6:14 AM
TATR's advisory body in limbo since 1 yr
SOME things never change. Shocking apathy towards tiger conservation is just one of them. The pious sound in announcement to involve local people and experts along with officials for better management of tiger reserves, has been followed only in breach. The red-tape has ensured that local advisory committee for TabodaAndhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) has not met even once in last 12 months.
Ironically, after last meeting that was held on May 20. 2013. four lop officials Divisional
Commissioner. Chandrapur District Collector. Field Director of TATR and Divisional Forest Officers have been transferred and new incumbents, at least first two. are busy in election related work. This h.is virtually reduced the advisory body's meeting into a farce and not even an empty formality as the issues raised during this crucial interaction are seldom taken seriously. Fven the decisions taken during 2013 meeting have remained only on paper, raising a big question-mark over this exercise.
Ironically, after last meeting that was held on May 20. 2013. four lop officials Divisional
Commissioner. Chandrapur District Collector. Field Director of TATR and Divisional Forest Officers have been transferred and new incumbents, at least first two. are busy in election related work. This h.is virtually reduced the advisory body's meeting into a farce and not even an empty formality as the issues raised during this crucial interaction are seldom taken seriously. Fven the decisions taken during 2013 meeting have remained only on paper, raising a big question-mark over this exercise.
In fact, the disturbing incident involving tourists who virtually gheraoed tiger in TATR is a classic example of indiscipline and violat-ing the jungle rules. The advisor) body nieeting is a perfeel forum 10 discuss such issues along with ecoourism. sensitising people about sanctity of tiger reserves and beeter co-ordination between various authorities and remove stumbling blocks in better upkeep of wildlife. Alas! The advisory body which is supposed to meet twice every year, has failed to review its own decisions taken during last May. Due to heavy tourist rush during peak season in summer, this becomes all the more important to have a well-defined guideline and plan of action to avoid unruly behaviour from over-enthusiastic crowd which throng the TATR only to enjoy majestic tiger in its natural habitat.
Ret table sources informed that the Member-Secretary had stated in the last meeting that the sanctioned but closed internal roads be opened from October 16. 2013. But this has not happened. The tourists have to move during jungle safari on limited routes, resulting in concentration of vehicles in Pandharpaoni and The .1 lake. tiger sighting spots. Had the meeting of the committee held, it would have suggested to impose ban on carrying mobiles by tourists. G\ p\y drivers and guides inside the park as well about opening of the roads. If there is no communication, most of the vehicles cannot go at a tiger sighting snot and tourists cornering and disturbing the beast.
As per the decision of Supreme Court, tourist activities are allowed in 20 per cent area of the core area but in TATR only 1.98 percent area is being used for tourism. The internal roads like Kolsa. Vasant Bandhara. Katezari. Kalaamb are the sanctioned routes but they are closed for quite long time. Asa result, the load of tourists on limited routes is increased and hence cases of indiscipline increase.
In absence of any meeting of the committee there is no control on the behaviour of visiting tourists to the park.
Ret table sources informed that the Member-Secretary had stated in the last meeting that the sanctioned but closed internal roads be opened from October 16. 2013. But this has not happened. The tourists have to move during jungle safari on limited routes, resulting in concentration of vehicles in Pandharpaoni and The .1 lake. tiger sighting spots. Had the meeting of the committee held, it would have suggested to impose ban on carrying mobiles by tourists. G\ p\y drivers and guides inside the park as well about opening of the roads. If there is no communication, most of the vehicles cannot go at a tiger sighting snot and tourists cornering and disturbing the beast.
As per the decision of Supreme Court, tourist activities are allowed in 20 per cent area of the core area but in TATR only 1.98 percent area is being used for tourism. The internal roads like Kolsa. Vasant Bandhara. Katezari. Kalaamb are the sanctioned routes but they are closed for quite long time. Asa result, the load of tourists on limited routes is increased and hence cases of indiscipline increase.
In absence of any meeting of the committee there is no control on the behaviour of visiting tourists to the park.
Posted in: News 2014
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