Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve(DATR): Counting the Leopards in Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve-A big challenge for Wildlife Researchers?

Prime Intention of the Blog

"People without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees and wildlife is almost as helpless".

I still remember my childhood days when I used to visit Dandeli a place where even my father started his professional career and also where my most of the relatives were staying.Even though I never brought up in Dandeli no one could stop me to go there since it was just two hours journey from my native. And during every visit I used to get the scoldings from my father and relatives since I used to spend most of the time in forests than in house.So as I grown up my visit to Dandeli became very less except twice or thrice in a year since I became busy with studies but always I had in my mind that I should contribute something to these magnificent forests which inspired me a lot to fall in love with the Conservation.So it is just an attempt from my side to create awareness to save these magnificent animals and landscapes they exist in.If this blog contributes in a small way to achieve this goal I will be the most happiest person in this world.

This blog mainly focuses towards conservation activities in and around Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve.This blog doesn't provide any information regarding tourism and its related activities in and around Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Counting the Leopards in Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve-A big challenge for Wildlife Researchers?

This information was pending with me since longtime but had forgotten.Suddenly I remembered and thought to share it.

I have always struggled to find information available on Melanistic leopards so called Black Panthers which forms 60% of the leopard population in DATR.And as far as i know there has not been any specific research work carried out to know the fascinating facts of Melanism.And also it has been a challenging work for the Karnataka Forest Department and Center for Wildlife Studies(NGO known for wildlife research mainly in western ghats) to estimate the leopard population in DATR.

Hence i want to bring out some of the facts of Melanism and challenges faced by Wildlife Researchers to estimate the Leopard population in Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve.

COUNTING THE SPOTS

Is there a reliable estimate of the population of leopards in India? The answer is a resounding NO. It is definitely not available at the national level but it is beginning to be available for a few sites. Akin to the stripe pattern for tigers which are unique for individuals, the rosette coat pattern is also individually unique in leopards. With the increasing use of camera traps and robust statistical techniques, research teams including ours at the Wildlife Conservation Society-India Program are beginning to get a handle on the leopard population at a few sites. Camera trapping data is throwing up an interesting challenge for us from the Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve. Several of our camera trap pictures of leopards from this site are of melanistic leopards which prevents us from identifying the individual as the rosette pattern is no longer distinctly visible.

Melanistic leopards are often mistakenly referred to as black panthers. Melanistic leopards are normal leopards with excessive pigmentation, technically referred to as melanism. Both melanistic and normal coloured leopards belong to the same species and the leopard population in the Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve actually comprises a mix of both melanistic as well as normally coloured leopards. Melanism is most probably an adaptation by the leopard to low-light environments like rainforests. A darker coat colour provides the animal with much better camouflage in rainforests which in turn could well enable it to be a more efficient predator.

It is about time that key populations of leopards are monitored across India. We now have excellent field techniques as well as advanced methods to analyse the data to get accurate estimates of leopard populations. Regular monitoring of leopard populations using the most advanced methods will enable us to not only track these populations but also to safeguard them.

The above article was published in Sanctuary Asia Magazine and can be read from the link below:

http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2871:indias-leopard-problem-is-panthera-pardus-vanishing-faster-than-panthera-tigris&catid=110:home-page

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Background History

1956- Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS) was declared as a game sanctuary covering an area of 127.71sq.km.

1975 - The area was declared as a wildlife sanctuary and it was expanded to 5,729.07sq.km.

1987 – An extent of 250 Sq. Km has been declared as “Anshi National Park (ANP)”.

1998 – An extent of 475.018 Sq.kms has been declared as “Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.

2003- Area of Anshi National Park has been extended to 339.866 Sq. Km.

2007- An extent of 814.904 Sq. Km which includes DWS of 475.018 Sq. Km and ANP of 339.866 Sq. Km has been declared as “Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve(DATR)” on 4th January 2007.

2008 -An extent of 163.3303 Sq. Km has been added to the existing DWS area i.e., 475.018 Sq. Km and hence the DWS covered an area of 638.2483 Sq. Km.

2009- Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Conservation Foundation has been constituted.

2009 - An extent of 77.4823 Sq. Km has been added to the existing ANP area i.e., 339.866 Sq. Km and hence the ANP covered an area of 417.3483 Sq. Km.

2010 - An extent of 282.63 Sq. Km has been added to the existing Core/Critical Tiger Habitat of 814.904 Sq. Km and has been declared as the buffer area for DATR.

2011- An extent of 248.0601 Sq. Km has been added to the existing DWS area i.e., 638.2483 Sq. Km and hence the DWS covered an area of 886.41 Sq Kms.

