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Introduction

Anamalai Tiger Reserve (1479.87 km²) includes Critical Tiger Habitat or core zone of extent 521.28 km² and a buffer with an extent of 958.59 km² within one of the largest forest tracts available for endemic, endangered and rare wildlife species.This tiger reserve is important for the ecological and food security of the region and is a vital link between forested areas in the west and the plains to the east. Anamalai Tiger Reserve falls within the Western Ghats mountain chain of south-west India, a region designated as Global Biodiversity Hotspot

Management Strengths:

Anamalai Tiger Reserve is contiguous and well buffered with seven forest divisions and wildlife reserves except on the northern side, which gets effective protection from the Kerala State Forest Department.
Due to various climatic factors, the tiger reserve harbours a rich floral and faunal biodiversity.
To guard against poachers, smugglers and illicit timber cutters, the staff of the tiger reserve receives valuable information from tribal people residing in and around the reserve.
The reserve is endowed with many perennial and seasonal streams and reservoirs that provide water and support bigger animals like elephants, tigers, panthers, gaur and sambar even during the dry season.
In the upper plateau of the tiger reserve, in Valparai, Manambolly and Ulandy, there are a number of perennial rivers and streams that provide water throughout the year.
Because abundant water is available from the reservoirs at the foothills of the reserve, agriculture (coconut farming, paddy cultivation, etc.) has flourished, and most of the people are not dependent on forest resources for their livelihood. Similarly, the tribal people in the Valparai and Manambolly ranges are employed by coffee and tea plantations in the Valparai region.
As the people are aware of the need for conservation of forests and wild animals, hunting of animals is reported to have drastically come down.
All the ranges have been provided with vehicles and communication equipment, weapons and housing facilities to contribute to effective protection.
A total of 85 young, agile tribal people are camping round the clock in anti-poaching camps established at 23 vulnerable points. They are perambulating to protect the animals from poaching and the sandalwood and other valuable trees from being felled.
Sufficient numbers of NGOs and voluntary organizations are working for the cause of conservation in co-ordination with the tiger reserve management.
The tiger reserve management has very effectively created trust and faith among the local villagers by providing them good school facilities and buses for school- and college-going students. The management has also taken special care to develop the skills of educated youth in townships near the tiger reserve.
Management has also engaged a number of villages for providing a range eco-tourism services with regular and assured remuneration. Although low income but assured, has created a vast impact on the villagers The villagers see the management as their real well-wisher and in turn they are committed to the protection of the forests and wildlife within the tiger reserve.
The management has taken the right step of rewilding of one orphaned tiger cub at Manthirimattam Camp, which is going to further enhance the skills of the field staff in managing the tiger population.

Management Weaknesses:

Perambulation of the entire reserve poses difficulties due to the very steep and undulating terrain.
The threats from poaching, smuggling of timber and encroachment within the tiger reserve are well recognised and documented. Patrolling during the day time by the field staff, including the anti-poaching staff, is well organised and recorded through the M-STrIPES app. But the patrolling at night was found to be not as effective and organised.
Due to the extensive network of roads, pipelines, power lines, major reservoirs, contour canals, hydroelectric projects and tea and coffee plantations inside the reserve, the habitats of elephants and other major animals have become fragmented. Some of the movement paths of elephants have also been blocked.
Due to large-scale bamboo flowering within the tiger reserve and adjoining areas, the dried bamboo clumps and bamboo culms that have fallen on the ground are serious fire hazards and have become threats to the conservation of the flora and fauna of the tiger reserve.
As this reserve shares a substantial inter-state boundary with Kerala, protection against sandalwood smuggling, ganja cultivation, and animal poaching poses threats to the park management.
Established tourists spots like Topslip, Amaravathy, Thirumoorthymalai and Monkey Falls add to the fire hazards and pollution problems during summer, festivals and vacations.
The 33 tribal settlements in the core area of the tiger reserve (enclaved villages) dilute the status of the core area as tribal people occupy large areas of forest in these settlements and use the resources of the adjoining forest. They are a source of disturbance in the wildlife habitat.
Due to late release and shortage of funds, difficulties are experienced in carrying out essential and timely operations for effective management of the tiger reserve, including patrolling.
Frequent transfers at short intervals of senior-level officers of the tiger reserve are reducing the capacity for effective management.
The headquarters of the Field Director have been shifted from Pollachi to Coimbatore, which is quite far from the tiger reserve. As a result, Anamalai Tiger Reserve is deprived of the Field Director’s timely and regular supervision as well as guidance, which it deserves.

Immediate Actionable Points:

On the basis of discussions with officers of the tiger reserve, members of the field staff, local villagers and NGOs, as well as observations of the Committee, the followings actionable points are recommended:

Since villagers within the tiger reserve in 33 settlements are very much dependent on the TR and do not want to be relocated from Tiger Reserve so Management need to adopt strategy of sending the youth to outside Tiger reserve for coaching, skill development and higher education so that they get some employment and do not return to Tiger Reserve. This needs to be pursued vigorously to make the core area inviolate.
As nights are more vulnerable to poaching and smuggling, night patrolling needs to be strengthened.
Forest Guards and Foresters also need to stay in anti-poaching camps under their jurisdiction and accompany the staff during patrolling. This was observed to be lacking.
Range Forest Officers and above also need to make frequent visits to anti-poaching camps and assess the availability of basic necessities like medicines, first-aid kits, drinking water, torches and cells.
The management needs to make concerted efforts to acquire the lands under tea and coffee plantations on priority to acquire leased forest lands for providing corridors to wild animals through these gardens to check man–animal conflicts.
Management needs to take effective steps to save the flora and fauna of the reserve from fire threats posed by bamboos that have flowered by adopting suitable fire protection strategy with adequate funds and by removing dried bamboo as per the provisions in the TCP, subject to the prevailing guidelines of NTCA.
Since one of the objectives of the management is to relocate the villages from the core area in the course of time, the traditional knowledge and skills with the villagers used in conservation of biodiversity need to be documented. Gradually the management needs to switch over to management practices that will not be dependent on such traditional knowledge and skills.
To achieve the goals of the management within the tiger reserve in a time-bound manner, it is essential that officers at senior level in the tiger reserve not be transferred frequently. The Chief Wildlife Warden and the Government of Tamil Nadu to consider this issue in the larger interest of conservation of the biodiversity within the tiger reserve.
The entire process of re-wilding the orphaned tiger cub at Manthirimattam needs to be documented and a proper log book of the tiger cub’s activity maintained for future guidance.
Anamalai Tiger Reserve is contiguous to Parambikulam Tiger Reserve of Kerala state. The field staff of Anamalai Tiger Reserve often feels demoralized when comparing themselves with the staff of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve as far as their designation, pay scale and status are concerned. After the visit of the Committee to Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, it was noticed that Parambikulam Tiger Reserve of Kerala has returned to an old organizational structure. Now there is no difference compared with Tamil Nadu. The management of Anamalai Tiger Reserve may look into this and find out from their counterparts in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve the actual status and take necessary remedial measures.

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Anamalai Tiger Reserve

Introduction

Management Strengths:

Management Weaknesses:

Immediate Actionable Points:

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