Buxa Tiger Reserve is situatedin Alipurduar subdivision ofJalpaiguri - PDF document

1 Buxa Tiger Reserve is situatedin Alipurd
Buxa Tiger Reserve is situatedin Alipurduar sub-division ofJalpaiguri District. The locationis a confluence of three major bio-geographic zones viz. Lower GangeticPlains, Central Himalayas and BramhaputraValley. Representation of multi-tiervegetational assemblage from the plainsto an elevation of 1750 mts in the hills,coupled with a good number of perennialwater streams, enables this Reserve tobe an excellent harbour for various wildanimals.Push from BelowThe Forests of Buxa Tiger Reserve,previously known as Buxa Division, wasmanaged with the intension of harvestingof timber to cater the raw materials ofindustrialisation and other developmentworks. The first Working Plan preparedby William Schlich (1874-75 to 1905-06) stressed on systematic management,which graduated in the second WorkingPlan by C C Halt through prescribing:“selection felling followed by naturalregeneration” for renewing the resource.E O Shebbear further improvised themanagement system. In the third WorkingPlan (1920-21 to 1924-25) Shebbear Buxa Tiger Reserve Wildlife Management inby KAUSIK CHAUDHURY 32 WEST BENGAL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009Royal Bengal Tiger recommended“artificial regenerationof clear felled areasby means of TaungaPlantation”.It was for the firsttime in the fourthWorking Plan (1929-30 to 1948-49) whereHomfray emphasisedthe need formaintenance andimprovement of thesavannah areas toprovide habitat for richgrassland. However,such recommendationwas widely applied inthe forest areas wherepresently JaldaparaWildlife Sanctuary issituated. In the fifthWorking Plan (1945-46 to 1964-65),Jaldapara WildlifeSanctuary was kept under a separate GameSanctuary Working Circle to preserve andimprove the existing stock of indigenousfauna. In the sixth (1965-66 to 1974-75)and the seventh (1975-76 to 1984-85)Working Plan, no special stress was givenon wildlife except for the creation of ProtectionWorking Circle where no felling wasprescribed. This Working Circle was createdfor the protection of steep hill slopes andheadwater of streams. Extraction of forestproduce was limited. However, during thesetwo plan periods, a vast area (5300 ha)in the plains within this Reserve was convertedinto Teak.Meanwhile, in 1983, the Buxa Tiger Reservewas constituted. The Management Plan aftercreation of Tiger Reserve emphasised onidentifying the limiting factors of the habitatand reduce those factors through ameliorativemanagement and compulsory developmentby means of intensive anti-poaching, fireprotection, elimination of cattle grazing,eradication of weeds, soil conservationmeasures, relocation of human habitationinside the Core area.Chronology of Events1. In 1866, the state forest departmentundertook the forests of Buxa Tiger Reserve,which was used to bea subject ofindiscriminate fellingresultin

2 g into wasteland.2. The process ofdeclar
g into wasteland.2. The process ofdeclaring the forest as‘Reserved’ accordingto the Indian ForestAct (Act VIII of 1878)started in the year1879. The processcontinued till 1940.3. Thus the forestsof Buxa were formedover an area of 758.78Sq Kms videGovernment of India’sNotification No. J-11025/18/B/FRY(PT)dated 16.02.1983.Subsequently, 2.09 SqKms resumed teagarden forest land wastransferred by thedistrict magistrate,Jalpaiguri, in 1989. Thus total area of BuxaTiger Reserve became 760.87 Sq. Kms.4. The forests of Buxa became a TigerReserve in 1983.5. An area of 314.52 Sq Kms was declaredas Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary in 1986. Inthe year 1990, a further 54.47 Sq Kmswas added. Thus the area of Sanctuarybecame 386.07 Sq Kms.6. In 1997, an area of 117.10 Sq Kms ofthe Sanctuary was notified as NationalPark. Thus the area of Buxa Wildlife Sanctuaryreduced down to 268.97 Sq Kms.7. Eastern Dooars Elephant Reserve wasformed with an area of 977.51 Sq Kmsinvolving Jalpaiguri, Wildlife II, WildlifeIII divisions and Buxa Tiger Reserve Circlevide Notification No. 