Panels formed for conservation of wildlife in Fatehabad

The state government has notified three management committees for conservation of the wildlife community reserve areas in Fatehabad district.

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Though the areas were declared ‘Community Reserve’ in 2019, the formation of the committees for the implementation of the community reserve guidelines and management had been pending for five years.

Fatehabad district has community reserves at Dhangar, Majra and Kajalheri. It includes Shaheed Amrita Devi Memorial Community Reserve at Dhangar for blackbucks, Guru Gorakhnath Community Reserve in Kajalheri for rare species of turtles and Guru Jambheshwar Community Reserve for protection of peacocks and black francolin — state bird of Haryana — at Dhani Majra village of Fatehabad district.

After formally recognising these areas as community reserves in 2019, the process to set up management committees remained incomplete, reportedly due to administrative delays. With the formation of this new committee, the conservation and management of these reserves are expected to improve significantly.

Wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists have long been advocating for the proper execution of this notification. Vinod Kadwasra, president of the Akhil Bhartiya Jeev Raksha Bishnoi Sabha, said the committees would play a significant role in ensuring the protection, management, and conservation of these habitats, particularly safeguarding species, such as blackbucks and other native wildlife.

At present, there are 13 wildlife sanctuaries and three conservation reserves in the state.

As per the notification on January 3, the Community Reserve Management Committee has been established by the order of the Haryana Governor, under Section 36D of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, for five years.

The committee is responsible for advising the Chief Wildlife Warden, Haryana, on conservation, management, and maintenance of these areas. Three committees are headed by the Divisional Wildlife Officer of Hisar and includes members from respective villages and surrounding villages. Additionally, the Inspector Wildlife, Fatehabad, serves as the member secretary. The headquarters of the committee is in Hisar, operating under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

As per the notification, the committee must meet at least twice a year, with the Divisional Wildlife Officer, Hisar, presiding over its meetings.

Five years late

*Though the areas were declared ‘Community Reserve’ in 2019, the formation of the committees for the implementation of the guidelines and management had been pending for five years

*The areas were formally recognised as community reserves in 2019

*The process to set up management committees remained incomplete, reportedly due to administrative delays