At
CPEP, esro Kashmir initiative, we have a mission with agenda to
motivate the political regime to resolve political instability with
ecological stability and to promote green code of conduct among
defence think tank that advance the well being of both environment
and people. We are a small, but effective, group of experienced eco
advocates who seek to initiate catalyze actions that prevent
destruction of Kashmir's natural resources on the name of non eco
defence and security planning and operations and level the playing
field by infusing resources and broad-based support into campaigns
to protect fragile ecology of Kashmir.
TRANS BORDER CONSERVATION NETWORK PLAN KASHMIR
Vision for cross-border merging of
conservation plan - Indo Pak
The Kashmir region, straddling
India, Pakistan, and China is one of the world's most beautiful and
remote. But long-standing conflicts are contributing to
environmental destruction here. The environment of Kashmir is
suffering from severe perturbation and is drastically losing its
biodiversity and ecological balance.
The dispute over Kashmir is doing serious harm to the environment of
this Himalayan region. As India and Pakistani-backed forces wage a
vicious fight in the disputed region of Kashmir, their struggle is
changing the very face of the wild, beautiful land they’re fighting
over. Though some problems existed before, 10 years of armed
militancy in Kashmir is destroying its forests, lakes and wildlife.As well as outright bombing destruction in the remote mountains, the
ongoing fighting between India and guerillas has made forest work
and patrols difficult and dangerous. Endangered wildlife is freely
poached and human habitation is destroying the area’s ecosystem,
leaving its fate hanging in the balance environmentally as well as
politically.
The land mines are the deadliest known enemies of life. They have
clammed thousand of lives both human as well as animals, rendered
millions handicapped world wide. Several convention were passed
especially Oslo Convention banning the use of Land Mines.
Unfortunately this part of the globe is no more secure from this
weapon of death. Land mines don’t discriminate between humans and
animals and unfortunately animals can ‘t sense mine fields and are
therefore easily trapped. Unconfirmed reports from both sides of LoC
have revealed that there are lot of Wild life Causalities annually
which usually go unconfirmed and unreported
The vision for
cross-border merging of conservation plans presumes that neither
India nor Pakistan can achieve wildlife conservation initiatives
unless wildlife linkages allowing focal species movement between the
ranges of the both Kashmir, are maintained. We are committed to
legally challenge border security activities and policies that
violate existing international, national and state environmental
laws. We help in determining the scientific compatibility of various
fencing structures with wildlife permeability. Advocate for vehicle
barriers that do not include cross-fencing with barbed wire or
horizontal rails, and for elimination of solid barriers wherever
practicable. TBNCP support the Indo-Pak Border Patrol, whenever
agency incorporate wildlife-friendly components in border security
construction projects, or refrain from blocking existing wildlife
linkages with new infrastructure.
KASHMIR PROSPECTIVE & TBCNP
Cross-Border merging of conservation plan
More than
742-km long (
(460-mile), 25 km wide Line of
Control, electrical fenced, solid steel walls, all-night lighting,
multiple-layered vehicle barriers, an immense network of newly
bladed roads, a 24-hour flow of patrol vehicles (including ATVs),
constant low-level aircraft over flighters, and foot patrols--all
designed to curtail insurgency--are also combining to create the
ultimate barrier to wildlife movement in Kashmir, between the south
Asian nuclear rivals - India & Pakistan.
One of the greatest challenge is to find means to protect
cross-border wildlife linkages in this globally significant
ecological region. The LoC region is highly sensitive wildlife
bio-sphere reserve. Home to a large number of rare mammals like
mountain ungulates and birds like pheasants, it has habitats for
highly endangered musk deers, black bears, gorals, western tragopans,
cheers and monals. The magnitude of the fragmentation threat facing
this international habitat (which bridges the mountain ranges of
Western Himalaya) is difficult to imagine and even more difficult to
address.
The fact of the matter is that connections between the wildlife and
the LoC may well be the most endangered wildlife linkages on the
continent. The current effort by the Defence to seal off the border
completely as quickly as possible to protect against an increasing
flood of insurgency is the primary force behind this unfortunate
distinction.
