On International Tiger day, TN's Mudumalai Tiger Reserve records 28 pc rise in feline population
The number of tigers has increased from 129 in 2023–24 to 165, delighting wildlife conservationists and forest officials alike.
The impressive growth is attributed to a combination of dedicated anti-poaching efforts, effective habitat restoration, and the large-scale removal of invasive plant species.
MTR, which spans 688.59 hectares, comprises 321 hectares of core zone and 367.59 hectares of buffer zone.
Within its core area, the presence of nearly 85 swamps plays a vital role in supporting wildlife by providing essential water sources.
Forest Department officials highlighted that the unchecked increase in density of Lantana camara, an invasive woody shrub that poses a serious threat to these swamp ecosystems.
"If not removed, Lantana would have overtaken the swamps and destroyed key habitats," an official said.
Acting on a directive from the Madras High Court, forest teams - with active participation from indigenous communities - undertook a large-scale clearance of Lantana camara across 725 hectares in four core forest ranges during 2024–25.
The cleared biomass was repurposed into eco-friendly briquettes by tribals from the Kattu Naicker, Kurumba, Malasar, and Paniya communities, with six tonnes produced so far, providing both conservation gain and livelihoods.
A senior MTR official noted that the removal of Lantana allowed sunlight to reach the forest floor, encouraging the natural regrowth of native grass species. This, in turn, has boosted prey density, a key factor in the rise of tiger numbers.
"Anti-poaching activities and habitat improvement go hand-in-hand. Increasing prey base directly supports predator populations," the official said. MTR currently operates 36 Anti-Poaching Camps (APCs), with plans underway to establish another in collaboration with tribal communities.
The reserve also supports other key species, including leopards, dholes, hyenas, and vultures - the latter playing a crucial role in scavenging and maintaining ecosystem health.
The tiger population surge at Mudumalai is being hailed as a model for conservation across the country.
On this International Tiger Day, the reserve stands as a testament to the impact of sustained, community-driven conservation efforts.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
UP home to four small wild cat species: Report
Lucknow: Recent findings indicate that caracals, among the most endangered small wild cats in India, are now limited to Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, while Uttar Pradesh houses four distinct small cat species. These details emerged from "Status of Small Cats in Tiger Landscapes of India," published by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) on July 29, International Tiger Day. It is the first such estimation of small wild cats in India. Of India's 10 small cat species, the report analyses nine varieties, including caracals, jungle cats, rusty-spotted cats, fishing cats, leopard cats, marbled cats, clouded leopards, desert cats, and Asiatic golden cats within tiger-inhabited states. Assam and West Bengal reported a maximum of six of these species each while five were recorded in Arunachal Pradesh. UP has four of them: jungle cat, fishing cat, leopard cat, and rusty-spotted cat. The report is based on camera trap data from the national tiger estimation done between 2018 and 2022. The jungle cat emerged as the most widespread while marbled cat, clouded leopard and Asiatic golden cat are rare and elusive. While jungle cats occupied over 96,275 sq km across diverse habitats, rusty-spotted cats occupied 70,075 sq km, having the second-highest occupancy. Leopard cats occupied the third biggest area, over 32,800 sq km. UP recorded all three widespread species, along with the fourth one, the fishing cat, which occupied a smaller area of over 7,575 sq km. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has been selected for implementing a conservation programme for small wild cats by the MoEF in a first such initiative. India's small wild cats are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Nevertheless, they are threatened due to habitat loss, man-wildlife conflict, hunting, poaching, climate change, prey base depletion, and road kills among other factors. The threat may be more severe for fishing cats and clouded leopards because they require specific types of habitats. Similarly, estimates showed that only 10 to 15 caracals may be present in the Kutch region of Gujarat and less than 50 in Rajasthan. Because these cats live close to human habitations, they face biotic pressure and conflict with humans. "Hybridisation with domestic cats is a growing concern, as interbreeding dilutes the genetic purity of its wild traits," said the report. "Clouded leopard is an extremely common species involved in the illegal wildlife trade," said the report. These cats are solitary, shy, elusive, crepuscular (active during twilight), and nocturnal hunters. Some species, like caracals, are also territorial in nature. The single most fundamental difference between big cats and small cats, as highlighted in the report, is their 'vocal anatomy', specifically the structure of the hyoid bone in their throat. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Assam: Over ₹2.17 lakh compensation paid to farmers for crop damage by wild animals in 2024-25
