M. Smithy*
Tiger usually symbolizes strength and determination. But in the Periyar Tiger Reserve of the Western Ghats in Kerala, the tiger is becoming a symbol of protection and conservation of natural charm and rich genetic diversity.
The Periyar Tiger Reserve has become a project to preserve rare and endangered species other than the tiger as well. This is possible as the effort to protect the national animal also covers all the other species simultaneously. A large predator like the tiger can survive only in a healthy, undisturbed eco-system with an adequate prey base. Hence the tiger has become the symbol of our conservation efforts.
The presence of rare and endangered species in the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) is an example for conservation of other species by protecting the tigers. A highly diverse animal group with as many as 62 species of mammals, 318 species of birds, 44 species of reptiles, 16 species of amphibians, 38 species of fish and 19 species of butterflies are to be found there. Among the 62 species, many endangered ones like the lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur, Nilgiri marten and small Travancore Flying Squirrel are found in Periyar.
It is estimated that there are about 40 tigers in the forest spread over 77 sq km in the Western Ghats. This may be considered a small figure. But the peculiarities of the tiger also should be considered. The tiger is found in all types of habitats. But its density is much less in the evergreen forests. During the tiger census of 2000, the presence of thirty-six tigers was estimated by way of pugmark counting. It is very difficult to see a tiger directly in this area due to the thick vegetation. But the elephants stand out because of their large numbers – around one thousand. This sanctuary has been brought under Project Elephant. The presence of lion-tailed macaque is also having its own importance. This is one of the highly endangered primates of India. It is rarely found in the other habitats of the Western Ghats in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This rare species of wildlife lives only on high trees. They have survived in Periyar thanks to the conservation efforts under Project Tiger which protects the genetic diversities of every natural park or sanctuary in India.
The Nilgiri marten, a beautiful mammal, is also found in Periyar which is spread over the mountain ranges of Idukki district in Kerala. A large number of tourists visit the national park whose main attraction is the 26 square kilometre lake visited by countless migratory birds during the winter months.
Tiger monitoring continues to be the most important activity in Periyar. It is the mandatory duty of each field staff there. Plaster casts of fresh pugmarks are taken from all over the area for analysis. This method is used as the dense forest canopy and inaccessible terrain often make monitoring of tiger very difficult. Every two years tigers are enumerated in Periyar. Direct sightings of tiger are also documented. Sightings from all sources are at once cataloged and mapped. The mating season of tigers ends in February.
16th April, 2003
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