The Hindu : Big cats grow in numbers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Big cats grow in numbers

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD June 9. The latest census of tigers in 16 sanctuaries, held in May, has put their population at 140, marginally higher than last year's figure of 139 which in some places included those in adjoining areas too. The population of panthers in sanctuaries has also gone up to 258, against 248 last year but elephant population has come down from 74 to 69.

The tigers figure may not look impressive but it has to be seen in the context of the downward slide in the mid-1990s. The Rajiv Gandhi Tiger Sanctuary in Srisailam itself showed a population of 39 in 1994 and now it has increased to 64. This rise has been attributed to better sanctuary management plans actively involving people living in the periphery. The fall in population of elephants has been traced to the migration of a group to Tamil Nadu, an inter-state phenomenon that occurs regularly.

An interesting trend seen in the census this year is the reappearance of tigers in places left by them long ago. In Sri Venkateswara Sanctuary near Tirumala, two male tigers have been spotted, after a gap of four decades, which reflected the vastly improved ecology of the forests.

Sanctuary-wise analysis of 2002 and 2003 census shows that the tiger population has come down in Kawal by one, while it has gone up in the Rajiv Gandhi Tiger Sanctuary in Srisailam from 59 to 64, eight to 13 in Eturunagaram sanctuary, 8 to 10 in Papikonda and 29 to 30 in Gundla Brahmmeswaram. There was small discrepancy in last year's tiger census as in some places like Warangal district, both sanctuary and abutting forest areas were taken into account.

Hitesh Malhotra, Chief Wildlife Warden, told presspersons on Monday that the number of tigers and panthers in forest areas other than sanctuaries, could be known only when the next census takes place in 2005 (part of the all India census conducted every four years for both sanctuaries and other forest areas). A feature of this year's census was use of geographic position and information system in location of tigers and commissioning of infrared camera on a pilot basis at two places in the Rajiv Gandhi Sanctuary for taking pictures of tigers visiting water sources.

``We still have to rely on pugmarks as the methodology of census, as we cannot afford so many infrared cameras,'' Mr. Malhotra said, responding to a question. The census is conducted in summer, when the chances of catching the pugmarks become brighter with the tiger forced to explore more number of water sources.

Responding to host of other questions, he admitted that the State Government funding for protecting tiger population in non-sanctuary areas was not adequate. A plan has been sent to the Centre and an approval is awaited. On increasing the number of sanctuaries, he said two proposals were pending -- Gudammaripakla between Visakhapatnam and East Godavari and Salur for King Cobra in Vizianagaram.

Mr. Malhotra said several far reaching amendments had been carried to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, this year, among other things, raising the fine from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 25,000. A last chance is being given for six months from April 18, to those in legal possession of captive animal, animal article, trophy etc, to declare them to the Chief Wildlife Warden or authorised person.

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