If existing and proposed security infrastructure is maintained and
built-out as planned, there can be no wildlife-friendly crossing
structures, no conservation-easement-protected open space corridors,
no effective habitat mitigation plans, and no consideration for
state endangered listed species. In short, these usually reliable
conservation tools are being rendered useless by the overriding
Defence goal of stemming the flow of insurgents into the Indian
Administrated Kashmir. Building such an unforgiving barricade
through the heart of the Western Himalaya region is painfully
ironic. Although, practically present TBNCP area terminates at the
LoC – Indian Administrated Kashmir, the plan's wildlife linkages are
intended to seamlessly mesh with corresponding linkages in the
proposed Network in Pakistan Administrated Kashmir.
TBNCP legally uphold the provisions of the National Environmental
Policy Act, the Wilderness Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the
Water Act, and oppose suspension of such laws in the borderlands
region. We submit public comments whenever new border security
projects are out of pipeline and encourage expanded use of
technology that could help secure the border without additional
fencing, including unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic ground
sensor systems, remote video cameras, and surveillance aircraft
operating at reasonable altitudes.
TBNCP advocate strong protection from off-road travel and
construction activities in existing roadless areas along the Indo
Pak(LoC), including wilderness areas, national parks, and other
protected conservation lands. Document the effects on wide-ranging
wildlife of border security infrastructure occurring within or
across international wildlife linkages.
We are committed to legally challenge border security activities and
policies that violate existing international, national and state
environmental laws. We help in determining the scientific
compatibility of various fencing structures with wildlife
permeability. Advocate for vehicle barriers that do not include
cross-fencing with barbed wire or horizontal rails, and for
elimination of solid barriers wherever practicable.
TBNCP support the Indo-Pak Border Patrol, whenever agency
incorporate wildlife-friendly components in border security
construction projects, or refrain from blocking existing wildlife
linkages with new infrastructure.
Research recommendations:
If threats to cross-border habitat connectivity are to be properly
mitigated, new research must be conducted and existing science
documenting the environmental effects of proposed border security
projects must be developed. In March of 2007, the
TBNCP
will sponsor a "Border Ecological Symposium" to identify existing
science, launch new research efforts in areas where data is lacking,
and create a set of ecological guidelines for future security
infrastructure projects.
Research efforts could include:
Impacts of fencing, walls, and
other barriers on the movements and behavior of wide-ranging
species.
Locations of key cross-border
routes currently used by various wildlife species.
Potential increases in
distribution of invasive plant species spread through the blading of
previously undisturbed natural areas, and through vehicle transport.
Environmental impacts and
anticipated legal problems relating to proposed security
infrastructure and operations within national conservation areas,
national monuments, national parks, wildlife refuges, and wilderness
areas.
Effects on plants, animals, and
fire regimes due to increased access by recreationists and hunters
using newly constructed border roads.
Impacts of all-night lighting
near watercourses, water bodies, and riparian areas on predation of
fish and other aquatic species.
Impacts of all-night lighting on
bird migration.
Impacts of noise from equipment,
regular vehicular traffic, and aircraft overflights on sensitive
animal species.
Effects of immigrant travel, such
as trash, water hole encampments, and human waste, on habitat
quality and focal species.
Impacts of increased off-road
motorized access by Border Patrol in protected areas on plants and
wildlife, and associated legal precedents leading to further
reduction of environmental regulations.
Socio-political
recommendations
The challenge of maintaining undamaged wildlife linkages along the
Indo Pak LoC is particularly vexing because the long-term solution
to borderlands fragmentation depends as much on socio-economics and
international politics as on the science of conservation biology.
There is little, if any, disagreement among conservationists that
border security must be maintained. However, there is widespread
disagreement over the best means by which to maintain that security.
Add to this mix the new challenge of protecting cross-border
wildlife movement, and the debate grows.
India and Pakistan, the juggernaut of terrorism could easily dictate
political pressure to maintain a physical barrier will likely
remain. Considering the extent of current security infrastructure
and the rapid pace of new barricade construction, conservationists
should logically assume that successful policy reform, if ever
enacted, may not occur in time to offer a respite for cross-border
wildlife.
