A bid to improve PTR conservation

By P. Venugopal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JUNE 30. The Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) has constituted an `academic forum' to promote exchange of ideas among the forest protection staff, researchers and conservationists.

The forum was formally inaugurated at a function in Thekkady recently by the Field Director of PTR, Mr. V.K. Unniyal.

This is perhaps the first time such a forum is being set up for a protected area in the country. The idea evolved from the realisation that, although a lot of research is taking place in the biodiversity-rich sanctuaries of the State, the findings are not always conveyed to the protection staff.

Similarly, issues that come to the notice of the men in the field may often demand a deeper study by the scientific community. Thus, a forum for constant interaction among these two groups can be of immense help in making conservation efforts more effective.

Another group which will have a key role in the mechanism envisaged through the setting up of the forum is the stake- holders' community. In a sanctuary like the PTR, this group consists of the `adivasi' tribes subsisting on forest produce and the tour operators whose business is dependent on the well-being of the sanctuary.

The forum is proposed to be expanded by getting this group to participate in its activities. The common agenda of conserving the forests and wildlife should bring all these sections under one umbrella.

Since the Sabarimala shrine is located within the buffer zone of the PTR, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) too should come under the classification of `stake-holders' here. But unfortunately, most of the development initiatives of the TDB in the region are in conflict with the interests of conservation.

There has even been a tendency on the part of the TDB authorities to treat with disdain the conservation angle of conducting the Sabarimala pilgrimage. At the level of the Government too, the tendency has been to toe the line taken by the TDB on all issues pertaining to pilgrimage.

It will be a big challenge to the PTR authorities to get the TDB people to involve in the activities of the academic forum. If they succeed in ensuring that, the TDB will surely be able to respond with more warmth to the conservation viewpoint in Sabarimala.

The academic forum will be meeting every fortnight to discuss developments in the PTR and decide what contribution each group can make to tackle any new situation. ``The days when the term `forest protection' merely meant policing the forests are long gone. Our effort now is to involve everyone in protection. Also, the protection staff should update their knowledge and attitude on a constant basis, because old concepts are vanishing and new ones are evolving all the time,'' Mr. Unniyal said, underlining the relevance of the forum.

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