A recipe for conservation disaster?

IN a June 26 meeting, India's top wildlife body approved a proposal to redraw the boundaries of the critical tiger habitat (CTH) of the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.

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It involved exclusion of about 48.5 sq km area, primarily from the southern and south-western parts of the Sariska's CTH. In compensation, the state will designate around 91 sq km as 'quality tiger habitat,' mostly in the STR's north. As a result, the CTH area will increase from 881.11 sq km to about 924 sq km, while the buffer zone shrinks from 245.72 sq km to 203.2 sq km.

The proposal of the Rajasthan government was cleared by the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) led by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav who represents Alwar Lok Sabha seat.

The boundary 'rationalisation' has sparked strong reactions from conservationists who argue the decision mainly benefits mining activities, which were previously prohibited. There are at least 50 marble, dolomite, limestone and masonry mines that were closed following a prior Supreme Court order. Additionally, the decision could set a dangerous precedent across the country, legitimising similar illegal activities, they caution. If the rationalisation plan is implemented, it could have disastrous consequences for the ecologically sensitive Aravalli region, they said.