The Hindu : National : Plan ready to lessen man-animal conflict

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 02, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Plan ready to lessen man-animal conflict

D. Radhakrishnan

— Photo: M. Sathyamoorthy

UNAWARE OF DANGER: A deer darting across the road at Mavanhallah near the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.

UDHAGAMANDALAM: The pressures associated with development should not allow man-wildlife conflict to get out of hand. Adopting this approach, the management of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve near here has drawn up a plan of action to deal with the fallout of the considerable increase in the inflow of tourists and the consequent pressure on the habitat, particularly the highways that cut through the reserve.

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve field director Rajiv K. Srivastava told The Hindu that more and more people were making a beeline to the forests, particularly places like Mudumalai. However, the carrying capacity of the forest areas remains the same. Owing to this wild animals are affected and some also get run over by speeding vehicles. Stating that a number of measures would be implemented to deal with this problem, Mr. Srivastava said patrolling would be done by a special force comprising ex-servicemen. They would be equipped with sensors which will measure the speed of the vehicles. If the motorists exceed the speed limit at any place within the reserve, they would be caught and penalised.

Movement of vehicles between dusk and dawn would be banned. In addition, boards to enhance awareness among the motorists about the sensitive nature of the area would be erected in a number of places. The highways authorities would be asked to put up speed breakers near the places where the animals usually crossed, he said. Pointing out that the escalating man-wild animal conflict was a source of major concern, Mr. Srivastava said anti-depradation squads were in a process of being formed. The step would help both the people and the animals.

To prevent people from committing wildlife offences informers would be encouraged. However, he hastened to add that if the people of the Nilgiris had not been as eco sensitive as they had been over the years, the conflict would have reached alarming proportions.

He said if the proposal to merge Sigur, Singara and Thengumarahaada reserve forests with Mudumalai became a reality, the conflict would come down to a significant extent. To deal with the increasing inflow of visitors a major infrastructure development programme was in the course of being implemented.

As part of it, more accommodation would be provided and one more safari van added. To relieve pressure at Theppakadu an eco tourismi zone would be developed at Masinagudy. More public conveniences and better parking facilities would be provided.

The interpretation centre would be upgraded.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National