Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve: Difference between revisions

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destination_4 = [[Erode ]] |
destination_4 = [[Erode ]] |
established_title = Established |
established_title = Established |
established_date = 2008 |
established_date = November 3, 2008 |
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'''Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary''' located in [[Sathyamangalam]] [[taluk]] (subdistrict) of [[Erode District]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[South India]] is a sanctuary which covers forest area of {{convert|524.35|km2|mi2|0}}. This forest is contiguous with the [[Biligiriranga Hills|Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary]] to the north.
'''Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary''' located in [[Sathyamangalam]] [[taluk]] (subdistrict) of [[Erode District]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[South India]] is a [[Protected areas of Tamil Nadu|protected area]], declared in 2008, which covers forest area of {{convert|524.35|km2|mi2|0}}.<ref name="declare">
{{cite
|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/stationeryprinting/gazette/2008/II-2-47.pdf
|title=Declaration of Sathyamangalam Forest Division as Wild Life Sanctuary under the Wild Life (Protection) Act.
|work=TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Part II—Sec.2, NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT
|page=390
|publisher=ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS DEPARTMENT
|author=N. SUNDARADEVAN, Principal Secretary to Government
|place=Chennai
|date=2008-12-3
|accessdate=2011-1-24
}}</ref> This forest is contiguous with the [[Biligiriranga Hills|Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary]] to the north.
There is a proposal to declare this sanctuary as a [[Tiger Reserve]] due to the large number of [[Bengal tiger|tiger]]s seen in the area. In the 2010 wildlife survey, 46 tigers were sighted in the Sathyamangalam forest area.<ref name=SATHY>
There is a proposal to declare this sanctuary as a [[Tiger Reserve]] due to the large number of [[Bengal tiger|tiger]]s seen in the area. In the 2010 wildlife survey, 46 tigers were sighted in the Sathyamangalam forest area.<ref name=SATHY>
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|accessdate=2011-1-2
|accessdate=2011-1-2
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
The Sathyamangalam forest is the only [[Reserved forests and protected forests of India|reserve forest]] in South India with a significant presence of tigers, that is not yet declared as one of the [[tiger reserves in India]].<ref name="veer">
The Sathyamangalam forest is the only [[Reserved forests and protected forests of India|reserve forest]] in [[South India]] with a significant presence of tigers, that is not yet declared as one of the [[tiger reserves in India]].<ref name="veer">
{{cite news
{{cite news
|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Veerappan-lair-now-a-tiger-den/articleshow/6655313.cms#ixzz19z5hBYa6
|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Veerappan-lair-now-a-tiger-den/articleshow/6655313.cms#ixzz19z5hBYa6
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|accessdate=2011-1-3
|accessdate=2011-1-3
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
==Declaration==
In exercise of the powers conferred by the [[Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, Amended 2003|Wild Life Protection Act of 1972]], the [[Surjit Singh Barnala|Governor of Tamil Nadu]], having considered the area is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural and zoological significance, for the purpose of protecting, propagating and developing wild life and its environment, declared that the defined area shall be a Sanctuary, on and from the 3rd November 2008. <ref name="declare"/>

The sanctuary includes the following areas of Sathyamangalam Forest Division:
# [[Guthiyalathur]] Reserved Forest (Portion) {{convert|299.47|km2|mi2|3}} ,
# Guthiyalathur Extension Reserved Forest {{convert|1.6231|km2|mi2|3}} ,
# [[Talamalai]] Reserved Forest (Portion) {{convert|210.85|km2|mi2|3}} ,
# Talamalai Extension Reserved Forest {{convert|12.4063|km2|mi2|3}} ,
: Total Area {{convert|524.3494|km2|mi2|3}} <ref name="declare"/>

The bounderies of the sanctuary are:
:North: [[Talavady]] Range of Talamalai Reserved Forest and [[Hassanur]] [[Thukkanaickenpalayam]]
::Range of Guthiyalathur Reserved Forests.
:East: [[Bhavani taluk]] of [[Erode]] Forest Division (Fourth Bargur Reserved Forest Boundary).
:South: [[Bhavani_River#Tributaries|Moyar River]] and [[Bhavani River]].
:West: [[Karnataka]] State Boundary.<ref name="declare"/>


==Fauna==
==Fauna==

Revision as of 23:26, 24 January 2011

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary
Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (proposed)
Wildlife sanctuary
EstablishedNovember 3, 2008
[ ]

Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary located in Sathyamangalam taluk (subdistrict) of Erode District, Tamil Nadu, South India is a protected area, declared in 2008, which covers forest area of 524.35 square kilometres (202 sq mi).[1] This forest is contiguous with the Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary to the north.

