The State Forest Department has been directed to construct three sterilisation centres each in Garhwal and Kumaon regions for the sterilisation of monkeys involved in human-wildlife conflict. On directing officials to conduct a campaign for trapping the simians and releasing them in dense jungles, Chief Minister Harish Rawat was informed that the simian trapper has already been called with assistance being provided in the capture of about 6,000 monkeys so far.
The CM also granted approval to a sum of Rs 2 crore for the trapping of monkeys and a sum of Rs 1.5 crore for conducting the required operation on the simians. Rawat directed the officials concerned to identify places across the State where human-animal conflict involving the simians and street dogs. He also directed the department to establish coordination with the police department to put an immediate stop on the arrival of monkeys and stray dogs from other States into Uttarakhand.
Rawat was informed by department officials that an emergency squad has also been arranged for ensuring immediate action for redressal of such complaints received from the public. These and other issues emerged during a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister to review the functioning of the forest department here on Friday.
The Chief Minister directed departmental officials to facilitate the formation of the State’s ecotourism corporation. In addition to this, he also directed that four Burans (rhododeron) parks be established in the State with dense plantation of the Burans and Kaphal trees.
Apart from this, the Chief Minister directed the forest department to draft a plan for encouraging apiculture in villages affected by elephant raids. This may not only help the villagers in keeping the pachyderms at a safe distance but could also prove to be a source of regular income. Further, officials were also directed to draft a five-year plan for walls to prevent wild boars from raiding farms, said Chief Minister Harish Rawat.
Addressing the officials, Rawat directed forest department to work on making 10,000 reservoirs apart from which bird festivals should be organised in areas not attended earlier. Forming women groups in all villages, they should be given the task of collecting Pirool (pine needles).
For carrying out the animal birth control (ABC) sterilisation programme to bring the population of street dogs under control, sterilisation centres have been opened for the canines in Dehradun and Ranikhet. The CM directed that 10 veterinary surgeons be appointed on contract basis in the near future.
Additionally, he also stressed that encouragement be provided to the plantation of native flora species like Ghingaru, Anwla, Malu, coarse grains, Mandua (finger millet), Jhangora and bamboo among others. Regarding areas vulnerable to raids by pachyderms, the CM directed plantation of Saal, curry leaves, bamboo and Rohini along with bee keeping should be encouraged in such areas.
Referring to the problem of water shortage, Rawat said that at least 10,000 water bodies and trenches should be developed to facilitate availability of water in the forests thereby reducing chances of wildlife entering human settlements in search of water.
The State Forest Minister Dinesh Aggarwal and the chief secretary Shatrughna Singh were also among those present in the meeting.