CHAPTER VI WILD LIFE IN THE STATE OF HIMACHAL...
Transcript of CHAPTER VI WILD LIFE IN THE STATE OF HIMACHAL...
CHAPTER VI
WILD LIFE IN THE STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
I. Introduction
A Sanskrit proverb holds that "a hundred divine
epochs would not suffice to describe all the marvels of the
Himalayas"- so long to describe, how much longer to
understand. Modern scientific study of Himalayan ecology
has touched a tiny tip of the knowledge to be learnt. ^ Wide
altitudinal ranges and varied topography of Himachal
Pradesh has resulted in making the State a very rich
repository of the wild fauna and flora. Where the snow
leopard, ibex, and snow cock lives in the cold deserts, the
cold temperate regions of the State forms the natural
habitat of musk deer, Himalayan tahr, brown bear, monal
and western tragopan. The lower reaches of the State has
sambher deer, barking deer, wild boar, ghoral and leopard
among mammals and pheasants including cheer pheasant
and white crested kaleej. The State has an inventory of more
than 3,500 higher plants, many of which are endemic to the
region and many from the basis of local health traditions.2
To conserve the entire range of bio-diversity in-situ, the
State has established a network of 'protected areas' ,
comprising two National Parks and 32 Sanctuaries. This
network of protected area represents the myriad diversity of
life in the North Western Himalayas.
1 See, Samnel Israel and Toby Sinclair, Indian Wildlife: Wildlife of the Himalaya, (1987) p l 5 7 .
2 www.hp.forest.nic.in; Also see. Annual Plan, 2004-05, Govt, of H. P.
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Wildlife Fact Sheet in Himachal Pradesh
Area under Protected Area Network
National Park- (2) 1440 km2
Sanc tuar ies - (32) 5562 km2
Recorded taxa of higher p lan t s >3500
Recorded species of mammals 77
Recorded species of Birds 463
Recorded species of repti les 44
Recorded species of fish 80
Recorded species of aquat ic fauna 516^
II. Wild Life Legis lat ion in the State of Himachal
Pradesh
Subject related to wild life and its conservat ion in
India draws i ts s t rength from Article 48-A of the Directive
Principles of State Policy under the Const i tu t ion of India,
and Article 51-A (g), specifying the Fundamen ta l Duties of
the cit izens of India.
The primary law governing ma t t e r s re la t ing to wildlife
in the country is the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The
Sta te of Himachal Pradesh has adopted th is Act and its
subsequen t amendmen t s as the basic legislation to manage
and guide wildlife related mat t e r s in the State.'*
Prior to th is , a reas were declared Sanc tua r i e s unde r
the Punjab Wild Birds and Wild Animals Act, 1933 or the
Himachal Pradesh Wild Birds and Wild Animals Protection
Rules, or unde r both of these.^ Ordinarily, all those a reas
tha t were set up as National Parks or Sanc tua r i e s unde r any
3 Ibid 4 Id. 5 Jagmohan Balokhra, The Wonderland Himachal Pradesh, (2004), p. 805.
175
earlier Act automatically became National Park or
Sanctuaries under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
(a) National Parks
The State of Himachal Pradesh has declared two areas
of very high ecological, geo-morphological and bio-diversity
significance as National Parks with the objective to accord
its wild life resources the highest legal protection status
available to the wild life in the country.
A National Park is an area established under section
35(4) of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 and no right is
allowed within the National Park. Grazing is prohibited in
these areas and the general public is legally restrained from
destroying, exploiting or removing any wild life from the
National Park or destroying or damaging the habitat of wild
animals. Process to settle rights in the two National Parks
in the State is in progress.
The National Parks in the State beckons the visitors
to enjoy the serene natural surroundings, experience the
wilderness and understand the dire necessity of joining
hands to conserve nature in its State.^
(i) Great Himalayan National Park
The National Park with an area of 620 sq. km. is
located in Kullu District and has the representative area of
temperate and alpine forests of Himachal. It has some of the
virgin coniferous forests of the State. Vast area of alpine
pastures and glaciers cap this park. Bounded on three sides
by the perpetual snow of the Himalayas, the westerly
entrance to the park through the Tirthan Valley leading
upto the Pin Parvati Pass in the GHNP is traditionally
6 Information collected from Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, Shimla.
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considered one of the most sacred places in the Western Himalaya.
The features that initially attracted and led to the
preservation of this area as GHNP were its enormous bio
diversity representativeness of the Western Himalaya. From
the critically endangered Western Tragopan to the rare and
elusive serow and the most beautiful of the big cats, the
snow leopard, they are all here amidst the entire range of
vegetation and ecological complexes of the Western
Himalaya.7 This area has most of the important wildlife
species of Western Himalayas, like musk deer, brown bear,
goral, thar, leopard, snow leopard, bharal, serow, monal,
khalij, koklas, cheer, tragopan, snow cock etc. Trekking to
Rakti-Sar, origin of Sainj River and camping in alpine
pastures is unforgettable. Similar is the trekking route to
Tirath the origin of Tirthan River.
