Tigers of Central India

[Rishi]

Survey indicates presence of 3 tigers in Palamau, atleast 5 more in Jharkhand
The All India Tiger Estimation Report-2018, released on July 29, did not register existence of tigers at this reserve.

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In a national report released last week, Jharkhand's state forest department on Monday claimed at least 2 tigers &1 tigress exist in Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR), barely a week after ‘All India Tiger Estimation Report 2018’ showed no trace tiger presence in the reserve.

Indications of the presence of 1 big cat was also found in Hazaribag, and another 4 in Saranda forest in West Singhbhum district adjoining Odisha. (File photo for representation).

Sanjay Kumar, Jharkhand principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), said, “Indirect evidences such as scat and pug marks were collected from across the state during the estimation from June 2018 to October 2018. Indirect evidences of five tigers were found from the two areas. But, it doesn’t mean tigers reside there. It is possible that tigers were there during the estimation.”
He added, “The report’s 85% data is based on camera trap evidence and the rest is based on indirect evidence.”

Presence of tiger recorded in trap camera at Chipadohar under Palamu tiger reserve in Palamu on February 17, 2019.(HT file photo)

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Ironically, although one of India's tiger reserves facing most extreme stress due to anti-insurgency operations, dwindling prey base, unrestrained development works, improper forest management, mushrooming human habitation and rising domestic cattle etc. that forced the big cats to abandon the reserve, it topped the Economic Valuation Of Tiger Reserves.

To tackle these, the forest department officials claimed to have been working on various fronts to improve the existing habitat. “When we talk of habitat improvement of PTR, we don’t just mean to restrict ourselves to the reserve area but advance towards the corridors of PTR which is connected to Chhattisgarh. Simultaneously, we have devised village-level micro development plans to take locals on board to decrease their dependency on forests by linking them with alternative means of livelihood." said an official.
"Extensive and large-scale plantations have been carried out in the last four-and-a-half years, and demarcation of forests and felling of trees have also been curtailed."


Source:
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/su...2019-08-06
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city...543544.cms
https://www.hindustantimes.com/ranchi/fo...P66IN.html
https://www.hindustantimes.com/ranchi/ti...IoMrO.html Reply