18
1 CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE NILANJAN MALLICK, CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS MONITORING CIRCLE, WEST BENGAL P-16, INDIA EXCHANGE PLACE, NEW CIT BUILDING, KOLKATA. [email protected] Abstract: Sundarban is the largest mangrove forest in the world with high biodiversity value. This is the only mangrove forest in the world where tigers are found. Tigers of Sundarban forests are known for their ferocity, man eating behavior and peculiar habit of straying into human habitations. This particular behavior of the sundarban tiger is the main reason of conflict with the local inhabitants. People living in the vicinity of forest are heavily dependent on forest for livelihood. This is a major problem in Sundarban tiger reserve and specific measures are taken to control this. The present article describes the causes, types, nature of human tiger conflict in Sundarbans and measures taken to control it. Key words: Sundarban tiger reserve, mangrove, tiger straying, conflict, rescue, capture, nylon net fence. Introduction: Sundarban, the largest delta in the world, consists of 10,200 sq km of Mangrove Forest, spread over India (4200 sq km of Reserved Forest) and Bangladesh (6000 sq km approx of Reserved Forest) and is also the largest Mangrove Forest in the world. Another 5400 sq km of non-forest, inhabited region in India, along the north and north-western fringe of mangrove forest, is also known as Sundarban region in India. Indian Sundarban is bound on the west by river Muriganga and on the east by rivers Harinbhahga and Raimangal. Other major rivers flowing through this eco-system are Saptamukhi, Thakuran, Matla and Goasaba. (Source: Annual Report of Sundarban Tiger Reserve, 2005) Sundarban Tiger Reserve was constituted by GOI under Project Tiger scheme, in 1973 with a total area of 2585 sq. km. STR is home one of the largest population of tiger in our country. Historically the tigers of Sundarbans have the habit of straying into human habitations which are very close to the forest. It has also been reported as notorious for its human killing propensity in the early literatures related to Sundarbans especially the fishermen, wood cutters and honey collectors. This particular problem has always been at the centre point in the management of Sundarban Tiger Reserve. The present study will deal with the problem and some of its solution.

CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

1

CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER

RESERVE

NILANJAN MALLICK, CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS

MONITORING CIRCLE, WEST BENGAL

P-16, INDIA EXCHANGE PLACE, NEW CIT BUILDING, KOLKATA.

[email protected]

Abstract: Sundarban is the largest mangrove forest in the world with high biodiversity value. This

is the only mangrove forest in the world where tigers are found. Tigers of Sundarban forests are known

for their ferocity, man eating behavior and peculiar habit of straying into human habitations. This

particular behavior of the sundarban tiger is the main reason of conflict with the local inhabitants. People

living in the vicinity of forest are heavily dependent on forest for livelihood. This is a major problem in

Sundarban tiger reserve and specific measures are taken to control this. The present article describes the

causes, types, nature of human tiger conflict in Sundarbans and measures taken to control it.

Key words: Sundarban tiger reserve, mangrove, tiger straying, conflict, rescue, capture, nylon net

fence.

Introduction: Sundarban, the largest delta in the world, consists of 10,200 sq km of Mangrove Forest,

spread over India (4200 sq km of Reserved Forest) and Bangladesh (6000 sq km approx of Reserved

Forest) and is also the largest Mangrove Forest in the world. Another 5400 sq km of non-forest, inhabited

region in India, along the north and north-western fringe of mangrove forest, is also known as Sundarban

region in India. Indian Sundarban is bound on the west by river Muriganga and on the east by rivers

Harinbhahga and Raimangal. Other major rivers flowing through this eco-system are Saptamukhi,

Thakuran, Matla and Goasaba. (Source: Annual Report of Sundarban Tiger Reserve, 2005)

Sundarban Tiger Reserve was constituted by GOI under Project Tiger scheme, in 1973 with a total area of

2585 sq. km. STR is home one of the largest population of tiger in our country. Historically the tigers of

Sundarbans have the habit of straying into human habitations which are very close to the forest. It has

also been reported as notorious for its human killing propensity in the early literatures related to

Sundarbans especially the fishermen, wood cutters and honey collectors.

