CHAPTER VI

WILD LIFE IN THE STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

I. Introduction

A Sanskrit proverb holds that "a hundred divine

epochs would not suffice to describe all the marvels of the

Himalayas"- so long to describe, how much longer to

understand. Modern scientific study of Himalayan ecology

has touched a tiny tip of the knowledge to be learnt. ^ Wide

altitudinal ranges and varied topography of Himachal

Pradesh has resulted in making the State a very rich

repository of the wild fauna and flora. Where the snow

leopard, ibex, and snow cock lives in the cold deserts, the

cold temperate regions of the State forms the natural

habitat of musk deer, Himalayan tahr, brown bear, monal

and western tragopan. The lower reaches of the State has

sambher deer, barking deer, wild boar, ghoral and leopard

among mammals and pheasants including cheer pheasant

and white crested kaleej. The State has an inventory of more

than 3,500 higher plants, many of which are endemic to the

region and many from the basis of local health traditions.2

To conserve the entire range of bio-diversity in-situ, the

State has established a network of 'protected areas' ,

comprising two National Parks and 32 Sanctuaries. This

network of protected area represents the myriad diversity of

life in the North Western Himalayas.

1 See, Samnel Israel and Toby Sinclair, Indian Wildlife: Wildlife of the Himalaya, (1987) p l 5 7 .

2 www.hp.forest.nic.in; Also see. Annual Plan, 2004-05, Govt, of H. P.

174

Wildlife Fact Sheet in Himachal Pradesh

Area under Protected Area Network

National Park- (2) 1440 km2

Sanc tuar ies - (32) 5562 km2

Recorded taxa of higher p lan t s >3500

Recorded species of mammals 77

Recorded species of Birds 463

Recorded species of repti les 44

Recorded species of fish 80

Recorded species of aquat ic fauna 516^

II. Wild Life Legis lat ion in the State of Himachal

Pradesh

Subject related to wild life and its conservat ion in

India draws i ts s t rength from Article 48-A of the Directive

Principles of State Policy under the Const i tu t ion of India,

and Article 51-A (g), specifying the Fundamen ta l Duties of

the cit izens of India.

The primary law governing ma t t e r s re la t ing to wildlife

in the country is the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The

Sta te of Himachal Pradesh has adopted th is Act and its

subsequen t amendmen t s as the basic legislation to manage

and guide wildlife related mat t e r s in the State.'*

Prior to th is , a reas were declared Sanc tua r i e s unde r

the Punjab Wild Birds and Wild Animals Act, 1933 or the

Himachal Pradesh Wild Birds and Wild Animals Protection

Rules, or unde r both of these.^ Ordinarily, all those a reas

tha t were set up as National Parks or Sanc tua r i e s unde r any

3 Ibid 4 Id. 5 Jagmohan Balokhra, The Wonderland Himachal Pradesh, (2004), p. 805.

175

earlier Act automatically became National Park or

Sanctuaries under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.

(a) National Parks

The State of Himachal Pradesh has declared two areas

of very high ecological, geo-morphological and bio-diversity

significance as National Parks with the objective to accord

its wild life resources the highest legal protection status

available to the wild life in the country.

A National Park is an area established under section

35(4) of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 and no right is

allowed within the National Park. Grazing is prohibited in

these areas and the general public is legally restrained from

destroying, exploiting or removing any wild life from the

National Park or destroying or damaging the habitat of wild

animals. Process to settle rights in the two National Parks

in the State is in progress.

The National Parks in the State beckons the visitors

to enjoy the serene natural surroundings, experience the

wilderness and understand the dire necessity of joining

hands to conserve nature in its State.^

(i) Great Himalayan National Park

The National Park with an area of 620 sq. km. is

located in Kullu District and has the representative area of

temperate and alpine forests of Himachal. It has some of the

virgin coniferous forests of the State. Vast area of alpine

pastures and glaciers cap this park. Bounded on three sides

by the perpetual snow of the Himalayas, the westerly

entrance to the park through the Tirthan Valley leading

upto the Pin Parvati Pass in the GHNP is traditionally

6 Information collected from Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, Shimla.

176

considered one of the most sacred places in the Western Himalaya.

The features that initially attracted and led to the

preservation of this area as GHNP were its enormous bio­

diversity representativeness of the Western Himalaya. From

the critically endangered Western Tragopan to the rare and

elusive serow and the most beautiful of the big cats, the

snow leopard, they are all here amidst the entire range of

vegetation and ecological complexes of the Western

Himalaya.7 This area has most of the important wildlife

species of Western Himalayas, like musk deer, brown bear,

goral, thar, leopard, snow leopard, bharal, serow, monal,

khalij, koklas, cheer, tragopan, snow cock etc. Trekking to

Rakti-Sar, origin of Sainj River and camping in alpine

pastures is unforgettable. Similar is the trekking route to

Tirath the origin of Tirthan River.

Visitors can contact Director, National Park at

Shamshi or Range Officer Wildlife at Sainj or Sai Ropa

(Banjar) for assistance and guidance. Camping equipment

and guides are provided by the Forest Department.

(ii) Pin Valley National Park

Long before man discovered the remote land, several

hardy animals and birds inhabited this Himalayan Eden in

exquisite equilibrium. The Pin Valley National Park

represents the bio- geography of the Trans- Himalayan cold

desert with its characteristic flora and fauna. Endangered

species such as the precious snow leopard, the endemic

Himalayan Ibex, the mighty Bharal or Blue Sheep and the

Lynx among others are found in these cold and rugged

lands.

7 Wonders of Wildlife in Himachal Pradesh: Wilderness and Wild in Himachal, H.P. Tourism Development Corporation.

177

The large varieties of indigenous, medicinal herbs that

help sustain the ancient Tibetan system of medicine add

much to the cultural and floristic significance of this

national Park.^

This area can be visited only by those who have tough

leg muscles and strong lungs. Visitors can contact

Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife Division Sarahan,

Additional Conservator of Forest, Wildlife Kaza or Range

Officer, Wildlife, Tabo for information about the park. The

area is closed to foreign visitors. Indian visitors are also

required to obtain a permit for entry from Deputy

Commissioner Shimla or Sub-divisional Magistrate, Rampur.

(b) Sanctuaries

With a view to conserve the total range of wildlife

available in the State, the Government of Himachal Pradesh

has declared 32 areas, covering all the agro-climatic zones

in the State and having ecological, geo-morphological and

bio-diversity value, as wild life sanctuaries.

A wild life Sanctuary is established under section 18-

26 of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 and admits rights to

the extent as allowed by the Collector at the time of

settlement in concurrence with the Chief Wild Life Warden

of the State. Finally notified Sanctuaries and National Parks

cannot be altered without resolution of the State legislation.

These wildlife Sanctuaries provide a very good

opportunity to the visitors to enjoy and experience

wilderness of the State.^ A brief description of some of the

sanctuaries is given below:

8 Ibid. 9 See, supra note 2.

178

(i) Simbalbara Sanctuary

This Sanctuary is located in Paonta Valley of Sirmaur

district. Area bears beautiful dense Sal forests with grassy

glades. This probably is the most picturesque area in

Shivaliks. There is a perennial stream in the area.

Simbalbara Forest Rest House connected by a fair weather

road from Puruwala provides a view of the valley. Goral,

sambhar and chital can be easily seen in the area. There are

walking trails in the quilt adjoining forests. Winter is the

best season to visit this sanctuary. ^̂

(ii) Renuka Sanctuary

Spread over 400 hectares of wood and grass land

surrounding the sacred and picturesque Renuka Lake, this

Wildlife Sanctuary despite its small size, harbors several

species of deer like Chital, Sambhar and Barking Deer. The

threatened Kaleej pheasant and the more common Red

Jungle Fowl are also found here. This is a small sanctuary

connected by motorable road. Renuka Lake and the temples

attract a large number of people from hills and plains.

Forests and the catchment of the lake add beauty and

attraction to the area. Lion Safari and open Nature Parks

with freely moving wild animals like chital, sambhar ,

kakkar, etc. are big attraction. Tourist Bungalow and

Cafeteria provide all the comforts needed in a calm and

quiet place. Visitors come all the year round.ii

(iii) Churdhar Sanctuary

Churdhar peak, with height of 3647 meters is the

highest peak in outer Himalayas. It is like an Oasis of

10 See, supra note 7. 11 Wonders of Wildlife in Himachal Pradesh: Wilderness and Wild in Himachal,

H.P. Tourism Development Corporation.

179

alpine area in an ocean of temperate forests. This is an

excellent area for trekking during summer and early

winters. The view from Churdhar peak is un-paralleled.

One is sure to come across large number of

multicoloured and agile monals in the adjoining forests

along with the Koklas and kaleej pheasants . The endangered

Himalayan Black Bear and the canine toothed Musk Deer

inhabit the high reaches of the sanctuary. Trekking from

Nohra, Sarain and Pulbahal is tough but enjoyable. There

are Rest Houses at Nohra, Choras and Sarain. There is also

a Sarai and a Shiva Temple at Churdhar. 12

(iv) Chail Sanctuary

Chail is a hill station visited by many tourists. The

Deodar and Oak forests with grass lands around the

township are the abode of wild life. One can see sambhar,

goral and cheer pheasants at blossom and jhaja. Visitors

are welcome to the cheer pheasant breeding centre at both

these places. Barking deer and khaleej in the forests are

sure to meet and greet the visitors in the dusk and dawn.

Trekking from Chail to Gaura and Chail to Jhaja is common

and rewarding as one is sure to see wildlife and beautiful

snowy peaks.

(v) Majathal Sanctuary

This sanctuary has a very steep and rugged terrain

away from habitation. This can be visited by travelling

about 10 kms. On a kacha road from Kararaghat (Shimla-

Bilaspur-Highway) to Kashlog and then walking on foot from

Kashlog. This Sanctuary has the highest concentration of

goral which can be seen in its natural habitat. This

Sanctuary is reported to have the maximum population of

12 Ibid.

180

endangered cheer pheasant. One has to stay in tents in the

forest. Best season to visit is in the winters.

