Sariska readies for the big cat’s return

traffic has killed several animals and hence, after sanctions of Rs 3.5 crore from the Ministry of Environment & Forests, a bypass was constructed here in 2002 to keep traffic out of the sanctuary. But that did not help. Local shopkeepers have been resisting its closure. Sariska may get three new tigers, but before the ambitious relocation, the ministry wants SH 13 closed.

Dr Rajesh Gopal, director Project Tiger, visited Sariska on Saturday and conveyed the same to the Sariska authorities. “We are insisting that certain things be set right at the sanctuary first — preparatory steps to be taken before we get the three tigers here. The authorities have already issued an order on the closure of SH 13 in the sanctuary area and traffic can take the bypass that has been constructed. While the two females and one male tiger will be brought to Sariska in another 40 days, in the meanwhile, the sanctuary authorities should convince locals to allow closure of the highway. We have to draw the line somewhere, you can’t have both the road and the tigers,” he said.

As many as 16 animals have been killed in road accidents between September 2003 and December 2007. The toll includes five tigers, seven panthers, two leopards and two elephants.

All incidents have been reported on roads passing through or along boundaries of reserved forests areas. Sariska authorities say that the road has to be closed to traffic, as it traverses through sensitive areas in the sanctuary.

“Several animals have been killed on this road and there have been instances of tigers dying in road crashes. But the local residents say that if the highway is closed, it will mean an end of business for them,” said P S Someshwar, Field Director, Sariska National Park.

Sources said even the Rajasthan Government has not been very cooperative on the issue. With elections round the corner no one wants to take on the locals in the area.

The highway starts from Jaipur side, goes from Gata Banroli to Thanaghazi veering into Sariska and on to Kushalgarh, before reaching Alwar. The 31-km-long bypass goes from Gata Banroli to Nairanpur and onto Kushalgarh and Alwar, skipping Thanaghazi and Sariska.

Other ‘preparatory’ work Sariska authorities have to ensure includes relocation of 11 villages from the core area and 28 villages from the sanctuary, changing of all staff members and regulating traffic flow into the sanctuary towards the two ancient temples here. While the authorities have managed to handle the last two, the rehabilitation process is a slow one.