Eco tourism plan in wildlife areas grounded

The State Government’s ambitious plan to launch eco-tourism in the wildlife protected areas including sanctuaries and wetlands has been grounded with the Wildlife authorities maintaining that human interference will disturb the wild animals and their habitat.

 In a bid to attract tourists and protect wild animals, the Government in 2007 had mulled the plan to develop eco-tourism in the State, and through the Department of Wildlife Protection hired consultancy of the Jungle Lodges and Resorts- a Government of Karnataka undertaking considered to be a pioneer of eco-tourism and conservation of ecology and wildlife.

 After a comprehensive survey of the wildlife protected areas including Dachigam National Park, wetlands, lakes and sanctuaries of the State, the consultants had given a green signal and set modalities for launching of eco-tourism.

 The plan envisaged stay in eco-friendly villas, tented cottages, travel through forests in battery operated silent vehicles, bird watching and guided treks in the Wildlife Protected Areas. The places selected for development of eco-tourism in the state included Shalabugh, Hokersar Wetland Conservation Reserve, Surinsar, Gharana and Mansar wetlands, Asia’s largest freshwater lake Wular, famous hill-station Gulmarg, besides Aru, Thajawas, Trikuta, Ramnagar, Jasrota and Nandini Wildlife Sanctuaries.

 “Eco-tourism in wildlife protected areas will not be feasible in the State as it will not only disturb the wild animals but facilitate increased human interference and constructions in the fragile zones. As compared to other states, people here lack perception about wildlife.

 We don’t want to create such a situation which will endanger humans as well as wild animals. No such activity will be allowed in the sanctuaries and wetlands in the State which will directly affect the wild animals,” the Chief Wildlife Warden (J&K), PC Kapoor, told Greater Kashmir.

 Eco-tourism has gained immense popularity across the country and abroad as it facilitates travel to natural areas with the purpose of studying local flora, fauna, art, culture, heritage and traditions without disturbing the environment.

 However, the State’s Wildlife Department seems to be divided on the issue. Interestingly, when possibilities to launch eco-tourism were being explored in 2007, the then Chief Wildlife Warden, AK Shrivastava, had favored the activity maintaining it will help protect the wild animals.

 “JK has immense potential for developing eco-tourism. Our aim is to develop eco-tourism in our wildlife protected areas. This will help to boost tourism and importantly facilitate people to understand nature and wild animals in a better way. In the long run, the plan will not only protect our forests and water bodies but wild animals too.

 Once the plan is finalized and executed, it will be an exciting experience for the visitors. It will also provide employment avenues to the locals,” Shrivastava had said. The Minister of Forests, Mian Altaf, said the Government will study the issue and take appropriate measures. “We are stressing to promote our forests for eco-tourism.

We have identified forests in Dera Ghali Poonch and Gangabal for eco-tourism. However, we are guarded about launching eco-tourism in wildlife protected areas as it will affect the wild animals. We will explore places outside the wildlife areas for eco-tourism,” Altaf said.

However, the former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief Wildlife Warden, Abdul Rashid Wani, says there is no harm in launching eco-tourism in wildlife protected areas.

 “If the eco-tourism can be restricted to staying of tourists in tents, bird watching and trekking, it can’t affect the wild animals. Till a few decades ago, we used to organize visits of students, scientists and tourists to wildlife protected areas in the State.

This is the only way to develop better understanding of wildlife among the humans. Government needs to rethink over its decision of shelving the eco-tourism in wildlife areas and form a committee of experts to identity the modalities of starting it at the earliest,” he said.

Source = greaterkashmir