Periyar Tiger Reserve
Introduction
Periyar Tiger Reserve lies in the Western Ghats in the Idukki District of the Indian state of Kerala. The terrain of the Reserve is undulating and the drainage is dendrite. The northeastern boundary of the Reserve is a ridge, which also forms boundary between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu for 90 km.
The Periyar Lake, with an area of 26 sq. km., is the nucleus of the Tiger Reserve. Due to the diverticular shape, it caters to a much more extensive area of forest than would be possible if it was merely a compact lake.
The main prey base of the tiger is sambar. The other prey animals of the tiger are the Indian bison and wild boar. Cattle in the fringe area also forms an important prey base.
Conservation History
In the present day Reserve area, a dam was constructed across the Periyar river in 1895 to provide irrigation facilities in Tamil Nadu. The forest around the reservoir, the Periyar Lake, was declared as reserve forest known as Periyar Lake Reserve in 1899. This area was declared as Nellikkampetty Sanctuary (600 sq. km.) in 1934. The Sanctuary was extended to 777 sq. km. in 1950 and renamed as Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The Reserve is contiguous with Ranni extending up to Achancovil. The core area of the Reserve, 350 sq. km. was declared a National Park in 1982.
Archaeological Richness
Mangaladevi – Kannagi Temple falls on Northern boundary of the Reserve.
Forest Types
West Coast Tropical Evergreen Forests - 1 A/C4
West Coast Semi Evergreen Forests - 2 A/C2
Moist Deciduous Forest -3 A/C1a
Southern Montane Wet Grassland -11 A/C1/DS2
Eucalyptus Plantations
Main Flora
So far, 1,963 species of flowering plants belonging to 823 genera and 159 families have been documented by Dr. N. Sasidharan, Kerala Forest Research Institute and Kerala Forest Department (1998). Some important species are Hopea parviflora, Dipterocarpus indicus, Palaquium elliptium, Veteria indica and Myristica dactyloides.
Main Fauna
In Periyar Tiger Reserve 49 species of mammals, 265 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, 12 species of amphibians, 35 species of fishes and 160 species of butterflies have been identified so far. Some important mammals are tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, sambar, wild dog, barking deer, lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur and Nilgiri tahr.
Management
Habitat consolidation was done by acquiring three private estates (53.8 ha) during 1982. Effective fire-protection measures have promoted natural regeneration in grasslands. Planting of exotic species, such as eucalyptus in Periyar Tiger Reserve has been discontinued and action initiated to convert the present 55 sq. km. eucalyptus area into natural forest. The water sources have been judiciously developed. Some of the recent inputs have been enumerated below:
Some time ago, 50 newly recruited Forest Guards were posted in the Reserve after imparting them one-month training in Wildlife Management.
Through awareness/eco-development approach, the local people have been involved in patrolling, information sharing and arrest of criminals indulging in illicit activities.
Ten wireless stations are being maintained.
About sixty watchers are engaged to compensate the shortage of regular protection staff.
Frequent camping and combing operations with sufficient staff and watchers are being carried out.
Special combing operations to detect illegal ganja cultivation are being carried out.
Inspection Path Maintenance, vista-line clearance, roadside clearance and inter-state boundary clearance are being done for strengthening the perambulation.
Patrolling camps with trenches were constructed at Brandipara, Uppermanalar and Eravingalar.
The repair of existing camping sheds at Mavady and Mlappara with trenches was completed for ensuring staff presence at these key points.
Raincoats, gumboots and hunter shoes were provided to the field staff.
Protection/Patrolling Squads: In addition to regular staff, there is a special flying squad headed by a Range Officer for protection and patrolling.
Village Forest Protection Committees: Twenty-two Eco-development Committees constituted in the fringe area are helpful in forest protection.
Eco-development
India Eco-development Project is being implemented at the Reserve since 1997. The important components of the Project are as follows:
Village Eco-development Programme
Improved Protected Area Management
Impact monitoring and research, and
Environmental education and awareness campaigns
Effort is being made to minimize the biotic pressures resulting from factors such as grazing, firewood collection, non-timber forest produce collection, fishing and fire, by providing alternative income generation activities and bringing efficiency in utilization of natural resources. Under the India Eco-development Project, micro-plans have been prepared for the fringe villages.
