4 min readSataraJun 30, 2012 04:54 AM IST
First published on: Jun 30, 2012 at 04:54 AM IST
The annual tiger census started this year in addition to the census in tiger reserves every four years by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has proved a damp squib in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) covering mainly Satara,Sangli and Kolhapur districts,with the exercise in February and May ending in futility.
The failure to spot even a single tiger is being attributed to only 16 cameras being used for the census in STR spread over 740 sq km,against the conventional wisdom of experts who prescribe at least 50 cameras for a tiger count in an area of 100 sq km. Making it tougher was theft of some of the cameras installed for the count.
Another reason for the zero count is being seen as lack of trained staff for carrying out the census in a scientific manner. Activists,meanwhile,point out that illegally erected windmills,bauxite mines and other illegal human activities in STR are disturbing the tiger habitat.
According to WWF India Tiger co-ordinator Joseph Vattakaven,about 50 cameras are required for counting tigers in a 100 sq km forest area. “The trail and track of tigers in a four sq km grid should be scientifically studied,and cameras in pairs should be installed at strategic spots to get images of both sides of tigers. A scientific tiger count is very important. It ensures greater accountability…”
The government had estimated presence of 13 tigers in STR (Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary) and the Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary. But the number was based on non-scientific methods of counting such as pug marks and scat (excreta).
The practice of using pug marks has now been taken over by scientific method of deploying cameras at strategic locations in areas of tiger movement. The cameras are placed for about 45 days and the recorded data collected daily for analysis to come up with a tiger count.
Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) Mohan Karnat,also the head of the STR project said,”There was a technical problem with our cameras. So tigers were not spotted by our camera traps. But we got excreta or scat of tigers. Also,people in villages around the jungles have spotted tigers. On June 22,passengers in a bus moving from Koyna to Chiplun saw two tigers at Ghat Matha,confirming tiger presence.”
“Tiger density being less in STR compared to other tiger reserves like Tadoba,the census here is difficult. Also,tiger count is only an estimation. More important is conservation of tigers,for which we are trying our best. There are no poaching cases in STR,” said Karnat.
A state forest official said they have received 25 more cameras for the tiger count,but they still would fall short of requirement. The census will continue at STR after the rains. The office said the forest department lacked funds for purchasing enough cameras. Also,some cameras deployed in STR were reportedly stolen.
NTCA has plans to give Rs 35 lakh to each tiger reserve in the country for facilitating the census. The money was to be transferred to tiger foundations in these tiger reserves,but STR could not get the funds from NTCA as it did not have a tiger foundation. The forest department is now forming the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve Conservation Foundation for the purpose.
Meanwhile,information sought by green activist Nana Khamkar from Karad said that about 215 wind turbines and 10 resorts were constructed illegally in Koyna wildlife sanctuary. Khamkar has filed a petition in Bombay High Court against the windmills and resorts,and the matter is pending.
NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal visited the windmills in Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary in the STR on May 30. Later,replying to questions at a media briefing on tiger conservation in Delhi,Gopal said windmills are located in vulnerable part of STR. When contacted,Gopal said he cannot share details of his visit with the media now.
(Report written under the aegis of CSE Media Fellowship)
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