At last count, 28 tigers were found in camera trapping study conducted
in December 2011 by World Wildlife Fund in the area. File photo: AP
Spread over a vast expanse of over 1,400km, Sathyamangalam Wildlife
Sanctuary, a significant wildlife corridor of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
between Eastern and Western Ghats, has transformed into fourth Tiger
Reserve in Tamil Nadu, on Sunday, in addition to the Anamalai,
Mudumalai, and Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserves.
A wildlife sanctuary since November 3, 2008, the Sathyamangalam forest
division was expanded to 1.41 lakh hectares in 2011 from the then
existing 52,434 hectares, making it one of the largest reserves in the
world.
The largest chunks of additional area were from Guthiyalathur (48,792 hectares) and Talamalai reserve forests (31,987 hectares).
In the new Tiger Reserve considered significant for its range of flora
and fauna, the Sathyamangalam forest division has been split into two,
with a new division headquartered at Hasanur.
The Sathy Forest Division would now has jurisdiction over 88,131.56
hectares and Hassanur Division 57,399.36 hectares, District Forest
Officer, Sathyamangalam, K. Rajkumar told The Hindu.
Earlier, there were five territorial ranges: Sathyamangalam,
Thookanaickanapalayam, Bhavanisagar, Hassanur, and Talavadi, and a
Forest Protection Squad in the Sathyamangalam Forest Division.
Henceforth, there would be two new ranges in Hassanur Division: Germalam
and Talamalai. The new Hassanur Division would also have
Eco-development Range additionally.
Rangers of territorial ranges would be able to devote their entire
attention on protection. Creation of an additional division and more
ranges would make administration easier, Mr. Rajkumar said.
The habitat with varied forest type is considered unique for supporting a
variety of wildlife including elephants, striped hyenas, vultures,
gaurs, leopards, and deers, besides tigers.
At last count, 28 tigers were found in camera trapping study conducted
in December 2011 by World Wildlife Fund. The pug marks were confirmed by
the Centre for Molecular Biology Hyderabad. The habitat with 90,000
hectares of core zone is the largest home for over 1,200 elephants.
Nests of vultures were sighted in Moyar valley in 2010, sources said.
In the reorganised Erode Forest Circle, the existing Erode Division and
Bamboo Plantation Division, Gobichettipalayam have been attached with
the Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Sathyamangalam Tiger
Reserve, Erode.
The existing Namakkal forest division has been attached to Salem Circle under the control of Conservator of Forests, Salem.
