Tiger Conservation Authority opposes over-crowded tiger capture operation

Bengaluru, Feb. 12: India is the country with the highest number of tigers in the world. Karnataka in particular has five tiger reserves, which are home to more than 550 tigers.

Although the increasing number of tigers in the state is a matter of joy for animal lovers, it is causing problems for villagers living on the edge of the forest. The forest department has captured many tigers in the last 6 months to stop the tigers from preying on people and killing domestic animals and sometimes humans. This has given peace of mind to the villagers. However, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has strongly opposed the capture of tigers and has written a letter to the forest department, ordering an explanation.

In a letter dated January 27, the NTCA has sought an explanation from the forest department over the capture of more than 25 tigers in the state's Bandipur-Nagarhole-Biligiri Ranganathaswamy temple forest areas in the last four months.

In the letter, Director General of Forests OKIAM Page 4Fifth

 C.M. Shivakumar has sought an explanation from the state's Chief Wildlife Warden, citing discussions held in the authority.

The state government and the forest department were under pressure after four people were killed and two injured in tiger attacks in the Mysore division in the last four months. Safaris in their habitats were recently stopped due to this. However, the authority has questioned the forest department's approach to handling human-tiger conflicts.

There has been an increase in incidents of tiger capture in the last three to four months, especially in the Bandipur-Nagarhole-BRT area. The order also mentioned that it is surprising that 27 tigers were captured during this period, as per the available information.

The authority also questioned the government's claim that the number of tigers in the state is mostly higher than the forest capacity, and confirmed through scientific records that the number of tigers is lower than the capacity of the forest.

The authority said that Bandipur, which has about 110 tigers, has a carrying capacity of 229 tigers. While Nagarhole has a carrying capacity of 170 tigers, the authority informed that there are currently 135 tigers and the BRT Tiger Reserve has 29 tigers and a carrying capacity of 81 tigers. The authority said that there are 58 tigers in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu, which has a carrying capacity of 92 tigers.

The tiger population in Mudumalai is comparable to that of Bandipur and Nagarhole Tiger Reserves. However, during the same period, only one tiger capture was reported there, and that too an injured tiger, the authority said in the letter. The authority, which believes that human safety is also important, has also issued an order that the upcoming forest department operations should be carried out as per the authority’s rules.

Responding to this, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Kumar Pushkar, who recently took over as Chief Wildlife Warden, said that the capture operation or rescue operation is decided based on the intensity of the conflict. If tigers are to be protected, their conflict with humans must be reduced. Every tiger capture operation is also carried out after informing and obtaining permission from the concerned parties. He informed that he will reply to the authority’s letter soon.

- Kovarkolli Indresh

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