Conservation of the tiger in buffer zone of Melghat Tiger Reserve

General

The purpose of this project is to conserve tigers in the buffer zone outside the protected area. The project objectives are as follows: (1) Monitor tigers in the project area by camera trap sampling, provide these results to the Forest Department, and support the Forest Department in line transect monitoring for prey species; (2) Strengthen wildlife protection, prevention of wildlife crime and improved law enforcement by building the capacity of Forest Department field staff with the assistance of expert trainers; (3) Reduce the pressures on forests for firewood and fodder, prevent and control forest fires, implement sustainable utilization practices and address community issues related to wildlife conservation, initiate a dialogue with the community to control livestock grazing on forest land and implement sustainable forest management practices, and mitigate human-wildlife conflict; and (4) Develop livelihood options for the local community, such as providing market links for bamboo products, and other non-timber forest products (NTFP) that utilize the forest in sustainable ways as opposed to overexploitation.