Rajaji National Park to restore tiger corridor

Authorities of the Rajaji National Park - spread across Dehradun, Haidwar and Pauri districts of Uttarakhand - are thrilled to see the result of the recent tiger survey that shows increase in the population of big cats in their territory. The focus of the park officials is now on restoring the corridor between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers for long-term conservation of this endangered species.

In 2010, the tiger population of Rajaji park was six to eight, which has jumped to 11 in the latest count. The eastern part of the park witnessed a big comeback by tigers due to its strong link with the Corbett Tiger Reserve, but the western side recorded low number of the big cats.

The corridor connecting Ganga and Yamuna rivers- starting from Uttarakhand, touching Uttar Pradesh and ending on the Himachal Pradesh border-is constricted by high human habitation due to the burgeoning township of Haridwar. Besides this, an army ammunition dump at Raiwala and a settlement of Tehri Dam oustees at Khand Gaon on the Dehradun-Haridwar highway are other bottlenecks in restoring the corridor that is considered vital for the free movement of animals.

Wildlife Institute of India's scientist Bivash Pandav said: "The western area of Rajaji has tremendous potential to support a good tiger population if the corridor is restored and tigers are supplemented on the lines of Panna (Madhya Pradesh) and Sariska (Rajasthan).

This reintroduction project needs to be carried out for at least 10 years." In the latest survey, two tigresses were located in the western section of the Rajaji park. Large numbers of ungulates are present in west Rajaji, but the choked corridor is proving to be a major hurdle in free movement of the tigers. Ungulates are a diverse group of large mammals that includes horses, cattle, pigs, giraffes, camels, deer, hippopotamuses, whales and dolphins.

In a move to clear human settlements from the corridor connecting Ganga and Yamuna rivers, the Rajaji park officials have started the process of shifting the residents of Khand Gaon to Lal Pani. The exercise is near completion. Park's director Neena Grewal said: "Ninety-five per cent of the Khand Gaon residents have moved to the new location.

Only four-five families are left now. We will be able to rejuvenate the corridor by vacating Khand Gaon. The process of making the park a tiger reserve is in the process and we expect it to clear the area soon."

Also famous for its big population of elephants, the Rajaji National Park is a paradise for wildlife lovers. It is home to tigers, leopards, spotted deer, sambhar, wild boar, barking deer, Himalayan black bear and over 400 species of bird.