Wildlife and Nature Conservation - Centre for Ecological Sciences

assistance from well-meaning NGO’s, institutions, organizations directly rather than onlythrough the department at the State level.In view of the fact that the conditions prevalent in different protected areas vary widelyand also change over time, it is essential that the precise tourism practices permitted inany area be decided after careful consideration of the local situation and then according toa written and approved tourism plan for the particular protected area. ‘The Tourism Plan’should be a distinct section of the ‘Protected Area Management Plan’. Tourism activities–those permitted and those prohibited- should therefore not be left to the whims of anindividual PA manager but should as a matter of policy be prescribed in the ManagementPlan and be known to all. If there has to be changes from time to time, they should bewell reasoned and not sudden.Tourism zones should be clearly defined. The Tourism Plan must also be revised andupdated periodically. No new tourist facilities and complexes be established where a 5km radius of a PA without the prior approval of the State Wildlife Board.Development around the protected area, particularly in the buffer zone, must be to protectthe eco-system and as far as possible to exert a centrifugal pressure on human populationsin the area. Steps that serve to attract a population to these sensitive areas are not in thelong-term interest of the PA.Tourism does not occur in Protected Areas alone but is also a feature of other forestedareas, particularly those located in mountains near hill stations, along trekking routes andaround water bodies. In such situations too the authorities must take steps to educate thepublic about being eco-sensitive, to avoid damaging natural flora and to ensure that thereis no fire hazard caused by their careless picnicking.There is an especial category of visitors to several protected areas that need particularattention. Pilgrimages to very well known and deeply revered sites impinge on severalprotected areas where literally thousands of pilgrims go to temples and other sites withinPAs. Fortunately, the biggest influx occurs annually on pre-determined anniversaries, sospecial arrangements can be made. Some of the best known are the annual pilgrimage toSabrimala in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, to the fort in Bandhavgarh by the Kabir Panthis,in Sariska to the ancient temples. Even in Ranthambore the temple in the fort on the hillattracts vast numbers of worshippers. Many, if not most PA’s have a temple associatedwith it and worshipers do want and need access. Keeping in mind the religious sentimentof the people and the long-standing tradition of allowing access, it is not practical to cutoffaccess to these sites. However, it is important that the park and forest authoritiesensure that traffic is regulated and the safety of both wildlife and pilgrims is ensured.Permitted periods and routes can be delineated and public awareness enhanced to makethe annual event eco-sensitive. Religious bodies and NGOs can be usefully harnessed tobe a force for conservation. The aim should be to not only protect the PA and wildlife,but to try and send back pilgrims as a force for conservation.9.10 Mitigating Man-Animal ConflictMan-animal conflict is going to be the most important issue that will threaten wildlife inIndia in the coming years. With over 60% of the world’s tigers, 65% of its elephants,80% of the Asian rhinos and 100% of Asian lions, the country is home to a large number130