The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has pulled up Uttarakhand for its ad hoc approach to management of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Over 60 per cent of the state is under forest cover with six national parks and six wildlife sanctuaries.

The CAG report tabled in the state Assembly on Wednesday expressed concern over the dwindling population of musk deer and other herbivores in the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary. The report highlighted that the number of musk deer has declined from 63 in 2003 to 37 in 2005.

The report said adequate attention had not been paid to the protection, development and scientific management of wildlife and its environment since the state came into being. “No urgency was shown in declaring protected areas, which in turn adversely affected their management and no tangible steps were taken to check biotic pressure and human interference in the national parks and sanctuaries,” the report said.

The erstwhile UP Government and the Uttarakhand Government failed to notify 4,779 sq km as protected periods ranging from two to 23 years, the report said. Six of these wildlife national parks and sanctuaries, namely Rajaji National Park, Govind National Park, Gangotri National Park, Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary and Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, cannot legally be termed protected areas.

The notification of intention to create Rajaji National Park was issued in 1983, but the area has not yet been declared protected. The action should have been completed within two years from the date of notification.

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