| THE STATE OF THE TIGER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indrawati - A Tiger Reserve Out of Control
At over 2700 km2, Indrawati in Bastar is one of India's largest Tiger Reserves and is also home to one of the last populations of genetically pure wild buffalo. But the Reserve is no longer under the control of the Forest Department. Political insurgents have sought refuge from the police in the dense forests and in the villages still inside the Tiger Reserve. The violent situation between the police and the insurgents, known as Naxalites, has deteriorated to such an extent that EIA researchers were refused entry into the Tiger Reserve for reasons of personal safety. Police had recently killed a local Naxalite leader, while Naxalites had killed a relative of a local politician and the situation was considered particularly unstable. Few tiger experts or representatives of non governmental organisations have ever attempted to visit this Tiger Reserve. Although this has inadvertently led to the protection of the forest - the Naxalites refuse to allow anyone to fell the trees - it has also meant that the Forest Department has been unable to prevent the extensive poaching of wildlife. The Forest Department staff do not believe that commercial poaching is a major problem, yet there have been seizures of tiger and leopard in the district. In 1991-2 it is reported that six tiger skins were alleged to have been seized from this area4 and in 1997, five leopard skins were seized and traced to Indrawati Tiger Reserve. No Prey for the Tigers of Indrawati There are 56 villages still inside Indrawati Tiger Reserve. The tribal people conduct annual communal hunts every summer when the men of the village teach the young how to hunt with their bows and arrows. They kill anything they come across, which sparks a vicious cycle involving the persecution of the tigers' natural prey, the subsequent attacks by tigers and leopards on livestock, and the revenge attacks by man on the predators. According to one social activist and freelance journalist who accompanied a hunt, or "parad", four years ago, the hunters are now returning empty-handed. In 1984 there were believed to be 38 tigers in Indrawati, in 1997 the population was believed to be 15. Local traditions may not have been detrimental in the years when the forest extended over 40,000 sq km, but Indrawati has become another "island" with the Bailadilla iron ore mines having destroyed large areas. Another cause for concern is the series of dams that have been proposed for the Indrawati river, which would result in large-scale disturbance and submergence inside Indrawati Tiger Reserve - detrimental to the wildlife and people of the area. Breakdown of Relationships With Villagers There are serious accusations of exploitation of the tribal peoples by government staff. It is alleged that the Forest Department has denied daily wage labourers their full payment and that Revenue Department staff have extorted money from the tribal people to demarcate their lands. Despite the serious violence involving the Naxalites, it is claimed that they have now put a stop to this extortion. This has further soured relations between government staff and the villagers. Villagers and Forest Department staff are often caught in the middle between the police and the Naxalites. If seen co-operating with one they are harassed by the other. The Naxalites have burned Forest Department vehicles, stolen wireless equipment and planted landmines on the patrol roads. Staff have been beaten and Forest Guard posts destroyed. |
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