KOLKATA: At a time when man-animal conflict is ruling the headlines, an MoEF report may come as a severe blow to Buxa's tiger dreams.
The report, a part of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves, said that the core area in the north Bengal reserve is inadequate for a viable breeding population of the big cats. "The 390.58 sq km core area is also not inviolate with about nine human settlements within the core," the report added.
An official from the National Tiger Conservation Authority said that about 30 forest villages are there inside the reserve and large human population for resource dependence and cattle grazing have resulted in degradation of forests. "This reflects in wide spread occurrence of invasive species like Mikania, Eupatorium and Ageratum," the official added.
"The state has decided to provide a package of Rs 10 lakh to the families, that will be relocating from Buxa Tiger Reserve," said PCCF (wildlife), SB Mondal. The relocation, to be done under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, will impact almost 18,000 villagers. Eight villages inside the reserve had already agreed to the relocation plan. The villages to be relocated outside the core area are Jainti, Bhutiabasti, Gangutia, Raimatang, Butrhi, Adma, Pana, 27 mile and 28 mile. Mondal said that they are waiting for funds from the Centre to kick start the process.
Though Wildlife Institute of India's (WII) YV Jhala had referred to a study done by Aaranyak, which predicted an estimation of 15 tigers inside the reserve, he added that inadequacy in habitat management, socio-political issues, lack of training in wildlife management are posing challenge to a proper management of the reserve.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Blow-to-Buxas-tiger-hopes/articleshow/9414756.cms
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