(vi) Pong Dam Lake

This lake Sanctuary is a big attraction for migratory

ducks from region during winter. One can see thousands of

ducks in the swamp area between Shahnahar barrage and

Pong dam and the surrounding shallow waters of the lake.

Clean blue water all around with the panoramic view of

Dhauladhar Ranges and Kangra Valley makes visit to

Ransar Island an unforgettable experience. Black buck and

chital on the island along with surkhab, cranes, pintails

and variety of water birds welcome the visitors on the

Islands.

(vii) Manali Sanctuary

This sanctuary starts about 2 km from Manali town.

This forms the catchment of Manalsu khud. A bridle path

from Manali log huts . Dhungri temple passes through dense

Deodar, Kail, Horse Chestnut, Walnut and Maple forests.

Night stay in tents at Lambadug or Galiani thatch is an

unforgettable experience.

Alpine lush green pastures and glaciers beyond Galani

thatch are a romance attraction for the enthusiastic but

enduring visitors. One may see musk deer, monal and

brown bear digging or ploughing the land and also pug

marks with scent of leopard or snow leopard. Those who can

venture to snows can see herds of Ibex in the glacier zone in

summers.

(viii) Kanawar Sanctuary

This sanctuary is located in Parbati Valley of Kullu

District. There is a Rest House at Kasol. Range Officer

Wildlife, Kasol provides information and help to visitors.

181

Uphill walk along Garahan Nala from Kasol through dense

majestic deodar and Fir forests is enjoyable. This sanctuary

has the largest population of Himalayan Thar in Himalayas

and seeing this big goat on high mountain cliffs is the

fulfilment of the dream of any wildlife lover.

(ix) Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary

This Sanctuary's area with its well laid out trekking

jungle trails both at Kalatop and Khajjiar is a tourist

paradise. Dense Deodar and Fir forests are a place of

solitude very close to Dalhousie town. Visitors should look

for pheasants and serow in these forests but should be

beware of black bear which is met very often in the area.

(x) Daranghati Sanctuary

This sanctuary located in the upper area of Shimla

District has undisturbed forest area with plenty of wildlife.

Monal, tragopan, koklas and khalij are the pheasants found

here. The area also has musk deer, goral and thar. There is

a network of bridle paths and inspection paths in the

sanctuary. Visitors are advised to seek assistance from the

forest staff posted at Dofda and Sarahan. The area is ideal

for those who love to trek mountain heights.

The description of Sanctuaries and National Parks in

Himachal Pradesh along with the year of establishment and

areas is given in the following tables:

182

Table I: Sanctuar les in Himachal Pradesh S.No. Sanc tuary District Year Area

(sq.km.)

Tarla Shimla 1962 4 0

Majathal Solan 1962 57.55

Shilli Solan 1963 2

Chail Solan 1976 109

Renuka Si rmaur 1964 4

Simbalbara S i rmaur 1958 19

Churdha r Si rmaur 1985 6 6

Darlaghat Shimla 1962 6

Darangha t i Shimla 1962 167

Rupi-Bhaba Kinnaur 1982 7 3 8

Rakchham-Chi tku l Kinnaur 1989 3 0 4

Lippa- Asrang Kinnaur 1962 3 4 9

Kibber Lahaul Spiti 1992 1400

Tir than KuUu 1976 6 1

Sainj Kullu 1994 9 0

Kalatop-Khajjiar Chamba 1958 6 9

Gamgul- Siyabehi Chamba 1962 109

Manali Kullu 1954 32

Kias Kullu 1954 14

Khokhan Kullu 1954 14

Kanawar Kullu 1954 6 1

Shikari Devi Mandi 1962 72

Nagru Mandi 1962 2 7 8

Bandli Mandi 1962 4 1

Naina Devi Bi laspur 1962 1 2 3

Pong Dam Kangra 1983 3 0 7

Gobind Sagar Bi laspur 1962 100

Sechu Tuan Nala Chamba 1962 1 0 3

Dhau ladha r Kangra 1999 9 4 4

Shimla Water

Ca tchment

Shimla 1958 10

Tundah Chamba 1962 6 4

Kugti Chamba 1962 3 7 9

183

Table - 2: National Parks in Himachal Pradesh S.No National Park District Year Area

1) Pin Valley National

Park

Lahaul Spiti 1987 675

2) Great Himalayan

National Park

Kullu 1984 755

III Wildlife - Human Relationship

The State has a long history of sustainable co­

existence with its wildlife resources. People have, over the

years, found use of more than 600 local plants for their

health care needs and for obtaining food, fuel, gums, oils,

resin etc. from these. These plants contribute substantially

to the rural livelihoods. The State Government, in

appreciation of these intimate rural livelihood linkages has

allowed the local communities the use of these usufructs

from the forests except those that are reserved under the

Indian Forest Act, 1927 and those that are constituted as

National Parks under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Dwindling population of the wild animals have

increased since imposition of the total ban on hunting since

1984. The extensification of agriculture has led to greater

human-animal conflict. Whereas, wild boar, black bear and

monkeys are reported sometimes to cause damage to the

standing crops, instances of lifting domestic animals by

leopards are also reported. Stray cases of injuries to and

loss of human life by leopard and black bear have also been

reported.

