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Context:

• SC stays construction of 4 dams inside Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Details of the rulings

• The Supreme Court issued a stay on the construction of four proposed dams within the Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary in Haryana's Yamunanagar district.
• The court observed that the construction of dams would harm wildlife, local populations, and the ecosystem.
• It was noted that the proposed dams might not even serve their intended purpose.
• The ruling came after Advocate Gaurav Bansal filed a plea against the construction, citing negative impacts on flora and fauna.
• Bansal argued that the National Board for Wild Life approved the dams without considering a report from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) which deemed the dams unnecessary.

Expert Opinions:

• The WII report highlighted that the proposed dams would significantly affect the biodiversity of the sanctuary.
• The principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden of Haryana also expressed concerns about the dams' impact on habitat use patterns of various species.

Abut Kalesar National Park:

• It is situated in the Yamunanagar District of Haryana.
• It occupies a location in the foothills of the Shiwalik ranges of the Himalayas.
• The park attained its status as a National Park on 8th December 2003.

Borders:

• To its east, the park is bordered by the River Yamuna.
• Northeast of the park lies the Rajaji National Park, situated in Uttrakhand.
• To the north, the park shares a border with Himachal Pradesh, where the Simbalbara National Park is nestled in the Shivalik Hills.
• The western boundary of the park is marked by the Morni Hills.

History:

• The park derives its name from the Kalesar Mahadev temple located within its premises.
• Historically, the park served as hunting grounds for rulers during the Mughal and British Raj periods.
• The park features colonial-era Dak bungalows, which serve as administrative architectural structures. 

Natural vegetation:

• The park's vegetation predominantly consists of tall and dense sal trees, with other species like Semul, Bahera, Amaltas, Shisham, Khair, Sain, Chhal, and Jhingan also present.

Fauna:

• The fauna of the park includes several threatened species such as leopards, Ghoral, Barking deer, Sambar, Chital, Python, King Cobra, and Monitor lizard.

Source:

https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2024/04/24/lgd17-sc-kalesar-sanctuary.html#:~:text=SC%20stays%20construction%20of%204%20dams%20inside%20Kalesar%20Wildlife%20Sanctuary,-PTI%20Updated%3A%20April&text=New%20Delhi%2C%20Apr%2024%20(PTI,Sanctuary%20in%20Haryana's%20Yamunanagar%20district. 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q)  Which of the following statements regarding Kalesar National Park is/are correct? The park is located in the foothills of the Aravali ranges. To its east, the park is bordered by the River Yamuna. The park's vegetation predominantly consists of tall and dense sal trees. Fauna in Kalesar National Park includes threatened species such as leopards, Ghoral, Barking deer, Sambar, Chital, Python, King Cobra, and Monitor lizard. Select the correct answer using the codes below: a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 4 only c) 1, 3, and 4 only d) 2, 3, and 4 only Correct Answer: d)