This chapter is based on a research study in one of the most populous Tiger Reserves of Central India where people and tigers coexisted before human activities began to affect tiger presence. While tiger populations were reduced almost to extinction in Tiger Reserves like Sariska and Panna and with tiger extinction possibly imminent in some other Tiger Reserves of the country, steps were taken to save the apex species of the forest ecosystem to keep the ecological balance. Measures taken first focussed on population increase. Later, tiger habitat became the main focus at least the core area or the critical tiger habitat, which required the exclusion of any anthropogenic activities, which in some cases required the relocation of the human population from the core areas and resettlement outside these areas without compromising human's economic and social requirements. To have the “win-win” situation of sustainable development, human habitation from the core area was relocated in consonance with the extant legal provisions. This chapter examines the pre- and post-relocation situation in terms of the three constituents of sustainability i.e. environmental/ecological, social, and economic parameters. The chapter presents the results of environmental or ecological components in detail. The results suggest, in most of the responses (77.61%), that humans expressed full satisfaction towards choice of relocation. The response of 91% of respondents showed that affected people were assisted by the Forest Department on all occasions. The M-STrIPES-generated maps showed that wild animals, both carnivores and herbivores frequently used the vacated areas. There was significant change in the vegetation after relocation and introduction of grassland species. The number of the grazing cattle decreased significantly post-relocation. Relocated people began to use fuel other than firewood from forest. They experienced almost negligible human-wildlife conflicts, crop, and cattle depredation post-relocation, which reduced wildlife conflicts, and fostered the survival of both wildlife as well as human beings. The findings of this study provide a background for policymakers and conservationists involved in tiger conservation and broader issues of wildlife conservation elsewhere.

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Voluntary Village Relocation and Sustainability: A Case of Ecological Component in Kanha Tiger Reserve, Central India

  • Sanjay Kumar Pathak,
  • Kaushalendra Kumar Jha

摘要

This chapter is based on a research study in one of the most populous Tiger Reserves of Central India where people and tigers coexisted before human activities began to affect tiger presence. While tiger populations were reduced almost to extinction in Tiger Reserves like Sariska and Panna and with tiger extinction possibly imminent in some other Tiger Reserves of the country, steps were taken to save the apex species of the forest ecosystem to keep the ecological balance. Measures taken first focussed on population increase. Later, tiger habitat became the main focus at least the core area or the critical tiger habitat, which required the exclusion of any anthropogenic activities, which in some cases required the relocation of the human population from the core areas and resettlement outside these areas without compromising human's economic and social requirements. To have the “win-win” situation of sustainable development, human habitation from the core area was relocated in consonance with the extant legal provisions. This chapter examines the pre- and post-relocation situation in terms of the three constituents of sustainability i.e. environmental/ecological, social, and economic parameters. The chapter presents the results of environmental or ecological components in detail. The results suggest, in most of the responses (77.61%), that humans expressed full satisfaction towards choice of relocation. The response of 91% of respondents showed that affected people were assisted by the Forest Department on all occasions. The M-STrIPES-generated maps showed that wild animals, both carnivores and herbivores frequently used the vacated areas. There was significant change in the vegetation after relocation and introduction of grassland species. The number of the grazing cattle decreased significantly post-relocation. Relocated people began to use fuel other than firewood from forest. They experienced almost negligible human-wildlife conflicts, crop, and cattle depredation post-relocation, which reduced wildlife conflicts, and fostered the survival of both wildlife as well as human beings. The findings of this study provide a background for policymakers and conservationists involved in tiger conservation and broader issues of wildlife conservation elsewhere.