Tigers of Central India

[Ashutosh]

Except, as I said before, this isn’t the first research to come to the conclusion that Pench has a better prey density than Kanha. Your remark that there were more herds recorded in Kanha as per the study was off the mark as Pench being smaller has more herds when you count both the areas, clearly showing better density.

The forest department added watering hole in parts of Pench because of human degradation. If you look up the history of that area when Kanha-Pench was one big forest, you will see the insane deforestation that went on from 17th century by the Gonds to mid 1890s in Pench, whereas Kanha has stayed pristine much longer. With conservation giving the forest a chance to grow back, the animal numbers have also rebounded (this is also noticeable in tiger numbers). Plus, Brander and Sankhala are from the 60s-70s, contemporary sources should take precedence.

And, why would a prey base depend on what trees are commonly found in a reserve. Grassland would be way more pertinent in determining prey base. Trees don’t make up any part of any herbivores’ diet.

Also, I have been to Pench and Nagzira. Was supposed to go to Kanha-Bandhavgarh, but the pandemic has ruined that trip. Reply