Quick viewing(Text Mode)

Compilation of Good Management Practices/ Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Compilation of Good Management Practices/ Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Compilation of Good Management Practices/ Innovations in Reserves

May 2020

NATIONAL AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, and Climate, Change Government of

Contents

Message v Foreword vii Acknowledgements viii Details of the Field Directors of Tiger Reserves ix-xi Good Management Practices/Innovations in the Tiger Reserves (at a glance) xii-xvi

S. No. States Name of Tiger Reserves Page 1 Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve 1-8 2 Kamlang Tiger Reserve 9-12 3 Arunachal Pradesh Namdapha Tiger Reserve 13-16 4 Arunachal Pradesh Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary & Tiger Reserve 17-24 5 Kaziranga Tiger Reserve 25-36 6 Assam Manas Tiger Reserve 37-42 7 Assam Nameri Tiger Reserve 43-46 8 Assam Orang Tiger Reserve 47-50 9 Valmiki Tiger Reserve 51-56 10 Achanakmar Tiger Reserve 57-62 11 Chhattisgarh Indravati Tiger Reserve 63-66 12 Chhattisgarh Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve 67-72 13 73-80 14 Bandipur Tiger Reserve 81-90 15 Karnataka BRT Tiger Reserve 91-98 16 Karnataka 99-102 17 Karnataka Nagarahole Tiger Reserve 103-108 18 Parambikualm Tiger Reserve 109-114 19 Kerala Periyar Tiger Reserve 115-120 20 Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve 121-124 21 Madhya Pradesh 125-134 22 Madhya Pradesh Panna Tiger Reserve 135-142 23 Madhya Pradesh 143-150 iv Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

S. No. States Name of Tiger Reserves Page 24 Madhya Pradesh Sanjay Tiger Reserve 151-156 25 Madhya Pradesh 157-166 26 Tiger Reserve 167-172 27 Maharashtra Nawegaon - Nagzira Tiger Reserve 173-180 28 Maharashtra Pench & Bor Tiger Reserve 181-188 29 Maharashtra Sahyadri Tiger Reserve 189-194 30 Maharashtra Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve 195-198 31 199-202 32 203-206 33 Odisha Similipal Tiger Reserve 207-212 34 Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve 213-216 35 Rajasthan Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve 217-222 36 Rajasthan 223-226 37 227-232 38 Tamil Nadu Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve 233-240 39 Tamil Nadu Mudumalai Tiger Reserve 241-248 40 Tamil Nadu Tiger Reserve 249-258 41 Amrabad Tiger Reserve 259-266 42 Telangana Kawal Tiger Reserve 267-276 43 277-284 44 Uttar Pradesh Tiger Reserve 285-290 45 Corbett Tiger Reserve 291-298 46 Uttarakhand Rajaji Tiger Reserve 299-302 47 303-310 48 West Bengal Sundarban Tiger Reserve 311-318

Acknowledgements

This compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in the Tiger Reserves of the country has been developed on the basis of the inputs/information provided by the Field Directors of the concerned Tiger Reserves. We, in NTCA, would like to acknowledge/recognise the untiring and relentless efforts undertaken by the concerned Tiger Reserves management for fostering tiger conservation in the country. The Field Directors (as per the details provided herein) deserves special commendation for taking up and institutionalising the Good Management Practices/Innovations in their jurisdictional Tiger Reserves. Details of the Field Directors of Tiger Reserves

Designation/ S. No. Name State Tiger Reserve Contact No. E-mail Id Rank 9440810057, 1 Dr. K. Gopinatha, IFS Andhra Pradesh NSTR Field Director [email protected] 9440810072 2 Tana Tapi Arunachal Pradesh Pakke TR DCF 8473099625 [email protected] [email protected], 3 Tapek Riba Arunachal Pradesh Namdapha TR CF & FD 9436835658 [email protected] 4 Koj Tassar Arunachal Pradesh Kamlang TR DFO 8974214193 [email protected] 9435084183, 5 P. Sivakumar Assam Kaziranga TR CCF & FD [email protected] 8648383604 Amal Chandra 6 Assam Manas TR CF & FD 9435111172 [email protected] Sarmah 7 Pankaj Sharma Assam Nameri TR DFO 9706037009 [email protected] 8 V. Sandeep Assam Orang TR DFO 8486158105 [email protected] 9 Hem Kant Rai Bihar Valmiki TR FD 8986153411 [email protected] 07752260070, 10 Mrs. Sanjita Gupta Chhattisgarh Achanakmar TR CCF & FD [email protected] 7999524300 Shri Abhay Kumar 07782225073, 11 Chhattisgarh Indravati TR CCF & FD [email protected] Srivastva 9425212694 Shri Anurag Udanti-Sitanadi 07712429600, 12 Chhattisgarh CCF & FD [email protected] Shrivastav TR 9424258701 13 Yk Das Jharkhand Palamau TR CCF & FD 8987790040 [email protected] 14 Shri. Balachandra T Karnataka Bandipur TR Field Director 9480807733 [email protected] 15 Shri. Santhosh Kumar G Karnataka BRT TR Field Director 8608707249 [email protected] Shri. Maria Christu 16 Karnataka Kali TR Field Director 9456548611 [email protected] Raju x Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves E-mail Id [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Contact No. 9482141287 9447043556 9447979090, 9447979092 07574252133, 9424792100 07642250760, 9424792001 07653-222214 9424794330 07822252409, 9424793668 07732252135, 9424791242 07692223794, 9424794106 07122560727, 8275044520 07172251414, 9412055237 07212662792, 9049990240 07182250122, 7038283444 0231-2542766, 8275002876 Designation/ Designation/ Rank Director Field Director Field Director Field CCF & FD CCF & FD CCF & FD CCF & FD CCF & FD CCF & FD CCF & FD CF & FD APCCF & FD CF & FD CF & FD Tiger ReserveTiger TR Nagarahole Parambikulam TR TR Periyar TR Satpura TR Kanha TR Bandhavgarh TR Sanjay-Dubri TR Panna TR Pench Bor And Pench TR Tadoba-Andhari TR TR Melghat Nawegaon- TR Nagzira TR Sahyadri State Karnataka Kerala Kerala Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Madhya Maharashtra Maharashtra Maharashtra Maharashtra Maharashtra Name Kumar Mahesh Shri. Kumar Anjan B.N. K.R. Anoop Dr. Shri S. K. Singh Shri L. Krishnamurthy Rahim Shri Vincent Mishra Shri Ashok Shri K. S. Bhadoriya Singh Shri Vikram Parihar R. S. Govekar Dr. Shri N. R. Pravin Shri M. Srinivasa Reddy Shri R. M. Ramanujam Gujar Shri Satyajeet 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 S. No. Details of the Field Directors of Tiger Reserves xi E-mail Id [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] sundarbantigerreserve@gmail. com [email protected] Contact No. 9436153597 06764-236218 9437036354 6792252593, 9437036354 9868500099 9649620222 9414085518 9442020175 9443823512 9159950185 9976105759 9440810155 7337552809, 9036333607 8130333181 9161191249 9411101116 9412085077 9434184627 9433147904 Designation/ Designation/ Rank FD & FD RCCF & FD RCCF APCCF & FD CCF & FD APCCF & FD Director Field Director Field Director Field Director Field Director Field Director Field CCF & FD CF & FD CF & FD CF & FD FD CCF & FD Tiger ReserveTiger TR Dampa TR Satkosia TR Similipal Hills Mukundra TR Ranthambore TR TR Sariska Anamalai TR KMTR TR Mudumalai Sathyamangalam TR TR Amrabad TR Kawal TR Dudhwa TR Pilibhit Corbett TR TR Rajaji TR Sundarban TR Buxa State Mizoram Odisha Odisha Rajasthan Rajasthan Rajasthan Nadu Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Tamil Telangana Telangana Pradesh Uttar Pradesh Uttar Uttarakhand Uttarakhand Bengal West Bengal West Name C. Lalbiaka Karat Raj Pradeep Dr. Karat Raj Pradeep Dr. Charge) (Addl Mohan Anand Manoj Parashar Sharma Gp Jana Thiru. Debasis Mohan Kayarat Thiru. Das Kaushal Thiru K.K. Naganathan V. Dr. A.K. Sinha Kumar Vinod C.P. Kumar Sanjay Dr Raja Mohan Rahul Verma Amit Das Chandra Sudir Dr. Sengupta Subhankar 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 S. No. Good Management Practices/Innovations in the Tiger Reserves (at a glance)

S.No. State Tiger Reserve Details of Good Management Practices/Innovations 1 Random NSTR Community based Ecotourism, Engagement of Preshrank Swatchh Sewaks (from local villages) for plastic/garbage management, Engage Chenchus as Anti-poaching watchers in Anti-poaching camps, Grid based tiger monitoring, Mitigating Crop depredation using Bio-Acoustics, Chilli smoke. 2 Arunachal Kamlang TR Long distance patrolling in the inaccessible/remote Pradesh areas, Road/bridle path maintenance for facilitating patrolling. 3 Arunachal Namdapha TR Patrolling involving local villagers, seasonal Pradesh bridge for ensuring connectivity. 4 Arunachal Pakke TR Anti-poaching camps at strategic locations, Pradesh nest adoption program, Pakke Paga festival for protecting Horn bills. 5 Assam Kaziranga TR Anti-poaching camps with raised platforms, Floating camps on , Highlands for safety of animals, 24 × 7 Highway monitoring, Rescue of distressed animals during floods. 6 Assam Manas TR Rhino trans location, Conservation of TraMCA landscape, Efficient law enforcement system. 7 Assam Nameri TR Bird watching for visitors involving local youth as bird guides, development of walking trail. 8 Assam Orang TR Grassland management. 9 Bihar Valmiki TR Grassland management, weeds removal (Mikania micrantha, Phoenix spp), joint patrolling with SSB, Transboundary co-operation. 10 Chhattisgarh Achanakmar TR Grassland management, weed eradication, water resource management. 11 Chhattisgarh Indravati TR Parad Utsav for sensitizing local tribal villagers against community poaching practices, Development of Sacred Groves. 12 Chhattisgarh Udanti-Sitanadi Wild buffalo conservation program. Ridge to valley TR approach for catchment area treatment. 13 Jharkhand Palamau TR Grassland maintenance, ensuring water availability to wildlife. Good Management Practices/Innovations in the Tiger Reserves (at a glance) xiii

S.No. State Tiger Reserve Details of Good Management Practices/Innovations 14 Karnataka Bandipur TR MoU signed with Kalika Green Energy for lantana camara removal and restoration of habitat. Use of modified buckets for lantana removal, Grassland management, proof barriers, solar fence in agriculture lands, Shifting ofSafari out of the core area. 15 Karnataka BRT Mitigation measures for Human wildlife conflict viz. Excavation of EPTs, erection of solar fence, concrete barrier/wall, Good ex-gratia package. 16 Karnataka Kali TR Purchase of compensatory land in and around tiger reserve in lieu of diverted forest lands. Unique work of acquiring private revenue land holdings for consolidation of forest habitat. 17 Karnataka Nagarahole TR Construction of linear barricades along roads and Railway lines, Erection of Tentacle solar fence. 18 Kerala Parambikulam Habitat management of Vayals (marshy lands), TR removing woody plants and overgrown grasses and sedges. Tiger monitoring-involving local youth under All Kerala tiger monitoring programme (PaTcoF), Management of Senna spectabilis, Phase IV monitoring self sustained team. 19 Kerala Periyar TR Real time monitoring in inaccessible terrains using intranet wireless network and high resolution IP camera. Invasive species monitoring cell, Education and awareness programs for teachers, students viz. Periyar talks, Ecologue etc, Periyar field learning centre. 20 Madhya Pradesh Bandhavgarh TR Tiger orphan raising & rewildling, Rescue operation- , re-introduction, Water hole treatment, Forest fire analysis. 21 Madhya Pradesh Kanha TR Good Patrolling camps network, tanslocation of ungulates (, etc.) using Boma technique, Ghorella tiger enclosure for rewildling of orphaned tiger cubs, Bagheera safari tracking app, Nature education camps-Anubhuti programme. 22 Madhya Pradesh Panna TR Establishment of temporary patrolling camps in the buffer area, village motivation and awareness programme, Monitoring of collared . 23 Madhya Pradesh Pench TR Water management practices, identification of villages engaged in illegal fishing, Anti-poaching patrolling camps, joint patrolling with officials of Pench tiger reserve, Maharashtra, Pench Mitra to prevent electrocution, Bagheera safari tracking app, Rescue team: 11 member having customized vehicle. xiv Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

S.No. State Tiger Reserve Details of Good Management Practices/Innovations 24 Madhya Pradesh Sanjay-Dubri TR Dog squad/Anti-poaching unit, translocation of Chital, Wild elephant management, Prey base augmentation, stray dog management. 25 Madhya Pradesh Satpura TR Successful voluntary village relocation from core area/CTH, Hybrid package, village development works,continuous hand-holding, 4614 families in 46 villages, Development of grasslands after village relocation, restoration of habitat in around 9900 ha. 26 Maharashtra Melghat TR Wildlife crime cell since 2013, livelihood initiatives since 2017-18 - training for 1 month to 3 months by Melghat foundation- 200 youth employed , Green school programme, Nisarganubhav, Forest fire management- local people’s training,Health insurance for all staff (@ 1 lakh rupees), Successful voluntary village relocation from core area/CTH. 27 Maharashtra Nawegaon- Sarus Crane habitat restoration project being Nagzira TR implemented successfully, Van Adhayapaks- for sensitizing the local vilagers, students etc. 28 Maharashtra Pench & Bor TR Retro-fitting measures, Mitigation measures for ensuring connectivity across the landscape, Use of Underpasses by tigers, Inter state coordination with Pench MP. Active management, research and monitoring, rewildling of orphaned PK-T1C2. Livelihood generation for tribal people in the fringe areas, Regular Health checkup of the local villagers residing around the TR. 29 Maharashtra Sahyadri TR Successful implementation of Dr. Shyamaprasad Mukerji Jan Van Vikas Yojana in buffer villages, Livelihood intiatives, E-surveillance, Use of Eco-friendly material viz. RBI grade 81 for road maintenance, Bhramanti App for tourists. 30 Maharashtra Tadoba-Andhari 100% LPG to buffer villages, Banning of Mobiles during TR safari, Community solar water heaters, E-Vehicles, Paperless entry and digital payment for safari, Transit treatment centre and Rapid response team( RRT). 31 Mizoram Dampa TR Well developed informer network, Patrolling by tiger protection force, Joint patrolling with BSF officials in the border areas. 32 Odisha Satkosia TR Successful combating of organized poaching, recovery programme breeding, release of 5 and its post release monitoring. Rationalization of boundaries carried out. Good Management Practices/Innovations in the Tiger Reserves (at a glance) xv

S.No. State Tiger Reserve Details of Good Management Practices/Innovations 33 Odisha Similipal TR Reorganization of forest ranges and beats, Conservation of unique gene pool having melanism- 40% tigers are melanistic, Forest fire management using FIRMS ( use of MODIS & VIIRS-SNPP data), MSTrIPES mobile app based patrolling. 34 Rajasthan Mukundra Hills 3 tigers translocated, 1 tiger has naturally come- total of TR 4 tigers, Awareness measures/compaigns carried out viz. Eco friendly Diwali, Lantana removal by Monkey Jack, Eviction of grazing camps, distributing LPG gas connections. 35 Rajasthan Ranthambore TR Advance surveillance system- E-eye, tiger enclosure created to address conflict issues, Special teams constituted to mitigate human wildlife conflict. 36 Rajasthan Sariska TR e-surveillance system in place, 24 × 7 monitoring for each tiger. Daily tiger monitoring protocol. 37 Tamil Nadu Anamalai TR Human elephant conflict mitigation measures in area, Technological interventions, Conflict elephant information network (scroll message, SMS alert), Early warning light alert system in high conflict areas. 38 Tamil Nadu KMTR Anti-depredation squad, Inter State boundary perambulation, Patrolling by solar boat (First of its kind), Fresh water interpretation centre, Digitization of VFCs, Energy conservation measures.

