The high and stable tiger population of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) and Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) of Maharashtra can play a crucial role in recovering tiger populations in low-density, depleted or locally extinct tiger reserves in the country, claimed the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in a report published recently. NTCA in its report titled ‘Road Map for Active Management of Tigers in India’ claimed, “Through scientifically planned supplementation and reintroduction efforts, both tiger reserves can facilitate assisted dispersal, accelerate population recovery and contribute to the establishment of resilient tiger metapopulations. In the report, NTCA identified 10 Potential Source Sites (Tiger Reserves) with ‘very high tiger density’ among 58 tiger reserves of the country which supports high and stable tiger populations sustained by suitable habitat conditions, abundant prey populations, and effective protection measures.

 

The 10 ‘Potential Source Sites’ with ‘very high tiger density’ are Corbett Tiger Reserve (Uttarakhand), Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan), Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh), Pench Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh), Pench Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra), Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra), Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka), Nagarhole Tiger Reserve (Karnataka), Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu), and Kaziranga Tiger Reserve (Assam). According to NTCA, there are 97 tigers residing in TATR with a tiger density of 6.33 (i.e. more than 6 tigers in 100 sq km). Whereas, Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Gaur, Nilgai and wild pig are the main prey species available for tigers in TATR. In PTR, the report revealed that there are total 48 tigers residing with a tiger density of 5.11 (i.e. more than five tigers in 100 sq km).

 

Pench is dominated by Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous forest which is facilitating tiger dispersal and genetic exchange. The report also mentioned that increasing infrastructure development within the Vidarbha landscape poses a potential threat to connectivity with adjoining tiger reserves and may impede long-term dispersal and gene flow. In PTR, the prey base is high for tigers and it has 11.48 Chital density 3.61 Sambar density and 6.46 Nilgai density which is a good sigh of a Potential Source Site, stated the report.

 

The report also recommended some management interventions for these 10 ‘Potential Source Sites’ to maintain the status. NTCA recommended -- strong protection and anti-poaching measures should be maintained to secure habitat quality; human-tiger conflict management should be strengthened in source landscapes and adjoining territorial divisions; natural dispersal corridors connecting source populations with adjoining habitats should be secured; and core-buffer management should be prioritised to decrease the likelihood of human-wildlife conflict.