Palamau Tiger Reserve

Ranchi, Aug. 2: The wildlife wing of the forest department is planning to outsource upkeep of its guest houses at Palamau Tiger Reserve to local residents in a move aimed at opening up livelihood opportunities for the natives and inducing a sense of ownership.

Chief wildlife warden A.K. Malhotra told The Telegraph he mooted the idea after taking note of similar initiatives in other tiger hubs in the country, adding he was working on the details of the proposal before submitting a formal draft plan to the government for its approval.

The department boasts two double-roomed guest houses, four cottages, two tree houses and a 10-bedded dormitory as part of the Betla tourist complex in the tiger reserve. This apart, the forest department also has the four-room Janta Lodge and a canteen — the maintenance of all of which would be handed over to residents in the reserve area.

“Outsourcing will be a win-win situation for all. It will generate employment for local residents and part of the revenues that will come to the state could be used for creating more assets here and overall maintenance,” said Malhotra, adding the exact terms of outsourcing was yet to be underlined.

The proposal also aims to encourage safe eco-tourism inside the reserve.

“It’s a fact that no conservation activities can be done without taking the local population into confidence. By inviting villagers to run our complexes and earn, they will feel as if they are being accorded due importance and recognition. On the other hand, tourists will also be able to interact and spend time with them and learn about their customs and practices,” he said.

Malhotra argued that it would “naturally reduce conflicts in the area and local residents will also be joint stakeholders in maintaining the sanctity of the reserve in its true terms”.

Meanwhile, a senior official said the pending relocation of villagers from the core areas of the reserve was soon likely, as a group of 18 local residents who had gone to Satpura tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh earlier this month had returned convinced with such a practice.

“There are four villages that lie in the core areas that need to be relocated to buffer or other safer zones in accordance with National Tiger Conservation Authority’s guidelines. Therefore, we had taken the villagers to other reserves where relocation was successful in order to allay their fears. A detailed report is being prepared now. We will send it to the state forest headquarters for further orders for the relocation process,” the official said.