This particular problem has always been at the centre point in the management of Sundarban Tiger

Reserve. The present study will deal with the problem and some of its solution.

Page 2: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

2

Background Information:

Sundarban is the largest river delta of India crisscrossed by tidal rivers and has extremely rich diversity

of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. Sundarban's highly productive ecosystem acts as a natural fish

nursery. Millions of people living in the vicinity of forest depend on Sundarban Ecosystem for their

livelihood and sustenance through fishing, collection of honey and fuel wood/timber.

Average annual maximum temperature is around 35 C . Average annual rainfall is 1920 mm. Average

humidity is about 82% which is more or less uniform throughout the year.

Flora:

According to Champion & Seth classification, the Sundarban forest falls under the sub group 4B

tidal swamp forest, with sub-divisions namely, Mangrove type 4B/TS1, 4B/TS2, Salt water type

mixed forests 4B/TS3, Brackish type 4B/TS4 and Palm type 4B/E1.

Major species found in the forests of Sundarban are: Baen ( Avicennia marina , A. alba, A.

officinalis ), , Genwa ( Excoecaria agallocha ), Goran ( Ceriops spp .), Garjan ( Rhizophora spp

.), Kankra ( Bruguiera spp .), Sundari ( Heritiera fomes ). Hental ( Phoenix spp .) Dhundul (

Xylocarpus granatum ), Passur ( Xylocarpus mekongensis ) and Nipa fruticans (Golpata) palm

swamps are extremely limited. Oryza coarctata (Dhani grass) are found all over the area.

• True Mangrove species = 26

• Mangrove associates = 29

• Back mangrove species= 29

• Family = 40 Genera = 60

Fauna:

Mollusc species = 177 Fish species = 364

Mammals species= 47 Insect species= 114

Birds species = 234 Reptiles species = 71

(Source: Tiger conservation plan of Sundarban tiger reserve, 2012)

Page 3: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

3

Demography:

During post-independence period, this region witnessed sudden influx of population mainly due

to migration. The displaced persons occupied vested lands and cleared forests for habitation. It

exerted negative impact on the economy of fringe population. In Sundarban, 36.5% of the

population belongs to SC/ST as compared to the State average of 25.61%. Nearly 95% of the

population primarily depends on agriculture, which is mostly rain-fed mono-cropping, and about

fifty percent of agriculturists are landless laborers. During agricultural lean season, due to

extreme poverty people resort to fishing and collection of prawn seeds, even risking their lives

from tigers and crocodiles.

Study Area:

Total area: 2585 sq. km.

Critical Tiger Habitat: 1699.62 sq. km.

Buffer Zone: 885.27 sq. km.

(Source: Annual report of Sundarban Tiger Reserve 2005)

Materials and Methods:

The present study is based on the observations made during field visit and interaction

with the frontline staffs of Sundarban Tiger Reserve along with already available data and

literature.

The Tiger of Sundarban is known as Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris). Its

claws are adapted to strike & hold prey while canines are designed for biting & killing, its short

strong jaws are controlled by powerful muscles and soft pads for stealthy approach make tiger

capable of sudden speed & burst of power. It is combined with highly developed sense of

hearing & vision. However its power of smell has been reported to be not as powerful as the

hearing ability. Its unique striped colour of deep yellow, orange and black are variable.

Sundarban Tiger is different because of its adaptability to the unique mangrove habitat. Their

behaviour is highly individual specific. (Tiger conservation plan of Sundarban tiger reserve,

2012)

Tiger in Sundarban employs individual hunting techniques for its broad range of prey

including regular & occasional (cattle & human being) prey. This is based on different hunting

tactics like concealment, stalking, sudden rush and then dispatch of prey. Predatory behaviour

will also differ according to the prey species, prey size & hunting environment.

