‘Reach out to eco-development committees (EDCs) in villages in and around the tiger reserve’ Palamu is the latest mantra of the field director cum chief conservator of forest PTR MP Singh.
Speaking to The Pioneer Singh said, “We have to reach each and every EDCs instead of calling them to us. Our reaching out to them will cement our bond with the villagers even stronger and mightier and will emanate a message of our commitment and determination to rope in the villagers for the upkeep of the tiger reserve.”
He said he had planned to go about this in 15 days time but since it is a difficult tiger reserve it is taking time nevertheless PTR officials will reach out to the EDCs. Singh said he had launched a two- pronged measure first to bring villagers closer to PTR and second to ensure their livelihood gets a fillip.
Field director added further, “There is wanting intensive management of tiger reserve and it is because the work force has dwindled sharp. We would try to prevail upon the State Government to re-employ on contract healthy and fit retired personnel of forest/tiger reserve till vacancies are filled in by regular appointment and posting.”
Asked that festivals like Dussehra and Holi mean slaughtering of deer, wild boar rabbit for village feast by the poor and the rich alike what measures the PTR officials have taken to contain this annual menace to wildlife MP Singh said very candidly, “I accept we are so under staffed and have serious crunch of human resources that we cannot move in every nook and corner of the PTR so what we want is activation of EDCs as without their recharging and reactivation monitoring of tiger reserve is just a loud talk.”
EDCs must be rejuvenated and its efforts be suitably rewarded by way of honorarium as then only the EDCs will be motivated to put in their best of legs for the tiger reserve reiterated Singh.
DFO Buffer PTR Mahaling said there would be a non-stop foot cum vehicle patrolling on 9 and 10 th of this month to preempt any strike or preying of wild life in the buffer area. Similar effort is on in the core one.