Sahyadri to get its first tiger reserve

Ashwin Aghor
Monday, March 10, 2008 03:39 IST

The state government on March 7 forwarded a proposal to institute the
Sahyadri Tiger Reserve to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The final notification for the reserve would be issued after
approval from the NTCA. The reserve would be the first to come up in
Western Ghats.

The 741.22-sq km reserve would include 317.67 sq km of Chandoli
National Park and 423.55 sq km of Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. The
Chandoli National Park was formed in 2004 under section 35 of the
Wildlife (Protection) Act and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary was formed in
the year 1985 under section 18 of the Act.

Some endangered species of trees found in the area are Dhup
(Boswellia serrata), Euphorbia longan and Elaeocarpus. Fauna includes
tigers, panthers, gaur, sambar, barking and mouse deer, pythons and
Indian Giant Squirrels.

Many species of birds including brown capped woodpecker, Asian fairy
bluebird are also found in the area.

According to the 2006 census, the tiger population in the area is
estimated to be around eight. However, environmentalists feel that
the number could be around 12.

Environmentalists feel that dedicated protection efforts and proposed
eco-tourism policy will help in increasing tourist traffic in the
area.

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