Rs 280-Cr Plan Focuses On Rehabilitation Of Sahyadri Villages Kolhapur: The state forest department has submitted the first detailed conservation plan for Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) to the Union ministry of environment and forest. The Rs 280-crore plan focuses on the rehabilitation of villages on the fringe of the reserve and 90% of the proposed funds have been earmarked for it. Sources said the ministry would study the plan and pass it on to the National Tiger Conservation Authority for the final approval. The forest department had set up the STR in the Western Ghats, making it the fourth tiger reserve in Maharasthra after Tadoba, Melghat and Pench. Recently, two more reserves, Nagzira Navegaon and Bor, were added to the list. The chief conservator of forests (Wildlife), Kolhapur division, N. Mohan Karnat, has prepared the conservation plan for the reserve that would come up in an area of 741 sq km spread across Satara, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur and Sangli districts. A 425 sq km-buffer zone has been added to the STR, taking the total project area to 1,165 sq km. The tiger reserve combines the Chandoli National Park and the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and focuses on the conservation of habitat, breeding of tigers, provide quality environment and ensure food and water availability for the animals. Karnat said, “We have submitted the conservation plan to the principal conservator of forest and wildlife recently. We need the help of local residents to give shape to the plan that includes habitat development of the wildlife, especially the tigers. In the plan, we have given detailed introduction of the geographical and environmental features of the area. The plan has mention of previous studies and research in the STR region. We have also proposed distribution of zones in the reserve. Considering the large area of the project, we have submitted a separate plan for the protection and security of the area.” At present, the total funds sanctioned for STR is Rs 1.10 crore, of which Rs 86 lakh are to be issued by the Centre. Budgetary provisions include strengthening of infrastructure in STR such as construction of protection camps with toilet blocks, solar fencing, purchase of camera traps, planting of fodder and fruit species, amenities to field staff providing utensils, trunks and digital cameras. The budget also proposed to create new waterholes, capacity building of field staff, training on user of GPS, camera trap and information regarding tiger monitoring, cleaning and lopping of unwanted species in meadows and de-silting of water holes The STR is expected to bring some positive changes in the economy of the region. The plan has highlighted the eco-tourism prospect of the region as well. The area, which lies in the Western Ghats, is already one of the favourite destinations of the tourist. “We have planned to assist the local communities to explore the opportunities. We have proposed eco-development projects that involve management of resources. The plan also focuses to reduce domestic animal grazing activities by helping the local communities buy hybrid cow and buffalo. This will also increase the earning potential of the communities,” Karnat said. The comprehensive plan is for the next 10 years and there are provisions for mid-term reviews. Of the Rs 280 crore, the officer said, Rs 250 crore have been earmarked for the rehabilitation of the villages coming under the STR’s jurisdiction. Altogether 32 villages from the Chandoli National Park and 12 from the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary are supposed to be shifted outside the STR. The rehabilitation for 29 villages from Chandoli and five from Koyna has started. The STR and the Radhangari Wildlife Sanctuary are adjoined by the Gaganbavda forest area. Radhanagari, too, has a rehabilitation issue of 52 villages, which the forest department is trying to resolve. Expert Views STR will certainly help the endangered species to survive. At the same time, it will assist local communities to enjoy the benefits of eco-tourism. This will improve the earnings of the villagers. There are a few villages situated in the core area of STR. If the plan gets an early approval, funds can be made available for their rehabilitation — Raman Kulkarni | HONORARY WILDLIFE WARDEN, KOLHAPUR People in the area will be benefited by the project. This is the first plan ever made, considering the topography of the Western Ghats. A tiger in Melghat or Tadoba travels within a periphery of 10-20 km. But in the Western Ghats, a tiger travels around 200 km because the area is stretched between the steep slopes of Konkan and hilly sections of Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara — Nana Khamkar | ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER, CREATIVE NATURE FRIENDS, KARAD, SATARA DISTRICT VOLUNTEERS Sahyadri Tiger Reserve Conservation Foundation (STRCF) has been constituted by the Kolhapur division. STRCF has obtained 80 (G) certificate from the Income Tax department, which means donations to STRCF will qualify for tax saving. The STRCF will be the tiger reserve’s community face in near future as people willing to join environmental work can function as volunteers Total Number of tigers in Kolhapur wildlife division: 9 Forts such as Vishalgad, Prachitgad and Bhairavgad are either in the core or the buffer area of STR Leopards, sloth bears, Indian gaurs, Indian giant squirrels, barking deer, blackbucks and mouse deer also found in the STR