The state forest department is trying to kill two birds with one stone. To deter poaching, illegal tree felling and grazing in the buffer zone of the Pench wildlife sanctuary, the authorities have begun a unique experiment where tourism and increased footfalls would be used to deter intrusions into the protected areas.
On an experimental basis, the authorities would allow tourists to take part in guided foot patrolling, machan watch tourism (during summers) and vehicle patrolling. The revenue earned from the initiative would be ploughed back into the local community from where guides would also be selected, so that they are involved in the conservation effort and collude with poachers.
"This would act as a protection mechanism against poaching. Poachers would not enter the forest areas due to the presence of people. It will also provide employment for the locals," MS Reddy, chief conservator of forests and field director of the Pench Tiger Project, told dna, adding that this was the first time that the experiment was being tried out in Maharashtra.
Otherwise, night time movement is not allowed in the forest. "We do not have sufficient vehicles and staff. So, we are encouraging more people to come to the area," Reddy said, adding that "people will enjoy moving around in the forest at night as it would enable them to witness nocturnal life."
The pilot project will be undertaken in the Nagalwadi range, which is part of the buffer zone of the tiger project. This range, coupled with the Pavni range, together cover 202 sq km area of the buffer zone, and sees illegal tree felling, grazing of animals and poaching. The Nagalwadi range was handed over to the reserve from the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) in April, 2015.
Located at a distance of around 70km from Nagpur, the tiger reserve — which was declared as India's 25th reserve in 1999 — has a 257.26 sq km core area bordering Madhya Pradesh and a 483.96 sq km buffer zone. It also has an eco-tourism area.
The reserve — which has 21 tigers, 33 species of mammals, over 160 bird species, reptiles, fishes and amphibians — is an important corridor between the forest areas of Madhya Pradesh (Pench Tiger Reserve) and Nagzira-Navegaon and Tadoba- Andhari Tiger Reserves in Maharashtra.
Patrolling on foot in the jungles during the night and afternoon will be a unique experience for tourists and enable them to see bio-diversity as against travelling by vehicle in forest areas, wherein they can sight only big animals. The tourists will be accompanied by forest guards and guides on these trails.
The machans in the forests are otherwise used once a year for wildlife counting. Now, tourists would be able to use them seven times a month, i.e. during full moon nights and three days before and after it to sight animals from February 15 to June 15. Tourists will also be able to travel with forest guards in vehicles at night and the wee hours of the morning for patrolling.
However, to prevent poachers from infiltrating as tourists and prevent unruly behavior, the department has taken a series of measures like restricting numbers, allowing small batches, taking identity proofs, making it mandatory for visitors to register at least four days in advance and giving priority to people and NGOs working for conservation.
The use of liquor, narcotics, cigarettes, tobacco and search lights, gutkha, mobiles will also be banned, though binoculars would be allowed.
"Our forest guards will accompany them, which will prevent activities like drinking. Vehicles will also be checked," said Reddy.
Part of the funds generated will be given to the guides, who will be locals, while the remaining amount will be ploughed back into the local gram samiti and the Pench Tiger Conservation Foundation.
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