4 more tiger reserves get the nod

The relatively unknown Rapa Pani sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, Sahyadri sanctuary in Maharashtra, Pilibhit sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh and Suna Beda in Orissa will be notified as tiger reserves. “These states had given proposals for becoming tiger reserves. We have given them the in-principle approval to create four new reserves. We have asked the states to send in detailed proposals,” says Rajesh Gopal, Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority.

Pilibhit, which often gets a tiger spillover population from Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, is reeling under poaching pressures. The other three sanctuaries, according to the Forest Department records, have a scattered tiger population. Becoming a tiger reserve will mean that the protected reserve will get funds under Project Tiger and will also have a dedicated Tiger Protection Force, for which a one-time allocation of Rs 50 crore was made under this year’s Budget. This force is dedicated to patrolling and vigilance over and above the vigil in protected areas by the Forest Department.