JAIPUR: The problem of tigers straying from the Ranthambore National Park came up for discussion during the on-going International Conference on Tiger Conservation in Delhi. The ministry of forest and environment is to take steps to ensure safety of tigers that stray from Ranthambore.
Usually, tigers straying from the park face threats of being poached or being killed in revenge by villagers staying on the periphery of the park after the big cats feed on their livestock.
The ministry sought suggestions from the state government at the conference to ensure safety of straying tigers. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot has announced in his budget speech proposals to develop the area connecting Ranthambore with the Mukundra hills sanctuary as a corridor for tiger movement. The area is frequently used by straying tigers from Ranthambore and developing it would give the big cats a safer passage.
The Ranthambore National Park has been suffering from a problem of plenty for some time now. Though the total area of Ranthambore tiger reserve is about 1,394.478 sq km but about 31 resident tigers are confined to an area of less than 400 sq km of the core area. The rapid multiplication of tigers in the reserve has been posing a bigger problem for foresters.
Recently, two tigers had strayed as far as Mathura while another managed to get away to Madhya Pradesh and finally to the Kuno-palpur area. Currently, at least two ---T2 and T 40 ---have not been seen since October.
"The problem is due to rising population of tigers. The semi-adults find it difficult to chalk out their territory and stray from the sanctuary. Sometimes, tigers also take to fighting among themselves over territory, often resulting in the death of one. The answer may lie in developing other areas of the park like the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary to house the rising number of tigers," sources said.
The Wildlife Institute of India estimation of tigers released on Monday put the number of tigers at Ranthambore at 31. But 12 more cubs have been born between the time the census took place and now bringing up the problem of plenty once again at the park. Tigers are fiercely protective of their territories. A tigress may have a territory of 20 sq km, while the male may cover 40-80 sq km and even more.
The state has deployed a large number of personnel to keep a watch straying tigers. Border home guards, ex-Army personnel, Van Mitras have been deputed for the purpose. For the first time the state has also deployed cadres from the Rajasthan Administrative Service who can speak the local language.
Forest officials are also trying to make more room for tigers by relocating villages located in the forest. "Last year we relocated one village from Ranthambore. This year too we are relocating about 10 villages from the forest and to make room for more tigers," officials said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Meet-discusses-problem-of-straying-tigers/articleshow/7821533.cms
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