Wildlife conservation projects are finding their way through the system’s jungle. Plans were outlined and foundation stones were laid, but years later, the projects remain largely unchanged. Forget about inauguration, many haven’t even begun. A hospital for wildlife treatment has not been built. The Forest Department planned a 400-hectare international zoo in Haldwani, along with a hospital for wildlife treatment, housing for veterinary staff, and an institute to reduce human-wildlife conflict. The foundation stone for these projects was laid in October 2016. The matter hasn’t progressed beyond the files. Subsequent meetings, guidelines issued, and director changes have been the norm. An officer stationed in Dehradun has been appointed the nodal officer for this ambitious project to be built in Haldwani. Work hasn’t even begun here. Himanshu Bangari, DFO of the Terai East Forest Division, says that the PPR for the project has been prepared and submitted to the government. According to officials, the work of preparing the PPR will begin. Once it is approved and the formalities are completed, work can begin. DP Baluni, DFO of the Uttarkashi Forest Division, says that the target was to complete the first phase of the project this October, but the Dharali disaster has affected the work. Meanwhile, monkeys and wild boars are damaging crops, causing people to lose interest in farming. In light of this, a plan was developed to build a monkey enclosure. This included a phased construction of a 100-hectare monkey enclosure in the Kishanpur Range of the Terai East Forest Division. The foundation stone for this project was also laid, but the matter has not progressed beyond the files. Plans to Build a Neonatal Care Center There is an elephant camp in the Rajaji Tiger Reserve. A plan to build a neonatal care center for baby elephants was announced last year, but work has yet to begin. Now, along with the neonatal care center, a preliminary plan has been drawn up to house the elephants in various locations as they age. But when will this work begin? This is also a major question. Rajaji Tiger Reserve Director Coco Rosso says that the proposal is being prepared keeping future needs in mind. Construction of Snow Leopard Conservation Center Pushed Back Uttarkashi. The construction target for the country’s first snow leopard conservation center, under construction in Lanka near Gangotri Dham, will be pushed back once again. This time, its construction was affected due to the disaster in the Dharali-Harsil area. It should be noted that the country’s first Snow Leopard Conservation Center (SLCC) was announced in 2020. The Forest Department assigned the Rural Construction Department, Uttarkashi, as the executing agency for its construction, which completed the design and drawings for the center’s construction in 2020. The center is proposed to construct a snow leopard conservation center and a cafeteria at a cost of approximately ₹4.87 crore
