intends to stonewall the opposition for the road by handing another proposal of undertaking simultaneous fencing of the Corbett area.

During his interaction with mediapersons, Rawat apprised them of his government’s intentions to change the image of the Department of Forest and Environment. “We do not want to be seen as creators of road blocks but initiators of development. The wildlife and forests have to be protected at all cost and simultaneously development too has to take place,” said Rawat. To give relief to farmers suffering from the problem of wild animals that destroy their crops, the minister indicated that the government would likely to hike the compensation amount.

“We will bring a proposal in the Cabinet hiking the compensation amount from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh given to those persons who lose their lives after being attacked by wild animals and from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh to persons who are grievously injured after being attacked by wild animals,” said Rawat.

The other plans of the government include the opening of more entry points at Corbett, which will reduce the distance from Delhi to the park.