KOTA: Red -tapism laced-procedure costing heavy to 4-year-old lone tiger — T-115 in Ramgarh Vishdhari wildlife sanctuary in Bundi after it had wandered here through age-old natural corridor from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve around 14 months ago.
Ramgarh Vishdhari that is waiting to be notified as state’s fourth and country’s 52nd tiger reserve has made it a long wait for T-115 that’s wanting to be paired with a tigress. In view of immediate pairing of the male young tiger T-115, the wildlife activists demanded populating Ramgarh by shifting of Ridhi, sister of Sidhi in Sariska Tiger Reserve. Ridhi’s relocation is reportedly proposed into Ranthambore Tiger Reserve as the two sisters are very quarrelsome and have sustained injuries several times in the past.
A five-member delegation of the newly constituted Ramgarh tiger foundation submitted a memorandum to Kota’s chief conservator of forest (CCF) S R Yadav and demanded for pairing of T-115.
However, the forest department ruled out any immediate shifting of the tigress to pair T-115 claiming procedure that demands gazette notification of Ramgarh Vishadhari Tiger Reserve and which would take around three to four months for completion. Only after the gazette notification, shifting of the tigress could be initiated.
The Ramgarh Vishdahri sanctuary in June this year received in principle approval by NTCA’s technical committee for its notification as 52nd tiger reserve of the country and fourth in the state, CCF S R Yadav told TOI.
It is natural course of movement for a tiger to stray from one place to other to avoid infighting in the group and the department cannot act in haste to pair the lone tiger in Ramgarh. Thorough procedure will have to be followed including preparation of adequate prey base for the tiger family, the CCF said.
Though, since the day Ramgarh Vishdahri sanctuary was given in principle nod for notification, there have been a series of ‘thanksgivings’ and welcoming of the local political leaders as if all procedures were completed.
The wildlife activists are apprehensive that the absence of partner for T-115 and delay in shifting of any tigress may force the tiger to retire to Ranthambore.
