2 min readNagpurAug 10, 2012 05:46 AM IST
First published on: Aug 10, 2012 at 05:46 AM IST
The long-pending and contentious declaration of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve’s critical tiger habitat (CTH) and buffer areas appears to be headed for another round of blockages. During a meeting here on Thursday of the expert committee headed by Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (wildlife) S W H Naqvi,independent member and noted wildlife activist Kishore Rithe put up a dissent note against the “unscientific” manner in which the areas were being chalked out.
Sources said,“Rithe was upset over National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines not being strictly adhered to in deciding the areas. There are clear guidelines that the core should be at least 800-1,000 sq km and the buffer between 1,000-3,000 sq km.”
They added that a lot of pressure is being exerted by some top politicians from the area to have their areas excluded from the proposed areas ideally sought to be earmarked as CTH and buffer. “There are some mining proposals in these areas and the mining interests are sought to be protected by the politicians.”
Rithe wasn’t available for comment. Naqvi,however,refused to acknowledge that there was any problem. “We have sent the two proposals and it is for the government to decide on them,” he said.
Sources,however,said,“Earlier on all three occasions,the expert committees had unanimously decided and finalised the critical and buffer areas of Melghat,Pench and Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserves. Now,there is no need for the committee to send the proposal to the government. It only indicates the amount of problem that is dogging the Sahyadri reserve.”
An angry Supreme Court had recently shut all tiger reserves for tourists and had directed early declaration of buffer areas that have been hanging fire.
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