Anamalais & Mudumalai Sanctuaries for Project Tiger
The Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park in the Anamalais, the biggest in the State, and the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in the Nilgiris have been notified as Project Tiger reserves by the State Government. With this, the number of Project Tiger reserves has risen to three in the State. The Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger reserve in Tirunelveli district was the first tiger reserve.The Union Ministry of Forests and Environment had in principle approved the proposal in August 2006. The State Government has notified the Anamalais Wildlife Sanctuary Tiger Reserve (Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park) and Mudumalai National Park recently. A senior official said that with the notification, both the sanctuaries have now become "full fledged tiger reserves" and a detailed plan for development of these reserves would be sent to the Union Government in a couple of days.
According to senior officials, development activities in the reserves will begin this year itself. "We will get a good allocation from the Centre under the Project Tiger, which will be much higher than the allocation of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. The upgradation will help the overall improvement of the sanctuary," the official added. Sources point out that alternative jobs will be provided for the livelihood of tribals residing inside the forests under the project besides taking up habitat improvement, wildlife protection and water augmentation activities inside the sanctuary area.
The powers of a field level officer will go up to that of a Conservator. He will be appointed as Field Director (a Deputy Conservator of Forests is the highest field level officer now) and assisted by an Eco Development Officer and a Deputy Director. These appointments are expected to ensure effective decision-making and faster financial allocations. Forest personnel here will get exposure by associating with other tiger reserves. It will also help research activities. Modern gadgets, including trap cameras, could be purchased to take pictures of each tiger, sources said.
Declaring it a tiger reserve will help conserve other endangered species such as the lion-tailed macaques, panthers, Nilgiri langurs, leopards, rusty spotted cats and giant squirrels. The Anamalais, already notified as an Elephant Reserve, faces a shortage of funds to carry out habitat improvement activities. It also faces acute shortage of drinking water and fodder during summer. The enhanced assistance from the Centre will help authorities in finding lasting solutions for the same, officials said.
