Armed poachers threaten the lives of the staff who fear to even enter the reserve at all due to regular hold-ups and assaults. Recent reports speak of one range officer and driver being assaulted. Under the garb of extremists and armed people's groups, small and big time criminals are freely operating in the area. Support from the District Administration has been found wanting and the law and order situation has gone from bad to worse.
Compounding these problems, vehicles meant for the field staff are being diverted at will for other uses by politicians and influential bureaucrats. The staff has received no salary or wage for the last four months. The budget allotted is thoroughly inadequate. It wouldn't be amiss to say that the Development Wing of the Directorate, which looks after the Plan Budget is instrumental in destroying Palamau. Timber felling exerts enormous pressure on the habitat. Khair trees have almost been wiped out by the Katha mafias. Located in the state of Bihar on the northern edge of the Chotta Nagpur Plateau, the Palamau Tiger Reserve stretches over an area of 1026 sq.km. A one-time seat of the Chero Rajas of Bihar, these forests stretch from the edge of the Netarhat hill range in the South to the Auranga river in the North and upto the Madhya Pradesh border in the west. The world's first tiger census was, in fact, carried out in Palamau in 1932. And in 1973, when Project Tiger was born, Palamau was among the first nine reserves chosen for inclusion. With this kind of privileged background, Palamau should be flourishing. But that is sadly not the case.
The Chief Minister is probably unaware that the tiger has global and national supporters. Please help spread awareness about the campaign to save the tiger by writing letters, demanding more responsible action from the State Government.
Write a letter to endorse your support.
