Operation
Bondomobile
On
March 15th, 2011, The Fund For The Tiger, in partnership with The
American Himalayan Foundation and with the generous support of David Bonderman,
launched a new program of the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), codenamed Operation Bondomobile. The program uses
an audio-visual van, painted with a band of tiger stripes, which is
systematically taken to all the villages fringing the tiger reserves of
Bandhavgarh and Kanha, to screen a local language version of a film called *The
Truth About Tigers, and to dialogue with local communities about their
wildlife related problems. The aim is to reduce tiger poaching and
human-wildlife conflict by addressing the antagonism between local people and
the Forest Department and by informing the villagers of government projects
that they could benefit from, such as compensation for cattle and crop losses
from wildlife.
In its first and a half
year, 103 wildlife film shows and meetings have been held; 73 around
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and 30 around Kanha Tiger Reserve. More than 21,025
villagers attended the film shows and meetings; 227 grievances for compensation
for livestock losses and crop damage by wild animals have been filed; and 15
wildlife criminals have been arrested through the Secret Rewards Scheme. Now in its third year of operation, the
Bondomobile has visited 168 villages and 23,390 people in the past year and a
half. It is completing its tour around Kanha and will soon return to the
Bandhavgarh area.
The Bondomobile program
has proven to be even more successful than anticipated. Apart from creating
large-scale awareness of the plight of the tiger in the tiger reserve fringe
villages, the Bondomobile has helped address the deep-rooted issue of
corruption, becoming a true ombudsman
in the airing of grievance between the villagers and the Forest Deparment. The program has helped spread awareness in
these villages about WPSI’s Secret Information Reward Scheme and has become a
valuable source of information on illegal wildlife activities. Recognizing the
benefits and the positive outcomes, after some initial hesitation, the Forest
Department is also now very supportive of the program.
*The Truth About Tigers is an unflinching look at the
ground realities that prevail in India's forests. It’s a film that
tells it like it is, and it is a must see for all those who are interested in
helping to save this remarkable animal. The film guides the viewer through
the life of the tiger, from birth to death, clearly explaining the reasons why
tigers are declining. More importantly, it provides pointers on what
the government should do to reverse the decline, and what ordinary citizens can
meaningfully do to contribute. The film was made by award-winning wildlife
and conservation filmmaker, Shekar Dattatri. The link is www.youtube.com/truthabouttigers.
The clear message of this film is a simple truth we have been expounding for
years…give tigers enough land, prey, protection, and they will flourish.
Operation Bondomobile has
been supervised by M.C. Khare, the WPSI representative who’s work we have been
supporting in and around Bandhavgarh since 2001.