There is a proposal to declare this sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve due to the large number of tigers seen in the area. In the 2010 wildlife survey, 46 tigers were sighted in the Sathyamangalam forest area.[2] The Sathyamangalam forest is the only reserve forest in South India with a significant presence of tigers, that is not yet declared as one of the tiger reserves in India.[3]

Declaration

In exercise of the powers conferred by the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972, the Governor of Tamil Nadu, having considered the area is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural and zoological significance, for the purpose of protecting, propagating and developing wild life and its environment, declared that the defined area shall be a Sanctuary, on and from the 3rd November 2008. [1]

The sanctuary includes the following areas of Sathyamangalam Forest Division:

  1. Guthiyalathur Reserved Forest (Portion) 299.47 square kilometres (115.626 sq mi) ,
  2. Guthiyalathur Extension Reserved Forest 1.6231 square kilometres (0.627 sq mi) ,
  3. Talamalai Reserved Forest (Portion) 210.85 square kilometres (81.410 sq mi) ,
  4. Talamalai Extension Reserved Forest 12.4063 square kilometres (4.790 sq mi) ,
Total Area 524.3494 square kilometres (202.452 sq mi) [1]

The bounderies of the sanctuary are:

North: Talavady Range of Talamalai Reserved Forest and Hassanur Thukkanaickenpalayam
Range of Guthiyalathur Reserved Forests.
East: Bhavani taluk of Erode Forest Division (Fourth Bargur Reserved Forest Boundary).
South: Moyar River and Bhavani River.
West: Karnataka State Boundary.[1]

Fauna

A Bengal tiger

In 2011, it was reported that the Sathyamangalam forest is home to over 850 elephants.[4] The 2010 survey counted 12 tigers.[4] The 2009 wildlife survey enumerated 10 tigers, 866 elephants, 672 gaurs, and 27 leopards. The survey party observed four additional species of horned antelope including 2,348 Spotted deer, 1,068 Blackbuck, 304 Sambar deer, 77 Barking deer and Four-horned antelope, 843 wild boar, 43 Sloth bear and 15 striped hyenas [5] Many Treepies, Bulbuls, Babblers, Mynahs and Crows were seen.[6] [7]

As of 2010, a small population of Threatened Gyps and three other species of Vultures have continued to thrive in the Moyar River valley near Mangalapatti in Sathyamangalam Forest Division. These forests have been recognised to be significant areas for the vultures in South India.[8] 20 nests have been sighted and about 40 vultures could be in the area. Vultures were last seen here in the 1970's.[9] In 2010, the first ever bird survey in Santhyamangalam Forest Division was conducted in Bhavanisagar, Sathyamangalam, Talavadi, T.N. Palayam and Hassanur Ranges. A total of 230 species of birds were recorded in the survey.[7]

The Sathyamangalam forests link the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats allowing gene flow between diverse populations of the two habitats.[10]

Flora

The Sathyamangalam forest is mostly tropical dry forest, part of the South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests ecoregion. there are five distinct forest types: tropical evergreen (Shola), semi-evergreen, mixed-deciduous, dry deciduous and thorn forests. Evergreen forests are restricted to small patches in a few high altitude hill tops of Sathyamamgalam between 750 metres (2,460 ft) and 1,649 metres (5,410 ft). These patches are threatened on account of land use changing to hill agriculture and plantation crops, including fruit. Semi-evergreen forests are found at high altitude. Mixed and dry deciduous forests are located on middle altitude slopes and the thorn forests are usually found in the foot hills and some times, due degradation of dry deciduous forests, at the middle elevations.[11] About 65% of the forest division is under forest cover. Significant areas of mixed Shrubland and grasslands support a large population of herbivore ungulates, the preferred prey of tigers.

