To investigate the reasons for the tiger population to be found zero in Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) and to  increase the number of tigers, a two days work shop cum training programme held at Betla of Latehar district.

The programme was attended by the members of the National Tiger Conservation Authority Secretary Anoop Naik, IG Amit Malik, DIG Nishant Verma and Surendra Mehra, PCCF (Wildlife) PK Verma etc. In the workshop, the causes of tiger conservation, promotion and monitoring were investigated.

It was told in the work shop that there are many reasons such as human disruption and pressure, Naxalite activities, hundreds of villages in the core and buffer area of PTR, cattle, railways and roadways, lack of suitable living environment for tigers, lack of food loved by tigers etc causing tigers not being able to stay in Palamu Tiger Reserve.  During the workshop it was also told that in the last year when the tigers were being counted in 2018, unfortunately the monitoring of tigers was not done correctly at that time. Due to this their number was stated to be zero.

In 2010 the number of tigers was 10.  In 2014, the number of tigers was three to six.  Therefore, it is absolutely baseless to say that tiger is not present in Palamu Tiger Reserve, they said. There are many activities that present evidence of tigers’ presence.  It was told that there is no need to fear if the tiger population is zero, but it will have to work with all officials as a challenge.

NTCA ADG Nayak said that officers need to work with a strong will and a sense of dedication.  During the workshop, RCCF Mohanlal, Field Director of Palamu Tiger Reserve, YK Das, apprised NTCA officials put of the major problems of Palamu Tiger Reserve.

The forest guards present in the workshop also made people aware of the problems in their area. Anoop Nayak, ADG of NTCA gave many tips to the forest guards. 

He said that the actual number of tigers in the Palamu Tiger Reserve can be estimated only after working in the area.  That is why there is a need to work with full sincerity and dedication.  Where necessary, NTCA will not help to cooperate, they said.  On this occasion PTR Northern Division Deputy Director Kumar Ashish, Southern Division Mukesh Kumar, Lohardaga DFO Vikas Ujjwal, Latehar DFO Ved Prakash Kamboj, Garhwa south DFO Abhirup Sinha, Medninagar DFO R Kumar, ACF SP Kesh, Manish Arvind, and various forest officials were present.