New Delhi: “As reported by the State Government of West Bengal, there is no record of poaching of tigers in Sundarbans during the last five years.
A “Protocol on Conservation of the Royal Bengal Tiger of the Sunderban” between the Government of the Republic of India and Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was signed on 6.11.2011, details of which are at Annexure-I.”
ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2754 ON POACHING OF TIGERS IN SUNDERBANS
PROTOCOL ON CONSERVATION OF THE ROYAL BENGAL TIGER OF THE SUNDERBAN BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA
(THE “INDIA”) AND GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH
(THE “BANGLADESH”)
Article I
- Both countries –
(a) will undertake bilateral scientific and research projects to promote their understanding and knowledge of the Sunderban’s Royal Bengal Tiger and including habitat will develop information systems, share research data and conduct joint research;
(b) will exchange personnel for training and promotion of education;
(c) will undertake patrolling of the Sunderban waterways on their respective sides to prevent poaching or smuggling of derivatives from wildlife;
(d) agree that either party will not undertake any activity, which will have adverse effect on the biodiversity and the unique ecosystem of Sunderban. However, no restriction on border domination activities be imposed;
- e) will include the safety of Royal Bengal Tiger as an agenda in all border meetings involving the habitat of the tiger.
Article II
- For the purpose of training and promotion of education referred to in clause (b) of Article I of this Protocol, the Government of India, at the request of the Government of Bangladesh, will reserve at least four seats for personnel from Bangladesh in the nine months Diploma Course in the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.
Article III
A special committee will be constituted in each country to examine human casualties that take place in the Sunderban by tiger attacks with a view to sharing experiences from either side, and to act in consultation with the other side, if necessary.
Article IV
Forest Officers or Park Directors from both the countries will hold periodic meetings on either side of the Sunderban alternately, with a view to sharing management strategies and creating innovative and common management approaches.
Article V
High level Ministerial level meetings will be held to follow up all the recommended actions between the two countries.
Article VI
The Protocol can be amended by mutual consent.
Article VII
The Protocol shall remain valid for 5 (five) years and shall be automatically renewed at the expiry of each period, unless terminated by mutual consent for which the Party desiring to terminate shall serve on the other Party a notice 90 (ninety) days prior to the date from which termination becomes effective. The termination of this Protocol shall not affect completion of any project which has made substantial progress.
Signed at Dhaka on the Sixth day of September, 2011 in two originals in English language, each of which is equally authentic.”
This information was given by Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
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