There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
(05-16-2017, 08:25 PM)Shardul Wrote: Hi @$uSpiciou$
I have always wondered how Corbett is able to support 200+ tigers when it is about the same size as kanha and the only large prey there is Sambar? Could you shed some light on that? Also, why don't they try to introduce large bovines like buffalo and gaur, or even rhino? The dhikala grasslands should be able to support a large number of them.
It doesn't...Corbett had 200 tigers living in the Tiger reserve & buffers & adjoining corridors of Lancedowne& Ramnagar ranges, the total area being more than 2000sq.km. Still the highest density in the world (not anymore)
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
Kanha on the other hand, has a core plus some buffer forests of hardly 1000 sq.km odd area..rest of the buffers were designated of farms & fields (white in map) that the tigers cross & kill cattle in, for ease of management & releasing compensation money. It houses 90+ tigers...makes sense.
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
PS: CORBETT NEVER HAD RHINOS OR BUFFALOS IN RECORDED HISTORY.
INDIA HAS STRICT LAWS AGAINST INTRODUCTION OF SPECIES.
Well "Rishi" has very well explained the geographical part. Now i will shed some light on how the system works in Corbett in a more simpler manner. Corbett as of today is only considered the area in and around the city 'Ramangar'. Now this is the core area and part of the national park. but the extended forest goes all the way upto many sides including cities like Nainital, Pithoragarh, Ranikhet, Khatima etc. The basic difference between Corbett and any other national park in India is that the whole Kumaon Region (Uttrakhand is divide into Kumaon and Garhwal Hilly Regions) was once fully surrounded by tigers and they actually kind of owned it. So although the forest cover has decreased yet for tigers that will be their homes anyways.
Let me give you an example. When I was a kid(12-13 years ago) I saw not one but many tigers very near to nainital on the main road. Here is the interesting part . Not one tiger i saw was nervous ever while crossing the road. This means that they were not out of their teritorry infact they lived there. My dad explained me all these concepts. Later on my friends from nearby cities shared the same experiences. Now I am talking about places like pithoragarh and beyond too which is like 3000 m above sea level and people knew about tigers living there too.
Also since the whole terrain is hilly or grassland so even though human population has increased yet there are some hilly patches where you cannot build anything.these act as the routes to connect the outer zone of corbett to the core zone. Even till today tigers are sighted far away from Corbett.
And that's the reason there are so many tigers because the national park is like that. the hills connect it perfectly and make channels for tigers which not always humans can reach and so they still are widely spread out.
Another very interesting example I will give. There is temple in a remote area little but not too far away from core Corbett area near ramanagar. The temple is completely open in the middle of little patch of forest but between that temple and Corbett there is human habitation. I went there with my dad like 8 years ago. The sadhu there clearly told that the temple was regularly visited by a pair of tigers who lived there in the forest. Not once did they harm anyone but they always visited the temple. They even showed me pugmarks so I am assuming that was for real.
Anyways I hope this clears the query why corbett still holds so many tigers. To realize how corbett is spread out one has to visit the state and see how the hills acts as perfect decoy to connect tigers and give them more space in and around the park. Rishi explained the whole things perfectly and I hope this basic explanation from my side can make things a bit clear even further.
Could you shed some light on that? Also, why don't they try to introduce large bovines like buffalo and gaur, or even rhino? The dhikala grasslands should be able to support a large number of them. - Rishi is right on the money again with this. translocating tigers from Corbett to Rajaji ( both parks are in Uttrakhand State) is proving to be such a daunting task and has face so much criticism. Here to introduce fauna that hasn't been there for a long time is simply another thing. Yes the grassland can support everything but the laws are too strict plus the Forest department in no way take such a huge risk when already Corbett is struglling with a huge problem of forest cover loss and poaching.
