TIRUNELVELI: The Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) has witnessed two-fold increase in tiger population in 2010-11, when compared to the last estimate in 2006-07. Speaking exclusively to Express, H Malleshappa, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, said the tiger population was around 15 to 18 as per the tiger estimate taken in 2010-11. “This is a two-fold increase when compared to the 2006-07 estimate of six to eight tigers,” he informed. Tigers that migrate from Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) might also be part of the new count as both tiger reserves were lying adjacent.He said the steps initiated by Union Minister of Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh to boost community involvement in tiger conservation have paid rich dividends. “Unlike the earlier estimates where pugmarks were the mainstay, modern technologies like camera traps have been used this time,” Malleshappa said. These cameras were sent to the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun for stripe identification. “The stripes of each tiger differ from another and hence this technology has proved extremely helpful,” he detailed. The forest conservator said World Bank had earlier announced KMTR as a role model, taking into account the community involvement in tiger conservation. “People and tribals have extended excellent co-operation in tiger conservation and it is a win-win situation for both the KMTR and its stakeholders,” he noted.“We have around 110 anti-poaching watchers. Almost everyone in the area are informers for us,” Malleshappa said. Also due to community involvement, felling of trees for firewood and grazing of animals in KMTR has almost stopped.
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