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Context

• In the backdrop of China developing new infrastructure near LAC, authorities of Gangotri national park will provide 50 hectares of land to the Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
• This land will be used to develop border outposts and build bunkers near Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Other Details

• The Army and ITBP mooted the idea to create such infrastructure on 50 hectares of land near border in the wake of ongoing border issue with china.
• The land will be provided in line with the Forest Conservation Act.
• It will strengthen security agencies’ preparedness to face any aggression by china.
• It will also ensure the close monitoring of border and quick response in case any need arise.

Gangotri National Park

• The park was established in 1989 and is spread over an area of 1,553 sq kms.
• It is situated in the upper catchment of the Bhagirathi River, in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand
• It is one of the most prominent high-altitude park of India with highest altitude extends to more than 7,000 m.
• Park’s north eastern boundary is along the international boundary with China.
• It has various types of landscapes which include Coniferous Tree forests, Meadows, and Glaciers, High ridges, deep gorges, precipitous cliffs etc.
• Gangotri glacier is in the middle of the park and it is connected to Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh) by Lamkhanga Pass.

Biodiversity

• This national park is very rich in flora and fauna.

Fauna

• Mammal:
  • Various species like Snow Leopard, Leopard, , Himalaya Black Bear, Brown Bear, Musk Deer, Bharal or blue sheep, Himalayan Tahr, Serow, Red Fox, Yellow-throated Marten etc.
• Birds:
  • Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Snowcock, Bearded Vulture etc.
• Reptile:
  • Snow Partridge, Python, Common Krait, Indian Cobra, Himalayan Pit Viper, Indian Monitor Lizard etc.

Flora

• Many landscapes like forests, pastures, alpine scrub are found here.
• At lower elevation Western Himalayan Subalpine Conifer Forest are found.
• At higher elevation Western Himalayan Alpine Shrub are found.
• Type of Vegetation includes –
  • Chir
  • Pine
  • Deodar
  • Fir
  • Spruce
  • Oak and
  • Rhododendron
• Other Plants –
  • Aconitum atrox
  • Orchis habemioides
  • Picrohiza kurroa

Line of Actual Control (LAC) It is a demarcation line which separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory. India officially considers it to be 3,488 km long. While Chinese authorities recognize only 2,000 km log boundary. It has an extension in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the up to Ladakh.

Must read Article:

https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/national-parks-in-india

PRACTICE QUESTION Consider the following statements about Gangotri National Park: 1. This park, situated in Himachal Pradesh, was established in 1989. 2. North eastern boundary of this park is along the international boundary with China. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: (B)

 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/gangotri-park-to-give-50-ha-to-army-itbp-for-bunkers/articleshow/101122022.cms