Uttarakhand

• 09 Jan 2024

Efforts to Rescue Tigress

Why in News?

Recently, two cages have been put up in the Surai range of Terai East Forest Division to rescue an elusive tigress who has been moving for a year with a wire stuck around the lower part of its stomach.

• The Surai range of the forest division is adjacent to the Semal Kuan forest area in the Mahof range of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve of Uttar Pradesh.

Key Points

• In January 2023, the tigress was seen by a patrol team in the forest and a wire noose was wrapped around its stomach near its hind legs.
• To monitor the tigress, camera traps were installed on the spot and continuous photographs of the tigress were seen in 26 out of 35 camera traps.
• The monitoring report of the tigress was sent to Uttarakhand Wildlife Warden and National Tiger Conservation Authority, on which a joint team was formed and the process of capturing the animal was started.

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

• It is situated in the Pilibhit district and Shahjahanpur District of Uttar Pradesh, forming part of the Terai Arc Landscape, in the upper Gangetic Plain Biogeographic Province.
• The northern edge of the reserve lies along the Indo-Nepal border while the southern boundary is marked by the river Sharada and Khakra.
• The habitat is characterized by Saal Forests, tall grasslands and swamp maintained by periodic flooding from rivers.
• The Sharda Sagar Dam extending up to a length of 22 km (14 mi) is on the boundary of the reserve.
• It was designated as a Tiger Reserve in 2014.

Action Plan to Make Uttarakhand a Major Destination for AYUSH

Why in News?

Recently, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) Education Department and directed the officials to work with an effective action plan to make the state a major destination in the field of AYUSH and wellness.

Key Points

• According to an official release, to promote the production of herbs in Uttarakhand proper arrangements for collection and marketing should be made in coordination with the AYUSH Department, Horticulture and Forest Corporation.
  • The Chief Minister also instructed to bring a new yoga policy to make Uttarakhand the best yoga destination in the world and emphasized on special efforts to promote Panchakarma.
  • To promote the field of AYUSH, arrangements for a proper platform will be done for marketing herbal products.
  • To provide information related to AYUSH to school students, it is instructed to ensure its arrangement in all schools and to expedite the effective implementation of the AYUSH policy.
  • The establishment of wellness centers, certification of AYUSH services and arrangement for training of AYUSH doctors and pharmacists through renowned AYUSH experts will help in connecting AYUSH medicine with the public.
• The AYUSH policy includes the promotion of the production of high-quality Ayurvedic herbs, mandatory adherence to international standards of Good Agriculture Practices (GAP), use of the latest drone-based technology, the establishment of cold storage on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, and regulation of vendors of medicinal plants.
  • In collaboration with leading manufacturers and reputed marketing agencies in the state,Uttarakhand will establish an online platform to bring together buyers (farmers, local suppliers) and drug manufacturers, 'Assured Buy-back' scheme for medicinal plants.
  • Capital assistance of up to 10% for all AYUSH manufacturing units, encouragement to establish common testing laboratories at 2-3 important places in the state for quality assessment of AYUSH products, mandatory to obtain AYUSH Premium Mark, and Standard Mark for AYUSH products has been done.
• Through the State Tourism Policy, 2023, up to 50% capital assistance will be provided to wellness resorts, Ayurveda/Yoga/Naturopathy resorts and 5% financial assistance to wellness centers, Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy resorts to be established in Category B and Category C areas.
• To promote AYUSH education, a provision has been made to provide an incentive amount of up to Rs 15 lakh to the AYUSH colleges that meet the standards set by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

Tiger Population in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

Recently, the tiger population in Uttarakhand has increased at a rate of 314% between 2006 and 2022. According to the Uttarakhand Wildlife officials, the tiger population density in Uttarakhand is among the highest in the world.

Key Points

• The tiger population which stood at 178 in 2006 rose to 560 in 2022, recording a rise of 314%.
• The increase in the population of wild animals in the state is due to steps taken by the forest department in recent years to improve their habitat conditions.
• A slight increase is also recorded in 2023 in the number of people killed and injured in tiger attacks.
  • The total number of people killed in encounters with animals such as leopards, elephants and snakes besides tigers was 71 in 2021, 82 in 2022 and 66 in 2023.
  • The number of persons injured in man-animal conflicts was 361 in 2021, 325 in 2022 and 317 in 2023.
• There are two tiger reserve in Uttarakhand:
  • Rajaji Tiger Reserve
  • Corbett Tiger Reserve