Wildlife corridors in four national parks suggested to protect species

Environmentalists have suggested the creation of wildlife corridors in four national parks and sanctuaries in Himachal for safeguarding wildlife habitats during development activities.

These are the suggestions made on the basis of a pilot study on Mapping and Restoration of Biodiversity Corridors in Himachal undertaken by the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. The study suggests that wildlife corridors be developed in the Kanwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Inderkilla and Khirganga national parks and the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary.

It basically reflects on the reasons for rising man-animal conflicts in Himachal Pradesh and highlights the need for the creation of wildlife corridors. It also highlights the importance of ensuring wildlife movement pathways during the development process, including the construction of roads, railway lines, tunnels and industrialisation, which could prove to be a daunting task.

Based on the camera trap data, it was found that Himalayan Red Fox and Himalayan Brown Bear appear to be the most abundant while species like Himalayan Pika, monkeys and Apodemus Gurkha have lower abundance as compared to other species. The study identified 5,416 faunal species, including many highly- endangered species like snow leopard, ibex, Kashmiri Musk deer and Himalayan Tahr.

It was found that common leopard and black bear dominated the landscape while goral, barking deer and brown beer exhibited lesser percentage. In the case of herbivores, Goral and Tahr appeared to be the dominant species.

“The planned drivers of degradation, including the development of rail and road networks, may degrade the existing natural biological corridors. Hence, the creation of wildlife corridors will help safeguard the wildlife habitats during development activities,” the study suggests. It has suggested that areas with higher biodiversity should be maintained for long-term conservation.

The study indicates that due to the proposal of the Central Government to develop many linear features like roads under the Bharatmala project, which would pass through forested areas, there could be fragmentation of the habitats of many animals.

The study based on feedback from locals indicates that 28 per cent of the man-animal conflicts are the result of harm to livestock and crop damage by various animal species. It suggests that monkeys cause the maximum damage to apple, maize and vegetable crops while brown and black bears raid apple orchards. Crops like peas, maize, tomato and potato suffer damage from porcupines while red foxes cause heavy damage during pea harvest.

Pilot study conducted

• These are the suggestions made on the basis of a pilot study on Mapping and Restoration of Biodiversity Corridors in Himachal undertaken by the Zoological Survey of India
• It basically reflects on the reasons for rising man-animal conflicts in Himachal Pradesh and highlights the need for the creation of wildlife corridors
• It highlights the importance of ensuring wildlife movement pathways during the development process, including the construction of roads, railway lines, tunnels and industrialisation, which can prove to be a daunting task