Conservation

The Government of Tamil Nadu will initiate action soon to declare Sathyamangalam sanctuary as a tiger reserve because many tigers are consistently being sighted in the forest here. This tiger reserve declaration is expected to strengthen wildlife conservation efforts, as the sanctuary managers will get more financial support from the central government. The Government of India may provide support to appoint an additional 30 anti-poaching watchers and fund the establishment of anti-poaching camps.[7]

On July 15, 2010, the Indian Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh, requested the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M. Karunanidhi to

"consider the possibility of proposing the Sathyamangalam Wild Life Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve, vis-a-vis the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 as the area is contiguous with the forests of Chamrajnagar-Bandipur-Mudumalai".[12]

Incidentally, in 2008, the Karnataka Forest Department had sent a proposal to also make declare the Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, contiguous to Sathyamangalam, as a Tiger Reserve.[10] The proposal to notify the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary as a critical tiger habitat was subsequently approved in 2010.[12]

Conservation of the Sathyamangalam Forest Division is administered by the Conservator of Forests, Erode Circle, Roja Nagar, Veerappanchatram Post and the Erode District Forest Officer.[13]

Culture

These forests are home to indigenous tribal people belonging largely to the Irula (also known as the Urali) and, Soliga communities.[14] The forests were also the home of the legendary Indian bandit leader, kidnapper and murderer Koose Muniswamy Veerapan, who made a living poaching ivory and sandalwood from the forests and selling them on the black market. Veerapan was killed by police in October 2004.[15] After Veerapan was killed in 2004, people reported paranormal activities occurring in the forest such as screaming in the middle of the night and unattended lanterns seen deep in the forest. The forest of Sathyamangalam is also known for its ghost sightings and is referred to as "The most haunted place in Tamil Nadu".[16]

Visitor activities

In his press statement on May 4, 2010, Jairam Ramesh stated: "There is no proposal to ban tourism in tiger reserves." He assured that "tourism is essential" for the tiger conservation, though "tourism in the 39 Project Tiger Reserves, particularly in core areas, will be strictly regulated". [12]

National Highway NH 209 connecting Erode & Coimbatore to Mysore via Sathyamangalam passes through the forests. This route has less traffic when compared to NH 47 (via Salem) which passes through a hilly terrain and has to negotiate 27 hairpin bends.

External sources

References

  1. ^ a b c d N. SUNDARADEVAN, Principal Secretary to Government (2008-12-3), "Declaration of Sathyamangalam Forest Division as Wild Life Sanctuary under the Wild Life (Protection) Act." (PDF), TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Part II—Sec.2, NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT, Chennai: ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS DEPARTMENT, p. 390, retrieved 2011-1-24 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Over 100 tigers spotted in three tiger reserves, says forest minister -". The Times of India, Chennai. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2010-10-24. Retrieved 2011-1-2. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ "Veerappan lair now a tiger den". The Times of India, Chennai. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2010-9-30. Retrieved 2011-1-3. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b "Focus back on preventing poaching in forests". The Times of India, Chennai. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2011-1-1. Retrieved 2011-1-2. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Trouble In Jumbo Land", Tehelka Magazine, Vol 5, Issue 25, Anant Media Pvt. Ltd, 2008-6-28, retrieved 2011-1-3 {{citation}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  6. ^ Sathyamangalam (2009-3-30), "Sathyamangalam Wildlife Census - March 2009", Travel Pod, TravelPod.com, retrieved 2011-1-3 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  7. ^ a b c Karthik Madhavan (2010-4-1). "Healthy tigers spotted in Sathyamangalam forests". The Hindu, Chennai. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Retrieved 2011-1-2. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help) Cite error: The named reference "KM" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  8. ^ Ramakrishnan, B (25). "Is diclofenac the only culprit for declining population of Gyps vultures in the Moyar Valley". Current Science. 99 (12): 1645–1646. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  9. ^ "Vultures' nests sighted in Moyar river valley". The Hindu, Chennai. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2010-4-1. Retrieved 2010-4-15. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  10. ^ a b "Sathyamangalam could be a tiger reserve". The Times of India, Chennai. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Retrieved 2011-1-2. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  11. ^ L. Arul Pragasan, C. Muthumperumal, N. Parthasarathy. "27.0 Shola Forests and Some Important Species of Southernmost Eastern Ghats". Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun. Retrieved 2011-1-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); line feed character in |title= at position 49 (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ a b c C.R. Biloy (2010-4-1). "Good news for the tiger?". The Hindu, Chennai. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Retrieved 2011-1-2. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  13. ^ "Contact us", Tamil Nadu Forest Department, official website, Site Maintained by National Information Centre, retrieved 1011-1-4 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  14. ^ "MM Hills CCC background", Community-based Conservation Centres, ATREE, retrieved 1011-1-7 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  15. ^ "Karnataka Police arrest Veerappan's wife". India Today. Living Media India Limited. 2008-11-26. Retrieved 2011-1-7. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  16. ^ "Sathyamangalam Forests". YourGhostStories.com. 2009-01-12. Retrieved 2011-1-3. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
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