Sariska Tiger Reserve: A Managerial Approach to the Problems of Landscape
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2018/v144i10/139566Keywords:
Wildlife Laws, Protected Area, Tiger Reserve, Anthropogenic Disturbances, InterfaceAbstract
Very high anthropogenic disturbances due to large number of villages in core and adjoining areas, poaching, high pilgrimage, state highways passing through the core area, low strength of frontline staff for enforcement and lack of commitment were the identified factors responsible for local extinction of tigers in Sariska that was officially acknowledged in the year 2005. The reintroduction of tigers in Sariska without removing the factors responsible for extinction has again brought the landscape to new risk of threat. The study reveals extremely low strength, motivation and commitment of frontline staff in wildlife law enforcement that is evident from observed declining trend in registration of forest offence/wildlife cases during last decade that has resulted in very high anthropogenic disturbances in the reserve. Immediate strengthening of enforcement agency through increasing the strength of frontline staff, much awaited creation of Sariska Tiger Protection Force (STPF), raising a physical barrier at the interface, relocation of villages from core area and ban on mass agitations like mahapanchayats basically demanding in contravention of wildlife protection act are suggested.References
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