Page 4: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

4

Territoriality of Sundarban Tiger:--

The idea that Tiger is a territorial animal came from the study made by Seidensticker

when he tranquilized a tiger for the first time in Sundarbans which had strayed into a village &

subsequently released the tiger into the forest. The tiger was found dead & the cause of death

was attributed to a territorial dispute between the released tiger & the resident tiger in whose

domain, the tiger was released.

But in recent times, a number of strayed tigers have been successfully relocated in good

habitat types far away from straying zone. Intensive monitoring of the released tiger was done

for all of those relocations. In none of the cases, evidence of territorial conflicts was found. To

add with, in Sundarban, because of different physical factors tiger wanders a lot but the range

requirement of tiger is not known actually. (Tiger conservation plan of Sundarban tiger reserve, 2012)

Man eating propensity of Sundarban Tiger: ---

Within the memory of man, Sundarban tigers have been ill-famed as man eaters. The earliest

known written document is found in the letters of Portuguese Jesuit missionaries, among them Francis

Fernandez and Melchoir Fronseca, who travelled to Bengal in 1598 and 1599. For the first time they

reported that tigers of gangetic delta are fond of human flesh. (Holsten, 1925)

Man eating behaviour of Sundarban Tigers has been historically authenticated but since

how long is not known. The data provided below, gives an idea of casualties in the undivided

Sundarban during last century (Gupta, 1964):–

Year

No. of man carried away

No. of tiger killed or trapped

1881-82 161 3

1883-84 168 8

1907-08 120 9

1911-12 112 61

1914-15 79 36

1915-16 60 33

This behaviour of tiger does not have any intra-specific or intra-generic similarity with any of the

Panthera species from anywhere in the world. The various groups of human being fall victim of

Page 5: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

5

tiger include honey collectors, fishermen including crab collectors, tiger prawn seed collectors &

even Forest Department staff.

Page 6: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

6

Map of Sundarban Tiger Reserve

Trap cage for capture of strayed tiger

Page 7: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

7

Members of TSCF being trained

Nylon net fencing in Sundarban Tiger Reserve

Tiger being released after capture

Page 8: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

8

The reasons attributed for man eating propensity of Sundarban Tigers are as follows:--

A) Salinity :---

Hendrics (1975) was the first to notice an increased percentage of human death by tiger

in high salinity zone.

Siddiqi & chowdhury (1987) also found human killing by tiger in high salinity zone is

significantly higher than those in medium & low salinity zone.

There are opinions from other authors too, claiming that the physiology of Sundarban

Tigers is affected by high salinity which causes irritation resulting in human killing by

tiger. But there is no scientific proof of this. It is to be kept in mind that inner organs like

liver, kidney etc can be investigated histologically & Management Authority presently

decides to do that in case of any tiger death.

B) Vegetation :---

Chakrabarty (1978) identified that habitat of pure Ceriops & Phoenix does stand for

highest human killing by tiger.

It can be attributed that dense vegetation of Ceriops & Phoneix may influence the tiger to

explore different preying strategy which may be successful for killing of human being

after following them & assessing the chance of stalking by getting closest to them.

C) Prey density & Biotic interference :---

Salter (1984) opined that the frequency of human killing is highest in areas at times of

heaviest concentration of people. Hendricks (1975) also concluded that increased

utilization of forest by human being resulted in higher casualties. Deodatus & Ahmed

(2002) were of opinion that less prey density might also trigger up high human death if

the biotic interference is maximum.

However, in brief, Tiger density, prey density, kind & frequency of human

activities & human casualties can’t be co-related as long as sufficient data are not

available.

Page 9: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

9

D) Tiger straying: ---

The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR is the straying of tiger into

fringe villages & the rescue of the same without causing any harm on either side. It is worth

mentioning here that STR’s only north – western boundary has an interface with 25 fringe

villages which are densely populated with human & cattle.

Many times it becomes possible for the staff and local villagers to drive the tiger back to

the forest by using drums, crackers, fire etc. Sometimes tiger also goes back to the forest on its

own. These straying incidents are termed as Temporary Straying, where in case of any repeated

phenomenon, trap cage with live bait is being used to trap the tiger & then relocate the same.

