Royal Bengal Tiger

Wildlife Management in

Push from Below by KAUSIK CHAUDHURY The Forests of Buxa Tiger Reserve, previously known as Buxa Division, was uxa Tiger Reserve is situated managed with the intension of harvesting in sub-division of of timber to cater the raw materials of B Jalpaiguri District. The location industrialisation and other development is a confluence of three major bio- works. The first Working Plan prepared geographic zones viz. Lower Gangetic by William Schlich (1874-75 to 1905- Plains, Central and Bramhaputra 06) stressed on systematic management, Valley. Representation of multi-tier which graduated in the second Working vegetational assemblage from the plains Plan by C C Halt through prescribing: to an elevation of 1750 mts in the hills, “selection felling followed by natural coupled with a good number of perennial regeneration” for renewing the resource. water streams, enables this Reserve to E O Shebbear further improvised the be an excellent harbour for various wild management system. In the third Working animals. Plan (1920-21 to 1924-25) Shebbear

32 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 recommended which was used to be “artificial regeneration a subject of of clear felled areas indiscriminate felling by means of Taunga resulting into wasteland. Plantation”. 2. The process of It was for the first declaring the forest as time in the fourth ‘Reserved’ according Working Plan (1929- to the Indian Forest 30 to 1948-49) where Act (Act VIII of 1878) Homfray emphasised started in the year the need for 1879. The process maintenance and continued till 1940. improvement of the 3. Thus the forests savannah areas to of Buxa were formed provide habitat for rich over an area of 758.78 grassland. However, Sq Kms vide such recommendation Government of ’s was widely applied in Notification No. J- the forest areas where 11025/18/B/FRY(PT) presently Jaldapara dated 16.02.1983. Wildlife Sanctuary is Subsequently, 2.09 Sq situated. In the fifth Kms resumed tea Working Plan (1945- garden forest land was 46 to 1964-65), A rare species of bird transferred by the Jaldapara Wildlife district magistrate, Sanctuary was kept under a separate Game Jalpaiguri, in 1989. Thus total area of Buxa Sanctuary Working Circle to preserve and Tiger Reserve became 760.87 Sq. Kms. improve the existing stock of indigenous 4. The forests of Buxa became a Tiger fauna. In the sixth (1965-66 to 1974-75) Reserve in 1983. and the seventh (1975-76 to 1984-85) 5. An area of 314.52 Sq Kms was declared Working Plan, no special stress was given as Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary in 1986. In on wildlife except for the creation of Protection the year 1990, a further 54.47 Sq Kms Working Circle where no felling was was added. Thus the area of Sanctuary prescribed. This Working Circle was created became 386.07 Sq Kms. for the protection of steep hill slopes and 6. In 1997, an area of 117.10 Sq Kms of headwater of streams. Extraction of forest the Sanctuary was notified as National produce was limited. However, during these Park. Thus the area of Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary two plan periods, a vast area (5300 ha) reduced down to 268.97 Sq Kms. in the plains within this Reserve was converted 7. Eastern Elephant Reserve was into Teak. formed with an area of 977.51 Sq Kms Meanwhile, in 1983, the Buxa Tiger Reserve involving Jalpaiguri, Wildlife II, Wildlife was constituted. The Management Plan after III divisions and Buxa Tiger Reserve Circle creation of Tiger Reserve emphasised on vide Notification No. 3293-For/11B-19/2000 identifying the limiting factors of the habitat dated 28.08.2002 for the purpose of and reduce those factors through ameliorative protecting, containing and developing wildlife management and compulsory development (elephant) and its environment. Most of by means of intensive anti-poaching, fire the area of Buxa Tiger Reserve was kept protection, elimination of cattle grazing, either under core or buffer area. eradication of weeds, soil conservation 8. Recently, 459.13 Sq Kms area has been measures, relocation of human habitation notified as Critical Tiger Habitat of Buxa inside the Core area. Tiger Reserve vide Notification No. 6027- Chronology of Events For dated 18.12.2007 where some buffer 1. In 1866, the state forest department areas came under Critical Tiger Habitat undertook the forests of Buxa Tiger Reserve, Zone and some core areas were de-notified.

