As the world marked the International Tiger’s Day on Monday, wildlife activists fear that the tiger might be facing an uncertain future in Uttarakhand where Corbett Tiger Reserve is known to hold the highest tiger density in the world.
While State Forest Department officials aver that the tiger has a very good future in Uttarakhand, activists believe that if the department doesn’t improve wildlife security and clamp down on poachers, the future of the big cat might not be that bright here. There have been at least three suspicious tiger deaths so far this year in the Corbett tiger landscape that are suspected of having been caused by poisoning.The Chief Wildlife Warden SS Sharma averred that the tiger has a bright and secure future in Uttarakhand.
“We are undertaking long range, intensive and joint patrolling apart from using infra red cameras for monitoring the southern boundary of Corbett. We have identified areas sensitive from the view point of poaching and have directed officers to ensure our presence in the interior areas too. We have good liaison with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and other agencies to ensure the desired level of wildlife protection,” said Sharma while adding that once the proposal for converting Rajaji national park into a tiger reserve is approved, tiger protection in the State will improve further.
There are about 224 tigers in the Corbett tiger landscape which include about 164 in Corbett tiger reserve, he added. However, wildlife activists differ from the official view point and express concern about the growing activity of poachers and interference of Van Gujjars in tiger habitats. According to People for Animals, Uttarakhand member secretary Gauri Maulekhi, the tiger’s future in Uttarakhand is bleak if the authorities do not control activities of the Van Gujjars.
“The activities of Van Gujjars in tiger habitat have turned it into a buffalo reserve instead of a tiger reserve. Their involvement in tiger deaths either through poisoning in retribution for cattle killed by tiger or aiding poachers is known but they are being treated leniently for expected political gains,” she alleged while adding that the tiger population might not be as high or secured as is being considered officially. Endangered Flora and Fauna on Earth Conservation Team (EFFECT) chairman Dr Abhishek Singh said that the growing activities of poachers from the Bawaria community pose a serious threat to tigers and other wildlife in Uttarakhand and even elsewhere in India.
“Our sources have informed us about the increased activity of Bawarias. Upto four of them can poach a tiger, skin it and prepare its bones and body parts for sale in the illegal market. They sell one tiger pelt with bones for up to Rs 14 lakh in Nepal. Without clamping down on them, it will be difficult to ensure a secure future for the tiger in the State,” he said.