Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve : India’s largest conservation reserve comes up in Spiti Valley

1. Recently, The Government of Himachal Pradesh has officially notified Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve under Section 36A(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
2. This designation makes it the largest conservation reserve in India.
3. It is also representing a major progress in biodiversity conservation, especially in the ecologically sensitive and high-altitude Spiti Valley.

Location and Geographical Features

1. Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve is situated in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, within the cold desert region of the Spiti Valley.
2. It is defined by significant geographical and ecological features:
   1. To the north, it borders the Union Territory of Ladakh.
   2. To the east, it adjoins the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, stretching up to Malang Nala and Lungar Lungpa.
   3. To the south, it is bounded by Kabjima Nala.
   4. To the west, it is adjacent to the Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary.
3. The reserve is located at the confluence of the Unam River and Charap Nala, which makes it an important catchment area for the Charap Nala.
4. Due to its strategic location, Tsarap Chu acts as an important wildlife corridor, facilitating the movement of species between Kibber and Chandratal sanctuaries.

Biodiversity and Flagship Species

1. Tsarap Chu is rich in Himalayan high-altitude biodiversity.
2. It provides critical habitat for several rare and threatened species, particularly adapted to cold desert ecosystems.
3. This area is especially known for its high density of snow leopards (Panthera uncia), which thrive in the cold, rocky terrain between 3,000 to 5,000 metres.
   1. Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia) are Often referred to as the "ghost of the mountains". and apex predator of the region
   2. The snow leopard is also a key indicator of ecosystem health in high-altitude habitats.
4. Other Key Mammalian Species:
   1. Tibetan Wolf
   2. Bharal (Blue Sheep)
   3. Himalayan Ibex
   4. Kiang (Tibetan Wild Ass)
   5. Tibetan Argali – a globally threatened wild sheep species
5. Important Avifauna:
   1. Rose Finch
   2. Tibetan Raven
   3. Yellow-billed Chough
6. These bird species, adapted to harsh conditions, reflect the region’s ornithological richness and ecological uniqueness.

Legal and Ecological Status: Conservation Reserve

1. A Conservation Reserve is a category of protected area created under Section 36A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. These areas are:
   1. Declared on government-owned land outside existing National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries.
   2. Intended to protect landscapes, habitats, and biodiversity while facilitating wildlife movement through ecological corridors or buffer zones.
   3. Managed through participatory conservation, involving local communities, Panchayats, and relevant stakeholders.
2. Under the law, state governments may notify such reserves for purposes including:
   1. Protection of flora, fauna, and habitats
   2. Preservation of biodiversity and ecological processes
   3. Inclusion of local communities in long-term conservation

Tsarap Chu becomes Himachal Pradesh’s fifth conservation reserve, alongside:

1. Darlaghat Conservation Reserve
2. Naina Devi Conservation Reserve
3. Potter Hill Conservation Reserve
4. Shilli Conservation Reserve

National and Global Conservation Significance

1. At the national level, conservation reserves like Tsarap Chu contribute to India’s obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), particularly the “30 by 30” target,.
   1. It aims to protect 30% of global land and marine areas by 2030.
2. From a global conservation perspective, the Himalayas and Trans-Himalayas are considered priority landscapes by international organisations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Snow Leopard Trust.
3. Protecting regions like Tsarap Chu aligns with international efforts to safeguard climate-sensitive mountain ecosystems and iconic species like the snow leopard.

 

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