“There will be no forest fires in the 900 sq. km. of the sanctuary because of beedi leaf collection being barred. This activity actually generated a lot of disturbance within the forest area causing loss of habitat and degradation of environment,” points out Jannaram Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) N. Vidyasagar Rao.

It is a well known fact that beedi leaf contractors burn vast stretches in the forest during this season. These fires may result in pruning of the tendu plant, but destroy much of the nascent vegetation and reptiles in the process.

Land acquisition

The Forest Department has proposed relocation of the 75 families of Gond and Naikpod tribes from Dongapalli and Alinagar villages in Jannaram forest range. A little over 300 acres of patta land under cultivation by these families is proposed to be acquired by the government.

“These are the only human habitations within a large stretch inside the sanctuary. Relocation is proposed to do away with damage to the pristine core forest area.

In addition, it will also curb spread of diseases among wild animals propagated through diseased cattle that graze in the forests,” adds Mr. Vidyasagar Rao, about the rationale of shifting Dongapalli and Alinagar.

Check on cattle

As an allied feature of this proposal, a ban on grazing of cattle in the buffer zone of the sanctuary is also in order. Forest officials will also control movement of the Rabari pastoralists who own huge herds of sheep that cause a lot of depletion of fodder from the jungles.

Much of the planned development in the Kawwal sanctuary during the current financial year however, has remained a non-starter due to lack of funds.

Fund release

The government should release the Rs. 37 lakh sanctioned under the Central-sponsored scheme for integrated development of wild habitat for anti-poaching activity and infrastructure development for promotion of eco tourism.