Big cats, big impact: Tsarap Chu reserve gets Rs 3 crore funding

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) team, presented a cheque for Rs 3 crore to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for the conservation and management of the newly notified Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve.

Expressing gratitude for the generous support, the Chief Minister said the funds would catalyse early-stage conservation activities such as preparation of the management plan, constitution of a Conservation Reserve Management Committee and capacity-building of relevant stakeholders. Led by Soumitra Dasgupta, the IBCA team presented the cheque to the CM, here.

Tsarap Chu was formally notified as India’s largest conservation reserve on May 7 this year, covering an area of 1,585 square km. The reserve lies in a strategic trans-Himalayan region, bordering the Union Territory of Ladakh in the north and adjoining Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in the east, Kabjima Nullah in the south and Chandertal Wildlife Sanctuary and Baralacha Pass in the west.

Sukhu added that this contribution would enhance community-led wildlife conservation initiatives and foster livelihood opportunities for local communities through eco-friendly activities. “Now, Tsarap Chu is the largest conservation reserve in the country and will help promote eco-tourism, nature photography, camping, and wildlife research, significantly contributing to local livelihoods,” he said.

The Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve will be managed by the Conservation Reserve Management Committee, which will include representatives from local Panchayats to ensure inclusive and community-based management, aligning ecological goals with local needs, he added.

The conservation reserve is located in one of the high-density habitats of snow leopards in Himachal Pradesh and supports a rich variety of Himalayan and Trans-Himalayan flora and fauna, including species such as Tibetan Wolf, Kiang, Bharal, Ibex, Tibetan Argali, and avifauna like Rose Finches, Tibetan Ravens and Yellow-billed Choughs. The reserve, which forms the catchment of the Charap Nullah, will serve as a crucial wildlife corridor connecting Kibber and Chandertal wildlife sanctuaries.

The IBCA, a coalition of 96 range and non-range countries, focuses on the conservation of seven big cat species, including tigers, lions, leopards and snow leopards and their habitats across the globe. The alliance has expressed keen interest in strengthening and expanding the Protected Area Network in high-altitude regions like Himachal Pradesh.