Srinagar, Jan 1: Centre has declared 26 villages in Pulwama as Eco-sensitive Zones in a bid to save wild animals including Hangul, and protect rare plant species.
In a notification, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) has designated 26 villages surrounding Tral Wildlife Sanctuary as Eco-sensitive Zones.
MoEF said Tral Wildlife Sanctuary is home to rare animal species including, Hangul, Kashmir Gray Langur, leopard, and several rare plants.
These 26 villages, constituting an area of 127.10 square kilometers, are notified as Eco-Sensitive Zones by the Central Government under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986). They extend from zero to 3.26 kilometers from the boundary of the sanctuary.
The villages include; Nagander, Sethpokhran, Wahabkharun villages of the Khrew area in Pampore tehsil, Wagad, Basantpur, Dharamgund, Aripal, Khandgund, Satura, Gutura, Narastan, Manchihama, Kahlil, Chhanakitar, Chewa Ullar, Bathnoor, Mondura, Pannyer, Pinglish, Laribal, Shikargarh, Saimooh, Buchoo of Tral tehsil in Pulwama district, and Sangnar, Pannad, Sakhras of Anantnag district.
The notification said Tral Wildlife Sanctuary forms an important corridor for the movement of Hangul. The declaration of the eco-sensitive zone shall help in creating a buffer around the sanctuary area leading to a secure, suitable, and viable habitat for the last remnant Hangul population.
It said there will be a total prohibition on the construction of industries and commercial establishments, including cement factories, brick kilns, hotels, hydropower projects, wood-based industries, mining and quarrying activities, as well as the establishment of large-scale or commercial livestock and poultry farms. These activities are restricted to prevent pollution, safeguard the environment, and protect the Hangul and other wildlife species from potential harm.
An official said that the government is already taking various measures to ensure the protection of the critically endangered wild animals in the valley-based wildlife sanctuaries.
“Be it Dachigam or Shikargah in Tral, the wildlife department is taking a slew of measures to ensure the protection of wild animals. The Tral Wildlife Sanctuary plays a vital role as a corridor for the Hangul movement. Establishing the eco-sensitive zone will create a protective buffer around the sanctuary, providing a secure, supportive, and sustainable environment for the surviving Hangul population,” he said.