39 Tamil Nadu Mudumalai TR Well facilitated Anti-poaching camps, inter State meetings/patrolling-coordination with officials of Karnataka and Kerala, Theppakaadu Elephant camp (well maintained), Training for Judicial officials. 40 Tamil Nadu Sathyamangalam Anti-poaching camps, Elephant proof trenches TR (EPTs), Pulikutties (Children education development programme), Green Bannari mission, Bannari Road Traffic Regulation, standardizedmethod for management of weeds, Excellent data collection mechanism 41 Telangana Amrabad TR Grassland management, Seed collection, drying, planting of wild fruit bearing plants, Ground water management practices, Successful soft release of Mouse , Protection strategies-to prevent encroachment, Vehicle regulation for Srisailam Temple visitation . xvi Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

S.No. State Tiger Reserve Details of Good Management Practices/Innovations 42 Telangana Kawal TR Grassland management, Grass seed sowing, seed collection, raising fodder plots, Micro core within core (Model of Janaram Forest Division), Percolation tanks. 43 Uttar Pradesh Dudhwa TR Wildlife crime detection -Habitual offenders apprehended, Monitoring through WhatsApp, tiger cell machans for night patrol, Use of drones for surveillance, Patrolling by elephants, Collaboration with DRDO & IIT Kanpur for technology development for mitigating human wild animal conflict., Human wild animal conflict notified as a natural disaster . 44 Uttar Pradesh Pilibhit TR Conflict Response teams-PRTs, QRTs & RRTs,Bagh Mitras, Tiger Guardians for moblising support of the local people in conservation, Use of technology viz. E-eye surveillance monitoring, MSTrIPES based patrolling, Temporary net fencing, Refurbished tractors. 45 Uttarakhand Corbett TR Grassland management, CR Babu technique used successfully for lantana removal, restoration of habitat created by relocation of laldhang village in 184 ha area, E-Eye surveillance system, tiger cell, Prahari App for visitors. 46 Uttarakhand Rajaji TR Analysis of human conflict and its mitigation. 47 West Bengal Buxa TR Anti -Poaching camps and towers, Patrolling using MSTrIPES mobile App, Buxa bird festival, Vulture conservation breeding centre, Rajabhat khowa- successful release of vultures in the wild. 48 West Bengal Sundarban TR Man animal conflict management, Successful story of Nylon net fencing reducing tiger straying, fencing checking protocol, Eco-development activities in JFMC area, Batagur baska conservation project and its soft release in the wild. Good Management Practices Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve, Andhra Pradesh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change 2 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Good Management Practices /Innovative Activities

Eco-tourism… ¾¾ Eco-tourism programmes involving local communities have been initiated in NSTR in three locations Bairluty, Pacherla and Thummalabailu. ¾¾ Eco-tourism programmes like Jungle safari, Jungle camp, Nature trails, Trekking, Bird and Butterfly watching, Archery and Heritage walk are aimed to sensitize the visitors on nature conservation and to empower the local communities improving their livelihoods.

Ecotourism ¾¾ CBET: 3 locations ¾¾ PTG Chenchus ¾¾ Jungle camp, Jungle Safari, Nature trails, trekking, Bird & butterfly watching, Archery, etc.. ¾¾ www.nallamalaijunglecamps.com Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve 3

Bairluty

Thummalabailu

Innovative Activities

¾¾ Providing stall feeding to almost 2000 Cows of SriSailam Temple, so that the cattle grazing is being restricted in Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve. ¾¾ “57 No. Swachh sevaks” have been engaged for removal of plastic and polythene along the Srisailam –Dornal, Bairluty- Dornal, Nagarjunasagar – Srisailam, Nandyal – Giddalur roads in the Tiger Reserve. ¾¾ More than 200 PTG Chenchus have been engaged as the most of the Anti-Poaching watchers in Anti-poaching camps, who dwell in the forest and are familiar with the terrain. They assist in Wildlife protection and monitoring. ¾¾ Grid based Evaluation and monitoring of the Tiger Reserve (1 and 5 Sq km. grids ) 4 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Filling of Saucer – Fool Proof Monitoring Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve 5

Fire Management

Veeranna Fireline in Nagaluty Range

View Lines in Srisailam and Nagaliuty Ranges

Temporary Fire Camps in NSTR

Fire Watchers 6 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Fire Fighting (4 Fire Brigades of 15 each)

Grass Cutters, Tractor Mounted Local Fire Extinguisher, Fire Fighters

Fire Blower in Dornal Range Fire Blower in Dornal Range Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve 7

Crop raiding – Bio Acoustics, Chilli Smoke...

Good Management Practices Kamlang Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 10 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves Kamlang Tiger Reserve 11

Patrolling Team 12 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Bridle Path Lai towards Tawai (20 Km), Maintenance of Suspension Bridge at Champa, CSS (PT) 2017-18 CSS (PT) 2017-18 Good Management Practices Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 14 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Best Practices

Protection Through Intensive Patrolling with Active Involvement of Local Villagers Our Strength Namdapha Tiger Reserve 15

Winter Patrolling (October to March) 1. Daily = MV road, Fringe Village, Fringe Riverside, Naharbari, Motijeel, (2-3/groups) 2. Weekly = Hornbill, Happy Valley, Bulbulia, Ranijheel, with night camping (5-6/ groups) 3. Monthly= Farmbase, 40th mile, Kodboi, and M-V Road upto Tilokhwa Nallah last Park boundary toward Gandhigram. Camping in groups. Patrolling (April to September) 1. Localized Surveillance. 2. Along Riverside 3. Along Fringe Village Line Checking 1. M’Pen Check Gate (Regularly) 2. Gibbonsland ---do— 3. Deban Check gate ---do--- 4. Surprise checking along MV road.

Seasonal Bamboo Bridge Used for Patrolling 16 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves Good Management Practices Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary & Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 18 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

The History ¾¾ Constituted as Pakhui Reserve Forest in 1962. ¾¾ Notified as Game Sanctuary in 1977. ¾¾ Further declared and notified as Pakhui Wildlife ¾¾ Sanctuary in 2001. ¾¾ Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary renamed “Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary” in 2002. ¾¾ Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary declared as “” in 2002 also declared as “Kameng Elephant Reserve”.

Description ¾¾ 20 % of the total geographic area of East Kameng. ¾¾ Rich in bio-diversity. ¾¾ Bound by the Kameng River in the west, Pakke River in the east, southern part – & Tiger Reserve, Assam. ¾¾ Area – 862 sq.km. ¾¾ Altitude – 100 m – 2040 m. Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary & Tiger Reserve 19

Site Specific Good Practices

¾¾ Formation of Ghora-Aabhe SHG consisting of 14 GBs of fringe villages. ¾¾ Formation of 17 Nos. Women SHGs. ¾¾ Formation 4 Nos. VFDCs. ¾¾ Hornbill Nest Adoption Program. ¾¾ Empowering community in protection work. ¾¾ Training workshop on Mushroom cultivation.

¾¾ Seizure of 56 Nos. country made gun. ¾¾ Stopped hunting and other illegal activities around the PA. ¾¾ Imposes fine to offender as per customary law. 20 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Hornbills of Pakke One of the best place to see four species of in India.

Great Hornbill - Paga Wreathed Hornbill - Poo

Oriental Pied Hornbill - Gare Rufous necked Hornbill - Peo Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary & Tiger Reserve 21

Arunachal’s Pride

Nyishi Symbol State Bird 22 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Ghora-Aabhe: Partners in Park Protection

The Program

Collaboration between Ghora-Aabhe, Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department and Nature Conservation Foundation Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary & Tiger Reserve 23

Aims of the Program

¾¾ Find, monitor and protect hornbill nests for long-term conservation of hornbill populations ¾¾ Assist villagers in their efforts to conserve hornbills and other wildlife ¾¾ Collect ecological data on hornbill nesting for research and management ¾¾ Encourage participation from urban citizens in hornbill conservation

© Maya Ramaswamy

Shared Parenting

¾¾ Contribution and participation of urban citizens ¾¾ Rs. 6000 per nest per year (tax exemption) • Salaries of nest protectors and local co-ordinator • Equipment for nest protectors • Welfare activities in different villages 24 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Protecting the Hornbills of Pakke Pakke Page Festiveal

Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival

¾¾ Proposed in 2014 ¾¾ First edition of festival happened in 2015 ¾¾ So far three festivals 2015,2017 and 2018 The Main Partners ¾¾ Ghora-aabhe Village Society ¾¾ Nature Conservation Foundation ¾¾ Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department ¾¾ Balipara Foundation, Eastern Himalayan Botanic Garden Good Management Practices Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, Assam

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India Kaziranga Tiger Reserve 26

Floods in Annual Phenomenon

Mid to Late Monsoon (August/September) Multiple Waves Normal Flood is Beneficial

 Maintains soil and vegetation structure • Water hyacinth control • Controls Semul, Velkor, Azar  Mosaic of tree land, Grassland and Woodland  Cleans and recharges water bodies  Nutrient recycling  Population control 27 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Design of an Antipoaching Camp

Floating Camp on the Brahmaputra River Kaziranga Tiger Reserve 28

Use of Highlands by Wild Animals 29 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Man Made Highlands along the Sourthern Boundary of the Park

33 Highlands were constructed under APFBC scheme

Dimension — 100m × 40m × 4m A wildlife refuge during flooding Kaziranga Tiger Reserve 30

Animal Movement to Higher Grounds 31 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Signages

Fines imposed for over speeding Highway barricades Hon'ble NGT order, 2017 Kaziranga Tiger Reserve 32

Pamphlets with do's and dont's Highway Checking Panbari Camp, 2017 floods

Imposition of CRPC Sec. 144, Issue of time card 24×7 Highway Monitoring Amguri, Floods 2017 Aamguri Camp, 2017 Floods

KNP Floods, 2017 KNP Floods, 2017 33 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Rescue of Distressed Animals KNP Floods, 2017

Rescue of the Marooned Animals KNP Floods, 2017 Kaziranga Tiger Reserve 34

Antipoaching Duties During Flood 35 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Detection of animal carcases: Post Flood What we Do .... Post Flood

Health Camp for Staff Health Camp at Kaziranga National Park

Health Camp for Departmental Elephants Look out for animal deaths

Best Management Practices Manas Tiger Reserve, Assam

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 38 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Rhino Translocation

Implementing IRV 2020 - one of the most ambitious conservation projects in Assam – to in- crease the existing rhino population (~ 2200) in Assam to 3000 by the end of 2020. The lost Rhino population in Manas NP is being re built by translocating rhinos from other PAs like Pobitora WLS, Kaziranga NP. As on today, we have a population of 40 rhinos in Manas (including orphaned rhinos reintroduced from CWRC, Kaziranga NP) Manas Tiger Reserve 39 40 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Trans-boundary Manas Conservation Area (TraMCA) The Trans-boundary Manas Conservation Area (TraMCA) conceptualized in 2011 forms an important priority Manas trans-boundary landscape. India and formed this conservation concept in collaboration with Forest Department and with other stakeholders. ¾¾ It is important in mitigation of illegal wildlife trade and forest products smuggling besides sharing of information. ¾¾ Synchronizing patrolling also regulates by the Forest Staffs of both the Countries. ¾¾ Conduct tiger population estimation simultaneously and share tiger photo IDs. ¾¾ Also organize regular Trans-Boundary meetings and exchange visits of officials of both Countries.

Coordination Meeting (TraMCA), Thimphu, Bhutan Manas Tiger Reserve 41

Conservation Law Enforcement System in : Unique Approach A team of highly skilled frontline staffs carries out efficient patrol in Ranges of the Manas National Park led by the Forest Range Officer in the field and commanded by the Field Director, Manas Tiger Project.

Daily patrolling carries out extensively by foot, and also by elephant, bikes and vehicles and use MSTRIPES system for enforcement. 42 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

The team gathers all of the information required to understand types of threats and then directly address those through the means available in hand. This helps in understanding a threat and seeking to shape the assets into most effective force possible, which is a key factor here in this system. A group of young forest staffs which is technically skilled supports the mobile patrol team on day to day operations with data management, analysis, capacity building, mentoring and empowerment. Good Management Practices Nameri Tiger Reserve, Assam

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 44 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Nameri Tiger Reserve is located in the northern part of Sonitpur district of Assam and along the foothills of . It is known for its scenic beauty and conservation value with an extent of 200 sq km of core and 144 sq km buffer zone. Pakke Tiger Reserve of Arunachal Pradesh is contiguous on the north of the Nameri TR. Regarding the management of tourism is concern; the PA is able to project beyond Tiger as a target species in the Tiger Reserve. There is a 5 km walking trail representing different habitat of the TR from high woodland, marshy area to open grassland. The rich and diverse birdlife of over 374 species includes 8 (eight) Globally had been enlisted and published. Pres- ently, the TR is well established among tourist not only for local but also among foreign visitors as a bird destination. There is no craziness among visitors to locate Tiger in Tiger Reserve; however, it also has recorded about visitors confronted Tiger while on foot on walking trail.

The record of visitors has increased in many folds in the TR and able to earned a substantial amount as tariff from the visitors which contribute to the Nameri Tiger Conservation Foundation. The visitor’s records and amount generated shown below. Year No. of visitors Revenue Indian Foreigner Collected 2014-15 8448 1035 1413170.00 2015-16 10458 923 1366245.00 2016-17 11542 874 1857520.00 2017-18 13810 1143 2283345.00 2018-19 11689 1023 2049755.00 Nameri Tiger Reserve 45

By making the bird watching popular among visitors, the local youth has also develop the bird watching as passion and young local youth has develop themselves as bird guide that also help fringe village population to generate income from the TR. For such involvement of local youth and due to motivation we could able to keep the walking trail of 5 km litter free. The added attraction to bird watcher is the frequent sighting of White Winged Wood Duck (Cairna scutulata) the State Bird of Assam.

Walking Trail

Good Management Practices Orang Tiger Reserve, Assam

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 48 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves Orang Tiger Reserve 49

Habitat Management Grassland Management Good Management Practices Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 52 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Strategy for Sustaining Prey Population

¾¾ Biomass management of existing grassland patches – Management of grasslands. ¾¾ Management of areas (about 50 % of the Area) infested with Phoenix, Epitorium & Michiana - Weed removal. ¾¾ Scarcity of water in summer, specially in the East and on uplands- Construction of Artificial Water Holes. ¾¾ Protection & Monitoring – Frontline Staff & Local Force – STPF & MSTrIPES.

Grassland Management

¾¾ Main Objective : • To have areas covered with Grasslands in all ranges. • To manage adequate Grassland cover/ productive habitat for prey recovery ¾¾ Identification of Suitable Area : • Natural Grassland patches. • Areas along the River/ Streams/ Valley Beds. • The areas regularly visited by Gaur & occupied by Sambar. • Other mega herbivores, like elephant and rhino visiting the area.

¾¾ Interventions Made : • Cutting: Natural grassland patches & the alluvial grasslands having species Sacchrum spontanium (Radhi), Typha sp. (Pater), Phragmitis Sp. (Narkat) and Imperata cylendrica (Dabhi) were chopped from bottom. • Burning: Cool burning • The chopped grasses were left as such for maintaining the detritus cycle, which helped increase the soil nutrition. • It allowed grasses to regrow with fresh soft edible leaves. • Grasses to grow for a longer period • Construction of Artificial Water Holes. Valmiki Tiger Reserve 53

Management of existing Grassland

Weed Removal: Opening Spaces for New Grasslands

¾¾ The major weeds are: Mikania micrantha, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Parthenium hysterophorus, Phoenix spp. (wild khajoor). ¾¾ Suppresses growth of grasses and regeneration. ¾¾ Less effective area available for prey species. ¾¾ Covered most of the uplands.

Michenia Phoenix 54 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

The palatable species are: Uprooting of Phoenix 1. Cynodon dactylon (Doob) 2. Digitaria setigera 3. Chloris barbata 4. Themeda triandra

Valmiki Tiger Reserve 55

Grasses were Dibbled Near Waterhole also Dibbled Near Waterhole were Grasses

Sign of Herbivore Presence in Presence Sign of Herbivore

Managed Grassland/View Strip Grassland/View Managed

Palatable Grasses Were Dibbled Were Grasses Palatable

Sign of herbivore feeding on feeding Sign of herbivore area in managed the grasses

Weed Infested Area Infested Weed

Weed Removal Work Removal Weed Free Space After Weed Removal Weed Space After Free

Good Management Practices Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 58 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Facts About ATR

Notified on 20th February 2009 ¾¾ Core Area—> 626.195 Sq.Kms. ¾¾ Buffer Area—> 287.822 Sq.Kms. ¾¾ Number of Villages- 19 (core), 5 (buffer) 6 villages Relocated. ¾¾ The Corridors extends from the Kanha Tiger Reserve to Achanakmar Tiger Reserve and further to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Guru Ghasidas National Park (CG) and Sanjay Tiger Reserve of MP. ¾¾ ATR forms the Core Zone of Achanakmar Biosphere Reserve. Achanakmar Tiger Reserve 59

Management Strategies

Habitat Management ¾¾ Activities taken up are: • Grassland management. • Weed Eradication. 60 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Management Strategies

Water Resource Management ¾¾ Activities taken up are: • Earthen Check Dams. • Stop Dams. • De-Silting.