3293-For/11B-19/2000dated 28.08.2002 for the purpose ofprotecting, containing and developing wildlife(elephant) and its environment. Most ofthe area of Buxa Tiger Reserve was kepteither under core or buffer area.8. Recently, 459.13 Sq Kms area has beennotified as Critical Tiger Habitat of BuxaTiger Reserve vide Notification No. 6027-For dated 18.12.2007 where some bufferareas came under Critical Tiger HabitatZone and some core areas were de-notified. WEST BENGALSEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 33A rare species of bird Vegetational Statusof Buxa TigerReserveBuxa Tiger Reserveis a forest of multi-tier vegetationalassemblage. The mostcommon speciesfound within theforests are as follows:In the Plains: Sal(Shorea robusta)along with itsassociates viz. Champ (Michelia champaca),Chilaune (Schima wallichi), Chikrasi(Chukrasia tabularis), Bahera (Terminalia), Sidha (Lagerstroemia parviflora),Toon (Toona ciliata), Lali (Amoora wallichi),Lasuni (Aphanomixis polostachea), Lampati(Duabanga grandiflora), Simul (BombaxIn the adjoining area of rivers Simul,Sisoo and Sirish are commonly found.In the Hills: Katus (Castanopsis indica),Mandane (Artocarpus fraxinifolius),Bhalukath (Talauma hodgsoni), Phalame(Walsura tabulata) associated with Kimbu(Morus laevigata), Panisaj (Terminalia), Gokul (Ailanthus grandis).Savanah Woodlands: Savannahwoodlands are characterised by Kumbhi(Careya arborea), Tantari (), Jamun (Syzium cumini) andKul (Zizyphus sp.)Forage Availability to Herbivores:The presence of wide variety of grass,herbs and shrubs enrich the fodderresources of the forest. The grasses mostlypreferred by the Wild Herbivores areImperata cylindrica, Arundo donax,Themeda arundinacea, Phragm

3 ites karka,Paspalidium punctuatum, Panic
ites karka,Paspalidium punctuatum, Panicum maxima,Seteria glauca, Oryza sp., Saccharumsp., Andropogon sp., Thysanolana sp.Faunal Varieties in Buxa Tiger ReserveWith the abundance of dense forestsproviding enough cover, plentiful of foragesand fruits as food for herbivores andconsequently a large prey base for thecarnivores and perennial rivers and streamsdissecting the Reserve, the area is asuitable habitat for Wild animals.The main carnivores of Buxa TigerReserve include Indian Tiger (Panthera), Leopard(Panthera pardus),Clouded leopard(Neofelis nebulosa),Hog badger(Arctonyx collaris),Jungle cat (), Leopard cat(Felis bengalensis),Fishing cat (), Wild dog(Cuon alpinus), Jackal(Canis aureus),Mangoose (Herpestes edwardsi), Fox(Vulpes bengalensis).Among herbivores, predominants areIndian Elephant (Elephus maximus), Gaur(Bos gaurus), Sambhar (Cervus unicolor),Chital (Axis axis), Barking deer (Muntiacus), Hog deer (Axis porcinus), Wildpig (Sus scrofa) and Hispid hare(Caprophagus hispidus).Many other animals like Porcupine (Hystrix), Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulata),Common Pangolin (Manis crassiculata) arealso frequently in these forests.Varieties of fishes are present in therivers and streams flowing inside theforest, most commonly found are Chela,Boroli, Puti, Hum, Boal, Mrigel, Kalbaus,Chital, Sole etc.Among reptiles tortoise, lizards, gecko,various kinds of snakes such as Kingkobra, Russel Viper, Black Crait, IndianPython and reticulated Python are foundin this region.Avifauna of Buxa Tiger Reserve addsto the richness of Bio-diversity. Theimportant ones are Indian Jungle Maina,Indian Magpie Robin, Common Red JungleFowl, Peafowl, Indian Pied Hornbill. Aroundwater pools, water birds such as Snakebird, Grey heron, Little egret, Paddy bird,Cattle egret are often met with.Moreover, various kinds of Orchids andButterflies adore the Bio-diversity of theReserve.Problem Related to HabitatManagementThe faunal variety of Buxa Tiger Reservefaces various difficulties to spread overthe entire Reserve, thus limiting theirpresence in some pockets. The limitingfactors for wild animals are as follows: 34 WEST BENGAL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009Leopard 1. Hunting and Poaching: Poaching ofTigers was quite prevalent in India. Sinceimposition of ban on hunting Tigers in 1970,incidence of poaching of Tigers had remarkablyreduced. Poaching incidence of Elephants,Gaurs, Leopards are also less.2. Illicit Felling and Collection ofNWFP: Illicit felling and collection ofNWFP by and large occurs in Buxa TigerReserve. Such incidence occurs mainlyin the outskirts of the Reserve nearsettlement and tea gardens, affectingthe habitat adversely.3. Shifting of River C: Therecurrent flood in the flood plains of riverSankosh, Rydak, Jainty, Bala, Dima andBasra during the monsoon destroys wildlifehabitat. Tree

