- Summary
- Objectives
- Status
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Summary
The Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is the southern-most distributional range of the tiger in India, and is located in the Tirunelvelli District of Tamil Nadu. Although the park has hosted a number of studies over the past few decades, this study was the first to estimate the herbivore population throughout the Tiger Reserve using simple and replicable methods.
Objectives
The broad goal of the project were to determine the relationship between herbivore populations and habitat parameters in the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, to establish benchmark estimates and to build local capcity for long term monitoring of wildlife populations.
The specific objectives were:
- To carry out extensive field intensive surveys using valid methods to estimate herbivore densities.
- To establish benchmark estimates for long term monitoring of wildlife populations.
- Prepare training material to help in monitoring wildlife populations.
- To identify the relation between herbivores and habitat parameters.
Status
- Herbivore population was estimated for the entire tiger reserve based on data from substantial sampling effort using valid methods based on a spatially explicit survey design
- Patch occupancy rates were estimated for herbivores. This is the first such report for any species in India
- As one of the objectives was to build local capacity for monitoring wildlife populations, the methods chosen for this study were simple and easily replicable
- This study established methodological protocols for KMTR and population estimates that can be used as benchmarks for long term monitoring
- Training material in both English and Tamil were prepared and two training programs for the Forest Department staff, field assistants from the local Kani tribe, volunteers and students were completed