Tiger Reserves in India

Periyar Tiger Reserve

Introduction

Conservation

Management

Census

Archeology

Forests

» Introduction

Periyar Tiger Reserve lies in the Western Ghats in the Idukki District of the Kerala state in India. The terrain of the Reserve is undulating and the drainage is dendrite. North-eastern boundary of the Reserve is a ridge, which also forms boundary between Kerala and Tamil Nadu states for 90 km.

The Periyar Lake with an area of 26 sq. km. is the nucleus of the Tiger Reserve. Due to the diverticular shape, it caters to a much more extensive area of forest than would be possible if it was merely a compact lake.

The main prey base of tiger is sambar. The other prey animals of tiger are Indian bison and wild boar. Cattle in fringe area also forms an important prey base.


» Conservation History

In the present day Reserve area, a dam was constructed across the Periyar river in 1895 to provide irrigation facilities in Tamil Nadu. The forest around the reservoir, the Peiryar Lake, was declared as reserve forest known as Periyar Lake Reserve in 1899. This area was declared as Nellikkampetty Sanctuary (600 sq. km.) in 1934. The Sanctuary was extended to 777 Sq. Km. in 1950 and renamed as Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. It was declared as a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The Reserve is contiguous with Ranni extending up to Achancovil. The core area of the Reserve, 350 sq. km. was declared a National Park in 1982.


» Census

CENSUS
Animal	1978	1987	1988	1989	1991	1993	1995	1996
Bonnet Macaque	10 troops	50 Nos.	65 Nos.	32 Nos.	-	48 Nos.	-	-
Lion Tailed Macaque	11 troops	200 Nos.	235 Nos.	182 Nos.	-	90 Nos.	-	-
Nilgiri Langur	170 troops	300 Nos.	839 Nos.	765 Nos.	-	1530 Nos.	-	-
Sambar	452 Nos	490 Nos	560 Nos.	580 Nos.	-	10.37 D	-	-
Gaur	100 Nos	350 Nos.	378 Nos.	412 Nos.	-	1.59 D	-	-
Tiger	34 Nos.	45 Nos.	45 Nos.	46 Nos.	46 Nos.	33 Nos.	39 Nos.	39 Nos.
Leopard	14 Packs	26 Nos.	27 Nos.	21 Nos.	-	7 D	-	-
Wild Dog	49 Packs	55 Nos.	64 Nos.	62 Nos.	-	216.6 D/E	-	-
Elephants	588 Nos.	950 Nos.	1020 Nos.	980 Nos.	-	615 Nos.	-	-
Wild Gaur	500 Nos.	1100 Nos.	1300 Nos.	1290 Nos.	-	27.14 D	-	-
Barking Deer	-	-	-	-	-	30 Nos.	-	-
Mouse Deer	-	-	-	-	-	200 D/E	-	-
Malbar Giant Squirrel	-	-	-	-	-	6.75 D	-	-
Indian Porcupine	-	-	-	-	-	417.5 D/E	-	-
Small Indian Civet	-	-	-	-	-	84.29 D/E	-	-
Common Palm Civet	-	-	-	-	-	218.11 D/E	-	-
Sloth Bear	-	-	-	-	-	284.68 DS	-	-

» Archeology

Mangaladevi - Kannagi Temple falls on Northern boundary of the Reserve.


» Forest Types

West Coast Tropical Evergreen Forests,West Coast Semi Evergreen Forests, Moist Deciduous,Southern Montane Wet Grass Land ,Eucalyptus Plantations.

Major Flora
So far 1963 flowering plant species belonging to 823 genera and 159 families have been documented by Dr. N. Sasidharan, Kerala Forest Research Institute and Kerala Forest Department (1998).

Main Species : Hopea parviflora, Dipterocarpus indicus, Palaquium elliptium, Veteria indica and Myristica dactyloides.

Major Fauna
In Periyar Tiger Reserve 49 species of mammals, 265 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, 12 species of amphibians, 35 species of fishes and 160 species of butterflies identified so far.

Main Species : Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog, Barking Deer, Lion Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Tahr.


» Managements

Practices, Achievements and Shortfalls

Habitat consolidation was done by acquiring three private estates (53.8 ha) during 1982. Effective Fire protection measure has promoted natural regeneration in grasslands. Planting of exotic species, eucalyptus in Periyar Tiger Reserve has been discontinued and action initiated to convert the present 55 sq. km. eucalyptus area into natural forest. Water sources have been developed judiciously.

» Fifty newly recruited Forest Guards were posted after giving one-month training in Wildlife Management in the Reserve some time ago.

» Through awareness/eco-development approach local people have been involved in patrolling, information sharing and arrest of criminals indulging in illicit activities.

» Ten Wireless Stations are being maintained.

» About sixty watchers are engaged to compensate the shortage of regular protection staff.

» Frequent camping and combing operations with sufficient staff and watchers are being carried out.

» Special combing operations to detect illegal ganja cultivation are being carried out.

» Inspection Path Maintenance, vista-line clearance and roadside clearance and inter-state boundary clearance are being done for strengthening the perambulation.

» Patrolling camps with trenches were constructed at Brandipara, Uppermanalar and Eravingalar.

» The repair of existing camping sheds at Mavady and Mlappara with trenches was completed for ensuring staff presence at this key points.

» Rain coats, gum boots and hunter shoes were provided to the field staff.




Periyar Tiger Reserve Reservation Form

* Compulsory Fields * Name: Address: * Country: * Tel No. : (with city & country code) * E-mail: Details of Journey: Duration of Travel in India (Approx.): * Intended Month & Year of Visit: No. of People Travelling: 00 01 02 03 04 05 > 05 Adult      00 01 02 03 04 05 > 05 Children * Preferences / Details of Services Required: