NTCA questions Maharashtra over plan to drop villages from tiger reserve zone

A tiger trail connects the Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

Following a mid-day report on the Maharashtra Forest Department's proposal to exclude several villages from the Tiger Conservation Plan and Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has sought a detailed response.

The NTCA has asked the state to justify, with scientific evidence, why these villages should be removed from the ESZ. Environmentalists have already raised concerns, warning that diluting ESZ protections could open the area to mining and red-category industries, posing a serious threat to the tiger corridor and the region's biodiversity.

The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Official Speak

A forest department official said that during the meeting on Tuesday, the NTCA committee directed the state to provide a scientific rationale for its proposal to exclude these villages from the ESZ and Tiger Conservation Plan, questioning the shift in its stand.

State urges Centre

Based on the letter from local leaders, the state has separately urged the Centre to exclude parts of Shahuwadi taluka from the draft eco-sensitive area notification for the Western Ghats, raising concerns over a possible dilution of environmental safeguards in ESZ.

Wildlife warden suggests...

Honorary Wildlife Warden Rohan Bhate Shah has suggested that a state-level scientific committee be constituted to assess the facts. He said that the panel should include representatives from the Additional Inspector General of Forests (AIGF), along with the NTCA, the Director of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), a wildlife biologist from the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT), and an honorary wildlife warden.

Letter to NTCA

In a letter dated April 17 to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) M Srinivasa Reddy cited representations from MLAs Vinay Kore and Satyajeet Deshmukh, along with Lok Sabha MP Dhairyasheel Mane. The public representatives have sought the exclusion of certain villages from the notified corridor and a "rationalisation" of its boundaries.

Villages listed for exclusion

From Shahuwadi tehsil:
>> Burambal
>> Panundre
>> Shirale Tarf Malkapur
>> Sonurle
>> Mhalasavade
>> Ambarde
>> Patwade
>> Man
>> Ukoli
>> Parkandale
>> Mandwalkarwadi
>> Darewadi
>> Parali
>> Ghunger
>> Pashvi (Kelewadi & Khotwadi)

From Panhala tehsil:
>> Bandiwade
>> Kaneri

17
Approximate no of villages proposed for exclusion