ABC Report on Indian Tiger Reserves

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Wildlife law adds to woes of India's tigers

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By Samanwaya Rautray [image: Reuters]Reuters

 

*Nov 15, 2006 *— NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A new Indian wildlife law offers too

much protection to people living in forests and threatens to further

undermine efforts to save an endangered population of tigers,

conservationists said on Wednesday.

 

The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2006 came into force in September

and aims to save the big cats, whose numbers have fallen alarmingly because

of poaching.

 

But activists have called on India's Supreme Court to scrap parts of the law

they say might have the opposite effect.

 

" Co-existence of humans with large carnivorous wild animals is a myth, " said

a petition filed on Monday by the Bombay Natural History Society, the

Wildlife Protection Society of India, the Conservation Action Trust and the

Wildlife Trust.

 

" Conflict between the two is the reality, a reality which is reflected in

the ascending graph of the number of fatalities on either side. "

 

They say the law, which insists authorities ensure " the agricultural,

livelihood, development and other interests of the people living in

tiger-bearing forests or a tiger reserve, " could mark a new low in efforts

to save rare wildlife.

 

" This Act would mean the end of forests as we know them. If you look at the

map, you will see that the only forests left in this country are the tiger

reserves, " Maneka Gandhi, former environment minister, told Reuters.

 

Under its provisions, forest-dwellers could sell, give or occupy forest

land, hunt animals that are not protected and even set up hotels in reserves

and parks, the activists say.

 

Wildlife activists say the law was rushed through parliament without proper

debate.

 

But officials say it is an attempt to address the needs of tens of thousands

of poor people who live in forests and eke out a meager living from cutting

down trees to sell as firewood and simple farming.

 

Many take money from criminal gangs to lay traps, poison water sources and

electrocute tigers. Further legislation expected later this year will fully

address the rights of forest dwellers, officials say.