It is likely that, without relentless pursuit of new biological
research and ecological advocacy regarding the protection of
borderlands wildlife linkages, the survival of many regional
species, both endangered and otherwise, will reach a day of
reckoning in the near future. In order to achieve a positive outcome
for wildlife, conservationists must not only continue to operate
within their familiar realm, but also embrace the unfamiliar
challenge of advocating for the social and political reform that
lies at the heart of the solution to the borderlands issues and
security dilemma.
High Alert-
Fenced In, Kashmir's Leopards, Bears Stalk Villages
A fence along
India's disputed border with Pakistan designed to keep out militants
is curbing the movement of wild bears and leopards which are now
wandering into villages and killing people. The animals were until
recently able to roam through forests in the divided Himalayan
region of Kashmir. But they are unable to penetrate a heavily
defended barrier built by India from 2003 to stem guerrilla activity
linked to a separatist revolt. Officials say while the fence
has cut the numbers of militants crossing into Indian territory and
of shootouts with soldiers, Kashmiris living in isolated hamlets now
face an altogether different threat. "Fencing is one of the reasons
that has restricted the trans-border movement of wild animals in the
border areas of the state. "If people stand divided due to the
fence, then so do animals." Indian and Pakistani troops halted
shelling across the frontier four years ago as part of peace moves.
A three-metre (10-feet) high fence along the 742-km (460-mile) Line
of Control, a de facto border which divides Kashmir, soon followed.
More than a 3 dozen people have been killed so far this year by wild
animals -- 16 in the past month alone -- and scores of others have
been injured. At the weekend, a man was dragged from his mud house
in Baramulla district by a leopard as he slept and a woman was
mauled by a black bear in the Kupwara region.
Leopard and Himalayan black bear populations have increased after a
ban on hunting was enforced in Kashmir in 1970, and the loss of pine
forests had already increased contact between animals and people.
India now has 8,000 leopards but the number living in Kashmir is
uncertain as no wildlife census has been carried out since the
revolt began in late 1989. No data was available for black bears.
Authorities are now planning to set up control rooms and distribute
leaflets urging people living near forests to take precautions to
prevent more casualties.
Police say at least six bears and leopards have been killed by
villagers and authorities in the last ten months after attacking
local people.
eIEN South Asia
Western Himalaya Kashmir
CPEP KASHMIR
promoting peace in Indian Sub Continent through eco issues.esrokashmir.org
HOME
Welcome at
CPEP
eIEN South Asia
Western Himalaya Kashmir
At CPEP, esro Kashmir initiative, we have a mission with agenda to motivate the political regime to resolve political instability with ecological stability and to promote green code of conduct among defence think tank that advance the well being of both environment and people. We are a small, but effective, group of experienced eco advocates who seek to initiate catalyze actions that prevent destruction of Kashmir's natural resources on the name of non eco defence and security planning and operations and level the playing field by infusing resources and broad-based support into campaigns to protect fragile ecology of Kashmir.
TRANS BORDER CONSERVATION NETWORK PLAN KASHMIR
Vision for cross-border merging of conservation plan - Indo Pak
The Kashmir region, straddling India, Pakistan, and China is one of the world's most beautiful and remote. But long-standing conflicts are contributing to environmental destruction here. The environment of Kashmir is suffering from severe perturbation and is drastically losing its biodiversity and ecological balance. The dispute over Kashmir is doing serious harm to the environment of this Himalayan region. As India and Pakistani-backed forces wage a vicious fight in the disputed region of Kashmir, their struggle is changing the very face of the wild, beautiful land they’re fighting over. Though some problems existed before, 10 years of armed militancy in Kashmir is destroying its forests, lakes and wildlife.As well as outright bombing destruction in the remote mountains, the ongoing fighting between India and guerillas has made forest work and patrols difficult and dangerous. Endangered wildlife is freely poached and human habitation is destroying the area’s ecosystem, leaving its fate hanging in the balance environmentally as well as politically. The land mines are the deadliest known enemies of life. They have clammed thousand of lives both human as well as animals, rendered millions handicapped world wide. Several convention were passed especially Oslo Convention banning the use of Land Mines. Unfortunately this part of the globe is no more secure from this weapon of death. Land mines don’t discriminate between humans and animals and unfortunately animals can ‘t sense mine fields and are therefore easily trapped. Unconfirmed reports from both sides of LoC have revealed that there are lot of Wild life Causalities annually which usually go unconfirmed and unreported
The vision for cross-border merging of conservation plans presumes that neither India nor Pakistan can achieve wildlife conservation initiatives unless wildlife linkages allowing focal species movement between the ranges of the both Kashmir, are maintained. We are committed to legally challenge border security activities and policies that violate existing international, national and state environmental laws. We help in determining the scientific compatibility of various fencing structures with wildlife permeability. Advocate for vehicle barriers that do not include cross-fencing with barbed wire or horizontal rails, and for elimination of solid barriers wherever practicable. TBNCP support the Indo-Pak Border Patrol, whenever agency incorporate wildlife-friendly components in border security construction projects, or refrain from blocking existing wildlife linkages with new infrastructure.