4 s, boulders etc are carrieddown and get
s, boulders etc are carrieddown and get stuck at places and formbarrier. This barrier sometimes graduallyenlarges and acts like partial dams. Thecourses of the streams and rivers arediverted with the consequent erosion ofbanks.4. Scarcity of Water: The rising ofriverbed as a consequence of siltationhas absence or flow of water in the streamsand rivers during dry season (Decemberto April). Though surface flow of wateris available in the hills and very farbelow beyond 23rd mile (Terai Zone)runs underneath the riverbed where themaximum area of the Reserve is located(north of 23rd mile). Moreover thereare 4 water pools within the Reserve(Narathali, Pukuri, Phaskhawa and AdmaPokhri), which are insufficient.5. Conversion of Natural Forests toMonoculture: Natural habitats wereconverted to Teak and Jarul (monoculture)plantations in many areas of Reservelike Sankosh, Kumargram, Bholka, Rydak,Dima, Rajabhatkhawa, Santrabari, Bhutri,Bharnabari, and Gudamdabri blocks aswell as in National Park areas duringthe sixth and the seventh Working Planperiod before formation of Buxa TigerReserve. Teak and Jarul plantations occupy34% of total plantation of the Tiger Reserve,which is not congenial for wild animals.Natural carrying capacity of the habitatis reduced considerably on account ofsuch adverse changes.6. Grazing: Grazing by cattle inside the TigerReserve is a serious problem as it reducesthe availability of fodder to the wildherbivores and exposes them to the risk ofcattle born diseases. WEST BENGALSEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 35Spotted deer 7. Diseases: Wild animals, particularly theherbivores, are very susceptible to diseases,most of which are transmitted throughdomestic cattle. So, grazing not onlydegrades the habitat but also increases thechance of transmitting many diseases to wildanimals. Anthrax, Rinderpest, Foot andMouth disease, Tuberculosis etc are thecommon diseases, which usually kill the wildanimals.8. Roads, Railways and TransmissionLine: A number of PWD roads, including aNational Highway, NH 31C, pass through theBuxa Tiger Reserve. The meter gauge railwayline from Damanpur to Hasimara, which hasbeen graduated to broad gauge railway line,passes through the Reserve. Over years theroads and railway line have become verybusy. The number of vehicles and trainsplying during night has increased by manytimes. Consequently, wild animal death casesdue to accidents have also increased. Inaddition, a major threat is the constructionof a road all through the hills. The proposedTala-Rydak road will further dissect thecontinuous undisturbed forest patch of BuxaTiger Reserve and the forests of Bhutan. Thisis a threat to the stabilisation of hill slopesencouraging landslide, de-forestation andvehicular pollution. Debris released f

5 romthese activities is still silting up
romthese activities is still silting up rivers of BTRmaking them prone to frequent floods.9. Forest Village: Forest villagesconstructed long ago within various pocketsfalling in the core area of Buxa Tiger Reserveacts as a limiting factor. The population ofall forest villages has increases considerably,which also destroys wildlife habitat. 