DNA THEME: Tormented tigers

The death of tiger ST-11 at Sariska has woken up the forest department from its deep slumber. 

While the department believed that its tigers are safe and security and management related work at Sariska is going on like clockwork, the fact that the snare was put right near the forest headquarters at Sariska has jolted everyone. 

Sources in the NTCA revealed that letters were being received regularly about the sorry state of affairs in Sariska. 

In fact, the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) directed the member secretary of the NTCA Debabrata Swain to tour the park and report on the concerned issues. The member secretary made a detailed tour note that was handed over to a host of top officials in the state forest department including principal secretary, PCCF and HoFF, CWLW and even the district collector and superintendent of Alwar Police. 

However, highly placed officials in the state forest department reveal that despite being informed about the observations, no concrete action was taken on the ground.

During the visit, the member secretary came across commercial activities in the Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH). “A number of commercial activities including shops especially sweet shops, hotels and dhabas were seen along the state highway no. 13 and highway no. 248A inside the CTH,” the report read. It further elaborated the point, “It was seen that new establishments of homestays, hotels and shops had come up very recently, in contravention of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. These need to be shifted or demolished forthwith from the core area.”

Even more horrendous is the fact that not only are these establishments within the CTH, but even people are feeding the wild animals – an act against the provisions of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Elaborating the point, the report read, “A number of wild animals including sambhars, langurs, rhesus monkeys, wild pigs and p ea fowls were seen on the road and feeding on the eatables offered by passengers or pilgrims. On one occasion, a group of sambhars even approached a vehicle for food. Many visitors on the state highway were also seen feeding theanimals.”

Interestingly, the report further mentions that encroachment is going on in sariska by clearing the vegetation. “In some places, the revenue land is being cleared of the vegetation for encroachment purposes. Being the CTH, such activities are illegal. Alwar collector must take immediate action against such encroachers and ensure no such activity takes place in the future,” the report states. 

Rampant lopping and grazing, an issue which has plagued Sariska in the past aswell, has been observed on a large scale. “A number of trees were seen heavily lopped inside the Sariska National park. Not only this, at many places, livestock were seen grazing inside the National Park indicating ineffective control by the Sariska Tiger Reserve administration. The acute shortage of employees, especially the frontline staff, very low tolerance of local communities and instigation by some local leaders leading to repeated mass agitations are some of the reasons that are of concern in Sariska. As these activities are against the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, no grazing, traspassing or lopping should be allowed in the CTH as it is detrimental for the long-term conservation goals,” the member secretary said in the report.

Finally, one aspect that Sariska has always struggled with is religious tourism and its regulation. Interestingly, the member secretary observed that activities proposed by Rajasthan Tourism contravenes the Wildlife (Protection ) Act, 1972. “It was told that the Sariska Tiger Conservation Foundation has been given additional responsibility forpromoting facilities for pilgrims in Pandupol and Bharthari temples. Both are located in the CTH, the very heart of the Sariska Tiger Reserve,” the report states.

Interestingly, two suggestions have been made as well in the report so far as lopping and grazing are concerned. 

“Immediate action is needed for filling up vacant posts and review at the appropriate level is needed for enhancing the posts of frontline staff,” the report suggests. 

ROARING PROBLEMS

• On one occasion, a group of sambhars even approached a vehicle for food. Many visitors on the state highway were also seen feeding theanimals
   
• Interestingly, the report further mentions that encroachment is going on in sariska by clearing the vegetation 
   
• Rampant lopping and grazing, an issue which has plagued Sariska in the past aswell, has been observed on a large scale
   
• Acute shortage of employees, especially frontline staff, very low tolerance of local communities and instigation by somelocal leaders leading to repeated mass agitations are some reasons that are of concern in Sariska