Of Lions & Tigers

Facing stiff opposition from Gujarat, the Centre has made an offer to reintroduce tigers in the Dangs region of the state in exchange for Asiatic lions which it plans to relocate in Madhya Pradesh. Environment minister Jairam Ramesh said ,he had made an offer to reintroduce tigers in Dangs where the big cats ruled the jungles about 25 years ago. “I have suggested to Gujarat CM Narendra Modi that the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) will work to reintroduce tigers in the Dangs as an incentive for the state to part with its lions,’’ he said at a function to release a book. Gujarat has been opposing the Centre’s proposal to relocate Asiatic lions from Gir to a 300 sq km forest in MP’s Sheopur district. The matter is before the Supreme Court. Ramesh also said that the Centre had rejected an application by the Adani Group to set up a coal mine at Lohara near the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve to supply coal for its 1980 MW power plant in Gondia district of Maharashtra as it would destroy the flora and fauna. The Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary in Palakkad district of Kerala, home to some of the most endangered species of animals and birds, will be declared a tiger reserve on February 19 by Jairam Ramesh. It will be Kerala’s second tiger reserve after Thekkady and the country’s 39th, Kerala forest minister Binoy Viswam said. The Parambikulam sanctuary is tucked away in the valley between the Anamalai ranges of Tamil Nadu and the Nelliampathy ranges of Palakkad district in the Western Ghats. The reservoir harbours several varieties of aquatic fauna, including mugger crocodiles. The sanctuary, Viswam said, would have a core area of 390.88 square km and a buffer area of 252.77 square km coming under the Chalakkudy, Vazhachal and Nemmara forest divisions. The sanctuary also has some teak plantations, the history of which dates back to 1921. The last teak plantations in the area, according to the forest department, were raised in 1983. The minister said the government had taken steps to ensure that the work of the plantations was not affected on account of it being declared a tiger reserve. The Western Ghats are considered one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots in the world. The place is also popularly called ‘Nature’s own abode’ because of its natural beauty and is home to four indigenous tribal communities —Kadar, Malasar, Muduvar and Malamalasar.