Tadoba buffer villages get 'Taru Udyan' parks to curb man-animal conflict

With man-animal conflict rising in villages in the buffer zone of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, a new initiative has been launched to create safe community spaces for villagers. Named "Taru Udyan," such parks have already been built in villages including Bhamdeli and Haldi, with work underway at several other locations. The Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve aims to set up such parks in all villages in the buffer area.

More than a hundred villages are located in the buffer zone of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. Since residents and wildlife move through the same landscape in these villages, conflict incidents occur from time to time. Wild animals such as tigers, leopards, bears and gaur have now started appearing even in areas close to the villages. As a result, many parents think of safety first before sending their children out to play in open spaces. There is also the risk of attacks by stray dogs. Elderly residents in the villages also needed a safe place to sit and chat with each other. As a solution to all these problems, the idea of safe, fenced and eco-friendly community spaces came up, and from this the concept of Taru Udyan parks took shape.

There is a reason behind naming these parks "Taru" as well. They are named after Taru Dev, regarded in local lore as the mythical protector of forests. Through these parks, an effort is also being made to preserve the cultural identity of the Tadoba region and its old relationship with nature. The parks are being built on community land finalised after discussions between the gram panchayat and the village environment development committee. This will include chain-link fencing, an entrance gate, play equipment for children, walking paths, benches for sitting, solar lights, dustbins and information boards on the environment. The parks will also be landscaped with local varieties of trees and shrubs.

An important part of this initiative is that a children's club called "Friends of Taru" will be set up in every participating village. School-going children from the village will join this club and take part in activities such as maintaining the park, watering plants, cleanliness drives, bird watching and nature walks. Days such as World Environment Day, Wildlife Week and Vasundhara Day will also be celebrated through various programmes organised at these parks. Through this, an effort is being made to create awareness among children about forests, wildlife and biodiversity.