Car rallies banned in Spiti sanctuary area in winter

Decision taken for conservation of snow leopards, other wildlife species

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– Tour and travel agencies organise car rallies during the winter to attract tourists. The rallies pass through the snow leopard landscape of the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary area of the Spiti valley

– During the winter, all wildlife animals such as snow leopards, ibex, Himalayan serows, blue sheep come down to the lower areas of the Spiti valley due to heavy snowfall in the region

– February and March are also the mating season of snow leopards

– Kaza ADM imposes Section 144 in the Kibber sanctuary area

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Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, February 8

The Kaza administration has banned car rallies in the sanctuary area of the Spiti valley during the winter for the conservation of snow leopards and other rare species of wildlife in Lahaul and Spiti district.

The Spiti valley is being reopened to tourists on February 17. It was closed in March last year after the Covid-19 breakout in the state.

According to sources, tour and travel agencies organise car rallies during the winter to attract tourists. The rallies pass through the snow leopard landscape of the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary area of the Spiti valley.

According to the administration, during the winter, all wildlife animals such as snow leopards, ibex, Himalayan serows, blue sheep come down to the lower areas of the Spiti valley due to heavy snowfall in the region. February and March are also the mating season of snow leopards.

Additional District Magistrate, Kaza, Gyan Sagar Negi said, “The movement of heavy vehicles through the sanctuary area not only disturbs the natural habitat of the wild animals but also adversely affects the procreation of snow leopards, which have been declared a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)”.

“Moreover, the state and Central governments are making efforts for the conservation of wildlife through different projects and programmes. The sighting of a snow leopard is the main attraction of winter tourism in the Spiti valley, which is a substantial source of income for local residents,” he said.

Negi said, “In the larger interest of conservation of vulnerable species of wildlife, I have imposed Section 144 in the Kibber sanctuary area and no car rally will be allowed to pass through the snow leopard landscape from the PWD road, Lidang, Demul, Komic, Hikkarm to Langcha and from the Rangrik bridge to Chicham via Kee Kibber village till further orders”.

“Anyone found violating the orders will face action under the Wildlife Protection Act and Section 188 of the CrPC 1973,” he added.