Protection ¾¾ Daily Foot Patrolling ¾¾ Strategically Placed APC’s ¾¾ Use of M-STrIPES ¾¾ Use of Dog Squad for Patrolling Achanakmar Tiger Reserve 61

Training and Skill Development

Good Management and Practices Indravati Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 64 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

ikjn mRlo ¾¾ ikjn & tutkfr;ksa dk lkewfgd okf"kZd f'kdkj izFkkA ¾¾ mn~ns'; & mRlo ds ekè;e ls tuekul dks voS/k f'kdkj ds fo:¼ tkx:d djukA ¾¾ izfrHkkxh & LFkkuh; xzkeh.k] fljgk] xqfu;k] Ldwyh Nk=k&Nk=kk,sa] tuizfrfuf/A ¾¾ vk;kstu & nsoiwtk] rhjankth] yksd&u`R;] laHkk"k.kA ¾¾ foxr 03 o"kks± ls izkjaHk

ekuuh; fo/k;d Jh foØe 'kkg e.Mkoh }kjk ikjn esyk dk 'kqHkkjaHk ds iwoZ nsoh iwtk djrs gq, Indravati Tiger Reserve 65

nsoxqMh (Sacred Groves) mRFkku ,-ih-vks- o"kZ dk;Z dk uke dk;Z dh ek=kk vkcaVu O;; 'ks"k jkf'k [email protected] (la[;k) (yk[k esa) (yk[k esa) (yk[k esa) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2018-19 nsoxqMh fuekZ.k (vkLFkk ewyd dk;Z) 13 99.990 54.83 45.15 - 2019-20 nsoxqMh fuekZ.k (vkLFkk ewyd 23 143.840 0.00 143.840 - dk;Z)&izLrkfor

¾¾ nsoxqMh & LFkkuh; nsoh&nsorkvksa dk iwtk LFky ¾¾ mn~ns'; & tuekul ds vkLFkk dks tksM+dj lkeatL; LFkkfir djukA

Good Management Practices Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 68 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Wild Buffalo Conservation Programme

¾¾ The Conservation and Rehabilitation programme of Wild Buffalo at USTR has yielded positive results. ¾¾ Enclosures covering around 40 HA have been created where there are currently 8 wild buffaloes. Two wild buffaloes are ranging freely outside the enclosures, with trackers monitoring their movement on daily basis. ¾¾ A full time veterinary who has been appointed on contract basis for two years monitors the activity and health of the wild buffaloes regularly. ¾¾ Within the Conservation centre activities of grassland development, cultivation of fodder grass and construction of ponds have been undertaken. ¾¾ Immunization activity for the cattle in the villages around the Conservation centre is conducted every year. Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve 69 70 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Ridge to Valley approach for implementation of catchment area treatment within the park ¾¾ The DPR was prepared for one of the ranges in Buffer area through use of nine layers of GIS data. ¾¾ It includes Drainage map, contour map, Wasteland map, Soil erosion map, Geomorphology map, Lineamant map, Ground water prospects map, Slope map and Clart map.

Land Use Map Ground water map

Geomorphology map Drainage map

Erosion Map Wasteland map Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve 71

Lineament map Clart map

Good Management Practices Palamau Tiger Reserve, Jharkhand

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 74 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Admin. Total Area Core Area Buffer Area North Division, PTR 575.91 km2 101.94 km2 453.15 km2 South Division PTR 730.89 km2 (Including 312.14 km2 262.70 km2 Mahuadanr Sanctuary) Palamau Tiger Project 1306.80 km2 414.08 km2 715.85 km2 Palamau Tiger Reserve 75

Strength ¾¾ Very rich in biodiversity-Rich flora and fauna including rare medicinal plants, arthropods, climbers and orchids etc. ¾¾ Better ecological condition-Large area with occurrence of edges, ecotones, riparian zones and abundant niches. ¾¾ Landscape connectivity-Excellent contiguity with adjoining habitats as well as the Central Indian tiger landscape which includes Tiger Reserves like Sanjay, Bandhavgarh, Achanakmar and Protected Areas such as Gurughasidas National Park, Timorpingla National Park, Semarsot WLS, Palkot WLS and Lawalong WLS. Total Economic Evaluation by IIFM, 2019 ¾¾ Flow benefits-Rs. 12954.4 Crore per year (Rs. 6.54 Lakh per ha per year) ¾¾ Stock Benefits-Rs. 96744.71 Crore per year ¾¾ Major Eco- System Services provide- • Carbon sequestration- Rs. 5979.57 Crore per year • Provisioning of water- Rs. 2853.85 Crore per year • Climate regulation- Rs. 21.14 Crore per year ¾¾ Better infrastructure for fire control, anti-poaching & mobility- strong administrative infrastructure at range and beat levels, good communication network and better mobility and anti- poaching activities. ¾¾ Good approach- almost every area is connected through forest roads.

Approved Eco- Sensitive Zone of Palamau Wildlife Sanctuary, & Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary

ESZ and PAs overlaid on IRS LISS- III (Feb, 2016) 76 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Connectivity/ Corridor

Introduce MSTrIPES in Palamau Tiger Reserve ¾¾ Using MSTrIPES ¾¾ Total 120 Smartphone model Moto e5 were bought for Forester & Forest Guards deployed in beat/ sub beats. ¾¾ All India Tiger Estimation- 2018 were done using both- Smartphone and Hard copy method. ¾¾ GPS related problem occurred in Smartphone. ¾¾ Tiger Cell, Wildlife Institute of India, short out the GPS problem in the Smartphone. Status of M-STRIPES in Palamau Tiger Reserve ¾¾ M-STRIPES were launched in Palamau Tiger Reserve in 2018. ¾¾ Numbers of Training were provided by Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun for PTR with all Forest Divisions of the Jharkhand. ¾¾ Smartphone (Moto e5) for M-STRIPES Module were bought. ¾¾ LWE limits the access in the core area and implementation of M-STrIPES through Mobile & GPS. Tiger evidences after All India Tiger estimation, 2018 ¾¾ During AITE, 2018, no tiger evidences were recorded. ¾¾ Based on AITE, 2018, there is no tiger in PTR. ¾¾ Camera Trap clicked a tiger after AITE Exercises on Feb, 2019. ¾¾ The latest evidence of the tiger on 08th Nov, 2019 from Saidup -1, -2 and -3 Sub beat of Chhipadohar East Range of North Division, PTR.

Tiger were trapped after All India Tiger Estimation- 2018 Palamau Tiger Reserve 77 78 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Grassland Maintenance

¾¾ Total 877 ha of grassland is available in Palamau Tiger Reserve. ¾¾ Weed removal, seasonal cutting of grasses and wildlife monitoring are implemented in these grasslands. ¾¾ Maximum of grassland have water bodies like check dam, water trough etc. Palamau Tiger Reserve 79

Water availability to wildlife

¾¾ Total 329 waterholes including natural springs are maintained yearly before water scarcity. ¾¾ 120 Check dams are available and desilting time to time. ¾¾ Water trough is available at grasslands and water tanker accessible area.

Water availability to wildlife

¾¾ Palamau Tiger Reserve is prone to Forest fire. ¾¾ 105 Eco- Development Committee are involved to prevent highly sensitive forest. ¾¾ 40 Fire blower were bought to control forest fire. ¾¾ Forest watchtowers are available for communication.

Good Management Practices Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 82 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Map Bandipur Tiger Reserve 83

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Map

¾¾ During 2009-10 removal of Lantana activity started in Bandipur Tiger Reserve on pilot basis. ¾¾ On 16/02/2018 a workshop was conducted on the removal of Lantana camara in presence of Senior forest officials, Wild Life board member, NGO’s, Scientists and other delegates at Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Tiger Reserve. ¾¾ MoU signed with Kalika Green Energy for Lantana Camara Removal for a term of 3 years. ¾¾ Allowed to remove lantana camara using machines with modified buckets. ¾¾ Workshop held on 22nd August 2019 to achieve the target of 407 Ha (Unit Cost of Rs. 43000.00/Ha.) of Grassland Management given for the year 2019-20. 84 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

MoU Signed with Kalika Green Energy Bandipur Tiger Reserve 85

Modified Buckets

Multi Ripper for JS 81 – Modified bucket for JS is one of the choice with 81/JS 120 – for easy and V-shape three ripping faster removal of Lantana teeth. Camara. 86 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Cycle of Activities

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Lantana camara removal Transportation Restoration

Field Exercise on Grass Land Management Under the Guidance of Dr. Gajanan Muratkar, Professor Bandipur Tiger Reserve 87

Grass Land Restoration & Management Plan

Period Action May Geo-mapping of grassland areas June Brushwood identification and uprooting or cutting in proper way May 25-31 or June 1-12th Grasses broadcasting (Nutritive grasses) July First de-weeding in proper way identification August Observation of grasses seeds germination September 2nd phase of de weeding (Weed eradication should be before fruit formation) October – November Grasses identification & herbarium preparation September Weeds identification September Wild leguminous plants identification November – December Useful grasses seeds collection. These grasses seeds are useful for restoration practices after Lantana and Brush-woods plants species eradication December – January Grasses seeds drying, labelling and storages in protection camps areas December Identification of wild fruit trees and browsing plants species by plants expert November – December After rainy season management of all natural & artificial water bodies. (Removal of aquatic weeds, aquatic unwanted algal flora, remove terrestrial weeds) check eutrophication in water ponds Monitoring of grasslands in each season and its documentation by guard and deputy range staff of the protected area. To prepare grasslands observation and management register in each range staff of the Tiger Reserve. 88 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Present Practices of Grass Land Management

Before

During Work

After Completion of Work Bandipur Tiger Reserve 89

Elephant Proof Barriers

3 Mtrs

3 Mtrs

1.5 Mtrs

Railway Barricade Upgraded Elephant Proof Trench Solar Fence in Agricultural Lands (50: 50 Basis)

Good Management Practices BRT Tiger Reserve, Karnatka

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 92 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves BRT Tiger Reserve 93

Significance of the Reserve ¾¾ A biological bridge between the and the . ¾¾ Home to indigenous tribe known as Soligas. ¾¾ Gives birth to many small and big streams, which lead to bigger water bodies like Suvaranavathy, Gundal, KK, Bellatha, Krishnaiankatte, which are huge catchments and have big command areas. They give irrigation water for agriculture. ¾¾ Consists of variety of habitats ranging from dry deciduous to evergreen and moist deciduous to forests and grasslands. ¾¾ Presence of rare and like Four-horned antelope, Slender loris and Indian giant flying squirrel, endemic species like Microhyla soligari.

Tribal Rights

Sl. Name of the No. of No. of No. of No. of title Extent of land No Taluka applications applications applications deeds involved received by forwarded by forwarded by distributed (in Acres) FRCs FRCs to SDLC SDLCs to DLC 1 Chamaraja 564 409 409 409 447.00 Nagar 2 Yelandur 485 98 98 98 105.10 3 Kollegala 548 548 548 548 791.01 TOTAL 1597 1055 1055 1055 1343.11 94 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Man Animal Conflict Mitigation Measures BRT Tiger Reserve 95 96 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Excavation of E.P.T.

Erection of Solar Fence BRT Tiger Reserve 97

Construction of Concrete Barrier/Wall

Compensation Packages ¾¾ Human death- 5 lakhs and rupees 2000 per month as pension ¾¾ Partial disability – rupees 2.5 lakhs ¾¾ Cattle Kill – rupees 10,000 ¾¾ Goat/Sheep- rupees 5,000 ¾¾ e-Parihara mobile/web application

Karnataka Forest Department

Good Management Practices Kali Tiger Reserve, Karnataka

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 100 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Protected Area Network of 2500 km2 North Bheemgad WLS - (190 km2) Hornbill Conservation Reserve(52.5 km2)

East and South Reserved Forests

West Protected areas of - (745.51 km2) ( Mhadei WLS, B.Mahaveer WLS and NP, Netravali WLS, Cotigaon WLS)

Unique Work of CA-Land

Consolidation of Prime Forest Habitat by acquiring Private Revenue Land Holdings ¾¾ State Government order No: APG/88/FLL/2016 dated: 31-08-2016. ¾¾ In lieu of forest land diverted for non-forestry activity carried out in Karnataka state Compensatory land is purchased in and around tiger reserves. Kali Tiger Reserve 101

Sl Company Name Extent Amount Remarks CA charg- Extent of CA No. (in acres) (in es paid by Forestation lakhs) U/A carried out

1 P. L. Raju Construction 01-34 3.75 Paid by Nil Nil the User 2 Sarjan Realities Ltd., 26-13 70.31 Agency to 3 Reliance Jio Infocomm 18-16 45.00 the benefi- Ltd., ciaries 4 Bangalore Metro Rail 29-16 88.23 Corporation (BMRC) TOTAL 74-01 207.29 1 33-32 124.00 Land avail- able in KTR

Name of the U/A – Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Name of Farmer – Raghoba Datta savant, Anshi Range – Anshi Total Agri. Land – 02-00-00 Amount Paid – Rs. 6,00,000

Name of the U/A – Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Name of Farmer – Purushottam Chimado Velip, Badapoli Range – Anshi Total Agri. Land – 02-00-00 Amount Paid – Rs. 6,00,000

Good Management Practices Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, Karnataka

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 104 Good Management Practices

Sl. NPs/WLs/CRs Nos. Area in No Sq.Km 1 National Parks 5 2,794.05 2 Wildlife 30 6,791.967 Sanctuaries 3 Conservation 12 463.462 Reserve 4 Community 1 3.12 Reserve Total: 48 10,052.599

Vital Connecting link… Nagarahole Tiger Reserve 105

Railway Barricade Railway Barricade

Railway Barricade Railway Barricade

Railway Barricade RCC Spike Pillars

Steel Barricade at Vaddaramadu Kere SSM Wall

106 Good Management Practices

Removal of Sharp Objects of Sharp Barricades from Removal Removal of Sharp Objects in Barricades Removal Nagarahole Tiger Reserve 107

Erection of Tentacle Solar Fence

Good Management Practices Parambikualm Tiger Reserve, Kerala

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 110 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Good Practices in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve

¾¾ Habitat Management Activities ¾¾ Vayal (marshy land) management ¾¾ Tiger Monitoring Activities ¾¾ Activities of Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation ¾¾ Reducing the dependency on forest through employment to local communities ¾¾ Management of ecotourism programmes ¾¾ Outreach activities

Habitat Management: Activities VAYAL [MARSHY LAND] - DEFINITION

¾¾ Vayal - A Marshy Meadow surrounded by forest ¾¾ Small streams originate or meandering through these areas ¾¾ Dominated by Grass and sometime Sedge sp. ¾¾ Always wet and moist due to spongy nature ¾¾ Having greenery throughout the year ¾¾ Cyperacea members are common

Habitat Management Activities VAYAL [MARSHY LAND] - THREATS

¾¾ Infestation of exotic/invasive weeds • Lantana • Eupatorium • Mikania • Mimosa ¾¾ Invasion of woody plants & bamboo, Glycosmis pentaphylla (Paanal) ¾¾ Sedges (Rhyncospora Corymbosa) – replacing - grasses ¾¾ Invasion of tall grasses (over grown) ¾¾ If not cut – become fibrous -smaller herbivores will avoid Parambikualm Tiger Reserve 111

Habitat Management Activities: VAYAL [MARSHY LAND] – PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES

¾¾ Identify all vayals and create database for documentation ¾¾ Review status all vayals with respect to • Infestation of invasive alien species • Infestation of woody species • Animal’s utilization ¾¾ Conduct survey using GPS • Plot on toposheet with extent, location, administrative boundary ¾¾ Record status before maintenance • Still photographs and video

Habitat Management Activities: VAYAL [MARSHY LAND] – PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES

¾¾ Documented in VAYAL JOURNALS ¾¾ Quantify • Woody plant infestation [species-wise] - Plots of 5 × 5 m. • Weeds’ infestation [species-wise] - Plots of 5 × 5 m. • Grass species [species-wise] – Plots of 1 × 1 m. • Streams • Flow of water • Quality of water • Feeding signs [direct and indirect sightings] • Wallowing sings [direct and indirect sightings] ¾¾ Prepare SSP for each vayal before management

