India
PTR fence fails to stop human-tiger conflict | India News – Times of India
PILIBHIT: The poor quality of the 9 feet high mesh fencingover a distance of 42.5 km between Mala, Mahof and Barahi forest areas by Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) and adjacent agricultural fields, has undermined efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change. human-tiger conflicts.
The fencing was initially constructed over a length of 17.5 km in 2019-20 as a pilot project and was extended by 25 km in 2023-24 at a cost of Rs 7.75 crore. PTR authorities claimed it was more effective than solar fencing.
PTR authorities initially deemed the chain-link fence sturdy enough to last for decades. However, significant damage has been done, with the base wall deteriorating and the mesh bent by illegal infiltrators. This damage has not prevented wild animalsespecially tigers, from agricultural lands and has not contained human infiltration into the core forest area, thus perpetuating human-wildlife conflict.
A member of the field forest powerwho spoke anonymously, revealed that the poor quality of the fencing had been reported to the former Departmental Forest Ranger (DFO), which took no action.
The current DFO of PTR, Manish Singh, said, “A panel of forest officers has been formed to conduct a survey and submit a report within a week. Surveys of fencing in the Barahi forest area will be handled by the Haripur forest officer, while the Mahof forest officer will survey the Mala forest area, and vice versa.”
“Since the final payment from the contractor has not yet been processed and there is sufficient funds including security deposit with the department, the contractor will be directed to repair the damage and ensure that the fencing meets the required standards,” Singh added.
The fencing was initially constructed over a length of 17.5 km in 2019-20 as a pilot project and was extended by 25 km in 2023-24 at a cost of Rs 7.75 crore. PTR authorities claimed it was more effective than solar fencing.
PTR authorities initially deemed the chain-link fence sturdy enough to last for decades. However, significant damage has been done, with the base wall deteriorating and the mesh bent by illegal infiltrators. This damage has not prevented wild animalsespecially tigers, from agricultural lands and has not contained human infiltration into the core forest area, thus perpetuating human-wildlife conflict.
A member of the field forest powerwho spoke anonymously, revealed that the poor quality of the fencing had been reported to the former Departmental Forest Ranger (DFO), which took no action.
The current DFO of PTR, Manish Singh, said, “A panel of forest officers has been formed to conduct a survey and submit a report within a week. Surveys of fencing in the Barahi forest area will be handled by the Haripur forest officer, while the Mahof forest officer will survey the Mala forest area, and vice versa.”
“Since the final payment from the contractor has not yet been processed and there is sufficient funds including security deposit with the department, the contractor will be directed to repair the damage and ensure that the fencing meets the required standards,” Singh added.
