The Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu is recognized for its vibrant biodiversity and large population of tigers. However, concerning patterns have emerged over the past two months as 10 tigers died due to a myriad of factors sparking worries among conservationists and officials about the welfare and long-term survival of these majestic creatures.
Examining the Causes Of Tiger Deaths in Nilgiris
This puzzling increase in tiger deaths can be attributed to several key factors. Among them, the notably high density of tigers in the Mudumalai-Bandipur-Nagarhole complex of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve pushes populations into surrounding habitats in Mukurthi National Park, Nilgiris, and Gudalur forest divisions. This results in frequent, negative interactions between humans and animals. The rise in tiger numbers puts pressure on prey species like spotted deer, and Indian gaur. When natural prey are scarce, tigers are led to target livestock intensifying conflicts and leading to a higher death toll.
Other major causes include starvation and infection. A postmortem of recently deceased tiger cubs from the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve’s buffer zone suggested potential causes such as malnutrition or an umbilical infection.
Conservationist’s Concern over Threats to Tiger Population
Conservationists have expressed serious concerns over aspects posing threats to the tiger populations in Nilgiris. The district has had recent incidents of poaching, where tigers have been targeted for their highly-valued body parts, such as skins, bones, and organs; this has accentuated the threat to their population.
Absence of effective tracking and protection strategies pose another significant hurdle. The inability to effectively monitor and safeguard these creatures has greatly contributed to the conservationists’ concerns. An additional issue lies in the inadequate management of prey populations in the protected areas which may lead to imbalances and endanger the survival of tigers.
Habitat degradation has also become a matter of concern. With human activities, deforestation, and encroachments leading to habitat loss, degraded habitats offer limited resources, forcing tigers to roam in search of food.
About Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, named after the blue flower clad mountains (Neelakurinji flowers) of the Nilgiris plateau in Tamil Nadu, was the first biosphere reserve in India established under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme in 1986. The reserve spans across three Indian states: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
The reserve is home to several tribal groups such as the Adiyan, Aranadan, Kader, Kurichian, Kuruman, and Kurumbas. It signifies the confluence of Afro-tropical and Indo-Malayan biotic zones of the world.
The reserve’s fauna includes animals like Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur, slender loris, blackbuck, tiger, gaur, Indian elephant, and marten. Endemic freshwater fishes such as Nilgiri danio (Devario neilgherriensis), Nilgiri barb (Hypselobarbus dubuis), and Bowany barb (Puntius bovanicus) are also found here.
The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Mukurthi National Park, and Silent Valley are among the protected areas within this reserve.
In the UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) Prelims Q. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”? The answer was Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam (option c).
