Panchkula Moves Forward with Wildlife Treatment Centre to Enhance Conservation Efforts
The Forest and Wildlife Department in Panchkula has taken a significant stride toward bolstering wildlife care and conservation infrastructure with the proposed establishment of a dedicated wildlife treatment centre at the Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary. This initiative, conceptualized under the 2025-26 Conservation Plan, marks a crucial development in addressing the medical and rescue needs of wild animals across the Shivalik region.
Comprehensive Facility for Wildlife Emergencies
Officials have outlined that the treatment centre will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 46.32 lakh. Once operational, this facility is poised to dramatically improve the department's ability to manage wildlife emergencies by providing immediate, on-site medical treatment, rescue support, and scientific examination services for injured or distressed animals. This advancement will eliminate the necessity of transporting animals to distant centres, thereby ensuring faster and more effective interventions.
Key Features of the Proposed Centre
The wildlife treatment centre will encompass several essential components designed to support comprehensive wildlife care:
- Veterinary Clinic: A fully equipped clinic will be available for treating injured, sick, and rescued wild animals, offering specialized medical care directly within the sanctuary.
- Post-Mortem Room: This facility will enable scientific examination of wildlife deaths, aiding in disease surveillance and providing necessary legal documentation for conservation efforts.
- Holding Kraals: Separate enclosures for deer and leopards will be established to safely house animals during treatment or rescue operations, particularly in scenarios involving human-wildlife conflict.
Addressing Local Wildlife Challenges
Forest officials emphasize that the centre will play a pivotal role in ensuring timely medical intervention, rehabilitation, and monitoring of wildlife. This is especially critical as forest areas in Panchkula frequently report cases of animal injuries and conflicts. By facilitating quicker responses, the centre aims to mitigate the impacts of such incidents and enhance overall wildlife welfare in the region.
Broader Conservation Infrastructure Initiatives
In addition to the wildlife treatment centre, the department is progressing with other conservation-related infrastructure projects in sensitive forest zones. Work on constructing wire crate abutment walls at both the Khol Hai Raitan Wildlife Sanctuary and Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary is underway. These structures are intended to prevent soil erosion, protect natural drainage channels, and strengthen forest frameworks, particularly during the monsoon season.
Strengthening Ecosystem Preservation
These measures collectively form part of ongoing endeavors to preserve the fragile ecosystems and improve wildlife habitat management in the Shivalik belt. The integration of advanced treatment facilities with erosion control projects underscores a holistic approach to conservation, aiming to safeguard biodiversity and promote sustainable coexistence between wildlife and local communities.
The proposed wildlife treatment centre at Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary represents a forward-looking investment in Panchkula's natural heritage, promising to enhance conservation outcomes and support the region's ecological balance for years to come.