KASHMIR PROSPECTIVE & TBCNP
Cross-Border merging of conservation plan
More than 742-km long ( (460-mile), 25 km wide Line of Control, electrical fenced, solid steel walls, all-night lighting, multiple-layered vehicle barriers, an immense network of newly bladed roads, a 24-hour flow of patrol vehicles (including ATVs), constant low-level aircraft over flighters, and foot patrols--all designed to curtail insurgency--are also combining to create the ultimate barrier to wildlife movement in Kashmir, between the south Asian nuclear rivals - India & Pakistan.
One of the greatest challenge is to find means to protect cross-border wildlife linkages in this globally significant ecological region. The LoC region is highly sensitive wildlife bio-sphere reserve. Home to a large number of rare mammals like mountain ungulates and birds like pheasants, it has habitats for highly endangered musk deers, black bears, gorals, western tragopans, cheers and monals. The magnitude of the fragmentation threat facing this international habitat (which bridges the mountain ranges of Western Himalaya) is difficult to imagine and even more difficult to address.
The fact of the matter is that connections between the wildlife and the LoC may well be the most endangered wildlife linkages on the continent. The current effort by the Defence to seal off the border completely as quickly as possible to protect against an increasing flood of insurgency is the primary force behind this unfortunate distinction.
If existing and proposed security infrastructure is maintained and built-out as planned, there can be no wildlife-friendly crossing structures, no conservation-easement-protected open space corridors, no effective habitat mitigation plans, and no consideration for state endangered listed species. In short, these usually reliable conservation tools are being rendered useless by the overriding Defence goal of stemming the flow of insurgents into the Indian Administrated Kashmir. Building such an unforgiving barricade through the heart of the Western Himalaya region is painfully ironic. Although, practically present TBNCP area terminates at the LoC – Indian Administrated Kashmir, the plan's wildlife linkages are intended to seamlessly mesh with corresponding linkages in the proposed Network in Pakistan Administrated Kashmir.
TBNCP legally uphold the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Wilderness Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Water Act, and oppose suspension of such laws in the borderlands region. We submit public comments whenever new border security projects are out of pipeline and encourage expanded use of technology that could help secure the border without additional fencing, including unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic ground sensor systems, remote video cameras, and surveillance aircraft operating at reasonable altitudes.
TBNCP advocate strong protection from off-road travel and construction activities in existing roadless areas along the Indo Pak(LoC), including wilderness areas, national parks, and other protected conservation lands. Document the effects on wide-ranging wildlife of border security infrastructure occurring within or across international wildlife linkages.
We are committed to legally challenge border security activities and policies that violate existing international, national and state environmental laws. We help in determining the scientific compatibility of various fencing structures with wildlife permeability. Advocate for vehicle barriers that do not include cross-fencing with barbed wire or horizontal rails, and for elimination of solid barriers wherever practicable.
TBNCP support the Indo-Pak Border Patrol, whenever agency incorporate wildlife-friendly components in border security construction projects, or refrain from blocking existing wildlife linkages with new infrastructure.