12 forestvillages and two FD holdings are locatedwithin the notified sanctuary.10. Invasion of Weeds: Eupatorium sp.,Clerodendron sp. and ferns are the majorweeds and Mikania is the main climberaffecting forests and plantation.11. Degradation of Grasslands: Thesavannah grasslands within the Reserve issituated in the flood plain of the rivers Rydak,Sankosh, Jainty, Bala, Dima and Basra. Treeslike Sisoo, Simul, Sirish are graduallyinvading them. Grasslands were alsoconverted in the past into monocultures ofteak, Jarul etc in Bholka block. Grasslandswithin BTR have also degraded on accountof grazing and fire.Management Plan in Buxa Tiger ReserveThe entire area of Buxa Tiger Reserve ismarked into four separate zones forseparate management practices dependingon the needs of habitat improvement as wellas biotic pressure.Wilderness Zone: The entire National Parkand a part of the Sanctuary is included inthis Zone extending over an area of 126.34Sq Kms involving Jainty, East Rajabhatkhawa,West Rajabhatkhawa, Buxaduar, North Rydakand Kumargram Ranges.Objectives of Management1. To preserve this zone in as near naturalcondition as possible.2. To maintain natural courses of naturalsuccession.Strategies followed in this Zone1. Natural Forest in this zone is strictlypreserved.2. Improvement and protection works arecarried out for the purpose of: (a)maintenance of roads and firelines and (b)Construction and maintenance of ArtificialWater holes.3. Boundary demarcation are carried out andand staff amenities are provided only to theextent required for protection of this zone.4. Grazing and fire are strictly prohibited inthis zone.5. No vehicular movement except for protectionduties shall be permitted in this zone.6. No collection of NTFP is permitted in this zone.7. Only limited use for scientific and researchpurpose.Habitat Management Zone: Most of theblocks falling within the Buxa Wildlife Sanctuaryare included under this Zone. The total areaof this zone is 260.37 Sq. Kms. This zoneextends over Kumargram, North Rydak, SouthRydak, Jainty, Buxaduar, East Rajabhatkhawa,Pana and Hamiltonganj Ranges.Objectives of Management1. Manage the habitat in such a way thatencourages wildlife population, particularlythe prey-base for large carnivores.2. Preserve natural forests and other criticalhabitats.Strategies followed in this Zone1. Protection given against illicit felling,poaching, grazing, fire etc.2. Habitat improvement works like canopyopening in teak forests followed by fodderplantation, thinning of plant

6 ations, eradication 36
ations, eradication 36 WEST BENGAL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 of weeds from glades and wetlands, soilconservation, etc. are performed.3. Developmental works including repairingof road, creation and maintenance offirelines, maintenance of glades, water holesand salt licks, provision of staff amenitiesetc. are done.4. Selective and restricted eco-developmentactivities are carried out in forest villagesand F.D. holding hamlets.5. Restricted tourism is allowed within thetourism zone without jeopardizing theinterests of Wildlife.6. Collection of NTFP is restricted in termsof the provisions of The Wildlife(Protection) Act, 1972 and Govt. Ordersfor Eco-Development Committee.7. Limited extraction of cyclone damagedtimber and drift timber is done to removeblockades from streams, reduce fire hazardsand discourage timber smugglers.8. Removal of boulders and bed materialsfrom middle one-thirds of river beds areallowed in some identified areas to maintainthe course of river, keeping the river bankon both sides undisturbed.Multiple Use Zone: All the remainingblocks not included under Wilderness Zoneand Multiple Use Zone, have been includedin this zone. This zone extends over Bholka,South Rydak, Nimati, Pana, Hamiltongunj,East Damanpur, West Damanpur, EastRajabhatkhawa and West RajabhatkhawaRanges. The zone extends to 373.16 Sq.Kms.Objectives of Management1. To preserve the natural forest.2. To meet the demand of people for fuelwood, fodder, NWFP and timber etc.3. To provide adequate employment to forestvillagers and members of the FPC and EDCthrough forestry works, NTFP collection andeco-development activities.4. To create congenial habitat for wildlife byplanting suitable fodder and fruit trees ofindigenous origin and by protecting andmaintaining wildlife corridors.Strategies followed in this Zone1. Final harvesting of matured plantationsare carried out