WEST BENGAL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 33 Vegetational Status tigris), Leopard of Buxa Tiger (Panthera pardus), Reserve Buxa Tiger Reserve (Neofelis nebulosa), is a forest of multi- Hog badger tier vegetational (Arctonyx collaris), assemblage. The most Jungle cat (Felis common species chaus), Leopard cat found within the (Felis bengalensis), forests are as follows: Fishing cat (Felis In the Plains: Sal viverrina), Wild dog () Leopard (Cuon alpinus), Jackal along with its (Canis aureus), associates viz. Champ (Michelia champaca), Mangoose (Herpestes edwardsi), Fox Chilaune (Schima wallichi), Chikrasi (Vulpes bengalensis). (Chukrasia tabularis), Bahera (Terminalia Among herbivores, predominants are belerica), Sidha (Lagerstroemia parviflora), (Elephus maximus), Toon (Toona ciliata), Lali (Amoora wallichi), (Bos gaurus), Sambhar (Cervus unicolor), Lasuni (Aphanomixis polostachea), Lampati (Axis axis), Barking deer (Muntiacus (Duabanga grandiflora), Simul (Bombax muntjac), Hog deer (Axis porcinus), Wild ceiba). pig (Sus scrofa) and In the adjoining area of rivers Simul, (Caprophagus hispidus). Sisoo and Sirish are commonly found. Many other animals like Porcupine (Hystrix In the Hills: Katus (Castanopsis indica), indica), Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulata), Mandane (Artocarpus fraxinifolius), Common Pangolin (Manis crassiculata) are Bhalukath (Talauma hodgsoni), Phalame also frequently in these forests. (Walsura tabulata) associated with Kimbu Varieties of fishes are present in the (Morus laevigata ), Panisaj (Terminalia rivers and streams flowing inside the microcarpa), Gokul (Ailanthus grandis). forest, most commonly found are Chela, Savanah Woodlands: Savannah Boroli, Puti, Hum, Boal, Mrigel, Kalbaus, woodlands are characterised by Kumbhi Chital, Sole etc. (Careya arborea), Tantari (Dellenia Among reptiles tortoise, lizards, gecko, pentagyna), Jamun (Syzium cumini) and various kinds of snakes such as King Kul (Zizyphus sp.) kobra, Russel Viper, Black Crait, Indian Forage Availability to Herbivores: Python and reticulated Python are found The presence of wide variety of grass, in this region. herbs and shrubs enrich the fodder Avifauna of Buxa Tiger Reserve adds resources of the forest. The grasses mostly to the richness of Bio-diversity. The preferred by the Wild Herbivores are important ones are Indian Jungle Maina, Imperata cylindrica, Arundo donax, Indian Magpie Robin, Common Red Jungle Themeda arundinacea, Phragmites karka, Fowl, Peafowl, Indian Pied Hornbill. Around Paspalidium punctuatum, Panicum maxima, water pools, water birds such as Snake Seteria glauca, Oryza sp., Saccharum bird, Grey heron, Little egret, Paddy bird, sp., Andropogon sp., Thysanolana sp. Cattle egret are often met with. Faunal Varieties in Buxa Tiger Reserve Moreover, various kinds of Orchids and With the abundance of dense forests Butterflies adore the Bio-diversity of the providing enough cover, plentiful of forages Reserve. and fruits as food for herbivores and Problem Related to Habitat consequently a large prey base for the Management carnivores and perennial rivers and streams The faunal variety of Buxa Tiger Reserve dissecting the Reserve, the area is a faces various difficulties to spread over suitable habitat for Wild animals. the entire Reserve, thus limiting their The main carnivores of Buxa Tiger presence in some pockets. The limiting Reserve include Indian Tiger (Panthera factors for wild animals are as follows:

34 WEST BENGAL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 Spotted deer

1. Hunting and Poaching: Poaching of below beyond 23rd mile ( Zone) Tigers was quite prevalent in India. Since runs underneath the riverbed where the imposition of ban on hunting Tigers in 1970, maximum area of the Reserve is located incidence of poaching of Tigers had remarkably (north of 23rd mile). Moreover there reduced. Poaching incidence of Elephants, are 4 water pools within the Reserve , Leopards are also less. (Narathali, Pukuri, Phaskhawa and Adma 2. Illicit Felling and Collection of Pokhri), which are insufficient. NWFP: Illicit felling and collection of 5. Conversion of Natural Forests to NWFP by and large occurs in Buxa Tiger Monoculture: Natural habitats were Reserve. Such incidence occurs mainly in the outskirts of the Reserve near converted to Teak and Jarul (monoculture) settlement and tea gardens, affecting plantations in many areas of Reserve the habitat adversely. like Sankosh, , Bholka, Rydak, 3. Shifting of River Courses: The Dima, , Santrabari, Bhutri, recurrent flood in the flood plains of river Bharnabari, and Gudamdabri blocks as Sankosh, Rydak, Jainty, Bala, Dima and well as in National Park areas during Basra during the monsoon destroys wildlife the sixth and the seventh Working Plan habitat. Trees, boulders etc are carried period before formation of Buxa Tiger down and get stuck at places and form Reserve. Teak and Jarul plantations occupy barrier. This barrier sometimes gradually 34% of total plantation of the Tiger Reserve, enlarges and acts like partial dams. The which is not congenial for wild animals. courses of the streams and rivers are Natural carrying capacity of the habitat diverted with the consequent erosion of is reduced considerably on account of banks. such adverse changes. 4. Scarcity of Water: The rising of riverbed as a consequence of siltation 6. Grazing: Grazing by cattle inside the Tiger has absence or flow of water in the streams Reserve is a serious problem as it reduces and rivers during dry season (December the availability of fodder to the wild to April). Though surface flow of water herbivores and exposes them to the risk of is available in the hills and very far cattle born diseases.

WEST BENGAL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 35 7. Diseases: Wild animals, particularly the Management Plan in Buxa Tiger Reserve herbivores, are very susceptible to diseases, The entire area of Buxa Tiger Reserve is most of which are transmitted through marked into four separate zones for domestic cattle. So, grazing not only separate management practices depending degrades the habitat but also increases the on the needs of habitat improvement as well chance of transmitting many diseases to wild as biotic pressure. animals. Anthrax, Rinderpest, Foot and Wilderness Zone: The entire National Park Mouth disease, Tuberculosis etc are the and a part of the Sanctuary is included in common diseases, which usually kill the wild this Zone extending over an area of 126.34 animals. Sq Kms involving Jainty, East Rajabhatkhawa, 8. Roads, Railways and Transmission West Rajabhatkhawa, Buxaduar, North Rydak Line: A number of PWD roads, including a and Kumargram Ranges. National Highway, NH 31C, pass through the Objectives of Management Buxa Tiger Reserve. The meter gauge railway 1. To preserve this zone in as near natural line from Damanpur to , which has condition as possible. been graduated to broad gauge railway line, 2. To maintain natural courses of natural passes through the Reserve. Over years the succession. roads and railway line have become very Strategies followed in this Zone busy. The number of vehicles and trains 1. Natural Forest in this zone is strictly plying during night has increased by many preserved. times. Consequently, wild animal death cases 2. Improvement and protection works are due to accidents have also increased. In carried out for the purpose of: (a) addition, a major threat is the construction maintenance of roads and firelines and (b) of a road all through the hills. The proposed Construction and maintenance of Artificial Tala-Rydak road will further dissect the Water holes. continuous undisturbed forest patch of Buxa 3. Boundary demarcation are carried out and Tiger Reserve and the forests of . This and staff amenities are provided only to the is a threat to the stabilisation of hill slopes extent required for protection of this zone. encouraging landslide, de-forestation and 4. Grazing and fire are strictly prohibited in vehicular pollution. Debris released from this zone. these activities is still silting up rivers of BTR 5. No vehicular movement except for protection making them prone to frequent floods. duties shall be permitted in this zone. 9. Forest Village: Forest villages 6. No collection of NTFP is permitted in this zone. constructed long ago within various pockets 7. Only limited use for scientific and research falling in the core area of Buxa Tiger Reserve purpose. acts as a limiting factor. The population of Habitat Management Zone: Most of the all forest villages has increases considerably, blocks falling within the Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary which also destroys wildlife habitat. 12 forest are included under this Zone. The total area villages and two FD holdings are located of this zone is 260.37 Sq. Kms. This zone within the notified sanctuary. extends over Kumargram, North Rydak, South 10. Invasion of Weeds: Eupatorium sp., Rydak, Jainty, Buxaduar, East Rajabhatkhawa, Clerodendron sp. and ferns are the major Pana and Hamiltonganj Ranges. weeds and Mikania is the main climber Objectives of Management affecting forests and plantation. 1. Manage the habitat in such a way that 11. Degradation of Grasslands: The encourages wildlife population, particularly savannah grasslands within the Reserve is the prey-base for large carnivores. situated in the flood plain of the rivers Rydak, 2. Preserve natural forests and other critical Sankosh, Jainty, Bala, Dima and Basra. Trees habitats. like Sisoo, Simul, Sirish are gradually Strategies followed in this Zone invading them. Grasslands were also 1. Protection given against illicit felling, converted in the past into monocultures of poaching, grazing, fire etc. teak, Jarul etc in Bholka block. Grasslands 2. Habitat improvement works like canopy within BTR have also degraded on account opening in teak forests followed by fodder of grazing and fire. plantation, thinning of plantations, eradication

