The Hindu : Front Page : Anamalais awaits Project Tiger

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005

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Anamalais awaits Project Tiger

M. Gunasekaran

It will help in improving facilities and providing employment to tribals

POLLACHI: The Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, the biggest in the State, with 958 sq km on the Anamalais in the Western Ghats, is awaiting the Centre's declaration as Project Tiger reserve.

It will help the overall improvement of the sanctuary, according to authorities.

Last year's Census reveals that the sanctuary has 20 tigers and more than 600 elephants. The Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) in Tirunelveli district is the first Tiger reserve in the State and has 29 tigers. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has sanctioned Rs. 2.04 crores to the KMTR.

Proposal forwarded

The Project Tiger Steering Committee has recently forwarded a proposal of the State Forest Department to declare the Indira Gandhi National Park and Sanctuary a Project Tiger reserve to the Planning Commission for its approval.

Once it is declared a tiger reserve, it will get more funds from the Centre.

It could be used to provide alternative jobs to tribals residing inside the forests besides improving facilities at the sanctuary.

The powers of a field level officer will go up to that of a Conservator level officer.

He will be appointed as Field Director (a Deputy Conservator of Forests is the highest field level officer now) and assisted by an Eco Development Officer and a Deputy Director.

These appointments will ensure effective decision-making and faster financial allocations.

The sanctuary, declared an Elephant Reserve, receives Rs. 40 lakhs to Rs. 50 lakhs annually. Officials here say it is not sufficient.

Research activities

Forest personnel here will get exposure by associating with other tiger reserves. It will also help research activities. Modern gadgets, including trap cameras, could be purchased to take pictures of each tiger.

Declaring it a tiger reserve will help conserving other endangered species like the lion-tailed macaques, panthers, Nilgiri langurs, leopards, rusty spotted cats and giant squirrels.

At present it is facing acute shortage of drinking water and fodder during summer. The enhanced financial assistance from the Centre will help authorities in finding lasting solutions for the same.

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