With 1,044 sq km more, Sundarbans set to be 2nd largest tiger reserve in India
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Kolkata: The Centre on Tuesday cleared a proposal to include three ranges in South 24 Parganas forest division under the management of the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, paving way for the Unesco World Heritage Site to become the second largest tiger reserve in India after Andhra Pradesh's Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve.
The revised area, after inclusion of about 1,044 square kilometres from Raidighi, Matla and Ramganga ranges, under the tiger reserve will now be over 3,600 square kilometres. Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is spread over an area of more than 3,700 square kilometres. Till now, Sundarbans Tiger Reserve — with an area of about 2,585 square kilometres — was the sixth largest tiger reserve in India.
Talking to TOI, H S Singh, member of National Board for Wildlife under the ministry of environment and forest, said the board had cleared the proposal on Tuesday.
"We have cleared the proposal to include around 1,044 square kilometres under the tiger reserve. The state can now issue a notification after which both the Bengal and National Tiger Conservation Authority officials will decide how much area will come under core zone and how much will be allotted to buffer zone," he added.
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A senior official of the Bengal forest department said the proposal was first taken up almost a decade ago in 2012-13.
"But it gained momentum a couple of years ago during which revised plans were submitted to the Centre," he added.
Former chief wildlife warden of Bengal, Pradeep Vyas, said they had first approached the Centre in 2012-13 to integrate forests under South 24 Parganas division, also known as buffer zone, with the tiger reserve. "All zones under a common structure will lead to a better and efficient management. It will also give a sense of belonging to all forest staff working in the delta," Vyas added.
The final proposal, according to sources, was sent to the Centre only a month ago.
The latest all-India tiger estimation exercise had pegged that the Indian Sundarbans was home to an estimated 101 tigers — 80 in tiger reserve and the rest in the South 24 Parganas division.
Joydip Kundu, member, state wildlife advisory board, said: "Bringing the areas under the tiger reserve's protection protocols will strengthen conservation efforts. Also, the move will give a boost to central funding for the tiger reserve."
Principal secretary Debal Roy said he was not aware of the development so far.
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