M-STrIPES to monitor tiger conservation efforts
Monitoring System for Tigers’-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status, the software monitoring system launched by the Indian Government would enable field managers to keep an eye on forest guards’ patrol intensity and spatial coverage. Initially being implemented in six tiger reserves, the system aims to reduce the vulnerability of tigers.
New Delhi: With a view to ensure accountability of forest guards in patrolling tiger reserves and to enhance transparency in their functioning, the Government has launched a unique software monitoring system. Called M-STrIPES, it will be implemented in six tiger reserves to begin with within two months.
- There are only an estimated 3,200 tigers left in the wild/ Photo credit: Google/ Aubreycun
Launching the Monitoring System for Tigers’ — Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-STrIPES), here on Wednesday, Union Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh said, “The system would enable field managers to assist intensity and spatial coverage of patrols in a geographic information system (GIS) domain.”
Ramesh informed that the results of the ongoing second countrywide tiger estimation would be completed by November end.
Around 3.5 lakh sq km of forest area has been covered, of which 93,000 sq km was found to be occupied by tigers.
“There is some good news from the battle to save tigers, with tiger presence recently reported from Buxa. In several areas as Nagarjunasagar, Bandipur, Madhumalai, Satyamangalam, Sahyadari, Radhanagari etc tiger sightings have been reported, including the presence of cubs. In the buffer areas of Indravati tiger evidence have come to light, as also from Palamau and Valmiki”, he said.
He, however, admitted that one of country’s best tiger habitats once, Corbett National Park, was in a very vulnerable state.
“Four tigers have died there within a period of 6-8 months, which is very unnatural. There is also unregulated tourism in the area, which is proving to be a major threat to the tigers in the area. I have written a letter to the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand to look into the matter, which would also be followed up even by the Prime Minister soon,” he stated.
The other major threats to tiger population are poaching, poisoning besides population pressures that are shrinking the habitats. Ramesh said the states needed to declare the buffer zones, he stressed, adding that nearly 80,000 families, residing in the core or buffer zones need to be relocated. The forest department had so far shifted 3,000 families and paid them compensation of Rs 10,000 each.
The Minister noted that the reserves falling in the extremist hit areas as Palamau, Indrawati, Simlipal in Chattisgarh and Orissa are much more accessible today and there is a marked attitudinal change amongst the local population. They no longer consider tigers as their enemies.
He pointed out that the proposed Special Tiger Protection Force, which is yet to be constituted in most States should involve local population as much as possible, police can not be as effective in this regard.
