In an encouraging development,the tiger population in and around Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) seems to be going steady with 65 big cats being reported in this wildlife belt,forest officials have claimed. This figure excludes the 20 odd cubs sighted in the area,which is encouraging,TATR chief conservator of forests and field director Veerendra Tiwari said. The figure has been reached after the tiger monitoring exercise held in the reserve between April 1 and May 31,2012,during which the movements of the felines in various parts under TATR were monitored by as many as 94 camera traps,Tiwari said. There are a minimum of 43 tigers in TATR and at least 20 carnivores are present in buffer area. Besides,two animals were reported in the adjoining FDCM (Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra) area, he said. Spread over 625 sq km,TATR is known for the high density of tiger population. On the accuracy of the census,Tiwari said even the figures on population census at the national level might not be accurate point-to-point,despite the fact that people have a specific address,locality and other details. A tiger is free to roam in any area of its choice and its territory ranges from 35 to 50 sq km and hence,it is difficult to say whether it is the same tiger captured by the cameras installed for the purpose until the animal sticks to its usual trail or track, Tiwari added.
