The management plan for development of Nandhaur wildlife sanctuary that falls under the Haldwani forest division has finally been approved.
Clearance of the management plan by the State forest department, assumes special significance for the hitherto fund-starved Nandhaur wildlife sanctuary that was accorded status of a wildlife sanctuary about three years ago, as it will pave way for flow of funds from different channels, as the wildlife experts here believe.
The management plan for the Nandhar wildlife sanctuary, has been approved by the chief wildlife warden Uttarakhand, said Surendra Mehra, the Conservator of forest (CF) western circle, while talking to The Pioneer.
Besides, under this management plan we have also stressed on how to work to deal with man-animal conflicts, monitoring and do rescue management in an effective manner along with other routine works, the CF, western circle further said.
An amount of Rs10 crore has been demanded for the Nandhaur wildlife sanctuary under this management plan for the year 2015-2016.
Mention worthy, with no grant of funds even after declaring the Nandhaur valley as wildlife sanctuary about three years ago , much has not yet been done in terms of strengthening basic infrastructure i.e road connectivity, drinking water sources or for the conservation of flora and fauna in the aforesaid wildlife sanctuary. More so, delay in submission of the aforesaid management plan only delay the release of funds.
However, as it is believed that clearance of the management plan will pave way for release of funds for the aforesaid wildlife sanctuary sooner than later. Interestingly, earlier a proposal was also mooted to bring the same sanctuary under the category of a tiger reserve given the sizeable pres ence of tigers in this Nandhaur sanctuary.
The main purpose of seeking tiger status for this sanctuary was also to seek funds. Because special funds are granted for tiger reserve parks.
However, with presence of a variety of forests of Sal, Shisham, Bamboo, Teak, Chir Pine and riverine , the Nandhaur wildlife sanctuary is also home to tiger, leopard, elephant, Sloth Bear, Mahaseer and Great Pied Hornbill to name a few.
More so, a motley crowd of more than 300 variety of birds including esser Fish Eagle, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Goosander, Great Hornbill, Red-headed Trogon, Crow-billed Drongo, Rufous Sibia, Short-billed Minivet, Siberian Rubythroat, White-bellied Erpornis to name a few, only adds to the wild populace of this wildlife sanctuary.