To the relief of those living in the animal sanctuary areas of Himachal Pradesh, the State Government, in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling, has now decided to take out 793 villages spread on 1122.35 sqkm area as part of the ongoing process of rationalisation of sanctuary areas.
The move will help 793 villages and 1,16,658 people residing in the area to acquire more rights like settlement, dwelling rights and would pave the way for the development of these villages with schemes like road construction and irrigation.
Earlier, people of these areas were deprived of development projects as no development activities could be carried out in the wildlife sanctuary areas.
People have been raising the issue at different forums for past several decades. Replying to a question asked by BJP MlA Randhir Sharma on the status of villages in Shri Naina Devi sanctuary, Forest minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri said that notification in this regard will be issued soon and all formalities are nearly complete.
He added that in Sri Naina Devi ji sanctuary area, there are 49 villages, that will soon be taken out. Bharmouri informed the House that it was after the apex court ruling and ecommendation of Ranjeet committee which held a meeting with Gram pradhans and other people, that the required steps are being taken.
He said that earlier there were two national parks and 32 wildlife sanctuary areas in the State and now it has five national parks and 26 sanctuary areas in the State. The State Government also intends to include 2,275.35 sqkm areas to increase the forest cover areas.
Sharma requested the State Government to issue the notification soon as the delay is causing more problems to the people and requested the forest minister to give them more rights to the villagers, which would empower them.
Bharmouri said that Government was aware of the concerns and every effort would be made to ensure all round development of these 793 villages.