Tigers outside reserves project in 17 states soon

AMID reports that 30% of India's tiger population of 3,682 freely moves outside notified reserves, accentuating human-tiger conflict, the Centre has proposed the Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) project to provide a support system in areas outside tiger reserves, thereby reducing the conflict.

- HARPREET BAJWA @Chandigarh

The Union environment ministry will undertake the project in 80 forest divisions across 17 states in the country.

Member Secretary of NTCA Dr Gobind Sagar Bhardwaj told this newspaper, "These tigers outside tiger reserves lead to conflict situations when they wander near human habitations or kill livestock which often lead to law and order situations or erosion of support for conservation that results in retaliatory killings. The conflict is likely to increase in the coming years. Therefore, addressing conservation needs beyond tiger reserves and across broader landscapes is essential."