Habitat Management Activities: VAYAL [MARSHY LAND] – MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTIONS

Infestation of Exotic Invasive Weeds ¾¾ Lantana • Cut at collar or Uproot during wet season. • Remove from vayal area ¾¾ Eupatorium • Uproot during wet season • Burn, if found on periphery • Don’t set fire in vayals ¾¾ Mikania • Uproot/Cut 112 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

¾¾ Infestation of Woody Plants • Uproot/Cut only within vayals • Don’t cut any woody plant on the periphery ¾¾ Over-grown grass and sedges [often not used by animals] • Cut • Tall grass around vayals should not be cut • since it will decay very slowly suppressing the growth of herbs and short grass beneath ¾¾ General guidelines • Remove only invasive weeds and woody growth • Remove weeds before flowering season • Never set FIRE in vayal

Habitat Management Activities: VAYAL [MARSHY LAND] – OUTCOME

¾¾ Every year all vayals are maintained by means of removal of invasive species ¾¾ Activities of maintenance is properly documented in Vayal journals ¾¾ The vayals have become main foraging ground for herbivores and hunting ground for carnivore population Parambikualm Tiger Reserve 113

Tiger Monitoring Activities: TIGER MONITORING WITH A SPECIALLY TRAINED TEAM

Tiger Monitoring in PKMTR ¾¾ Completed 5th year of Phase-IV monitoring in Parambikulam ¾¾ Camera trap deployment, monitoring and data collection using a specially trained ‘tiger monitoring team’ ¾¾ The team consist of • 13 YOUTHS HAILING FROM INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES OF PKMTR ¾¾ HEADED BY • A ‘LEAD TIGER MONITORING EXPERT’, • A ‘CONSERVATION BIOLOGIST’ • A ‘BEAT FOREST OFFICER’ 114 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Tiger Monitoring Activities: TIGER MONITORING WITH A SPECIALLY TRAINED TEAM

¾¾ Landscapes deployed with Camera Traps by Parambikulam TCF as part of ‘All-Kerala Tiger Monitoring Programme’

PaTCoF – carried out from Kasargod FD on the North to Idukki WLS on the South

Number of CT locations co ered by PaTCoF

Number of CT Number of CT S.No. Division Locations S.No. Division Locations 1 Aralam 22 13 70 2 Chalakkudy 36 14 Munnar WL 93 3 Idukki 28 15 Nilambur North 59 4 Kannur 26 16 Nilambur South 27 5 Kasaragod 11 17 Palakkad 26 6 Kothamangalam 37 18 Parambikulam TR 200 7 Kottayam-PaTCoF 5 19 Peechi 59 8 Kozhikode 69 20 SVNP 46 9 Malayattoor 119 21 Vazhachal 34 10 Mankulam 23 22 Wayanad North 51 11 Mannarkkad 22 23 Wayanad South 36 12 Marayoor 18 24 Wayanad WLS 82 Sub-Total 1199 Good Management Practices Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 116 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Real Time Monitoring ¾¾ Monitoring forest/wildlife in inaccessible terrain using wireless intranet network & high resolution IP camera ¾¾ Number of locations covered : 6 ¾¾ Cost less Rs. 3 lakhs per unit.

Climate Change Mitigation Measures ¾¾ Climate Resilient Farming activities in the adjoining areas ¾¾ Green Protocol in all Ecotourism activities ¾¾ “Punarjani”: Massive attempt to clean water bodies flowing into the TR ¾¾ Recycles segregated plastic waste-Joint venture with Kumily Gram Panchayat ¾¾ Plastic usage reduced and plastic waste removal undertaken by EDCs ¾¾ Reduced the firewood usage by introducing Pamba Jyothi LPG to the EDC operated enterprises. Periyar Tiger Reserve 117

Invasive Species Monitoring Cell ¾¾ To monitor, map & devise measures to eradicate floral & faunal Invasive ¾¾ Floral Invasive of entire PTR is mapped and documented. ¾¾ Project on Exploration of Fish species diversity in Periyar Lake and Stream System and measures for the eradication of Exotic . 118 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Education and Awareness ¾¾ Free Nature Awareness Camps; 3 days ¾¾ A DAY IN PERIYAR for stakeholders & marginalised sections of society ¾¾ ECO-TEACH for Teachers ¾¾ ETHALUKAL for Students ¾¾ KILIKKOOTTAM Summer camps ¾¾ REACH BEYOND REACH for kids in remote areas Periyar Tiger Reserve 119

Periyar Field Learning Centre ¾¾ Training on M-Stripes, Camera Trap and GPS for in house staff and staff of other Forest Divisions ¾¾ Training modules prepared for various target groups ¾¾ Impart training cum exposure visit for groups coming from National and International ¾¾ Impart training to Forest Department and other Department staff ¾¾ Documentation and dissemination of Good practices ¾¾ Paid camps 120 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Community Based Ecotourism Programmes ¾¾ First aid cum Life Guard training for the staff involved ¾¾ Introduced Medical & Accident Insurance to tourists ¾¾ Trade mark registration ¾¾ New Parking area outside PTR Good Management Practices Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 122 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Water Hole Treatment All the water holes, small ponds, still water sources are treated annually to check for Clostridium bacteria (known for Botulism), Coliform, salmonella bacteria which cause high mortality of herbivores especially young Spotted deer. Water hole treatment has led to decrease in herbivore mortality leading to high prey density supporting high carnivore density in the park. Tiger Orphan Raising and Rewilding Bandhavgarh Tiger reserve has 9 tiger enclosures for treatment, raising and rewilding of injured, orphaned/abandoned wild tigers. The reserve has successfully raised 3 cubs who were 2 weeks old when found abandoned in the reserve. The raising initially included hand rearing, feeding cat milk, dressed chicken. These were gradually shifted to killing live baits, daily monitoring through CCTV’s and covering enclosures with green net to reduce human interference. As a result, 3 successfully re-wilded tigers are now in a stage to be released in low-density areas of other reserves after due permission from CWLW. Gaur Re-introduction were re-introduced in 2012 in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. With regular monitoring, treatment and creating quarantine facility for sick individuals to stop the spread to other members of the herd, the population of Gaur has increased from 49 (2012) to around 135 (2019). Active intervention and management have created a healthy population of Gaurs in the reserve. Monitoring through Database Management A separate google form has been created for real-time updating of field information, field inspections, direct sightings, PIP marks and other details to reduce time delays in regular management works. It also helps in creating a database at the reserve level which provides insights in the management practices in the field. Tourism Transparency Monthly stakeholder meeting with hotel and resort representatives, gypsy and guide representatives is conducted to resolve local management related issues. Installation of TV screens, CCTV’s cameras at the tourism counter has been done to bring transparency in ticket bookings. These initiatives have led to decrease in the complaints against the management considerably. Tiger Identification Booklet Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has established a tiger cell unit where pictures from regular camera trapping are analysed by a dedicated team to create an identification database of the tigers in the reserve. This helps in creating a tiger identification pocket booklet which helps the forest personnel in the management. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve 123

Forest Fire Analysis To decrease the incidences of forest fires and identify fire prone forest beats in the reserve, spatial and temporal data analysis of the MODIS and SNPP forest alert data of Forest Survey of India for last 3 years was analysed and examined. The analysis resulted in identification of certain beats where fire incidences were common, certain beats where incidences have reduced, certain areas where no. of incidents have suddenly increased. This analysis helped in determining the factors which cause forest fire in certain locations, sharing of best practices among field staff and preparing an improved strategy for forest fire for the coming year.

Kanha Tiger Reserve Good Management Practices Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India

126 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves Location of Kanha in India Location

Kanha Tiger Reserve 127 Patrolling Camps Patrolling 128 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Translocation-Boma Technique

Transportation Truck Kanha Tiger Reserve 129

Translocation of Ungulates

¾¾ 7 barasingha from Kanha to Van Vihar ¾¾ 33 barasingha from Kanha to Satpura ¾¾ 1302 chital have been translocated with in Kanha

Chital Inside Boma 130 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Monitoring on CCTV Camera

Release of Ungulates Kanha Tiger Reserve 131

Teams of Boma Operation

¾¾ Animal Drive Team ¾¾ Gate/ Curtain closure Team ¾¾ Wireless Team ¾¾ Vehicle Team ¾¾ Veterinary Team ¾¾ First aid Team ¾¾ Documentation Team

Ghorella Tiger Enclosure

¾¾ A novel initiative to rear and train orphaned tiger cubs for re-wilding ¾¾ The total area of enclosure 30 ha. (with inner enclosure of 7 ha.) ¾¾ Initially small cubs are put on a variety of diets ¾¾ Later, initiated to prey upon animals driven into the enclosure ¾¾ After perfect predation technique, they are released into the wild ¾¾ So far, 11 such tigers have been reared, trained, and 9 released 132 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Ghorella Tiger Enclosure Kanha Tiger Reserve 133

Bagheera- Safari Tracking App

About the Application 134 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Reports View in Field from Mobile in Real Time

¾¾ Red dots show over speeding. ¾¾ Green lines indicate Road kmls.

On click of Over Speed.

Over Speeding Violations Good Management Practices Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 136 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Tiger Conservation & Wild Life Management Best Practices

Tiger Conservation & Wild Life Management Best Practices 1. Establishment of temporary patrolling camps systems in Buffer area of PTR. 2. Villages motivation and awareness programme. 3. Monitoring of collared Tigers. 4. Vaccination of doges in PRT area.

Establishment of Temporary Patrolling Camps Systems in Buffer Area of PTR.

Temporary Patrolling Camps S. No. Range No. of Temporary Camp 1. Panna Core 08 2. Gahrighat 03 3. Madla 05 4. Chandranagar 07 5. Panna Gangau Sanctuary 04 6. Ken Ghariyal Sanctuary 01 7. Panna Buffer 08 8. Amanganj 05 9. Kishangarh Buffer 36 10. Madiyado 09 Total 86 Panna Tiger Reserve 137

Result  Forest staff and camp-labour do patrolling in forest area and halt at temporary patrolling camps.  Number of forest offence, fire incidence, wildlife offence has reduced extremely.

Tiger Conservation & Wild Life Management Best Practices

Villages Motivation and Awareness Programme.

Motivation & Awareness Programme of Forest Villages S.No. Range Name of Village Date 01 Amanganj Buffer Koni 01-02-2019 02 Majholi 02-02-2019 03 Katari 06-02-2019 04 Bilhta 07-02-2019 05 Panna Buffer Dobha 13-02-2019 06 Akola 14-02-2019 07 Kota Gunjapur 20-02-2019 08 Jardhova 21-02-2019 138 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

09 Panna Buffer Ranipur 27-02-2019 10 Khajuri 28-02-2019 11 Panna Buffer Dahlanchauki 06-03-2019 12 Kudar 07-03-2019 13 Panna Gangau Sanctuary Darera 12-03-2019 14 Madiyan 13-03-2019 15 Bador/Kaimasan 14-03-2019 16 Hinouta Hinouta 21-03-2019 Panna Tiger Reserve 139

Result  Villagers do forest patrolling with field staff.  Villagers has left to do forest and wildlife offences.  There is no conflict between villagers, forest staff and wildlife.

Villagers Patrolling with Staff 140 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Monitoring of collared Tigers.

Collar Tiger Monitoring (24 × 7 basis security monitoring) A. By VHF Collar System B. By Camera Trap Method C. By Drone Tiger Monitoring Collard Tiger 1. Tiger T–1 Female 2. Tiger T–2 Female 3. Tiger T–3 Male 4. Tiger T–7 Male 5. Tiger P–111 Male 6. Tiger P–141 Female 7. Tiger P–142 Female 8. Tiger P–222 Female 9. Tiger P–213 Female 10. Tiger P–433 Female Panna Tiger Reserve 141

E-bird Technology for Tiger Conservation: Development and Integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as a Surveillance and Monitoring Tool for Protection of Tiger and Capacity Building of Frontline Staff

Vulture Sighting at Sakro and Dhundwa

Good Management Practices Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 144 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Water Management Practices

Construction of Tank Soil & Moisture Conservation

Check dam and Nala Bandhan Hand Pump

Handpump with Saucer

Doh Jhiriya Pench Tiger Reserve 145

Construction of Dyke Construction of Dyke

Water filling in Jhirya with Water Tanker Junewani Talab

Junewani Talab shows like Star Solar Pump at Junewani Talab

Magarkatha Talab 2018-19 Magarkatha Talab 2018-19 146 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Identified Illegal Fishing Villages

Chhindwara District 1. Surrewani 2. Pathra 3. Kokiwada 4. Pulpuldoh 5. Marjatpur 6. Doodhgaon 7. Kadhiya 8. Deori 9. Thuyepani 10. Mohgaon 11. Gumtara 12. Jamtara 13. Singardeep 14. Bordi 15. Silota 16. Khamarpani 17. Sanwri 18. . Dongargaon 19. Chargaon 1. Tikadi 2. Paraspani 3. Vijaypani 4. Kohka 5. Kothar 6. Teliya 7. Khamba 8. Ambadi 9. Khamreeth Pench Tiger Reserve 147

Anti-fishing Patrolling Camp ¾¾ Koylasur ¾¾ Kormatta ¾¾ Peerbaba ¾¾ Chhindimatta ¾¾ Piyorthadi ¾¾ Kursimatta ¾¾ Ghoghra ¾¾ Golpahadi ¾¾ Chhindewani ¾¾ Chhikhkalhari 148 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Illegal Fishing Inside PA

Joint Operation by Pench MP & MH In special drive following material was seized from Totladoh reservoir and destroyed

Boats 207 Nos. Nets 14277 Nos. Truck Tubes 59 Nos. Plastic Cans 420 Nos. Motor Cycle 05 Nos. Joint Patrolling Meeting Pench Tiger Reserve 149

Control of Illegal Fishing 1. Anti fishing Camp at strategic Points - 10 2. Regular Patrolling by foot and by boat 3. Patrolling by Tiger Protection Force 4. Joint Patrolling by MP and Maharashtra Pench team 5. Prosecution of offenders 6. Monitoring of Court Cases – ACF Incharge 7. Alternate employments of Fishermen

Pench Mitra

Good Management Practises Sanjay Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 152 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Dog Squad/ Anti-Poaching Unit ¾¾ Dog Squad cum Anti poaching unit was introduced in Sanjay Tiger Reserve in year 2017. ¾¾ Actively working in connecting forest division also like Shahdol, Umaria, Katni, Singrauli. ¾¾ Dog squad has cracked 14 cases of poaching in Sanjay TR till now & 22 cases overall. ¾¾ Dog squad have been used in solving cases of Tiger, leopard, sloth , chital, and crocodile. Sanjay Tiger Reserve 153

Capture and Translocation of Chital (axis axis) from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve to Sanjay Tiger Reserve

Prey-base Augmentation through Chital Translocaton ¾¾ Ensuring a good distribution of prey-base for the tiger in the Reserve through prey augmentation ¾¾ Habitat improvement ¾¾ Permission for translocation of 2400 chital from MP forest Dept. and NTCA is already granted ¾¾ Regular population supplementation will lead to the exponential growth of herbivore population in reserve area. 154 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Wild Elephant Management

Migratory Route of Elephants [2002-2019]

Dog Squad/ Anti-Poaching Unit ¾¾ Management of wild elephants: ¾¾ There is no resident breeding population of elephants, but elephant herds of various sizes visit the and adjoining areas at regular intervals. ¾¾ During their visit they remained confined to the bamboo forests of the ¾¾ National Park and after a reasonably peaceful stay. However, every visit of theirs creates a major law and order issue as they raid agricultural crop and other property. ¾¾ A long-term strategy needs to be drawn in order to manage their visit with prior preparedness to minimize the loss to life and property. Sanjay Tiger Reserve 155

Rescue of Five Wild Elephant’s from Forest Division September 2018

Good Management Practices Satpura Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 158 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Introduction ¾¾ Satpura Tiger reserve is the largest protected area of Madhya Pradesh located in the Satpura hill ranges south of river Narmada. ¾¾ Satpura word derives from Sanskrit word meaning sat is seven and pura means Mountains. Satpura Tiger Reserve 159 160 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Status of Village Relocation

No. of Villages Area After relocation Villages Villages existed earlier Villages Relocated Remained Core 43 36 7 Buffer 55 10 45 Total 98 46 52

