Short term studies and surveys

The following short-term studies and surveys were conducted and submitted the report to the management of PTR:

PA based

  1. Lake fringe Utilisation: Carried out monitoring utilization of wild animals along the fringe of Periyar lake during the summer along with the Assistant Forest Veterinary Doctor in PTR and submitted a report as a baseline information.
  2. A report on menace and management of plastics in the tourism zone of Periyar Tiger Reserve.
  3. Impact Assessment of the Chitra Pournami Festival at Mangaladevi Temple in Periyar Tiger Reserve (carried out every year).
  4. Occurrence of African mushi (Clarias gariepinus) in Periyar Tiger Reserve - A Report.
  5. Management of Ichornia species (African Payal) in Periyar Tiger Reserve.
  6. A note on importance of grassland in Periyar Tiger Reserve.
  7. Estimation of gaur and other wild animals in the selected blocks of Thekkady and Vallakadavu Ranges of Periyar Tiger Reserve.
  8. Eco-sensitive areas of Meghamalai Reserve Forest – A study Report 
  9. Eco-sensitive areas of Pachakanam Estate – A study Report 
  10. Long-term strategies for ecosystem management in Periyar Tiger Reserve.

EDC based

  1. Preparation of a report on ‘Ecodevelopment Initiatives in Kurisumala Watershed Region – Suggestions for the Sustenance of EDCs’: The study was attempted to evaluate the measures taken in the past to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and manage the forest areas in the vicinity of the human settlements. As part of this work, a total of five EDCs viz., Kurishumala I & II, Spring Valley, Mullayar and Chottupara, which were initiated during 2000, have been selected for the purpose. All the EDCs were visited and detailed discussions were held with the EDC members. The activities in the microplans were also reviewed with the help of Microplan Implementation Support Team (MIST) and selected EDC members in the region. A report along with suggestions for the improvement of microplans of the 5-EDCs along with a Ecotourism Programme for Kurishumala-I EDC has been submitted to the management.
  2. Conducting baseline survey and preparation of microplan for Vidiyal EDC: Though the group namely ‘Vidiyal Vana Padukappu Sangam’ was created during 2004, no information on their background and their activities were made available since the inception of the Sangam. Since, the management also decided to form the group as an EDC in PTR, a baseline survey has been carried out to understand their past practices in the forests of PTR and based on that developed a microplan. The study was carried out in June 2006 and the microplan was prepared and submitted in November 2006 for approval.
  3. A study for mitigating Human-Wildlife Conflict in Pambavalley region: A study has been conducted to mitigate the human-wildlife conflict in Pambavalley region during June 2006. Based on the report an attempt was made to chase away the monkeys with the help of EDC people was carried out during April 2007.
  4. Evaluation of Ecotourism Activities in PTR: An evaluation of all activities of the Ecotourism Programmes run by the Professional Group EDC members was carried out during February 2007 for streamlining the activities. Based on the assessment, a detailed report was prepared and submitted to the management for further improvement of the Ecotourism Programmes being carried out in PTR.
  5. Preparation of ecotourism programme on River Tourism: A study has been carried out in February 2007 in Koruthodu-Pambavalley region for implementing the ‘River Tourism Programme’, an ecotourism activity envisaged in the microplans of the region. Based on the study a draft programme was evolved and submitted to the management.
  6. Preliminary work for formation of EDCs for Malampandaram: In order to form EDCs for Malampandarams exist in PTR, preliminary works have been carried out to create the credibility among the Malampandarams in Sathram region. As part of this initiative, three meetings have been organized in Sathram Colony during March 2007. However, further steps are being taken to form the EDCs for Malampandarams during the financial year 2007-08.
  7. Assessment and achievement of eco-development initiatives in selected EDCs of Thekkady region – Solutions for Sustenance.
  8. An estimation of the availability of thatching grass (Themeda cymbaria) from the savannah grassland of Periyar Tiger Reserve.
  9. Jungle Patrol Programme in Periyar Tiger Reserve – Assessment report.
  10. Impact assessment of Bamboo Rafting Programme in Periyar Tiger Reserve.
  11. Impact of cattle grazing to the ecosystem with special reference to Cattle Graziers Ecodevelopment Committee in Periyar Tiger Reserve. 
  12. Study on man-animal conflict and evaluation of control measures in the fringe village Ecodevelopment Committees of Periyar Tiger Reserve.
  13. Evaluation of Ecotourism activities in PTR: An evaluation of all activities of the Ecotourism Programmes run by the Professional Group EDC members was carried out during February 2007 for streamlining the activities. Based on the assessment, a detailed report was prepared and submitted to the management for further improvement of the Ecotourism Programmes being carried out in PTR.

Landscape based

  1. RBA in Goodrickal: The ECB Division successfully organized and carried out a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment (RBA) at Goodrical Range of Ranni Forest Division during the month of April 2006. In May 2006, a report based on the information collected during RBA has been prepared and submitted to the Kerala Forest Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department (KFD) for further management action. As a follow up action, a proposal, based on the report and further field survey has been carried out and prepared a draft proposal and submitted to the management for further action (Goodrical.pdf).

