Report of the Tiger Task Force - PRS

TIGER TASK FORCE REPORT JOINING THE DOTS ■country as sadly reflected in the increasedincidence of poaching of tigers and disappearanceof a section of wild cats from strategic areas inthe country. The Ministry needs to undertakecomplete review of its programmes and plug theloopholes, where necessary to implement themeffectively.”“The Committee fees that the Ministry has nottaken much action in pursuance of itsrecommendation for protecting and developingwildlife parks. The Ministry has informed onlyabout Tigers and their habitats. Nothing has beenmentioned about other animals like elephant, lion,rhino, etc. Even achievements of the programmesunder “Project Tiger” have come under scrutiny asevident from recent news reports that tigers havedisappeared from the Sariska and RanthambhoreTiger Reserves. The Committee feels that for properdevelopment and protection of the wildlife parks,emphasis should be given on anti-poaching camps,mobile squads, capacity building of frontline staff inintelligence gathering, detection and successfulprosecution of cases and providing necessaryinfrastructure to them.”“The Committee is of the view that quotingstatutory provisions is not the proper action expectedfrom the Ministry. What is more important is properand holistic implementation / enforcement of theseprovisions. These provisions / guidelines themselvescannot act as a deterrent. With the support of theseprovisions, Ministry should evolve a mechanism toimplement its plans / steps emphatically.”“The Committee observes that despite variousschemes of the Ministry, effective patrolling ofwildlife is almost missing as is evident from rampantpoaching. In the recent past, the Committee duringits study visits to some Tiger Reserves / WildlifeSanctuaries was anguished to see the forest rangersequipped with a wooden stick and roaming on feetwhereas poachers, in contrast, are believed to beequipped with latest communication network,modern weapons and vehicles. In view thereof, anyfinancial assistance for the wildlife protection whichwas made has not been successfully utilised in thepast. The Committee reiterates that interested NGOsshould be encouraged to provide latest transport andcommunication facilities to the staff responsible forthe protection of wildlife parks. The Committee isalso of the opinion that a “Special Task Force” mustbe constituted to combat the menace of poaching ofwildlife.”“The Committee feels that by merely includingendangered species of animals in Schedule I of theWildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, may not be enough.The Ministry should also take some stringentmeasures along with enforcing the provisions of theAct for their survival. The Committee would haveappreciated if the Ministry had come forward with acomprehensive plan of action for preserving theaforesaid species.”LONG TERM MEASURES(1) Discussions on creating a dedicated Ministry forForests and Wildlife by bifurcating the presentMinistry of Environment and Forests.(2) Creating a dedicated and specially trainedNational Park Service meant to govern andadminister 100 of the best protected areas inIndia. This service must allow inter-statetransfers.(3) Opening fresh recruitment for all forest staff on apriority basis just like the Police and Army, andfill up all vacancies.(4) Extra allocation of finances by PlanningCommission for the forest and wildlife sectorespecially in the area of protection. A meetingwill be essential with Deputy Chairman ofPlanning Commission.(5) A meeting between the Prime Minister and allchief Ministers regarding the crisis of the tigerand other wildlife – Members of Parliament to bepresent – slide presentation to be made. Wemust realise that saving the tiger and forest is astate subject and therefore Chief Ministers willhave to be inspired to act.(6) Encouraging the role of scientific research andits recommendations in the management of ourwilderness.(7) Encouraging the protection of our wildernessareas by local communities / tribals / forestdwellers who can be fully trained in specialschools for this purpose and for otherrequirements of forests and wildlife managementi.e. eco-tourism etc. Even if 10 people each aretrained in one Park and the programme started in20 Parks within 6 months we will have 200people engaged in protection. And this figurecan be tripled over the years.(8) Creating a Manual or Code of Conduct andProcedure for all protected area managers thatbecomes their ‘Bible’ to follow in the field andAnnexures 179