The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Tiger census begins in Nallamala

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Saturday, May 03, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Tiger census begins in Nallamala

Special Correspondent

Carnivore population up with increase in green cover
Population of tigers, panthers, sloth bears increases

KURNOOL: Forest officials of Srisailam Tiger Reserve have begun tiger census in the Nallamala forest.

During the weeklong exercise, the teams will count the pugmarks at water-holes. Nearly 200 teams are scurrying the forest existing on 3,000 sq km.

Assistant Conservator of Forest and in charge of bio-diversity wing Tulasi Rao told The Hindu that the survey was meant for annual review and updating of records. According to him, only tigers and panthers would be counted during the current exercise, which would end on May 7.

Mr. Rao said the green cover significantly improved in the past few years, which had a direct impact on the carnivore population. Proliferation of tigers and other wild animals was linked to availability of food (herbivores), which flourished only when green cover improved.

Mr. Tulasi Rao analysed that the pressure on the forest had relatively reduced under the impact of Deepam scheme (LPG supply) and National Rural Employment Scheme. The demand for firewood declines when LPG supply improves. The field forest officials said that young generation living in the fringe villages had lost interest in the forest.

The trend was good from the point of view of forest protection but they were unable to find the guides who had thorough knowledge of the terrain.

Only those who were aged above 70 had knowledge of the core forest. The teams engaged in the survey said tiger population had definitely gone up.

Apart from tigers and panthers, the population of other wild animals like sloth bear too increased.

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