Bangalore: As the Forest Department gears up for the much-anticipated tiger census that begins on Friday, wildlife scientists say they are optimistic for a “stable, if not positive trend” to emerge in the State.
While the dwindling tiger population, thanks to rampant poaching in north India remains a matter of concern “we do not expect a big change in the tiger population in Karnataka, for that matter, not even in Tamil Nadu or Kerala,” said Qamar Qureshi, a conservation biologist with the Wildlife Institute of India, which is conducting the survey along with the State Forest Department and the National Tiger Conservation Authority. The nationwide survey last took place in 2006, estimating 1,141 tigers in the country, with Karnataka recording 290 and emerging second to Madhaya Pradesh in tiger population. Four protected areas will be the focus of the weeklong census in the State this year — Nagarahole National Park, Bandipur National Park, BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.
Concurring with Mr. Qureshi’s view, Ullas Karanth leading tiger expert and director of Wildlife Conservation Society (India) said the State is likely to pip Madhya Pradesh to claim first place this time. “Bandipur and Nagarahole could well see an increase in the tiger population, while the numbers can be expected to remain fairly stable in Bhadra and BR Hills”It will be between six months to a year before the results emerge from the three-phase census, said Mr. Qureshi. “On Friday, the Forest Department begins recording evidence of tiger presence (pugmarks, scats, scent marks, rake marks on tree trunks), prey density, habitat quality and human disturbance, along fixed-line transects. The second and third phases comprise satellite mapping to assess forest connectivity, and camera trapping.” Forest guest houses will be out of bounds for visitors until January 27, said B.K. Singh, PCCF (Wildlife).
