Report of the Tiger Task Force - PRS

Wildlife research has been facing some seriousproblems. Almost every wildlife researcher has agrouse against the wildlife bureaucracy: either for itsfailure to aid in their research or for ignoring thefindings of their research. The wildlife bureaucracy,in turn, has complaints about individual researchersand questions about their motivations for research.The situation, as a result, has become quite chaotic.Earlier this year, the Union ministry of environmentand forests reportedly issued a circular asking allstate forest departments to stop giving permission forany kind of research that entails ‘handling’ ofanimals (touching, holding or even wire-trippingthem for a camera shot). The ban was across forests,protected or otherwise, as well as across species. 1The fact is that wildlife research, unlike mostother research areas, is extremely dependent on thecooperation of the protected area administration, asall protected areas are controlled and access is onlythrough the bureaucracy in charge. Therefore,without any pre-agreed rules, the relationship ishighly dependent on the individuals concerned.Some researchers complain of the time it takes to getclearances for conducting research; some allegeharassment when their findings go against the forestdepartment, and still others speak of arbitrarydecisions to revoke permission for their work. Ofcourse, there are also those who contend that this isnot the case across the country.In his submission to the Tiger Task Force,