Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Tribals help to curb poaching in Indira Gandhi sanctuary

By P. Oppili

VALPARAI JUNE 29 . The incidence of poaching and felling in the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park (IGWLS & NP) at Pollachi has come down, thanks to the introduction of squads, involving tribals. The setting up of the anti-poaching 19 vulnerable locations, identified by forest officials, reduced the number of offences. Each camp is manned by a forester, four forest guards and an equal number of tribal watchers.

The involvement of tribals in the operation yielded double dividends: jobless tribal youth were weaned away from felling and poaching, and profitably employed. However, a recent visit to a camp at Mandhirimattam, near Valparai, revealed that these squads needed to be strengthened. Besides inducting more tribal watchers, they should be provided with better communication and infrastructure facilities.

Those who man these spots are under threat from the poachers. A makeshift camp at Varagaliyar in the Top Slip area was torn asunder by marauding wild elephants recently. ``When the pachyderms attacked the structure, the squad members were, luckily, on their routine perambulation and the people escaped unhurt'', said officials.

When contacted, the Pollachi Wildlife Warden, V. Ganesan, said efforts were on to identify some more vulnerable areas in the sanctuary. ``We aim to increase the number of anti-poaching camps, so that one tribal from each of the 36 settlements will get employment.''

The Manamboli Range Officer, Thangaraj Paneerselvam, suggests creation of a `mobile anti-poaching squad' for better protection of the flora and fauna in the interior areas of the sanctuary. The squad could swiftly pass on information to base camps on the movements of anti-social elements inside the forest areas.

With the introduction of the anti-poaching camps, sighting of wild animals has improved, according to tourists visiting the area. However, the Forest department has to allocate funds for their sustained functioning.

The tribal watchers, a key component in the forest official's scheme of things, are not without complaints. Even three years after their induction, they have had no pay increase.

The `Malai Malachar' tribes of the Western Ghats, staying in the Manamboli area, want the department to run a school for their children at Manamboli, as has been done at Top Slip. Now they, have to travel to Valparai. Unable to cope with the daily chores, many children have even discontinued their studies, say tribal elders. The tribal watchers also want a hospital opened for their families.

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