In Permanent Straying, the tiger takes refuge in a cattle shed or inside any village hut,

when tranquilization is used to rescue the animal.

Tigers in Sundarban stray into the neighboring villages because they are situated in the

reclaimed forest land and in same places the boundary between the forest & agricultural land is

even not distinct. Some villages have small patches of mangrove forests so the tiger gets into

these forests by losing direction.

Sometimes tiger easily cross the small creek in search of easy prey like cow & goat.

Tigress sometimes litters inside the paddy field as she wants to avoid the danger of male

tiger. Old aged & diseased tigers like the ones with broken canine also stray because it is difficult

to hunt the prey in forest & finds easy to prey on domestic cattle.

However, the process of rescuing a strayed tiger often offers following constraints:--

A) The entire north western boundary of STR is surrounded by the villages which form

clusters of islands and the area is criscrossed by small & big rivers /creeks &

communication is very difficult, compounded by tides, which makes the transportation of

animal after trapping or rescue very difficult.

B) The population density is very high in the fringe villages & they have a single crop in the

field mostly. As the tiger commonly attack their cattle & attack them during honey/ fish

collection, so, they become revengeful & attack the strayed tiger & kill it, sometime, even

by poisoning.

C) The people also attack the animal because of their general strained relation with STR

authority, because staffs penalize them for theft/ illegal activities like collection of fish,

Page 10: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

10

timber, and firewood. So the people take opportunity by killing the strayed tiger in the

village itself & assaulting the staff.

D) The success of capture & release also depend on the area where the strayed tiger

ultimately move into. If the strayed tiger is far from the rivers etc then the transportation

of the animal as well as the staff becomes very difficult.

E) Chemical immobilization requires high technical expertise, precision, courage, patience

& decision making ability. Although regular trainings are organized for selected staff for

tranquilization, still performing in a crowded area often poses difficulties.

Mitigation strategies with respect to tiger straying :----

A) Protocol for reduced reaction time in case of permanent tiger straying :---

To reduce the reaction time in any permanent tiger straying situation, following

action protocol is followed: ---

i) Displaying of contact numbers of local Police, other concerned

Administrative Officials, local public representative, Panchayet Pradhan/

member at Range & Beat office so that they can be contacted properly for

mob controlling & other necessary actions. At the same time the contact

numbers of Officers of Sundarban Tiger Reserve are also given to the

members of Forest protection Committee and Eco Development

committee so that they can inform immediately in case of any straying

incident.

ii) A speed boat to be kept always in ready condition so that the Quick

Response Team (QRT) may act immediately.

iii) Tranquilization equipment, translocation cages etc to be kept ready along

with tiger guard & other necessary tools like nylon net, crackers, flame

torch, search light etc for the Tiger Straying Combat Force (TSCF).

iv) The Veterinary Surgeon and at least one staff who is trained in

tranquilization & the speed boat driver should be always ready to act

impromptu. In case of allowing leave, this issue has to be taken care of.

Training classes are regularly organized for the front line staffs.

v) Time to time group meeting in the villages creating public awareness, eco-

development works etc help a lot in getting information & co- operation from the

villagers during tiger straying & rescuing of the animal.

Page 11: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

11

B) Protocol to be followed in Tiger rescue operation :---

i) The TSCF must be well equipped; should be accompanied by a Veterinary

Surgeon & one trained staff for tranquilization.

ii) In case of acting in dark, proper search light, flame torch etc along with

proper arms & ammunition to cover up the man who is darting is

necessary. Use of tiger guard is a must.

iii) Before tranquilization, necessary instructions for mob clearance should be

pronounced by hand – mike & police may be requested for securing the

area.

iv) After tranquilization, the animal may be caged by using stretcher

immediately under supervision of the Veterinary Surgeon.

v) The caged animal should be boarded urgently & the boat must move to an

open space, preferably in a nearby forest for post- tranquilization care, to

be executed by Veterinary Surgeon.

vi) The animal should be kept under minimum of 24 hrs observation or any

other accordant instruction from Chief Wild Life Warden has to be

followed.

vii) The animal may be released after obtaining “Fit for release” certificate

from Veterinary Surgeon.

viii) All such strayed out animal should be properly photographed and an ID-

Catalogue should be maintained for checking of repeated straying

behavior.

