Though the idea is to protect the endangered species, Department officials also hope to evolve an action plan for the maintenance of basic biological productivity through proper land and water management. A Statewide workshop has begun to train field workers on the requirements of the census and the process of compilation. Besides forest staff, National Service Scheme volunteers would be involved in the operation, the officials said.

"Going by statistics, we believe that at least 50 per cent of the wildlife live outside protected areas [sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves]. We have a wide range of habitats spread all over the State. The census of wildlife in unprotected areas will help in establishing new sanctuaries," the Madurai Divisional Forest Officer, R.K. Bharathi, said.

No budgetary provision

Since there is no budgetary provisions for protecting wildlife outside the sanctuaries now, officials hope that the census will help in seeking exclusive funds for creating waterholes, checkdams and need-based fencing.

"There were problems in some areas where rare species faced threat of poaching. In the Tirupparankundram hills, for instance, suspected gypsies and stray dogs attacked the white peacocks. Effective steps have been taken in recent years to eliminate stray dog menace and prevent organised poaching."

Though the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, provides for stringent action against poachers, the activities of the miscreants are continuing in some reserve forests. "In the Madurai Circle, the Megamalai, Vellimalai and Sirumalai forest ranges have the potential of being declared wildlife sanctuaries. Tigers, elephants, sloth bears and panthers have been sighted in these areas frequently," said another official.

The presence of elephants, barking deer and bison has been reported in the Ezhumalai, Kiluvamalai and Thottapanayakkanur forest reserves. The proposal to declare the Megalamai forest (Theni district) a wildlife sanctuary was turned down recently. Proposals for creating an island bird sanctuary in the Vandiyur lake and a zoological park at Nagamalai Pudukottai in Madurai are pending.

"As grazing, firewood collection and auction of minor forest produce will be banned in wildlife sanctuaries, there is resistance from locals and a few elected representatives," officials said.

The State has seven wildlife sanctuaries, eight bird sanctuaries, five national parks, four crocodile farms and a few zoological parks. A tiger reserve under `Project Tiger' was established by combining the Mundanthurai and Kalakkadu sanctuaries.