Experts Flag Concerns on Draft of Critical Tiger Habitat in Sariska

Wildlife experts and the opposition Congress have raised questions about the composition of the Supreme Court-mandated committee for demarcation of a critical tiger habitat (CTH) inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve, flagging a lack of experience in tiger reserve management among the committee members.

- Devendra Bhardwaj

ALWAR:

The committee, which was formed by the state government and submitted a draft CTH to the government on April 30, recommended incorporation of regions with high tiger movement into the CTH, and excluded peripheral areas with lower wildlife activity, STR field director Sangram Singh Katiyar said.

The draft has been criticised by both the wildlife experts and political leaders.

Criticising the committee's constitution, former STR field director RS Shekhawat said: "Unfortunately, the committee constituted by the Rajasthan government does not have the required expertise or experience in tiger reserve management to deliver justice to tiger conservation."