C) Precautionary measures to be adopted to reduce tiger straying incidences

:---

Fencing the boundaries of the vulnerable forest areas by vegetative cover i.e.

Ceriops- Excoecaria combination & mechanical methods by nylon net fencing

using Avicennia posts along the forest fringe have been found to be very effective

for last ten years. Both these fencings last about three years. Ceriops –Excoecaria

fencing is not encouraged presently because it requires heavy toll of vegetation

cutting. Now, nylon net fencing with Avicennia posts is mostly practiced which is

planned to be further improvised with RCC posts & Bamboo to reduce even the

Avicennia cutting and recurring expenditure. To add with, recent observations

reveal that tiger starts negotiating the 8ft high fence by jumping over the same.

Use of RCC posts & Bamboo pole can also help to erect the fencing at a height of

10 – 12 ft. the normal mesh size remains 4” X 4” to avoid any strangulation of

wild animal like deer. Presently 54km of forest fringes out of total 70km has

Page 12: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

12

already been fenced & the further action has also highlighted in budget phase

wise, including maintenance.

To restrict entry inside the forest patrolling activities are strengthened. No

unauthorized persons are allowed inside the protected area. This reduces chances

of possible conflicts and tiger attacks.

CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF NYLON NET FENCING:

A protocol for maintenance of the nylon net fencing has been designed with an aim of carrying

out thorough checking and proper maintenance. The Protocol includes involvement of local

Stakeholders in FPC/ EDC members also along with forest staff.

A Fencing Register will be kept in each station and records will be kept in accordance to the

parameters given below:

S no. Rank Frequency Remarks

1 Concerned Forest

Guard

Daily He will take at least one concerned

FPC/EDC Member & both will jointly sign

in Fencing checking Register.

2 Concerned Beat

Officer

Weekly once He will take the Joint Convenor of concerned

FPC/EDC Member & both will jointly sign in

Fencing checking Register.

3 Concerned Range

Officer

Once in 15 days He will take the Concerned Forest Guard

or Beat Officer along with and will report

to DFD/STR in detail as well as will

mention in fencing checking Register.

4 Asstt. Field

Director/STR

Once in a month They will check the fencing in the field to

verify that the same has been maintained

properly.

5 Dy. Field

Director/STR

Once in six

weeks

He will check the fencing in the field to

verify properly.

(Source: Annual report of Sundarban Tiger Reserve, 2012)

Page 13: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

13

Parameters for fence checking:

The total length of Nylon Net fencing has to be checked as proposed on following parameters:

Height of Nylon Net fencing maintained (The height should be of 8 ft minimum; (in

case of new fencing) and 6.0 ft ( in case of old fencing)

Height of Khal guard to be maintained at least 5 ft above from the highest tidal level

estimated for ‘Kotal’ period.

Condition of nylon rope of the net (if the net found brittle, immediately it should be

changed after bringing it to due notice to the concerned authority)

Condition of the posts of the fencing (if found rotting at the base, to be changed

immediately after bringing it to due notice to the concerned authority)

Condition of the runner (the tensile strength to be checked) GI runners to be used nylon

runners to be replaced immediately.

Condition of khal guard (if sagging noticed, to be repaired immediately)

Monitoring frequency (as proposed)

D) Compensation & Awareness campaign :---

i) To minimize the revengeful attitude of the local people, if any, regular

awareness campaign is already in practice which needs further

intensification payment of compensation on spot for human & cattle death

& treatment of injured negates the chance of revenge killing of tiger.

