Rajasthan’s Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary to become National Park

Rajasthan’s Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary to become National Park

The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary has sustained for centuries the livestock of the local communities, including this herd of camels.

In the beginning of February, India’s Ministry of  Environment and Forests (MOEF) announced its approval for converting the Kumbhalgarh Widlife Sanctuary into a National Park. The customary users of the protected area were given a time window to register any complaints and this has led to a flurry of meetings. LPP’s local partner organisation, Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan, is assisting with paperwork and legal advice. It will be interesting to see how this case plays out, as several villages are in the process of applying for Forest Rights. Moreover, the Raika pastoralists have already developed a Biocultural Community Protocol.