Composition of Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve: A Brief Introduction

Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve(DATR) is spread over 1365 Sq.Kms and is divided into Dandeli wildlife sub division and Anshi wildlife sub division which are further divided into six ranges. DATR is headed by Conservator of Forests who also serves as director, sub divisions are by Assistant Conservator of Forests and ranges by respective Range Forest Officers. The reserve is spread over Haliyal, Joyda and Karwar taluqs. The Administrative Office is located at Dandeli city. But most of the activities like wildlife safari, Nature camps etc are being conducted at Kulgi Nature Camp which is located 10 kms from Dandeli city.

Composition of DATR has been given briefly as below:

Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve (Earlier Dandeli Wildlife Division):

Dandeli Wildlife Sub Division:

Kulgi Wildlife Range (103.3984 Sq.Kms)

Gund Wildlife Range (107.9592 Sq.Kms)

Phansoli Wildlife Range (135.4600 Sq.Kms)

Anshi Wildlife Sub Division:

Anshi Wildlife Range (406.1823 Sq.Kms)

Kumbarwada Wildlife Range (363.3738 Sq.Kms)

Castle Rock Wildlife Range (248.0661 Sq.Kms)

How to Reach:

From Bangalore:

Bangalore to Dharwad (420 km), on to Dandeli (52 km) and on to the Sanctuary (10 km).

From Mumbai:

Mumbai to Belgaum (480 km), on to Dandeli (95 km) and on to the Sanctuary (10 km).

Major Threats to Wildlife:

Mining:

Due to the rampant mining in the late 1990s,wild animals were under great disturbance due to the environmental pollution and were nearly wiped out.

Hydro-Electric Projects:

Hydro-Electric Projects have been constructed in the heart of the reserve at six different locations Nagazari,Kadra,Kodasalli,Supa,Tattihalla,Bommanahalli which has resulted in major habitat loss and proportionally the migratory paths of the wild animals got blocked and the animals which had the territorial significance have lost their territory.

Vehicular Movements:

Due to the heavy vehicular movements several road kills of wild animals have been recorded and there is also a demand to impose night traffic ban in the reserve.Some of the major roads passes through the reserve are,

State Highway Londa-Sadashivgad(SH-95)passes through the Tiger Reserve which connects Belgaum district to Karwar District.

Other Main roads passing through the Reserve are,

1.Dandeli-Ambika Nagar

2.Ambika Nagar-Bhagavati

3.Kulgi-Bhagavati

4.Kulgi-Phansoli-Potoli

5.Potoli-Ulavi(via Syntheri Rocks)

Tourism:

North Karnataka's most famous pilgrimage placeShri Ulavi Channabasaveshwara Temple is situated in the heart of the tiger reserve and attracts nearly lacks of tourists every year.But during the time of Temple's annual fair (February), it has been observed that pilgrims visiting to temple are trespassing into the forests to collect firewood and other forest products,littering in the forests etc which has sometimes resulted in forest fire and also causing great disturbance to wildlife.

Another great cause is Synteri Rocks which is situated in the reserve is being polluted and disturbed by tourists like throwing plastics,littering,playing music loudly,trespassing into other areas etc. which is strictly prohibited.

West Coast Paper Mills:

This is one of the oldest paper industry in India started in 1955 and is the fifth largest producer of paper products in the country.But it has been found that WCPM releases its effluents from the paper making process into the halamaddi Nala,which flows through the WCPM and merges with the Kali river half a kilometer from the mill.A January 2003 report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows that the mill has been discharging insufficiently "treated" effluents in excess of allowed quantities (almost twice as much) into the Kali River which is a life-source for the wildlife of Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve.In addition, CPCB found that the flow meters installed by the WCPM to be faulty.In fact,KSPCB had already issued a show-cause notice to WCPM regarding these meters in August 2002.

A December 1999 ISRO study commissioned by the mill to assess the possibility of ground water contamination found that one kilometer stretch of the Kali River was affected and ground water was contaminated in villages situated along the river.

Kind Request at the Tourists visiting to Dandeli and surrounding places:

As we all know Dandeli is a perfect tourist destination in India as it provides best opportunities for nature and adventure lovers i.e., Wildlife safari into Tiger Reserve,White Water Rafting,Angling,Kayaking,Mountain Biking etc.But recently it has been observed that tourists' hotspots like Synteri Rocks,Ulavi Temple,Kavala Caves,Sathkhand Falls,Sykes Point,Nagzari Power House, Kulgi Nature Camp,Anshi Nature Camp etc. which are located in the heart of the Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve are being polluted and disturbed by tourists due to throwing plastics,playing music,rash driving,littering,trespassing into the prohibited places etc.These activities not only pollute the environment but also causes great disturbance to wildlife and it is also the violation of Wildlife Protection Act.

So my sincere requests at the tourists is love and enjoy the nature but without disturbing it.Because already we lost good number of forests so now we have to save at least the remaining part.

Fauna in DATR:

Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve is home to very rare and endangered wildlife.