Presently, the compensation for the human death is Rs. 1.00 lakh & that of

cattle death is Rs. 750/- which requires further consideration. Payment of

actual market price on spot in cattle death can minimise the apathy of local

villagers. Regular meeting with JFMCs is also the need of the hour. To

ensure cooperation from the villagers entry point activities under Joint

Forest Management are taken up.

A lot of eco-development works which include entry point activities and creation

of alternative livelihood options have already been done to win the people’s

confidence in STR, still, further action is also proposed in budget in a

comprehensive manner to strengthen the relation with JFMCs.

Page 14: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

14

Results and Discussions:

A careful analysis of the observations and data collected by the field workers of Sundarban

Tiger Reserve shows a trend of reduction in tiger straying as well as human death caused by

tiger. This trend has become conspicuous after 2001, when the Sundarban Tiger Reserve has

started making the nylon net fencing along with the other initiatives to control the conflicts.

The following table shows the extent of total nylon net fencing created till date.

Table 1: Range wise location of the existing Nylon-Net fence and it maintenance is given

below:

Range Total length of nylon net fencing Location

N.P.(W)

9 km.

(inclusive khal guards)

• From Belegudam khal to Pirkhali Khal

S.W.L.S.

25 km. approx.

(inclusive of khal guards)

• Belegudam khal to Pakhirkhal: 5 km approx

• Pakhirkhal to Lalitkhali: 9 km. approx

• Lalitkhali to Ranjit’s khal: 5 km.approx.

• Ranjit’s khal to Duttar Beat: 6 km.approx.

BHT

20km. approx.

( inclusive of khal guards)

• Shamsernagar (Kalindi River side) to

Jhingakhali Beat: 13km. approx.

•Jhilla Compound to opposite of Budhbarer

Bazar :7 km. approx.

(Source: Annual report of Sundarban Tiger Reserve, 2012)

Page 15: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

15

Table –2. Data of Human Killing by Tiger in STR from Different Sources

Person killed / Injured by Tiger

(Report based on STR) (Report based on other sources) RCHP, Gosaba; BPHC Death Registar Office, Gosaba and NGO’s

Financial Year Died Injured Calendar Year Died Injured

1985-86 32 6 1985 31 4

1986-87 25 6 1986 26 7

1987-88 21 7 1987 19 7

1988-89 14 3 1988 21 3

1989-90 12 10 1989 6 4

1990-91 43 8 1990 53 10

1991-92 38 7 1991 41 6

1992-93 34 5 1992 40 5

1993-94 31 4 1993 47 2

1994-95 5 - 1994 16 2

1995-96 4 0 1995 15 2

1996-97 2 2 1996 6 3

1997-98 5 2 1997 12 3

1998-99 2 2 1998 21 2

1999-2000 13 - 1999 35 0

2000-01 15 4 2000 40 3

2001-02 12 - 2001 2 -

2002-03 14 - 2002 1 -

2003-04 8 - 2003 1 -

2004-05 2 - 2004 - -

2005-06 - - 2005 - -

2006-07 - - 2006 - -

2007-08 6 - 2007 3 1

2008-09 9 - 2008 1 -

2009-10 8 1 2009 4 2

(Source: Tiger conservation plan of Sundarban tiger reserve, 2012)

The available data clearly shows that the conflict has reduced considerably after 2000. Before 2000 every

year the human death used to touch double figure. After that the condition has drastically changed. This

has also helped the management of Sundarban Tiger Reserve to create a better understanding with the

local people.

At the same time it is seen that cases of tiger straying into the fringe villages has reduced considerably

after 2001-02. This trend is continuing till now.

Page 16: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

16

Year Frequency1998-99 37

1999-2000 32

2000-01 27

2001-02 21

2002-03 15

2003-04 13

2004-05 14

2005-06 2

2006-07 11

2007-08 11

2008-09 12

2009-10 14

Table 3: ABSTRACT OF TIGER STRAYING IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE

(As per data availability)

(Source: Annual report of Sundarban Tiger Reserve 2012)

Page 17: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

17

Inferences from recent tiger straying incidences: ---

Eco developmental works done by the forest dept. in villages on the background of JFM plays an

important role because this helps in strengthening the relationship of the forest dept. with the

villagers.

