Once the buffer zone is notified, mines will automatically not be permitted in the area. The 625 sq km TATR is proposed to have an additional buffer of over 1150 sq km that includes 79 villages. Notifying buffer around tiger reserves has become mandatory after September 4, 2006, amendment in Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Buffer areas with forest connectivity are imperative for tiger conservation as they foster tiger population. These areas also absorb poaching ‘shock’.

However, the state is not serious about notifying buffers. Forest minister Patangrao Kadam has called a meeting on February 25, in Chandrapur, to hear views of people representatives. The letter issued by the forest ministry on February 10 about the meeting doesn’t call it ‘public hearing’.

Yet, a section of forest officials, allegedly on behalf of by the mining lobby, are terming this as ‘public hearing’. It is being done to prompt opposition from villagers to the buffer zone. Actually, the process of consultation in all 79 villages in the proposed buffer has been done and people’s views have been submitted through a report to the committee on buffer.

The wildlife wing had promised to address their fuel wood and fodder issues through a comprehensive plan and finally the panel had recommended the buffer. Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation, an NGO working for tiger conservation in Central India, has strongly objected to such ‘public hearing’. He says ‘public hearing’ or ‘public consultation’ is conducted under the Environment Protection Act (EPA) 1986 for certain projects and TATR buffer does not fall under such projects.

“How can anybody call a ‘public hearing’ on this?” he asked. Rithe, who was also a member on the committee to notify buffer, has stated that TATR buffer has to be notified under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and not under the EPA, which needs a public hearing. Under WPA, the government can issue notification directly.

“We have already pointed out this delay to the forest secretary B P Pande in presence of union environment minister Jairam Ramesh during latter’s visit to Chandrapur last month,” Rithe said. Rithe felt arranging public hearing or public consultation again, may have legal implications.

“The possibility of some efforts by mining lobby to oppose the buffer by raising some irrelevant issues cannot be ruled out,” he apprehended. Sudhir Mungantiwar, BJP MLA from Ballarshah, agrees. “I’m not opposed to buffer. TATR buffer needs to be notified to keep mines away.

We have suffered a lot due to mining and people don’t want it. However, we want a written assurance from the state that even if buffer is notified, compensation towards cattle and human kills by tigers and damage to crop by wildlife will not be stopped. The government should also commit that villages coming in the buffer will be relocated in future,” Mungantiwar said.