The establishment of grasslands led to an exponential increase in the number of herbivores in the region’s forests.
Post Date – 11:30 PM, Thursday – 1/12/23
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Mancherial: The forests of the neighboring Kumram Bheem Asifabad district have been a safe haven for Maharashtra’s tigers for the past few years. However, since the forests in the Mancherial district have failed to attract tigers, forest officials are taking steps to make the forests tiger-friendly.
“Special measures are being taken to improve tiger habitat. For example, under the mandate, Jannaram, Chennur and Bellampalli divisions have developed more than 1,000 hectares of grasslands for the fauna. Grasslands play a role in increasing the number of herbivores It plays a vital role in protecting the tigers that migrate from the Kumram Bheem Asifabad area in search of food,” District Forest Officer Shiv Aasheesh Singh told Telangana Today.
Herbivores feed on 800 hectares of grassland in the Jannaram forest area, which forms the core of the Kawal Tiger Reserve, while Bellampalli and Chennur districts each have 100 hectares of grassland. The establishment of grasslands led to an exponential increase in the number of herbivores in the region’s forests. Officials say the number of prey bases has increased like never before.
According to the latest census, the number of herbivores per square kilometer has increased significantly, such as Indian gazelle, sambar, blue deer and wild boar. The tiger’s habitat has been improved by installing solar-powered boreholes in the percolation ponds to ensure 24/7 water supply, Singh said, adding that the forests are also heavily protected to ensure the safety of wildlife, especially the big cats. , considering past reported incidents of poaching and hunting of wildlife. Monitoring of fauna has also been enhanced. Using grid-based modeling, a total of 600 CCTV camera traps were installed at entry points and vulnerable locations covering 1,760 square kilometers of forest cover in the region.
“Similarly, the tracking system has also been improved to monitor the movement of native and migratory tigers. Up to 120 trackers including base camp spotters are working hard to follow the tigers every step of the way. They are carefully observing the tigers’ movements and behavior,” He said.
At the same time, capacity-building of forest staff is also carried out through specialized training conducted regularly by experts from the Tadoba, Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves. Awareness is being raised among stakeholders such as rural populations, farmers, tribes and other mission personnel.
Mancherial to soon introduce nature trails and bike rides
In order to showcase the region’s rich flora and fauna and let the public know about measures to protect tigers, the forestry department is planning to introduce nature trails and bicycle paths in the core area and buffer zone of the Kawar Tiger Reserve as soon as possible.
District forest officer S Aasheesh Singh said nature trails and cycle paths will be activated in KTR and other forests in the region to create an interface between the public and the forest department in the near future. The path has been determined. Participants can easily learn about the measures the forestry department is taking to protect tigers and wildlife. Accompanied by a guide, they can interact with locals, he said.
The Forestry Department has recently procured five safari vehicles at a cost of Rs 7.5 million. Designed a safari trip. The vehicles will be used in KTR and elsewhere in the region to take tourists exploring the forest. Reception facilities will also be improved by establishing accommodation facilities in tourist spots.
