New Delhi, Dec. 12: Rajasthan government has been firmly told by the Union ministry of environment and forests that unless the state government takes all the necessary steps as suggested by the ministry under the tiger recovery strategy and for tiger conservation, no tiger will be reintroduced in Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary. Sources in the ministry said, the state government has been repeatedly asked by the Prime Minister’s Office, as well as by the ministry to implement the suggestions, but the state government is yet to implement them in the Sariska Tiger Reserve, which unfortunately is left with no tigers due to poaching.
The latest letter sent by the ministry to the state government has clearly mentioned that though the ministry has agreed in-principle to reintroduce tigers in Sariska, it will be done only when the six major suggestions, which are prerequisite for reintroduction of this big cat are met.
But sources said that the state government wants tigers from Ranthambore Reserve to be introduced in Sariska, which the ministry is totally against.
"It is important to address the issues which have largely contributed to the local extinction of tigers in Sariska before reintroduction can be taken up. We will proceed on this matter only after hearing from you," reads the letter sent by the ministry to the state government.
Sources said that the Raje government is yet to constitute a buffer zone around the core area of Sariska and Ranthambore — required under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 — which is an integral part of tiger management.
Also, regularisation of pilgrims visit to Pandupol temple, within the Sariska Reserve, is yet to be addressed by the state government.
"You just can’t pick tigers from Ranthambore and leave them in Sariska in the name of active tiger management. You couldn’t save tigers then, how can you protect them now when you haven’t made any changes for their protection," said a senior official of the ministry.
