Centre clears Spiti biosphere reserve project

The Himachal Pradesh Government has plans to spend Rs 5.12 crore in the Spiti valley of Lahaul-Spiti district under the ´Spiti cold desert biosphere reserve´ (CDBR) conservation plan, to sensitise local inhabitants about the environment, bio-diversity conservation and to seek their active participation in development and conservation efforts. Among a total 18 CDBRs of the country, only the Spiti area of Himachal Pradesh was declared as a ´cold desert biosphere reserve´ in 2009. Bestowed with abundant natural beauty and representing unique bio-physical features of trans-Himalayan ecosystem, the project is spread over an area of 7,770 sq km. Contact: Government of Himachal Pradesh. Website: www.himachal.gov.in