Revive plan to get tiger reserve status for MM Hills: Khandre to officials

Bengaluru: Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday brought out from the backburner an old proposal to declare the Male Mahadeshwara (MM) Hills wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve, a measure that will bring additional protection to the big cats whose vulnerability was exposed by the death of five tigers last month.

Taking stock of the situation of the landscape at a meeting, Khandre asked senior officials to hold consultation with all stakeholders, especially people in the area and revise the proposal.

“All steps should be taken to prevent unnatural death of wildlife.  Responsibilities should be given to respective officers and personnel at range level,” he said.

In early 2020, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) approved the proposal from the state government to declare MM Hills wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve, bringing stringent measures of protection to the 906-sq km wildlife habitat that is connected to Cauvery wildlife sanctuary, BRT tiger reserve and Satyamangalam tiger
reserve.

“The state itself did not push for the proposal following opposition from political circles. There were concerns that the tiger reserve status would put restrictions on regular development works like repair and upgradation of roads,” an official told DH.

The tiger reserve status is expected to enhance protection for the wildlife habitat and also bring funds from the Centre.

However, the Centre has reduced its share of funds drastically in the last five years, with even salaries of frontline staffers unpaid for months. The state government had tapped into funds from tiger foundations during the crisis situation.

Officials briefed the minister about vacancies in the department, especially among frontline staffers like guards, watchers and deputy range forest officers.

In some areas, a range officer is monitoring two ranges, which is nearly impossible in areas prone to wildlife conflicts.

Khandre told officers to prepare the list of vacant posts and identify those that are critical.

“Take immediate measures to fill critical posts through outsourced staffers. Submit a proposal for procuring vehicles and equipment for the protection of forest and wildlife,”
he said.

The minister stressed the need for the department to have cordial relationships with villagers living on the edge of forests.

He said people should be made aware of the importance of forest and wildlife and urged officials to organise events to motivate children in the area and provide skill training.

Cut-off box - Command centre for surveillance
Khandre suggested officials to take steps to deploy technological surveillance of forests and wildlife.
Noting that physical patrolling of 40000 sq km of forest was impossible the minister said use of CCTV cameras drones and other technological surveillance gadgets would help monitor from a centralised command centre.