Kaziranga has highest tiger density in world
Indian tiger.
Guwahati: Kaziranga could be the shining beacon for the beleaguered tiger caught in a grim battle for survival. A joint study carried out by Aaranyak, a society for biodiversity conservation in the North-east, and the Assam Forest Department, has credited Kaziranga with the highest density of tigers in the world with a density of 32 per 100 sq km.
The report – result of a camera-trap study carried out during January-March 2009 and officially released by State Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain yesterday — revealed 39 individual tigers, including a one-year-old cub, photographed in the study area of 144 sq km during the 50-day exercise.
“The study covered an area of 144 sq km of the central and western part of the park, and the density established is a very high 32 tigers per 100 sq km of park area. However, all tigers are unlikely to be photo-trapped in the study area and using the scientific method called ‘capture recapture’, as many as 47 of tigers were estimated in the study area (144 km sq),” Firoz Ahmed of Aaranyak and team leader of the project said.
Ahmed revealed that the subsequent phases of the tiger estimation would cover the remaining parts of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve. He said that regular monitoring of tigers and prey populations in Kaziranga was essential for understanding the population dynamics and ecology in such a high-density tiger habitat.
The previously highest recorded density of tiger was 19.6 tigers /100 sq km recorded in Corbett Tiger Reserve in northern India. The usual density of tiger varies from 3-12 tigers/100 sq km in different tiger reserves throughout India.
The break-up of the camera-trap comprises 20 female and 15 males while the sex of three individuals could not be determined. Cubs below one year were discarded from the analysis.
Ahmed said that a detailed estimation of the prey animals of the tiger could not be accomplished due to time and resource constraints but the available camera-trapped data indicated a healthy prey base comprising hog deer, sambar, swamp deer, wild buffalo, etc.
Forest Minister Hussain said that the revelations had added yet another feather to the cap of Kaziranga, acclaimed for its abundance of several mega fauna such as rhino, elephant, etc. “This is a very significant moment for Kaziranga and the people of the State,” he said.
The minister stressed the need for some sort of regulation on the mushrooming tourist facilities close to Kaziranga as also on the number of tourists visiting the park. He said that an expert panel had been constituted to suggest measures that would be in the best interests of Kaziranga’s long-termsurvival.
The camera-trap study team comprised members of Aaranyak and officials and staff of Kaziranga National Park. It was funded by the UK’s David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and the Rufford Small Grants Foundation.
courtesy: Assam Tribune
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