towards project snow leopard - Nature Conservation Foundation

Towards Project Snow Leopard • 87
STATE LEVEL CONSULTATION, JAMMU & KASHMIR
22-23 December 2004
Indira Gandhi Nature Information Centre, Manda, Jammu
Views of the Forest Department Staff on Project Snow Leopard and Its Planning
The geographical scope of the PSL would include the whole of Ladakh, Zanskar, and Karakoram.
Surveys are need in other parts to examine their potential, such as, Pir Panjal, including Poonch,
Rajouri –Doda district, Banni-Sarthal area, Bhaderwah Bhalessa, ranges up to Himachal Pradesh
border, Sonmarg/ Thajwas Wildlife Sanctuary, Amarnath caves area, Margan Pass, proposed
extension areas of Dachigam, Pandras, Dras, Chiktan, Shakar Chiktan, Fotu La, and Overa Wildlife
Sanctuary.
1. Constraints Faced by the Forest Department Staff in Effectively Managing Wildlife in the
High Altitudes (> 3000 M) of Jammu & Kashmir
1.1. Constraints: Administrative
1.1.1. Lack of infrastructure, inaccessible/ harsh areas: The region is remote and largely
inaccessible. This makes working conditions difficult for the staff. There is a need for
better facilities and motivation for effective functioning.
1.1.2. Lack of special equipment including clothing and camping gear: Extreme climatic
conditions demand specialized equipment for camping and clothing for working in
the high altitudes.
1.1.3. Lack of effective communication networks: There is a need for good wireless
communication networks for combating illegal wildlife trade and patrolling work.
There is also a need for suitable all-terrain vehicles for commuting and patrolling.
1.1.4. Wildlife conservation is a low priority sector at state, district levels: Wildlife departments
in the high altitude areas are often given very low priority amongst all the departments
at district levels.
1.1.5. Untrained staff: There is an overall shortage of staff (see 1.2.1), and very often, the
department staff is not equipped with the skills required for conservation planning
and monitoring in the high altitudes. There are no mechanisms such as periodic
training to upgrade the skills of the staff in developing scientific techniques of wildlife
management.
1.1.6. Lack of co-ordination with army and other security agencies: Being close to the
international borders, a large proportion of the project area is under direct control of