followed by replanting of thefelled area during next year.2. Cultural and Mechanical thinning ofplantations are carried out as per thinningschedule.3. Reforestation of degraded areas isundertaken. WEST BENGALSEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 37An elephant herd 4. Developmentalworks including roadrepairing,maintenance of firelines, creation andmaintenance of staffamenities etc. arecarried out.5. Eco-Developmentalactivities are carriedout in forest villages,F.D. holding hamlets,FPCs and EDCs.Tourism Zone: This zone comprises 11 Sq.Kms. of Rajabhatkhawa, Jainty, Buxaduarand Bhutanghat blocks overlapping with theHabitat Management Zone and the MultipleUse Zone.Objectives of Management1. To promote conservation awarenessamong the visitors and local people throughnature education and interpretation.2. To regulate tourism in a manner

7 thatensures the visit of tourists enjoya
thatensures the visit of tourists enjoyable,educative and compatible with the goals ofconservation.3. To minimize the negative impact of tourism.4. To provide economic benefits to the localcommunities through tourism activities.Strategies followed in this Zone:1. In the Reserve, 11 Sq Kms area has beenidentified for Tourism Zone, which coversSRVK-15 &16, NRVK-6, BTG-2, TBGN-4 andNRT-2 compartments.2. Interpretation Centre at Rajabhatkhawaprovides of sorts of information about theReserve. In addition a museum is createdat Buxaduar for demonstration anddepiction of Historical events of Buxa alongwith its surroundings and cultures of localDukpas.3. Accommodation felicities are available atvarious locations for the Tourists.4. Eco-Tourism guides are stationed at Jaintyand Rajabhatkhawa, who are engaged forsafari within the tourism zone.Habitat Improvement PlanHabitat improvement works in the Reserveis done especially in Habitat ManagementZone, based on following considerations.1. Preserving and increasing bio-diversityand interspersion of habitat.2. Protection of habitat against all factorscausing degradation.3. Making habitatconditions suitable fortarget species.4. Raising localpalatable and nutritivefodder grasses,shrubs and fruit treesto increase the qualityof degraded habitats.The followinghabitat improvementworks are done.(1) Canopy Opening in Teak Plantations followed by Habitat Improvement Plantation : In Buxa TigerReserve, old congested teak plantation asseen in abundance in Habitat ManagementZone, which is not favourable to wild animalsas it does not allow bushy undergrowth andmiddle storey to provide adequate cover.Dense canopy allows very little light to theground, thus inhibiting growth of lightdemanding species of browse value forungulates. Consequently, congested teakplantations harbour relatively low density ofherbivores. Thus opening of canopy incongested teak plantation is done.The process of Canopy Opening is doneby following certain procedures. At a time,5-10 ha dense teak plantation is taken up.The plots are laid in staggered fashion tominimise disturbance to wild animals. Plotsare located in plain terrain, at least 50 mtsaway from perennial streams/rivers. Around100 trees/ha are retained. Marked trees arefelled from September/October andcompleted within February. To discourage thegrowth of coppice shoots, the stump isbattered. Opened up areas are planted inthe following monsoon with indigenousfodder plants, shrubs, bamboos and fruitbearing trees viz. Amla, Bahera, Chalta,Kumbhi, Gujalahara, Arare kanta etc. grasseslike Dhadda, Chepti, Malsa and bamboos likeBambusa arundinacea, Dendrocalamushamiltoni etc. After plantation subsequentmaintenance by weeding, cleaning andbeating up of blank areas is done regularlyas per schedule- 1st year-3 weeding/cleaning, 2nd and 3rd year- 2 weeding/cleaning and 4th Year

8 -1 weeding/cleaning.(2) Habitat improvem