Morigaon , Altogether 29 farmers were paid compensation of ₹7,500 each for damage to their crops by wild animals straying from the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary of Assam, officials said on Saturday. Assam: Over ₹ 2.17 lakh compensation paid to farmers for crop damage by wild animals in 2024-25 A total compensation of ₹2,17,500 has been provided to 29 farmers of Mayong in Morigaon district, adjoining Pobitora, for crop damage caused by wild animals of the sanctuary for 2024-25 by the Forest Department, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary Ranger Pranjal Baruah said. "The farmers of Mayong applied for the compensation at Range Forest Office this year and based on their request, the Forest Department has released ₹7,500 to each farmer for the damages," he said. The damage has been mostly caused by animals like rhino, buffalo and wild boars among others to maize, rice and mustard during the last crop season, Baruah said. Farmers of Satibheti and Rajamayong area suffered the most damage to crops, he said. "The dedicated team at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary has been tirelessly working to mitigate the impact of stray animals, successfully returning them to their natural habitat with the assistance of departmental elephants and 13 newly established Anti-Depredation Squads in nearby villages," he said. Baruah said that equipped with essential resources, these squads have been instrumental in raising awareness and addressing the challenges posed by wildlife venturing outside the sanctuary during the lean season. "This proactive approach not only safeguards the animals but also provides much-needed relief to farmers, who rely on agriculture for their livelihood throughout the year," he said. The sanctuary, located in Morigaon district and about 35 km from Guwahati, was declared in 1998, combining Pobitora Reserve Forest and Raja Mayang Hill Reserve Forest. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, spread across an area of 38.81 sq km, harbours the world's highest density of one-horned rhinoceros. The habitat comprises Assam alluvial grasslands, hilly forests and wetlands. It houses 107 Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros , and has other wildlife like 22 species of mammals, 27 species of reptiles, 9 species of amphibians, 41 species of pisces and 375 species of birds, according to its official website. The sanctuary supports two critically endangered, four endangered, eight vulnerable and three near-threatened bird species, it said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
A board now warns people off this old Strychnine tree, one of just two found in the whole of Chennai
Where people cannot look beyond the commonplace, the unusual will not be recognised, let alone valued. In this milieu, those rubbing shoulders with the unusual might need to speak up for it. Tree conservation organisation Nizhal has taken that step, putting up a board that utters a strident word of warning to protect an old Strychnine tree. In Tamil, the wording follows the tone of the programming language Prolog, being declarative (this is not an exact translation, but the communication proceeds somewhat along the lines of 'if you bring harm to this tree, you will come to harm') and not just plain imperative (which would have been 'do not harm this tree'). There is official weight behind the move, the board carrying the logos of Greater Chennai Corporation and Tamil Nadu Government in addition to Nizhal's. Even if they were to live for an eon, a majority of people in Chennai would not recognise a Strychnine tree (Etimaram in Tamil) in the manner they would a neem. Going by documentation, Strychnos nux-vomica (the biological name for strychnine trees) has taken up a remarkably limited surface area in Chennai. A venerable, hugely aged Strychnine tree is found at Ponni Amman Koil in Injambakkam on East Coast Road. The only other known Strychnine tree is at ICF, a Gen Z in comparison to its older relative in Injambakkam. In the light of the species' rare presence, the old Strychnine tree in Injambakkam found a hedge of protection — a figurative hedge — being laid around it. The hedge held up when that section of East Coast Road was being widened. At the behest of T.D. Babu, part of Chennai District Green Committee and a key member of Nizhal, the State Highways Department took an extraordinary effort to ensure this tree continued to stand tall when most other things in its line were levelled to the ground to facilitate road-widening work. A stormwater drain skirted around the tree. As proven time and again, a thing that survived a sledgehammer might find its end with a flyswatter. This idea took root in Babu's mind when he noticed a JCB parked near the tree while he was driving past one day. He stopped and found out that power-cable laying work was being carried out close to the tree. Though he knew there was no plan to lift even a little finger against the tree, he felt impelled to tell the workers what this tree was all about. Babu says he also left his number with a roadside vendor nearby seeking that he be informed if any activity that was not in the interests of the tree was noticed. Babu says he made sure that a board was installed to tell people about the tree's significance and issue a warning to anyone who might think of bringing harm to it. Babu observes that Nizhal has given the Forest Department a list of trees in and around Chennai that have heritage value and therefore, ought to be protected at any cost. The Forest Department is preparing plaques for all these trees, explaining their significance and their 'protected' status. Until that plaque arrives, this board would do the job for this old Strychnine tree.
