DEHRADUN: The relocation of around 181 families from Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary (SWLS) in Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) is likely to increase the tiger density there. The process of shifting these families has already started and 16 of them have been moved to Sambhalgarh in Haridwar Forest Division.
Experts feel that the 300 sq km patch of land, which had negligible tiger count due to human intervention, will now see an increase in their numbers. According to Bivash Pandav, scientists from Wildlife Institute of India, the project will replicate the astounding results of Chilla range of Rajaji National Park where the tiger density doubled from 5 to 10 in just four years when 193 Gujjar families were relocated from there in 2003-04.
"The area at SWLS along with the one in Kalagarh range (400 sq km) of Kalagarh Forest Division (KFD) in CTR is bigger than that of a national park which is around 500 sq km. A national park can support 17 tigers per 100 sq km if it provides a good habitat. It is exhilarating that this area of 700 sq km has excellent habitat. Removal of human intrusion will now facilitate revival of grazing which will give rise to numbers of cheetal, sambar, barking deer etc as a good prey base which is vital for the growth of tigers," said Pandav.
He added that the grassland in the KFD including areas like Hathikund, Cheetan nala and Gojara are akin to the best rated grasslands of Dhikala. "Cynodon grass here is considered most nutritious for the wild animals. Earlier, Gujjars even from far away areas would leave their cattle to feed on this grass which left little for the other species here."
He added, ""With a rich prey base, human-intrusion free environment and enough territories for the tigers to claim in KFD, the CTR, which has more than 200 tigers, will have a higher tally in a span of three to four years like the one witnessed by Chilla range of RNP after the relocation of Gujjars from here. This escalation in tiger strength will also increase human-animal conflict as well as poaching activities, which has to be firmly dealt by the forest department."
CTR deputy director Saket Badola said the reserve has all the paraphernalia such as intensive day and night patrolling by well armed forest staff, CCTV and tower cameras, GPS gadgets and now special tiger protection force to deal with any challenge which may arise on the rise of tiger population. "CTR has no dearth of funds so managing problems won't be difficult," he said.