The wildlife managers in the State are in the process

of formulating a long-term policy to deal effectively with the

increasing human-wild animal conflicts. The State

Government, concerned about these conflicts, extend

184

monetary compensat ion in case of loss of domest ic animals

and injuries to or loss of h u m a n life due to wild an imals .

Rates of such compensat ion (in Rs.) as notified by the

government on 09.04.96 and part ial ly modified on

27 .08 .2001 are as under :

1. Death of h u m a n beings 1,00,000

2. Permanent incapaci ta t ion 1,00,000

3. Grievous injury to h u m a n beings 33,000

4. Killing of h o r s e s / m u l e s by snow leopard in shed

4,000

5. Killing of h o r s e s / m u l e s by snow leopard in jungle

2,500

6. Loss of buffalo, cow jersey cross , ox and mule in jungle

2,500

7. Loss of buffalo etc. in jungle 1,500

8. Loss of cow in cow shed 625

9. Loss of cow in jungle 375

10. Loss of ox in shed 1,250

11. Loss of ox in jungle 625

12. Loss of young one of buffaloes, cow, ox, mule

250

13. Loss of young one of buffaloes, cow, ox, mule in jungle

188

14. Loss of yak, h o r s e / m u l e and camel in shed 2500

15. Loss of yak, h o r s e / m u l e and camel in jungle 1500

16. Loss of donkey in shed 875

17. Loss of donkey in jungle 500

The list cons is t s of 30 such forms in which

compensat ion may be given.i^

IV. Human-Animal Conflict

While conflict between man and man belonging to

different denominat ions , races and religion is universa l and

inherent , the conflict between Homo sapiens and wildlife for

13 www.hp.forest.nic.in.

185

survival is now taking a virulent shape. The conflict is

mainly due to pressure of rapid increase in population and

poverty of the people which constitute the real threat to our

limited natural resources. The main reasons for man versus

wild conflict are the absence of a clear cut demarcation of

the boundaries exclusively reserved for the national parks

or sanctuaries, and the development zones on the one hand

and the absence of a buffer zone between human

settlements and wildlife parks. ^̂^

It is common news that human beings and their cattle

are being attacked by wild animals. There is a conflict going

on between the two. The main reasons behind the at tacks

are the lack of proper habitats, increase in construction

works, agriculture, development of roads etc.

In the survey done in the State of Himachal Pradesh,

in the past 10 years almost 7,000 domesticated animals

have been attacked and round about 425 persons have been

recorded to be attacked by the wild animals.

In the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, around

Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, despite the fact that conflict

among agro-pastoralists and wildlife is increasing in

relation to the growing livestock population, villagers have

not resorted to killing the main source of the problem: the

snow leopard. In 1995, the wild carnivores killed 18% of the

total livestock holding; this amounted to an annual loss of

12% for families with livestock holding. Almost all the

deaths were caused by snow leopard, which is not

persecuted. However, retaliatory action is performed against

the Tibetan wolf, whose pups were reported to have been captured

and killed almost every year in 1980s.i^

14 See, S.N.Dhyani, Wildlife Management: Indian s)Tidrome, (1994), p82. 15 http: / /www.fao.org/SARD/common/ecg/ 1357/en/HWC_fmal.pdf

186

In a glaring example of man-animal conflict, Himachal

Pradesh reported 2,789 cases of attack on humans and

cattle by wild animals including bear, leopard and monkeys

in the past three years, in which 22 people lost their lives.

The figures were revealed by Forest Minister Khimi

Ram Sharma in a reply to question in the State Assembly.

He said that an amount of Rs. 1.45 crore has been paid as

compensation to the affected families.

Shimla district reported six deaths due to attack by

leopards and bear and the total number of attacks by wild

animals, including on cattle, were among the highest in the

State with over 1,000 attacks.

Sharma said that to overcome the monkey menace and

check their population growth, sterilisation of monkeys had

been started at rescue and rehabilitation centre at

Tutikandi in Shimla district from February 2007. "Two more

monkey sterilisation centres one at Saster, (Hamirpur) and

another at Goplapur (Kangra) were set up and are

functioning since March 2009 and to speed the work further

one more sterilisation centre was set up at Boul in Una

district from March 2011.

"In an order to launch a special drive to check the

monkey menace, the Cabinet has decided that rates for

monkey capturing will be '500 per monkey which will be

paid to the persons bringing the simians," said Sharma

He added that earlier Himachal Government had

identified nine species of wild animals as crop damaging

namely wild boar, porcupine, sambhar, chital, hare, jackal,

monkey, parrot and blue bull.

In the last year 2,000 orders were issued to issue

permits to kill monkeys which cause damage to human life

187

or public property (including standing crops on any land)

but after High Court's directive no new orders have been

issued.1^

As we are aware that the Animal Welfare Board of India

(AWBI) has been constituted as a nodal central statutory

agency under Section 4 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Act 1960 and is vested with the mandate of prevention of

cruelty to animals and promoting their welfare.

