Pithoragarh is going to import 20,000 walnut plants from Jammu to grow this in its upper Himalayan region comprising Dharchula and Munsyari this monsoon season under Biodiversity Conservation and Rural livelihood Improvement Project (BCRlIP).
Mentionworthy, BCRl is an ambitious Central Government project aimed at improving rural livelihood options to check human interventions and conserve flora and fauna in the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary that falls under the same Dharchuala and Munsyari region in Pithoragarh.
The said project started in 2011. But earlier, the 2012 State Assembly polls and certain bureaucratic hurdles like adoption of electronic mode of payment (e-payment) in public sector delayed implementation, the officials had earlier said.
However, with mode of e-payment being in practice now, things have been started, the officials said. aIt is learnt that the Government of India is keen on the project for development as well as conservation of the entire Aakot landscape.
This is a Rs27 crore project in which both the Centre and the state government would work jointly, added the officials. Though, to curb human disturbances, 111 villages have already been excluded from Askot Wildlife Sanctuary things are going slow on the conservation front.
The conservationists say the authorities should be more serious on the project than they are. Rightly implemented, this can go a long way in not just maintaining biodiversity but in improving livelihood options for the people of this region, they opine.
Ascot Wildlife Sanctuary that came up in 1987 is spread over an area of 600 sq. km near Indo-Nepal border in Pithoragarh.
Offering a livable atmosphere 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.
Apart from the endangered species like musk deer, there are different 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. Among others, teak and eucalyptus add to its rich bio-diversity.
District magistrate, Pithoragarh, Shushil Kumar has asked the officials to take necessary steps to start plantation drive in the district from July. He has also called for timely procurement for plants from different nurseries of the district and outside so that the plantation drive is implemented smoothly.