Amrabad Tiger Reserve, which is home to leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, spotted deer, in addition to the Royal tigers, is now under severe danger due to the Centre’s approval for uranium exploration within the protected reserve. This decision was made despite objections by the state’s forest officers. The proposal had been on hold for 2-3 years and is now waiting for approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

Being one of the largest tiger reserves in the country, the disturbance to this habitat by the machines used for exploration activities, would adversely affect the endangered wildlife thriving in this area. According to the field director’s report submitted, the environmental impact of mining will include (but not limited to), the following:

1. Erosion
2. Formation of sinkholes
3. Loss of biodiversity
4. Contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water by chemicals from mining processes.

The contamination resulting from leakage of chemicals will severely affect the health of the native wildlife. Habitat fragmentation and disturbance to wildlife will also result in wastage of all efforts made over the years to restore wildlife and improve habitat in the core area.

India has 2,226 tigers as per the last estimation and with about 60 percent of the global population of tiger, the country is considered a world leader in tiger conservation. Not only is will the exploration activities result in disturbances in forest but also set back years of hard work done to conserve the sensitive ecology found in this area.

India’s National Animal Loses to 'National Interest'

Join us in asking the government to stop this project and say NO to Uranium exploration in this extremely crucial bio-reserve area!