A sizable chunk of world famous Bandhavgarh tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh has fallen prey to a ravaging fire. Such was the harrowing impact of the flames that it severely damaged as many as seven ranges of the reserve, beside two in the buffer zone. But though the fire has been doused a few days ago, some vital questions remain unanswered.
For instance, who set the jungles of Bandhavgarh on fire?
Many senior or retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers from Madhya Pradesh, including the field director of Bandhavgarh, Mr Wincent Rahim, have come on record saying that this was not a “normal fire’’, thereby implying foul play.
Speaking with Indian Masterminds, the former field director of the tiger reserve, Mr Mridul Pathak suggested that “unscrupulous vested interest’’ set large tracts of the forest on fire. “The truth should come out soon, and we will find out who exactly has been responsible for this. But obviously, these are the people who could not stomach the rising popularity of Bandhavgarh. Why, only recently, a leading international agency had rated Corbett and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves as two best nature reserves of India. I am convinced that this is a deliberate act,’’ he said.
But there is another theory gaining ground. At least two mid-level forest officials told Indian Masterminds, on condition of anonymity, that some people residing in the villagers situated on the periphery of the tiger reserve could well be behind the fire. And this may well have to do with a single herd of wild elephants.
About three years ago, a large group of elephants arrived from nearby Chhattisgarh and made Bandhavgarh its permanent home. Earlier too, the elephants would come to the tiger reserve but would return to Chhattisgarh after some time here. But now, they have become permanent residents in the reserve- and one of their preferred food is the standing crops of the villagers.
According to some officials and naturalists of Bandhavgarh, this particular herd of elephants has been regularly damaging the crops. But the villagers are reportedly getting woefully insufficient compensation for the damage. In all probability, it’s alleged, the disgruntled elements among the villagers vented out their anger at the forest management by torching the forest.
Mr Mridul Pathak, however, dismiss this theory. As he argues, a large number of people from the villagers have been benefitted because of the park, in their capacity as naturalists, guides, Gypsy drivers and staff working in number of private resorts. “The livelihood of these people, as also of their families, depend largely on the revenue generated by tourists in Bandhavgarh. It’s just not possible that they would resort to this dastardly act,’’ he held.
Another theory- again unsubstantiated- points to the “night long’’ Holi revelries around the reserves by the locals which led to the fire. Yet another reason is being ascribed to the collection of `mahua’, a forest produce, by some people and how they may have purposefully lit the ground to facilitate their work.
But all these theories are mere conjectures at this stage, some of course seemingly more plausible that the others. What is clear is that the culprits behind the carnage are still at large. And they are still moving freely, cocking a snook at the rule of the land.
Also not established as of now is the extent of damage to the wildlife of Bandhavgarh. While large mammals such as tigers, leopards and bison, are largely believed to have escaped the flames, the same may not be true for smaller animals and birds nursing their chicks in the nest. It’s feared that langurs, wild boars and smaller deer have fallen prey to the fire in considerable number. But again, no date is forthcoming in this regard.
