Karnataka surges ahead in the conservation of Tigers

The Forest Department, Government of Karnataka has all due reasons to cheer, thanks to a compiled report of the fourth cycle of All India Tiger Estimation titled "Status of Tigers Co-predators & Prey in India", the numbers of Tigers is increasing in recent times.

image: ABC News

The numerical strength as per the summary report of "Status of Tigers in India-2018", the five Tiger sanctuaries in the state boast of 524 tigers which is not only the highest numbers recorded so far but just short of two to Madhya Pradesh in being numero one to the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while appreciating the efforts that have undergone in preparing the status report has put on record the best tools deployed for this exercise: Tiger status assessment has utilised the latest technology and the best tools for the process.

According to the summary of the status report: India's national tiger assessment is the largest biodiversity survey being carried out anywhere in the world. The fourth cycle of the assessment was undertaken in 2018 and 2019 using the best available science, technology and analytical tools. In this cycle, recording of primary field data digitally through a mobile phone application like M-STrIPES(Monitoring System for tigers-intensive protection and ecological status), that uses GPS to geotag photo-evidences, and survey information made this exercise more accurate, with smaller margins of human error...

...Further, it involved the development of innovative technology like automated segregation of camera trap photographs to species using artificial intelligence and neutral network models(Software CaTRAT-Camera Trap data Repository and Analysis Tool). Program Extract Compare that fingerprints tigers from their stripe patterns were used to count the number of individual tigers (> 1-year-old). The unique feature of this cycle of assessment, in keeping up with "Digital India", is the development and use of innovative technological tools in the collection and processing of data to reduce human errors.

There are five Tiger Reserves in the state namely, Bandipur, Bhadra, Dandeli-Anshi, Nagarahole and Biligiri Rangaswamy. Male Mahadeshwara Hills wildlife sanctuary has also been accorded the status of a Tiger Reserve during the regime of HD Kumaraswamy, Chief Minister of the erstwhile Janata Dal-Secular(JD-S)-Congress coalition government.

Bandipur National Park was established during 1974 as a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger is spread in an area of 874 square kilometres. Interestingly it was once a private hunting ground for the royal kings of Mysuru dynasty.

Bhadra Tiger Reserve established during 1998 and spanning in around 500 kilometres area has the Bhadra, tributary of the mighty Tunga Bhadra River flowing in between.

Nagarhole Tiger Reserve established in 2000 is spread in an area of 643 kilometres. Nagarhole in Kannada means snake river and the region is well-known for its rich flora and fauna.

Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve was set up in 2006 and is extended over 475 acres and is a habitat of Bengal tigers, black panthers, elephants among many other amazing species of birds.

Biligirirangana Betta Tiger Reserve, popularly known as BRT established in 2001 is spread in 539 kilometres and the interesting feature is that it's at the confluence of the Western and Eastern Ghats. Another interesting feature is that the sanctuary is home to eco-systems that are unique to both the mountain ranges.

-Manohar Yadavatti

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