Punjab moots plan to create Harike Conservation Society

In its efforts to conserve wildlife and promote study of zoology and ecology, Punjab government today mooted setting up of 'Harike Conservation Society' in the Tarn Taran district.
A government spokesperson said the society has been planned with the main mission of preventing wildlife crises and mitigating threats to individual wild animals/birds, their population and habitats and also promote eco-tourism.
The self-sustaining Harike Conservation Society shall include members from aligning departments, nature lovers, local representatives, educationists as well as members of scientific organisations and NGOs, the spokesperson said.
While the society will work as a registered supervising as well as advisory body on wildlife management it can also be assigned any other responsibility by the government and its management, he added.

Situated close to places of religious and historic importance like Amritsar and Goindwal Sahib, the government hopes to develop this are into a hub of eco-tourism adding to the tourist influx in the region.
Employment and income for the local community will be generated, he said adding that the project will boost preservation of flora and fauna, carbon fixation, pollution control, soil and water conservation.
Poverty alleviation through eco-tourism related income generating activities in the periphery of the sanctuary and project interventions will greatly ensure the protection of wildlife and conservation of this ravine and soil erosion prone area, the official added.