Wildlife Panel Approves Boundary Changes for Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan

The National Board for Wildlife's Standing Committee, led by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, has approved changes to the Sariska Tiger Reserve's boundaries in Rajasthan. The critical tiger habitat (CTH) will expand from 881.11 sq. km to 924.49 sq. km, while the buffer zone will decrease from 245.72 sq. km to 203.20 sq. km in Alwar, Yadav's Lok Sabha constituency.

The decision was made during a meeting on June 26, aiming to address legal and management issues due to the fragmentation of the existing CTH, which is larger than the officially-notified Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary. This move follows recommendations from the Central Empowered Committee and a Supreme Court directive in the TN Godavarman case.

Boundary Changes and Legal Implications

Reports last month indicated that if approved, these boundary changes could potentially allow over 50 marble and dolomite mines to resume operations. These mines were previously shut down following a Supreme Court order last year as they were within a kilometre of the protected CTH area.

Yadav stated that the proposal was referred through a Supreme Court order and recommended by the chief wildlife warden and the state government with justification. An expert committee formed by the Rajasthan government under the Sariska field director's chairmanship recommended this boundary rationalisation under section 38-V of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Committee Recommendations and Approvals

The committee's report suggests not only expanding the CTH but also slightly adjusting the buffer zone, increasing the total notified area of Sariska Tiger Reserve to 1,127.68 sq. km from 1,126.83 sq. km. This includes adding Meenala block, covering 85.44 hectares, which was not previously part of either zone.

The proposal received approval from various authorities including the chief wildlife warden, State Board for Wildlife, Rajasthan government, and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The standing committee approved it with specific conditions.

Ecological Considerations and Safeguards

The committee noted that the western section proposed for reclassification from core to buffer has fewer tigers but remains ecologically valuable due to tiger presence and landscape connectivity. It stressed avoiding developmental activities harmful to wildlife habitats in this area.

Recommendations included strengthening protection measures in both new CTH and buffer areas through enhanced patrolling, community engagement, and regular habitat monitoring. Strategies for mitigating human-wildlife conflict should be proactively implemented around nearby villages.

Long-term Conservation Goals

To ensure wildlife movement and habitat continuity are safeguarded, appropriate ecological safeguards and adaptive management practices were advised to support Sariska Tiger Reserve's long-term conservation goals.

The committee emphasised that all boundary changes must fully comply with Supreme Court directions issued on December 11, 2024.

With inputs from PTI