TIGER PROTECTION
TO BOOST ECO-SYSTEM
M.
Smithy*
Tiger usually
symbolizes strength and determination. But in the Periyar Tiger
Reserve of the Western Ghats in Kerala, the tiger is becoming
a symbol of protection and conservation of natural charm and rich
genetic diversity.
The Periyar Tiger
Reserve has become a project to preserve rare and endangered species
other than the tiger as well. This is possible as the effort to
protect the national animal also covers all the other species
simultaneously. A large predator like the tiger can survive only
in a healthy, undisturbed eco-system with an adequate prey base.
Hence the tiger has become the symbol of our conservation efforts.
The presence
of rare and endangered species in the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR)
is an example for conservation of other species by protecting
the tigers. A highly diverse animal group with as many as 62 species
of mammals, 318 species of birds, 44 species of reptiles, 16 species
of amphibians, 38 species of fish and 19 species of butterflies
are to be found there. Among the 62 species, many endangered ones
like the lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur, Nilgiri
marten and small Travancore Flying Squirrel are found in Periyar.
It is estimated
that there are about 40 tigers in the forest spread over 77 sq
km in the Western Ghats. This may be considered a small figure.
But the peculiarities of the tiger also should be considered.
The tiger is found in all types of habitats. But its density is
much less in the evergreen forests. During the tiger census of
2000, the presence of thirty-six tigers was estimated by way of
pugmark counting. It is very difficult to see a tiger directly
in this area due to the thick vegetation. But the elephants stand
out because of their large numbers – around one thousand. This
sanctuary has been brought under Project Elephant. The presence
of lion-tailed macaque is also having its own importance. This
is one of the highly endangered primates of India. It is rarely
found in the other habitats of the Western Ghats in Kerala, Tamil
Nadu and Karnataka. This rare species of wildlife lives only on
high trees. They have survived in Periyar thanks to the conservation
efforts under Project Tiger which protects the genetic diversities
of every natural park or sanctuary in India.
The Nilgiri marten,
a beautiful mammal, is also found in Periyar which is spread over
the mountain ranges of Idukki district in Kerala. A large number
of tourists visit the national park whose main attraction is the
26 square kilometre lake visited by countless migratory birds
during the winter months.
Tiger monitoring
continues to be the most important activity in Periyar. It is
the mandatory duty of each field staff there. Plaster casts of
fresh pugmarks are taken from all over the area for analysis.
This method is used as the dense forest canopy and inaccessible
terrain often make monitoring of tiger very difficult. Every two
years tigers are enumerated in Periyar. Direct sightings of tiger
are also documented. Sightings from all sources are at once cataloged
and mapped. The mating season of tigers ends in February. (PIB
Features)
*Inputs: M. Smithy,
Information Assistant, PIB, Kochi
