On March 24, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) chief said that the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh would soon be notified as a tiger reserve.
- The announcement has caused disquiet among the area’s Idu Mishmi people.
Key points
- Idu Mishmi people feel that a tiger reserve would “hinder their access” to the forest.
- The Idu Mishmi is a sub-tribe of the larger Mishmi group (the other two Mishmi groups are Digaru and Miju) in Arunachal Pradesh and neighbouring Tibet.
- They are known for their weaving and craftsmanship skills.
- The Idu Mishmis primarily live in Mishmi Hills, bordering Tibet.
- Their ancestral homelands are spread over the districts of Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley as well as parts of Upper Siang and Lohit.
- Their language, which is also called Idu Mishmi, is considered endangered by UNESCO.
- The Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot home to rare Mishmi takin, musk deer, goral as well as clouded leopards, snow leopards and tigers.
- It was notified as Wildlife Sanctuary in 1998.
- The NTCA plans to declare it as a tiger reserve.
- In April 2022, at the 20th NTCA meeting held at the state’s Pakke Tiger Reserve, under the chairmanship of Union Minister for environment Bhupender Yadav, members accorded final approval to declare the wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve.
How are tiger reserves notified?
- Tiger Reserves are notified by State Governments as per provisions of Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 on advise of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
- The following steps are involved in the notification: (a) Proposal is obtained from the State. (b) In-principle approval is communicated from the National Tiger Conservation Authority, soliciting detailed proposals under section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. (c) National Tiger Conservation Authority recommends the proposal to the State after due diligence. (d) The State Government notifies the area as a Tiger Reserve.