36 WEST BENGAL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 An elephant herd of weeds from glades and wetlands, soil and Multiple Use Zone, have been included conservation, etc. are performed. in this zone. This zone extends over Bholka, 3. Developmental works including repairing South Rydak, Nimati, Pana, Hamiltongunj, of road, creation and maintenance of East Damanpur, West Damanpur, East firelines, maintenance of glades, water holes Rajabhatkhawa and West Rajabhatkhawa and salt licks, provision of staff amenities Ranges. The zone extends to 373.16 Sq. etc. are done. Kms. 4. Selective and restricted eco-development Objectives of Management activities are carried out in forest villages 1. To preserve the natural forest. and F.D. holding hamlets. 2. To meet the demand of people for fuel 5. Restricted tourism is allowed within the wood, fodder, NWFP and timber etc. tourism zone without jeopardizing the 3. To provide adequate employment to forest interests of Wildlife. villagers and members of the FPC and EDC 6. Collection of NTFP is restricted in terms through forestry works, NTFP collection and of the provisions of The Wildlife eco-development activities. (Protection) Act, 1972 and Govt. Orders 4. To create congenial habitat for wildlife by for Eco-Development Committee. planting suitable fodder and fruit trees of 7. Limited extraction of cyclone damaged indigenous origin and by protecting and timber and drift timber is done to remove maintaining wildlife corridors. blockades from streams, reduce fire hazards Strategies followed in this Zone and discourage timber smugglers. 1. Final harvesting of matured plantations 8. Removal of boulders and bed materials are carried out followed by replanting of the from middle one-thirds of river beds are felled area during next year. allowed in some identified areas to maintain 2. Cultural and Mechanical thinning of the course of river, keeping the river bank plantations are carried out as per thinning on both sides undisturbed. schedule. Multiple Use Zone: All the remaining 3. Reforestation of degraded areas is blocks not included under Wilderness Zone undertaken.

WEST BENGAL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 37 4. Developmental 3. Making habitat works including road conditions suitable for repairing, target species. maintenance of fire 4. Raising local lines, creation and palatable and nutritive maintenance of staff fodder grasses, amenities etc. are shrubs and fruit trees carried out. to increase the quality 5. Eco-Developmental of degraded habitats. activities are carried The following out in forest villages, habitat improvement F.D. holding hamlets, Peacock works are done. FPCs and EDCs. (1) Canopy Opening Tourism Zone: This zone comprises 11 Sq. in Teak Plantations followed by Habitat Kms. of Rajabhatkhawa, Jainty, Buxaduar Improvement Plantation: In Buxa Tiger and Bhutanghat blocks overlapping with the Reserve, old congested teak plantation as Habitat Management Zone and the Multiple seen in abundance in Habitat Management Use Zone. Zone, which is not favourable to wild animals Objectives of Management as it does not allow bushy undergrowth and 1. To promote conservation awareness middle storey to provide adequate cover. among the visitors and local people through Dense canopy allows very little light to the nature education and interpretation. ground, thus inhibiting growth of light 2. To regulate tourism in a manner that demanding species of browse value for ensures the visit of tourists enjoyable, ungulates. Consequently, congested teak educative and compatible with the goals of plantations harbour relatively low density of conservation. herbivores. Thus opening of canopy in 3. To minimize the negative impact of tourism. congested teak plantation is done. 4. To provide economic benefits to the local The process of Canopy Opening is done communities through tourism activities. by following certain procedures. At a time, Strategies followed in this Zone: 5-10 ha dense teak plantation is taken up. 1. In the Reserve, 11 Sq Kms area has been The plots are laid in staggered fashion to identified for Tourism Zone, which covers minimise disturbance to wild animals. Plots SRVK-15 &16, NRVK-6, BTG-2, TBGN-4 and are located in plain terrain, at least 50 mts NRT-2 compartments. away from perennial streams/rivers. Around 2. Interpretation Centre at Rajabhatkhawa 100 trees/ha are retained. Marked trees are provides of sorts of information about the felled from September/October and Reserve. In addition a museum is created completed within February. To discourage the at Buxaduar for demonstration and growth of coppice shoots, the stump is depiction of Historical events of Buxa along battered. Opened up areas are planted in with its surroundings and cultures of local the following monsoon with indigenous Dukpas. fodder plants, shrubs, bamboos and fruit 3. Accommodation felicities are available at bearing trees viz. Amla, Bahera, Chalta, various locations for the Tourists. Kumbhi, Gujalahara, Arare kanta etc. grasses 4. Eco-Tourism guides are stationed at Jainty like Dhadda, Chepti, Malsa and bamboos like and Rajabhatkhawa, who are engaged for Bambusa arundinacea, Dendrocalamus safari within the tourism zone. hamiltoni etc. After plantation subsequent Habitat Improvement Plan maintenance by weeding, cleaning and Habitat improvement works in the Reserve beating up of blank areas is done regularly is done especially in Habitat Management as per schedule- 1st year-3 weeding/ Zone, based on following considerations. cleaning, 2nd and 3rd year- 2 weeding/ 1. Preserving and increasing bio-diversity cleaning and 4th Year-1 weeding/cleaning. and interspersion of habitat. (2) Habitat improvement plantation in 2. Protection of habitat against all factors degraded areas: This operation is done in causing degradation. both in Habitat Management Zone and

