SUPREME COURT HALTS CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR DAMS IN A WILDLIFE SANCTUARY.

Why in the news?

SC halts construction of four dams in Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary due to concerns over wildlife, population, and ecosystem impacts.

source:scribd

About Construction Stayed:

  • The Supreme Court halted the construction of four proposed dams within Haryana’s Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Yamunanagar district.
  • Justices B.R. Gavai and Sandeep Mehta issued notices to both the Centre and the Haryana government, seeking their responses on the matter.
  • The court emphasised that the construction of dams would pose risks to wildlife, the local population, and the ecosystem, while potentially failing to achieve their intended purposes.
About Kalesar National Park:

  • Location: Situated in Yamunanagar District, Haryana, at the foothills of the Shiwalik ranges.
  • Establishment: Declared a National Park on December 8, 2003.
  • Boundaries: Bordered by River Yamuna to the east, Rajaji National Park to the northeast, Simbalbara National Park to the north, and Morni Hills to the west.
  • Namesake: Named after Kalesar Mahadev temple within the park, once a hunting ground for Mughal and British rulers.
  • Flora: Dominated by tall sal trees, with Semul, Bahera, Amaltas, and Shisham also present.
  • Fauna: Home to threatened species like leopards, Ghoral, Barking deer, Sambar, Python, King Cobra, and Monitor lizard.