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Located in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve comprises Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. Maharashtra's oldest national park, Tadoba was created in 1955. Covering more than 600 sq.km., the area's topography supports diverse habitats, including open canopy grasslands, stony grasslands along small hillocks, semi-deciduous riparian forest, perennial and seasonal streams, wetlands, and agricultural lands. All these make the region ideal for several species of birds, animals and reptiles to call it their home. A study conducted a few years ago recorded the presence of over 250 species of birds, including five endemic to India and more than 15 categorised as "threatened” in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. The region also supports more than 70 species of butterflies.

Wildlife

Pochards, shovelers, teals, pintails, quails, francolins, grebes, pigeons, doves, nightjars, sandgrouses, swifts, cuckoos, malkohas, storks, herons, egrets, bitterns, cormorants, ibises, darters, stilts, lapwings, jacanas, terns, sandpipers, pratincoles, kites, eagles, harriers, vultures, buzzards, buttonquails, owls, owlets, hornbills, woodpeckers, barbets, parakeets, orioles, drongoes, fantails, shrikes, flowerpeckers, munias, swallows, martins, bulbuls, warblers, babblers, starlings, mynas and flycatchers are among the bird species found in the region. In addition to the keystone species, the Bengal tiger, the area is a habitat for mammals such as leopard, Indian wild dog, sloth bear, gaur, the Indian fox, rusty spotted cat, honey badger, small Indian civet and ungulates such as sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, nilgai and four-horned antelope. Reptiles from the area include marsh crocodiles, Indian python, common Indian monitor, terrapins, Indian star tortoise, Indian cobra and Russel’s viper.

Good news, but...

In 2019, a report released by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and forests said that Tadoba witnessed two-fold increase – from 86,557 to 1.73 lakh - in tourist numbers between 2012-13 and 2017-18. This also meant an increase in revenue - Rs. 6.78 crore from Rs. 1.75 crore, a whopping 280 % increase. Such revenues are crucial for the upkeep of the region. Another comforting factor is that the Reserve was one of the few in the country that saw an increase in tiger numbers a few years ago. This too has been encouraging news for tourism since increased tiger numbers could translate to increased sighting, and in turn, more tourists. However, increase in tourists may not always be good news. Here's why.

Only a few months ago did the government propose to offer ecotourism in the Reserve's buffer zone to boost local economy. Since the zone includes more than 75 villages, the step aims to rope them in for conservation activities and sensitise them to human-animal conflict. With their knowledge of the region, the villagers could become drivers, guides, etc. While this is certainly encouraging, it is not without concerns. Among the activities planned for ecotourism include those such as adventure sports. Since such activities require experts, villagers and activists are worried that gradually private players could take over the region, leaving behind locals to suffer, defeating the very purpose it hoped to achieve.

 

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The Wild Ass Sanctuary spans nearly 5,000 sq km. in Gujarat's Little Rann of Kutch. Home to the third largest population of these animals in the world, the area is believed to be nurturing at least a few thousands of these mammals. Usually moving in large groups, these animals can be spotted throughout the year in this region. Due to its proximity to the Rann of Kutch and the variety in the region's vegetation, the sanctuary hosts more than 30 species of rare and endangered animals, and over 90 species of invertebrates. In fact, the sanctuary also lies on the migratory route of several hundred birds that travel from as far as Europe, Russia and Egypt.

Wildlife

More than 350 species of birds can be spotted in the region, and these include ducks, geese, quails francolins, flamingoes, grebes, doves, pigeons, sandgrouses, nightjars, swifts, coucals, malkohas, cuckoos, koels, crakes, cranes, bustards, storks, pelicans, herons, egrets, ibises, cormorants, thick knees, plovers, lapwings, godwits, sandpipers, pratincoles, gulls, terns, kites, eagles, buzzards, vultures, owls, woodpeckers, bee-eaters, rollers, kingfishers, falcons, parakeets, orioles, drongos, shrikes, flowerpeckers, sunbirds, weavers, pipits, wagtails, buntings, larks, prinias, warblers, swallows, martins, bulbuls, starlings, flycatchers and wheatears. In addition to the wild ass, the place hosts several other animals, including chinkara, nilgai or blue bull, black buck, wild boar, Indian wolf, jackal, striped hyna, desert hare, desert cat, pangolin, porcupine, Indian fox, mongoose, and jungle cat.

