NAGPUR: More than three years after the buffer zone around Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) was notified and a year after the area was brought under the control of the field director, protection activities are still mired in red tape. The 125.51 sq km buffer forest leased out to Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) is not under the control of TATR, resulting in lack of protection for wildlife.
The Wildlife (Protection) Act was amended in 2006 to bring in the concept of buffer zones around tiger reserves under the control of field directors. This was soon after the crisis in Sariska tiger reserve in 2005.
The state government notified 1,103.34 sq km Tadoba buffer zone on May 5, 2010. Barring the 125 sq km under FDCM, 901.66 sq km with Chandrapur and 76.17 sq km with Brahmapuri was brought under the administrative control of Tadoba field director for better wildlife management.
Despite forest minister Patangrao Kadam assuring on April 8 to give control of FDCM area to Tadoba, no decision has been taken by officials, says Chandrapur honorary wildlife warden Bandu Dhotre.
"Tadoba is incomplete without the 125 sq km area. It is really foolish to hand over such rich forest bearing tigers for felling timber to FDCM, a commercial and profitmaking organization," says Dhotre.
Dhotre alleged that tiger poaching is rampant in Tadoba, specially in the FDCM forest, which is contiguous and forms a vital tiger corridor towards north and south. "Taking advantage of poor protection, Baheliya tribals and local poachers have been targeting wild animals here regularly," he added.
In other buffer areas, things are looking up as the forest department has set up barriers and protection huts without harming rights of people. But on June 2, Baheliya poachers allegedly laid metal traps near Fulzari lake in FDCM area. The officials also came across three pits dug by poachers. The buffer zone officials are unconcerned since the area is still under FDCM control.
However, FDCM managing director AK Nigam said conclusions should not be drawn from just one incident. "I've been told that traps were not found in the pits dug in Fulzari area. There is tiger presence in our area since wildlife management is better," Nigam said.
"Despite being a commercial organization, wildlife protection is our mandate and we will do it. We are short of staff, but 300 guards have been recruited recently, and rangers will follow. We will sensitize our field staff about wildlife protection," he added.
However, Dhotre says FDCM areas have tiger presence by virtue of being close to protected areas (PAs). "The FDCM doesn't have even one area where tiger conservation is undertaken. The only way out is giving administrative control of the 125 sq km area to Tadoba," he says.
The amended Wildlife (Protection) Act 2006 clearly states that existing land use in the buffer zone can continue if wildlife concerns and protection are ensured in the area. "Then what's the fuss by FDCM in giving administrative control to Tadoba," asked Prafulla Bhamburkar, manager, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has already written to principal secretary (forests) Praveen Pardeshi on March 19 to hand over the area to TATR. Pardeshi said, "No final decision has been taken on the issue but will ask FDCM to manage buffer area as per wildlife conservation management plan." PCCF (wildlife) SWH Naqvi said, "At present, both the areas are being managed separately. At some point of time, the area with FDCM will have to be given under the control of TATR. However, it will take time to materialize."
On April 8, Dhotre had also called on forest minister Patangrao Kadam, who issued necessary directions to the officials. "The forest minister is positive about giving control of FDCM area to Tadoba field director," said Dhotre. After this meeting, even APCCF wildlife (East) SS Mishra wrote to head of forest force (HOFF) on April 16, to pursue the proposal sent by Tadoba field director on getting administrative control of 125 sq km FDCM area.
Tadoba field director Virendra Tiwari refused to comment on the issue but confirmed that a proposal for unified management has been sent to Van Bhavan in Nagpur in June 2012.
source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-28/nagpur/40254295_1_fdcm-buffer-zone-field-director