Protect Tiger Reserves from Exotic Tree Plantations in India

On one of the most important tiger reserves in India, the Forest Department is destroying natural grasslands on a protected tiger reserve, while calling it "improvements".

The forest department at Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve has uprooted several natural trees with mechanical diggers and dumpers, - and has replaced them with non-native exotic trees and erected fences around the plantations.

The grassland being destroyed is vital to the ecology of tiger habitat -as it was the main feeding grounds for several small and large herbivores including spotted deer, gaur, and sambar - the tiger's prey and food source. To destoy the grassland is to destroy the food chain of the tigers. Additionally,. fences built around these plantations block free movement of herbivores in the already fragmented Tiger Reserve.

These acts are in  violation of Section 26 of the Indian Forest Act, Karnataka Tree Preservation Act, and against Section 29 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 which prohibits destruction of wildlife habitats.

Demand that the Forest Department cease exotic tree plantations, and dismiss officals within the department for violations against this ecocoly within the tiger reserves.

SOURCE: http://www.conservationindia.org/single-external?external=http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/1857347/report-the-tiger-s-new-enemy-forest-officials

Mr. Shashi Shekhar
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Room No. 412
CGO Complex, Lodi Road
New Delhi - 110003
India
Tel: + 91 11 243 64687
Fax: 011 243 62388
EMail: shashi.shekhar@nic.in, nayanika.singh@nic.in