Expand Mudumalai buffer zone, Jairam tells TN

COIMBATORE: After his initiatives for declaring Sathyamangalam forests a tiger reserve, Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh has mooted another plan to protect the big cats and elephants of the region near the Mudumalai. The minister has asked the Tamil Nadu government to declareSegur Plateau in the Nilgiris as buffer zone of the Mudumalai National Park.

In a recent letter to chief minister M Karunanidhi, Ramesh requested the state government to favourably consider a proposal from his ministry to add the 321sqkm Segur Plateau as buffer zone of the Mudumalai National Park. Such a step would help strengthen the population status of the tiger, its co-predators and the prey in the landscape,' he said in the letter written during August last week.

Segur is an area rich in wildlife and is linked to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and adjoining forest cover. Central funds would be provided under the Project Tiger if the plateau is declared a buffer zone, the minister said in the letter. "Mudumalai is an important tiger source area with a potential to populating the northern and eastern parts of the Western Ghat landscape complex," he said.

According to Union environment ministry sources, the buffer zone status for Segur would not only help increase the number of tigers but also ensure protection for about 25% of the world's Asian elephants, which live in the region that comprises deep jungles of Bokkapuram, Singara and Masinagudi.

Moreover, Segur Plateau links Mudumalai National Park with Sathyamangalam forests, BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The buffer zone status is also expected to enhance ongoing conservation efforts in the wildlife sanctuaries of Wayanad and Nagerhole as well.

However, the proposal has triggered apprehensions among the locals, who fear the forest department would impose curbs on their movements and routine activities. "Any move to protect tigers and elephants must be welcomed but such initiatives must address the survival of traditional forest dwellers like the adivasis and others who live close to the forests. Any project that treat local people as enemies of conservation would not succeed as it is unrealistic," said CR Bijoy, a civil rights activist who works among the Segur people.

MS Selvaraj, president of Nilgiri Vyvasaikal Thozhilalar Munnetra Sanghom, claims that the buffer zone project would adversely affect the survival of about two lakh people in Pandalur and Gudalur taluks. Under the project, there would be severe regulations even on digging wells, getting electric connection to houses and constructing even small country roads. "We are getting information that there would be restrictions even on painting houses the way the house owner wants," he alleged.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Expand-Mudumalai-buffer-zone-Jairam-tells-TN/articleshow/6686504.cms