There's good news...

In 2015, the census of the wild ass showed that the total number of these ungulates was a little short of 4.500. A similar exercise conducted in March 2020 showed that the Umber stood at a little over 6,000 - showing a spike of 30 % in just five years. This is particularly encouraging, considering the species had a worrying history. Due to the outbreak of diseases, the number of these mammals had fallen to a mere 700 back in the 1960s. The population today points to a successful and concerted conservation effort over decades. It also points to the need to be mindful of the continuing threats faced by the wild ass, found in the wild only in this part of the country.

... but threats persist

While a growing population is comforting to hear, the threats that these animals face remain a concern. Since the paths of these animals cross those of domestic livestock that herders take out for grazing, the chance of a disease outbreak and the animals contracting it are high. Further, water carrying pesticide and fertilizer from farmlands outside the sanctuary enter the region, with potential to harm animals that could drink the polluted water. The increasing number of salt pans and illegal mining in the region are additional threats to the sanctuary.

 

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Spanning more than 1,500 sq km. the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan comprises a national park of the same name and two sanctuaries - Sawai Mansingh and Keladevi Covered in grasslands and dense dry deciduous forests interspersed with rivulets and seasonal streams, small wonder it is home to over 200 species of birds and several reptiles, amphibians and mammals, with the tiger as its apex predator.

Wildlife

Francolins, quails, pochards, buttonquails, barbets, nightjars, cranes, sandgrouses, snipes, redshanks, sandpipers, jacanas, thickknees, stints, plovers, lapwings gulls, terns, buzzards, harriers, grebes, cormorants, bitterns, ibises, pelicans, storks, shrikes, minivets, drongos, flycatchers, thrushes, robins, bushchats, wheatears, mynas, starlings, tits, swallows, bulbuls, prinias, warblers, babblers, whitethroats, larks, sunbirds, wagtails, pipits, munias and buntings are found here. Tiger, leopard, jungle cat sloth bear wild boar, black buck, caracal jackal, fox, striped hyena mongoose,  Indian wolf, chinkara, chital, otter, honey badger, pangolin,  Asian palm civet, sambar, nilgai black- naped hare rhesus macaque and grey langur can be spotted here. Reptiles such as saltwater crocodile and mangrove monitor, and several species of snakes, including banded krait saw scaled viper and Indian cobra call the region home.

The big fight

The reserve is quite vast, spreading across more than 1,500 sq km. But this includes the more than 1,000 sq km of buffer 201, leaving the tigers with a little more than 500 sq km for use. However, since tigers are highly territorial and need a lot of room for themselves, Ranthambore faces an unusual problem - the problem of plenty. There are more than 70 tigers in the reserve, and each tiger is said to require about 10 sq km. forcing the big cats to fight for space. In the last few years, a few tigers have died in territorial fights. Not just that. When space becomes scarce, they venture out of their territory and into conflict - with humans. And most of these encounters do not end well for either. In the past a few tigers from Ranthambore have been relocated to other reserves such as Sariska. However, with the habitats of tigers shrinking, the tiger number is something to be watched closely.

The power of local knowledge

The forests of the reserve were earlier the hunting grounds of the kings. Today through villagers on the fringes the forests and its habitants are protected, says a media report Nearly 50 members of the Village Wildlife Volunteers programme not only protect and conserve the forests but also use their voice to rope in more people towards this cause. This has helped not just in the capture of poachers but also in keeping the forest department informed about the movement of tigers and the presence of other animals. Most invaluable is the knowledge of the villagers about local habitats and wildlife, which educates personnel in the department. For instance, the villagers helped discover "a breeding population of about 30 gharials, a critically endangered animal, in a river near Ranthambore”. They also assist researchers in the field. This story underscores how invaluable the role of locals in the protection of forest areas is.

