From Trishna Pegu Doley
GUWAHATI :Inspector General of Forests, Project Tiger, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Amit Mallick has appreciated the stellar contribution made by frontline personnel of Manas Tiger Reserve in the field of tiger conservation. In a letter to the Field Director, Manas Tiger Project, Amal Sarma, Mallick expressed his sincere admiration on behalf of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for the noteworthy efforts of the forest frontline force at Manas Tiger Reserve during the extraordinary times of COVID-19 pandemic.
Mallick disclosed that the Manas Tiger Reserve is in the reckoning for the NTCA’s Bagh Rakshak, 2021 Award. Extending congratulation to the entire team of Manas Tiger Reserve, Mallick said, “Your hard work and perseverance in keeping our forests and wildlife safe is indeed highly appreciated.” It may be mentioned that Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve has bagged CA|TS (Conservation Assured Tiger Standard Accreditation Certificate on Global Tiger Day on July 29 this year. It has got Global Tiger Conservation Excellence Award under Category 1×2 and Conservation Excellency 2020 – jointly awarded to Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan and Manas Tiger Reserve, India. It also bagged the Hemchand Mahindra Foundation’s Wildlife Warrior Award on April 3 this year. Eight frontline staff were paid Rs.50,000 each. Besides, Manas was awarded the IUCN-WCPA International Ranger Award. 12 frontline protection personnel were conferred with ‘highly commended certificates’.
There has been a gradual rise in tiger population, thanks to the slew of conservation efforts. As per Phase-IV monitoring, the wild cats increased from 30 to 48 this year under the Manas Tiger Project. Three rhinos from CWRC, WTI, Borjuri, Kaziranga National Park and two rhinos from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary were successfully translocated in April this year in collaboration with Assam Forest Department, BTC, WWF, WIl and Aaranyak. 12 numbers of rare, endangered and endemic pygmy hogs were translocated and released in Manas National Park in June this year. Meanwhile, census of tiger and other cat species, rhino, swamp deer, golden langur and bengal florican were completed successfully. Census of buffalo, wild bison and birds have also been initiated.
There has been remarkable reduction in wildlife and forest offences. In 2019, a total of 20 offenders were arrested. In 2020, a total of 15 offenders were apprehended. During 2021 till date only two wildlife offenders were arrested. During 2020-21, five numbers of wildlife offenders and during 2021-22 till date four numbers of wildlife offenders were apprehended. Since 2019 new anti-poaching camps have come up at Alabari, Chandmari, Gabharukhunda, Kathpura, River Tapu boat camp, Transit camp at Bhuyanpara Range Hqr. and revival of abandoned anti-poaching camps at Baideoghat, Sahebghat, Ranighat, Sissobari and Moinaguri.