landslides triggered by heavy downpour or cloudbursts damaging perennial drinking water reservoirs along the upper Himalayan region, have come as a new threat to musk deer, an endangered wildlife specie, in the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary in Pithoragarh.
The exclusion of 111 villages from the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary by the Government for facilitating developmental activities for the locals, may have received a positive response, but rapid urbanisation of this Himalayan region as expected, is all set to adversely impact the conservation of the flora and fauna as viewed from the long-term perspective, for these human habitations i.e. 111 villages are close to Dhauli Ganga river belt which serves as a primary drinking water corridor for the wild animals like musk deer.
The wildlife experts are of the view that water is the lifeline for preserving bio- diversity. Since a majority of villages are located along the Dhauli river belt the development drive as launched n these villages means keeping the endangered wildlife specie like musk deer away from their natural sources of drinking water.
After excluding these 111 villages along the Dhauli Ganga river belt, the geographical area of this sanctuary has been extended towards upper Himalayan region i.e. Bundi, Gunji, Garbyang, to name a few. But depleting perennial drinking water sources in these upper Himalayan areas due to natural calamities like landslides comes as a serious cause of concern for the wildlife conservationists.
Apart from landslides caused by heavy rainfall, unscientific exploitation of natural resources seems to be major external factors having an adverse impact on the perennial drinking water resources in the reserved habitat of the musk deer. Damage caused to perennial drinking water sources by landslides is a matter of serious concern in this region, MS Semia, SDO, the Ascot Wildlife Sanctuary, told The Pioneer. However, efforts are being made to preserve the perennial water bodies,he added.
The Ascot Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1987 and is spread over an area of 600 sq. km near Indo-Nepal border in Pithroragarh.Home to a rare variety of wildlife species like musk deer, this high altitude park is also known for its rich bio-diversity and flora and fauna.A wide variety of herbs, shrubs, trees and climbers further deepens the impression. Among others teak,gravelia and eucalyptus add to its rich bio-diversity. Apart from the endangered species like musk deer, there are also numerous types of birds, reptiles and many other kinds of animals in this park.
The major species include, lemurs, kraits, turtles, spectacled cobras, deer, gaur, horns, antlers, monkeys, darters, vipers, bison, little cormorants, and black eagles, to name a few.