From hunters to protectors: Govt training locals in Karnataka on wildlife

During the final years of British rule, people were awarded for killing tigers in the forest surrounding the Kali river. In other parts of the country, the practice of killing tigers stopped, but not here. It was a badge of honour one would flaunt for the rest of his life,” says Rahul Bavaji, an advocate, who works with the forest department for protection of wildlife in the Dandeli, Haliyal and Joida regions of the Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka.

The ancestors of the 15-20 Siddis who stay inside the Kali Tiger Reserve have. So did the Gavlis and Kunbis. Their ancestors were witness to hunting in the jungles in what is now Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka. Decades have passed. The number of these tribals has decreased over the years.

Now there are only about 150-odd Gavlis inside the Kali Tiger Reserve and about 25-30 Kunbis. The green cover and its original inhabitants — wildlife — have seen a severe drop too. 

"Animal hunting was very much in vogue here. The Britishers brought many of these tribals, and some of them have been inhabitants of this place. Hunting was a very common practice here," says Bavaji. 

Books distributed in Dandeli to tribal students, most of whom are wards of watchers and anti-poaching camp members

From being hunters once upon a time, the tribals have now become protectors of the wildlife. The jungles in the region are home to a series of wildlife and birds — from elephants to black panthers, and from tigers to barking deer. The jungle around the Kali river is now a tiger reserve. The district administration, along with some people in the region, have taken up the task to involve tribals, many of whom stay deep inside the forests, to ensure there is no clash between the wildlife and humans.

“We organise events regularly. There are specific events for school children. For the last eight years, we have been observing the wildlife week in the first week of October, during which we distribute kits among school children, quizzes are organised from time to time and all participants are handed over certificates,” Bavaji told Business Standard.

The Kali Tiger Reserve, which is spread over 848 sq km, is crucial for its green cover. The Kali river starts from Joida and travels 184 kilometres to merge into the Arabian sea and is an important source of water for lakhs of people living in that part of the state.

“The forest department has been working endlessly to protect the wildlife, but it was very important to involve the tribals, since they live with the wildlife and share a bonding with the animals that we do not,” says Basavaraj Patil, conservator of forests, Kali Tiger Reserve.

The results will take time to show. Even during the 2006 animal census, footmarks and pugmarks of elephants and tigers were used to estimate the number of animals, officials said. Sources working with the forest department to carry out the animal census said, based on the pugmarks, the number of tigers in the jungle in 2006 came to about 25, while the number of elephants 35. The numbers in the 2017 census revealed a reduced number of animals — 25 elephants, and about 10-12 tigers. Official estimates suggest there are about 25 black panthers in the district. Some estimates, though, suggest that the number of elephants has gone up to about 55 in 2018.

“The earlier methodology was unscientific, as multiple pugmarks could have belonged to one animal, but it was assumed to belong to more than one animal. This might have inflated the number. In the latest census (in 2017), camera traps were used, so the number (of animals) we have now is more accurate. It is also pertinent to note that this region is an elephant corridor and they move from one place to another, so the number can keep going up or down,” a source said.

“Educating tribals about wildlife is a very integral part of our plans to protect wild animals and birds here. It not only provides them with job opportunities, but also helps them get involved with the booming tourism sector in these parts,” K S Govarkar, assistant chief conservator of forests, Kali Tiger Reserve, said.

Apart from wildlife, the tiger reserve is home to a large number of hornbills — in fact, 52.5 hectares in Dandeli have been declared as a hornbill reserve. “A lot of our programmes are aimed at school children. It is very important to catch them young and raise awareness among them. Many older ones are working as anti-poaching squad. All this has worked wonders. We are hoping all our efforts will bear fruit in the years to come,” Bavaji signs off.