It had come to the notice of the AWBI that the

Himachal State Wildlife Department had issued permits for

killing of Monkeys, Blue Bulls (Neel Gais) and Wild Boars

and in furtherance of the same approximately 3000 permits

has since been issued.

The Act mandates issuance of such permits only in

emergent conditions where ample data / proof are available

and reliable statistics of damage to crops, life and property

exists. The permits cannot be issued merely because the

powers are vested for their issuance. Due application of

mind and a rational assessment / analysis of other

available options such as relocation and creation of

sanctuaries for these animals should have been carried out.

The reports of the AWBI notified Animal Welfare

organizations and their representatives functioning in

Himachal Pradesh have reported and informed the Board

that in fact no such imminent danger exists calling for such

an extreme and cruel action on the part of State Wildlife

Department. Animal Welfare activists from all over the

country and in fact the entire World have raised their

protests against these killings in Himachal Pradesh.

16 http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/chandigarh/51474-hiinachal-sees-over-2500-attacks-in-3-yrs.html

188

It is surprising that the State Wildlife Department

which is statutorily mandated to protect and conserve the

wildlife is actively aiding and abetting such an illegal and

cruel activity promoted for political gains. The Board

directed the notified Animal welfare Organizations operating

in the state to monitor and record every individual killing

that may take place under the above permits. The Board will

initiate criminal proceedings under the Prevention of

Cruelty to Animals Act, Wildlife Protection Act and Indian

Penal Code against the person/s indulging in any such

killing under the permits so issued by the Department. In

addition, the Board will also inform the Ministry of

Environment and Forests to initiate immediate action

against the permission issued by the Department for killing

of wildlife without exercising the alternative options of their

relocation / creation of sanctuaries for their protection.

In a civilized society the man-animal conflicts if any,

are required to be addressed in a rational and scientific

manner rather than resorting to old, cruel and barbaric

methods. A quote from Mahatma Gandhi the father of our

Nation, "The Social Development of a nation is judged by the

way its people treat their animals" falls appropriate in

present situation. '̂̂

Despite all the measures taken by the government to

stop poaching and killing in the State, there are many cases

which come to our notice daily. On the 20"^ May, 2005, four

villagers in Una were arrested for killing a Sambhar, with

an intention to consume it as a food. The animal had come

to the dam to drink water where the four villagers

surrounded and killed it with the sticks. Sambhar, is a

17 http://www.finalstand.org/final/index.php/newsblog/l-latest-news/204-awbi-sends-notice-to-simla-authorities-against-killing-of-monkeys.

189

protected animal under the Wild Life (Protection) Act,

1972—Schedule 3.

On the same day in Sundernagar villagers killed a

leopard after it had done series of killing of domesticated

animals. The leopard died of asphyxiation after villagers

allegedly fanned smoke inside the cave they had chased it

into. After removing the valuable skin, teeth and claws the

carcass was left in open to rot. A case under sec. 51 of the

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has been registered. These

incidents of confrontation between humans and wild

animals have grown in recent years in the hill State due to

the shrinking of habitat.

Therefore, we all must help and contribute our efforts

towards conserving the rich wild life of our State. The State

Government must also make strict rules against the

poachers and make and implement programmes related to

wildlife conservation.

V. Wild Life Preservation

The following activities for preservation of wildlife are

being carried in the Pradesh:

(i) To protect, develop and scientifically manage the

wildlife in the protected areas.

(ii) Bring more area under the protected area network.

(iii) Protect the wildlife and its habitat in areas outside the

protected areas.

(iv) To carry out eco-development work in the vicinity of

protected areas to reduce the biotic pressure in the

protected areas.

(v) To carry out the captive breeding and rehabilitation of

endangered species.

190

(vi) To create na tu re awareness among local people in the

general and the youth in par t icu la r and also to involve

the Non-Governmental Organisa t ions .

(vii) To carry out field research regarding wild life in

western Himalayas.

(viii) To propagate eco- tour ism. ̂ ^

(a) Nature Parks

Seeing wildlife in Himalayas requires lot of physical

effort and time. With the fast moving life, many people can ' t

afford th i s . The State Government had decided to have a

network of Nature Parks where the wild an imals will be kept

in large open enclosures in their near to na tu ra l condi t ions .

The State Government had decided to keep only the local

species of an imals and bi rds in these Nature Parks .

Development of these Nature Parks will create awarenes s

among the people of the State and the tour i s t s coming from

outs ide . Keeping th is object in view the State Government

had prepared development p lans for these Nature Parks :

Kufri, Manali and Gopalpur. i^

(b) Wild life Management

Wildlife management activity in Himachal Pradesh has

a chequered pas t history. Prior to independence many

wildlife a reas were the shikargahs of the Rajas. Those a reas

were well protected and had wildlife in a b u n d a n c e . After

1947, increase in populat ion, clearing of forest a r eas for

agr icul ture and hor t icu l tu re , easy availability of f irearms

and ammuni t ions , cons t ruc t ion of roads etc. , h a s resu l ted

in indiscr iminate shooting of wild an imals and bi rds

18 Extracts from Annual Plan 2004-05, Govt, of Himachal Pradesh. 19 Information collected from Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development

Corporation, Shimla.

