A new reserve has been proposed in the tiger State of Karnataka. A recent scientific study by a group of wildlife biologists has documented the presence of about 10-12 tigers in Malai Mahadeshwara (MM) Hills besides two adult tigers in Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS).
leader of the team, conservationist Dr Sanjay Gubbi said that despite enjoying protected status for a considerable time, there was little knowledge on the wildlife habitat in these areas. These include the dry forests in the confluence of Western and Eastern Ghats in Southern India.
Camera traps were placed at 809 locations. Each camera trap unit was deployed continuously during day and night. From the total camera trap photos, 11 unique individual adult tigers and three unique cubs were identified. Further, tiger population in MM Hills was found to be highly encouraging with a reproductive female with three cubs
As per the study, the density was estimated around 0.66/100 sq km for MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. “This is a very good number considering this is almost one per cent of the country’s tiger population. This is more than that in several tiger reserves in the country,” said the experts.
The study also documented individual tigers that were common between the Doddasampige-Yediyaralli corridors connecting the two protected areas of MM Hills and CWS. The experts stressed on the urgent need to protect the corridor area.
Other rare species as the rare honey badger in Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, 27 large and small mammalian species including wild dogs, sloth bears, Indian fox, pangolin, rusty spotted car, gaur, sambar, four horned antelope, Madras tree shrew etc. were also documented in the course of the study.
MM Hills, with an area of 906 sq km, was notified as a wildlife sanctuary in May 2013. MM Hills and CWS are part of the Greater BRT Tiger Reserve that also includes Biligirirangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, Bannerghatta National Park and Satyamanagalam Tiger Reserve and North Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu.
Tiger population was estimated to be 2,226 in the last census, with Karnataka having the maximum number of 406 big cats in its four reserves. The study has indicated that the tiger population could be doubled in the next five years in this area with suitable measures and protection mechanisms. As per the study, the area can hold nearly 150 tigers.
Stop illegal sand mining on riverbeds, states told
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal on Thursday directed all State Governments to ensure that there is no sand mining on the riverbeds being carried without prior environment clearance. A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also issued bailable warrant against Resident Commissioner of Maharashtra for non-appearance of the officials from the State despite notice being served to them.