Maharashtra tiger reserve likely to be expanded

[Mrudul Godbole]

Chandrapur (Maharashtra): The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is proposed to be expanded by an additional 1100 sq km from the current 625.40 sq km for making it an ideal habitat for tigers and to reduce the threat of poaching.

"We have proposed to the government to include another 1100 sq km to TATR which has about 45 big cats and at least 12 to 14 cubs. Once the new area is added, TATR will become an ideal habitat for tigers," S P Thakre, Conservator of Forest and field director, TATR said.
"We must have inviolate areas if we want the tiger to survive for long. From that point, we feel that the area of TATR should be extended," he said.

Roughly 100 sq km area was required for a breeding zone for tigresses for which a buffer zone was proposed and which was lying with the state government, he said.

New areas proposed to be included were Bramhagiri, West Chanda, Chandrapur and the Forest Development Corporation, he said.

If new areas were added to TATR, he said, it would help provide better management. "Because now once a tiger goes beyond our territory it faces the threat of poaching."

Thakre said tigers from TATR and Chandrapur forest often crossed over to other areas including neighbouring Gadchiroli district which exposed them to poaching.

Thakre said four cubs were orphaned in Central Chanda after the disappearance of their mother.

Last month, the CBI had arrested four poachers, who were mainly from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, from the reserve and Chandrapur and seized two tigers skins from them.

A district tiger cell headed by SP, Chandrapur has also been formed to keep a watch on poachers.

The creation of National Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, he said, was a positive step to fight wildlife-related crime, but funds and manpower continued to pose major problems for conservation.

The CFFD said that creation of a 'secret fund' was necessary to gather intelligence on movement of poachers. "But, even wages of those engaged in conservation and protection activities are delayed."

Thakre said that the TATR authorities were using the money collected from tourists and donations for conservation activities in the reserve, a major tiger breeding centre.

Another major problem was the existence of six villages inside TATR which often led to man-animal conflict. Two villagers were killed by tigers last year, he said.

Three incidents of tiger attacks were reported in Chandrapur last month and nearly 50 persons were killed in the last three years, he said.

The CFFD said that the villages to be relocated included Kolsa, Rangtalodhi, Palasgaon, Jamni and Navegaon and sites for relocation have also been identified.

A rehabilitation package, he said, has been announced for villagers who would be shifted.

As per the package, a family could get Rs 10 lakh outright, while those who also wanted land and a house would get Rs 50,000 as down payment, he said.

The TATR was created in 1995 after the merger of Tadoba National Park with an area of 116.55 sq km and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary comprising 508.85 sq km.

Link - http://www.zeenews.com/news592240.html

[Lakshminarayanan Nataraja]

Thanks Mrudul for sharing this good news.

There are plenty of positive news from Tadoba which is becoming a haven for tigers and for long term tiger conservation.

It is imperative to list down major issues of the reserve and address them one by one with active NGO participation.

Atul - Would be very good if you can share more about this reserve.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I agree that this is a good move. The sanctuaries and protected areas adjoining the Tiger Reserves should be well protected as these are the places where the adolescent tigers will migrate to.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi