Aside from the direct loss of forest land due to submergence, there will also be the disturbance caused due to the construction process, workers' colonies, fishing operations on the reservoir and secondary pressure on surrounding forests. The 116.55 sq. km. Tadoba National Park and the 508.85 sq. km. Andhari Sanctuary together comprise the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). The habitat of these two Protected Areas, consisting of forest interspersed with several large meadows is such that it provides a better herbivore density for big cats. TATR has been an extremely popular reserve with wildlifers in Maharashtra and the possibility of tiger sightings equals that in better known reserves such as Kanha. This is a direct consequence of the excellent protection measures instituted in the reserve over the last few years.
TATR is home to 41 species of mammals, 195 species of birds, 74 species of butterflies, 26 species of spiders, 30 species of reptiles, five species of amphibians and 23 species of fish. In addition to the 625 sq. km. under Project Tiger, the adjoining 1,000 sq. km. of forest provides space for young tigers to expand their territories. Though the tiger remains the major tourist attraction, large herds of chital, sambar, the elusive barking deer, delicate chausingha, the robust gaur, nilgai, sloth bear and ratel also attract visitors. Wild dogs and a healthy leopard population compete for prey with tigers.
But this wild beauty is in danger now. The proposed Human Irrigation Project in Chandrapur district near Sindevahi on the river Human has influential political backers. The project will submerge 2,908 ha. of prime forest adjoining the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. This forest soaks up rainwater, releasing it gradually. The project will thus destroy the very source of the river! The project proponents claim that 50,000 ha. of agricultural land will be benefited, but if the source of the river is jeopardised, for how long will any ‘benefits' be available?
The project will also destroy the continuity of tiger habitat between the Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, the Indravati Tiger Reserve and Tadoba. The reservoir formed by the dam will prevent free movement of wildlife to the east and southeast of Tadoba. WWF-India is presently working on a landscape approach to tiger conservation and formulating a new conservation strategy. In the Satpuda-Maikal range area, the tiger corridor adjoining TATR has been identified as an important wildlife habitat.
The forest clearance proposal for the project is pending with the Ministry of Environment and Forest and needs to be opposed at every level. Please write letters to the authorities opposing this destructive project.