Visitors can contact Director, National Park at
Shamshi or Range Officer Wildlife at Sainj or Sai Ropa
(Banjar) for assistance and guidance. Camping equipment
and guides are provided by the Forest Department.
(ii) Pin Valley National Park
Long before man discovered the remote land, several
hardy animals and birds inhabited this Himalayan Eden in
exquisite equilibrium. The Pin Valley National Park
represents the bio- geography of the Trans- Himalayan cold
desert with its characteristic flora and fauna. Endangered
species such as the precious snow leopard, the endemic
Himalayan Ibex, the mighty Bharal or Blue Sheep and the
Lynx among others are found in these cold and rugged
lands.
7 Wonders of Wildlife in Himachal Pradesh: Wilderness and Wild in Himachal, H.P. Tourism Development Corporation.
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The large varieties of indigenous, medicinal herbs that
help sustain the ancient Tibetan system of medicine add
much to the cultural and floristic significance of this
national Park.^
This area can be visited only by those who have tough
leg muscles and strong lungs. Visitors can contact
Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife Division Sarahan,
Additional Conservator of Forest, Wildlife Kaza or Range
Officer, Wildlife, Tabo for information about the park. The
area is closed to foreign visitors. Indian visitors are also
required to obtain a permit for entry from Deputy
Commissioner Shimla or Sub-divisional Magistrate, Rampur.
(b) Sanctuaries
With a view to conserve the total range of wildlife
available in the State, the Government of Himachal Pradesh
has declared 32 areas, covering all the agro-climatic zones
in the State and having ecological, geo-morphological and
bio-diversity value, as wild life sanctuaries.
A wild life Sanctuary is established under section 18-
26 of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 and admits rights to
the extent as allowed by the Collector at the time of
settlement in concurrence with the Chief Wild Life Warden
of the State. Finally notified Sanctuaries and National Parks
cannot be altered without resolution of the State legislation.
These wildlife Sanctuaries provide a very good
opportunity to the visitors to enjoy and experience
wilderness of the State.^ A brief description of some of the
sanctuaries is given below:
8 Ibid. 9 See, supra note 2.
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(i) Simbalbara Sanctuary
This Sanctuary is located in Paonta Valley of Sirmaur
district. Area bears beautiful dense Sal forests with grassy
glades. This probably is the most picturesque area in
Shivaliks. There is a perennial stream in the area.
Simbalbara Forest Rest House connected by a fair weather
road from Puruwala provides a view of the valley. Goral,
sambhar and chital can be easily seen in the area. There are
walking trails in the quilt adjoining forests. Winter is the
best season to visit this sanctuary. ^̂
(ii) Renuka Sanctuary
Spread over 400 hectares of wood and grass land
surrounding the sacred and picturesque Renuka Lake, this
Wildlife Sanctuary despite its small size, harbors several
species of deer like Chital, Sambhar and Barking Deer. The
threatened Kaleej pheasant and the more common Red
Jungle Fowl are also found here. This is a small sanctuary
connected by motorable road. Renuka Lake and the temples
attract a large number of people from hills and plains.
Forests and the catchment of the lake add beauty and
attraction to the area. Lion Safari and open Nature Parks
with freely moving wild animals like chital, sambhar ,
kakkar, etc. are big attraction. Tourist Bungalow and
Cafeteria provide all the comforts needed in a calm and
quiet place. Visitors come all the year round.ii
(iii) Churdhar Sanctuary
Churdhar peak, with height of 3647 meters is the
highest peak in outer Himalayas. It is like an Oasis of
10 See, supra note 7. 11 Wonders of Wildlife in Himachal Pradesh: Wilderness and Wild in Himachal,
H.P. Tourism Development Corporation.
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alpine area in an ocean of temperate forests. This is an
excellent area for trekking during summer and early
winters. The view from Churdhar peak is un-paralleled.
One is sure to come across large number of
multicoloured and agile monals in the adjoining forests
along with the Koklas and kaleej pheasants . The endangered
Himalayan Black Bear and the canine toothed Musk Deer
inhabit the high reaches of the sanctuary. Trekking from
Nohra, Sarain and Pulbahal is tough but enjoyable. There
are Rest Houses at Nohra, Choras and Sarain. There is also
a Sarai and a Shiva Temple at Churdhar. 12
(iv) Chail Sanctuary
Chail is a hill station visited by many tourists. The
Deodar and Oak forests with grass lands around the
township are the abode of wild life. One can see sambhar,
goral and cheer pheasants at blossom and jhaja. Visitors
are welcome to the cheer pheasant breeding centre at both
these places. Barking deer and khaleej in the forests are
sure to meet and greet the visitors in the dusk and dawn.
Trekking from Chail to Gaura and Chail to Jhaja is common
and rewarding as one is sure to see wildlife and beautiful
snowy peaks.
(v) Majathal Sanctuary
This sanctuary has a very steep and rugged terrain
away from habitation. This can be visited by travelling
about 10 kms. On a kacha road from Kararaghat (Shimla-
Bilaspur-Highway) to Kashlog and then walking on foot from
Kashlog. This Sanctuary has the highest concentration of
goral which can be seen in its natural habitat. This
Sanctuary is reported to have the maximum population of
12 Ibid.
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endangered cheer pheasant. One has to stay in tents in the
forest. Best season to visit is in the winters.
