Hisar gets first Community Reserve for protection of wildlife, ecology

The government has set up a Community Reserve to protect the rich biodiversity of the region, including traditional conservation practices, at Chaudhariwali village of the district. A notification was issued under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, on February 21.

The reserve is spread on about 150 acres on panchayat land in Chaudhariwali village located in the Adampur block.

This is the first wildlife community reserve in the district. Environmentalists and the local Bishnoi community people have welcomed the decision. The reserve will provide protection to various wildlife species, including deer, peacocks, spiny-tailed lizards, desert foxes, wild cats, jackals, bird species, and turtles.

The gram panchayat, led by sarpanch Kuldeep Delhi, had submitted the proposal to the government. The proposal was backed by digital mapping, a detailed project report, and recommendations from the Deputy Commissioner and the former Adampur MLA, Bhavya Bishnoi. The report, prepared by wildlife conservationist Vinod Kadwasra, spans over 100 pages and documents the region’s flora and fauna.

Kadwasra said he and the then Hisar IGP, Amitabh Singh Dhillon, had initiated discussions with villagers in 2020 regarding the establishment of a community reserve. However, the proposal did not materialise due to administrative delays. The region was home to indigenous plant species, such as desi kikar, khejri, ker, and wild ber, which supported the local ecosystem, he said.

The reserve will remain under the ownership of the panchayat, but land-use changes will no longer be permitted. Under the Act, a management committee will be formed, comprising at least five village representatives, along with a District Wildlife Officer as secretary. The committee will oversee conservation efforts and submit preservation plans to the government.

Future initiatives include the construction of water reservoirs, measures to control stray dogs that threaten deer population, grassland development for herbivores, and reforestation projects to revive native plant species, he said.

Sarpanch Kuldeep Delu said a village meeting would be held to form the management committee for the reserve.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vineet Garg said the initiative served as a model for other districts and states, highlighting the crucial role of community-driven conservation efforts.