Govt mulls to create Hangul corridor in JK

Lal Singh chairs 12th Standing Committee meet of State Board for Wildlife

SRINAGAR, JULY 17: Government is mulling to create linkage-connectivity in various wildlife areas to pave way for Hangul corridor across Kashmir region.

This was stated by Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh while chairing 12th Standing Committee Board meeting for State Board for Wildlife at civil secretariat here.

The meeting was informed that proposals have been formulated for connecting various wildlife areas for the genetic connectivity of isolated population with the main population of Dachigam National Park. The officials said that the magnificent Kashmiri Red Stag or Hangul would get protection with the establishment of the corridor.

Known for its giant antlers bearing 11 to 16 points, Hangul has been hunted over centuries and its habitat destroyed, leading to its population in the wild plunging to a mere 150 to 250.

During the meeting, the officials discussed the proposal for declaring 156 Sq Km of Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary as protected land in Kashmir region.  The proposed protected area shall be named as Tral Wildlife Sanctuary after historical Tral town.

The Board also discussed that the management of the area on scientific lines which shall ensure conservation and protection of this fragile landscapes as a viable habitat for the rare species of the area. The Board unanimously considered and passed the establishment of the wildlife sanctuary under sanction 17 of Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Protection Act, 1978, amended 2002.

During the meeting, the Board also discussed the proposals for accruing 222 kanals of forest land for Jammu and Kashmir Police firing range under Khasra number 1469 situated at Sunjawan, Jammu. The Board considered the proposal, saying that appropriate action would be taken in this regard. The Board also discussed the proposal with regard to the clearance of the cement manufacturing Unit established by M/S HK Cement Industries.

The Board meeting was attended by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu and Kashmir, Ravi Kesar, ADGP Headquarter (PHQ) VK Singh, Surrinder Gupta, IGP Headquarter, Wildlife Warden, Kashmir, Raashid Naqash, member secretary among other members of the department.