Maneater tigers in our reserves

It is a sad news that the incidence of man eating is recurring in our tiger parks. Earlier this malady surfaced frequently at and around Sunderkhal in Corbett Tiger Reserve, and sadly it is a regular feature of Sunderban Tiger Reserve. The incidence could surface in any tiger reserve especially in Achanakmar in Chhattisgarh where many villages are located amidst dense forests.

Two young male tigers have been caught and sent to permenant prison in Van Vihar at Bhopal. Although this is more of an open zoo and animals are less traumatized, the happening is not desired. Incarcerating man eating tigers in zoos is an urgent exercise that prevents further incidence and mitigates human fear. This is also a quick fire solution for appeasing the disturbed and often violent masses. But then two prolific breeding tigers have been silenced out of just 1400 or so.

The horrific news just appears as fact in newspapers and there is no contemplation on how this malady could be prevented. Editors must learn to shape up productive opinion. We must recollect that tigers survive in 1 or 2 percent of our geographical area, and in that too ingress by humans is common. Most of the man eating tendency arises out of accidental killing and not due to hunger in well stocked places like Bandhavgarh. The place were the man was killed has no dearth of prey base. The man in this case was a forestor hence his movement is essential, but than this does raise the issue of ingress by the locals in search of minor forest produce. Some of the portions of our tiger reserves are under dense canopy, areas that constitue buffer zone as in Sunderkhal in Corbett.

The first incidence occured whence the cubs were in the possesion of the tigress this must have given them the taste of human blood. This must have been accidental killing for sure or in sheer self defence. The tigress continued to kill its natural prey and perhaps still does. The cubs on separation did not hesitate to kill the man under stress since the fear had been removed. Young adults though well taught by the mother are still bit inexperienced hunters by all means. Hunger must have induced them to take this disastrous step.

Just by taking contingency measure as in Bandhavgarh National Park  the problem will not be solved. People will have to be distanced from immediate surroundings of our tiger parks. I know this sounds chauvinistic and relocation is a discomforting step for the locals. But as solution humans can move and tigers cannot. Humans can change their livelyhood tigers cannot step out of the food chain.

The system seems to be paralysed whence question of difficult options arise as in this case it is relocation. Since a long time funds have been made available for relocation in India but to no effect. Political and democratic urgency, inability to execute, sheer ignorance and lethargy are taking a big toll of our precious heritage.

Achanakmar - Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve

Animals were difficult to sight in Achanakmar during a tiger safari ten years back. But nevertheless the superb biosphere with amazing floral diversity and density assured the existence of many interesting species of wild animals and birds.  

The forests are now known as Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve. Amarkantak the origin of  River Narmada and Son lies partially in the state of Madhya Pradesh the rest is in Chhattisgarh. The biosphere reserve encompasses an area of more than three thousand sq.km. The Achanakmar sanctuary constitutes the core while the rest is the buffer zone.  

The region separates rivers that flow in to the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Another River Johilla also originates from the hills of Amarkantak. The range known as Maikal Hills is the confluence of Vindhya and Satpura Ranges.

Due to diverse topography the foral diversity is very impressive and includes bryophytes, pteridophytes, thallopyhtes, angiosperms and gymnosperms. The forest types are Northern Moist Dry Deciduous and Southern Dry Deciduous types.

The wild animals inhabit the whole preserve but greater concentration are found in the Achanakmar. Tigers, leopards, wild dog, sloth bear, bison, giant squirrel, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, langur, rhesus macaque, wild boar and many other animals are found here in good numbers. Bird life is also interesting albeit more study is required. Due to high altitude I was impressed with the sightings of migratory birds especially warblers.

Amarkantak is a pilgirmage destination for Hindus as thousand visit the Narmada Temple at the site of origin. The sacred rivers draws thousands of pilgrims from all over India.  Eco tourism is also taking roots as many holiday makers come here to enjoy the salubrious environs and healthy climate. There are many villages with the tiger reserve so constituted they are a great source of disturbance to wildlife.

Most interesting places are the Narmada Temple. Son Muda or origin of River Son, Dughdhara, Kabir Chabutra besides a few more. There are many ashrams and guest houses that offer accommodations. MPTDC and Chhattisgarh Tourism have built scenic resorts here. The latter is under construction on a Hill Top.  

For tiger safari the Achanakmar Rest House about 52 km from Amarkantak is ideal. Prior permission is required from the forest department at Bilaspur. Bilaspur is the nearest city with a rail head connecting Jabalpur Kolkutta. Not much accommodations are available in Achanakmar hence preferred place of stay is Amarkantak.  Another place is the Sal Valley Resort non outskirts of the biosphere reserve at Keonchhi Village.