-1 weeding/cleaning.(2) Habitat improvement plantation in degraded areas: This operation is done inboth in Habitat Management Zone and 38 WEST BENGAL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009Peacock Multiple Use Zone. The areas, which aredegraded due to intensive biotic pressure,are taken up for plantation. The choice ofspecies to be planted is guided by WorkingPlan based on soil condition. The spacingmaintained is 2mtx2mt fruit species does notexceed 10 per cent of the total stock andare not planted in pure lines. Bamboos areplanted in grooves scattered uniformly overthe plantation area.(3) Canopy manipulation for creating congenial habitat for Wildlife: Canopy ofyounger plantations are manipulatedregularly to create congenial habitat for wildanimals, which is carried out in HabitatManagement Zone only. It is needed forremoval of congestion for easy movementof wild animals.(4) Maintenance of grasslands and meadows: The operation is restricted to HabitatManagement Zone only where grasslandsexist. In Buxa Tiger Reserve, naturalgrasslands exists mostly in all along riverbanks of Bala, Jainty, Dima and Basra rivers.The grassland mainly consists of Saccharamsp., Imperata cylindrical and Desmodiumbipinata. The need of the maintenance is tocut woody encroachment on a 5-year cycle,retaining 4-5 snags per ha. Fruit speciesespecially Zizyphus and Ficus are retained.This management practice is not followedas prescribed due to biotic pressure andgrazing.(5) Maintenance of glades and salt licks: Theoperation is applicable in Habitat ManagementZone and Eco-Tourism Zone. Themaintenance of glades and salt licks are doneby weeding of unwanted weeds (Lantana,Mikania etc.) twice a year in all glades.Fodder grasses like Dhadda, Malsa, Chepti,Banspati, and Purundi are planted in blankpatches and maintained subsequently. Rocksalts are provided on the mounds at regularinterval.(6) Maintenance of artificial and natural waterholes: A vast area in Buxa TigerReserve (north of 23rd mile) lies withinbhabar tract, where water becomes scarceduring the lean period (December to April).Most of the water holes within this tract areprovided with water through pipeline fromthe stream. Some are filled-in with watermanually. Domestic livestock is controlledfrom coming to these waterholes.(7) Maintenance of Natural Wetlands : Thenatural water holes (at Narathali-2, WEST BENGALSEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 39Parrot Tashigaon-2,Phaskhawa-3 andSantrabari-1) consistwater throughout theyear. Tashigaon-2,Phaskhawa-3 andSantrabari-1waterbodies arelocated in hill tractswhere tortoise andturtles reside. Hencethese are protectedfrom being hunted.The wetland at Narathali is important for waterbirds and other acquatic fa

9 una. The portion(50%) of the beel (water
una. The portion(50%) of the beel (waterbody) is cleanedevery year in a staggered manner by manualremoval of pistia and water hyacinth. Adequateprotection is provided against hunting, fishingand unauthorized cattle grazing.(8) Maintenance of special habitats like snags, dens, caves and overhangs: Thisstrategy is applicable in all managementplan zones. Snags around 3-5 in a hectareabove 5mt height and 20 cms DBH areretained for use by woodpeckers, barbets,hornbills and small mammals. 2-5 downwoods (above 2mt and 20 cms diameterat the big end) should be retained per ha.for providing shelter to various life formssuch as soil bacteria, fungi, mollusks,anthropoids, amphibians and smallmammals. All the dens, caves andoverhangs are protected and undisturbedas hare, mouse, pangoline, mongoose andother nocturnal animals stay there.Habitat Restoration worksThe restoration works are done by variousmeans in order to protect the habitat fromdestruction by natural calamities and othermeans.(1) Bank Protection and river training works :These works are done in the anticipatedvulnerable portion of river banks andstreams by means of sassuage works andconstruction of spur. This enables protectionof the river and stream banks during flashfloods in the rainy season.