Chambal survey begins ahead of proposed sanctuary denotification

Time of India

4 days ago

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Jaipur: The forest administration of Mukundra Tiger Reserve has launched a comprehensive wildlife assessment of the Chambal River's aquatic ecosystem. This evaluation is a key step toward the proposed denotification of certain upstream sections of the river.
The state govt plans to exclude a stretch of the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary—between Kota Barrage and the Hanging Bridge—to facilitate development and provide relief to thousands of residents living along the riverbanks.
A forest official said, "The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) began this study about eight months ago, and studies covering both summer and winter seasons are already complete, and a monsoon-season survey will follow.
Once complete, a report will be submitted to the chief wildlife warden."
The study area covers approximately 8,000 hectare—including 1,060 hectares of forest land—within a 1km belt on both sides of the river, from the Hanging Bridge to Kota Barrage. This zone is home to crocodiles, turtles, otters, snakes, and various aquatic birds. Although gharials haven't been seen in recent years, the crocodile population is reportedly increasing.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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An official said, "In 1983, under the Wildlife Protection Act, the Gharial Sanctuary was notified, which included parts of Kishorpura, Shaktinagar, Shivpura, Hanuman Nagar, Dadabari, and Shyam Nagar." Since these areas fall within the sanctuary's limits, around 25,000 houses have not been issued land ownership documents. "No one within 1 km of the river, from Kishorpura to Shyam Nagar, holds a patta, making them ineligible for housing loans.
If the area is denotified, 25,000 houses near the city may finally get pattas of their plots."
The process was initiated in response to long-pending demands from residents. Recently, senior politicians wrote a letter to the forest department, after which a meeting was held with forest minister Sanjay Sharma. "Colonies and residential areas were established by the Kota Urban Improvement Trust and Kota Municipal Corporation, leading to dense population clusters in the region. The proposal was prepared to benefit thousands of people living in these areas.
This will rationalise the boundaries of these protected areas to better align with current ecological realities and human settlement patterns," added a senior forest department source.