Forest Deptt plans to keep rescued tigers in ‘wild enclosure’ of reserves
   Date :03-Aug-2020

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By Ankita Garg ;
 
Wildlife Wing of State Forest Department is flexing its muscles to keep rescued tigers in ‘wild enclosure’ of tiger reserves instead of sending them in zoo captivity. The Department has drafted a pilot project of developing wild enclosure in 50,000 square feet area of buffer zone. The project has been given green signal by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and pending at Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI).
 
In the first phase, the project will be introduced at Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench Tiger Reserve. After witnessing the success rate, the project will be expanded to other reserves too. PCCF Wildlife S K Mandal said, “This project will help to keep rescued big cats in the wild. In the first phase, three reserves have been identified where this enclosure will be developed. This will also help to attract tourists in State.” He further said, at present tigers are usually caged at Van Vihar or other zoos after being rescued from villages.
 
In captivity, tigers become habitual of closeness to humans and they forget their skills. Along with natural habitat, they will get opportunity to prey in special enclosure. This project will also attract tourists in the reserve. Sometimes, tourists do not get animals in safari and in such case they can see tigers in natural enclosure. During the year 2009, project was drafted by senior officials and also green signal in 2015. But due to certain issues, it could not be finalised. During year 2018, officials redrafted the proposal and with consent of NTCA, it has been sent to CAZ for further approval.