Sharp divides between Sunderbans, Keibul Lamjao
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 27 2014:
World famous Sunderban Tiger Reserve of West Bengal and Manipur's Keibul Lamjao National Park are unique in their own ways but what separates the two is management and Government's attention.
Under the aegis of Forest Department, Wildlife Wing, Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Th Mohendro Pratap, DCF (Park and Sanctuary) L Joykumar, Keibul Lamjao National Park Range Officer Kh Hitler, Eastern Forest Division Ukhrul Range Officer SW Suisa and some media persons visited Sunderban Tiger Reserve from January 22 to 25.The team studied management of the wildlife reserve as well as eco-tourism being promoted there.
Sunderban Tiger Reserve is a mangrove forest and is a world heritage site.
The reserve has 105 islets.
Plants and wild animals of these islets give a unique picture of the wildlife reserve just as the floating biomass of Keibul Lamjao National Park and Sangais living there make the park a peculiar one.
Thousands of visitors/tour-ists come to Sunderban Tiger Reserve everyday which covers an area of 10,000 Sq Kms.
However, one sees very little birds even after going one Km inside the tiger reserve by boat.
In the case of Keibul Lamjao, one can see different species of birds after going a little distance inside.
Out of the entry fees collected from visitors/tourists, 25 per cent is entrusted to the eco-development committee for maintenance ofthe tiger reserve.
The remaining is used in many other development works of the islets.
All development works taken up on these islets are done by eco-development committee thereby creating a source of income.
In addition, West Bengal Government has been assisting in all the development and preservation works.
In case of Keibul Lamjao National Park, all the money collected from visitors accrue to the State exchequer but the State Government has so far shown little enthusiasm to develop a route or path for convenience of tourists coming to the park.
Even though the park has its own vantage points from where one look around the park, the Government has done nothing to develop these spots.
Inside Sunderban Tiger Reserve, there are places where tourists can roam around freely.
There are also places where no visitors/tourists are allowed entry.