Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 3: Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Chaudhary Lal Singh today said that preservation of endangered Hangul (Kashmir deer) was highest priority for his department.
Speaking to a delegation of ‘Kashmir Hangul Expedition 2016’ Singh said that conservation of biodiversity with special reference to Hangul at Dachigam National Park is being taken up very seriously and Government would do anything to protect the State animal.
The delegation led by Bittu Sahgal, founder and Editor of Sanctuary Asia- a leading wildlife magazine, discussed various issues with the Forest Minister. They apprised the Minister over the challenges of protecting the wildlife in the State forests. They demanded that the Government should make policies over protecting and preserving the forests and wildlife across the State.
Mr Singh told the delegation that he has directed officials that there shouldn’t be any compromise on the protection of wildlife, environment and ecology across the State. “When we can’t compromise on quality of our life, why should we be insensitive toward wildlife, our environment and ecology,” Mr Singh said.
The Minister informed the delegation that for preservation and safety of Hangul, the Government has submitted a project report of Rs. 25.72 crore to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for approval.
He said the plan provides conservation, completion of construction and maintenance of conservation Breeding Centre as well as other provisions like veterinarian, research fellows, plan, training and Red Deer breeding expertise consultancy etc.
The other members of delegation were Author and Conservationist, Bikram Grewal, Country Director Earth-Day network, India, Karuna Singh, Coordinator Earth-Day network, Neela Majumdar, Coordinator, Sanctuary Asia, Cara Tejpal, Convener, Environment Policy Park, Faiz Bakhsi, Chairman Wildlife Conservation Fund, Mohammad Shafi Bacha and Environment Lawyer, Nadeem Qadri.
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