Exclusion of 111 villages from the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary by the Government for facilitating developmental activities, may have received a positive response, but rapid urbanisation of this Himalayan region as expected after issuance of a notification in this regard, is going to have an adverse impact on the conservation of the flora and fauna as these human habitations are close to Dhauli Ganga river belt which serves as a primary drinking water corridor for wild animals, including the endangered musk deer.
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 Ganga, in such case, allowing developmental activities in these villages means keeping these hitherto secluded animals away from their natural sources of drinking water.
However, there is no adverse impact on its total geographical area even after issuance of the notification by the State Government by which 600 sq km area of reserved forest, civil and Van Panchayat, and some uncategorised areas have been declared to be Askot wildlife sanctuary which was earlier known as the Askot musk deer sanctuary.
After excluding these 111 villages along the Dhaulig Ganga belt, in fact the geographical area of this sanctuary has been extended towards upper Himalayan region i.e. Bundi, Gunji, Garbyang to name a few, said M S Semia, SDO, the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, while talking to The Pioneer in an exclusive interview. And it is to note that the main habitation of the musk deer is believed to be in the upper Himalayan region. After issuance of this notification, the boundary of the wildlife sanctuary is clear, he added.
Meanwhile, in a bid to minimise growing human interventions and dependence of the villagers on the forests for forest produce, the Government is going to explore livelihood options for residents of this region by starting Biodiversity Conservation and Rural livelihood Improvement Project (BCRlIP) in this Askot Wildlife Sanctuary area in Pithoragarh soon in association with the local people.
The ambitious project will primarily focus on bio-diversity conservation and how to find rural livelihood options around this wildlife sanctuary, informed the officials concerned. It is an about Rs 27 crore project and both the Central and State Governments will work jointly on this project involving local people, added the officials concerned. The wildlife experts believe this project would not only help the people of this area in enabling them for self reliance, but also improve the bio-diversity of the region.
The 600 sq km Askot wildlife sanctuary near Indo-Nepal border in Pithroragarh is home to rare wildlife species like musk deer and a rich bio-diversity. A wide variety of herbs, shrubs, trees and climbers only gives that impression. Among others teak, gravelia and eucalyptus also add to its rich bio-diversity. Apart from the endangered species like musk deer, there are also different types of birds, reptiles and many other kinds of animals in this park.