Out of 46 villages, 6 villages relocated from Satpura National Park, 19 from sanc- tuary (02 from inside PA Buffer) , 16 from Bori sanctuary (03 from inside PA Buffer) and 05 from Buffer area. 11 Villages are denotified and 28 villages are to be kept inside enclosure as per Hon supreme court descision vide order no 12-08-2013

Option wise Total number of Units

3730 CAMPA Fund 5109 State Fund Total Option-I Option-II Option-I Option-II Option-I Option-II Option-I Option-II 484 596 250 289 2480 515 3214 1400 Grand Total - 4614 Relocation Options

¾¾ Option I – All Cash – 10 lakhs per relocation unit. ¾¾ Option II – Land and Cash

Type Units % Option I Cash 3214 70% Option II Land to land 1400 30% Total 4614 100%

Type of village No. of Village Relocated Units Area Vacated Area Diverted For after relocation Relocation Revenue village 18 1451 4387.089 370.000 Forest village 28 3163 5601.151 2652.499 Total 46 4614 9988.24 3022.499 Satpura Tiger Reserve 161

Village Infrastructure Development

S.no. Name of work Total No. 01 School Building 18 02 Anganwadi Building 20 03 Community Building 08 04 Handpump 198 05 Solar Light 1249 06 Pond 23 07 Tubewell and Motar pump 632 08 Stop Dam 10 09 Health Center Building 02 10 Agriculture Land Development 2800 Hact 11 Electrification for Light and Irrigation 41 Villages 12 Cement concrete road in Relocated villages 32 Villages

Special Features ¾¾ JANBHAGIDARI YOJNA FROM DISTRICT PLANNING AND STATISTICS Construction of Cement concrete road, well, Rapta, Fencing, School building, Anganwadi building etc constructed From Janbhagidari Yojna Total No of works 35 Amount Expences 117 lakh. ¾¾ AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT- Sprinkler pipe, insecticide spray pump and better seeds provide to the relocated villagers under Anudan Scheme. ¾¾ HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT - Drip Irrigation system, Fruit plants, vegitable seed kit provide to relocated villagers under Anudan Scheme. ¾¾ PANCHAYAT DEPARTMENT - Construction of tank, playground, cattle shed, toilets, well constructed by Rojgar gaurantee scheem. ¾¾ UJJAWALA YOJNA - Provide gas cylinder to relocated families. ¾¾ MIXED PACKAGE - Most Of the villages in Satpura Tiger Reserve relocated with an appropriate mix of option 1 & option 2 which enables the STR authority for a smooth and attractive relocation ¾¾ WORKS WITH OTHER AGENCIES • N.G.Os - RBS Foundation & Indian Grameen Services – adopted 12 Villages with 2.1 crore • Reliance Foundation’s Bharat India Jodo (BIJ) Initiative – adopted 7 Villages • Donation of winter clothes to children by local NGO • Involvement of agencies like local Security Paper Mill Energy to provide solar street lights at relocated sites 162 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Reasons for Successful Relocation in STR ¾¾ Hybrid relocation package ¾¾ Involvement of NGO’s ¾¾ Strong monitoring by Senior Officers ¾¾ Involvement of all the development departments ¾¾ Development works in Option I villages ¾¾ Continuous Hand Holding Advantage of Relocation ¾¾ Development of New Grasslands About 9988.24 Hact. ¾¾ Development of Inviolate Areas ¾¾ Development of Habitate ¾¾ Control in Poching Cases

CS/PS/PCCF/FD Meeting with Villagers

Construction of House by Villagers at Relocated Site Satpura Tiger Reserve 163

Village Development Works

Community Centre Ratibandar

School & Kitchen shed Village Mana

Construction of Handpump for Drinking Water 164 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Electricity & Development Works in Relocated Villages

Prosperity after relocation

Land levelling, agricultural land development works, provisioning of irrigation Fecilities etc. has shown valuable results Satpura Tiger Reserve 165

Water Source Development

Pond Construction Mallupura - 1 Pond Construction Mallupura - 2

The Relocated Villagers Got Apportunities to Start Vegitable and Fruit Shop in Market

Better Education for the Relocated children 166 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Development of Grasslands After Relocation Good Management Practices Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 168 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

WildlifeWildlife Crime Cell Cell

History: ¾¾ In 2013 Melghat Tiger Reserve has started Wildlife Crime Cell ¾¾ In 2015 Home Department of Maharashtra State delegates powers to access cyber data from 2nd July, 2015. ¾¾ In 2019 Chief Wildlife Worden, Maharashtra state recruited 6 forest guards as a permanent staff for Wildlife Crime Cell. Convictions: ¾¾ 4 convictions in Tiger poaching cases ¾¾ 2 convictions in Gaur poaching cases Cyber Data: ¾¾ Cyber data has been provided in 150+ wildlife poaching cases across India specially in Maharashtra state. Staff: ¾¾ 1 DFO and 6 Forest Guards Training: ¾¾ All staff has been trained in cyber data and wildlife crimes. ¾¾ 12 months rigours training at Superintendent of Police, Commissioner of Police and Maharashtra Intelligence Academy, MIA, . Melghat Tiger Reserve 169

Livelihood Initiatives: Since 2017-18

Institute Skill Duration of No of Youths training Trained Pratham Institute Hospitality 3 months 254 Food and Beverage 3 months Housekeeping Pace Automotive Training, Automotive Training 3 months 45 Confederation of Indian Hero -two wheeler mechanic 3 months 51 Industry CII, Chindwara L & T, Bar Bending and 3 months Masonry 1 month JCB - Backhoe Loader Operator Montfort Integrated Educa- Electrician, 3 months 330 tion Centre MIEC, Nagpur Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), 3 months Mechanic Refrigeration & AC, 3 months Welder 3 months Satpuda Foundation and 4 wheeler Driving 1 month 110 other local NGO’s TOTAL 790

Women Empowerment ¾¾ 8 stitching centres has been established ¾¾ 300 tribal women are trained in stitching cloth bags ¾¾ All women's are earning Rs 4000 -5000 per months Computer Training: ¾¾ 2 well equipped computer training centres are established ¾¾ 60 youths has been trained in various computer skill ¾¾ All trainees have been certified with MS –CIT

Livelihood Initiatives

¾¾ 4 wheel Vehicles are given to Tribal youth from the villages voluntary rehabilitated from core area, ¾¾ on subsidy basis (80 % of vehicle cost by govt, max upto 5 lakhs) ¾¾ Total 120 youth are benefitted, now they are earning 15k to 40 k per month as livelihood. ¾¾ Grants Received from Tribal Department of Maharashtra – 6 Crores 170 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Green School Programme

Activities under Green School Programme Slide Shows Bird Watching / Trekking Seminar Competition/Poster competitions Different awareness programmes Melghat Tiger Reserve 171

Nisarganubhav

“Nisarganubhav” is a special awareness programme for kids from MTR. 920 kids from 22 Ashram Shala (Residential School) participated in this programme. 172 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Other Initiatives

¾¾ Rehabilitation of villages from core area: • 22 villages out off 33 villages has been resettled from core area of Melghat Tiger Reserve. ¾¾ MSTrIPES Implementation: • MSTrIPES was started in Melghat Tiger Reserve in April 2017. Since then MSTriPES protocol is followed rigorously in ¾¾ all 4 divisions of Melghat

Foot Patrolling Vehicle Patrolling Total Patrolling Forest Guard 8,61,134.20 33,143.51 8,94,277.70 Forester 1,62,820.44 8,741.85 1,71,562.29 STPF 55,622.28 15,116.06 70,738.34 TOTAL 10,79,576.92 57,001.42 11,36,578.33 Good Management Practices Nawegaon - Nagzira Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 174 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

About Nawegaon - Nagzira Tiger Reserve The Nawegaon - Nagzira Tiger Reserve was declared as 46th Tiger Reserve of India on 12 December 2013 with core area (CTH) 653.66 km2. It is located in & Districts of Maharashtra State. The Nawegaon - Nagzira Tiger Reserve spreads over five protected areas viz. Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, Koka Wildlife Sanctuary, Nawegaon Wildlife Sanctuary and Nawegaon National Park. Around the core of Nawegaon - Nagzira Tiger Reserve an area of 1241.27 km2 was notified as buffer zone on th7 of September 2017. The Nawegaon - Nagzira Tiger Reserve landscape has connectivity with Kanha, Pench Madhya Pradesh, Pench Maharashtra, Tadoba-Andhari, Indravati in Chhattisgarh and Nagarjunsagar Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh. Kanha-Nawegaon-Tadoba-Indravati landscape of over 35,000 km2 with tenuous corridor connectivity is potentially connected and can continue to exist as a meta-population with restorative management.

The Gondia and Bhandara districts of Maharashtra state are known for natural as well as man made lakes. There are nearly 45 perennial lakes in the core & buffer zone of Nawegaon - Nagzira Tiger Reserve. Nawegaon - Nagzira Tiger Reserve 175

Details of success stories from Nawegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve are given below:

Sarus Crane Habitat Restoration Project Navegaonbandh Lake  It is located in the buffer zone of , NNTR. It was constructed 400 years ago by Kolu patil. The area in and around the lake is home to around 250 bird species. Migratory birds like Ruddy shelduck, Red creasted pochard, Nothern pintail, Eurasian wigeon, Bar headed geese, Greylag geese, Tufted duck, Garganey too visit the lake during winter. Salim Ali visited the lake in the year 1978 and appreciated the importance of this wetland. Periphery of the lake is around 18.80 km and the area under submergence is around 1200 ha.

Sarus Crane Habitat Restoration Project  Before 15 years sarus cranes used to visit navegaon bandh lake regularly. Ipomoea weed started infesting the periphery of the lake and replaced the native plants over a period of time. It was looking like a green desert in the periphery of the lake. No wild animal could get access to the water body except for few entry points. In the year 2017 ipomoea was removed over an area of half an acre on shramdan (volunteer) basis under the guidance of Shri. Ravikiran Govekar, the then Field Director. In 2018 it was decided to eradicate and restore the aquatic ecosystem in the area adjacent to core area of Navegaon National Park. 176 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Implementation of the Sarus Crane Habitat Restoration Project  On World Wildlife Day (3rd March 2018) and World Forestry Day (21st March 2018) a programme to create an awareness regarding the importance of removing ipomoea weed was organized. Local villagers and school children participated in the programme with enthusiasm. On shramdan basis ipomoea was removed over an area of 0.75 ha. involving forest department staff, villagers and school children.  Area adjoining core area of the Navegaon National Park is around 37 ha. Ipomoea eradication work started from the first week of April 2018 onwards with the aim to get it done before the onset of . Initially ipomoea was removed manually engaging labourers. They eradicated ipomoea by removing it using brush cutter machines. On an average, Ipomoea was found eradicated over an area of 0.2 to 0.3 ha per day.  It was learnt that ipomoea can’t be eradicated before the onset of monsoon rains. Then Mr. Chole, Forest Guard suggested to use tractor to remove ipomoea. With the help of plough attached to the tractor an increase in the rate of removal of ipomoea was noticed. Hence, it was decieded to eradicate ipomoea with the help of tractor.  After eradicating ipomoea, operations like ploughing followed by deep ploughing were carried out successively. Finally, ipomoea was successfully eradicated over an area of 90 ha. in the last week of April 2018.  To suppress the ipomoea from coming up again from the left over runners during monsoon season, native species Deodan (Wild rice), Khas grass, ghad were planted after first showers in the monsoon period. During rains wherever the ipomoea was found regenerating, they were removed manually.  After monsoon season, native species were found established very well. An enormous increase in Wildlife activity was noticed. In the camera traps fixed near the aquatic habitat restoration site, images of animals like sambar, , Indian gaur were found recorded. Sites of wallowing by herbivores were also observed in the ground.  Founding it successful, again an area of 40 ha under the administrative control of irrigation dept in buffer zone was selected and ipomoea was eradicated in the year 2019. Thus an area of 77 ha. in the periphery of Navegaon bandh lake has been made free of ipomoea as on today.  The site was visited by Shri. Pravin Pardeshi, the then ACS to Honble CM, Maharashtra, Shri. Vikas kharge, Principal Secretary to Honourable CM & Principal Secretary, Forest and Shri. Nitin Kakodkar, PCCF (Wildlife), Maharashtra State. All of them appreciated the work executed under Sarus habitat restoration project in a short period of time.Aquatic ecosystem was restored successfully under Sarus crane habitat restoration project thanks to the fund sanctioned under CSS Project Tiger. Nawegaon - Nagzira Tiger Reserve 177 178 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Van Adhyapak  With an objective to create awareness among the school children, the concept of Van adhyapak (“forest teacher”) was conceptualized by Shri. Ravikiran Govekar, the then Field Director. Selected forest guards were given training on how to interact with and make presentation before the school children and create awareness on the importance of forest and wildlife.  In the last two years the concept remained dormant. In order to make it functional, van adhyapaks were selected on their own willingness and they were given two days training by Shri. Sanjay Karkare, Assistant Director, BNHS, Nagpur. All five protected areas in NNTR were supplied with laptop and projector. In the last three months Van adhyapaks conducted awareness programmes in the schools in large number. Nawegaon - Nagzira Tiger Reserve 179

“Maha-Pench! Tigers in the Heart of India”

Good Management Practices Pench & Bor Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 182 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Retrofitting Measures

Safeguarding Corridors: Animal Underpasses Over NH-44

Ensuring Connectivity Across the Landscape Pench Tiger Reserve 183

Mitigation Structure

Underpass & its Enrichment 184 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Pench TR-Tipeshwar & Kawal-Adilabad Interstate Corridor Monitoring, May 2019 Pench Tiger Reserve 185

Active Management : Re-wilding of orphaned female cub, PK-T1-C2

Tiger Enclosure 186 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Numbers Total Camera 1. Site: Titaralmangi in East Pench PTZ 6 Camera Type Tiger Reserve Standard 13 2. Area of Enclosure: 5.1 Ha camera 3. Enclosure 1: 0.25 Ha. 4. Enclosure 2: 0.35 Ha. 5. Enclosure 3: 3.2 Ha 6. Well equipped enclosure

18-02-2018 Early December 2018 Pench Tiger Reserve 187

22-12-2018 22-12-2018

Precautions taken During Rewilding 1. Ensuring minimum human Imprinting 2. Minimum conditioning & habituation 3. Live bait schedule/no changed (temporal & Spatial) 4. Review & decision making committee for the project in the beginning.

Tiger Conservation through Livelihood Generation Three Years of Hospitality Training Course at Pench

Good Management Practices Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 190 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Environmental Considerations RBI Grade 81, in addition to reducing the depletion of natural resources, offers significant environmental benefits over conventional stabilisation methods. Documented in various 3rd party life-cycle analysis, RBI Grade 81 has been cited numerous times for its environmental burden reduction profile."

RBI Grade 81 Road

Dr. Shyamaprasad Mukharji Jan Van Vikas Yojana

¾¾ 100% LPG gas distribution in buffer villages. ¾¾ Workshop center on cloth bag and paper bags. ¾¾ Distribution of solar street light, solar home lights. ¾¾ Distribution of Poultry cage unit. ¾¾ Distribution of honey comb boxes and honey collections. ¾¾ Distribution of traditional rice variety seeds. ¾¾ Livelihood upliftment of village people.."

Total 52 Buffer Villages are under Jan Van Vikas Yojana. Sahyadri Tiger Reserve 191

Livelihood Initiatives

100 % LPG Distribution Distribution of Solar Cookers

Distribution of Solar Water Heater

Honey Collection Boxes Distribution

Livelihood Initiatives

Poultry Birds for Livelihood Training for Cloth Bag Making

Training for Paper Bag Making 192 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Training on Organic Farming

Livestock Immunization Program

Medical Camp for Buffer villagers Sahyadri Tiger Reserve 193

E-surveillance PTZ Camera Drone Camera

A pan–tilt–zoom camera (PTZ camera) is a camera that is capable of remote directional and zoom control.

Bhramanti app

Good Management Practices Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 196 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Community Solar Water Heaters (21169 LPG Connections, 181268 refills)

Community Solar Water Heaters (21169 LPG Connections, 181268 refills) Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve 197

E Vehicles

Paperless Entry and Digital Payment for Safari

We Discourage the use of Mobiles During Safari 198 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Transit Treatment Center and RRT with foundation Good Management Practices Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 200 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Best Practices

Intelligence/Informer Network 1. Established secret informers in all the fringe villages 2. Provide Useful Tip about wildlife offences etc 3. Suitable incentives given to the Secret informers by way Cash/kind such as Mobile phone top-up 4. About half of the Wildlife offence cases were detected from the information of secret informers 5. YMA (active NGO ) members in all the fringe villages took active part.

