Report of the Tiger Task Force - PRS

■ JOINING THE DOTS TIGER TASK FORCE REPORTliving in these areas should be relocated and the rights settled. These areas, to beginwith would be the core areas (national parks) of tiger reserves. If the agencies are ableto relocate more people, because of the availability of finances and resources likeland, more area can be made exclusive for conservation.b. In the remaining areas within the tiger reserve and protected areas, the strategy formanagement has to be inclusive and use of resources must be accepted and allowed.6. It is not necessary that all use will be destructive. The question is how the use will beregulated or managed. In order for the resource use not to be destructive, the participationof local communities in decision-making and in management becomes essential.Regulation is best possible, if all are parties to the decision.7. This use of resources within protected areas will require very innovative thinkingby the park managers. It is not possible to find one prescription that will fit all reserves.But once it is accepted that use if not necessarily destructive or that the managementof resources by communities is not necessarily destructive, practices can be evolved foreach area.8. The work within protected areas can include activities that promote conservation,protection and sustainable management. The forest development committees can beinitiated so that there is investment in habitat improvement and grassland development.Cooperatives can be formed to sustainably harvest minor forest produce.9. It is essential that this approach of inclusive protection is incorporated intoconservation management urgently. For this, the following must be done:a. Each tiger reserve (to begin with) must take into account the current needs of peoplewho live within the reserve and evolve a plan for resource management and use. Thisstrategy must be evolved in consultation with local communities, researchers andlocal NGOs.b. The strategy must include plans for careful monitoring and evaluation.c. The Project Tiger directorate must have internal capacity and staff to be able tomonitor and guide this process carefully. Every effort must be made to encourageinnovation and experimentation.d. This process must begin immediately. The plans for each reserve must be completedwithin one year and be available publicly.10. The independent monitoring of tiger reserves must provide a high weightage for thework done by park managers in collaborative management. The improvement inrelationship between people and parks must be a key criterion in the review. Each tigerreserve must be rated for this work and the best and worst identified for rewards andpenalties.116 The way ahead