TN to complete notification process of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve today

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsThe Tamil Nadu Government will complete the notification process of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) on Monday. Spread over the buffer zone of 365 sq km and core area of 321 sq km in the Nilgiri district, the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve includes forest and revenue area comprising 30 villages. The major part of the buffer zone lies within the areas of Masinagudi, Bokkapuram, Sigur and Singara, which are adjacent to Wayanad district.According to the proposal, at least 10-15 km of forest area surrounding the core tiger reserve would come under the buffer zone. About 6-10 km of patta and revenue lands will also come under the area.On April 3, the Supreme Court had directed all states to demarcate and notify buffer zones around each of their tiger reserves within three months. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has expedited the demarcation process after the court directed the states to ban tourism in all reserves and comply with the directions by August 22 or face contempt proceedings.Mudumalai was declared a tiger reserve in 2007 and the Forest Department had demarcated both buffer and core zones in the reserve. However, the government could not complete the notification process owing to the protest of the people living near the forest reserves. The state government was forced to act tough after the apex court set a deadline for notifying buffer zone of tiger reserves and banning tourism in its core areas.Soon, the government is expected to make a move to notify another buffer zone comprising the 19 villages near Mudumalai. There were allegations that the government did not follow the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines.There were also charges that the court directive to relocate forest dwellers and tribal people living in the 30 villages was not complied with. The government also failed to get the nod from the grama sabhas. Masinagudi, which has been a hub of tourism activities, wears a deserted look now following the Forest Department’s decision to ban tourism in buffer zones. The move also cost the department crores of rupees as it had constructed many guest houses in the core areas of MTR. The department used to earn around `1.5 crore annually by organising tours inside the forest.first published:August 20, 2012, 12:07 ISTlast updated:August 20, 2012, 12:07 IST
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The Tamil Nadu Government will complete the notification process of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) on Monday. Spread over the buffer zone of 365 sq km and core area of 321 sq km in the Nilgiri district, the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve includes forest and revenue area comprising 30 villages. The major part of the buffer zone lies within the areas of Masinagudi, Bokkapuram, Sigur and Singara, which are adjacent to Wayanad district.

According to the proposal, at least 10-15 km of forest area surrounding the core tiger reserve would come under the buffer zone. About 6-10 km of patta and revenue lands will also come under the area.

On April 3, the Supreme Court had directed all states to demarcate and notify buffer zones around each of their tiger reserves within three months. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has expedited the demarcation process after the court directed the states to ban tourism in all reserves and comply with the directions by August 22 or face contempt proceedings.

Mudumalai was declared a tiger reserve in 2007 and the Forest Department had demarcated both buffer and core zones in the reserve. However, the government could not complete the notification process owing to the protest of the people living near the forest reserves. The state government was forced to act tough after the apex court set a deadline for notifying buffer zone of tiger reserves and banning tourism in its core areas.

Soon, the government is expected to make a move to notify another buffer zone comprising the 19 villages near Mudumalai. There were allegations that the government did not follow the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines.

There were also charges that the court directive to relocate forest dwellers and tribal people living in the 30 villages was not complied with. The government also failed to get the nod from the grama sabhas. Masinagudi, which has been a hub of tourism activities, wears a deserted look now following the Forest Department’s decision to ban tourism in buffer zones. The move also cost the department crores of rupees as it had constructed many guest houses in the core areas of MTR. The department used to earn around `1.5 crore annually by organising tours inside the forest.