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Time of India
12-06-2025
- Time of India
Uttarakhand pays Rs 19.5 crore to families affected by wildlife conflicts
Dehradun: Uttarakhand has disbursed Rs 19.5 crore in compensation to families affected by human-wildlife conflict in the 2024–25 financial year, officials said at the 21st meeting of the state wildlife board in Dehradun on Thursday. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired the meeting and directed forest department officials to focus on both conservation and linking forest wealth to local livelihoods. Dhami asked the department to prepare a 10-year plan to promote eco-tourism near forest areas and suggested developing a digital tracking system for real-time monitoring of conflict incidents and faster compensation payouts. "Eco-tourism activities must be scaled up near forest zones, while also ensuring prompt relief to those impacted by wildlife encounters," Dhami said. He also instructed authorities to expedite the zoo and safari project in Haldwani and fast-track the renovation of Chaurasi Kutiya in Rishikesh. He called for improved maintenance of forest rest houses to attract more tourists and increase revenue. He further asked the forest and finance departments to work jointly on integrating forest resources with livelihoods. The CM also asked officials to give special attention to conserving the endangered Mahseer fish species. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Foundation Repair Available to Florida Homeowners in 2025 Smart Lifestyle Trends Learn More Undo In a key development, the board approved 25 proposals concerning forest land transfers and projects located in protected areas or their 10-km buffer zones. These proposals will now be sent to the National Board for Wildlife for final clearance. The board also granted in-principle approval for managing the Rudranath pilgrimage route through the Eco Development Committee (EDC) and setting up a mini transit treatment centre under the Kedarnath wildlife division in Gopeshwar. Officials from the forest department said 22 major wildlife-related projects received approval from the National Board for Wildlife since the previous meeting. They also said over 75,000 monkeys were sterilised in the past three years under the state's monkey population control programme, with a further target of 40,000 set for 2024–25 across 27 forest divisions. Responding to a directive issued by the CM in the last meeting, divisional forest officers are now visiting conflict sites and disbursing compensation directly to affected families, officials confirmed. The board also noted that four new eco-tourism zones have been established this year as part of the govt's wider efforts to promote sustainable tourism and boost local economies. Speaking at the meeting, forest minister Subodh Uniyal said, "Uttarakhand is a state rich in biodiversity. We must continue to sustainably utilise our forest resources and find ways to integrate them with community livelihoods. It is also time to develop new tourist destinations within our forest landscapes." Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- The Hindu
Kambalakonda Eco-Tourism Park: Visakhapatnam's green retreat with cottages, wildlife and thrills
As you enter the arched gate of the Kambalakonda Eco-Tourism Park, a soothing symphony of cicadas and birds replaces the din of the city. A trail meanders under a leafy canopy, where the scent of damp earth lingers after the morning spell of pre-monsoon showers. The park opens up gradually, revealing a stretch of meadows flanked by dense tropical deciduous forest, interspersed with scrubland and rocky outcrops. A family of spotted deer grazes just off the path, calm and unafraid, accustomed to sharing this space with visitors. The majestic white-bellied sea eagle glides in slow, purposeful circles above the green expanse, often sighted in the early hours near the waterbody. Spread across 71 square kilometres, Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Visakhapatnam's richest natural treasures. Bordered by the Simhachalam hill range to the west and the Gambheeram reservoir to the north-east, it offers a unique ecological blend with an oasis of mixed forest canopy, scrubland, and perennial water-body, supporting a dense and diverse web of life. Now, thanks to a series of revitalisation initiatives by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, the sanctuary and its eco-tourism park are abuzz with new features and upgrades. Under the Nagar Van Yojana (NVY), a Central Government scheme that aims to develop 400 urban forests and 200 vatikas by 2025, Kambalakonda is being transformed not just as a tourist spot but as a vital urban green lung. Managed by the Eco Development Committee of Sambhuvanipalem village, the sanctuary exemplifies community-led conservation. 'We're developing Kambalakonda as a model eco-tourism destination,' says G Mangamma, Deputy Conservator of Forest and curator of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park. 'Of the five cottages being constructed, three are already completed. The remaining two will be ready within two weeks, and we will open them shortly to the public.' These rustic cottages, tucked into the forest's edge, are being created to offer an experience rooted in sustainability, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the sounds and sights of the wild. The project is part of a broader Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth ₹2 crore, of which ₹1.4 crore was sanctioned and ₹75 lakh worth of work completed in the previous year. The rest of the facilities are expected to be ready within the next one month. A biodiversity hotspot The sanctuary is home to over 120 species of birds, making it a birder's paradise. Regular sightings include those of bulbuls, barbets, cuckoos, hornbills, flycatchers, leafbirds and starlings. Along its streams and water-bodies, you might spot white-breasted waterhens, moorhens, herons, lapwings and teals. Species with high conservation priority like the painted stork and the elusive pale-capped pigeon have also been recorded here. The forest also harbours several mammalian species and reptiles. In a ground-breaking discovery two years ago, the sanctuary recorded the first-ever sighting of the Barkudia limbless skink (Barkudia melanosticta), a small, elusive reptile known for its limbless body and subterranean lifestyle. The sighting thrilled herpetologists and opened new research avenues into the rich, understudied fauna of the Eastern Ghats. Green infrastructure Apart from the new cottages, several other facilities are being built and upgraded to enrich the visitor experience. Three trek routes, popular with locals and tourists alike, are being refurbished ahead of the monsoon, with pathways cleared and signages updated. A block plantation featuring indigenous forest species was raised, creating a mini forest within the sanctuary. One of the highlights is the amphitheatre, now sporting forest-themed green hues, offering a natural setting for school programmes, community workshops, and Nature-based storytelling events. Nearby, a new yoga and meditation centre invites visitors to engage with Nature through stillness and mindfulness. Additionally, an interpretation centre is coming up within the eco-tourism park. Designed to educate the public on the sanctuary's flora and fauna, it will feature informative boards and illustrations. To improve connectivity within the park, a gabion bridge has been constructed linking the eco-tourism zone to Vana Mitra, the Forest Department's nursery. 'Visitors can now directly access the nursery and choose from nearly two lakh plant saplings available,' says Mangamma. The idea is to make conservation tangible, something visitors can take home in the form of a plant. For the adventurous Adventure and family-friendly recreation have found a place in Kambalakonda's evolving identity. The Livein Adventures team offers activities like rappelling, slack-lining, ziplining, tyre walks and rope challenges, all integrated into the forest environment. Kayaking adds another dimension of fun here. The revamped children's play area has been drawing family crowds, while the renovated canteen offers a refreshed menu and resting spot for the weary trekkers. Three watchtowers with stone-packed natural stairs and reinforced with wooden sticks have been constructed, offering panoramic views of the sanctuary and beyond. These viewing points, especially at sunrise or sunset, are where Nature puts on a spectacle of light, sound and silence. Soon, guided nature walks are expected to become a regular feature. At present, they are held sporadically, but as visitor numbers grow and infrastructure scales up, more structured experiences will take shape.
