Tadoba resorts ....

November 16, 2015.

Pug marks on soul. Red earth of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve churned by Maruti Gypsys on beard, back and body. Morning temperatures demand a thin cover; the first few cold breaths; a wind squeezes gentle sighs from teak, bamboo, arjun, palas, crocodile bark; trees taller than viewers; trees sewed by spider webs of giant wood spiders; webbed stands of trees for birds to park; will always be. From the MTDC hotel it is 30 minutes to Khutwanda gate; 5 a.m. we are on the three ft. wide tar track, a winding darkness bordered with lines of men and women defecating; being in the buffer zone, they are at risk, as tigers and leopards, have been spotted, reminds Diwakar; till two years ago, MTDC was perhaps the place to stay; today, in the buffer zone resorts are sprouting as crowds make their way to Tadoba; resorts Tadoba needs but is there a method in the business; Lokmat Times issue of November 14 reports: The National Green Tribunal has directed Assam government to clear its stand on eco-sensitive zones and how it has permitted large-scale hotel projects to come up in and around the Kaziranga National Park -- home to the famous one-horned rhinos. In two years, the resorts at Tadoba could be ATM machines and be a power centre for policy making; will they employ tribal men and women of the villages around the reserve? Will resorts not impact the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and the Erai and other water bodies in the buffer? Is there a way for private interests, villagers and forest department to link arms as without Tigers they wont be; the Tiger economy can malfunction if Tigers are elbowed. Maybe, best start could be to build covered latrines for women and men. Some years ago, plans of Gautam Adani to set up a power plant near the Reserve were effectively put down by locals. MTDC is a decent place with tea and coffee at 5 a.m.; has open spaces with teak and tamarind; me failed to hug their thick girth. On the way to MTDC, a few covered cages hold mischief leopards; the public cannot see; possibly, the forest department could do something better as the leopards cannot be blamed for human and cattle kills in the buffer zone. There is evidence of funds in public pockets; it could help if the poor tribals are made a part of protecting the reserve, buffer and water bodies; all, including visitors, need to be at the table to keep Tadoba going. Canters running on diesel, banned in parks, yell inside; saw a white caged Canter with public inside; Gypsy drivers are upset. There are daily limits on the number of Gypsys entering the Park to help violate less animal privacy; Canters could be getting round the rules. Will Tadoba be Ranthambhor? More Tiger business, less Tiger home. Sanctuaries may be embroidered parks; but they are the best of the worst for animals; if parks go or get cribbed, the End is nigh.