Context:
Following the report from the Wildlife Institute of India, the Supreme Court has put a hold on the construction of four dams within the Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary.
About Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary:
- State – Haryana (Siwalik foothills)
- Notified in – 1996
- Kalesar National Park and Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary – Westernmost tip of the Terai Arc Landscape.
- River flowing – Yamuna
- Dams within Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary – Chikan, Kansli, Khillanwala and Ambawali.
- Kalesar forest boasts a dense cover of Khair and Sal trees.
- Key topographical features –
- Khols – Narrow valleys between the hills
- Soats – Seasonal rivulets in khols which remain dry for most of the year
- International significance – Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas
National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):
- An apex body responsible for promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests.
- Function – To review all wildlife-related matters and for the approval of projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.
- Chairperson – Prime Minister
- Vice-Chairperson – Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- ‘Advisory’ in nature
Wildlife Institute of India:
- An autonomous institution established in 1982.
- Ministry – Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- Headquarters – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- Offers training programs, academic courses, and advisory in wildlife research and management.
Source: Live Law
Previous Year Question
With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?
1. It is spread over two districts.
2. There is no human habitation inside the Park.
3. It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Normally human activities are not allowed in National Park but many villagers lived inside Desert National park, and they did not have access to even basic facility like road, electricity and water. In 2017, Supreme Court ordered the government to provide such facilities to them. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
