Srinagar: While the government continues to make mounting claims of having taken the steps to preserve the environment in Kashmir, it seems the world famous Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary located in south Kashmir district of Shopian, has literally gone to dogs, with no signs of improved infrastructure on the ground.
A spot visit by the experts of the Wildlife Conservation Fund (WCF) to Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary to ascertain the factual position of the Sanctuary and monitor the Supreme Court directions and violations thereof has pin-pointed the gross wrongdoings.
The Mismanagement at the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary can be ascertained by the fact that the Wildlife Sanctuary is been managed by non-technical officers and Staff, who have no practical experience to manage the Wildlife Sanctuary.
The government has miserably failed to protect the special status of this wildlife sanctuary under the Jammu & Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978 amended upto 2002 which has a special focus on Markhor Recovery Program.
The Department of Wildlife Protection in the past had engaged some Non Governmental Organizations, to conduct research, to improve infrastructure, to provide inputs to the government regarding this sanctuary, but all of the NGOs involved have failed from the first day since their work has reduced to making money and doing no ground work.
Governments plan to construct Mughal road which cuts the Wildlife Sanctuary into two parts has also had an impact on the Wild flora and fauna in general more particularly MARKHOR as intense grazing is being facilitated in gross violation of the Supreme Court orders, and also the traffic rush passing through the sanctuary area without proper regulation is a matter of grave concern. The Mughal Road cuts through the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary and is believed to inhibit the movement of animals, especially the critically endangered Pir Panjal Markhor.
The Sanctuary has also been disturbed due to deforestation, excessive livestock grazing and construction of permanent huts by the Gujjars, Bakerwals & local shepherds.
Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Shopian district of Kashmir, 70 kilometers south of Srinagar. It is spread over an area of 341 km and is is bounded to the north by Lake Gumsar, northeast by Hirpora village, east by Rupri, south by Saransar and to the west by the Pir Panjal pass.
This particular wildlife sanctuary is abode of many species of animals including the Himalayan Brown bear, Himalayan Black bear, Musk Deer, Leopard, Tibetan wolf, Himalayan Palm Civet and around 50 individuals the critically endangered Pir Panjal Markhor. Besides, 130 species of birds including the Spotted Forktail, Western Tragopan, Rock Bunting, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Himalayan Woodpecker, Blue Rock Thrush, White-capped Redstart, Himalayan Griffon, Common Stonechat and Grey wagtail are found in the sanctuary.
The concerned department has not made certain entry or exit points in the sanctuary by which the department could have kept the track of the number of vehicles coming in the wildlife habitat. This issue has facilitated poaching, which has become rampant, in the area posing a serious threat to a host of wildlife animals, and fascinating birds present in the area.
Our team members spotted a large number of timber smugglers in the area, felling and looting the green gold, the area is rich in. (GNS feature)
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