Tiger Protection Force on Patrolling Dampa Tiger Reserve 201

Special Protection Efforts

¾¾ Regular beat level inspection by ROs, & ACF as per an approved beat inspection roaster. ¾¾ Combing operations in sensitive 500 sq. km. Area involving 30-35 range level staff is done once in every fortnight. ¾¾ Special surveillance on members of a particular nearby village tribes. ¾¾ Special Joint patrolling with NGO, Police personnel & BSF.

Joint Patrolling of BSF with Tiger Protection Force: At Borders

Monitoring Activities ¾¾ Guards Collect Evidences of Big Cats wherever found ¾¾ Record Sightings of all Wild Animals in Patrolling Registers / Daily Observation Diary ¾¾ Details – Species, Numbers, Age, Sex, Place, Time, Weather, Terrain, Activity, Herd Constitution

Good Management Practices Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Odisha

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 204 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Mahanadi Gorge The waterbody covering the entire stretch of 18.64 Kms. of gorge within the core and the forest area of the core covering up to 250 m from the bank of the river on either side will constitute this unique habitat zone.

Gharial Recovery Project in - 2019 Aim is to develop a sustainable population of gharials in river Mahanadi. While release of Nandankanan bred hatchlings (of 2015) in the River Mahanadi and post release monitoring by VHF transmitters, the project intends to ensure complete protection of habitat in Satkosia Gorge area. It intends 1. To regulate fishing activity outside TR area. 2. To monitor the stability of bars in the river 3. To safeguard the animal trails and routes leading to the river. 4. To ensure cooperation of local population through awareness generation Satkosia Tiger Reserve 205

Project Timeline

35 Numbers of Gharials to be Released

JULY NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2019 2019 2020 2021 Pilot release of Phase-I Release Phase-II Release Phase-III Release Five Gharials Release of 10 gharial Release of 10 gharial Release of 10 gharial

TILL MARCH 2023 Release of 5 Numbers of Tagged Gharials

The gharials were released on 20th July 2019 at Sunakhania Post Release Monitoring

¾¾ The gharials (5 nos.) released fitted with transmitter. ¾¾ Tracking has done by the research fellow along with Tiger reserve staffs to record its movement, behaviour, habitat utilization and their survival.

Good Management Practices Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 208 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha

¾¾ Similipal is one of the oldest & largest TR (2750 sq. km) ¾¾ Core- 1194.75 sq. km & Buffer- 1555.25 sq. km ¾¾ 210 Beats, 89 Sections & 21 Ranges ¾¾ 2 WL & 3 Territorial Divisions ¾¾ Part of TR, BR & ER ¾¾ Home to 70% tiger and 25% elephants of Odisha ¾¾ Only home of unique melanistic tigers ¾¾ Forest composition dominated by deciduous Sal forest Similipal Tiger Reserve 209

Forest Fire Points (MODIS & VIIRS-SNPP)

2013 2016 2019 MODIS MODIS, VIIRS-SNPP MODIS,VIIRS-SNPP (6/ 24 hrs) Fax, e-Mail  VHF e-Mail, SMS  VHF +NASA-FIRMS,WAVHF Inadequate manpower Better manpower Adequate manpower Manual fire fighting Manual fire fighting Leaf blower per APC Mobility issues Better mobility Adequate mobility Low funding Better funding Avenza App, MSTrIPES mobile 210 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves Similipal Tiger Reserve 211

Forest Fire Points (HQ to Beat/APC/TMC) 212 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

MSTrIPES Patrolling in Similipal Tiger Reserve

¾¾ Started from August, 2018 ¾¾ Previous experience with Hejje & GPS PDA ¾¾ 170 MSTrIPES mobiles ¾¾ Offline mode patrol ¾¾ MPRs submitted since August 2018 ¾¾ Raw data synchronization ¾¾ Last database updated on 01-11-2019 ¾¾ Beat level incentivization WAY FORWARD ¾¾ 100% beat coverage ¾¾ Night patrol mapping ¾¾ Standardized MPR & APR ¾¾ Phase-4 Monitoring Good Management Practices Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 214 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Area 759.99 sq km

Eco-Friendly Diwali Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve 215

Lantana Removal by Monkey Jack

Eviction of Grazing Camps 216 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

LPG Gas Connection Distribution

¾¾ As a drive, more than 10000 LPG gas connections distributed among the villagers in MHTR fringe villages in order to reduce their dependency on forest areas for firewood.

Advance Wildlife Survillance System ‘E-Eye’

¾¾ 5 Towers fitted with high definition video cameras have been erected at strategic locations ¾¾ Camp room where the camera feeds are continuously monitored ¾¾ Effective in keeping overall surveillance of the area and fire incidences reporting Good Management Practices Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 218 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Management Practices of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve

Enclosure For Wildlife ¾¾ An enclosure is constructed in Bhid area of Talra range for the tigers which are injured or involved in human-wildlife conflict. ¾¾ This enclosure have been constructed in 2 hectare area, it also have a separate “kraal” to treat injured wild animals. ¾¾ The tiger T-104, which was responsible for human deaths nearby the tiger reserve is the first tiger to arrive in it. The department is planning to construct more such enclosures for problem tigers if the need arisen.

Advance Wildlife Survillance System (The e-Eye) ¾¾ Department has installed, “the wildlife surveillance and anti poaching system” which aimed at effective monitoring and surveillance of tigers and other wildlife. It also ensure effective identification of poaching and check on trespassing. ¾¾ It has Cutting-edge thermal sensing/ thermo graphic capabilities with remote zoom with high definition video recording, powered by solar panel, that helps in 24×7 monitoring in the protected areas. ¾¾ These cameras are been established on high points of sensitive areas in tiger reserve, so that it can easily monitor any kind of activity. Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve 219

¾¾ This is first of it’s kind pro tech system which is the first ever 24×7 surveillance and anti poaching system established in Rajasthan. ¾¾ This camera continuously records all kind of human-wildlife activities happening in the park during day & night at 360⁰. ¾¾ The local control room is connected to each and every cameras which alert sanctuary officers in case of any incidents and connected to SSO Id’s of respected CCF & DCF, the system also provides various reports to analyze movement patterns of wildlife species with special reference of Tiger, Leopard and other co-predators. 220 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Meta Population of Tigers in Western-Indian Tiger Landscape ¾¾ Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve is a source population in Western-Indian tiger landscape of India. ¾¾ The reserve holds a good capacity of tiger numbers thus, it is working as a meta-population for the Western-Indian tiger landscape, 12 tigers already been translocated to Sariska TR and Mukundara TR from here and planning to translocate more tigers in those areas in future.

Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation ¾¾ Ranthambhore Tiger reserve has a team specially to mitigate & monitor the human- wildlife conflict. ¾¾ This team consist expert tracker with trained guards, volunteer of nearby villages, whenever they got any news related to conflict in peripheral areas of reserve, they respond immediately with all the needed equipments. ¾¾ Whenever an incident of conflict occurs they are appointed there & stays there to monitor the movement of conflict-animal and continuously shares the information to monitoring cell and aware the villagers as well. ¾¾ The Forest Department shares the information regularly to the administration and Superintendent of Police (S.P.) Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve 221

A Frontline staff team with their mobile tent in Faria village (peripherial village) to monitor the problematic tigers. Grassland and Weed Management ¾¾ Management of invasive weedy plants are being done by department which includes works like – removal of Prosopis juliflora and cutting of Cassia tora. This helps in developing of grass rich areas for herbivores.

Stages of Cassia Tora

(BEFORE) (AFTER)

Good Management Practices Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 224 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Conservation Challenges ¾¾ Large extent of CTH is exposed to heavy anthropogenic pressures: • Illegal Grazing • Wood Cutting • Mining ¾¾ 308 religious structures, majority of which are encroachment on forest lands and invite more human interventions. ¾¾ Fragmentation of the tiger habitat due to various road networks inside the STR boundary. ¾¾ Protection and management issues due to lack of human and financial resources which expose park to poaching, encroachments and mining activities.

24×7 Monitoring of Tigers Sariska Tiger Reserve 225

Modus Operandi ¾¾ 12 (day), 12 (night), 1 (emergency) monitoring parties (Total=25) ¾¾ Tiger monitoring party comprising of a forest guard and a field assistant (Local) is constituted for each individual adult/sub-adult tiger ¾¾ Party tracks the tiger and reports its evidence & location on hourly basis to control room ¾¾ During daytime monitoring is carried out on motorbikes and at night by four wheelers ¾¾ Daily Tiger Monitoring Update is provided to DCF STR and CCF&FD STR at 11:00 AM ¾¾ Camera Traps are also deployed in each concerned tiger’s territory for more accurate evidences.

Methodology No evidence for Day 1 ! Party reports following type of evidences No evidence for Day 2 @ depending on the movement of the tigers: No evidence for Day 3 # ¾¾ Direct Sighting No evidence for Day 4 $ ¾¾ Radio Signal (for collared tigers) No evidence for Day 5 (or onwards) % ¾¾ Pugmarks ¾¾ Scat / Scratch Marks ¾¾ Vocalization 226 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves Good Management Practices Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 228 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Best Practices Followed in ATR for Improving Effectiveness of Management

1. Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation Measures in Valparai area-Technological interventions -Elephant Information Network 2. Camera trapping as a tool for strengthening protection 3. Tribal School for sowing seeds of conservation early and reviving the symbiotic relationship of yore 4. Attakatti Training Centre for skilling and sensitising 5. Anamalais Orchidarium -an ex- situ conservatory of wild orchids of the Anamalais

Human-Elephant Coexistence: Potential Benefits of Technological Interventions Anamalai Tiger Reserve 229

To Mitigate Human Elephant Conflict

¾¾ Need for ‘early/timely intimation’ ¾¾ Requirement of ‘risk reduction’ warning systems ¾¾ Proactive involvement and sharing responsibility

“Elephant Information Network”

Scroll Message in Local TV About Elephant Movement

¾¾ Conveying information about elephant presence in Local TV channels ¾¾ 5000 TV connections present in Valparai plateau ¾¾ Direct beneficiaries: ~20,000 people 230 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

SMS Alert

From July 2011 Over 4800 mobile phone numbers covering ~ 25,000 people con- nected April 2017- March 2018 7,48,400 text Messages with an average of 2,200 text messages /day 6,48,073 alert calls were sent out to peo- ple mobile phones April 2018- March 2019 8,51,219 text Messages with an average of 1,167 messages /day 4,84,676 alert calls were sent out to peo- ple mobile phones ¾¾ SMS Messages for people residing in Valparai ¾¾ 76% of messages delivered ¾¾ 24% of undelivered messages because unreachable or inbox full Anamalai Tiger Reserve 231 EARLY WARNING LIGHT ALERT SYSTEM IN HIGH CONFLICT AREAS Mobile-Operated Elephant Alert Placed in Vantage Locations

Early Warning Light Alert System with Audio 232 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

New Initiatives

Elephant Alerts Over Voice Calls ¾¾ Started in October 2015 ¾¾ Recorded messages played on mobile phones when calls are attended ¾¾ 4400 people receive calls ¾¾ Total No. of calls sent out: 219,262 over a period of 2 years ¾¾ Average no. calls: 1218 calls/day Monitoring of Hornbills and Feeding Ecology - NCF

SMS Based Bus Broadcast Systems

Experimental Initiative in Public Transport ¾¾ First time TN State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) involved in elephant conservation ¾¾ Started on 22 January 2016 ¾¾ Simple user friendly system with android phones and speakers ¾¾ Six buses plying on six major routes ¾¾ Covers 70% of Valparai plateau ¾¾ Announcements in Tamil

SMS Based Bus Broadcast Systems Good Management Practices Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 234 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve – An Introduction

¾¾ Established in 1988 ¾¾ First declared Tiger Reserve in the State of Tamil Nadu ¾¾ 17th Tiger Reserve in India ¾¾ Comprises of 2 administrative divisions namely Ambasamudram and Kalakad.

Anti-depredation Squad

¾¾ Human wildlife conflicts not major issues in KMTR. ¾¾ Incidents do occur during the harvest seasons along the eastern boundary of the TR. ¾¾ Straying of wild elephants - reported in the banana fields near Kalakad, paddy fields near Ambasamudram etc ¾¾ Sambar, stray out into fruit orchards and vegetable farm lands ¾¾ Occasional cattle lifting by Leopard reported in Kadayam Range ¾¾ Anti-depredation squad - volunteers from the respective VFCs ¾¾ Helpful in driving back strayed out wildlife & accompany night patrols during conflict incidents Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve 235

Interstate Boundary Perambulation

¾¾ Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve shares 56 km of Interstate Boundary with the State of Kerala. ¾¾ Regular patrolling and meeting of staff of adjoining interstate divisions ¾¾ Interstate co-ordination committee meeting is conducted regularly ¾¾ Special Interstate patrolling is carried out as a part of regular patrolling

APCCF & FD Carrying Out Inter-state Boundary Inspection

Innovative Patrolling Strategy-Solar Boat

¾¾ Solar boat introduced in KMTR for patrolling purpose ¾¾ First innovative initiative attempted in Tamil Nadu ¾¾ Environmental friendly alternative for polluting diesel boats 236 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Charging time – 12 hrs. Running time – 6 hrs.

Sensitization of Field Staff

¾¾ Apart from the default training programs on wildlife monitoring specialized sensitization programmes in collaboration with local Non-governmental organizations and Advanced Wildlife Research Instt., Chennai on various contexts listed below were conducted for frontline staff to acquire additional knowledge. ¾¾ Research studies carried out in the Tiger Reserve, ¾¾ Endemic and endangered fish diversity, ¾¾ Pteridophyte and other floral identification, ¾¾ Grassland management, ¾¾ Genetic sample collection

Floral identification training Fern identification Genetic sample training collection training Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve 237

Kayal - Fresh Water Fish Interpretation Center

¾¾ An indoor facility established in Papanasam exhibiting the rare and endemic fish diversity of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve ¾¾ Prime objective of the project is to create awareness about the endemic & Endangered freshwater fishes of Tamirabarani basin and the conservation of endemic & endangered fresh water fish and ecosystem of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

Endemic Fishes of KMTR

Haludaria Kannikattiensis Dawkinsis Tambraparaniei

Garra Kalakadensis Horalabiosa Joshuai 238 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Neolissochilus Tamiraparaniensis

Digitalization of VFCs

¾¾ Digitalization of Village forest committee (VFC) accounts and record maintenance facilitate • Easy access, • Transparency and • Proper maintenance of records (Entire details of 263 VFCs, 1025 Micro VFCs and 25726 VFC members are available in the web portal) ¾¾ Resulting in nurturing and strengthening the Village Forest Committees to the next level

Screen shots of http://www.bcrlip.org.BfCRLIP Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve 239

Coaching for Competitive Exams

¾¾ Training for various competitive exams are being offered to educate youths of the VFCs in the fringe villages and tribal EDCs

Competitive Exam No Trained Forest Guard 50 Forest Watcher 30

Energy Conservation

¾¾ LEDs decrease the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in our atmosphere and help off-set global warming. ¾¾ 2115 LED bulbs offered to 1328 beneficiaries in the Eco Development villages under the Special Area development Program (SADP), Government of Tamil Nadu ¾¾ Approximately 158.7 KW of energy is saved per day

LED Bulbs Distributed to the VFC Members

Good Management Practices Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India

242 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Solar Electricity in APC Well Facilitated Anti Poaching Camps in MTR Camps Poaching Anti Facilitated Well

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve 243 Forest Watcher Exam - Free Coaching Classes Coaching Exam - Free Watcher Forest 244 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Mr. Srinivas R.Reddy, I.F.S., CCF & FD, MTR Explaining Habitat Management, Importance of Vayal Areas and Protection Strategies Followed in Forest and PAs

Mr. Sundara Rajan, ACF, MTR. Explaining about the Salient Hon’ble Judges Discussing About the Various Occurrences in Features of Flora and Fauna the Forests During Field Visit Procedural Aspects of Trials Relating to Forest and Wildlife Offences by High Court Judges

Hon'ble Mr. Justice P.N. Prakash, Judge, High Court Hon'ble Mr. Justice N. Sathish kumar, Judge, High Court of of Madras/Member, Board of Governors, TNSJA Madras/Member, Board of Governors, TNSJA Mudumalai Tiger Reserve 245

Hon'ble Mr. Justice M.Govindaraj, Judge, Hon'ble Mr. Justice M.S.Ramesh, Judge, High Court of Madras High Court of Madras Inter-state meeting neighboring Protected area (Karnataka and Kerala) 246 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Coordination with the neighboring state (Karnataka and Kerala) during Fire Season

Procurement of a Bolero Camper for tourism purpose from Hatsun Agro Products, Chennai

One Maruthi Suzuki Gypsy for Tourism Purpose and Laundry Machine for washing the cloths of the Rest houses and dormitories through Eco-Development Committees donated by K.V Prasad, Bangalore Mudumalai Tiger Reserve 247

Theppakaadu Elephant Camp

¾¾ First Elephant Camp in Asia. ¾¾ Theppakadu Elephant Camp was established in 1927. ¾¾ There are presently 27 captive elephants (including 7 females) in the camp.

