Special Correspondent

NewsBits.in

Bhopal: Saying that the under construction tiger safaris at Pench and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves in MP were in violation of various rules and regulations, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has asked the chief wildlife warden (CWLW) of MP to halt the work.

The NTCA has also held the illegal construction of tiger safaris as reason for the poaching of tigers. Since January 2016, as many as 13 tiger deaths have been reported in MP. In 2015, another 16 tigers had died including two radio-collared tigers in Satpuda National Park.

The NTCA member secretary, BS Bonal, in a letter dated May 10, has clearly stated that the construction of the tiger safaris, without the prior approval of Central Zoo Authority (CZA) were in violation of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The letter asks the CWLW to take ‘necessary action’ according to the provisions of the Act, which in simple terms means that the construction work has to be halted. The action by NTCA comes as conclusion to series of complaints by activist Ajay Dubey.

Bonal, who is additional director general of Project Tiger too, has also said in very strict terms that the violation or rules and regulations in the construction has been detrimental to movement of tigers, its incursions into human habitat and thus makes them vulnerable to poaching.

Speaking to NewsBits.in, Dubey said that during last nine months, 12 tigers had perished in Pench Tiger Reserve and many of these deaths could have been prevented if the authorities took timely action.

He said that state government, in the name of eco-tourism activity, started the tiger safari construction in July last year without the requisite prior permission of CZA and also made payments worth Rs 4 crores.

Despite being brought to notice of authorities and the intervention of NTCA, the work continued. On other hand, the state wildlife officials also kept the figures of tiger deaths under wraps and misled the national authorities.

Dubey has warned that if action was not taken against officials responsible for illegal activities, he would file a court petition in the matter.