Kerala forests now have nearly 100 tigers

IANS | May 7, 2013

The monitoring of the tigers that is currently on at the
Periyar tiger reserve is being done with the
use of cameras.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The number of tigers in Kerala's forests has gone up to 100 due to excellent protection measures for the wildlife, an official said Tuesday.

"The tigers in our forests were around 70 and now the number has gone up to around 100, and similar is the increase for other wild animals also," V Gopinath, principal chief conservator of forests in Kerala, said.

The increase in the tiger numbers has been particularly noted because forests in the Western Ghats are continguous and spread into states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. And given the vast expanse of these forests, it was but natural that wildlife often move from one region to another in search of food and habitation.

"The increase in the tiger numbers has been because of the contiguous nature of forests. Another aspect in the increasing numbers is the excellent protection given to the wildlife using funds from both the centre and states," added Gopinath.

The monitoring of the tigers that is currently on at the Periyar tiger reserve is being done with the use of cameras.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Kerala-forests-now-have-nearly-100-tigers/articleshow/19928046.cms

Green passports in Kerala for young wildlife enthusiasts

By Viju B, TNN

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The holders of this passport may play a key role in protecting the virgin green zones of the state in the near future.
 The forest department has started issuing unique 'green passports' to young wildlife enthusiasts, an official stamp of approval for future conservation activities to be done along with state wildlife officials across wild life sanctuaries and parks in the state. 

Forest officials have already issued green passports to 40 school students from 17 schools situated in and around the Periyar tiger reserve. 

These students were an integral part of nature clubs activities in their respective schools and were nominated by the student coordinators based on their. 

"The passport holders who are selected are guided by foresters and ranger officers on various conservation issues and provided an insight into the flora and fauna in national parks and sanctuaries across the state. Their passports will have a stamp of approval from the wildlife warden each park after they complete these rounds. They will then have acquired the minimum knowledge required to be drafted as budding wildlife conservationist," said deputy director Periyar tiger reserve Sanjayan Kumar. 

The state has a forest cover of 29.1%, well above the national average of 20%. The total forest area in the state is 11,309.50 square kilometres. 

The reserve forests come to around 9,107 square kilometres; vested forest and eco fragile land comes to around 1;837.7 square kilometres. 

Forest officials point out that the state government will have to tackle numerous challenges to protect the environment hot spots, especially since the Western Ghats has been notified as a world heritage site by the United National Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). 

Many eco-sensitive zones amongst the 19 world heritage sites in the state face encroachments and unplanned development in contravention to the forest conservation act. 

"The department today is facing huge staff shortage and we need community initiatives and full support from wild life enthusiasts to protect the fragile green zones of the state," a senior forest official said. 

The department also plans to issue green passports through registered nature clubs and spread it across all major sanctuaries and parks in the state. 

"This is the first time such an initiative is done in the country. The passport would remain as a record and proud testimony with every green enthusiast in the country. We have imprinted our national animal, tiger, on each page of the passport as a reminder of its diminishing population," the official said. 

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Green-passports-in-Kerala-for-young-wildlife-enthusiasts/articleshow/17838554.cms?intenttarget=no