Govt to approach SC to reconsider order on bamboo harvesting

New Delhi, Jun 21 (PTI) A recent India's Supreme Court
order allowing bamboo harvesting in sanctuaries could pose a
threat to the endangered tigers, feels the Indian government
which has decided to seek reconsideration of the direction.
A decision in this regard was taken at a recent
meeting of the National Board of Wild Life (NBWL) chaired by
India's Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.
Expressing reservation at the apex court order
allowing bamboo harvesting, the National Tiger Conservation
Authority (NTCA) member secretary Rajesh Gopal felt that the
activity would result in flow of people into protected areas,
leaving the tigers to their mercy.
"Under the garb of bonafide use, the core areas of
tiger reserves would be exploited for commercial gains by
vested groups if the order was implemented," he pointed out.
The issue had come up for discussion after officials
of Orissa state in east India sought permission for removal of
flowered bamboo in Satkosia Tiger Reserve as ordered by the
Supreme Court in its recent judgement in line with the
recommendation of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
Orissa Government was keen to harvest bamboo which is
used for various commercial purpose with locals hugely
depending on them.
The CEC had suggested that the felling and removal of
bamboo can be done by engaging only locals in the protected
areas and in the immediate vicinity.
"The felled bamboo will be distributed to the
villagers located within the Protected Area and in the
immediate vicinity free of cost... and not for commercial
purpose," it said.
However, Gopal noted that bamboo flowering occurs in
various tiger reserves like Bhadra, Anshi and Dandeli and
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves and allowing people to remove
bamboo would pose a threat to the wildlife particularly
tigers.
Refusing to give permission for removal of bamboo from
Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Rajesh said that the NTCA would soon
file an affidavit before the apex court for reconsidering the
judgement.
He also agreed to provide additional funds to the
tiger reserves to help them take steps to prevent fires
triggered due to drying up of bamboo groves in forest areas.
Searing heat and absence of summer rain have put the
forest areas in a perilous position with the forest officials
taking several measures to check the fire incidents. PTI AJ
MRD