Education and Awareness: Nature Camps are conducted in Periyar Tiger Reserve for students and members of various Nature Clubs.
Special Projects
· Studies of the flora of Periyar Tiger Reserve (Dr. N. Sasidharan, Kerala Forest Research Insitute, KFRI).
· Patterns and Processes of fish assemblages in Periyar Lake Valley system (Dr. L.K. Arun, KFRI)
· Ecology and behaviour of Gaur in Periyar Tiger Reserve (Dr. P.S. Easa, KFRI)
Control of Buffer: Buffer is part and parcel of the Reserve.
Constraints
Staff
· Of the total 102 sanctioned posts, 12 posts of forest guard are vacant.
· Most of the Range Officers/Foresters/Forest Guards are not trained in Wildlife Management.
· There is no separate staff for tourism/ interpretation.
Funds: Government of India releases the funds usually in the month of August. Funds are always insufficient for habitat improvement, fire protection etc.
Infrastructure: Inadequate
Grazing: No grazing in the core. About 2000 cattle graze in fringe area.
Fire: No fire incidence in the core because all forests in the Reserve are evergreen forests.
Occasional fire incidences in the buffer in grasslands during January to April.
Poaching of Fauna and Flora
Occasional poaching does occur in certain pockets of the Reserve. The 90 km. long inter-state boundary of the Reserve with Tamil Nadu forests and the highly undulating and inaccessible terrain makes protection rather difficult.
Poaching Statistics of Wildlife
| Species Poached | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 |
| Elephant | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | - |
| Gaur | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 1 | 4 |
| Sambar | - | 1 | - | 2 | - | 3 | - |
| Barking deer | - | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | - |
| Nilgiri langur | 4 | 1 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Otter | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | - |
| Wild boar | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
Human Population
There is no habitation inside the Reserve. On the Tamil Nadu fringe of the Reserve, there are 22 estates and on the Kerala side, there are 36 village areas (There is no village system, habitation is continuous all along the fringe area). Estimate of human population within 2 km. radius of the Reserve is 2.25 lakh.
Livestock Population: 2000 cattle graze in fringe area.
Criminals and Extremists: None
Highways
The existing Vandiperiyar-Moozhiyar-Kakki Road, which passes through the Reserve, is being handed over to the Public Works Department.
Diseases: Nil
Encroachment: Nil
Others
Overlapping Jurisdiction: Overlapping jurisdiction of Grassland Afforestation Division in part of the Reserve.
Dual Control Over Tourism: Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) is running three luxury hotels and five boats as an independent agency.
Pilgrims at Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple: The Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple in Periyar Tiger Reserve attracts 5 million pilgrims during the 60-day duration of the pilgrimage. Problems associated with the pilgrimage are fuel wood collection from forest, garbage, degradation of forests, more demand for land, new constructions, and the threat of a proposed Sabari Rail in the near future, etc. There is no proper co-ordination between the Forest Department and Devaswam Board.
Electric Line and Electrocution of Wildlife: 8 elephants, 2 Nilgiri langurs and one flying squirrel have been electrocuted by the electric line supplying power to the Lake Palace run by KTDC.
Ganja Cultivation: Illegal ganja cultivation exists in the interior forests of the Reserve. The ganja cultivators clear prime forests in the deep interior by felling since the ganja plant is a strong light demander. As the crop takes six months for harvest, there is a prolonged stay of the labourers within the forests and associated damages, including poaching, takes place.
Pachakkanam Estate: The Estate mainly cultivates cardamom under the semi-evergreen forest canopy of huge trees. The total area of the estate is 208.576 ha. As the estate is on the boundary of the Periyar Tiger Reserve and the general vegetation is similar to that of the Reserve, wild animals visit the area frequently. Several experts have recommended the merger of the Estate with the Reserve.
Conflicts
Man-Animal
The human-wildlife conflict or interface conflict in Periyar Tiger Reserve is negligible.
Man-Forest
Fringe area people are dependent on the reserve for fuel wood, thatching grass and NTFP.
Action Points
· Re-organisation of the Ranges/ Sections/ Beat/ compartments etc., keeping in view the management problems.