Rescue of Wild Elephants - VINAYAKA

Good Management Practices Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 250 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Core Zone & Buffer Zone of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

Protection Strategy ¾¾ 150 Anti Poaching watchers engaged ¾¾ 25 Permanent Camps are functioning ¾¾ Patrolling • SMART patrol • Daily patrol • Festival and holiday patrol • Special combing operations • Snare detection patrol ¾¾ Field gears are provided to all front line staff ¾¾ Rations are being provided to all APW’s. ¾¾ Regular trainings are conductedNight patrol mapping ¾¾ Standardized MPR & APR ¾¾ Phase-4 Monitoring Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 251

Antipoaching Camps - STR

Protection Activities ¾¾ Night Ride ¾¾ Temporary Anti-poaching Camps ¾¾ Day long trekking. ¾¾ Mstripes Monitoring ¾¾ Interstate boundary perambulation. 252 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Trainings to the APW’s

SMART patrolling Training Combat Strategy Operations - Training Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 253

Weeds in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

Prosopis Lantana

Cassia Spectabilis Opuntia Removal of Invasive Alien Species

1. The habitat of STR is severely stressed by the occupation and expansion of invasive alien species. 2. Prosopis juliflora and Lantana camera are the two major invasive species found in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. 254 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Digging of Elephant Proof Trenches (EPT)

Construction of Percolation Pond

Before After

Construction of Percolation pond at Karuvannarayar pallam in Range 2016-2017 Pinch Period Activity Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 255

Best Practices

Pulikutties ¾¾ To develop the tribal & forest dependents children education quality in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve recently started tribal and forest dependents children education development programme namely Pulikutties. ¾¾ Totally 12 Pulikutties education programme were successfully running in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and 409 students were being benefited day by day. 256 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Green Bannari Mission

Green Bannari Mission ¾¾ Bannari Amman temple is one of the famous Amman temples in Tamil Nadu and it is located in Bannari on NH 209 in Sathyamangalam Taluk which is very nearest to the RF boundary of STR. ¾¾ Lakhs of devotees visits this temple regularly. Its lead to create pollution along boundary due to mass human population and their plastic using habits. ¾¾ To avoid completely plastic tension and their usages in the RF zone at Bannari, the Green Bannari Mission was initiated by STR, . ¾¾ The many Massive plastic awareness campaign and Plastic cleaning campaign has been conducted in Bannari zone with assistance of NGO’s, Publics and students. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 257

Monthly Newsletter “வரிகள்” “Varigal”:

STR have been prepared & released by the monthly special magazine in the name of “வரிகள்” to promote the foundation & create awareness among the publics about Wildlife Conservation and Importance. 258 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Bannari Road Traffic Regulation

Bannari Road Traffic Regulation ¾¾ 9 km ghat road on the National Highway with 27 hairpin bends. ¾¾ Meeting with District Collector, and Field Visit by Collector. ¾¾ Regulation of traffic by banning night traffic and imposing entry fee for vehicles. ¾¾ Published in District Gazettee on 23.11.2018. ¾¾ Banned vehicle movement from 1st January 2019. Good Management Practices Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Telangana

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 260 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

LOCATION MAP

TELANGANA STATE Anamalai Tiger Reserve 261

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT 262 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Uprooters of Lantana Anamalai Tiger Reserve 263

Seed Collection

Seed Drying

Seed Bagging and Storage 264 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Wild Fruit Bearing Plants

Good Water Management Practices

Permenant Major Water Sources ¾¾ River Krishna and its back water from Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar Dams. ¾¾ Important streams/lakes like Rusulacheruvu, Nallavagu, Manpadda vagu, Buggavagu, Kakileti vagu, Pogasurivagu, Makkaleru, and Yemulapayavagu Palamkolvagu flow in Nagarkurnool District. ¾¾ Dindi River flows between Nalgonda & Nagarkurnool Districts. • Springs/waterfalls i.e., Mallelatheertham, Loddi, Saleshwaram, Gundam, Gadeshwaram, Gummiloddi, Bugga Vagu. Anamalai Tiger Reserve 265

Stream Network

Soft Release of Mouse deer ¾¾ IUCN guidelines for reintroductions and other conservation translocations - followed as per the pre-& soft release protocol. ¾¾ In collaboration with CCMB. ¾¾ Reintroduction: The Soft Releasing of Mouse deer started on 12.09.17. Till now, 11 releases done. Summer months are avoided. ¾¾ Male: female ratio-2:6. ¾¾ Three phases– • I- Phase-less area and artificial feed given/(7) days • II- Phase-Area increased and artificial feed reduced/(7) days • III- Phase–Area further increased, No artificial feed/ (7) days. ¾¾ Night time activity is monitored daily with 10 Nos of CC Cameras and 25 Nos trap cameras inside and outside the enclosure. ¾¾ Fecal samples are collected & sent to VBRI for finding the digestive condition. 266 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Released into Soft Release Released into Wild Reason of casualty Site Date of Date of release release Batch No. No. of Males No. of Females Total No. of Males No. of Females Total I 12.09.2017 2 6 8 17.07.2018 2 5 7 Predated by raptor II 21.06.2018 4 6 10 17.07.2018 2 4 6 Predated by raptor III 23.07.2018 2 8 10 05.08.2018 1 6 7 Predator by raptor IV 13.08.2018 2 6 8 0 0 0 0 Predated by V 16.10.2018 2 6 8 06.11.2018 2 6 8 Released Successfully VI 24.11.2018 2 6 8 21.12.2018 2 6 8 Released Successfully VII 08.01.2019 2 6 8 03.02.2019 1 6 7 One male predated by raptor VIII 10.03.2019 2 5 8 09.04.2019 2 5 7 One female was dead while release into compartment IX 18.07.2019 2 6 8 17.08.2019 1 5 6 One male and one female natural dead X 21.08.2019 2 6 8 14.09.2019 0 4 4 One male and one female predated by raptor One male and one female natural dead XI 28.09.2019 2 6 8 23.10.2019 2 4 6 Two females predated by raptor Total 24 68 92 15 51 66 Good Practices Management Kawal Tiger Reserve, Telangana

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 268 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Best Practices in Kawal Tiger Reserve

¾¾ Grassland Management. ¾¾ Saturation of Water Availability to Wildlife. ¾¾ Creation of Inviolate Areas.

Grassland Management in Kawal Tiger Reserve Kawal Tiger Reserve 269

Identification of Grasslands in Kawal Tiger Reserve

¾¾ Around Percolation Tanks. ¾¾ Around Suitable Saucerpits. ¾¾ Along/Around Perenneal Streams. ¾¾ Natural Grassland Patches.

Grassland Management

1. Identification & Geo-mapping of grasslands 2. Soil analysis 3. Brushwood Management- Pruning of branches/Canopy lifting/removal of woody species 4. SMC works – Nala treatment 5. Weed eradication by uprootal 6. Grasslands enrichment 7. Grass species identification 8. Grasses seeds collection, Drying and Storage 9. Wild leguminous plants identification 10. Browsing species identification 11. Wild fruit trees identification 12. Grassland Management Register 270 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Land Preparation for Grasslands in Kawal Tiger Reserve

Grass Seed Sowing in Kawal Tiger Reserve

Kawal Tiger Reserve 271 Grass Seed Sowing in Kawal Tiger Reserve Tiger Seed in Kawal Sowing Grass 272 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Experiment – Raising Fodder Plot In Saline Patch 2.5 Ha In Kawal Tiger Reserve Result

Raising Fodder Plot of Cynodon Grass Near Water Bodies in Kawal Tiger Reserve Kawal Tiger Reserve 273

Grass Land in Deer Rehabilitation Enclosure 274 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

- Location: Remark know the exact area of grassland year wise. To prepare the grasses seed plot. To Identification of perennial , annual palatable grasses Enrichment of useful palatable grasses in grass lands. Removal of weeds in proper way and timings useful to upgrade the grasslands. Grasses seed plot management. during flowering season. Weeding % more need to eradicate the weeds in Weed Nov.. minimise woody unwanted cultivated plants. To Succulents , spiny weeds eradication remove moisture from seeds. To Corridor management for wildlife maintain original area of grasses. To 2021 2020 2019

Type / Nature of work in Type grassland Demarcation of grassland area by GPS prepare the one hectare grass To seed plot area. broadcast the collected To grasses seeds in selected areas and seed plot. Ist phase of weeding , Grasses plot management: Weeding Demarcation, inspection path, monitoring, IInd phase of weeds eradication. III phase of weeding species like Ratanjyoti, cactus Woody uprooting IV Phase of weeding Grasses seeds drying in sunlight Interconnection of grasslands. BRUSH wood cutting along the border Grasslands Management Action Plan In Kawal Tiger Reserve Tiger Action Plan In Management Kawal Grasslands

Duration of work May May May 20th to 31st June – July After rains August - Sept October First week November Ist week December - January December - January January- February Rainy season and Winter season Winter and rainy season

Area of Grassland: ……… .Hectare of Grassland: Area S. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Kawal Tiger Reserve 275

Grasslands Developed in Kawal Tiger Reserve 276 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves Creation of Inviolate Areas Kawal Tiger Reserve, Telangana

Concept 1. Micro Core within the Core. 2. (37) Villages in Core and (21) Enclosures in Buffer. (268) Villages surrounding the Buffer and enter into Core. 3. Heavy Biotic Pressure 4. Disturbance to the Wildlife habitat affecting the breeding. 5. Identification of inviolate areas in the core. 6. Placement of Base Camps around the inviolate areas. 7. Prohibition of movement of carts, vehicles etc., - Check gates. 8. Prevention of entry of cattle in inviolate areas. Alternate compartments for grazing outside inviolate areas. 9. Habitat improvement – Grasslands, Water sources, cover etc.,

Model of Jannaram Forest Division

Inviolate Forest Inviolate No. of No. of No. of Area in Areas identified Sl. No. Range Area ID Sections Beats Compts Ha No. of No. of Area in Ha Beats Compt. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) 1 JINFA-I Indapalli 3 13 63 8568.80 2 19 2668.14 2 JINFA-II Jannaram 4 11 55 7727.56 4 27 3621.9 3 JINFA-III Tadlapet 6 16 78 11016.1 5 17 2008.81 G. Total of Jannaram 13 40 196 27312.46 11 63 8298.85 Divn: Good Practices Management Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India

278 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves Arc Landscape Arc Terai

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve 279 Monitoring Monitoring WhatsApp through 280 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Tiger Cell Machans to facilitate Night Patrol

¾¾ 47 Machans in DTR ¾¾ Increased patrolling from 12 AM to 4 AM Dudhwa Tiger Reserve 281

Use of Drones For Surveillance

282 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves Patrolling by Elephants by Patrolling

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve 283

Elephant Health Camp Health Elephant

monitoring of Elephant Health Health Elephant of monitoring

3 health camps organized 3 health camps Regular inspection & ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ 284 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Collaboration with IIT, Kanpur for Technology Development

¾¾ 3D Forest Mapping using LiDAR for estimation of biomass and other tree parameters ¾¾ Aerostat based surveillance ¾¾ AI-based event- triggered machine vision technology, helpful in identification, counting, behavioural monitoring and analysis of animals and HWC

13 Rescued and 09 Released Back into Wild 285

Good Management Practices Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 286 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Conflict Response Team PTR

Information Flow Pilibhit Tiger Reserve 287

Bagh-Mitra (Tiger Guardian)

¾¾ Community Participation in Conservation and Conflict Resolution. ¾¾ 182 Fringe villages &72 sensitive and 37 most sensitive villages have 5-6 Bagh Mitra each. ¾¾ Continuous awareness and outreach programs – Tiger/Leopard safety month during cane harvesting period

Use of Technology to Compensate Insufficient Staff

e-SURVEILLANCE MONITORING 288 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Use of Technology to Compensate Insufficient Staff

Drone Monitoring Camera Trap Monitoring

MSTrIPES based Patrolling

Executive Actions Based on MSTrIPES Data Pilibhit Tiger Reserve 289

Temporary Net Fencing

¾¾ Nylon Nets of 5-6 feet errected with iron pole support around the villages/ houses). ¾¾ Acts as a Psychological barrier. ¾¾ Effective in combination with fox lights /bonfire. ¾¾ Helps in repulse the strayed animal. ¾¾ Psychological effect on villagers.

Refurbished Tractors

¾¾ Non-availibility of Elephants ¾¾ Tractors refurbished with top opening,sides wire-meshed and with wicked holes in strategic points. ¾¾ Effective in combining & rescue operations,patrolling and to escape from Mob. ¾¾ Psychological effect on villagers. ¾¾ Courtesy – WWF,India.

Good Management Practices Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 292 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Grassland Management

No Grass, No Tiger ¾¾ Grassland supports more live forms and large no. of prey-base than any other habitat. ¾¾ Insects thrive among the tangled roots which attracts birds ¾¾ Multitudes of herbivores depends on grass which further supports the population of tiger ¾¾ In Corbett, there are nos. of small and large Grassland that are home of Tiger, Elephant, Deer species and several others reptiles and avifaunal species. ¾¾ About 25 % of the corbett tiger reserve covered with grassland ¾¾ Dhikala, Laldhang, Kothiro, Pater, bijrani etc. ¾¾ Laldhang Grassland now a days most popular grassland of Corbett Tiger Reserve after Dhikala.

Important Weeds of Grassland S.NO LOCAL NAME BOTANICAL NAME 1. Banad Cassia tora 2. Lantana Lantana spp. 3. Sida Cyda cordifolia 4. Parthenium Parthenium spp. 5. Kala baansa Eupatorium spp.

Wild Species Dependent on Grassland 1. Tiger 2. Elephant 3. Spotted Deer 4. Hog Deer 5. Sambhar 6. Avifauna 7. Reptiles Corbett Tiger Reserve 293

Grassland Management Practices in CTR ¾¾ Fire destroyed grass seeds and that ultimately degraded the grassland. ¾¾ 50 mtr. alternate stripes are to be cut for improving the habitat ¾¾ Grass cutter machine is used for grass cutting ¾¾ After grass cutting, new grass grows in the stripe provides a fresh meal for elephant and other species. ¾¾ Eradication of weeds is continue in progress wherever weeds grow in the grassland ¾¾ Cut- root stock method is used regarding lantana. ¾¾ Uprooting of other obnoxious weeds in the grassland

C.R. Babu technique for lantana eradication

Weed uprooting 294 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Grassland Management Corbett Tiger Reserve 295

E- Surveillance System

¾¾ e-Eye is a unique pilot project for strengthening field enforcement, installed at the southern boundary of Corbett Tiger Reserve. ¾¾ To cover sensitive area the system comprises of a series of short range infra-red and long range night vision thermal camera stations. ¾¾ All cameras connected to a central control room using Wi-max and can be remotely operated by authorised personnel having a user Id and password. ¾¾ These cameras have powerful zoom capabilities, can rotate at 360o, tilt and work even in adverse weather conditions. ¾¾ The network of cameras covers an area of about 300 sq.km. ¾¾ In 2018-19 upgradation of cameras in all the tower of CTR. ¾¾ 24*7 hours monitoring in Itcell of CTR by Research & IT range of CTR. ¾¾ In case of any alert wireless message sent to concern range. 296 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Tiger Cell

¾¾ A Tiger cell is being developed in Ramnagar ¾¾ It is designed to host • All computers to carry out analysis related to any wildlife census in Uttarakhand • Replicate webserver for Corbett Tiger Reserve website • Server room for eEye survillience system • Network Area Storage for all photographic and MIS data • GIS related work of the division

Responsibilities of Tiger Cell

WILDLIFE CENSUS MSTRIPES

ECOTOURISM ANALYSIS DRONE ANALYSIS Corbett Tiger Reserve 297

Prahari App for Permit and Gypsy Scaning

Objective: The objective of PRAHARI app is to verify & provide hustle free entrance or departure to visitors & vehicle at gates of CTR.

