With the start of monsoon, the illegal grazing by herds of cattle from outside the state, especially those of Kathiawadi tribe from Gujarat, has started in the territorial forest areas of Nagpur division. Despite a ban, these herds are entering the territorial forest of Deolapar range, Ramtek and Bazargaon area for illegal grazing. Villagers situated near the forest fringes are protesting against these Kathiawadi tribe as their cattle graze all over the grasslands. Grasslands in Vidarbha are overgrazed drastically and illegal grazing is a big reason. Lack of natural grass in grasslands compel the animals in Schedule-I to enter farmlands, leading to human-animal conflict.

 

The Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) has very less grasslands in its core and buffer area. Herbivores and carnivores both need grasslands for their survival. However, PTR has big trees and less grasslands. Therefore, the PTR management has started grass plantation in the buffer area and have started discouraging grasslands in territorial forest area. The Maharashtra Forest Department has come up with a rule under which the department allows locals to graze their cattle on a limited area. Forest Department also recovered some official charges from the farmers and villagers for grazing of cattle. But, when illegal grazing or mass grazing takes place in forest areas, which is against the rule, it becomes a major contributing factor for human-animal conflict in the region.

 

“Some Kathiawadi tribes have purchased lands in Nagpur division and settled here. They practice illegal grazing, but we have given strict instructions to all forest staff including Round Officers, RFOs and guards to take stern action if they are found doing illegal activities in forest area,” Dr Bharat Singh Hada told ‘The Hitavada.’ “Kondhali, Kalmeshwar and Umred ranges are the worst affected due to illegal grazing. Though it has reduced in these areas in last couple of years, still our staff is keeping vigil to stop the menace,” said Dr Hada. Udham Singh Yadav, Honorary Wildlife Warden, Nagpur said, “All territorial forest are connected with corridors that helps wildlife to travel from one forest to another. These corridors have majority of grasslands and the wildlife depends on these grasslands for grazing. But, due to over grazing or illegal grazing, the grass lands are now vanishing in our region.” “Kathiawadi tribes are permanently settled in Vidarbha region with cattle.

 

They normally start illegal grazing in forest areas during monsoon season when the new grass starts growing. In such a scenario, when these mass grazings take place by Kathiawadi cattle, it destroys growth of grass in that particular area due to which the wildlife dont get enough grass post monsoon,” Yadav explained. “In recent times, electrification of fields by local villagers has increased because of interference of wildlife near human settlements. Cases of electrocution have increased and these cases are underreported” said Honorary Wildlife Warden. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has significant economic impact on those rearing cattle. It affects cattle, swine, sheep, goat, other cloven-hoofed ruminants. Illegal grazing by may cause FMD among wild animals too, he added.