Site specific initiatives taken up by ATR for better Ecological Management

SITE SPECIFIC INITIATIVES TAKEN UP BY ATR FOR BETTER ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENTPresented byVenkatesh. G, Manoj Kumar. N, Kamalakannan. V, Raja. A

Introduction

Site specific Initiatives in ATREstablishment of Base campsEstablishment of Strike forceWatering saucer pitsEstablishing solar powered water pumping systemLaying salt licksFodder plots for herbivoresFire linesView lines in hair pin bends along the roadsPlacing of animal crossing sign boards in main routes of ATRRiver patrolling partyRemoval of Lantana

ProposalDe-silting of tanks to improve water holding capacity

Inside base camp1. Establishment of Base CampTHE PRIMARY DUTIES OF BASE CAMP WATCHERSCamping in the Tiger Reserve 24x7 which deters the poaching and smuggling attempts by offenders.Foot patrolling in all the trail paths, vulnerable routes, Tiger dense areas, area with abundant herbivore population, along the streams.Checking all the water bodies and salt licks for presence of snares, traps, any suspicious change in colour and smell of water in the water bodies, other wildlife crime evidences etc.Checking of tiger kills, cattle kills, pugmarks, scrape, Pellets, Urine mark of Tiger and other carnivores and herbivores during foot patrolling.The places and GPS readings are entered in the base camp register.Night patrolling during full moon days and few days before and after full moon days and checking of vulnerable water bodies.Checking of agriculture lands and water bodies located adjoining the forest for presence of snares and traps.Controlling fire during summer season.Recording GPS readings in track mode during foot patrolling and wildlife evidences collection.Checking the foot pilgrims who are going to Srisailam temple during Mahasivarathri and Ugadi Festival who have weapons, inflammable materials and other harmful articles.2. Establishment of Strike ForceSF are placed at strategic points and are ready responsive units to act fast on any adverse information. These special protection watchers monitor the water sources on daily basis to prevent poaching attempts on high alert.Roles and ResponsibilityConduct raids and apprehend offendersCheck smuggling, booking offence, control felling and prevent tress-pass inside ATRResource strength5- Strike force and 5 SF watchersControlling officerFive protection watchers headed by a forest section officer or deputy range officer.

3. Watering Saucer pitsWater is an important constraint especially during the summer months, and becomes a limiting factor during the pinch period.

During the pinch period, the saucer pits (artificial water sources) are provided with water through water tankers.

To prevent absorption of water in soil, special high density polyethylene sheets are laid on ground and water is poured on these HDPE Sheets.

Nizam wellSolar powered water pumping systemSaucer pit

There are 63 saucer pits in MANNANUR SECTION4. Establishing solar powered water pumping system

The pinch period poses enormous hardships for the wildlife as well as Tiger reserve management in summer. The scarcity of water elsewhere and availability in few selected places drive the wildlife towards the perennial water sources and poachers tend to utilise the opportunity of congregation of wildlife in the selected perennial water sources. The Tiger Reserve management have to do the double interlinked duty of giving access to water for wildlife and preventing the onslaught attempts by poachersThe solar powered water pumps, which have been established to serve the purpose5. Laying Salt licksA salt lick is a deposit of mineral salts used by animals to supplement their nutrition, ensuring that they get enough minerals in their diets. A wide assortment of animals, primarily herbivores, use salt licks to get essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and zinc. When a salt lick appears, animals may travel to reach it, so the salt lick becomes a sort of rally point where lots of wildlife can be observed.In ATR, we have observed around the Pitchgundalacheruvu lake

6. Raising Fodder crop for HerbivoresFodder crop such as grass has been raised in 10 hac area in Mannanur range in ATR

Area selected for raising fodder crop: 1 furlong distance from the herbivore herds grazing area.

Reason: To provide fodder for the herbivores during pinch period Summer

Initiative : Stone walls been constructed around the fodder crop plot about 4 feet height in order to prevent entry of carnivores and other wild dogs for hunting

7. Fire linesControl measures

Fire line of about 2-6 KM length is being cut during April monthFire watchers been appointed for 4 months to perambulate the areas of high vulnerable areas of fire occurrence.Mostly peoples from Chenchus were given priority for appointing as fire watchers in ATRThese fire lines will help in controlling any accidental forest fire in the reserve forest.

Causes of Forest fire

Forest fires are both natural and artificial. Fire can be caught due to friction between bamboo canes or fire can be intentionally started by man. Irresponsible tourists are also known to set fires in the forest, which escalates to a forest fire in a short span of time, especially during dry seasons.However, the forest department is considering all such accidents that may result in a forest fire, to prevent forest fires in ATR

8.Creating View linesWhat is View line? View lines Is a term which describes the clearing of bushes for 5-6 feet(obstruct the vision)- near the bends or curve in either side of the road

Purpose : To give a clear view for the driver and to the wild animals crossing the road

Impact: Controlling wild animals accidentsWild animals can easily cross the road without any disturbanceDriver will slow down the speed if he see any wild animals crossing the roads

9 . Placing of animal crossing signs in ATR roads

Animal crossingSign boardsImpact: Prevent accidents10. Protection by River Patrolling partyRiver Krishna flows through ATR and the riverine sides are abundant with the wildlife. As a protection strategy, special launch boat patrolling parties with the field staff and protection watchers are employed. These river patrol parties keep a strict vigil to prevent poaching, encroaching and smuggling attempts.Mainly done to control smuggling of Hardwickia pinnata in ATR

11. Removal of LantanaUprooted for consecutive 3 years

Methodology

Step 1 : Uprooting the lantanaStep 2: Turn upright Step 3: Burn

Area covered:

Thullaipalli 50-70 haMannanur section 250 ha

Proposal WIP

De-silting of tanks to improve water holding capacityPitchgundalacheruvu lake and Bairahpur temple lakeThank you