Sawai Madhopur News Desk: Illegal stone mining is still going on in many areas of the state’s largest Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, which is known on the world stage for its fierceness of tigers. Due to which the tigers of Ranthambore are in danger. The Forest Department is proving unsuccessful in stopping the illegal mining going on in this area. Despite the surveillance system installed in Ranthambore, the Forest Department is not able to stop illegal mining. In such a situation, the threat to the safety of tigers in Ranthambore is increasing.
Tigers are in danger of life due to illegal mining
Illegal stone mining is continuously increasing in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. There are many areas including Ulyana, Naipur, Talawada, Faria, Baharwanda where illegal mining is still going on in full swing, due to which the tigers of Ranthambore are in constant danger. According to experts, 30 percent of the tigers of Ranthambore roam in the mining areas. Illegal mining in these areas has increased three times compared to the previous years, but the Forest Department is proving unsuccessful in curbing this illegal mining. Despite having the information, the Forest Department and the local district and police administration have maintained silence. However, the Forest Department sometimes seizes tractor trolleys filled with illegal stones and takes action against them to get rid of them. Due to this, the morale of the mining mafia is increasing, due to which the lives of the tigers here are in danger.
Tigers are trying to leave the territory
Due to increasing illegal mining, tigers are not getting enough space to have fun. Not only are their natural habitats being destroyed but due to increasing human interference they are trying to move out of Ranthambore. Recently, the dead body of tiger T-86 was found in the forest area of Ranthambore. After the death of a villager who had killed him, traces of gunpowder used in mining were also found on the wounds of the Tiger T-86. But till now the mystery of his death remains unsolved.
Forest department is proving unsuccessful in action
Ranthambore Forest Department forest officers are proving unsuccessful in stopping illegal mining. They do not go to the mining areas at all, the biggest reason for which is that the entire village in the areas where illegal mining is taking place is involved. Whenever the forest department even thinks of taking action, the entire village comes out against the forest workers due to which they have to retreat. Therefore, in most of the cases, the forest department, police administration and district administration avoid taking action.
To stop illegal mining, illegal felling, illegal grazing and hunting, a surveillance system was installed here at a cost of lakhs, but out of these 12 towers, 11 thermal cameras are lying damaged. Efforts are being made through forest officials to repair these thermal cameras. Several letters were written to DoIT but there was no hearing, due to which the thermal cameras installed in Ranthambore have been imported from China. There are many problems in getting their spare parts and getting them repaired. Due to this, they are not being repaired till date. In such a situation, the safety of tigers in Ranthambore depends only on God.
Human interference has started increasing
Due to increasing human interference, incidents like conflict between tigers and humans have also seen an increase. Because about 30 percent of the tigers are in movement. For this reason, some time ago, the Forest Department asked for a special task force to stop illegal mining. But till now even that has not been found. Due to the hotels and residences being built around the area, there is always a demand for stones, in such a situation, the business of illegal stone mining is also going on in full swing in Ranthambore, because the valid lease here is about 30 years. It is 40 kilometers away, from where it is expensive to get stones, the mining mafia is taking advantage of this. And the Forest Department is not able to do anything. This illegal mining cannot be stopped unless some concrete action is taken.
