Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu   KMTR
KMTR (India)
|
|
|---|---|
| IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area) | |
| Location: | Tirunelveli District, |
| Nearest city: | Madurai 200 km |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 900 km² |
| Established: | 1962 |
| Total Visitation: | # People (in year) |
| Governing body: | Dept. of Forests |
Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) is situated in the Southern Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, South India. This 806 km2 reserve was established in 1962. Location is between latitude 8o 25’ and 8o 53’ N and longitude 77o 10’ and 77o 35’ E. Central location: is about 45 km west from Tirunelveli Town.
[edit] Conservation
KMTR forms part of the inter-state (Kerala and Tamil Nadu) Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve[1]. This part of Agastya Malai hills in the core of KMTR is considered one of the five centres of biodiversity and endemism in India IUCN. It was adopted by Project Tiger in 1988[2]. The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) has developed and implemented a conservation intervention program in KMTR to decrease local villagers' dependency on the forests for fuel and build community awareness about the value of biodiversity in the area [3].
Tigers are also protected in Tamil Nadu at: Mudumalai National Park, Indira Gandhi National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Mukurthi National Park and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary.[4].
[edit] Flora & Fauna
KMTR has at least 150 endemic plants, 33 fish, 37 amphibian, 81 reptile, 273 bird and 77 mammal species. A 1997 Census by Project Tiger counted the following wildlife: Tiger 73, Leopard 79, Jungle Cat 1755, Wild Dog 1718, Elephant N.A, Gaur 232, Sambar 1302, Chital 1966, Tahr 8780, Wild Pig 187, Mouse Deer 172, Sloth Bear 123, Lion tailed Macaque 37, Bonnet Macaque 61, Nilgiri langur 61, Bonnet Macaque 61, Common Langur 61, Slender loris 61, Giant Squirrel 61, Crocodile 61. A comprehensive report on the history, flora & fauna, ecology and future of the reserve: "The Kalakad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: A global heritage of biological diversity" by A. J. T. Johnsingh, Wildlife Institute of India, is available [5].
[edit] References
- ^ Samrakshan, PEACE–ELDF, "Lessons Learned from Eco-Development Experiences in India", June 2004, pp 255-275.[1]
- ^ Project Tiger[2]
- ^ Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment [3]
- ^ Wildlife Institute of India, Species Database, National Wildlife Database, Status and Distribution of Tiger (Panthera tigris).National Wildlife Database
- ^ Johnsingh, A. J. T., Wildlife Institute of India, "The Kalakad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: A global heritage of biological diversity", CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 80, NO. 3, 10 FEBRUARY 2001.[4] and [5]
