Shimla: Villagers refuse to leave sanctuary area
SHIMLA: While a team from International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) -- the official world heritage advisory body on nature --
will visit the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) from October 3 to 15
for infield inspection to include the park in UNESCO
world heritage list, the park authorities are facing the challenge of
shifting three small villages adjoining the sanctuary to include the
area into park.
GHNP area was declared national park under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 by the Himachal Pradesh government in 1999. This pristine area of temperate forests and alpine meadows surrounded by high mountains has remained without any human interference since 1999.
GHNP area was declared national park under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 by the Himachal Pradesh government in 1999. This pristine area of temperate forests and alpine meadows surrounded by high mountains has remained without any human interference since 1999.
Authorities now have plans to include Tirthan and Sainj sanctuaries in
GHNP as it would not only boost the tourism potential of the area, but
would also add to the economy
of local people. However, the residents of three villages -- Shaakti,
Maror and Shugad -- with a total population of around 112 are opposed to
the idea of shifting.
According to wildlife officials, opposition from villagers has stalled the process to include sanctuary area in GHNP. They said a proposal to Union government was sent in past in which there was a provision of transferring forest land to residents in equal amount of currently owned by them.
On the other hand, villagers claim that they have been living there since ages and they won't shift to other places abandoning their ancestral homes. Since their inclusion in sanctuary area, villages have been deprived of developmental activities, including construction of road, villagers continue to live there even after being promised equal land and facilities at Majhin village, 10km from there. The remoteness and inaccessibility of the park also ensures conservation of its biological diversity. More than 85% area of the buffer zone is under forest, which is effectively fulfilling the forest-based needs of the local community.
GHNP director Ajay Shrivastav said residents would be shifted only when all of them would give their consent in writing. "We are asking the villagers to inform us about their will. Three villages are located 25-30 km away from habitation and at new places they could be provided better facilities. Final call has to be taken by them," he said.
According to wildlife officials, opposition from villagers has stalled the process to include sanctuary area in GHNP. They said a proposal to Union government was sent in past in which there was a provision of transferring forest land to residents in equal amount of currently owned by them.
On the other hand, villagers claim that they have been living there since ages and they won't shift to other places abandoning their ancestral homes. Since their inclusion in sanctuary area, villages have been deprived of developmental activities, including construction of road, villagers continue to live there even after being promised equal land and facilities at Majhin village, 10km from there. The remoteness and inaccessibility of the park also ensures conservation of its biological diversity. More than 85% area of the buffer zone is under forest, which is effectively fulfilling the forest-based needs of the local community.
GHNP director Ajay Shrivastav said residents would be shifted only when all of them would give their consent in writing. "We are asking the villagers to inform us about their will. Three villages are located 25-30 km away from habitation and at new places they could be provided better facilities. Final call has to be taken by them," he said.
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