191

throughout the State. Forest habitat got reduced and badly

disturbed because of commercial and local felling of trees by

people and by grazing of domestic live stock in the forests.

Till 1957 wildlife protection and development work was

with the Forest Department. No special attention was paid

to the sanctuary areas. There was no National Park. In 1957

a separate Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was

established. One Wildlife Warden with a few Wildlife

Inspectors and Wildlife Guards were looking after this work.

In 1964 wildlife wing was again merged with the Forest

Department and one Wildlife Division was created. The main

function of this division was to look after the mini Zoos in

the State. With the enactment of Wildlife Protection Act in

1972 same attention was paid to wildlife protection work. In

1974 a separate Wildlife Circle was sanctioned. In 1982

another Wildlife Division was created at Palampur. At the

time of re-organisation of Forest Department in 1984, four

Wildlife Divisions were created. Great Himalayan National

Park, Kullu and Pin Valley National Park were notified in

the years 1984 and 1987 respectively.

With the steps taken since 1986, a beginning has been

made in the wildlife management in the State. It is hoped

that with more funds coming in future, scientific

management of wildlife will be undertaken effectively in the

entire State which will also take care of the wildlife in areas

outside the protected areas.20

20 Ibid.

192

(c) Wildlife Preservation Schemes in Himachal Pradesh

(i) State Sector Scheme

(a) Wildlife Preservation

After rat ional izat ion of schemes , a new scheme namely

Wildlife Preservation has been in t roduced dur ing the year

2001-02 in place of Wildlife Management and Nature

Conservat ion, Improvement and Development of Wildlife

Sanc tuar ies and Awareness for Nature and Wildlife

Conservation among Youths. The main objectives of the

scheme are:

(i) Payment of relief on account of loss of injury to h u m a n

life and loss of catt le life by the wildlife an imals in

protected a reas .

(ii) The components of expendi ture unde r th is scheme are

employment of fire watchers and game watchers ,

labour for census and wildlife surveys, hab i t a t

improvement works including cut t ing and ma in tenance

of fire l ines, fodder and pas tu re improvements , weed

eradicat ion, p lanta t ion and soil conservat ion works

etc.

(iii) School/vil lage s tuden t s and local you ths are t aken to

wildlife a reas for exposure and creat ing love in them

for wildlife and na tu re conservat ion. Equ ipments like

projectors , films, camping equipments etc. are

required for t r anspor ta t ion and food has to be provided

free of cost to the students.21

(b) Development of Himalayan Zoological Park

This is a cont inued scheme from the Seventh Five

Year Plan and upto the end of this plan period 6-7 cen te rs

21 Extracts from Annual Plan 2004-05, Govt, of Himachal Pradesh.

193

for collection of Western Himalayan Species were developed

in the State unde r this scheme. Now the base is ready to

unde r t ake the es tab l i shment of Nature Park in the S ta te for

which surveys and prepara t ion of feasibility repor t h a s

already been taken up.22

(ii) Central Sector Scheme

(a) Intensive Management of Wildlife Sanctuar ies

This is a cont inued schem^e from the Seventh Five

Year Plan and is being run mainly with the a s s i s t a n c e of

Government of India. This scheme envisages in tens ive

management of all the presen t 32 wildlife S a n c t u a r i e s in the

State on modern scientific l ines. Management p l ans of the

some wildlife sanc tua r i e s , keeping in view the guidel ines of

the Government of India, have been p repared for the

purpose and in respect of remaining s a n c t u a r i e s the

management p lans are being prepared . The main e m p h a s i s

will be providing necessary in f ras t ruc tu ra l facilities in all

the wildlife sanc tua r i e s a reas protect ion works , h a b i t a t

improvement, research works, cons t ruc t i on / improvement of

roads and pa ths , cons t ruc t ion of water re ten t ion d a m s etc.

(b) Development of Great Himalayan National Park

(Kullu)

In the year 1984, it was decided to set up a Great

Himalayan National Park at Kullu. Due to diverse flora,

climate and a t t i tude , the National Park p o s s e s s e s u n i q u e

variety of Himalayan wildlife species. Some of these species

are endangered and find mention in Red Data Book of

In ternat ional Union of Conservat ion of Nature (lUCN, 1978).

The main wildlife species found in the a rea are m u s k deer,

barking deer, serow, Himalayan thar , Himalayan ibex, blue

22 Ibid

194

sheep, black bear, snow leopard, common leopard amongst

animials whereas the main pheasant species are western

tragopan, monal, cheer, khalij, koklas and snow cock. Out

of these the snow leopard, western tragopan and cheer

pheasants though they exist in the park are yet facing a

high degree of threat of extinction and require special

attention.

