MUMBAI: Building on its commitment to the cause of tiger conservation in India, Aircel extends its support to Tiger Conservation Project in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in association with Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Forest Department, Uttar Pradesh. The tiger reserve, with approximately 115 tigers (as per census 2010), falls in the Terai region in north India, and due to high human population and habitat fragmentation is prone to serious Human-Animal conflict. Therefore, the project entails setting up of a Rapid Response Team and Primary Response Teams which shall be the main fronts dealing with conflict situations.

A Rapid Response Team comprising a fully equipped van containing darting, trapping and rescue equipment was flagged off today for Dudhwa by Shri. VN Garg, Principal Secretary – Department of Environment & Forests, Government of Uttar Pradesh in presence of Dr. Rupak De, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Uttar Pradesh and senior officials from Aircel and WTI.

Aircel in partnership with WTI will be working closely with the communities and forest department to negate the factors that are responsible for the decline of Tiger population in this area.

Speaking at the occasion, Aircel head- Corporate Social Responsibility Brinda Malhotra said, “Aircel has been working diligently towards tiger conservation since 2008. Tigers today, are among the ten most endangered species in the world and need active protection. Aircel initiated the ‘Save our Tigers’ campaign, which has been very successful in spreading awareness on tiger conservation. Taking this commitment forward, we are happy to be partnering with WTI for this Conflict Mitigation project in Dudhwa. The primary goal of this project is to secure the trust and confidence of the local people who reside in and around this vibrant Tiger reserve and bring about awareness Tiger conservation and negate the incidences of conflict and secure the corridors vital for the survival of the Tiger.”

The Dudhwa landscape consists of the Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Pilibhit Forest Division. Over the last year several people and tigers have lost their lives due to conflict. Besides this a large number of cattle have been lost to carnivores in the landscape resulting in the local populace forming a great animosity against the Tiger and other carnivores like the Leopard.

Highlighting the details of the project, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) CEO Vivek Menon said, “Among the emerging threats to tigers and leopards and other animals is increasing conflicts with people. Conflicts do not just have immediate repercussion on individual animals but can have a lasting impact on people’s perceptions about these animals, negating conservation. One of the priorities of this project is to address these conflicts holistically, to ensure that both people and the animal are safe. It is a crucial initiative and a difficult one, but one that has given positive results. The UP Forest Department and WTI has been working together in this regard for several years. We value our partnership with Aircel and thank them for the commitment and support they have shown for tigers over the years.”

Besides the active role, the team along with the sociologist would be responsible on sensitizing the local people on the importance of Saving Our Tigers and the important role that this magnificent animal plays in maintaining the ecological balance. Extensive work would be carried out to study the prey and predator status, movement corridors etc. This would go a long way in understanding reasons for conflict and put into force effective mechanisms to counter the same.