Predators:

Main predators are Tiger,Leopard,wild dog(dhole),sloth bear.However the density is too low due to least prey density.As per the Wildlife Census 1997,there are 13 tigers recorded out of which 11 are in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and 2 in Anshi national Park.Leopards are in good number out of which 40% are black.Wild dogs are in very less number and these are usually sighted in Kulgi and Phansoli Ranges.Sloth bears are in very good number and these are frequently sighted in Ambikanagar,Virnoli,Bhagavati areas.

Prey Animals:

Main prey animals are barking deer,spotted deer,wild boar,sambar,gaur.However the density is too low due to poor grassland.But recently part of Joyda forests have been added to tiger project where the grassland is very good and we can find gaurs and other prey animals in good number.Apart from this DATR is also an important elephant corridor between Karnataka and Maharashtra holds at least 47 elephants which are frequently sighted near Bommanahalli Dam backwaters.We can also find malabar Giant Squirrel,Slender Loris etc.

Birds:

Dandeli is a paradise for birds.272 birds are listed in the reserve out of which 19 are considered to be endemic.Some of the important birds are Malabar Trogon,Malabar Pied Hornbill,Malabar Grey Hornbill,Indian Grey Hornbill,Great Indian Hornbill,Emerald Dove,Ceylon Frog mouth,Pompador Pigeon etc.

Reptiles:

Kali river is a home to at least 200+ marsh crocodiles and good number of these can be sighted near Dandelappa temple in dandeli city.Another rare reptile found is draco(Flying Lizard) which can be easily sighted near Mandurli IB,Anshi Nature Camp,Sathkhand falls.There are wide variety of snakes can be found especially in Anshi National Park i.e., King Cobra,Cobra,Malabar pit viper,Hump nosed pit viper,Bamboo pit viper,Kraft,Ornate flying snake,wolf snake etc.

Butterflies:

There are also wide variety of butterflies found in the reserve.Some of them are Crimson Rose,Common Rose,Leaf,Clipper,Tigers,Southern Bird wing,Cruiser etc.

Sighting of Wild Animals in DATR: A matter of Luck

As already stated DATR is a combination of Evergreen and Semi evergreen forest patches.Since the grassland is very poor and vegetation is very thick , the prey animals density such as spotted deer,gaur is very low compared to Bandipur,BR Hills and Nagarhole forests which are rich in grassland and prey density.So normally predator density is also quite low.Tourists are always get disappointed for poor sighting of wild animals in these forests during their safari.But many people who are residents of Dandeli forests since many years including forest staffs could not able to sight a tiger till now.

I am also visiting Dandeli forests since many years but till now i have also never seen a tiger here .One day one of my friend (who has visited dandeli forests rarely) was going to Dandeli on bike at 9 30 AM and suddenly just near to Kulgi Nature Camp tiger was crossing the main road(Ambika Nagar-Dandeli).So it all depends on the luck.

Tiger Census 2010 in Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve:

Please read the article published in Newspaper about Tiger Census Conducted in Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve:
The third day of the tiger census lifted the flagging enthusiasm of volunteers and forest department officials at the Anshi and Dandeli forests, after rich signs of tiger presence were reported.
The volunteers were unable to detect major signs of the wild cats’ presence on the first two days of the all-India census.
But on Sunday, the third day of the recordings, officials reported signs of scats, pug marks of adult tigers and litter, and hearing roars. One tiger was also reportedly sighted.
Though experts say this is a good sign, they feel it is too early to celebrate. “I am very happy with the present situation. It indicates that the tiger population in Karnataka is improving,” principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), BK Singh, told DNA.
Anshi-Dandeli deputy conservator of forests, Sunil Pawar, said, “Over the last two days, volunteers have recorded a large number of tiger calls, pug marks and scats; but there were no direct sightings recorded. In the last census, 33 tigers were reported from the Sharavati-Khanapur belt. But this time, we expect a healthy population thriving in Anshi and Dandeli reserve alone.”
The Anshi-Dandeli tiger reserve comprises evergreen forest patches, and was declared as a tiger reserve two years ago. Anshi is spread over 399.87 sq km, and Dandeli occupies 600.32 sq km.
A senior official at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, said that it was a good sign that the tiger population was roaring back. He said that tigers have a tendency to bounce back and breed well in conducive habitats.
But experts say that it is too early for backslapping. Praveen Bhargav, managing trustee of Wildlife First and member of the National Board for Wildlife, said, “The growing population is a good sign, but it is too early to jump to conclusions. It proves that the area has the potential to sustain tiger population, and this is one of the reasons why it was declared a tiger reserve. There was rampant mining till 1994 here, and it is yet to be treated as a protected reserve.”
Bhargav said that there are a lot of recovery processes, like carnivore and prey recovery, that need to be introduced. “There are a lot of problems which need to be addressed, especially if the census results are showing healthy tiger population in both the reserves. There has been practically no improvement in the rehabilitation of villages, which is adding to the menace,” he said.

Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve(DATR)

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Counting the Leopards in Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve-A big challenge for Wildlife Researchers?

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