SEVAK

Pilibhit is one of the few well forested districts in Uttar Pradesh. According to an estimate of year 2004, Pilibhit district has over 800 sq km forests, constituting roughly 23 per cent of the district’s total area.

Forests in Pilibhit have at least 30 tigers and a good predator base for their survival. Pilibhit forests are part of terai forests, which together with grasslands constitute habitat for over 127 animals, 556 bird species and 2,100 flowering plants. They are also home to around 6 million people who depend on them for their livelihoods.

With Corbett Tiger Reserve going to Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh now wants to develop Pilibhit forests area as home for the striped cats. A proposal to create a home for the endangered cats in Pilibhit forests has been sent to the government. The area has good potential having special type of ecosystem with vast open spaces and sufficient feed for the elegant predators.

According to a study by Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dudhwa-Pilibhit population has high conservation value since it represents the only tiger population having the ecological and behavioural adaptations of the tiger unique to the Tarai region.

Recognising the importance of forests and wildlife in Pilibhit district, SEVAK constituted PSS Paryavaran Sudhar Sansthan as sister organization is continuously working for the protection of wildlife, endangered species and their habitat in terai forests. It is surveying, implementing and monitoring tiger and wildlife with active support from the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and WWF-TEF (World Wildlife Fund-Tiger Emergency Fund). For his contribution, the organisation’s chairman, Parvez Haneef, who is also a veteran wildlife activist, has been bestowed with an award by WWF-TALEP in the year 2004.

To ease pressure on forests for various forest produce, SEVAK is promoting cultivation of bamboo through an innovative project. The bamboo is being planted on wastelands and road sides as per recommendations of National Bamboo Mission. The technical inputs in the project are being provided by a bamboo expert, Dr Anil Sood, of Palan, Himachal Pradesh.

For creating awareness among the masses regarding various environmental issues activities like anti-polythene rallies and environmental awareness rallies are regularly organised.

Paryavaran Sudhar Sansthan
A Centre for Wildlife Studies and Environment

It has decided to work with field projects in NGO sector to save the habitat of Tigers in Pilibhit Forest, involving the National & International working reputed agencies, seeing the challenges came after SARISKA & RANTHAMBORE Tiger Protection reports.

Work Report

• Working since 1987 as first voluntary efforts to save wildlife production activities in Pilibhit forest after recall of hunting reserve Pilibhit forest in 1970, established Paryavaran Sudhar Sansthan Pilibhit PSS & affiliated with NGO. Wildlife protection activities started for Tigers after the total hunting ban from 2nd Oct, 1991, by the government. The awareness programs were started in forest villages of BARAHI range forest selecting comparatively good potential area of Tigers.
• Center for environment and wildlife studies is working for study the potential of Tigers and census of wildlife endangered species in BARAHI forest village SELHA, with support of State Irrigation Department allotted Project work land and control office at Bifercation Colony.
• A campaign was started for the information network against poachers and proper information transfer system to forest department and traffic India with support adjacent forest villages network from 1993-1996.

Tiger Potential and Protection Work

• The wild animals and Tiger poaching local news were highlighted in Government of India minister of forest, Mr. Ashok Kumar & BALINDA Wright of wildlife protection society of India Delhi and Mr. VALMINK THAPER, Ranthambore Foundation Member severing committee project Tiger including Traffic-India.
• Centre for environment and wildlife studies activities were started in BARAHI most potential area from 1987.
• Cubs were seen in 1997, showing the potential of Tigers and reported to Ministry of Forest and Environment TIGER project working agencies.
• Awareness program started from 1997 with active financial cooperation of social forestry and forest division in forest villages.
• 14 Kms. Long SUKAKEE KHARJA NAGAR located in between Surahi and Barahi range was transferred to forest department. By Irrigation Department head works division to develop Tigers habitat with active affects made by organization.

Active with Forest Department

• Social forestry and wildlife protection awareness campaign was started in forest village from 1997 to 2001 in collaboration with Directorate of Environment of U.P. Govt.
• Many survey and studies were made on request of DFO Pilibhit on Tiger man eater issue and Poaching problems in forest villages.
• PSS activist nominated as NGO member for District Tiger Protection Committee under chairman stamp of District Magistrate by forest department.
• PSS activist nominated for World Bank social forestry project, Pilibhit by Social Forestry department. As exclusive member and Tree Warden.
• Action plan to declare Tiger reserve forest for Pilibhit made by PSS sent by forest and District Magistrate in 2001 with comparative study of Dudwa National Park wild protection calibrate under the super soon of Mr. Banerjee DFO, Pilibhit.
• PSS gave valuable contribution to protect wildlife and forest area of LAGGA-BAGGA for forest department in active performance of Mr. Sunil Dubey DFO Pilibhit.
• PSS gave valuable suggestions, field work on every resonance survey of wildlife census from 1999, 2001 & 2003 on appeal of DFO, Pilibhit.
• Processions Rallies March and Vana Mahahotsav function were organized by farmer PSS with help of the education institutes run by mother NGO Samaj KAlyan Evam Vikas Adhyayan Kendra.
• Organized many tours, educational programs to involve school children in environment problem as well as campaign against use of polythene and wildlife protection as to save the heritage of Pilibhit.
• Director Amitabh Agnihotri was awarded for wildlife management by U.P. Forest department in 2003.
• Nominated as member of forest fire control sub committee under chairmanship of District Magistrate.

WWF INDIA Coperation Award

PSS worked as co-partner as local NGO with Tiger Trust Society proposal TEF of WWF Switzerland. Two days survey for Tiger Potential was made with WWF officer Dr. Hamroz Asadi in 1997 & action plan was suggested for WWF to develop habitat of Tigers Organization gave proper information, area activities to TALSP of WWF and share 20 years past wildlife & potential reports. WWF Tarai Arkland Project awarded chief wildlife activist Mr. Parvez Haneef in 2003 by Conservator of Forest Bareilly.

Present Targeted Objectives

• To implement the wildlife Tiger management, habitat development projects in Pilibhit forest area under the support of reputed finding agencies to save the Tigers in present circumstances.
• To implement the social forestry program of Bamboo nursery & plantation in collaboration with women HG’s to develop the environmental values & as well as self employment planning to save the Narkul in forest as habitat of Tigers.
• To highlight the Pilibhit wildlife activities in world wildlife activities in world wildlife map & partnership in project to save the endangered species with rural tourism.
• To make wildlife protection network in near forest villages & awareness education including self employment strategies.
• To make regular efforts to declare the Tiger reserve forest of Pilibhit Corridor Area in between Sukla-Fanta and Kishanpur Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

Committee of Management

As per the solution of MNGO a 7 members committees is constituted with concept of Chief Activist President and rest prominent activists of reputes for district Pilibhit and Lakhimpur Kheri. Working as per solution 12 point aims & objects of Mother NGO. Samaj Kalyan Evam Vikas Adhyayan Kendra, under society and FCRA Act.