About: PRAHARI app is a android app developed by NIC. It works both in online & offline mode. It is used to check & verify the visitors & vehicle at the gates of CTR either while entering or leaving the CTR gates.

Availability: App is available with CTR Administration. Before start/login the gate admin will be required to take key from CTR Administration.

Version: 1.0

Technical Detail: OS - Android Version - 1.0 Database - SQLite

Good Management Practices Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Uttrakhand

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 300 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves Rajaji Tiger Reserve 301

Human Leopard Conflict

Analysis

¾¾ Leopard Count Conflict Zone = 16 + Non-Conflict Zone = 24 ¾¾ 40 Leopards Around Motichur ¾¾ Sampling Period : Nov 2018-Feb 2019 ¾¾ Activity Patterns ¾¾ Rai (Relative Abundance Index) ¾¾ Habitat Density Mapping ¾¾ And Movement Patterns

Good Management Practices Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India

304 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

761 sq. km Villages 37 Forest Villages 46 Revenue Gardens 34 Tea

Subhankar Sen Gupta Subhankar

CCF & Field Director Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR), West Bengal West Reserve (BTR), Tiger Buxa

Buxa Tiger Reserve 305

Mosaic of Habitat

Hill and Riverine Forests Hill and Riverine

Buxa Tiger Reserve: Habitat Variations Reserve: Habitat Tiger Buxa

Grass Land Grass and Natural Forests and Natural Plantation 306 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Project on Augmentation and Long Term Monitoring of Tigers in Buxa Tiger Reserve

¾¾ Collaborating Partners – NTCA, WII and Govt. of West Bengal ¾¾ 5 year Project, Started in 2017-18 ¾¾ At least 6 tigers to be brought( 2 males, 4 females) preferably from Assam ¾¾ Action taken / In progress- • Release of around 200 spotted deer for augmentation of prey base • Process of capture and translocation of 50 no. Sambars from Jaldapara is on • Discussion with forest villagers for relocation going on in tune with Govt. policy • Placement of monitoring team from WII at Rajabhatkhowa • Monitoring and Training of Field Staff

Phase IV Monitoring and Camera Trap Work Plan Block Wise Buxa Tiger Reserve 307

Anti Poaching Camps and Towers – 24 Permanent in Number

Bhutia Basti -Jainti 26 Mile-Jainti Singijhora – South Rydak

26 Mile-West RVK 25 Mile – West RVK Adma - Pana 308 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Patrolling using M- STRiPES Mobile App

¾¾ Mobile distribution started from April 2019 ¾¾ Training for Staffs was on 11 & 12 May 2019 by WII and NTCA ¾¾ Implementation of application on field level from 13th May 2019 ¾¾ 70 Le Novo K8 Note hand sets as per specification procured for use up to Beat Level ¾¾ Handsets with Latest OS version of Android, Deca core processor, 4 GB RAM, 5000 mA Battery Handsets with Latest version of M-STRiPES Patrol application 2.1 and offline map support Offline data analysis lab for M-STRiPES Patrolling setup at F.D. office for regular monitoring Buxa Tiger Reserve 309

The Buxa Dog Squad: Karim - Belgian Malinois 310 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

VCBC, Rajabhatkhowa – Another Conservation Success Story

Long Billed White Backed Slender Billed

137 Vultures Including 57 Hatchlings To be released soon 1st time in the world Good Management Practices Sundarban Tiger Reserve, West Bengal

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Change Government of India 312 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

(Protection) Different Patrolling Regime at Sundarban Tiger Reserve

Being the one and only mangrove tiger land in the world and having most unique and difficult terrain for conservation work, the STR authority has to undergo various modes of monitoring operations throughout the year apart from the daily routine patrolling viz. 1. Operation Golden Honey: Intensive patrolling in the onset of honey season in the month of April. Vulnerable and strategic points are checked frequently especially in critical tiger habitat areas. 2. Operation Ghost Crab: A simulated operation for catching of secret hidden objects (generally boats) in forest. 3. On Foot Survey of Sweet Water Holes: This exercise is most risky. Field staff of all the Ranges enter into the forest on foot in groups and physically check all the sweet water holes inside the forest. 4. Village Area Domination: Combined team of different Ranges including Dog Squad, BSF personnel and SAP forces together move different strategic parts of the fringe villages and go on marching at different places. 5. Joint Patrolling: Forest staff with Dog Squad, BSF and SAP jointly carry out patrolling in different creeks, river as well as village side. 6. Festive Combing: With special head quarter staff teams and combinations of different sized boats for the creeks with various widths this multi-operated exercises are carried out during all the special festivals like Durga-puja, Holi, Diwali, Christmas etc. 7. Sea Shore and River Bank Patrol on foot: Big staff team with officers execute on foot patrol at sea-shores and river banks within the tiger reserve forest. 8. E-Patrolling: Introduced first in Sundarban in West Bengal. This is Android mobile operated specialized software based technique of monitoring the all over patrolling in real time. 9. Bird’s Eye Surveillance with Camera and UAV: Special monitoring measures undertaken by hidden cameras in all the watch towers along with surveillance monitors as well as high time monitoring with camera embedded drones. 10. Special floating check-posts: Temporary floating check posts are kept in strategic points of the forests for monitoring unlawful entries including activities. 11. Fair Weather Camps: Vulnerable Sea-side of the Tiger Reserve is covered during rough weather of pre-monsoon and monsoon period by big water crafts but it is hard to stay at the spots. Therefore at the time of fair-weather temporary camps are set into those areas viz. “Chhaimari’, ‘Garankati’, ‘Havati’, ‘Mechhua’ etc. 12. Protection Meeting: Protection meetings are done on various issues regarding protection and patrolling on a regular basis with the Field Director, Deputy Field Director, Assistant Field Directors and all the Camp-in-Charges of Sundarban Tiger Reserve. 13. Protection Monitoring Protocol - Inspection of Camps: Protection Status of Each and Every Protection Camps/Beats is supposed to be inspected by the senior officers according to the protocol. To generate Inspection Report in specified forms: - in each fortnight by concerned Range Officer. - in each month by the Assistant Field Director. Sundarban Tiger Reserve 313

Based on the places of offence commission ‘Offence Map’ is prepared each month. Based on the ‘Offence Map’s of every 3 months, ‘Sensitive Area Map’ of each camp is compiled.

Man-Animal Conflict Management

Successes Story of Nylon Net Fencing in Reducing the Tiger Straying in Sundarban TR: Human Tiger conflict has existed in Sundarban way before the actual declaration of the Tiger Re- serve in 1973. The root of the conflict lies in the original settlement of the area when the mangroves teeming with wild animals were cut down for settlement of humans. It is worth mentioning here that STR’s only North–Western boundary has an interface with 26 fringe villages which are densely populated with human and livestock. The straying of tiger into the fringe villages outside the man- grove forest had been a very common phenomenon in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve. To mitigate the tiger straying a thought of mechanical barrier was came out in field level by obstructing the route of tiger from where it strayed into the villages. Therefore, the concept of fencing along the forest - villages interface was developed and interestingly it works as a psychological barrier rather than a mechanical barrier. Use of RCC and bamboo post can also help to erect the fencing with a height of 10 – 12 ft. The normal mesh size remains 4” × 4” to avoid any strangulation of wild animal like deer. The net is made of 4mm, 3-strand IP-PPPARA yellow Nylon rope. At present, total 105 km. long nylon net fencing has been erected in villages interface area and it is needless to mention that it is very ef- fective to control straying out of tiger in fringe villages as well as entry of cattle even human being from villages to the forests. Due to saline soil, corrosive nature and every 6 hours interval high and ebb tide both nylon net fences as well as Bamboo post, which act as a support get damaged frequently. In order to make it more effective regular checking of nylon net fencing is done starting from lower-level staff to Dy Field Director and damaged portion is being changed. 314 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Tabular description of Tiger straying incidence in Sundarban Tiger Reserve in last 10 years: Year Tiger Straying 2018-19 0 2017-18 0 2016-17 0 2015-16 0 2014-15 3 2013-14 0 2012-13 12 2011-12 19 2010-11 27 2009-10 24

Fencing Checking Protocol A protocol for maintenance of the nylon-net fencing has been designed with an aim of carrying out thorough checking and proper maintenance. The Protocol includes involvement of local stake- holders (i.e JFMC members) along with forest staff. A Fencing Register will be kept in each station and records will be kept in accordance to the parameters given below:- S no. Rank Frequency Remarks 1 Concerned Forest Daily He will take at least one concerned FPC/EDC Guard Member and both will jointly sign in Fencing checking Register. 2 Concerned Beat Weekly once He will take the Joint Convenor of concerned FPC/ Officer EDC Member and both will jointly sign in Fencing checking Register. 3 Concerned Range Once in 15 days He will take the Concerned Forest Guard or Beat Officer Officer along with and will report to DFD, STR in detail as well as will mention in fencing checking Register. 4 Asstt. Field Once in a month They will check the fencing in the field to verify that Director/STR the same has been maintained properly. 5 Dy. Field Director/ Once in six He will check the fencing in the field to verify that STR weeks the same has been maintained properly. Sundarban Tiger Reserve 315

Co-relation of Tiger Straying with the Length of Nylon Net Fence Year-Wise

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Length of 58.5 69.5 85 85 85 90 96 96 105 NF(KM) No of 27 19 12 2 2 0 0 0 0 straying Benifits of Nylon Net Fencing It has reduced the tiger stryaing in the villages as a result fear and revenge about the tiger has come down and conducive enviornment for exicuting different Eco –developmemt activities in JFMC areas has increased. Maintains of nylon net fencing requires lot of labours and most of the labours are engaged from diffrernt JFMC area that way income generation to the local pepole is done. Nylon net fencing also prevent the entry of carcasses of domestic animal from the villages site to the forest.

Eco-Development Activities in JFMC Areas

Pond Water Treatment Plant for Drinking Water Lot many islands under Sundarban Tiger Reserve do not have source of usable underground water. The inhabitants of such islands are to carry drinking water from other island or the mainland itself. To overcome this acute crisis of drinking water, STR authority has undertaken the project of Pond Water Treatment Plant for JFMCs. Technical Mechanism The water from the pond is pumped and dosed with Sodium Hypochlorite and Coagulant at a designed rate for disinfection, pH adjustment, and coagulation by two dosing pumps. The dosed water is stored in a raw water storage tank for some time to provide definite contact time based on the quality of the water. The precipitate formed and settled at the bottom of the tank is drained out and the water is pumped to the filtration system by another pump. The water is first passed through an oxidation chamber for oxidation of any soluble Iron (Fe) present in water into insoluble Iron. The water from the Oxidation Chamber is then passed through a Dual Media Filter where the en- tire suspended solid in water and any precipitate of Iron get arrested in the bed of filter media. The water free from suspended solid is passed through Activated Carbon Filter followed by Micron Cartridge Filter for the removal of any organic contaminants, odour and excess chlorine, if present in water and fine particles present in water. The water free from all the contaminants is passed through an UV sterilizer before storing in a treated water tank for the removal of any bacteria present in water. 316 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

Execution of Work Samsernagar village, which was suffering from acute drinking water crisis in dry period was select- ed for the project in the year 2017-18. This is under Samsernagar JFMC, Kalitala GP, Jhingekhali Beat of Bashirhat Range. Total of Rs. 16 lakhs was spent for the project from STCFT fund and the work completed within the financial year 2017-18. Performance After completion the installation, the pump was inaugurated by Shri R.K. Sinha, IFS, PCCF (WL) & the CWLW, WB and kept open for the use of villagers. Hopefully total of 1200 persons from 160 families will be benefitted from the each such project. After this success story, the STR authority has established more of such plants in drier fringe areas like Jamespur, Kalitala and Mitrabari. Basic Benefit of the Project Recharge of Underground Water Table by Rain Water Harvesting. Solving the acute crisis of drinking water in the area. Now there is no need of village women to go outside for collection of drinking water. Built up confidence of department among JFMC members which has created an up-thrust in protection and conservation effort involving them.

Wildlife Research: Batagur Baska Conservation Project

Batagur Baska (Gray, 1830) – commonly known as Northern River Terrapin, is four-toed terrapin, giant river Turtle belonging to the family Geoemydidae, and order Testudines. It is listed as a critically endangered in the IUCN Red List, 2006, and also in the “Top Twenty- Five Turtles in Trouble” published by Turtle Conservation Coalition in 2011. It is also listed in the Appendix–I of CITES and commercial international trade in specimens of the species is prohibited. Once it was widely distributed in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. It is extinct in the wild from Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam. Sundarban Tiger Reserve 317

The Indian subcontinent has one of the richest assemblages of chelonians in the world with 28 freshwater and land species. Out of the four freshwater species (Batagur baska, Callagur broneoen- sis, kachuga trivittate. Pelochelys bibroni) inhabiting brackish water of tropical Asia, two species viz., Northern River Terrapin ( Batagur baska) and Asian Giant Softshell turtle Pelochelys( bibroni) are found in India. Although both species had wide distribution in South-East Asia, both are rare throughout its distributional range. Batagur baska was once very common in India in parts of West Bengal viz. in Hoogly river mouth of West Bengal ,in the mid 19th century ( Blyth in. Gunther 1864), where it has been reported to be extinct today and also in . It also has been re- ported to be extinct from Orissa mangroves mainly due to uncontrolled exploitation of its egg and flesh. However, in 1983 it was rediscovered in Sundarban Tiger Reserve (Moll 1990). This was in- dicative of a few individuals, if not population was still dwindling in Sundarbans, India. In India and Bangladesh, remaining individuals are so few and scattered that the only way to recover and re-establish this species in its wild habitat is by acquiring wild terrapins, captive propagation and population re-establishment at a suitable time and place. In 1988 initiative was taken by Sundarban Tiger Reserve management and after intensive survey three clutches were detected and artificial hatching was conducted successfully. During the 1981-1991 period 18 nests were recorded by field staffs of Sundarban Tiger Reserve. In 1992-1993 survey conducted by Wildlife Institute of India only one nest was recorded (Bhupathy et al,1995). However in 1994 survey no nests were recorded (Bhupathy et al,1995). At present Sundarban is the only known abode of Batagur baska in India. West Bengal Forest Department with the help of Turtle Survival Alliance-India have been trying to recover this spe- cies since 2008. In August 2008, 12 Batagur baska were captured from Sajnekhali range of Indian Sundarban which led to reinstating of breeding programme in Sundarban Tiger Reserve after a hiatus of 20 years. Accordingly 33 Batagur baska hatchlings were reported during 2012 and are now being successfully reared at the hatching enclosure in Sajnekhali. They are being reared with the active participation and support of Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA). There has been no mortal- ity of the hatchling during this period. It has been resolved that two year old Batagur hatchling or Batagur baska weighing one kg will be released in the wild after habitat survey with the active assistance of TSA. The successful re-introduction of Batagur baska in Sundarban will eventually restore critically endangered species in the wild again. Soft Release of Northern River Terrapin in Sundarban Tiger Reserve During March 2014, selected river stretches were surveyed for soft release of the individuals. As per the protocol a temporary enclosure was constructed at the creek of Chamta khal. On 17/01/2016, 10 (six female and four males) juvenile Batagur baska were released at the creek of Chamta khal , fitted with ultrasonic transmitter with a temperature sensor. Setting up of Assurance Colony Assurance colony was set up at three places apart from Sajnekhali within the Sundarban Tiger Reserve in order to avoid congestion, disaster, depredation and over-crowding of individuals 318 Compilation of Good Management Practices/Innovations in Tiger Reserves

hatching every year and also as a precautionary measure in case of any contagious disease breakdown all the individuals will not be lost in case of emergency. As Sundarban is a storm prone area it became compulsory to set up assurance colony in order to avoid mishaps when in 2009 Alia hit Sundarban one male was lost due to overflow of the breeding pool. Present stock of Batagur baska in Assurance Colony Assurance Colony Male Female Total Chamta 7 13 20 Jhingekhali 3 13 16 Netidhopani NA NA 34

Breeding Status (ex situ) of Batagur baska in Sundarban Tiger Reserve

Year No. of Male Female Unidentified Remarks Individuals 2008 12 7 5 2012 33 0 32 1 1 could not captured and examined 2013 52 20 36 2014 55 4 50 1 2016 96 Sex of the individuals yet to be identified 10 individuals were released into their wild habitat during December, 2016. 2017 74 2019 50 Total 372