Shivalik Elephant reserve to be denotified for expansion of Dehradun airport
The Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board has decided to denotify the Shivalik Elephant Reserve, paving the way for expansion of the Jolly Grant airport here.
The decision was taken at the 16th meeting of the board chaired by Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat late on Nov 24
The withdrawal of the 2002 notification on Shivalik Elephant Reserve will pave the way for increased development activities in an area spread over 5405 square km including the expansion of Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport, Chief Wildlife Warden, J S Suhag, said.
The Board also gave its nod to start four new trek routes in Nelang valley which falls within the Gangotri National Park to give a boost to tourism.
The current limit of five vehicles and 30 people per day for the area has also been increased to 20 and 100 respectively, Suhag said.
The Shivalik Elephant Reserve spans forest divisions in Dehradun, Haridwar, Lansdowne, Haldwani, Tanakpur and Ramnagar. It also includes part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve and the Rajaji National Park.
Last month, in a recreation of famous ‘Chipko Movement’ dating back to 1973, thousands gathered in Thano of Dehradun opposing felling of over 10,000 trees for expansion of Dehradun airport.