(vi) Pong Dam Lake
This lake Sanctuary is a big attraction for migratory
ducks from region during winter. One can see thousands of
ducks in the swamp area between Shahnahar barrage and
Pong dam and the surrounding shallow waters of the lake.
Clean blue water all around with the panoramic view of
Dhauladhar Ranges and Kangra Valley makes visit to
Ransar Island an unforgettable experience. Black buck and
chital on the island along with surkhab, cranes, pintails
and variety of water birds welcome the visitors on the
Islands.
(vii) Manali Sanctuary
This sanctuary starts about 2 km from Manali town.
This forms the catchment of Manalsu khud. A bridle path
from Manali log huts . Dhungri temple passes through dense
Deodar, Kail, Horse Chestnut, Walnut and Maple forests.
Night stay in tents at Lambadug or Galiani thatch is an
unforgettable experience.
Alpine lush green pastures and glaciers beyond Galani
thatch are a romance attraction for the enthusiastic but
enduring visitors. One may see musk deer, monal and
brown bear digging or ploughing the land and also pug
marks with scent of leopard or snow leopard. Those who can
venture to snows can see herds of Ibex in the glacier zone in
summers.
(viii) Kanawar Sanctuary
This sanctuary is located in Parbati Valley of Kullu
District. There is a Rest House at Kasol. Range Officer
Wildlife, Kasol provides information and help to visitors.
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Uphill walk along Garahan Nala from Kasol through dense
majestic deodar and Fir forests is enjoyable. This sanctuary
has the largest population of Himalayan Thar in Himalayas
and seeing this big goat on high mountain cliffs is the
fulfilment of the dream of any wildlife lover.
(ix) Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary
This Sanctuary's area with its well laid out trekking
jungle trails both at Kalatop and Khajjiar is a tourist
paradise. Dense Deodar and Fir forests are a place of
solitude very close to Dalhousie town. Visitors should look
for pheasants and serow in these forests but should be
beware of black bear which is met very often in the area.
(x) Daranghati Sanctuary
This sanctuary located in the upper area of Shimla
District has undisturbed forest area with plenty of wildlife.
Monal, tragopan, koklas and khalij are the pheasants found
here. The area also has musk deer, goral and thar. There is
a network of bridle paths and inspection paths in the
sanctuary. Visitors are advised to seek assistance from the
forest staff posted at Dofda and Sarahan. The area is ideal
for those who love to trek mountain heights.
The description of Sanctuaries and National Parks in
Himachal Pradesh along with the year of establishment and
areas is given in the following tables:
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Table I: Sanctuar les in Himachal Pradesh S.No. Sanc tuary District Year Area
(sq.km.)
Tarla Shimla 1962 4 0
Majathal Solan 1962 57.55
Shilli Solan 1963 2
Chail Solan 1976 109
Renuka Si rmaur 1964 4
Simbalbara S i rmaur 1958 19
Churdha r Si rmaur 1985 6 6
Darlaghat Shimla 1962 6
Darangha t i Shimla 1962 167
Rupi-Bhaba Kinnaur 1982 7 3 8
Rakchham-Chi tku l Kinnaur 1989 3 0 4
Lippa- Asrang Kinnaur 1962 3 4 9
Kibber Lahaul Spiti 1992 1400
Tir than KuUu 1976 6 1
Sainj Kullu 1994 9 0
Kalatop-Khajjiar Chamba 1958 6 9
Gamgul- Siyabehi Chamba 1962 109
Manali Kullu 1954 32
Kias Kullu 1954 14
Khokhan Kullu 1954 14
Kanawar Kullu 1954 6 1
Shikari Devi Mandi 1962 72
Nagru Mandi 1962 2 7 8
Bandli Mandi 1962 4 1
Naina Devi Bi laspur 1962 1 2 3
Pong Dam Kangra 1983 3 0 7
Gobind Sagar Bi laspur 1962 100
Sechu Tuan Nala Chamba 1962 1 0 3
Dhau ladha r Kangra 1999 9 4 4
Shimla Water
Ca tchment
Shimla 1958 10
Tundah Chamba 1962 6 4
Kugti Chamba 1962 3 7 9
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Table - 2: National Parks in Himachal Pradesh S.No National Park District Year Area
1) Pin Valley National
Park
Lahaul Spiti 1987 675
2) Great Himalayan
National Park
Kullu 1984 755
III Wildlife - Human Relationship
The State has a long history of sustainable co
existence with its wildlife resources. People have, over the
years, found use of more than 600 local plants for their
health care needs and for obtaining food, fuel, gums, oils,
resin etc. from these. These plants contribute substantially
to the rural livelihoods. The State Government, in
appreciation of these intimate rural livelihood linkages has
allowed the local communities the use of these usufructs
from the forests except those that are reserved under the
Indian Forest Act, 1927 and those that are constituted as
National Parks under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Dwindling population of the wild animals have
increased since imposition of the total ban on hunting since
1984. The extensification of agriculture has led to greater
human-animal conflict. Whereas, wild boar, black bear and
monkeys are reported sometimes to cause damage to the
standing crops, instances of lifting domestic animals by
leopards are also reported. Stray cases of injuries to and
loss of human life by leopard and black bear have also been
reported.
