UT administration begins the process of rights settlement of locals living in wildlife sanctuary areas, says Wildlife Conservator Sajjad Hussain Mufti

Ladakh Wildlife Conservator Sajjad Hussain Mufti says the Union Territory administration has begun the process of rights settlement of locals living in the wildlife sanctuary areas. Leh district has Changthang, Karakoram, and Hemis wildlife sanctuaries.

Allaying apprehensions of some public representatives and people, Mr. Mufti said that based on the 1987 notification, the erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir issued a Statutory Regulatory Order 302 in 2007, authorizing the sub-divisional revenue officials to settle the rights. However, he said, the incomplete process revived now with fresh approvals. He said no parts of Leh town, Phyang, Saboo, or Taru fall within the Karakoram Sanctuary limits. He also said there was no proposal to include these areas either.

Mr. Mufti clarified that rationalization of rights in wildlife sanctuary areas has been initiated by the Wildlife Institute of India in wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. He said, as per the Wildlife Act, rights of the bonafide locals and community interests, including grazing land, agricultural land, firewood collection, and others will be correlated with the revenue records and secured for the future. He also said a total of 69 different projects were cleared by the UT administration, in the wildlife sanctuary areas.

Mr. Muft also said, considering the time gap between notification and rationalization, the UT Administration would also consider the exclusion of certain populated or presently non-important areas from the original notified areas. However, he said the rationalization of boundaries will be based on the inputs by the stakeholders and the outcome of the report by Wildlife Institute of India. He also said that the revenue department could also consider extending the time to receive feedback from the public.