MTR, a safe zone for big cats till now

OOTY: The Muduamalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Nilgiris is so far safe for tigers as no poaching of tigers has been recorded there in the past one decade.

Stating that good protection as well as management taken by the MTR administration over the years is the reason for keeping the poachers at bay in MTR woods, Mr. Deepak Srivastava, field director (in-charge) at MTR, said that the setting up of 23 well-equipped anti-poaching camps deep inside the woods and  installation of camera traps have worked out well for conservation efforts at MTR.

He said that around 200 anti-poaching watchers (APW) working in the 23 anti-poaching camps, regularly perambulate the jungles, besides other jungle perambulation taken by the regular staff.   All the sensitive and suspected infiltration routes are guarded round the clock by the APW.   The communication system and exchange of information are good in MTR. The welfare of anti-poaching staffers is well taken care of.

They are well motivated towards jungle duty and lending their hearts in conservation, he pointed out.

This apart, installation camera traps in various points across the jungles and also in other jungles which are non-tiger reserve areas in Nilgiris, is helpful in keeping a tab on movement of suspicious elements in and around the jungles.  As of now, the MTR woods boast of 132 tigers living in its core and buffer areas, he added.