Megamalai Sanctuary likely to become tiger reserve, says warden

Conservation strategies had been adopted to protect the wildlife and the environment, which could help in safeguarding natural resources, in the sanctuary which has a forest cover of around 63,000 hectares under the limits of six ranges, he said. 

Around 10 to 15 tigers were estimated to occupy in the key habitats of the sanctuary. Since tigers prefer to stay in recluse, it could be spotted mostly in undisturbed areas, he said on Sunday. Apart from tigers, the sanctuary is inhabited elephants, bears, leopards and wild dogs. Other herbivorous animals such as samba deer and spotted deer are also found in the sanctuary. To keep a check on poaching, eight anti-poaching watchers had been vigilant in the forest ranges, he said. 

Director of Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation, Shekar Kumar Niraj told DT Next that with an estimated population of 229 tigers till last census, Tamil Nadu was the fourth largest state in terms of tiger population. 

Currently, the fourth phase of tiger population census is in progress with the aid of camera traps in four tiger reserves at Kalakkad Mundanthurai, Anamalai, Mudumalai and Sathyamangalam under 17 tiger and other territorial forest divisions. Cameras were set up at a smaller grade in every 2 sq km. This time, satellite imaging and smart phone applications are being used to conduct the survey being carried out by the Wildlife Institute of India and National Tiger Conservation Authority, Niraj said. 

K Bhargava Teja, Deputy Director of Project Tiger, Ambasamudram, said awareness on forest area conservation was being raised with cooperation of 219 eco-development villages with people under limits of 895 sq km area covering seven ranges under Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. 

Documentary shows on ‘Truth about Tiger’ were played during the International Tiger Day. “When you protect a tiger, a total 25,000 hectares, which are its home territory in the forest could be conserved,” said the official. During 2017, the tiger population was estimated to be 22, while in 2014 it was estimated at 16, he said.