Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh: In a bid to improve movement for tigers in the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR), authorities are encouraging farmers to grow sugarcane along a narrow 1.5 km stretch of land known as the Garha-Lalpur corridor. This patch connects two parts of PTR’s Mala range, which lies along the Pilibhit-Basti NH 730 and is home to a significant number of tigers. The initiative is being run in collaboration with WWF India, reports The Times of India.
To support the plan, WWF India is conducting training sessions for local farmers. These workshops, held with help from scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and officials from the district cane department, aim to teach improved techniques for growing sugarcane.
However, the plan has sparked concerns among wildlife experts. In the Terai region, sugarcane fields near forests have long been a hotspot for conflicts between humans and big cats. Tigers and leopards often use the tall cane for cover or even to raise their cubs, which increases the chances of encounters with people.
Abhishek Ghosal of the Wildlife Trust of India said, “Growing sugarcane near forests often leads to serious problems. People working in the fields are at risk, and when attacks happen, big cats are sometimes killed in retaliation.”
PC Pandey, a former state head of WTI, added that female tigers can become aggressive if they feel their cubs are threatened while sheltering in the fields.
Despite the warnings, PTR divisional forest officer Manish Singh and WWF project manager Naresh Kumar believe sugarcane could serve a protective role. “The tall plants will help tigers stay hidden while they move between forest areas, making them less likely to be noticed or harmed,” said Singh.
Ghosal, though, disagreed. He said crops like wheat and rice, which do not offer cover for big cats, would be safer for people. “It’s better to use natural plants to rebuild forest links, not cash crops,” he said.
Others have also pointed out that fences made of solar-powered and barbed wire still block parts of the corridor. They argue these barriers prevent animals from moving freely, weakening PTR’s goal of connecting tiger habitats.
