By Samrat Phadnis, TNN | 21 Jan, 2015
The
data released by union ministry of environment, forests and climate
change (MoEF) on Tuesday shows that the tiger population in Maharashtra
has been increased from 169 to 190 in four years. The tiger census was
conducted across India in January and February 2014.
The
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of
India (WWI), two statutory agencies which conducted the mammoth survey
in 18 states, have said that the figure is estimation of the exact
population. Instead of relying on the traditional pugmark identification
method, agencies for the first time adopted sophisticated technologies
such as capturing images of tigers using camera traps and analysing DNA
using collected scat samples.
Since the last census in 2009-10;
two more tiger reserves have been notified in the state taking the
total count to five. The STR was added to the list last year, Bor and
Navegaon wildlife sanctuaries were converted into tiger reserves.
The STR, which is the only tiger reserve in Western Maharashtra, had
sent 13 scat samples. The agencies approved 5 and estimated the tiger
population to be between five and eight.
The Tadoba-Andhari
tiger reserve in Chandrapur district reported maximum big cat presence,
STR is at the bottom in tiger estimations.
The report stated
that the Western Ghat tiger populations are more connected with each
other when compared to tiger populations in Central India and the
Shivalik-Gangetic Plains landscapes. The habitat matrix in the Western
Ghats is more conducive for tiger occupancy. However, the habitat
connectivity is threatened by plantations, agriculture, industrial and
infrastructural development.
'It would be prudent to timely
identify and legitimize the minimal corridors needed for the
conservation objective of ensuring gene flow between the Western Ghats
tiger populations in time to come. The major impediments to tiger
conservation in this zone are the existence of hydro-electric projects,
hunting and deforestation of large areas for commercial plantations,'
the report stated.
Forest officials, who are pleased with the
performance, said that drastic natural landscape variation between
Vidarbha region, where five tiger sanctuaries are located and Western
Ghats is the reason for the difference in numbers.
"Tigers here
have territory of more than 150 sq km compared to 40 sq km territory of
big cats in Vidarbha. Estimating their number is extremely difficult
since entire STR is hilly area and having peaks of Sahyadri ranges. In
2010, we had reported the same number of tigers; however the estimation
was based on pugmarks. This time we have camera traps, scat and DNA
samples along with the pugmark," said M M Panditrao, divisional forest
officer (wildlife) of Koyna.
Forest officials are happy since the ranking of STR has been upgraded from 'fair' in 2010 to 'good' in 2014.
The department is keen on increasing the joint forest management
committees in STR in the future. At present, there are only five
committees in Satara district; while department is planning to establish
at least 60 more in buffer zone to protect the tigers.
Tiger
experts warned that the forest department will have to remain on high
alert and not to lose its grip over the protected and unprotected area.
Experts warn that increasing number of tigers in the state would lure
the poachers to Maharashtra.
"I think increasing number of
tigers have increased the responsibility of the government. Central
India has huge forests and also the Western Ghats. Increased tiger
presence might lure the poachers to Maharashtra. So, government should
be on high alert all the time," said Nitin Desai, director, Central
India, Wildlife Protection Society of India, New Delhi.
source
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