Include leftout areas in Rajaji buffer zone, NTCA to state

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 17

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has taken a strong exception to delay in declaring various forest ranges that forms periphery of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand as buffer zone of the reserve. 

The body working for the conservation of tiger at the national level has sought the prompt buffer zone status for Kotdwar, Duggada, Kotri and Laldhang ranges that encircle the Rajaji reserve. 

The body has threatened with blocking the release of budget provided to the reserve if action is not taken immediately.

Taking into account its immense tiger potential, the Rajaji National Park was converted into the Rajaji Tiger Reserve in 2014 with much fanfare. Then it was decided that the reserve would include 820 square kilometre of the area that was earlier known as the Rajaji park and also another 300 kilometers on its periphery that will be the buffer zone of the reserve. Though a few ranges of Lansdowne and Haridwar forest divisions were included in the buffer zone, some other ranges were left due to the presence of the populated areas that will have to be shifted elsewhere. 

This annoyed the NTCA which has directed the state to immediately include these leftout ranges in the reserve or else be prepared for a curb in the budget. 

Chief Wildlife Warden DVS Khati admitted that the state Forest Department has received a letter for prompt inclusion of Kotdwar, Duggada, Kotri and Laldhang ranges in the reserve and asserted that matter had been brought to the notice of the higher authorities in the departments. 

‘Include or be prepared for budget cut’

• The Rajaji National Park was converted into the Rajaji Tiger Reserve in 2014
• It was decided that the reserve would include 300 km on its periphery that will be the buffer zone of the reserve
• Though a few ranges of Lansdowne and Haridwar forest divisions were included in the buffer zone, some other ranges were left
• This NTCA has directed the state to immediately include these leftout ranges in the reserve or else be prepared for a curb in the budget