If the census reports are to be believed, the wildlife, particularly the tiger is in danger in Jharkhand. The census report says that the population of tigers, cheetals, sambhars, ass and other animals has declined in the recent years. The tiger population which once stood at 62 in the State has now reduced to 38. In the same way, the population of other animals has also declined.
The Palamau Tiger Reserve which comes under Betla National Park was started in 1974 with tiger population of 22 and in 1984 the total tiger population in the reserve was 62. In the next 20 years, the tiger population declined by 24 and the 2002 nation-wide tiger census report claims the tiger population to be just 38. Even the state animal Husbandry Department (HRD) census had put the tiger number between 36 and 40. But the most interesting part of the tiger population in the reserve is that tourists spot only one tigress. The forest department reportedly registered two cases of poaching in 1990, three in 1991, four in 1992, one in 1993, four in 1995.
The State Government Animal Husbandry Department conducted a census of animals in 2003. In the 2003 census report, the population of cheetal was 16,384 against 20,186 of the 1997 census report. Sambhara population in 2003 was 3,052 against the 3,415 in 1997, number of langoors declined from 76,561 to 44,920. The population of ass, the workhorse of washer men has also declined sharply. Earlier, the ass were seen every where, but now its population is less than 50 in the State. Earlier, it was counted in thousands.
According to forest department officials, the rising incident of Maoist activity has caused the decline of the animal population. "Foresters often avoid to move out in deep forests. The Betla Reserve forest, spread over 1,026 sq km is totally under the grip of Maoist terrorists," said a forest department official. The Maoist threat could be assessed from the fact that more than half a dozen forest officials have been killed and more than 15 forest department guest houses have been blasted by the Maoist Guerrillas in last four years.
The forest department is gearing up for census report of tigers. The census of tiger population is conducted every four years. The last census report was conducted in 2001-2002. The next census will begin by the end of this year. The population of tigers is counted through their pug marks and sightings. The State forest department has decided to use camera to keep a vigil on the tigers and count their numbers. The camera will be fitted at places like the water source from where the tigers drink water. With an eye on protecting the animals, particularly tigers and elephants, Jharkhand forest department will set up a wildlife crime cell.
The decision to set up wildlife crime cell was taken after reports of poaching of animals and dwindling population of tigers in the State came to light. Sariska report has asked the authorities to wake up before it is too late. The Wildlife Crime Cell will authorise the authorities to take strict and prompt action against the offenders. The nature of the wildlife cell will be decided very soon.