 

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Spanning over 725 sq. km., the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala is one of the rich biodiversity hotspots of the Western Ghats. Comprising a range of tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, grasslands and eucalyptus plantations, it is amply nourished by rivers such as the Periyar running through the region. The reserve is a green zone that's home to more than a 100 varieties each of grasses and orchids - perfect to welcome several species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and butterflies. The region also hosts a large number of Asiatic elephants, making it one of the most significant elephant reserves of the country.

Wildlife

Garganeys, little grebes, nightjars, swift, coucal, malkohas, crakes, bitterns, cormorants, snipes, sandpipers, harriers, hornbills, woodpeckers, barbets, bee-eaters, falcons, minivets, orioles, woodshrikes, shrikes, treepies, flowerpeckers, sunbirds, leaf birds, munias, pipits, wagtails, tits, larks, prinias, warblers, swallows, babblers, starlings, nuthatches, flycatchers, robins and thrushes are among the species of birds that can be seen here. In addition to the Royal Bengal tiger and the Asiatic elephant, one can spot mammals such as leopard, bison, sambar, barking deer, Indian wild dog, wild boar, Nilgiri marten, Nilgiri langur and otter. A variety of reptiles such as cobra, viper, krait, and Indian monitor lizard, and amphibians such as frogs and toads too are found in the region.

Cause for concern

report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in 2019 A said that the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), an autonomous body that manages 1,248 temples including the Sabarimala Ayappa Temple, has been violating the Master Plan for Sabarimala for over a decade. This is affecting the ecology of the Periyar Tiger Reserve". The report on the implementation of Wildlife Protection Act in Kerala says that the "impact of Sabarimala pilgrimage ranked first in the list of 18 major threats identified by Periyar Tiger Reserve authorities in Tiger Conservation Plan". It added that due to the lack of drainage facilities, overflowing waste water and sewage was mixing with the rivers in the region. Further, electric lines had not been laid underground, and the existing "overhead cables without insulation" could pose a threat to wildlife species in the area.

Poachers to protectors

The Periyar Tiger Reserve is an example of an unusual success story. According to Mongabay, a conservation and environment news and features service, the story begins towards the end of the 20th Century, when a forest brigand operating near the reserve is captured. He led a 23-member gang of poachers and sandalwood smugglers. And was willing to give it all up if they were assured of a job with a steady income. However, back then there was no provision to include poachers and smugglers in forest management. Several discussions happened and a few years passed before Vidiyal Vanapathukappu Sangam was set up. It would be the country's first eco-development committee constituted solely of former poachers and sandalwood smugglers"". The group underwent training and was exposed to the need for conservation. It's been 17 years since. The members have helped crack at least "230 cases of poaching and smuggling". In addition to patrolling, they also double up as tourist guides and elephant safari providers. Most importantly, they have managed to educate their children - some are postgraduates today! The success of this model has been so encouraging that several other reserves and sanctuaries too have emulated it.

 

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Spanning nearly 350 sq. km in Kerala, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is contiguous with the protected areas of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on one side and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on another. Rich in biodiversity, the sanctuary is marked by moist deciduous forests, semi-evergreen forests and plantations of teak, eucalyptus. etc. The region teems with wildlife, including more than 200 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, over 30 types of amphibians, fishes, butterflies and dragonflies. This includes many endangered, threatened and rare species too. The perennial water resources in the sanctuary add to the abundance of wildlife that are dependent on them, especially in summer. The sanctuary is part of a tiger reserve and has one of the highest recorded populations of the Asiatic elephant.

 

Wildlife

Cormorants, herons, egrets, bitterns, storks, eagles, kites, vultures, buzzards, lapwings, jacanas, pigeons, doves, parakeets, cuckoos, owls, coucals, nightjars, swifts, bulbuls, minivets, shrikes, treepies, drongos, mynas, orioles, swallows, woodpeckers, barbets, hornbills, bee-eaters, kingfishers, babblers, bulbuls, flycatchers, warblers, thrushes, nuthatches, wagtails, flowerpeckers, sunbirds and munias can be spotted here. Asiatic elephant, tiger, leopard, common langur, four-horned antelope, mouse deer, sambar, barking deer, porcupine, mongoose, small Indian civet, chital, common giant flying squirrel, gaur, pangolin, hare, sloth bear, slender loris, wild boar, jungle cat, leopard cat and Indian flying fox are among the mammals found in the region.

