Tiger population in Coimbatore Forest Division to be estimated for the first time
The Hindu
tiger population in coimbatore forest division to be estimated for first time
The first systematic estimation of tigers using latest technologies will be carried out in the Coimbatore Forest Division, believed to be home to nearly 20 big cats.
S. Ramasubramanian, Conservator of Forests and Field Director of the Anamalai Tiger (ATR), launched the smart tiger patrol and monitoring initiative for which the M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tiger-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) application will be used.
Android devices loaded with M-STrIPES sponsored by the WWF-India were provided to the forest guards who are monitoring 50 beats in the division. They were given training on using the app and capturing the information while they are on patrol.
“This will be a systematic tiger estimation exercise using camera traps that is going to be done for the first time in the entire forest division. WWF-India is providing the technical support for the tiger estimation which will be done adhering to all guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA),” said Mr. Ramasubramanian.
M-STrIPES-based patrol is mandatory for all the tiger reserves. Earlier, systematic tiger monitoring had covered only Mettupalayam and Sirumugai forest ranges as part of the All India Tiger Estimation. As per Status of Tigers in India-2018, camera traps recorded 11 individual tigers in these two forest ranges that are connected to the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and the eastern slope of the Nilgiris, which in turn is linked to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
However, tiger signs were also observed in many areas of Coimbatore outside this exercise and the camera traps and M-STrIPES based patrolling exercise will help in a comprehensive estimation of tigers in the Division.
Boluvampatti forest range, which has a continuous link to the Silent Valley National Park in Kerala, is another potential habitat for tigers where an individual tiger was recorded in a camera trap in 2020.
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