Wildlife experts red flag tourism plans in tiger sanctuaries and reserves
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Bhubaneswar: Will Odisha meet the fate of some of the famed tiger reserves from uncontrolled tourism and eventually see big cats vanishing?
A recent govt document involving a discussion of senior officers from multiple departments _ the proceedings in possession with TOI _ on a tourism master plan reveals an ambitious projects to develop tourism near sanctuaries and national parks.
The tourism department shared the proceedings with the forest and other departments on June 6.
"The notification of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) would be revised by the forest department through MoEFCC and remove the no construction, no commercial clause. ESZ matters, including those of Similipal Tiger Reserve and Satkosia Tiger Reserve, would be reviewed by the chief secretary involving the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and others," the proceeding sent by tourism department to the forest and other departments said.
It further added that the chief secretary will move MoEFCC to obtain permission for the use of forest land for non-site specific purposes.
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Worried wildlife conservationists said in reserves and sanctuaries, eco-tourism should be developed by forest department and not by the tourism department, amid fears of private hoteliers setting up hospitality industries in these sensitive zones.
"Even the Tiger Task Force (TTF) in 2005, after the Sariska mayhem, decided that tourism regulation and management of tourism in tiger reserves must remain with the forest department.
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If any tourism activities (buffer areas) are to be developed, it has to be controlled by eco-tourism run by communities," said Anup Nayak, former Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Conservationist Biswajit Mohanty said that the intention of the tourism department is clear from the document. "If they have their way, then it will undoubtedly invite doomsday for wildlife. With the state's sanctuaries and parks still struggling with dwindling prey count and no sanctuary (Debrigarh and Satkosia) having a single tiger, how can the tourism department justify the consequences? Similipal, whose habitat is well managed now, will completely lose its inviolate nature," he said.
Mohanty questioned how one can overlook the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. "Ranthambhore's experience clearly shows that if tourist interest is allowed to take precedence over conservation, it can be extremely detrimental," the TTF pointed out. In 2005, TTF recommended that tourism activities inside wildlife areas be under the complete management of the forest department.
Mohanty further argued that a significant population of Odisha's rural community is dependent on the forest (83% rural and 22% tribal population), which is one of the highest in India. "Tourism inside 33 percent of the forest area will destroy the forest. Then what is the fate of the people of the state?" he questioned. Officials said the state has only five per cent of its total geographical area as sanctuary, reserves, and national parks
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Forts such as Raigad, Pratapgad, Ajinkyatara in Satara, Torna, Rajgad, Tung, Sinhagad, Lohegad, Tikona, and others in Junnar tehsils are popular trekking destinations for amateur trekkers and visitors, particularly in the monsoon. The scenery near these forts during monsoon is extremely alluring, and hence, those who are not acquainted with the local conditions also organise treks without any preparation. As a result, they often get lost due to heavy rainfall and foggy conditions. Tejas Garge, the director of Maharashtra Archaeology and Museum, told TOI, "We are carrying out an analysis of the carrying capacity of each prominent fort listed as UNESCO heritage. Private consultant agencies will also be appointed for other forts across the state. Once we have this information, we will be able to decide how many visitors we can allow in a day." To monitor and ensure effective implementation, we have also planned to appoint security personnel from the state security agency at each fort. They will control the crowd and look after security and safety aspects at each location, he said. "We have planed to implement these measures with the help of state forest department and respective district and police authorities to prevent any untoward incident in future," Garge added. There are several trek trails in and around Lonavala, Tamhini Ghat section, near Bhimashankar in Ambegaon, and Naneghat in Junnar tehsil. Many people do not even carry basic safety equipment and clothes to safeguard themselves in the event of an emergency, said experts. Although the district administration prohibits entry every season, thousands of people go to forts and on trekking trails. "Poor enforcement of the order by the forest department and police is also one of the contributory factors behind overcrowding," said Keshav Tengle, a regular trekker. Pune: Overcrowding at popular forts in the state during monsoon has become a matter of concern for the authorities. A large crowd had recently gathered at Harihar Fort in Nashik, sparking safety concerns. Video footage that surfaced on social media showed visitors navigating slippery stone steps with little room for movement. Some individuals were seen sitting on the edge of the gorge, ignoring safety warnings. A senior forest officer from Western Forest Division told TOI, "Restrictions have been imposed on visiting popular trekking destinations and waterfalls in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar forest ranges to prevent accidents during the monsoon." "Entry to locations such as Harihar Fort, Anjaneri, and Brahmagiri has been prohibited after 2 pm to prevent any untoward incident till the monsoon ends. We decided to allow only 300 visitors in the first phase," added the officer. Similar overcrowding issues were reported from several other forts in the state since the first week of June. Experts have warned that the situation could worsen if timely measures are not implemented. 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Many people do not even carry basic safety equipment and clothes to safeguard themselves in the event of an emergency, said experts. Although the district administration prohibits entry every season, thousands of people go to forts and on trekking trails. "Poor enforcement of the order by the forest department and police is also one of the contributory factors behind overcrowding," said Keshav Tengle, a regular trekker.
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