THE MONSOON has set in and the real challenge of saving tigers from poachers in the country's vast jungles has begun. The rainy season is considered the "best" for poaching; the forest areas become inaccessible and the presence of forest guards is minimum.

This year the challenge is even more serious. Vanishing tiger populations have drawn enough national and international attention. The test now is to prevent further damage.

Government allocations

The Ministry of Environment and Forests recently announced more than Rs. 68 lakh for several tiger reserves for deployment of home guards and involving the local population in tiger protection during the rainy season. However, there are no specific guidelines on how the fund is to be utilised.

An amount of Rs. 12 lakh was sanctioned for the Sariska tiger reserve (where there are no tigers left), Rs. 17 lakh for Ranthambhore which still has some big cats, and Rs. 3.45 lakh and Rs. 2 lakh for Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh and Palamau in Jharkhand.

The last two named fall under Naxalite-affected areas allowing little accessibility to forest guards and security personnel.

There are standing instructions to intensify patrolling in identified "vulnerable" areas and the guards are asked not to leave their posts unless absolutely necessary. But what has not been specified is how to confront a sophisticatedly armed poacher.

The average age of a forest guard is 53 years, he is unarmed and lacks basic facilities such as lighting equipment and communication network. Compounding the problem is an acute shortage of manpower; there have been no recruitments for about a decade now. Many of those recruited as guards are ad hoc appointments.

Keeping these issues in mind, the Central Bureau of Investigation in its presentation before the Prime Minister last week, sought creation of a specialised forest force. The force, the CBI said, should be empowered, well-trained, and well-equipped to face the challenge posed by poachers. It cited the example of Tanzania where helicopters are used for patrolling and the forest guards carry AK-47s.

Equally important would be amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 to make it as stringent as the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, denying bail until acquittal.

Another suggestion is to calibrate punishment, making it stringent if the offence was committed more than once.

Pending wildlife cases

The arrest of Sansar Chand — often referred to as the "Veerappan of the North" — has drawn the attention of the authorities towards the delay in deciding cases under the Wildlife Protection Act. There are about 200 wildlife cases pending in Delhi courts alone.

It has also been suggested to decide all wildlife cases in fast track courts.

While the Centre awaits the recommendations of the tiger task force that is to give its report later this month, one can only hope that the State Forest Departments take necessary steps to keep the local "Sansar Chands" at bay.