Ongoing studies

  1. Coordination of Tiger Monitoring Programme in PTR: The ECB Division is coordinating the ongoing Tiger Monitoring Programme in PTR. In order to carry out the work, a separate Tiger Monitoring protocol was specially designed and the same is being implemented. The protocol was geared up by deploying Tiger Monitoring Teams at Range-level, imparting intensive training to both the field staff at range level and Tiger Monitoring Teams for collecting the information from the field. Techniques such as collection of pugmark and scats, preparation of pugmark impression pad, setting up of camera traps and recording other direct and indirect evidences were included as the components of the training. The data thus collected from the field are being collected and included in the database maintained by the ECB Division and the same is being sent to the Office of the Field Director (Project Tiger) every month. In addition to this, the ECB Division also collects the pugmarks brought from the field and are being periodically analyzed by systematically measuring the parameters used elsewhere in the country for updating the database on tiger distribution in PTR. Periodic reports are being submitted to the Officers concerned for future management action.

A detailed report on tiger monitoring in PTR during 2006 has been prepared and submitted along with all details collected during the year. All pugmarks collected during 2006 has been measured and created a database for further analysis. A software for analyzing the pugmark was also collected from WTI and the analysis is in progress.

  1. Monitoring the Movement Tigers using Camera-traps in PTR: The ECB Division is also constantly monitoring the activities of tiger monitoring teams headed by the Range Officer (Research). Periodic trainings to the tiger monitoring teams were also imparted during the year.  Identification of individual tigers using the stripe pattern obtained from the photographs is also progressing.
  2. Conducting Ecological Impact Assessment of Sabarimala Pilgrimage: The ecological impacts due to pilgrimage is being carried out every year by the ECB Division since the inception of the SAPP EDC in Sabarimala. During the pilgrim season of 2006-07 (December-January), a survey was carried out  to monitor the pilgrim management activities of EDCs in thavalams, mutual commitments of EDCs and management of PTR, etc. Reports with management strategies have been submitted to PTR management for strengthening and streamlining the programme.
  3. Study of Elephants in Idukki WLS: A study on management of elephant population in Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary has been initiated during December 2006 and is still being continued. The study aimed to identify the problems and develop appropriate management strategies and the management of elephants in Idukki. The data thus collected is being analysed and a detailed report will be submitted to the management.

Proposed projects

Submitted the following project proposals to various funding agencies:

  1. Conservation of Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) with special reference to management of elephant population in Periyar Tiger Reserve and adjoining landscapes in peninsular India (project submitted to US Fish and Wildlife Service).
  2. Conservation of Tiger (Panthera tigris) and its prey base in Periyar Tiger Reserve and adjoining landscapes – Kerala, South India (project submitted to US Fish and Wildlife Service).
  3. Status and distribution of lesser cats in Periyar Tiger Reserve (proposal submitted to MoEF, Delhi).
  4. Establishment of elephant rehabilitation center at Kottoor, Kerala, India (proposal submitted to US Fish and Wildlife Service).
  5. Supporting Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives of Kerala Forest Department in the High Range (proposal submitted Vanishing Herd Foundation (India).

GIS Mapping:

  1. Parambikulam Tiger Reserve: A GIS map for Parambikulam Tiger Reserve has been prepared based on the instructions from the Executive Director (Periyar Foundation) and the Chief Wildlife Warden, Kerala and provided along with the boundary demarcation for submitting to the Government. 
  2. Eco-sensitive areas: A series of GIS maps for Eco-Sensitive Area in the State of Kerala were prepared based on the instruction by the Executive Director & Member Secretary (Periyar Foundation) and submitted the same for further scrutiny.
  3. World Heritage  sites: As per the instruction from the Chief Wildlife Warden and Executive Director (Periyar Foundation), the Division extended support in the preparation of proposals for declaring selected areas in the State as World Heritage Sites under UNESCO (Heritage)
  4. Water-level in Mullaperiyar: A note along with a GIS map on the impact of raising of water level in the Mullaperiyar Reservoir has been prepared and submitted to the Field Director (Project Tiger) and the Chief Wildlife Warden.
  5. Fire mapping: A GIS map of fire incidents occurred during the fire season in 2006-07 in the Periyar Tiger Reserve has been prepared for academic purpose. An impact survey is being proposed during May-June 2007 for evolving fire management strategies for the forth coming years.
  6. Census blocks: A GIS based census block map was prepared for analyzing the information on wild animals collected by the management.
  7. Delineation of core and buffer zones as part of Tiger Conservation Plan: As per the direction of Tiger Conservation Authority the Periyar Tiger Reserve is preparing a Tiger Conservation Plan and accordingly GIS based maps of core and buffer zones are being prepared.