Abohar sanctuary gets buffer zone

Abohar: In order to provide a safe habitat for blackbucks and check poaching, the Union ministry of environment and forests declared the 100-metre radius around Asia's largest open wildlife sanctuary in Abohar sub-division of Fazilka an eco-sensitive zone under the Climate Control Act, 1986 and Climate Control Rules, 1986. Fazilka deputy commissioner Isha Kalia said this would help the administration develop the open wildlife sanctuary as a safe habitat for blackbucks, 'neelgai' (blue bull) and protected wild animals.
Protected species in Asia's largest open wildlife sanctuary, spread over 188 square kilometres, had been facing the threat of poaching and attacks by stray dogs, besides poor upkeep of water tanks, especially in summer. The sanctuary was established in 1975 to guard wildlife in the border belt of Punjab. While blackbucks and blue bulls are major inhabitants, the sanctuary is also home to peafowl, partridge, hare, jungle cat and other wild species.
Blackbucks are protected by the Bishnoi community, which has about 25,000 houses in a cluster of 13 villages in Fazilka. The cluster is home to over 3,500 bluebucks, blue bulls and other wild species.
In view of the efforts of the Bishnoi community in guarding protected species in the sanctuary, the Union government has declared the 100m radius around the sanctuary as an eco-sensitive zone.
The DC said a zonal master plan would be made to ensure safety of blackbucks, protect the ecosystem of the sanctuary and develop the area as a hub of tourism. Fazilka division wildlife officer Charanjit Singh said there would be a ban on mining in the area and no industry causing air, water, soil and noise pollution in the sanctuary would be sanctioned.
The area will also be utilized to promote rain water management and organic farming, he said.