(c) Development of Pin Valley National Park

The Pin Valley National Park is situated in the Pin

Valley of Spiti Sub-division of Lahaul and Spiti District. The

area supports unique flora of cold desert eco-system. Pin

Valley National Park is one of the few areas where snow

leopard, which is a highly endangered species in the world,

is found along with its prey species. Besides, animals and

birds found in this park area are snow wolf, ibex,

Himalayan brown fox, Himalayan blue sheep, snow rabbit,

marmots, weasels, snow cock, chukor, hill pigeon etc.

This is a continued scheme from Seventh Five Year

Plan and during this period, emphasis has been laid on

creating the infrastructure, creation of parks and settlement

of rights. During the Tenth Five Year Plan period, efforts are

being made to develop this park for providing proper

protection to all wild life especially to snow leopard etc.

Works like construction of bridge, inspection paths,

construction of water ponds, water harvesting structures,

habitat improvement, fire protection measures, study and

research works, soil conservation works, acquisition of

rights etc. will be carried out under this scheme.23

23 Id.

195

VI. Captive Breeding Programme

Some of the rare species are being kept in various

breeding centers and have been bred successfully. Musk

deer is breeding in breeding farm at Kufri. Brown bear has

bred at Tutikandi, cheer pheasant at Tutikandi zoo and

Chail. Monal has bred at Tutikandi and Sarahan

Pheasantry. Pheasantry at Sarahan is trying to breed

Western Tragopan which is a threatened species.24

(a) Fresh Plan to Conserve Musk Deer

Even as the earlier plans to propagate the declining

population of the State animal, musk deer, is still gathering

dust, the wildlife wing of the State Forest Department has

drawn a fresh proposal for the conservation of the

endangered animal.

The animal, which figures in the Red Data Book of the

International Union of Conservation of Nature (lUCN), would

be conserved at the Great Himalayan National Park.

According to the proposal the musk deer along with

two other endangered animals, including serows and

Himalayan thar, would be conserved at Great Himalayan

National Park and in other protected forest areas of the

State. The Wildlife Wing had earlier proposed to revive the

breeding of musk deer at Himalayan Nature Park, Kufri, 16

km. from Shimla. For the purpose, it had, about four years

ago, written to the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department to

provide two pairs of musk deer for breeding purposes.

However, the authorities did not pursue the correspondence

as the Central Zoo Authorities replied that Himachal would

have to exchange other animals.

It may be mentioned that the breeding programme for

the musk deer was discontinued about 25 years ago in

24 See, supra note 6.

196

Himachal due to scarcity of funds. According to conservative

estimates there are only 54 musk deer in the protected

areas in the State. The musk deer is found in Kugti, Tundah

and Gamgul Sanctuaries in Chamba district and Chitkul in

Kinnaur.25

(b) Breeding of Western Tragopan in Captivity

After a span of 12 years the wildlife experts finally

succeeded in the breeding the endangered western tragopan

in captivity at the Sarahan Pheasantry in Rampur. As per

the wildlife officials; two eggs of this endangered pheasant

hatched on 2" !̂ June, 2005 at the Sarahan Pheasantry,

providing a glimmer of hope to the wildlife authorities.

After a week or so both the siblings died. Earlier the

eggs did not hatch due to infertility. The Divisional Forest

Officer Sarahan, B. L. Negi went to England and found out

that infertility may be due to lack of Vitamin E, therefore,

the diet was changed, but still it was of no use.^^

VII. Himalayan Marmot Needs Legal Protection

According to survey conducted by Zoological Survey of

India, Solan a huge influx of tourists in sanctuaries has

threatened the existence of Himalayan Marmot. Dr. R. M.

Sharma and Dr. P. C. Tak had conducted a 14 days survey

for studying the habitat of Himalayan Marmot. They said

that though the Himalayan Marmot is listed under Appendix

III of the Convention for International Trade in Endangered

Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and characterised as a

data deficient species by International Union of

Conservation of Nature, it should also be included in any of

the schedules of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 for its

conservation.27

25 Hindustan Times, May 28, 2005. 26 Hindustan Times, J u n e 9, 2005. 27 Hindustan Times, July 4, 2005.

197

The fauna of Himachal Pradesh is very impressive,

diverse and unique. Among the pheasants there is

progression with increasing altitude. The Western Tragopan,

a rare and endangered species is an example of a bird which

is confined to Western Himalayas only. Himachal Pradesh

has probably the biggest population of cheer pheasants in

the world. Among herbivores are the ibex, serow, blue

sheep, thar, musk deer, goral and yak. Himachal Pradesh

represents a large variety of carnivores like black bear,

brown bear, Himalayan weasel, yellow throated marlin,

stone marlin, wolf, common leopard is a proud

representative of the large cats in the State.

At present there are two National Parks and 32

Sanctuaries in the State. The total area under both

categories of protected area is 7,100 sq. km., which is about

12% of the total forest area of the State. The State

Government has prohibited felling of trees for any purpose

in both the National Parks and 32 Sanctuaries. The State

Government is taking every possible step to conserve the

wildlife in Himachal Pradesh. The common man must also

contribute towards saving and protecting our wildlife.

