Coronavirus delays withdrawal of search operation for Pandharkawda tiger
05 Apr 2020 10:25:02
By Ramesh Marulkar :
CoronaviruS crisis has delayed withdrawal of one-and-a-half years old searh operation for T1C1 tiger sub-adult of menacing T1 tigress in Pandharkawda Forest Division in Yavatmal district. According to sources, it was almost decided to withdraw the operation from March 31, after holding a meeting regarding SOP. However, the meeting could not be held so far. It is expected that the meeting will be held after the present situation of coronavirus pandemic comes under control. Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) had recently demanded report from the officers of the level of Deputy Conservator of Forest about stopping the operation.
As per the reort, the officers concerned expressed the view that the operation could be withdrawn as the two-year-old tiger was last seen on December 6 moving in Vihirgaon, Wadki, Borati, Sarati and other naearby areas in Ralegaon tehsil. They feel that that the beast must have settled in jungle since then and living independent life. Moreover, the animal has not created any man-animal conflict after the death of its mother T1 on November 2, 2018. Forest Department and Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra had launched the search operation for capturing two cubs of T1 after her death. The team captured T1C2 female cub on December 22, 2018 and sent it to an open enclosure at Pench Tiger Reserve. However, they could not capture male sub-adult so far.
The authorities are of the view that lot of funds spent on searching the animal as well as manpower deployed for the purpose for two years. Therefore, it has been decided to withdraw the search operation for male sub-adult and allow the beast settle in jungle. The plus point behind withdrawing the operation that the animal has not indulged in any man-animal conflict case since then. It may be mentioned here that after shoot-at-sight of T1 tigress on the night of November 2, 2018, both the cubs had become orphan. The menacing mother had killed 13 persons from different villages in Pandharkawda and Ralegaon tehsils of Yavatmal district.
The cubs had also tested human blood along with their mother. The officials were afraid of the cubs indulging in human attacks in the future. Therefore, they launched search operation for both soon after death of the mother tigress. Observing behaviour of the sub-adult tiger that it is leading life independently without creating any terror for human beings during the last two years, the officers are of the view that the operation must be stopped now and not to disturb the tiger, sources pointed out.