In a positive move towards tiger conservation, at least part of Nandhour forests under Haldwani Forest Division in Uttarakhand, will now be declared as wildlife sanctuary. Currently, it presently has the status of reserved forest lying in the heart of Terai Arc Landscape, which has the highest density of tiger population in the world.
In a recent meeting with the Uttarakhand Forest Department, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) decided to elevate the status of 260 sq km of Nandhour Forests as a wildlife sanctuary.
Though happy with the move, conservationists point out that more needs to be done considering that the original proposal was for an area of 585 sq kms.
As per a study conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in the region, an area of 400 sq kms Nandhour forests has camera-trapped at least 8-10 tigers. Besides, recent studies have also documented presence of other rare wildlife species such as Large Indian Civet, honey badger, sloth bear, serow and red-headed trogon in the region.
Considering the tremendous potential of Nandhour, it can be as successful as Corbett which has a high density of tigers and holds a large elephant population,” says wildlife scientist and conservationist Dr AJT Johnsingh.
The importance of the forest lies in its strategic location as the connecting link between Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand and Pilibhit forest of UP. On the eastern side this landscape maintains direct connectivity with the Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve of Nepal through the Brahmadev corridor across Sharada River. Most importantly, the area is free of human habitations as well, pointed out Dr Bibhash Pandav, heading the Department of Endangered Species, WII, who is working in the region.
However, the root of controversy that had held back the Nandhour forest from getting the status of Wildlife sanctuary earlier was related to the issue of boulder mining done across the Gola River, about 15-20 kms from the site. The Forest Advisory Committee under the Environment Ministry had directed for notifying Nandhour and Powalgarh forests in the area as wildlife sanctuaries while granting permission to carry out boulder mining in the nearby Gola River till May this year.
“Considering the tremendous pressure that the Government was facing At least a beginning has been made, it will be now easier to carry out the extension process in due course,” felt Dr Pandav. He added that it is at least a much better option than the earlier proposal of getting it declared as a conservation reserve. Now the State would also get permission for the mining operations of boulder,” he added.
In a recent meeting with the Uttarakhand Forest Department, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) decided to elevate the status of 260 sq km of Nandhour Forests as a wildlife sanctuary.
Though happy with the move, conservationists point out that more needs to be done considering that the original proposal was for an area of 585 sq kms.
As per a study conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in the region, an area of 400 sq kms Nandhour forests has camera-trapped at least 8-10 tigers. Besides, recent studies have also documented presence of other rare wildlife species such as Large Indian Civet, honey badger, sloth bear, serow and red-headed trogon in the region.
Considering the tremendous potential of Nandhour, it can be as successful as Corbett which has a high density of tigers and holds a large elephant population,” says wildlife scientist and conservationist Dr AJT Johnsingh.
The importance of the forest lies in its strategic location as the connecting link between Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand and Pilibhit forest of UP. On the eastern side this landscape maintains direct connectivity with the Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve of Nepal through the Brahmadev corridor across Sharada River. Most importantly, the area is free of human habitations as well, pointed out Dr Bibhash Pandav, heading the Department of Endangered Species, WII, who is working in the region.
However, the root of controversy that had held back the Nandhour forest from getting the status of Wildlife sanctuary earlier was related to the issue of boulder mining done across the Gola River, about 15-20 kms from the site. The Forest Advisory Committee under the Environment Ministry had directed for notifying Nandhour and Powalgarh forests in the area as wildlife sanctuaries while granting permission to carry out boulder mining in the nearby Gola River till May this year.
“Considering the tremendous pressure that the Government was facing At least a beginning has been made, it will be now easier to carry out the extension process in due course,” felt Dr Pandav. He added that it is at least a much better option than the earlier proposal of getting it declared as a conservation reserve. Now the State would also get permission for the mining operations of boulder,” he added.
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