As far as the rate fixed for the compensation to be

given to the victims attacked by the wild animals is

concerned, it very meager. Loss of a cow in cowshed is

compensated by a sum of Rs. 625 / - and in jungle by Rs.

375/ - . It can be seen that this small amount will not at all

help the man who is suffering himself due to the loss of a

cow. Therefore, the Government must try to fix such rates of

compensation which may prove to be useful.

VII. Himachal Pradesh to launch Snow Leopard Project

As the pre-project stage gets underway in the state,

the first-ever census of snow leopards was being conducted

by the National Conservation Foundation (NCF), a non-

198

government organisation. So far, only the head count of

snow leopards is as per estimates that put the numbers at

around 400. After the snow leopard was identified as a

highly endangered species in Himachal, over three years

ago, the state government had taken an initiative to declare

it as the state animal as it is the most important species of

the mountain region and is at the apex of the ecological

pyramid. Though its habitat is in the upper reaches (above

3,000 metres) of Himachal, one of the main issues to be

tackled by conservationists would remain man-animal

conflict and protection of the ecology of its natural habitat .

"Conservation with community participation" is expected to

be the focus of the project and resident communities as well

as the nomadic communities such as Ban Gujjars would

also be involved in sensitisation towards the conservation of

the animal. Chief Wildlife Warden A K Gupta said, "The

survey work of National Conservation Foundation (NCF) in

Spiti valley, where over 1,000 square metres of biological

strategic landscape would be first identified for

conservation has started." In a phased manner, the project

would be extended to Pangi in Lahaul, Kinnaur, Bharmour

in upper Chamba, Bara Bhangal in upper Kangra, Mantalai,

Pin Parvati, upper great Himalayan National Park, upper

Manali under upper Kullu and Rupi Bhabha and Dodra

Kwar in upper Shimla district. Project Snow Leopard,

launched by the Centre, would accord the snow leopard the

same status of importance in areas of high altitude, as has

been allotted to the tiger in the terrestrial landscape.

Starting from village wildlife conservation committees and

landscape-level implementation committees, the network of

conservation would be headed by a state-level committee in

which the wildlife department is contemplating involving all

stakeholder departments such as agriculture, animal

199

husbandry and horticulture. Encouraged by the marginal

increase in the number of snow leopards in Himachal, one

of the biggest habitats of the endangered species, the

Wildlife Department is in the process of launching a project

for developing a conservation strategy to increase their

population. For the implementation of the snow leopard

project, the wildlife authorities are already in touch with

the Nature Conservation Foundation, Mussorie. Even a

marginal increase in the number of snow leopards from 32

to 35, during the latest census this year has encouraged the

department to launch the project at the earliest. The fact

that during the latest census undertaken in June , for the

first time the mapping of the exact location of the snow

leopard has been done, which will help in their conservation

and increase in number. The habitat s tatus analysis of the

snow leopard will be done to identify the areas where it has

been found in larger numbers. "During the recent census ,

the wildlife staff has recorded 24 snow leopards in Spiti,

eight in Lahaul and Pangi and the three new animals have

been sighted in the Parbati valley and Great Himalayan

National Park in Kullu district," informed Mr A.K. Gulati ,

Additional Principal Chief Conservator (Wildlife), 2009.

Himachal apart from Jammu and Kashmir, Uttaranchal and

Sikkim is one of the few states in the country where the

snow leopard is found. In Himachal, it is mostly found in

Kaza, Lahaul Spiti, Pangi, Parbati and the Great Himalayan

National Park. The project will take care of the proper

management of the Himalayan habitat of the snow leopard.

"Another important aspect that the project will take care of

will be to strengthen the number of Himalayan Thar and

Ibex, which are the natural feed of the snow leopard," said

Mr Gulati. The wildlife authorities are also keen on getting a

project for the conservation of the Himalayan wolf also

200

known as the Tibetan wolf as it is considered the mother of

all wolves. The Nature Conservation Foundation, Mussorie,

is keen to develop policy document and action plan that will

promote wildlife conservation. Another area which they feel

needs immediate attention is better understanding and

management of the human and wildlife conflict, which is on

the increase due to human interference with their na tura l

habitat. With regard to the snow leopard, efforts would be

made to focus on its conservation and recovery programme

as it is one of the endangered species. In this regard it is

felt that a programme must be developed for wildlife

conservation outside the protected areas and promote

ecologically responsible development.^s

Sum up

At the end of this chapter the researcher concludes

that the state provides a delightful atmosphere for the flora

and fauna to flourish in the wilderness. The wildlife Wing is

trying their best to look after the wild animals and they

encourage and seek cooperation from visitors in conforming

to the rules of the National parks and sanctuaries.

In the coming Chapter an empirical study has been

conducted to find out the effect and value of wildlife in day

to day life of the people. Other than the view point of the

common people, an attempt has been made to gather some

information from the Wildlife Officials about the problems

faced by them in tackling the conflict with local people in

the sanctuaries.

28 Posted: Friday , Mar 27, 2009 at 0142 , http://www.tribuneindia.eom/2004/20040714/himachal.htm#8 HP to launch snow leopard project

201