The wildlife managers in the State are in the process
of formulating a long-term policy to deal effectively with the
increasing human-wild animal conflicts. The State
Government, concerned about these conflicts, extend
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monetary compensat ion in case of loss of domest ic animals
and injuries to or loss of h u m a n life due to wild an imals .
Rates of such compensat ion (in Rs.) as notified by the
government on 09.04.96 and part ial ly modified on
27 .08 .2001 are as under :
1. Death of h u m a n beings 1,00,000
2. Permanent incapaci ta t ion 1,00,000
3. Grievous injury to h u m a n beings 33,000
4. Killing of h o r s e s / m u l e s by snow leopard in shed
4,000
5. Killing of h o r s e s / m u l e s by snow leopard in jungle
2,500
6. Loss of buffalo, cow jersey cross , ox and mule in jungle
2,500
7. Loss of buffalo etc. in jungle 1,500
8. Loss of cow in cow shed 625
9. Loss of cow in jungle 375
10. Loss of ox in shed 1,250
11. Loss of ox in jungle 625
12. Loss of young one of buffaloes, cow, ox, mule
250
13. Loss of young one of buffaloes, cow, ox, mule in jungle
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14. Loss of yak, h o r s e / m u l e and camel in shed 2500
15. Loss of yak, h o r s e / m u l e and camel in jungle 1500
16. Loss of donkey in shed 875
17. Loss of donkey in jungle 500
The list cons is t s of 30 such forms in which
compensat ion may be given.i^
IV. Human-Animal Conflict
While conflict between man and man belonging to
different denominat ions , races and religion is universa l and
inherent , the conflict between Homo sapiens and wildlife for
13 www.hp.forest.nic.in.
185
survival is now taking a virulent shape. The conflict is
mainly due to pressure of rapid increase in population and
poverty of the people which constitute the real threat to our
limited natural resources. The main reasons for man versus
wild conflict are the absence of a clear cut demarcation of
the boundaries exclusively reserved for the national parks
or sanctuaries, and the development zones on the one hand
and the absence of a buffer zone between human
settlements and wildlife parks. ^̂^
It is common news that human beings and their cattle
are being attacked by wild animals. There is a conflict going
on between the two. The main reasons behind the at tacks
are the lack of proper habitats, increase in construction
works, agriculture, development of roads etc.
In the survey done in the State of Himachal Pradesh,
in the past 10 years almost 7,000 domesticated animals
have been attacked and round about 425 persons have been
recorded to be attacked by the wild animals.
In the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, around
Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, despite the fact that conflict
among agro-pastoralists and wildlife is increasing in
relation to the growing livestock population, villagers have
not resorted to killing the main source of the problem: the
snow leopard. In 1995, the wild carnivores killed 18% of the
total livestock holding; this amounted to an annual loss of
12% for families with livestock holding. Almost all the
deaths were caused by snow leopard, which is not
persecuted. However, retaliatory action is performed against
the Tibetan wolf, whose pups were reported to have been captured
and killed almost every year in 1980s.i^
14 See, S.N.Dhyani, Wildlife Management: Indian s)Tidrome, (1994), p82. 15 http: / /www.fao.org/SARD/common/ecg/ 1357/en/HWC_fmal.pdf
186
In a glaring example of man-animal conflict, Himachal
Pradesh reported 2,789 cases of attack on humans and
cattle by wild animals including bear, leopard and monkeys
in the past three years, in which 22 people lost their lives.
The figures were revealed by Forest Minister Khimi
Ram Sharma in a reply to question in the State Assembly.
He said that an amount of Rs. 1.45 crore has been paid as
compensation to the affected families.
Shimla district reported six deaths due to attack by
leopards and bear and the total number of attacks by wild
animals, including on cattle, were among the highest in the
State with over 1,000 attacks.
Sharma said that to overcome the monkey menace and
check their population growth, sterilisation of monkeys had
been started at rescue and rehabilitation centre at
Tutikandi in Shimla district from February 2007. "Two more
monkey sterilisation centres one at Saster, (Hamirpur) and
another at Goplapur (Kangra) were set up and are
functioning since March 2009 and to speed the work further
one more sterilisation centre was set up at Boul in Una
district from March 2011.
"In an order to launch a special drive to check the
monkey menace, the Cabinet has decided that rates for
monkey capturing will be '500 per monkey which will be
paid to the persons bringing the simians," said Sharma
He added that earlier Himachal Government had
identified nine species of wild animals as crop damaging
namely wild boar, porcupine, sambhar, chital, hare, jackal,
monkey, parrot and blue bull.
