Monday, May 6, 2013

State mulling translocation of surplus big cats from Tadoba

Chandrapur: With population of tigers and leopards soaring high in Tadoba landscape often leading to conflict situation, forest department has decided to take up the challenging task of translocation of surplus big cats in the forests devoid of them. Having received a nod from NTCA, principal secretary (forest) Praveen Pardeshi has directed chief wildlife warden SWH Naqvi to prepare a proposal for the translocation project.

"Good conservation measures have helped in the rise of population of carnivores in Tadoba landscape. Government of India is keen to give permission for translocation of tigers in the forests devoid of them. States like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have shown interest in taking these predators," said Pardeshi in a workshop on man-animal conflict in Tadoba landscape held in Moharli on Sunday.

Translocation is transport and release of wild animals from one location in forest area to another with emphasis on conflict control. With human-leopard conflict raging high in Moharli range in buffer zone and adjoining forests, translocation of surplus population of leopards would come as long term solution to the problem.

Pardeshi claimed that there are surplus tigers in the Tadoba landscape. The population of leopards too has soared. These surplus predators can be translocated to other forest areas. "But, the project will be implemented through strategic planning and scientific approach after seeking proper permission. Chief wildlife warden will prepare a proposal for the project, which will be forwarded to the government for approval," Pardeshi said.

Forest officers and senior wildlife experts discussed the reasons for rising human-leopard conflict and measures to mitigate the problem in the workshop. Deputy director, TATR (buffer), P Kalyankumar highlighted the problem faced during handling the angry crowd during conflict situation. Expert in leopard ecology Dr Vidya Atre and scientist from Wildlife Institute of India ( WII), Dr Habib Bilal gave important inputs in dealing with conflict situation and handling the problem leopards.

CCF, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Sunil Limaye and CCF, Nasik, G Saiprakash also gave presentation on human-leopard conflict in their respective areas. Gram panchayat sarpanches and eco development committee representatives also expressed their woes during the interaction session.

Officers agreed on preparing a technical manual with the help of available experience in dealing with conflict situation. Pardeshi assured to push the proposal at least two full time veterinary doctors for forest department in Chandrapur. He also assured to expedite the process for construction of wildlife rescue centre in Nagpur.

Forest officials also decided to make focused approach in providing employment opportunities to forest dwellers under MREGS. They also agreed to further expand the reach of LPG connection scheme, construction of cattle sheds and latrine construction in forest villages.

CCF and field director of TATR Virendra Tiwari claimed that Rs 1.07 crore was earned through tourism in the park in last fiscal. This year the target has been set at Rs 2 crore. Entire earning will go to TATR tiger foundation and 30% of it will be spent for development of buffer villages.

CCF, Chandrapur, BSK Reddy claimed that the menace of man-eater will be termed as disaster situation and district administration will be involved for disaster management. Every captured carnivore will be implanted with microchip for its identification on recapturing. Forest department will create awareness about threat of carnivores during tendu collection season, he said.

source 

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