(2) Removal of boulders and bed material from river beds : Though it was prohibitedto collect boulders and bed materials fromNational Park and Sanctuaries as per ForestConservation Act, 1980, special permissionhas been accorded from the Supreme Courtto collect boulders andbed materials frommiddle one-thirds ofthe river bed withinthe Reserve in someidentified areas forde-siltation andincrease the riverdepth. This canrestrict the floodwater to overflow andstrike on the banks ofriver and streams.Since February 2006, boulders and bedmaterials are permitted to collect by thevarious government departments andgovernment undertakings for developmentpurpose.(3) Removal of drift timber from rivers/ streams : At times, drift timber blocks thenormal course of rivers/streams, which thenchange its course and breaks one side ofthe bank by its overflows. Hence, minimumquantity of drift timber from the HabitatManagement Zone is extracted to removethe blockade from the river course.Protection MeasuresAbove all, protection measures ought to beparamount to protect the forests and wildlife.Hence, following measures are taken.(1) Patrolling : Extensive patrolling is doneon foot, elephant back and vehicle to counterpoaching activities and illegal felling. Theriver camps are maintained at Rydak,Gholani throughout the year to check passingof drift timber. In addition, patrolling is doneby boat specifically during rainy season.Elephants are used for patrolling ‘difficult toaccess’ areas.(2) Strengthening communication network :Communication between all stations is doneby fixed RT sets. Moreove

10 r, handsets are usedduring patrolling to
r, handsets are usedduring patrolling to communicate between thepatrolling parties and nearest Forest Station.(3) Maintenance of forest roads and patrolling path : To combat poaching and illegal fellingfast communication is necessary. Hence,forest roads and patrolling paths are cleanedfor easy movement of vehicle and patrollingparties.(4) Providing firearms : Firearms are essentialto combat poachers and smugglers and forself-protection by the staffs. Each forest unitis equipped with firearms. 40 WEST BENGAL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009Goral(Mount Goat) (5) Organising raid programme : In BuxaTiger Reserve frequent raid programmesare organised in villages, rivers and trainsbased on reliable information.(6) Control on sawmills : It is very essentialto regulate illegally running sawmills andfurniture shops to protect forest assets.The respective inspectors sometimessuddenly verify the stock of sawmillsto control the entrance of illegal timber.(7) Establishment of intelligence network :Intelligence network is widely spreadthroughout Buxa Tiger Reserve forgathering information on illegal worksrelated to Forests and Wildlife. The systemof paying rewards to informers on thebasis of guidelines provided byGovernment of India (vide its Circularno. 24-1/88-WL-1, dated 29.08.1888 toall CWLWs and Forest Secretaries) isfollowed.(8) Creation of Tiger Protection Force :As per latest guideline by newly formedNational Tiger Conservation Authority,formation of Tiger Protection Force inBuxa Tiger Reserve is under process.With the formation of this Force, protectionmeasures will certainly gain impetus.Rehabilitation ProgrammeA proposal has recently come up with apackage for relocation/rehabilitation of villagescoming under Critical Tiger Habitat of all TigerReserves in India. National Tiger ConservationAuthority has come up with such proposal. Theproposed package has two options:Option I :Payment of entire packageamount (Rs 10 lakh per family) to the in casethe family opts so, without involving anyrehabilitation/relocation process by forestdepartment.Option II :Carrying out relocation/rehabilitation of village from Critical TigerHabitat by the forest department.At present the process has been initiatedin Adma, Raimatang, Gangutia, 28th MileBasti, 29th Mile Basti, Newlands andKumargram forest villages and Jainty FDHolding to bring under this package. This willcertainly benefit the wild animals to movefreely without any disturbances. The problemof grazing will be no more. Moreover, it willadd to the serenity of the forests enablinga better habitat for the wild animals. WEST BENGALSEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 41The author is assistant field director, BuxaTiger Reserve. a rare species o