38 WEST BENGAL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 Parrot

Multiple Use Zone. The areas, which are retaining 4-5 snags per ha. Fruit species degraded due to intensive biotic pressure, especially Zizyphus and Ficus are retained. are taken up for plantation. The choice of This management practice is not followed species to be planted is guided by Working as prescribed due to biotic pressure and Plan based on soil condition. The spacing grazing. maintained is 2mtx2mt fruit species does not (5) Maintenance of glades and salt licks: The exceed 10 per cent of the total stock and operation is applicable in Habitat Management are not planted in pure lines. Bamboos are Zone and Eco-Tourism Zone. The planted in grooves scattered uniformly over maintenance of glades and salt licks are done the plantation area. by weeding of unwanted weeds (Lantana, (3) Canopy manipulation for creating Mikania etc.) twice a year in all glades. congenial habitat for Wildlife: Canopy of Fodder grasses like Dhadda, Malsa, Chepti, younger plantations are manipulated Banspati, and Purundi are planted in blank regularly to create congenial habitat for wild patches and maintained subsequently. Rock animals, which is carried out in Habitat salts are provided on the mounds at regular Management Zone only. It is needed for interval. removal of congestion for easy movement (6) Maintenance of artificial and natural of wild animals. waterholes: A vast area in Buxa Tiger (4) Maintenance of grasslands and meadows: Reserve (north of 23rd mile) lies within The operation is restricted to Habitat bhabar tract, where water becomes scarce Management Zone only where grasslands during the lean period (December to April). exist. In Buxa Tiger Reserve, natural Most of the water holes within this tract are grasslands exists mostly in all along river provided with water through pipeline from banks of Bala, Jainty, Dima and Basra rivers. the stream. Some are filled-in with water The grassland mainly consists of Saccharam manually. Domestic livestock is controlled sp., Imperata cylindrical and Desmodium from coming to these waterholes. bipinata. The need of the maintenance is to (7) Maintenance of Natural Wetlands: The cut woody encroachment on a 5-year cycle, natural water holes (at Narathali-2,

WEST BENGAL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 39 Tashigaon-2, to collect boulders and Phaskhawa-3 and bed materials from Santrabari-1) consist middle one-thirds of water throughout the the river bed within year. Tashigaon-2, the Reserve in some Phaskhawa-3 and identified areas for Santrabari-1 de-siltation and waterbodies are increase the river located in hill tracts depth. This can where tortoise and restrict the flood

