Haryana State PCS

• 26 Apr 2024

Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News?

The Supreme Court stayed construction of four proposed dams inside Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary in Haryana’s Yamunanagar district.

Key Points

• A petition was filed challenging the construction of four dams Chikan, Kansli, Khillanwala and Ambawali within Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary as it will have a negative impact on the flora and the fauna in the area.
• The National Board for Wildlife has granted permission to construct dams inside the wildlife sanctuary without taking cognisance of the report of Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
• WII has categorically stated in its report namely 'Feasibility Study of Proposed Small Dams in Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary, Haryana' that the proposed dams are under protected area boundary of Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary and as such would significantly affect the terrestrial as well as aquatic biodiversity of the protected area.
• Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary notified on 13^th December 1996, is located on the Siwalik foothills. It is contiguous to Rajaji National Park (Uttarakhand) and Simbalbara National Park (Himachal Pradesh).
  • The whole area is full of biodiversity, having dense Sal forests, Khair forests and patches of grass lands, which support a variety of plants and animal species.
  • Royal tigers and mighty elephants visit this place from the Rajaji National Park. Other animals found there include Monitor Lizard,Grey-hooded Warbler, King Cobra, Crested Serpent Eagle, Python, Chital, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Sambar, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Barking Deer, Ghoral, Red-billed Blue Magpie and Leopard.

National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

• It serves as an apex body for the review of all wildlife-related matters and for the approval of projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.
• The NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister and is responsible for promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests.
• The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the Vice-Chairperson of the board.
• The board is ‘advisory’ in nature and can only advise the Government on policy making for conservation of wildlife.

Wildlife Institute of India

• It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• It was established in 1982.
• It is based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
• It offers training programs, academic courses, and advisory in wildlife research and management.