In the last year 2,000 orders were issued to issue
permits to kill monkeys which cause damage to human life
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or public property (including standing crops on any land)
but after High Court's directive no new orders have been
issued.1^
As we are aware that the Animal Welfare Board of India
(AWBI) has been constituted as a nodal central statutory
agency under Section 4 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Act 1960 and is vested with the mandate of prevention of
cruelty to animals and promoting their welfare.
It had come to the notice of the AWBI that the
Himachal State Wildlife Department had issued permits for
killing of Monkeys, Blue Bulls (Neel Gais) and Wild Boars
and in furtherance of the same approximately 3000 permits
has since been issued.
The Act mandates issuance of such permits only in
emergent conditions where ample data / proof are available
and reliable statistics of damage to crops, life and property
exists. The permits cannot be issued merely because the
powers are vested for their issuance. Due application of
mind and a rational assessment / analysis of other
available options such as relocation and creation of
sanctuaries for these animals should have been carried out.
The reports of the AWBI notified Animal Welfare
organizations and their representatives functioning in
Himachal Pradesh have reported and informed the Board
that in fact no such imminent danger exists calling for such
an extreme and cruel action on the part of State Wildlife
Department. Animal Welfare activists from all over the
country and in fact the entire World have raised their
protests against these killings in Himachal Pradesh.
16 http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/chandigarh/51474-hiinachal-sees-over-2500-attacks-in-3-yrs.html
188
It is surprising that the State Wildlife Department
which is statutorily mandated to protect and conserve the
wildlife is actively aiding and abetting such an illegal and
cruel activity promoted for political gains. The Board
directed the notified Animal welfare Organizations operating
in the state to monitor and record every individual killing
that may take place under the above permits. The Board will
initiate criminal proceedings under the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals Act, Wildlife Protection Act and Indian
Penal Code against the person/s indulging in any such
killing under the permits so issued by the Department. In
addition, the Board will also inform the Ministry of
Environment and Forests to initiate immediate action
against the permission issued by the Department for killing
of wildlife without exercising the alternative options of their
relocation / creation of sanctuaries for their protection.
In a civilized society the man-animal conflicts if any,
are required to be addressed in a rational and scientific
manner rather than resorting to old, cruel and barbaric
methods. A quote from Mahatma Gandhi the father of our
Nation, "The Social Development of a nation is judged by the
way its people treat their animals" falls appropriate in
present situation. '̂̂
Despite all the measures taken by the government to
stop poaching and killing in the State, there are many cases
which come to our notice daily. On the 20"^ May, 2005, four
villagers in Una were arrested for killing a Sambhar, with
an intention to consume it as a food. The animal had come
to the dam to drink water where the four villagers
surrounded and killed it with the sticks. Sambhar, is a
17 http://www.finalstand.org/final/index.php/newsblog/l-latest-news/204-awbi-sends-notice-to-simla-authorities-against-killing-of-monkeys.
189
protected animal under the Wild Life (Protection) Act,
1972—Schedule 3.
On the same day in Sundernagar villagers killed a
leopard after it had done series of killing of domesticated
animals. The leopard died of asphyxiation after villagers
allegedly fanned smoke inside the cave they had chased it
into. After removing the valuable skin, teeth and claws the
carcass was left in open to rot. A case under sec. 51 of the
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has been registered. These
incidents of confrontation between humans and wild
animals have grown in recent years in the hill State due to
the shrinking of habitat.
Therefore, we all must help and contribute our efforts
towards conserving the rich wild life of our State. The State
Government must also make strict rules against the
poachers and make and implement programmes related to
wildlife conservation.
V. Wild Life Preservation
The following activities for preservation of wildlife are
being carried in the Pradesh:
(i) To protect, develop and scientifically manage the
wildlife in the protected areas.
(ii) Bring more area under the protected area network.
(iii) Protect the wildlife and its habitat in areas outside the
protected areas.
(iv) To carry out eco-development work in the vicinity of
protected areas to reduce the biotic pressure in the
protected areas.
(v) To carry out the captive breeding and rehabilitation of
endangered species.
190
(vi) To create na tu re awareness among local people in the
general and the youth in par t icu la r and also to involve
the Non-Governmental Organisa t ions .
(vii) To carry out field research regarding wild life in
western Himalayas.
(viii) To propagate eco- tour ism. ̂ ^
(a) Nature Parks
Seeing wildlife in Himalayas requires lot of physical
effort and time. With the fast moving life, many people can ' t
afford th i s . The State Government had decided to have a
network of Nature Parks where the wild an imals will be kept
in large open enclosures in their near to na tu ra l condi t ions .
The State Government had decided to keep only the local
species of an imals and bi rds in these Nature Parks .
Development of these Nature Parks will create awarenes s
among the people of the State and the tour i s t s coming from
outs ide . Keeping th is object in view the State Government
had prepared development p lans for these Nature Parks :
Kufri, Manali and Gopalpur. i^
(b) Wild life Management
Wildlife management activity in Himachal Pradesh has
a chequered pas t history. Prior to independence many
wildlife a reas were the shikargahs of the Rajas. Those a reas
were well protected and had wildlife in a b u n d a n c e . After
1947, increase in populat ion, clearing of forest a r eas for
agr icul ture and hor t icu l tu re , easy availability of f irearms
and ammuni t ions , cons t ruc t ion of roads etc. , h a s resu l ted
in indiscr iminate shooting of wild an imals and bi rds
18 Extracts from Annual Plan 2004-05, Govt, of Himachal Pradesh. 19 Information collected from Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development
Corporation, Shimla.
