In a major boost to conservation efforts, Nagarahole Wildlife Reserve in Karnataka has witnessed increase in the population of big cats making this reserve with one of the highest tiger populations in the country. According to Manikantan, Director of the Nagarahole Tiger Project in 2016-17 they have spotted 91 tigers compared to 83 tigers in 2015-16. Abundant food availability, conducive landscape, protection and cover has helped increase in tiger population. The camera trap method also supports the sightings to confirm the numbers and other variables.
The forest officials who were involved in The 45-day census conducted in November-December 2016, has confirmed an increase of eight tigers in this reserve. According to available statistics, there were 83 tigers in 2015-16 and 91 tigers have been spotted in the year 2016-17.
It was in 2014, an all Indian Tiger Estimation was launched based on scientific methods to collect data on tigers. As part of this exercise the officials installed hundreds of cameras to trap the tigers to understand its behavior and numbers. The cameras were installed in the area where tigers are frequently spotted and also near the water sources. Based on the data collected and pictures captured the experts analyse the data on the basis of the stripes on the tiger’s body, to find out age and gender of the big cat. The officials say male tiger marks its territory in an area of 2,500 acres and female in an area of five kilometres.
Nagarahole Tiger Reserve with abundant population of deer, bison and other animals, has become a safe breeding place for the tigers.
Meanwhile, the report of the CAG, which was tabled recently in the assembly who audited eight reserved forest in Karnataka finds 102 animals death in last five years. They also made a remark that the men in Anti-Poaching camps are poorly trained and unable to do their jobs in protecting the animals from poachers. According to report MM Hills reserve forest has lost 50 animals in the last five years. According to CAG MM Hills, Nagarahole and Dandeli each lost 18 animals. The poachers have killed 27 Deer, 15 wild boars, One tiger, two leopards and eight elephants.