Awareness building is very important in fringe villages because instigation by some people may

change the course of the entire incidence. Help from NGOs & local people is very important to

tackle tiger straying problems right from collection of initial information to successful relocation.

Sheltered place of strayed tiger in the village is important because the shelter place decides partly

the success of darting. It is difficult to tranquilize a tiger in an open paddy field because of its

vastness. Forest dept. thus needs better information & communication network along with

infrastructure.

More staff should be trained in tranquilization of wildlife & trained competent staff should be

posted in vulnerable areas so that they can reach place of occurrence in time for action. Every

tranquilization team should be covered by a supporting team to avoid failures which may lead to

accidents.

Conclusion:

Sundarban is one of the most vulnerable and unique ecosystem with immense biodiversity value.

Conservation of the world’s largest mangrove forest in totality is the precondition of survival of

the royal Bengal tiger, the flagship species. For achieving this objective the management of

Sundarban Tiger Reserve has to resolve the age old human tiger conflict.

The high level of disturbance by forest resource users seems to provoke man-eating behavior

among the tigers despite all other aspects mentioned before. Therefore, the number of tiger

victims can only be reduced if less people enter forest. (G.Neumann-denzau and H. Denzau,

2010)

Poverty is the most dominant factor for which all types of resource extractors are involved in the

present jobs of fishing, wood cutting or honey collection. Enforcement of law, creation of

alternative livelihood options for the fringe dwellers are other factors that can contribute to

reduction of human death.

All other steps already discussed earlier that have been effective especially the creation of nylon

net fencing should also continue in future for minimizing tiger straying. The key factor is that,

keeping people out of the tiger habitat can be achieved by human resource management in

addition to forest resource and wildlife management in the forest of Sundarban.

Page 18: CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE · CONTROL OF HUMAN TIGER CONFLICT IN SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE ... The major issue in managing Human- Tiger conflict in STR

18

References:

1. Anon 2005, 2012, Annual Report of Sundarabn Tiger Reserve, (2005, 2012).

2. Anon 2012, Tiger conservation plan of Sundarban Tiger Reserve for 2013-14 to 2017-18)

3. Chakraborty, K. 1978. Ecology of Sundarban tiger with particular reference to range of

habitats and adaptability to changes. Cheetal, Vol–20, 3-15.

4. Deodatus,F .,Ahmed, Z.U,2002, Survey to determine the relative abundance of tiger, wild boar

and spotted deer in the Bangladesh Sundarban Forest, Dec 2001 to March 2002, SBCP, technical

report no 17, 36 pp + 19 pp Appendix.

5. Gupta, A.C. 1964, West Bengal Forest, Centenary commemoration vol.

6. G. Neumann-Denzau, H. Denzau, 2010,Examining certain aspects of human-tiger conflict in the

sundarban Forest, Bangladesh. Tiger paper, Vol-3, July-Sept.P-10.

7. Hendricks, H. 1975. The status of the tiger Panthera tigris (Linue; 1758) in the

Sundarbans mangrove forest. Saeugetier Kundliche Mitteilungen, 23: 161-199.

8. Holsten, H. 1925, Jesuit letters from Bengal’s Arakan and Burma(1999-1600), Bengal Past and

present 30, 52-76.

9. Seidensticker, J., R.K. Lahiri, K.C. Das and A. Wright, 1976. Problem tiger in the

Sunderbans. Oryx, 267-273.

10. Siddiqi, N.A., J.H. Chowdhury, 1987. Man-eating behavior of tigers of the Sundarbans – twenty

eight years’ record analysis. Tiger Paper, 14(3): 26

11. Salter, R.C., 1984, Status and Utilization of Wildlife, integrated development of the

Sundarbans, Bangladesh. FO: TCP/BGD/2309(MF), FAO, Rome, 59 PP.