Context
In order to protest against plan to chop 38,000 trees in Raika forests, green activities started a movement similar to Chipko movement. The movement was led by Climate Front, a student-led environment awareness organization.
What is the matter?
- The protesters were rallying against the construction of a new High Court campus that would reportedly result in the cutting down of as many as 38,006 trees in the eco-sensitive Raika-Bahu area.
- The proposed construction site is situated within Bahu Conservation Reserve and a part of it also falls under the Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Young environmentalists marked their protest against this deforestation plan by hugging trees in Raika village and showed solidarity for Jammu’s Chipko moment.
- Jammu comes under the seismic zone of lV and V. This step of chopping over 38,000 trees would invite massive calamities.
About RaikaBahu forest region
- Raika-Bahu is an eco-sensitive area under the Bahu Conservation Reserve in Jammu.
- It is home to species like rock pigeon, Asian koel, barn owl, red-vented bulbul, jackal, wild boar and rhesus monkey.
- The reserve was established in 1981.
- It is located just 3.75 km from Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Raika-Bahu forest area is situated in the middle of the reserve along river Tawi.
- It also supports the Gujjar community which rears goats, cows and buffaloes.
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Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary
- The sanctuary is present in Jammu.
- The sanctuary harbors 8 mammal species which include nilgai, and barking deer, wild boar, rhesus monkey etc.
- The sanctuary supports Indian Mynah, blue rock pigeon, peafowl, red jungle fowl, jungle crow, golden oriole, white-cheeked bulbul.
- In addition to these, the reserve is host to 15 species of birds.
List of Wildlife Sanctuaries of J&K
- Dachigam National Park
- Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
- Jasrota National Park
- Kishtwar High Altitude National Park
- Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ramnagar National Park
- SurinsarMansar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Overa Wildlife Sanctuary
List of National Parks of J&K
- Dachigam National Park
- Salim Ali National Park
- Kazinag National Park
- Kishtwar High Altitude National Park
- Hemis National Park
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