Perils for Wayanad

• Since plantation is dominant in the Wayanad region, so is the widespread use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Unfortunately, this has resulted in irreparable damage to the area's fragile ecosystem, resulting in toxic pollution of local water bodies, soil, air and groundwater. If the accounts of farmers in the region are anything to go by, the use of pesticides has led to the disappearing of wildlife prey such as foxes. Many farmers have said that foxes around the region have vanished.


• Increasing human-wildlife conflicts have been a matter of great concern in Wayanad. Raiding elephants and tigers have threatened human settlements within the boundaries of the sanctuary. According to media reports, at least half-a-dozen human lives were lost to tiger attacks in eight months spanning 2018-2019. In addition, cattle - crucial for the farmers - too have been lost.


• Worryingly, unlike the past. Wayanad seems to be prone to large scale landslides and landslips now. After the 2018 floods of Kerala, large parts of the areas deluged in Wayanad were cited as fragile, and a complete ban on mining, construction activities and use of land for non-forest purposes has been recommended.

 

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Covering more than 1,000 sq.km through the districts of Umaria and Katni in Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was the hunting grounds of the erstwhile Maharaja of Rewa. It was a national park before it was brought under Project Tiger. A region with a high density of the royal, Bengal tiger, it makes for a balanced ecosystem with a good number of well-distributed herbivores. Hills, valleys, rivers, marshes and meadows dominate the region that supports a large variety of flora and fauna. Located in the Vindhya mountain range, it nurtures more than 30 species of mammals, 250 species of birds and 70 species of butterflies.

Wildlife

Pochards, geese, francolins, quails, nightjars, swifts, malkohas, bitterns, herons, egrets, ibises, thickness, plovers, lapwings, jacanas, sandpipers, redshanks, terns, buzzards, hornbills, beeeaters, parakeets, minivets, cuckooshrikes, woodshrikes, leafbirds, munias, pipits, buntings, larks, wagtails, prinias, warblers, strarlings, flycatchers, thrushes and bushchats are among the many species of birds that can be found here. The animals of Bandhavgarh include tigers, leopards, wild dogs, wild cats, gaurs, bears, hyenas, foxes, wolves, chitals, sambar, barking deer, blue bulls, and blackbuck.

Newcomers and new concerns

Madhya Pradesh has traditionally been a tiger country. However, newcomers from another species have gained a lot of attention – elephants. And for all the wrong reasons. In 2018, a herd of 40 elephants is said to have moved to the State from neighbouring Chhattisgarh. Today the group is active in and around three national parks of the State, including Bandhavgarh. A few villages near Bandhavgarh have been witnessing human-animal conflict because these elephants raid the crops in the villages and barge into houses, helping themselves to stored grains. In the process, elephants have even injured a few villagers. About 50 villages have been impacted by the elephant movement, according to forest officials. To avoid human-elephant by the elephant conflict, the animals are being tracked and have been fed too. Forest officials say deforestation and habitat degradation could be pushing elephants out of their original habitats into others, often resulting in such conflict.

Tourism at what cost?

In 2019, Madhya Pradesh was declared the “tiger State” of India with 526 big cats, the highest number for any state. Shortly after this came the news that the government had “decided to build helipads would be used for helicopters ferrying tourists.) The government felt that such a status should be put to good economic use for helping the tourism industry. However, several wildlife experts and conservationists argued that critical wildlife habitats “should not be disturbed” and that tiger reserves were meant to protect the animal not tourism. Anything that violates the guidelines to protect reserves will effect not just the apex predator but also several others. Since the government that proposed the construction of helipads fell and a new government has come to power the present status of the proposal is not very clear.

 

Picture Credit : Google