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.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, January 03, 2010, 10:18