Maharashtra reserve grapples with rising number of tigers, leopards

Chandrapur (Maharashtra): The issue of translocation of tigers and leopards from core and buffer areas of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR)  is under active consideration in view of an increase in the population of the wild cats. “There is a considerable rise in the population of big cats in the area and it (TATR landscape) might not be enough to accommodate their rising numbers,” Principal Secretary (Forests), Pravin Pardeshi said. [caption id=“attachment_758693” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  AFP.[/caption] Pardeshi was here to address a Workshop on ‘Mitigation of Man-Animal Conflict In Tadoba Landscape’ at Moharli, 28 kms from here on Sunday. “Translocation is a complex issue that needs to be addressed from various angles. It involves political and scientific angle which is being worked out. As of now, all that I can say is that the number of carnivores in the area is very high and it would be difficult to imagine the situation after a decade. A stage might reach, either the humans might have to be shifted or the big cats,” he remarked. As the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has given its green signal, Chief Wildlife Warden, SWH Naqvi has been directed to prepare a proposal for translocation of big cats, so as to forward the same for approval from the union government, he said. The workshop was addressed by senior forest officials including P Kalyan Kumar, Deputy Director (Buffer) and Sunil Limaye, Chief Conservator of Forests, Sanjay Gandhi National Park , Vidya Atre, expert on Leopard Ecology and Dr Habib Bilal from Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun among others. The officials discussed issues pertaining to man-animal conflict and urged the villagers to take precautions. Gram Panchayat Sarpanchs and Eco Development Committee representatives from the area also expressed their views during the interaction session. A proposal for preparing a technical manual to deal with sensitive or conflict situation for the benefit of locals was also approved during the workshop. Pardeshi assured to take up the matter of veterinary doctors for the department so that a couple of full time vets would be posted for Forest Department in Chandrapur besides construction of a Wildlife Rescue Center at Nagpur. PTI