At a time when the ongoing tiger counting exercise in Rajaji tiger reserve is ascertaining an increase in the tiger population here, wildlife experts and activists point out that issues of encroachments inside and adjoining forest areas along with blocked wildlife corridors need to be resolved to prevent the exacerbation of human-wildlife conflict. The wildlife population in Uttarakhand -especially that of tigers and elephants has shown an increase in recent years. The increased wildlife population along with factors like encroachment and fragmentation of habitat by human activity is causing a rise in the frequency of human-wildlife conflict.
It is pertinent to mention here that in 2014, the tiger population in Rajaji was reported to be 13. The wildlife census currently underway after Rajaji was accorded tiger reserve status in the recent past is pointing towards an increase in the tiger population here. Department officials state that the exercise is yet to be completed and analysed so a better idea of the big cat population will become known after it is completed. However, they point out that considering the trend visible so far, the tiger population in Rajaji is likely to have increased from about 13 tigers to about 20-25 tigers. On the other hand, as per the 2015 census, the population of elephants in Uttarakhand has also witnessed an increase from 1,559 in 2012 to 1,797 in 2015. The increase in population of tigers and elephants in Rajaji would also create bigger challenges for the State at a time when habitat fragmentation, encroachment and varied human activities continue to fuel conflict between humans and wildlife- especially big cats, elephants, monkeys and wild boar. The protected forest area is limited and facing consistent impact of encroachment and other human activities, point out observers.
PFA Uttarakhand’s Gauri Maulekhi who had submitted an application in the National Green Tribunal regarding encroachment and illegal constructions in forest areas of Haridwar forest division adjoining Rajaji, said that encroachment on wildlife habitat poses a major threat to both the wildlife and humans. She said, “Tigers are territorial animals and increase in their numbers will also affect their movements in search of territory or prey. Encroachment on wildlife corridors and lack of secure connection between the eastern and western parts of Rajaji needs to be resolved without delay. If the necessary corrective and preventive measures against encroachments and related factors are not taken soon, the inaction will fuel the human-wildlife conflict and may also result in increased infighting and inbreeding among the tigers which could also prove detrimental to the tiger gene pool,” she said.