Jharkhand's first tiger safari

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The Jharkhand government has announced to set up the state's first tiger safari in the fringe area of ​​Barwadih Western Forest Range of Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR).

About the proposed tiger safari

• What is a tiger safari: It was first conceived by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in the tourism guidelines issued in 2012, which provided for such establishments in the buffer areas of tiger reserves, where there is a heavy influx of tourists to see tigers in prime tiger habitats.
  • Tiger safari is not defined under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • Area: This safari will be built on about 150 hectares of forest land.
• Selection of animals: The safari will not house wild tigers. It will only house rescued, injured, conflict-prone or orphaned tigers from tiger reserves or zoos in India.
  • It will be ensured that the selection and care of tigers brought from zoos is as per the standards set by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).
• Objectives:-
  • Promotion of tourism: The safari will be a means of boosting tourism in Jharkhand and providing nature-based entertainment.
  • Conservation and education: It will act as a conservation and education centre where people will be able to gain experiential education about wildlife.
  • Employment generation: The project will create direct employment opportunities for at least 200 local people, such as guides, support staff and maintenance staff.
• Current status: The project is still in the conceptual stage.
• Construction period: After approval, the construction of this safari will take about 18 months.
• Guidelines of NTCA and CZA regarding Tiger Safari
  • As per the 2016 guidelines of NTCA, only injured, conflict-prone or orphaned tigers can be kept in the tiger safari and tigers from zoos were not allowed.
  • However, under the amendment of NTCA in the year 2019, tigers from zoos were allowed, provided CZA ensures their identification and welfare.
  • As per the Supreme Court's 2024 directive, the safari will be built outside the core and buffer areas and it will be ensured that it does not harm the natural habitat.
• Challenges and concerns:
  • Displacement of local communities: Experts have expressed apprehension of displacement of local communities due to this project.
  • Impact on natural habitat: Though it is being developed in the fringe area, caution has to be exercised regarding the possible impact on wildlife and their habitat.
  • Risk of disease transmission: Tigers brought from zoos may pose a risk of disease transmission to wild tigers or other wildlife.