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Tiger monitoring protocol to be introduced in Thekkady

K.S. Sudhi

KEEPING TRACK: At the Periyar Tiger Reserve

KOCHI: Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) will introduce integrated tiger monitoring protocol by which monitoring of tigers will become a daily affair.

Under the protocol, an integrated effort involving camera traps, observation of pugmarks, reading of direct tiger sighting using Global Positioning System (GPS) and monitoring of the prey base of tigers will be made to keep track of the big cat.

The Wildlife Institute of India had suggested introduction of the protocol, which will be introduced after the first monsoon showers, said Padma Mahanti, Deputy Director, PTR.

The PTR recently procured 40 camera traps for observing the tigers. Once the camera traps are installed, the entire stretch of the reserve will be covered. Ten camera traps have already been installed.

A tiger monitoring team comprising 12 tribal youths belonging to Mannan, Paliya and Ooralis have been trained in installing camera traps and the GPS. The team, which was trained at the Periyar Foundation, had earlier installed camera traps in the forest.

There are indications that tiger population might go up in the PTR. During February and March, three sightings of cubs have been reported. According to last year's tiger census, the population can be between 36 and 40 in the PTR.

Forest fire

Illegal trekking operations by tour operators in the tourism zone of the PTR are posing serious threat to the ecology of Thekkady, according to the park officials.

There is every reason to believe that most of the fires are man-made, referring to the recent instances of grasslands catching fire, V.S. Varghese, Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), said.

"Illegal trekking can be one of the reasons for forest fires. Many tour operators are unauthorisedly bringing people, including foreigners, to the forest. Illegal trekking has been curbed," he said.

In one of the recent incidents, a group comprising 19 foreigners and six guides were rounded up. While the tourists were let off, the guides were fined, said Ms. Mahanti.

The small fires in the grasslands were prevented on time and controlled burning was carried out.

As fire was reported from the Tamil Nadu side of the forest, a joint operation between the Tamil Nadu and Kerala Forest officials was being carried out, said Ms. Mahanti.

Earns profit

"The reserve has earned revenue of Rs.2.66 crore last fiscal compared to Rs.1.72 crore the previous year.

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