Uttarakhand Renames Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve

• 23 Jan 2024

Why in News?

Ahead of the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol at the Ayodhya temple, the 5,800-hectare Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve in Ramnagar forest division, is renamed as Sitabani Conservation Reserve.

Key Points

• According to the officials, there is an ancient temple dedicated to Mother Sita and the Maharishi Valmiki Ashram inside the reserve, where she is said to have stayed with her sons Luv and Kush after she left Ayodhya.
  • Both the structures are being maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve (PCR)

• It is located in the Nainital District of the hill state of Uttarakhand. It was designated as a Conservation Reserve in December, 2012.
• The total area of PCR is 58.25 sq. km which lies in the beautiful, vast and rich forests of Ramnagar Forest Division, Ramnagar.
• The reserve is home to more than 33 species of mammals, 365 species of birds and more than 400 species of flora.

Note

• In 2021, Union minister of state for forest, during his visit to Corbett National Park had written in the visitor’s book that the national park’s name should be changed to Ramganga National Park after he learnt from forest officials that Corbett had different names in the past, one being Ramganga.
  • The reserve came into existence in 1936 and was named Hailey National Park after the first Lieutenant Governor Governor of the United Provinces.
  • It got notified as a reserve in December 2012.