In 2005, when all the tigers were wiped out of Sariska Tiger Reserve, the state government made elaborate plans and translocated tigers to Sariska from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR). The initial plans were laid out in a way that would help in reducing the pressure of increasing tiger population in a relatively smaller area of Ranthambore.
Though actions in this regard were taken in the initial years of the plans, for nearly six years now, no tiger has been shifted to Sariska. Meanwhile, the incidences of tigers fighting for space and the corresponding human-animal conflict is at an all-time high in the park. Interestingly, it appears that the tigers will have to brave it out in the smaller territories for one more year as any translocation to Sariska seems unlikely in 2019. Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held in summer months will be followed by panchayat polls.
“During the elections, the entire state machinery gets into an election mood. No major action is then taken. For tiger translocation several permissions are needed and arrangements are made. At a time when the elections are around the corner, no one wants to get into murky waters as it might not only end up showing the government of time in bad light. Thus, such a project is put on hold,” sources in the forest department said.
Experts believe that although tiger translocation is a technical issue, if the forest department wants, it can take such an action. “It is not hard to take up the issue and translocate a feline. If the officials are willing they can take up the issue,” says a retired IFS who has served at Sariska for several years.
Adding further, “There is another issue that hampers translocation and that is of villagers agitating against any developmental work at Sariska. The first tiger that was shifted here was killed by a villager. Sometime ago, villagers sat on a dharna and did not let anyone enter the park. Moreover, villagers routinely gang up against the forest officials and have beaten them as well at times, all for want of supremacy at Sariska. With elections scheduled this year, It is highly improbable that the government would go against the villagers.”