Shimla: A meeting chaired by Avay Shukla, IAS Additional Chief Secretary cum Principal Secretary (Forests) Government of HP at Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI), Shimla to discuss the finalization of Renuka Wildlife Plan and evaluate the activities being undertaken by HFRI for the development of Temperate Arboretum and Botanical Garden (TABG) at Potter’s Hill was conducted.
Shukla said that a sum for 120 crore will be spent for the development of the Renuka wildlife sanctuary making it one of the premier Wild Life Sanctuary, not only in Himachal but also in the entire Western Himalayan Region.
The Renuka Wildlife Plan is a part of the Environment Management Plan for the proposed Renuka Dam to be constructed in District Sirmour by The Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL). After deliberations the wildlife plan was approved in principle with certain modifications. Renuka wildlife sanctuary is proposed to serve as a model for the Conservation and maintenance of bio-diversity in other such protected areas, added Mohinder Pal, Director HFRI.
Vinay Tandon said that the TABG will serve as an important centre of germplasm collection from the temperate region and facilitate promoting conservation education among all sections of society. Other participants included Tarun Kapoor, IAS, Managing Director, HPPCL, Sanjay Gupta, IAS, Secretary Forests Government of HP, A.K. Gupta, IFS Pr. Chief Conservator of Forests (WL), Vinod Tiwari, IFS and other fifteen senior officers of the forest department and HFRI Shimla.
