Report of the Tiger Task Force - PRS

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TIGER TASK FORCE REPORT JOINING THE DOTS ■ii) An important component of theManagement will be a detailedprescription for tourism, managing it andensuring both respect for the tiger and thevisitor.iii) A National Level Research AdvisoryCommittee with independent experts andinstitutional members may be constitutedto give inputs/frame guidelines from timeto time regarding: (this should be anautonomous body free from governmentshackles so that they render independentand objective advise fearlessly)a) tiger census methodology (to bedecided after a complete review byall scientists associated with thisespecially because of the seriouslimitations of the total counts in thepug mark methodology);b) research, monitoring and ecologicalaudit; andc) issue of transparent guidelines forResearch Projects includingredressal of grievancesexpeditiously.iv) Revamp the course and curriculum at theIGNFA which imparts training to IFSprobationers and also organize specialrefresher courses for the serving IFSofficers.v) A full fledged Centre for Wildlife Studiesconsisting of (a) forest officials and otherexperts on deputation to the Indira GandhiNational Forest Academy; (b) visitingfaculty consisting of reputed national levelexperts; and (c) experts from the WildlifeInstitute of India, etc. should beestablished in the Indira Gandhi NationalAcademy of Administration.vi) The Centre for Wildlife Studies incoordination with the MoEF should bemade responsible for the preparation of thecurriculum and imparting training for theIFS probationers, conducting refreshercourses and specialized studies/research.,vii)etc.This Centre may also be used for providingspecialized refresher courses/trainingprogramme for other officials (from ForestDepartment as well as other Departments).viii) A detailed annual presentation can bemade to NBWL/Prime Minister’s Committeeby the National Advisory Board of Researchin order to apprise him each year regardingthe prevailing state of affairs.V. PROVIDE TIMELY FUNDS TO ALLSPECIALLY DESIGNATED TIGER AREASThe Central assistance, instead of being routedthrough the normal State Governmentmachinery, should be released directly tothe field staff on the existing pattern of releaseof funds by the MoEF through the ForestDevelopment Agency (FDA). This will notonly ensure timely release and utilization offunds but responsibility and accountability canalso be easily fixed for non-utilization andmisuse of funds. A system of concurrentfinancial audit as well as ecological audit shouldbe put in placeVI. LEGAL SUPPORTi) Legal cells headed by experienced legalofficers should be set up in each State forimparting training to officers/staff ininvestigative skills, collection ofevidenced, preparation of chargesheets/complaints etc.ii) The Legal Cell will vigorously and closelypursue and monitor serious cases ofpoaching etc. They shall in such casesappoint special counsels/senior lawyers sothat cases are taken to their logical endwithout delay.iii) Regional Forensic Laboratories to beestablished and recognized under theprovisions of Code of Criminal Procedure.The opinion/reports of these laboratoriesare accepted as evidence in the Courts.iv)Provide prompt and effective legal supportto officers/staff facing harassment onaccount of false retaliatory cases filedagainst them.v) Should also expedite cases (departmentalor criminal) against officials by pursuingthem vigorously.VII.INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIONIn some areas, India’s tiger habitats arecontiguous across national boundaries withNepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Mynamar.These transboundary issues need to be taken upat bilateral level as also at SAARC meetings so thata joint/special task force could be set up forbetter protection and management of these areas.This will greatly help the present population oftigers that move to and fro across internationalborders.Annexures 173
■ JOINING THE DOTS TIGER TASK FORCE REPORTDISSENT NOTEANNEXURE-BRECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE REGARDING COEXISTENCE OF PEOPLE IN THEPROTECTED AREAS – DRAFT PREPARED BY VALMIK THAPARBASIC CONSERVATION STRATEGYi) The areas falling within the National Parksshould be made inviolate. People living inthese areas should be relocated and theirrights acquired under the WLPA. If anyvillage is not found of strategic importancewithin the National Park the boundary ofthe park should be altered to exclude suchvillage. The excluded village may beincluded in the adjoining sanctuary, ifany. Needless to say that rehabilitationpackage should be the best available andattractive.ii) Relocation from the sanctuary should berestricted to the minimum possible takinginto account the conservation value of thearea i.e. the relocation should be restrictedto the area which are absolutely vital forthe protection of tigers and are to be treatedas “core area” for tiger conservation.iii) A detailed time bound plan for relocationof villages identified should be preparedand funds required should be madeavailable at the earliest.iv)It should be made clear that the existingprovisions of the W.L. (P) Act. allows theright holders to carry out their legitimateactivities such as agriculture, grazing, etc.v) Pursuant to Hon’ble Supreme Court’s orderdated 14.2.2000 in IA No. 548, noharvesting/removal of forest produceincluding minor forest produce ispermissible from nationalparks/sanctuaries.vi)vii)It may be clarified that the WLPA allowsmaking of alternate arrangements formaking available fuel, fodder, and otherforest produce to the existing right holders(Section 18-A(2)). Section 29 of WLPAprovide that any forest produce requiredfrom the sanctuaries should be distributedfor meeting the personal bona fide needs ofthe people living in and around thesanctuaries (and not for any commercialpurpose).In view of above legal provisions, the MoEFmay move the Hon’ble Supreme Court formodification of its order dated 14.2.2000 toenable the legal right holders to enjoy thebenefits in the sanctuary and in the areaswhere final notifications have not beenissued. The CEC has filed its report dated4th November, 2004, which is underconsideration of the Hon’ble SupremeCourt. The MoEF may intervene in the saidI.A. and modification of the said order.viii) A number of sanctuaries have beennotified which include non-strategic areasof very low conservation value with manyvillages. A time bound exercise ofrationalizing the boundaries of suchsanctuaries should be undertaken by theMoEF in consultation with the States. Thisprocess will result in the exclusion ofmany areas. This will be of great help inmitigating the sufferings of a large numberof people.ix) Even in non-strategic areas of thesanctuaries, if the villagers volunteer toshift out, such shifting should befacilitated.x) The villages from the sanctuaries may beallowed to be shifted into reserveforest/protected forest/unclassed forestwithout payment of compensatoryAfforestation, NPV, etc. For this purpose asimplified procedure for granting approvalunder the F.C. Act should be formulated.xi) For the villagers which remain inside thesanctuary, innovative interventions withinthe framework of the law and the SupremeCourt’s order should be introduced toensure that the bona fide livelihood needsof the local people are taken care of. Thesemay include :a) preference in employment invarious government departments;b) engagement in water and soilconservation and other forestmanagement measures;c) involvement in village protectionforce;d) passing on part of cess collectedfrom nearby hotels;e) employment in private sector hotels174 Annexures
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THE REPORT OF THE TIGER TASK FORCEJ
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ContentsIntroductionExecutive summa
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IntroductionThe Tiger Task Force wa
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Report of the Tiger Task Force - PRS

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