Tigers' relocation on back burner

The plan has been shelved on account of political complexities and differing perceptions, writes Srinand Jha.

Plans for relocating tigers at the Sariska national sanctuary have been put on the backburner on account of political complexities and differing perceptions on the issue between the central and state governments.

HT Image

One and a half years after controversy broke out on the disappearing pugmarks, little progress has been recorded in relation to the critical proposals for shifting out villages from within the core sanctuary area - conceptualized for re-creating the ecosystem and bionetwork for making possible the re-introduction of the big cats.

Through constant harping on inadequate funds availability without using up funds already released, the state government is shirking away from its responsibilities, according to the Union Government’s view.

While states like Madhya Pradesh (at the Puno Palpur and Panna sanctuaries) and Maharashtra (Taroba sanctuary) have already executed plans for the shifting out of villages, Rajasthan’s inability to move forward in the direction is incomprehensible”, said an official.

Last month, a central team led by Forests and Environment Secretary Pradipto Ghosh, undertook a two-day field visit of the Sariska sanctuary. Project Tiger Director Rajesh Gopal said the matter (translocation of villages) had been taken up with the Rajasthan Government.

The Rajasthan Government’s grouse is that, while funds are inadequate, the Union Government has also not been forthcoming with technical inputs. ‘The social, political and economic ramifications involved in the complicated task of relocating villages are huge’, said Rajasthan’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests RN Mehrotra. State Government officials say that the Center has released just half the sanctioned amount of Rs. 1.62 crore for executing proposals to move out the first two villages from within the precincts of the Sariska Tiger Project (STP).

Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Director PR Sinha said that lodging tigers at Sariska can become possible only after “inviolate space” is made available to the species by moving out at least four villages from within the core sanctuary area. Noted environmentalist HS Pawar said that plans for the re-introduction of tigers should not be ‘rushed in’ before the larger issues are tackled.

The ambitious and country’s first-of-its-kind plan for the translocation of tigers at the national sanctuary involves plans for shifting out all the 28 villages from within the sanctuary core area at an estimated cost of Rs. 42 crore. Of these, 11 have been identified as priority villages. Five identified villages for the first phase include Kankwari, Bagani, Umri and Kraska - having an estimated combined population of 268 families.