191
throughout the State. Forest habitat got reduced and badly
disturbed because of commercial and local felling of trees by
people and by grazing of domestic live stock in the forests.
Till 1957 wildlife protection and development work was
with the Forest Department. No special attention was paid
to the sanctuary areas. There was no National Park. In 1957
a separate Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was
established. One Wildlife Warden with a few Wildlife
Inspectors and Wildlife Guards were looking after this work.
In 1964 wildlife wing was again merged with the Forest
Department and one Wildlife Division was created. The main
function of this division was to look after the mini Zoos in
the State. With the enactment of Wildlife Protection Act in
1972 same attention was paid to wildlife protection work. In
1974 a separate Wildlife Circle was sanctioned. In 1982
another Wildlife Division was created at Palampur. At the
time of re-organisation of Forest Department in 1984, four
Wildlife Divisions were created. Great Himalayan National
Park, Kullu and Pin Valley National Park were notified in
the years 1984 and 1987 respectively.
With the steps taken since 1986, a beginning has been
made in the wildlife management in the State. It is hoped
that with more funds coming in future, scientific
management of wildlife will be undertaken effectively in the
entire State which will also take care of the wildlife in areas
outside the protected areas.20
20 Ibid.
192
(c) Wildlife Preservation Schemes in Himachal Pradesh
(i) State Sector Scheme
(a) Wildlife Preservation
After rat ional izat ion of schemes , a new scheme namely
Wildlife Preservation has been in t roduced dur ing the year
2001-02 in place of Wildlife Management and Nature
Conservat ion, Improvement and Development of Wildlife
Sanc tuar ies and Awareness for Nature and Wildlife
Conservation among Youths. The main objectives of the
scheme are:
(i) Payment of relief on account of loss of injury to h u m a n
life and loss of catt le life by the wildlife an imals in
protected a reas .
(ii) The components of expendi ture unde r th is scheme are
employment of fire watchers and game watchers ,
labour for census and wildlife surveys, hab i t a t
improvement works including cut t ing and ma in tenance
of fire l ines, fodder and pas tu re improvements , weed
eradicat ion, p lanta t ion and soil conservat ion works
etc.
(iii) School/vil lage s tuden t s and local you ths are t aken to
wildlife a reas for exposure and creat ing love in them
for wildlife and na tu re conservat ion. Equ ipments like
projectors , films, camping equipments etc. are
required for t r anspor ta t ion and food has to be provided
free of cost to the students.21
(b) Development of Himalayan Zoological Park
This is a cont inued scheme from the Seventh Five
Year Plan and upto the end of this plan period 6-7 cen te rs
21 Extracts from Annual Plan 2004-05, Govt, of Himachal Pradesh.
193
for collection of Western Himalayan Species were developed
in the State unde r this scheme. Now the base is ready to
unde r t ake the es tab l i shment of Nature Park in the S ta te for
which surveys and prepara t ion of feasibility repor t h a s
already been taken up.22
(ii) Central Sector Scheme
(a) Intensive Management of Wildlife Sanctuar ies
This is a cont inued schem^e from the Seventh Five
Year Plan and is being run mainly with the a s s i s t a n c e of
Government of India. This scheme envisages in tens ive
management of all the presen t 32 wildlife S a n c t u a r i e s in the
State on modern scientific l ines. Management p l ans of the
some wildlife sanc tua r i e s , keeping in view the guidel ines of
the Government of India, have been p repared for the
purpose and in respect of remaining s a n c t u a r i e s the
management p lans are being prepared . The main e m p h a s i s
will be providing necessary in f ras t ruc tu ra l facilities in all
the wildlife sanc tua r i e s a reas protect ion works , h a b i t a t
improvement, research works, cons t ruc t i on / improvement of
roads and pa ths , cons t ruc t ion of water re ten t ion d a m s etc.
(b) Development of Great Himalayan National Park
(Kullu)
In the year 1984, it was decided to set up a Great
Himalayan National Park at Kullu. Due to diverse flora,
climate and a t t i tude , the National Park p o s s e s s e s u n i q u e
variety of Himalayan wildlife species. Some of these species
are endangered and find mention in Red Data Book of
In ternat ional Union of Conservat ion of Nature (lUCN, 1978).
The main wildlife species found in the a rea are m u s k deer,
barking deer, serow, Himalayan thar , Himalayan ibex, blue
22 Ibid
194
sheep, black bear, snow leopard, common leopard amongst
animials whereas the main pheasant species are western
tragopan, monal, cheer, khalij, koklas and snow cock. Out
of these the snow leopard, western tragopan and cheer
pheasants though they exist in the park are yet facing a
high degree of threat of extinction and require special
attention.
(c) Development of Pin Valley National Park
The Pin Valley National Park is situated in the Pin
Valley of Spiti Sub-division of Lahaul and Spiti District. The
area supports unique flora of cold desert eco-system. Pin
Valley National Park is one of the few areas where snow
leopard, which is a highly endangered species in the world,
is found along with its prey species. Besides, animals and
birds found in this park area are snow wolf, ibex,
Himalayan brown fox, Himalayan blue sheep, snow rabbit,
marmots, weasels, snow cock, chukor, hill pigeon etc.
This is a continued scheme from Seventh Five Year
Plan and during this period, emphasis has been laid on
creating the infrastructure, creation of parks and settlement
of rights. During the Tenth Five Year Plan period, efforts are
being made to develop this park for providing proper
protection to all wild life especially to snow leopard etc.
Works like construction of bridge, inspection paths,
construction of water ponds, water harvesting structures,
habitat improvement, fire protection measures, study and
research works, soil conservation works, acquisition of
rights etc. will be carried out under this scheme.23
23 Id.
195
VI. Captive Breeding Programme
Some of the rare species are being kept in various
breeding centers and have been bred successfully. Musk
deer is breeding in breeding farm at Kufri. Brown bear has
bred at Tutikandi, cheer pheasant at Tutikandi zoo and
Chail. Monal has bred at Tutikandi and Sarahan
Pheasantry. Pheasantry at Sarahan is trying to breed
Western Tragopan which is a threatened species.24
(a) Fresh Plan to Conserve Musk Deer
Even as the earlier plans to propagate the declining
population of the State animal, musk deer, is still gathering
dust, the wildlife wing of the State Forest Department has
drawn a fresh proposal for the conservation of the
endangered animal.
The animal, which figures in the Red Data Book of the
International Union of Conservation of Nature (lUCN), would
be conserved at the Great Himalayan National Park.
According to the proposal the musk deer along with
two other endangered animals, including serows and
Himalayan thar, would be conserved at Great Himalayan
National Park and in other protected forest areas of the
State. The Wildlife Wing had earlier proposed to revive the
breeding of musk deer at Himalayan Nature Park, Kufri, 16
km. from Shimla. For the purpose, it had, about four years
ago, written to the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department to
provide two pairs of musk deer for breeding purposes.
However, the authorities did not pursue the correspondence
as the Central Zoo Authorities replied that Himachal would
have to exchange other animals.
It may be mentioned that the breeding programme for
the musk deer was discontinued about 25 years ago in
24 See, supra note 6.
196
Himachal due to scarcity of funds. According to conservative
estimates there are only 54 musk deer in the protected
areas in the State. The musk deer is found in Kugti, Tundah
and Gamgul Sanctuaries in Chamba district and Chitkul in
Kinnaur.25
(b) Breeding of Western Tragopan in Captivity
After a span of 12 years the wildlife experts finally
succeeded in the breeding the endangered western tragopan
in captivity at the Sarahan Pheasantry in Rampur. As per
the wildlife officials; two eggs of this endangered pheasant
hatched on 2" !̂ June, 2005 at the Sarahan Pheasantry,
providing a glimmer of hope to the wildlife authorities.
After a week or so both the siblings died. Earlier the
eggs did not hatch due to infertility. The Divisional Forest
Officer Sarahan, B. L. Negi went to England and found out
that infertility may be due to lack of Vitamin E, therefore,
the diet was changed, but still it was of no use.^^
VII. Himalayan Marmot Needs Legal Protection
According to survey conducted by Zoological Survey of
India, Solan a huge influx of tourists in sanctuaries has
threatened the existence of Himalayan Marmot. Dr. R. M.
Sharma and Dr. P. C. Tak had conducted a 14 days survey
for studying the habitat of Himalayan Marmot. They said
that though the Himalayan Marmot is listed under Appendix
III of the Convention for International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and characterised as a
data deficient species by International Union of
Conservation of Nature, it should also be included in any of
the schedules of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 for its
conservation.27
25 Hindustan Times, May 28, 2005. 26 Hindustan Times, J u n e 9, 2005. 27 Hindustan Times, July 4, 2005.
197
The fauna of Himachal Pradesh is very impressive,
diverse and unique. Among the pheasants there is
progression with increasing altitude. The Western Tragopan,
a rare and endangered species is an example of a bird which
is confined to Western Himalayas only. Himachal Pradesh
has probably the biggest population of cheer pheasants in
the world. Among herbivores are the ibex, serow, blue
sheep, thar, musk deer, goral and yak. Himachal Pradesh
represents a large variety of carnivores like black bear,
brown bear, Himalayan weasel, yellow throated marlin,
stone marlin, wolf, common leopard is a proud
representative of the large cats in the State.
At present there are two National Parks and 32
Sanctuaries in the State. The total area under both
categories of protected area is 7,100 sq. km., which is about
12% of the total forest area of the State. The State
Government has prohibited felling of trees for any purpose
in both the National Parks and 32 Sanctuaries. The State
Government is taking every possible step to conserve the
wildlife in Himachal Pradesh. The common man must also
contribute towards saving and protecting our wildlife.
