Tigers for Sariska: Maharashtra mum on Jairam's request Read more: Tigers for Sariska: State mum on Jairam's request

NAGPUR: The state government is yet to respond to central government's request to provide two tigers to be relocated in Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.

On July 11, Jairam Ramesh, minister of state (independent charge) for environment and forests, had written to chief minister Ashok Chavan about its process for reviving tiger population in Sariska where they became locally extinct in the recent past.

Based on the recovery strategy as suggested by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, five tigers have been translocated since 2008 in Sariska, from Ranthambore National Park, which is in the same state (Rajasthan).

Ramesh has told CM Chavan that since the tiger population at Ranthambore has evolved from a small founder group, there is considerable similarity in the genetic make-up of individual tigers in the area. Hence, to bring in genetic vigour, we need a few wild-caught tigers (males as well as females) for Sariska from other adjoining states.

"It's true that I've sought two straying males from the tiger reserves of Maharashtra. Tigers do not recognise state boundaries. A positive gesture from the state could go a long way in ensuring a viable gene pool for our wild tigers, which are becoming isolated due to the habitat fragmentation," Union minister Ramesh told TOI.

When asked about the response from Maharashtra government, Ramesh said, "I'm yet to receive any positive reply."

A similar request was also made to Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivrajsingh Chouhan. However, the MP government has ruled out relocation of tigers from the state to boost population in Sarsika reserve.

Dinesh Chandra Pant, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) for wildlife and chief wildlife warden of Maharashtra, said he had an open mind on the issue.

"The matter came up for discussion in one of the meetings held at mantralaya recently. I'll certainly look into it," Pant said
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