INDIA: Blueprint ready for critical wildlife habitats

29 Sep 2007, 0207 hrs IST,Nitin Sethi,TNN NEW DELHI: A blueprint to create inviolate critical wildlife habitats (CWHs) across the country has been finalised by the environment and forests ministry. Unlike the existing protected areas — national parks and sanctuaries — the ministry has suggested a set of guidelines based on scientific criteria to establish the habitats. This is an important step to provide an exclusive space to wildlife when the Forest Rights Act gets operationalised. Under the Act, which is meant to formally recognise rights of forest dwellers, only areas declared as CWHs can be granted inviolate status — sans human presence. Even existing protected areas will have to be re-evaluated under these norms to declare them inviolate if they fall within the set criteria. Priority has been given to tiger-bearing forests. Within 30 days of the notification of guidelines and formation of state level committees............................................................... full story at : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Blueprint_ready_for_critical_wildlife_habitats/articleshow/2413080.cms