· Integrating the Grassland Afforestation Division into the Periyar Tiger Reserve management and terminating the raw material supply contract to Hindustan Newsprint Ltd.
· Full control over tourism by the Forest Department. Sufficient funds for Tourism activities. Recycling the revenue generated from tourism in the Tiger Reserve itself for developmental activities.
· Implementation of wildlife oriented management system in the ecological zone of Periyar Tiger Reserve, at least in areas adjoining PTR (both in Kerala and Tamil Nadu).
· Sufficient fund for habitat improvement, protection etc.
· Compulsory training in wildlife management and eco-development at all levels of the staff.
· Posting of separate and sufficient staff for tourism/education and interpretation.
· Project allowance/incentives/ awards for staff at all levels.
· Preparation of master plan for Sabarimala.
· Stopping on going construction at Sabarimala.
· Creating facilities for pilgrim outside the Reserve.
· Local peoples’ participation in the management of Sabrimala.
· Garbage disposal system at Sabarimala.
· Making all electric lines in the Reserve underground.
· The Proposed Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu, adjacent to Periyar should be notified immediately.
Tourism
Year wise Tourists
Year | Indian | Foreigners | Total |
| 1990-91 | 2,53,118 | 11,425 | 2,64,543 |
| 1991-92 | 2,17,898 | 20,149 | 2,38,047 |
| 1992-93 | 2,33,896 | 19,443 | 2,53,330 |
| 1993-94 | 1,70,365 | 7,315 | 1,77,680 |
| 1994-95 | 1,85,182 | 11,073 | 1,96,255 |
| 1995-96 | 2,52,473 | 9,911 | 2,62,384 |
| 1996-97 | 2,77,278 | 10,145 | 2,87,423 |
Infrastructure and Facilities
Six dormitories are available for nature awareness campaigns and visitors. The department runs six boats for tourists.
General Information
Area: 777 sq. km.
Core: 350 sq. km.
Buffer: 427 sq. km.
Longitude: 76°57’ and 77°25’ E
Latitude: 9°16’ and 9°36’ N
Altitude: 100m. to 2016 m. above msl.
Rainfall: 2500 mm.
Temperature: Minimum: 15°C
Maximum: 31°C
Seasons:
Monsoon: Southwest and Northeast monsoon with maximum rainfall in July and minimum in January.
Summer: April-May
Winter: December-January
Census
Population Estimates
| Animal | 1978 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1991 | 1993* | 1995 | 1996* |
| Bonnet macaque | 10 troops | 50 | 65 | 32 | - | 48 | 39 | 30 |
| Liontailed macaque | 11 troops | 200 | 235 | 182 | - | 90 | ||
| Nilgiri langur | 170 troops | 300 | 839 | 765 | - | 1530 | ||
| Sambar | 452 | 490 | 560 | 580 | - | 10.37 D | ||
| Gaur | 100 | 350 | 378 | 412 | - | 1.59 D | ||
| Tiger | 34 | 45 | 45 | 46 | 46 | 33 | ||
| Leopard | 14 packs | 26 | 27 | 21 | - | 7 D | ||
| Wild dog | 49 packs | 55 | 64 | 62 | - | 216.6 D/E | ||
| Elephant | 588 | 950 | 1020 | 980 | - | 615 | ||
| Wild gaur | 500 | 1100 | 1300 | 1290 | - | 27.14 D | ||
| Barking deer | | | | | | 30 | ||
| Mouse deer | | | | | | 200 D/E | ||
| Malabar giant squirrel | | | | | | 6.75 D | ||
| Indian porcupine | | | | | | 417.5 D/E | ||
| Small Indian civet | | | | | | 84.29 D/E | ||
| Common palm civet | | | | | | 218.11 D/E | ||
| Sloth bear | | | | | | 284.68 DS |
Note
1. Just a figure indicates the Total Number
2. D - Density/sq. km.
3. D/E - Density of indirect evidence/sq. km.
4. DS - Density of scat/sq. km.
5. DO - Direct observation per sq. km.
6. 93* - The census was held from 30/4 to 3-5-93 with public involvement and
was organised and analysed by Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
7. 96* - The census was held from 6th to 10th December 1996 with public involvement and was organised by Park Authorities. Many of the pugmarks could not be taken due to a freak cyclone that had partially obliterated them.
