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VALMIKI
TIGER RESERVE
Valmiki was established
as the 18th tiger reserve in 1990 in the forests Of West Champaran in Bihar.
The total area is 840 sq.kms and 335.6 sq.km forms the core area of this
tiger reserve.
The Royal Chitwan National
Park in Nepal borders the northern side and the river Gandak the western
side. Rhinos have been known to migrate into the reserve across the border.
The forests of this area include, natural Sal forests, moist mixed deciduous
forests Khair-sissoo forests, Cane,
eastern wet alluvial grass
lands and swamps containing reed beds. The canebrakes that occur in the
wet hollow depressions provide good shelter for the carnivores. In 1989
there were estimated to be 80 tigers and 31 leopards. The forests, grasslands
and swamps support populations of hog deer,
spotted deer, sambar, sloth
bear, barking deer, four horned antelope, Nilgai and many others.
There is no Population estimation
of wild animals being carried out at regular levels.
There are no villages in
the core but there are 8 villages in the buffer that depend entirely on
the natural resources of this reserve for firewood, thatch, timber and
minor forest produce. A population of 32,000 livestock extert pressure
on the area for grazing.
'Project Tiger' as a scheme
has not been implemented in the area as the area is still not under the
control of the Chief Wildlife Warden who is the administrative head of
wildlife in the state. It is also not notified as a National Park. The
area faces serious problems due to the non-functioning of
Project Tiger since its
control is in the hands of the forest development corporation. This is
a fragile habitat that borders Nepal and could be vulnerable to both smuggling
and poaching. Efforts are underway to immediately ratify its control and
status in order to review and assess it, and contain the threats that it
might be facing. A couple of years ago O.N.G.C violated the Forest Conservation
Act (1980) and started drilling operations inside the Park. This was stopped
and O.N.G.C penalised to the tune of 1 crore.
In the interest and welfare
Of Our forests and their wild inhabitants it is essential and vital to
quickly implement schemes of great significance like Project Tiger. A 3
year delay in this process can create serious consequences for future Of
Valmiki, exceedingly vulnerable to exploitation Poaching and smuggling
as it borders Nepal. |