The management practices that are in currently in force at the Periyar Tiger Reserve will be extended to its buffer areas.
The Periyar Declaration, which was adopted at a national-level conclave at Thekkady recently, included a resolution to bring buffer areas adjoining tiger reserves across the country under the same set of management techniques. While tiger management has been restricted to the confines of tiger reserves, the scope of such efforts is being expanded in consideration of the movements of the tiger population.
Providing a glimpse of the proposed change in management practices, Chief Wildlife Warden K.J. Varughese said the steps adopted for tiger management in the 925-sq-km Periyar Tiger Reserve would be extended to include areas between the PTR and the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, spread across Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, which currently comes under the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.
“As a result, the Periyar-Agasthyamala landscape, which will have an area of around 4,100 sq km., will be considered a single-management unit. Cooperation will also be sought from private estates, on a voluntary basis, to adopt elements of tiger conservation across the entire region,” he added.
The success of the proposed move will hinge on transborder coordination of related activities and the active involvement of neighbouring States.
As many as 14 chief wildlife wardens of the tiger range States and 42 field directors from among the 50 tiger reserves participated in the deliberations. During his visit, Dr. Vardhan visited the Mannakudy tribal settlement and a pepper value-addition centre there. He also interacted with members of the Vasantha Sena, a voluntary group of tribal women, and a gathering of poachers-turned-protectors.