by Jayashree Nandi
copyright: The Times of India
From a petty 10 in 1973, to over 80 today. The Bandipur national park’s story of turning itself in to a breeding ground for the elusive tiger is that of bravery at the ground level and constant monitoring.
In 2006, the census showed the presence of 103 tigers, while this time officials expect over 130. On the other extreme is the forest watcher force that is dipping by the day. Today out of 101 required watcher positions in Bandipur, 65 are vacant. There is nothing to motivate the local youths to join the force.
TOI reporter spends some time chatting with watchers at the anti-poaching camps (APC) of Bandipur tiger reserve as the third day of the national tiger census unfolds:
The number daily wage watchers are more than that of the permanent staff. They work for eight days in the anti- poaching camps and take a two day break. They spend the day patrolling their beats, weeding out lantanas, monitoring the trees.
At the Mallala anti-poaching camp (APC) in the core area of the Bandipur reserve, watchers shared a few light moments as they sipped black herbed tea made on their tiny stove inside the camp. They had made a small bonfire, as it got chilly in the evening. “I have been in this camp for a long time. In one camp there are five members like me. They have given us weapons like one gun, cartridges, and knives. I have no problems with tigers and leopards, the elephants give us trouble sometimes when they suddenly charge at us,” laughs middle-aged, Mara DM, a permanent watcher.
However, when asked to show the weapons, they had only knives and lathis to show. The guns they said had gone for repair work. Officials accepted that there was a requirement for more weapons and equipments for the ground level staff.
There is no insurance for the temporary watchers who receive around Rs 117 per day. Earlier there were a lot of delays in payments, with some waiting for over six months for salary. That concern however has been sorted out by the department. “We don’t have many problems. We are here together and we enjoy the work, W” says a temporary watcher, Madhav.
Though the department has been taking initiatives on their part, the funding from central authorities is what is curbing many facilities from being offered. “There are three important initiatives that we have put in place: paying salaries before the 15th of every month, providing them with breakfast, uniforms for watchers in APCs, and we try and make them realize that their service is important. The grass, wildlife and trees belong to them because they protect them,” says Deputy Conservator of forests, Hanumanthappa.
In most anti-poaching camps now, there is a lot of life even amongst the watchers because of the volunteer guests who have come for the census and are now sharing the camps with them. The watchers share their numerous stories of tiger and leopard encounters with the volunteers. “I can’t explain how excellent they are as guides. They know every nook and corner; recognize every scat sign, much better than the hyped conservationists. They have to be paid more. And insurance is must for even temporary watcher as their life is at stake,” says a volunteer, Ranganath.
In 1973, this area was mostly a hunting ground.
According to the department, poaching is almost nill. But wildlifer, Rajkumar D of Wildlife Conservation Foundation, who was participating in the census begged to differ. “Tiger poaching has increased,” he said.
According to sources, the apprehensions are still there from gypsy tribes of Madhya Pradesh some of whom are professional tiger poachers. Railway stations are monitored by the forest department staff to keep an eye on these migrants, who roam all around the protected zones and keep an eye on the movement of the big cats. They use jaw traps that clasp the leg of the tiger, if there is cattle kill in a village, it is poisoned to kill the tiger coming to feed on it and several other techniques. Local communities are also involved in such cases. The trade is still rampant in tiger parts like skin and claws smuggled to Tibet and China.
The anti-poaching camps play the most crucial role in standing guard to these organized gangs.
From a petty 10 in 1973, to over 80 today. The Bandipur national park’s story of turning itself in to a breeding ground for the elusive tiger is that of bravery at the ground level and constant monitoring.
In 2006, the census showed the presence of 103 tigers, while this time officials expect over 130. On the other extreme is the forest watcher force that is dipping by the day. Today out of 101 required watcher positions in Bandipur, 65 are vacant. There is nothing to motivate the local youths to join the force.
TOI reporter spends some time chatting with watchers at the anti-poaching camps (APC) of Bandipur tiger reserve as the third day of the national tiger census unfolds:
The number daily wage watchers are more than that of the permanent staff. They work for eight days in the anti- poaching camps and take a two day break. They spend the day patrolling their beats, weeding out lantanas, monitoring the trees.
At the Mallala anti-poaching camp (APC) in the core area of the Bandipur reserve, watchers shared a few light moments as they sipped black herbed tea made on their tiny stove inside the camp. They had made a small bonfire, as it got chilly in the evening. “I have been in this camp for a long time. In one camp there are five members like me. They have given us weapons like one gun, cartridges, and knives. I have no problems with tigers and leopards, the elephants give us trouble sometimes when they suddenly charge at us,” laughs middle-aged, Mara DM, a permanent watcher.
However, when asked to show the weapons, they had only knives and lathis to show. The guns they said had gone for repair work. Officials accepted that there was a requirement for more weapons and equipments for the ground level staff.
There is no insurance for the temporary watchers who receive around Rs 117 per day. Earlier there were a lot of delays in payments, with some waiting for over six months for salary. That concern however has been sorted out by the department. “We don’t have many problems. We are here together and we enjoy the work, W” says a temporary watcher, Madhav.
Though the department has been taking initiatives on their part, the funding from central authorities is what is curbing many facilities from being offered. “There are three important initiatives that we have put in place: paying salaries before the 15th of every month, providing them with breakfast, uniforms for watchers in APCs, and we try and make them realize that their service is important. The grass, wildlife and trees belong to them because they protect them,” says Deputy Conservator of forests, Hanumanthappa.
In most anti-poaching camps now, there is a lot of life even amongst the watchers because of the volunteer guests who have come for the census and are now sharing the camps with them. The watchers share their numerous stories of tiger and leopard encounters with the volunteers. “I can’t explain how excellent they are as guides. They know every nook and corner; recognize every scat sign, much better than the hyped conservationists. They have to be paid more. And insurance is must for even temporary watcher as their life is at stake,” says a volunteer, Ranganath.
In 1973, this area was mostly a hunting ground.
According to the department, poaching is almost nill. But wildlifer, Rajkumar D of Wildlife Conservation Foundation, who was participating in the census begged to differ. “Tiger poaching has increased,” he said.
According to sources, the apprehensions are still there from gypsy tribes of Madhya Pradesh some of whom are professional tiger poachers. Railway stations are monitored by the forest department staff to keep an eye on these migrants, who roam all around the protected zones and keep an eye on the movement of the big cats. They use jaw traps that clasp the leg of the tiger, if there is cattle kill in a village, it is poisoned to kill the tiger coming to feed on it and several other techniques. Local communities are also involved in such cases. The trade is still rampant in tiger parts like skin and claws smuggled to Tibet and China.
The anti-poaching camps play the most crucial role in standing guard to these organized gangs.
No comments:
Post a Comment