Research recommendations:
If threats to cross-border habitat connectivity are to be properly mitigated, new research must be conducted and existing science documenting the environmental effects of proposed border security projects must be developed. In March of 2007, the TBNCP will sponsor a "Border Ecological Symposium" to identify existing science, launch new research efforts in areas where data is lacking, and create a set of ecological guidelines for future security infrastructure projects.
Research efforts could include:
Impacts of fencing, walls, and other barriers on the movements and behavior of wide-ranging species.
Locations of key cross-border routes currently used by various wildlife species.
Potential increases in distribution of invasive plant species spread through the blading of previously undisturbed natural areas, and through vehicle transport.
Environmental impacts and anticipated legal problems relating to proposed security infrastructure and operations within national conservation areas, national monuments, national parks, wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas.
Effects on plants, animals, and fire regimes due to increased access by recreationists and hunters using newly constructed border roads.
Impacts of all-night lighting near watercourses, water bodies, and riparian areas on predation of fish and other aquatic species.
Impacts of all-night lighting on bird migration.
Impacts of noise from equipment, regular vehicular traffic, and aircraft overflights on sensitive animal species.
Effects of immigrant travel, such as trash, water hole encampments, and human waste, on habitat quality and focal species.
Impacts of increased off-road motorized access by Border Patrol in protected areas on plants and wildlife, and associated legal precedents leading to further reduction of environmental regulations.
Socio-political recommendations
The challenge of maintaining undamaged wildlife linkages along the Indo Pak LoC is particularly vexing because the long-term solution to borderlands fragmentation depends as much on socio-economics and international politics as on the science of conservation biology. There is little, if any, disagreement among conservationists that border security must be maintained. However, there is widespread disagreement over the best means by which to maintain that security. Add to this mix the new challenge of protecting cross-border wildlife movement, and the debate grows.
India and Pakistan, the juggernaut of terrorism could easily dictate political pressure to maintain a physical barrier will likely remain. Considering the extent of current security infrastructure and the rapid pace of new barricade construction, conservationists should logically assume that successful policy reform, if ever enacted, may not occur in time to offer a respite for cross-border wildlife.
It is likely that, without relentless pursuit of new biological research and ecological advocacy regarding the protection of borderlands wildlife linkages, the survival of many regional species, both endangered and otherwise, will reach a day of reckoning in the near future. In order to achieve a positive outcome for wildlife, conservationists must not only continue to operate within their familiar realm, but also embrace the unfamiliar challenge of advocating for the social and political reform that lies at the heart of the solution to the borderlands issues and security dilemma.
High Alert- Fenced In, Kashmir's Leopards, Bears Stalk Villages
A fence along India's disputed border with Pakistan designed to keep out militants is curbing the movement of wild bears and leopards which are now wandering into villages and killing people. The animals were until recently able to roam through forests in the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir. But they are unable to penetrate a heavily defended barrier built by India from 2003 to stem guerrilla activity linked to a separatist revolt. Officials say while the fence has cut the numbers of militants crossing into Indian territory and of shootouts with soldiers, Kashmiris living in isolated hamlets now face an altogether different threat. "Fencing is one of the reasons that has restricted the trans-border movement of wild animals in the border areas of the state. "If people stand divided due to the fence, then so do animals." Indian and Pakistani troops halted shelling across the frontier four years ago as part of peace moves. A three-metre (10-feet) high fence along the 742-km (460-mile) Line of Control, a de facto border which divides Kashmir, soon followed. More than a 3 dozen people have been killed so far this year by wild animals -- 16 in the past month alone -- and scores of others have been injured. At the weekend, a man was dragged from his mud house in Baramulla district by a leopard as he slept and a woman was mauled by a black bear in the Kupwara region.
Leopard and Himalayan black bear populations have increased after a ban on hunting was enforced in Kashmir in 1970, and the loss of pine forests had already increased contact between animals and people.
India now has 8,000 leopards but the number living in Kashmir is uncertain as no wildlife census has been carried out since the revolt began in late 1989. No data was available for black bears. Authorities are now planning to set up control rooms and distribute leaflets urging people living near forests to take precautions to prevent more casualties.
Police say at least six bears and leopards have been killed by villagers and authorities in the last ten months after attacking local people.