Following a recent protest that resulted in the deputy director of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) being locked inside his own office well into the evening, and being threatened with violence, conservationists have called on the Nilgiris district police to initiate strict action against the main organisers of the protests.
Two protests, led by Gudalur MLA Pon Jeyaseelan, occurred in the last two weeks within the tiger reserve. During both protests, the Deputy Director of MTR (Buffer Zone) was threatened and abused by protestors. S. Manigandan, a vulture researcher who has been working extensively in MTR, said that the protesters’ demands were simply not implementable. “They demanded that night safaris be allowed in eco-sensitive areas and also at night, putting wildlife at risk, and also allow construction activities that would threaten the Sigur elephant corridor,” said Mr. Manigandan, who added that the current administration of the tiger reserve had taken a strong stance against allowing activities inimical to the safety and well-being of wildlife in the area.
Another conservationist said that protesters had been gathered by the organisers claiming that they were being pushed out of the tiger reserve. “There are doubts that the protests were organised by business and commercial interests in the area that were feeling threatened by efforts being undertaken to protect the reserve. These links to the protesters should be probed,” said the conservationist.
While the Nilgiris district police confirmed that a case had been registered against the protesters, including Mr. Pon Jeyaseelan, they added that no arrests had been made in the case. “Strict action should be taken against miscreants, particularly the main organisers of such disturbances to ensure that straightforward Forest Department officials are protected from outside pressures and to ensure that their safety is assured,” said Mr. Manigandan.
Published - February 11, 2025 07:11 pm IST
