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Introduction

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve lies on the north-eastern and north-western slopes of the Nilgiris region, descending to the Mysore plateau. Precipitously placed at the tri-junction of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, it forms a very important conservation unit in the country. The reserve is situated in Gudalur, Udhagai and Pandalur taluks of Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu. The entire area of 321 km² of the tiger reserve was declared the core/Critical Tiger Habitat (vide G.O. Ms. No. 145, Environment & Forests (FR-5) Department, dated 28 December 2007 of the Government of Tamil Nadu). The area of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve has been reorganized with the notification of a buffer zone of area 367.586 km² as per G.O. Ms. No. 200, Environment and Forests (FR-V) Department, dated 13 August 2012 to include the buffer area. Accordingly, the area of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is 688.586 km², with a core/Critical Tiger Habitat of extent 321 km² and a buffer area of extent 367.586 km². The committee had the opportunity of sighting one tiger near the FRH at Upper Kargudi on 20 September 2022 around 8.00 PM in addition to many other prey animals and wild dogs during their 3 days stay.

Management Strengths:

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) supports an intact assemblage of prey species which supports three large carnivores. MTR is one of India’s few “high density” tiger reserves (15.4 tigers per 100 km² in the core area during 2016).
An organized and skilled patrolling system against poaching is in place for the past few decades, supported by a newly introduced smart patrolling system (M-STrIPES/Suvadu) to ensure better results.
MTR is blessed with numerous perennial water holes, rivers and streams which fulfil the needs of the wildlife. It also receives sufficient showers during both the south-west and north-east monsoons.
MTR is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and spreads across three states. It has rich biodiversity and has a relatively small interface with human land use.
The well-equipped Advanced Wildlife Management Training Centre at Theppakadu enhances the capacity of the staff in various management aspects and maintains a very good database of the training and trainees.
MTR has a sizeable scientific database on diverse themes of biodiversity and wildlife management accumulated through field research and study made by efforts of various individuals and institutions. This database can be a backbone for enhanced and efficient management in the future.
The strategic location of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve provides a corridor between the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats for the spread of tigers to various landscapes.
There has been positive support from the judiciary as well as the local people due to the outreach of the TR management. The TR foundation is now also handling the human–elephant conflict of the neighbouring Gudalur Division, generating goodwill among the fringe population.
The tiger reserve has a cadre of comparatively young frontline field staff, which is an assurance of better and effective management.
The relatively gentle terrain and good network of forest roads afford greater accessibility to all parts of MTR for better management.

Management Weaknesses:

A total of 30 hamlets with about 2000 people and their livestock within the core area of MTR dilute the management efforts.
Heavy traffic on the 15.55 km stretch of Mysore–Gudalur NH 766/NH 181 and the 14.3 km of state highways linking Theppakadu, Masinagudi and Ooty passing through the tiger reserve is the biggest source of disturbance in the tiger reserve and cause of fragmentation of forests. It creates obstacles to the movements of wild animals.
The summer months (February–May) remain dry almost every year. In a rain-deficient year, the situation is aggravated and affects the management efficiency.
The remote areas of the reserve, especially the tri-junction area, are porous and susceptible to poachers and smugglers.
Inordinate delays in the release of central funds and inadequacy of funds for habitat improvement are a cause of concern.
The tiger reserve is heavily infested with exotic/invasive weeds like Lantana, Eupatorium and Opuntia. Now it getting affected by Senna spectabilis.
Mushrooming of ecologically incompatible private resorts around MTR.
Extensive TNEB infrastructure, including high-tension cables, flume channel (originating from Singara), settlements and power-generation unit are sources of constant disturbances.

Immediate Actionable Points:

The 30 hamlets located within the core area need to be relocated immediately. The relocation process which has been started by the management needs to be implemented without further delay.
Chief Wildlife Warden should pursue for approval the Tiger Conservation Plan for the period from 2020–21 to 2029–30 which has been submitted by the Field Director.
Heavy traffic on the 15.55 km stretch of Mysore–Gudalur NH 766/NH 181 and the 14.3 km of state highways linking Thepakadu, Masinagudi and Ooty passing through the tiger reserve is the biggest source of disturbance. Primarily, these roads have fragmented the habitat and create obstacles to the movements of wild animals during the major part of the day. Besides, the vehicles passing through frequently throw garbage, plastics and waste food. They are also a source of major fires set off through carelessly thrown cigarettes. Also, there is an increasing number of macaques waiting and begging for food from passing vehicles. Since Mudumalai TR is part of a very large forested landscape, if animals cannot move freely in this landscape, the very purpose of establishing a tiger reserve is diluted. Therefore a road over-bridge needs to be constructed so that the movements of wild animals are not affected. NHAI have the expertise to construct such roads. This initiative needs to start immediately as the traffic will further multiply in the future creating more problems.
Electric line passing through the core area need to be taken underground or insulated for the safety of wild animals.
Since there is a constant threat of poaching and smuggling, which mostly takes place during night hours, patrolling during night time needs to be strengthened and organised as is being done during the daytime.
The state government should review its transfer policy (transferring frontline staff every 3 years). The period of 3 years is too small to contribute significantly. By the time the staff are acquainted with the terrain, they are transferred. The tiger reserve is thus deprived of their experience and knowledge and exposed to a new set of staff with little knowledge about the tiger reserve.
The mushroom growth of tourist hotels and resorts at the periphery of the tiger reserve need to be checked to have a disturbance-free corridor of wild animals as well to reduce pressure on the tiger reserve.
Establishing three more anti-poaching camps on the interstate border needs to be expedited for improved protection of the tiger reserve. This is mentioned in the TCP and was highlighted during the field visit of the committee.
Removal of weeds like Lantana, Eupatorium, Opuntia and Senna spp. needs to be taken up on priority. Removal of Lantana is being done in the tiger reserve as per the order of the Hon’ble High Court of Chennai. A similar order also exists for Senna spp., and so its removal along with Opuntia to be taken up on priority.
Since the anti-poaching staff also conduct joint patrolling with the anti-poaching staff of Kerala and Karnataka along the interstate boundary, the wages of the Tamil Nadu staff, Rs.12,500 plus rations, needs to be made on par with the wages in Kerala, i.e., Rs.18,000 plus rations. The tiger reserve management to please look into this disparity and rationalise the wages of the anti-poaching staff to keep their morale high.
The Government of India needs to take special care for the timely release of the CSP Fund under Project Tiger so that grassroots workers like watchers get their wages on time and the management is able to execute all the planned work in time.

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Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

Introduction

Management Strengths:

Management Weaknesses:

Immediate Actionable Points:

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