As far as the rate fixed for the compensation to be
given to the victims attacked by the wild animals is
concerned, it very meager. Loss of a cow in cowshed is
compensated by a sum of Rs. 625 / - and in jungle by Rs.
375/ - . It can be seen that this small amount will not at all
help the man who is suffering himself due to the loss of a
cow. Therefore, the Government must try to fix such rates of
compensation which may prove to be useful.
VII. Himachal Pradesh to launch Snow Leopard Project
As the pre-project stage gets underway in the state,
the first-ever census of snow leopards was being conducted
by the National Conservation Foundation (NCF), a non-
198
government organisation. So far, only the head count of
snow leopards is as per estimates that put the numbers at
around 400. After the snow leopard was identified as a
highly endangered species in Himachal, over three years
ago, the state government had taken an initiative to declare
it as the state animal as it is the most important species of
the mountain region and is at the apex of the ecological
pyramid. Though its habitat is in the upper reaches (above
3,000 metres) of Himachal, one of the main issues to be
tackled by conservationists would remain man-animal
conflict and protection of the ecology of its natural habitat .
"Conservation with community participation" is expected to
be the focus of the project and resident communities as well
as the nomadic communities such as Ban Gujjars would
also be involved in sensitisation towards the conservation of
the animal. Chief Wildlife Warden A K Gupta said, "The
survey work of National Conservation Foundation (NCF) in
Spiti valley, where over 1,000 square metres of biological
strategic landscape would be first identified for
conservation has started." In a phased manner, the project
would be extended to Pangi in Lahaul, Kinnaur, Bharmour
in upper Chamba, Bara Bhangal in upper Kangra, Mantalai,
Pin Parvati, upper great Himalayan National Park, upper
Manali under upper Kullu and Rupi Bhabha and Dodra
Kwar in upper Shimla district. Project Snow Leopard,
launched by the Centre, would accord the snow leopard the
same status of importance in areas of high altitude, as has
been allotted to the tiger in the terrestrial landscape.
Starting from village wildlife conservation committees and
landscape-level implementation committees, the network of
conservation would be headed by a state-level committee in
which the wildlife department is contemplating involving all
stakeholder departments such as agriculture, animal
199
husbandry and horticulture. Encouraged by the marginal
increase in the number of snow leopards in Himachal, one
of the biggest habitats of the endangered species, the
Wildlife Department is in the process of launching a project
for developing a conservation strategy to increase their
population. For the implementation of the snow leopard
project, the wildlife authorities are already in touch with
the Nature Conservation Foundation, Mussorie. Even a
marginal increase in the number of snow leopards from 32
to 35, during the latest census this year has encouraged the
department to launch the project at the earliest. The fact
that during the latest census undertaken in June , for the
first time the mapping of the exact location of the snow
leopard has been done, which will help in their conservation
and increase in number. The habitat s tatus analysis of the
snow leopard will be done to identify the areas where it has
been found in larger numbers. "During the recent census ,
the wildlife staff has recorded 24 snow leopards in Spiti,
eight in Lahaul and Pangi and the three new animals have
been sighted in the Parbati valley and Great Himalayan
National Park in Kullu district," informed Mr A.K. Gulati ,
Additional Principal Chief Conservator (Wildlife), 2009.
Himachal apart from Jammu and Kashmir, Uttaranchal and
Sikkim is one of the few states in the country where the
snow leopard is found. In Himachal, it is mostly found in
Kaza, Lahaul Spiti, Pangi, Parbati and the Great Himalayan
National Park. The project will take care of the proper
management of the Himalayan habitat of the snow leopard.
"Another important aspect that the project will take care of
will be to strengthen the number of Himalayan Thar and
Ibex, which are the natural feed of the snow leopard," said
Mr Gulati. The wildlife authorities are also keen on getting a
project for the conservation of the Himalayan wolf also
200
known as the Tibetan wolf as it is considered the mother of
all wolves. The Nature Conservation Foundation, Mussorie,
is keen to develop policy document and action plan that will
promote wildlife conservation. Another area which they feel
needs immediate attention is better understanding and
management of the human and wildlife conflict, which is on
the increase due to human interference with their na tura l
habitat. With regard to the snow leopard, efforts would be
made to focus on its conservation and recovery programme
as it is one of the endangered species. In this regard it is
felt that a programme must be developed for wildlife
conservation outside the protected areas and promote
ecologically responsible development.^s
Sum up
At the end of this chapter the researcher concludes
that the state provides a delightful atmosphere for the flora
and fauna to flourish in the wilderness. The wildlife Wing is
trying their best to look after the wild animals and they
encourage and seek cooperation from visitors in conforming
to the rules of the National parks and sanctuaries.
In the coming Chapter an empirical study has been
conducted to find out the effect and value of wildlife in day
to day life of the people. Other than the view point of the
common people, an attempt has been made to gather some
information from the Wildlife Officials about the problems
faced by them in tackling the conflict with local people in
the sanctuaries.
28 Posted: Friday , Mar 27, 2009 at 0142 , http://www.tribuneindia.eom/2004/20040714/himachal.htm#8 HP to launch snow leopard project
201