The year 2023 has been great for Satpura Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh. While at the beginning of the year, STR got the TX2 award for doubling its tiger population, it also secured number two position in the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) report, released on the occasion of 50th year of Project Tiger, on the best managed tiger reserves in the country.
With 180 patrol camps, almost zero poaching incidents, and habitat improvement, this reserve has become a safe haven for more than 50 tigers. All these achievements are the results of a continuous process of creating balance conservation and development.
Speaking to Indian Masterminds Field Director of Satpura Tiger Reserve, Mr. L Krishnamoorthy, gave more details about the same.
VOLUNTARY VILLAGE RELOCATION
“Development and conservation are inter-connected. When we create employment opportunity for the villagers living on the boundary of forest, they don’t disturb the eco-system or wildlife. If they are distanced from the forest, both they and the wildlife are safe,” said Mr. Krishnamoorthy. More than 49 villages and approximately 12 thousand people have been relocated from the fringe and forest areas of STR. All these relocations were voluntarily done by the villagers and this reduced the bio pressure on the forest, as families moved, and so did their cattle.
This started in 2003-04 but major relocation happened in the last decade. Three villages were relocated last year under the leadership of Mr. Krishnamoorthy. According to him, it was a collective effort of the forest department, district administration, local representatives and the villagers. Good communication was the key.
3915 hectare of forest land has been diverted under the Forest Conversation Act and given to the community. The authorities came up with the hybrid model where the family got land along with cash to settle in other clusters and township. Along with other basic necessities like roads and schools, almost each family got two hectares of agricultural land. Mr. Krishnamoorthy said that all happened with a domino effect as seeing the facilities provided to the relocated families, more villagers volunteered to relocate.
The relocation helped in transforming the lives of people and in getting a buffer space outside the tiger reserve. As per NTCA guidelines, each TR must have 800-1000 square km of buffer zone. All the relocated areas have been ploughed and created into grasslands.
HABITAT IMPROVEMENT
Around 11000 hectare area have been added under the grassland network inside the forest. This was important as STR mostly had dense forest area and inclusion of grassland improved the habitat for both the prey and predators.
Around 1000 spotted dears from Pench Tiger Reserve has also been released in different grassland of STR. In another successful experiment, hard-ground swamp deer has been brought to STR from Kanha, making it only the second home in the world. The increased number of prey and construction of 180 water bodies inside the park have made this park more habitable for various predators. Mr. Krishnamoorthy said that 230 sq.km of Tawa Reservoir backwater is also inside the park. Earlier it was used by the villagers for cultivation or fishing, now that pressure has reduced. So, that area has become good habitat for big cats like tigers and ungulates.
LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITY & ECO-TOURISM
In another move for making Satpura the best in every front, the department is roping in locals for eco-tourism activities. Women are getting training as nature guides, drivers, and in the hospitality business. Many women have been inducted as drivers inside the reserve to take tourists on safaris. The move is part of the ‘Safe Tourism Destination for Women’ project launched by the Madhya Pradesh government. Mr. Krishnamoorthy said that the initiative aims to provide employment opportunities to women from local communities, living in and around the tourist destinations, while also ensuring the safety of women in these areas.
