ITBP to be sensitised on wildlife conservation

Jotirmay Thapliyal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 17

Uttarakhand forest authorities will be seeking assistance from para military force - Indo Tibetan Border Police Force — and the Army for safeguarding the wildlife in the border protected area of Gangotri national park that shares borders with Tibetan.

One of the biggest protected areas of Uttarkhand and the third largest in the country, Gangotri national park in Uttarkashi district is spread around little less than 2,400 sq km. It is home to some of rare wildlife species like snow leopard.

In the recent years, there has been a spurt in the population of stray dogs which is also in some way posing a threat to blue sheep and Himalayan goral. Often these stray dogs feed on leftover food items at the ITBP check posts and thus a spurt in their population has been witnessed.

Seeking cooperation from the ITBP, forest authorities have asked the para military force to shun providing any type of food items to these stray dogs. Images in camera traps have been recorded that reveal stray dogs chasing blue sheep and goral.

Further, there have also been incidents in the past when camera traps installed at various places inside the park has been damaged or stolen and assistance from the ITBP would help strengthen the security arrangements as the ITBP would also keep an eye on installed camera traps in order to check anti-wildlife elements.

Uttarakhand’s Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Wildlife Dr Dhananjay Mohan disclosed that they have held meetings with Army and ITBP officials and have sought their cooperation in the wildlife conservation. He said the ITBP officials have assured to help curb stray dog menace by ensure that the canines do not get the leftover food at the check posts.