Relocate people living in MTR area within the time frame: Parl panel

AParliamentary panel on Environment on Wednesday asked the Centre to ensure that the three-phase relocation programme of people living inside the core area of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) is implemented within the stipulated time frame. It also recommended measures to maintain eco balance of Ooty and Nilgiri Hills.

The committee stressed on the need to check man-animal conflict in the fringing villages of MTR. located at the crucial junction of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala, it is contiguous with Wyanaad Wildlife Sanctuary on the west and Bandipur Tiger Reserve on the north. It recommended that necessary financial assistance to the tune of `23.50 crore for relocation should be cponsidered expeditiously. 

The Committee also  emphasised on the need of elephant corridors, in the region.  It suggested that the Government should encourage people to voluntarily donate the private land falling under the corridor. The efficacy of such corridor needs to be monitored constantly, the report noted. The Committee, while taking note of the steps taken to control man-animal conflict cases, particularly with elephants, feels that there is a need not only to continue with the said efforts/measures but some out of the box thinking is needed to obviate this problem. The Committee recommends provision of adequate immediate compensation to the next of kin of the victims of wild animals attack.

Further, to maintain ecological balance in Ooty and Nilgiri Hills, the Committee recommended that old and polluting Government vehicles, major source of vehicular pollution in Ooty, should not be allowed to ply on roads of the Nilgiris. To mitigate vehicular pollution, Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) needs to be developed.It called for earmarking ‘no vehicular zone’ during peak season when tourist flood Ooty.