In a stand that will have far-reaching consequences for tourism in tiger reserves in India, the Centre has said the core areas of national parks and sanctuaries should be kept inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation.
The government spelled its stand in an affidavit filed by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which is hearing a PIL that seeks to ban tourism, development or activity in core/critical habitat areas.
The court had insisted on an affidavit after the counsel for the authority took this stand in a previous hearing. The affidavit quotes Section 38 (V) 4(i) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 that says that core or critical tiger habitat areas of national parks and sanctuaries are “required to be kept as inviolate for the purposes of tiger conservation, without affecting the rights of the STs or such other forest dwellers, and notified as such by the state government in consultation with an expert committee constituted for the purpose”.
From time to time the NTCA had issued several directions/advisories to the state government for protection of tigers, the affidavit said and again quoted revised guidelines issued in 2008. Summing up, the affidavit that was filed two days ago said it is clear from the guidelines that the core/critical tiger habitats have to be kept as inviolate and only management interventions can be allowed by the state government. In such areas if tourism activities are taking place they are required to be phased out in the fringe/buffer area.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Tiger strays into village in Sunderbans
KOLKATA: A tiger strayed into a village at Kultali in the Sunderbans, leading to a daylong drama on Friday.
The adult male was spotted hiding in a paddy field early in the morning. Panic-stricken villagers of Kishorimohanpur saw the big cat darting around the field, but couldn't track it down in the morning mist. Later, the field was surrounded by nets and villagers kept vigil.
A forest department team reached the spot and managed to tranquillize the tiger. It has been taken to Bonnie Camp for observation and could be released on Saturday morning.
The paddy field had to be cordoned off after the tiger started growling and attempted to sneak out. Hundreds had gathered at the spot with sticks, rods and fishing nets. The foresters had a trying time keeping them out. It took them nearly four hours to corner the animal and fire the tranquillizer dart.
"It seems to have worked perfectly, for the tiger fell senseless almost immediately. It might have sneaked out of the nearby Herobhanga forest, swum across the river and entered the village last night. The animal is now being observed by our team of veterinarians. It would be released on Saturday if the animal is found to be in perfect health," said Subhendu Bandyopadhyay, DFO, South 24-Parganas.
Around a dozen tigers have strayed into Sunderbans villages in the last three months. Straying is expected to continue and could happen more frequently now. "Straying traditionally goes up between November and February. It has happened relentlessly throughout the year this time. We are keeping our fingers crossed," said a senior forest official.
The adult male was spotted hiding in a paddy field early in the morning. Panic-stricken villagers of Kishorimohanpur saw the big cat darting around the field, but couldn't track it down in the morning mist. Later, the field was surrounded by nets and villagers kept vigil.
A forest department team reached the spot and managed to tranquillize the tiger. It has been taken to Bonnie Camp for observation and could be released on Saturday morning.
The paddy field had to be cordoned off after the tiger started growling and attempted to sneak out. Hundreds had gathered at the spot with sticks, rods and fishing nets. The foresters had a trying time keeping them out. It took them nearly four hours to corner the animal and fire the tranquillizer dart.
"It seems to have worked perfectly, for the tiger fell senseless almost immediately. It might have sneaked out of the nearby Herobhanga forest, swum across the river and entered the village last night. The animal is now being observed by our team of veterinarians. It would be released on Saturday if the animal is found to be in perfect health," said Subhendu Bandyopadhyay, DFO, South 24-Parganas.
Around a dozen tigers have strayed into Sunderbans villages in the last three months. Straying is expected to continue and could happen more frequently now. "Straying traditionally goes up between November and February. It has happened relentlessly throughout the year this time. We are keeping our fingers crossed," said a senior forest official.
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