SHIMLA: National Wildlife Board today gave its nod for diversion of 0.0375 hectare of forest land for construction of helipad at Nagasti by ITBP authorities within Rakchham-Chhitkul Wildlife Sanctuary  and recommended the same for National Board for Wildlife.

The government is  caught in catch-22 situation  over this decision as the fluttering chopper may disturb the highland wildlife in eco-sensitive Rakcham-Chitkul wild life sanctuary in Sangla valley of Kinnaur. But then ITBP runs its border posts in  the highland border areas. It needs air facility for emergency needs to facilitate the troops or supplies  in the strategic Indo-China border as well, said the officials.   

Chairing the National Wild Life Board meeting here in Shimla today while giving its nod to the ITBP helipad nod  Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur however said State Government was considerate about the preservation and conservation of wildlife in the State and the efforts of the State Government in this direction has been appreciated and recognized at the national level.  

Chief Minister said that proper coordination between various line departments must also be ensured so that developmental projects could be expedited. He said that a few ambitious projects must be prepared so that same could be linked with tourism related activities. He said that efforts should also be made to prepare mega wildlife projects which could be sent for Central funding.

 Jai Ram Thakur said that wildlife must be conserved at any cost but at the same time it must also be ensured that developmental works do not hamper due to various issues related to wildlife areas. He also directed the officers to ensure time bound clearances for proposed construction of Thunag-Pajut-Lambasafar-Chilamgad-Shikaridevi road, He said that this would give a big boost to tourism development in the area. He said that a concrete plan must be prepared for conservation of rare Himalayan species of animals and birds.

It was decided in the meeting that matter regarding expansion of grain based distillery and co-generation power plant at industrial area Sansarpur Terrace in Kangra district by M/s Premier Alcobev Private Ltd may be recommended to National Board for Wildlife. Non-Official and Official members of the Board also gave their valuable suggestions on the occasion.

PCCF Wildlife-cum-Chief Wildlife Warden Rajeev Kumar made a presentation of the action taken report on the agenda of previous meeting and various activities of the Wildlife Wing. He also conducted the proceedings of the meeting.

MLA Banjar and Member State Board for Wildlife Surender Shourie, Additional Chief Secretary Forests Nisha Singh, PCCF Ajay Shrivastava and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.