turtles reside. Hence Goral water to overflow and these are protected (Mount Goat) strike on the banks of from being hunted. river and streams. The wetland at Narathali is important for water Since February 2006, boulders and bed birds and other acquatic fauna. The portion materials are permitted to collect by the (50%) of the beel (waterbody) is cleaned various government departments and every year in a staggered manner by manual government undertakings for development removal of pistia and water hyacinth. Adequate purpose. protection is provided against hunting, fishing (3) Removal of drift timber from rivers/ and unauthorized cattle grazing. streams: At times, drift timber blocks the (8) Maintenance of special habitats like normal course of rivers/streams, which then snags, dens, caves and overhangs: This change its course and breaks one side of strategy is applicable in all management the bank by its overflows. Hence, minimum plan zones. Snags around 3-5 in a hectare quantity of drift timber from the Habitat above 5mt height and 20 cms DBH are Management Zone is extracted to remove retained for use by woodpeckers, barbets, the blockade from the river course. hornbills and small mammals. 2-5 down Protection Measures woods (above 2mt and 20 cms diameter Above all, protection measures ought to be at the big end) should be retained per ha. paramount to protect the forests and wildlife. for providing shelter to various life forms Hence, following measures are taken. such as soil bacteria, fungi, mollusks, (1) Patrolling: Extensive patrolling is done anthropoids, amphibians and small on foot, elephant back and vehicle to counter mammals. All the dens, caves and poaching activities and illegal felling. The overhangs are protected and undisturbed river camps are maintained at Rydak, as hare, mouse, pangoline, mongoose and Gholani throughout the year to check passing other nocturnal animals stay there. of drift timber. In addition, patrolling is done Habitat Restoration works by boat specifically during rainy season. The restoration works are done by various Elephants are used for patrolling ‘difficult to means in order to protect the habitat from access’ areas. destruction by natural calamities and other (2) Strengthening communication network: means. Communication between all stations is done (1) Bank Protection and river training works: by fixed RT sets. Moreover, handsets are used These works are done in the anticipated during patrolling to communicate between the vulnerable portion of river banks and patrolling parties and nearest Forest Station. streams by means of sassuage works and (3) Maintenance of forest roads and patrolling construction of spur. This enables protection path: To combat poaching and illegal felling of the river and stream banks during flash fast communication is necessary. Hence, floods in the rainy season. forest roads and patrolling paths are cleaned (2) Removal of boulders and bed material for easy movement of vehicle and patrolling from river beds: Though it was prohibited parties. to collect boulders and bed materials from (4) Providing firearms: Firearms are essential National Park and Sanctuaries as per Forest to combat poachers and smugglers and for Conservation Act, 1980, special permission self-protection by the staffs. Each forest unit has been accorded from the Supreme Court is equipped with firearms.

40 WEST BENGAL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 a rare species of reptile

(5) Organising raid programme: In Buxa Rehabilitation Programme Tiger Reserve frequent raid programmes A proposal has recently come up with a are organised in villages, rivers and trains package for relocation/rehabilitation of villages based on reliable information. coming under Critical Tiger Habitat of all Tiger (6) Control on sawmills: It is very essential Reserves in India. National Tiger Conservation to regulate illegally running sawmills and Authority has come up with such proposal. The furniture shops to protect forest assets. proposed package has two options: The respective inspectors sometimes Option I: Payment of entire package amount (Rs 10 lakh per family) to the in case suddenly verify the stock of sawmills the family opts so, without involving any to control the entrance of illegal timber. rehabilitation/relocation process by forest (7) Establishment of intelligence network: department. Intelligence network is widely spread Option II: Carrying out relocation/ throughout Buxa Tiger Reserve for rehabilitation of village from Critical Tiger gathering information on illegal works Habitat by the forest department. related to Forests and Wildlife. The system At present the process has been initiated of paying rewards to informers on the in Adma, , Gangutia, 28th Mile basis of guidelines provided by Basti, 29th Mile Basti, Newlands and (vide its Circular Kumargram forest villages and Jainty FD no. 24-1/88-WL-1, dated 29.08.1888 to Holding to bring under this package. This will all CWLWs and Forest Secretaries) is certainly benefit the wild animals to move followed. freely without any disturbances. The problem (8) Creation of Tiger Protection Force: of grazing will be no more. Moreover, it will As per latest guideline by newly formed add to the serenity of the forests enabling National Tiger Conservation Authority, a better habitat for the wild animals. formation of Tiger Protection Force in Buxa Tiger Reserve is under process. With the formation of this Force, protection The author is assistant field director, Buxa measures will certainly gain impetus. Tiger Reserve.

WEST BENGAL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 41