India’s first snow leopard conservation centre to be set up in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is going to develop India’s first Snow Leopard Conservation Centre in Uttarkashi forests. This centre will be developed by the Uttarakhand Forest Department along with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Objective

The main objective of this park is conservation, restoration of Himalayan ecosystems and creating livelihood. It will be responsible for the conservation of elusive snow leopards and various other endangered Himalayan species.

Snow Leopard Conservation in Uttarakhand

The total number of snow leopards will be counted in the state and special efforts should be made to preserve and increase the number of snow leopards. In the last few years, the areas where snow leopards have been should be identified by the forest department by the cooperation of local people and military forces. The area should be calculated by making grids.

Impact of Leopard Conservation

This move will increase winter tourism in the state. Since Uttarakhand is home to various species of wildlife, which are centre of attraction for tourists, efforts to conserve them, will definitely boost the tourism sector there. That will be beneficial for the economy of the state.

City Forests Development Project

Apart from the conservation centre, the state will also develop six city forests to expand the green area in the urban regions of the state. The Forest Department is going to develop city forests in Kumaon Region, two in the plains and four in the hilly districts of the state. The main aim of this project is to increase the green cover in urban areas and also to connect people to greenery and clean environment. The six areas chosen are – Dehradun, Nainital, Almora, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh and Champawat.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2020