Tiger conservation reserve planned in forests of Kaghaznagar; villagers apprehensive
A tiger conservation reserve is a stretch of forest cover connecting two or more tiger habitats, allowing movement of tigers, prey and other wildlife
Kumram Bheem Asifabad: Forest officials are planning the creation of a tiger conservation reserve in the forests of Kagaznagar division.
The recent three-day tour of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests RM Dobriyal to the district has not only fueled the creation of the tiger conservation reserve, but has at the same time, sparked a fear among the villagers. Dobriyal announced that the reserve would be created in Kagaznagar forests soon, though he did not divulge details.
What is a tiger conservation reserve?
Officials said that a conservation reserve was a protected area that helps to preserve biodiversity, protect endangered species, and maintain ecological balance. It also acts as buffer zones, promotes sustainable development and supports local communities. It plays a vital role in the conservation of bothh resident tigers and migrant tigers,
Why was the Kagaznagar division picked?
Forests in Kagaznagar division can be an ideal pick for tiger reserve as they are located between Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve of Chandrapur district of the neighbouring Maharashtra and Kawal Tiger Reserve (KTR), established in erstwhile Adilabad district in 2012. They are increasingly attracting tigers from Tadoba, Tipeshwar and other parts of central India, considering conducive living conditions and prey base.
However, the migrant tigers are not showing interest to make the buffer and core of Kawal as their home for various reasons. Some obstructions for tigers are roads, state and national highways, railway track, coal mining and irrigation projects, canals, agriculture fields situated in the paths of the tigers. They are dissuading the tigers from residing in the reserve, spanning in 2,015 square kilometres in Nirmal, Adilabad, Kumram Bheem Asifabad and Mancherial districts
Efforts to conserve tigers in Kawal futile
As a result, Kawal is unable to become a home for tigers even as funds around Rs 50 crore were spent so far to create hospitable conditions, grasslands for ensuring prey base and relocation of certain villages, located in the core, by offering handsome rehabilitation and resettlement packages. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in the Status of Tigers-2022 report pointed out that no tigers were detected in the reserve.
The disinterest of tigers to settle in Kawal has necessitated the officials to plan for a tiger conservation reserve in Kagaznagar. It is learnt that the officials were preparing proposals for the reserve, identifying area, route map of the facility and estimating budget. They are initially planning to study the tiger habitats and measures being taken for the effective conservation of tigers in Maharashtra.
District Forest Officer Neeraj Kumar Tebriwal said that no lands would be retrieved for creation of the reserve. Existing ownership and way of right cannot be taken away without consent of locals. Legal rights of communities will not be affected. Settlement will be done in case of relocation. Forest cover of the district measuring 2.24 lakh hectares will be converted into the reserve, he stated.
Forest officials to adopt long-term strategies
The Forest officials are likely to adopt long-term strategies to convert Kawal into a safe haven for tigers. Accordingly, they have devised a tiger conservation reserve in Kagaznagar division. However, residents of forest fringe villages are opposing the move citing restrictions and curbs on dependency on the forests. They are planning to launch protests against the reserve once officials begin work on the facility.
Villagers expressed concern over the restrictions to be imposed in forests. “Villagers have many apprehensions about the proposed tiger reserve to be created in this region. They are fearing that they would not be allowed to enter the forests once the tiger conservation reserve is created,” a former Sarpanch of a forest fringe village said.
What is tiger conservation serve
A conservation reserve is a protected area that helps to preserve biodiversity, protect endangered species, and maintain ecological balance. It also acts as buffer zones, promotes sustainable development and supports local communities.
Area of Kawal Tiger Reserve: 2,015 square kilometres
Area of core of the reserve: 893 sq km
Area of the buffer zone spans: 1,120 sq km
Area of tiger corridor in Kagaznagar division: 9,745 hectares
Area of forests in KB Asifabad: 2.24 lakh hectares
