Naxalite issue to be taken up at meeting

Naxalites’ interference in tiger reserves and cross-border issues are going to be taken up during the third meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, scheduled for Wednesday. The Centre has accepted that Naxalite activities are “greatly interfering” in tiger reserves management, specially in Indravati in Chhattisgarh and Palamu in Jharkhand, which were inaccessible for the recent tiger census.

Members will also discuss on strengthening the strategy for tiger conservation and a refined methodology which will be used for the next tiger evaluation.

Assessment of ecological integrity of tiger reserves as an integral part of the management effectiveness will also be taken up during this meeting.

“To promote ownership among stakeholders as well as transparency, diversity of stakeholders is essential. It is necessary that those who are part of a tiger reserve must use the assessment results to improve the condition of that individual reserve. It will help in bringing the required changes that are necessary for wildlife conservation,” said a member of the NTCA, adding that timing of the next all-India tiger estimation and NTCA’s logo will also be finalised. During the last census, the International Union for Conservation of Nature had given few suggestions to Project Tiger on its evaluation process.

Census of wild animals taken up

In a recent census on the population of tigers carried out in the Papikondalu wildlife sanctuary, the forest wildlife management authorities have identified the presence of five tigers including four adults and a cub and 15 leopards.
With an exception of a newborn cub, the forest authorities did not confirm whether the number of tigers has gone up or dwindled. However, they con firmed that there were no reports of poaching of tigers in the sanctuary limits.

The forest conservator (wildlife management), Mr S.K. Sinha said, “We have carried out the tiger population census based on the norms recommended. Our people kept a tab on pug marks, litter and other evidences to substantiate the presence of the wild animals in the sanctuary limits.” authorities The forest have also prepared proposals for setting up water sources for the wild animals in certain pockets of the forest areas following the recent cases of straying of the big cats into human habitations. The forest authorities intend to set up water sources for the animals to quench their thirst. The areas will be selected where there are no water sources like creeks, rivulets and tanks. The forest authorities will dig tanks, construct check dams to store water, dig trenches and set up concrete tanks.

Water will be carried through tankers and these sources will be filled up with water wherever possible and help the animals quench their thirst.

The district forest officer, Mr B. Ananda Mohan said, “We are in the process of preparation of the proposals for setting up the water sources. We are hopeful that by next summer, the animals will not face any water problem.”