Four biodiversity heritage sites to be developed in Uttarakhand

After a long wait, four biodiversity heritage sites will come into existence in the biodiversity-rich Uttarakhand. These include Thalkedar and Dugtu in Pithoragarh district and Kandara Bugyal and Khedatal in Uttarkashi. With a view to declare them as biodiversity heritage sites, the exercise of the Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board has reached the final stage.

Biodiversity Act implemented

Biodiversity Act is applicable in Uttarakhand. There is a provision in this that with the consent of the local bodies, the government can declare unique sites from the point of view of biodiversity as biodiversity heritage sites. With this, where they will emerge on the international map, funds will also be available from the central and state government to speed up the efforts for conservation of biodiversity. The surprising thing is that so far not a single such place has been declared in Uttarakhand.

Although, years ago there was an exercise to declare Thalkedar under Pithoragarh district as a Biodiversity Heritage Site, but it was not achieved. After this, a dozen places were marked, but the matter did not progress further. After a long wait, now the Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board has become serious about it.