THE Himalayan national park in the Kulu district of Himachal Pradesh has been chosen for a Rs 6.5 crore World Bank-aided project to conserve its existing biodiversity. The park, which covers an area of more than 700 sq km, provides sanctuary to some 300 species of birds (including pheasants and the western tragopan) and animals (including the musk deer and the snow leopard).

The park also boasts of the largest population of the Himalayan tahr in India. One-third area of the park is co, ered by chir, pine, conifers and oak. conservation drive is divided into components consisting of eco-development, protected area management, an: research, monitoring and evaluation. Eco-development activities include tree and fodder plantation encouraging public awareness and eco tourism. Constructing fire-watchtowen! and impr .oving communication cover the aspect of protected area mar agement. Vegetation studies, cultivation of medicinal herbs and social anthropology will come under the theme of research,- monitoring and evaluation.