Panels to evaluate functioning of tiger reserves

NEW DELHI: To bring accountability and transparency in the hugely-funded big cat conservation programmes in the country, the Centre has constituted
five committees for evaluating the management and functioning of 38 tiger reserves across 17 states.

The evaluation of tiger reserves will be done on the basis of parameters set by Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an international NGO.

The evaluation by the independent wildlife experts such as Belinda Wright comes at a time when as many as 16 tiger reserves including Panna in Madhya Pradesh and Valmiki in Bihar are in crisis as pointed out by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh in a recent session of Parliament.

Five three-member teams have been set up to assess the 38 reserves situated in five zones.

Besides Wright, among the experts are Jamal A Khan, Eruch Bharucha, Rajeev Sharma, M Madhusudan, R K Dogra, Biswajit Mohanty, E A Jayson, D S Srivatava and Aparajita Dutta who have to submit their reports to the WII within six months.

"The panels would evaluate whether the chosen approaches in the reserves management are adequate, sound and appropriate," Wright, who has been entrusted with the task to assess management in most of the reserves in northern states, said.

Link - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/n...ow/5035088.cms

To start with, this is a good step. Atleast there would be some evaluation. However, as long as the forests and wildlife remain as State subject things will be difficult.

It is a good first step indeed. But proper guarding of its objectives and focus on the diagnosis, alternative evaluation and then solution recommendation is reqd. A structured approach to the problem would be required. Also they should not lose track of the ultimate objective - The RBT.

The evaluation is over now and detailed reports are awaited. Preliminary grading can be seen here: http://www.envfor.nic.in/pt/State_PT.pdf

Regards,
Aditya

It is mentioned that this is a preliminary assessment as of 15th July 2009. A more detailed scientific assessment of the state of the tiger reserves taking into account a variety of indicators is being undertaken over the course of the next few months.

I couldn't find Sunabeda Tiger Reserve in the list.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sabyasachi Patra

It is mentioned that this is a preliminary assessment as of 15th July 2009. A more detailed scientific assessment of the state of the tiger reserves taking into account a variety of indicators is being undertaken over the course of the next few months.

I couldn't find Sunabeda Tiger Reserve in the list.

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Well that is the tragedy of letting the states have complete monopoly of wildlife conservation. After a lot of efforts on the part of some conservationists and officers, tough lobbying and a lot time, effort and money being spent to propose Sunabeda as a tiger reserve, the Orissa govt. eventually sent the proposal to the Centre. The Centre subsequently gave an "in principle approval" to the Orissa Govt. in 2008 to declare Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve. This entire process took over a decade. Its been well over a year now since the approval from the Centre came but the Orissa Govt. is still sitting on it and Sunabeda is yet to be declared a Tiger Reserve, while the adjoining Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve of Chhattisgarh were immediately declared by C'garh upon receiving the Centre's nod.

The same thing happened with the proposed South Orissa Elephant Reserve and the Baitarani Elephant reserve in the state. After tough lobbying, the Centre approved the creation of these reserves but the state, at the last moment, rejected these two elephant reserves since it would make it difficult for the Orissa govt. to sell off mines in these areas. So as you can see, the state's priorities are clearly outlined by it!

Regards,
Aditya