Chennai, May 25 (BPNS)

The pre-monsoon survey of animals, both carnivorous and herbivorous, at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) is using the services of M-STrIPES ( Monitoring System for Tiger –Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) app developed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

The eight-day survey commenced on May 24 and will conclude on May 31 and is conducted based on the protocols of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Other than assessing the carnivore and herbivore population in the ATR, the quality of their habitats will also be assessed, sources in the forest department of the Pollachi division told BPNS.

An orientation session was held at the Advanced Wild Life Management Institute, Anakatty for the Forest Department staff participating in the pre-monsoon survey.

The presence of fireflies in the ATR has been a matter of interest and a brief about the firefly population and their habitats was done to the staff by firefly expert Sriram Murali at the Wild Life Management Institute.

Around 250 forest department staff will participate in the massive exercise which would be conducted in 32 forest areas under four forest ranges namely Ullandy, Pollachi,  Valparai, and Manambolly.

ATR officials told BPNS that there are 62 transect lines covering 11 different types of forests and four to five persons will carry out the survey on each line.

Direct sighting of carnivorous and herbivorous animals would be done and indirect sighting of the animals using their pugmarks,  identification of dung, scat, scratch marks on trees, etc will be conducted. The survey will also include amphibians, reptiles, and insects.

The Wild Life Institute of India will conduct a detailed analysis and study on the pre-monsoon report furnished by the Tamil Nadu forest department and bring out a report on the findings.