After it has been confirmed scientifically that number of the big cats in the State is not more than six, the Forest and Environment Department is working on some specific areas to further the population. This includes growing prey areas, rising grassland cover, GPS based patrolling along with conducting a special study at the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR).
The Department, in the process, went on confirming that barring the national tiger reserve not other wildlife adobe has any presence of the striped animal. “There was information about presence of one tigress and two cubs at Dalma wildlife sanctuary but later it was confirmed that they had migrated there from the Simlipal wildlife sanctuary and do not belong to the State. On the other 54 scat samples from PTR were sent for forensic examination which has confirmed presence of at least six tigers there. We have planned certain things so that their presence can go further up,” said PCCF (Wildlife) lR Singh on Monday.
Singh admitted the population of the carnivore has been affected due to naxal presence leading to heightened human activities in the area. “Tigers are seen less there because of disturbances. Also earlier lesser scientific methods were employed for census. Now modern techniques like DNA mapping of scats, GPS tracking and camera trapped are being used. Another census would be conducted from October 2017 to December 2018 to confirm about their numbers,” added the chief wildlife warden.
PCCF Sanjay Kumar elaborating on that informed that special study by a globally recognised agency would be conducted at Betla in order to restore its past glory. “Our goal is to increase the prey base for tigers at the reserve. New grasslands would be added along with new waterholes and check dams. GPS-enabled patrolling would also be introduced. We are also going to add tourist attraction through visual display about tigers at the reserve,” he said.
Talking about pending management plan for wildlife sanctuaries, the official said that the task would be completed for six out of 10 sanctuaries of the State.