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==External sources==
==External sources==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/tiger-population-increases-in-sathyamangalam-reserve-forests/article4234581.ece Tiger Population Increases in Sathyamangalam Reserve Forests] News article
* [http://zomobo.net/play.php?id=rNnIkcNzRYU Species Watch - Sathyamangalam] video, 6:40
* [http://zomobo.net/play.php?id=rNnIkcNzRYU Species Watch - Sathyamangalam] video, 6:40
* [http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/7843 Indian tribe secures unprecedented rights to tiger reserve ] Survival International
* [http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/7843 Indian tribe secures unprecedented rights to tiger reserve ] Survival International

Revision as of 14:00, 9 February 2013

Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary
சத்தியமங்கலம் வனவிலங்கு சரணாலயம்
சத்தியமங்கலம் புலிகள் சரணாலயம்
Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (proposed)
Wildlife sanctuary
An Indian elephant at the sanctuary
An Indian elephant at the sanctuary
Country India
StateTamil Nadu
RegionWestern Ghats
DistrictErode
EstablishedNovember 3, 2008
Area
[1]
 • Total1,411.6 km2 (545.0 sq mi)
Elevation
1,200 m (3,900 ft)
Languages
 • OfficialTamil
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Nearest cityGobichettipalayam
IUCN categoryIV
Distance from Gobichettipalayam45 kilometres (28 mi) SE
Distance from Mysore100 kilometres (62 mi) N
Distance from Coimbatore79 kilometres (49 mi) S
Distance from Erode80 kilometres (50 mi) SE
Governing bodyTamil Nadu Forest Dept
ClimateAm (Köppen)
Avg. summer temperature28 °C (82 °F)
Avg. winter temperature8 °C (46 °F)

Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) is a protected area in South India, declared in 2008, and enlarged in 2011, which covers forest area of 1,411.6 km2 (545.0 sq mi). SWS is notable as the largest wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and it has been proposed as the fourth Project Tiger Tiger Reserve in the state. This Sanctuary is significant as a wildlife corridor in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats and a genetic link between the four other protected areas which it adjoins,[1] including the Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, Sigur Plateau, Mudumalai National Park and Bandipur National Park.

This sanctuary covers Sathyamangalam taluk and parts of Gobichettipalayam Taluk of Erode District in the north western Tamil Nadu.[2] Conservation of the Sathyamangalam Forest Division is administered by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department Conservator of Forests, Erode Circle and the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Gobichettipalayam Forest District.[3]

Driving through the forests

Declaration

In exercise of the powers conferred by the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972, the Governor of Tamil Nadu, having considered the area is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural and zoological significance, for the purpose of protecting, propagating and developing wild life and its environment, declared that the defined area shall be a Sanctuary, on and from the 3rd November 2008.[2]

The sanctuary includes the following areas of Sathyamangalam Forest Division:

  1. Guthiyalathur Reserved Forest (Portion) 299.47 square kilometres (115.626 sq mi),
  2. Guthiyalathur Extension Reserved Forest 1.6231 square kilometres (0.627 sq mi),
  3. Thalamalai Reserved Forest (Portion) 210.85 square kilometres (81.410 sq mi),
  4. Thalamalai Extension Reserved Forest 12.4063 square kilometres (4.790 sq mi),
Map of Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, showing Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary (Sathyamangalam Forest Division) in relation to multiple contiguous protected areas
Sathyamangalam Forest Division in relation to other protected areas in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
The total area was 524.3494 square kilometres (202.452 sq mi) [2]

The boundaries of the sanctuary were:

North: Talavady(Thalavadi) Range of Thalamalai Reserved Forest and Hasanur and T.N.Palayam (Gobichettipalayam Taluk) Ranges of Guthiyalathur Reserved Forests. Contiguous with Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary
East: Bargur reserved forest Bhavani taluk of Erode Forest Division.
South: Moyar River and Bhavani River. Contiguous with Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and Sigur Plateau south of the Moyar River.
West: Karnataka State Boundary.[2] Contiguous with Bandipur National Park.

In September, 2011, the Forest Department increased the Sanctuary area 169% by adding 887.26 km2 (342.57 sq mi) in seven reserve forests of Sathyamangalam Forest Division to the existing wildlife sanctuary spread over 524.34 km2 (202.45 sq mi). The largest chunks of additional area are 487.92 km2 (188.39 sq mi) from Guthiyalathur and 319.87 km2 (123.50 sq mi) from Talamalai reserve forests, thus increasing the total sanctuary area to 1,411.6 km2 (545.0 sq mi).[1]

Of the total area, the core zone comprises 917.27 km2 (354.16 sq mi) (65%). Tourism and minimal construction will only be allowed in the buffer zone, while only forest officials will be permitted entry in the core zone. [4]

Sathyamangalam tiger reserve

There is a proposal to declare this sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve due to the large number of tigers seen in the area. On July 15, 2010, the Indian Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh, requested the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M. Karunanidhi to: "consider the possibility of proposing the Sathyamangalam Wild Life Sanctuary as a Project Tiger Tiger Reserve, vis-a-vis the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 as the area is contiguous with the forests of Chamrajnagar-Bandipur-Mudumalai".[1][5]

On April 1, 2010 The Government of Tamil Nadu said it would soon initiate action to declare SWS as a tiger reserve because many tigers are consistently being sighted in the forest here. This tiger reserve declaration is expected to strengthen wildlife conservation efforts, as the sanctuary managers will get more financial support from the central government. The Government of India may provide support to appoint an additional anti-poaching watchers and fund the establishment of anti-poaching camps.[6]

On April 6, 2012, Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Vasisht said the proposal to have a tiger reserve in Sathyamangalam has been sent (to the MOEF for approval and funding).[7]

Incidentally, in 2008, the Karnataka Forest Department had sent a proposal to also declare the contiguous Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, as a Tiger Reserve.[8] The proposal to notify the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary as a critical tiger habitat was subsequently approved in 2010. [5]

On March 10, 2011, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife said that the proposal for according tiger reserve status for the Sathyamangalam Reserve Forests is under consideration. He said that studies using camera traps and scats indicated there could be 19 to 25 tigers in Sathyamangalam forests. He added that Tamil Nadu might have 100 to 110 tigers based on the camera traps and scat examination done in Tamil Nadu's three tiger reserves: Mudumalai National Park, Indira Gandhi National Park and Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve[9] The Sathyamangalam forest is the only reserve forest in South India with a significant presence of tigers, that is not yet declared as one of the tiger reserves in India.[10]

A 2011 camera trap tiger density study by World Wildlife Fund ( WWF) at the SWS indicated that the sanctuary is home to at least 25 tigers. A DNA based project initiated by the state forest department collected 150 samples of pugmarks from Sathyamangalam forests and 69 of them were found positive for tigers by tests conducted at the Centre for Molecular Biology in Hyderabad. The lab findings indicate that the region is home to up to 30 tigers.[11] In a 2010 wildlife survey, 46 tigers were sighted in the Sathyamangalam forest area.[12]

Supported by these reports, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has prepared a detailed report to the state government supporting the tiger reserve proposal. This proposal will come up for consideration before the Tamil Nadu Council of Ministers in early 2012.[11]

Flora

The Sathyamangalam forest is mostly tropical dry forest, part of the South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests ecoregion. there are five distinct forest types: tropical evergreen (Shola), semi-evergreen, mixed-deciduous, dry deciduous and thorn forests. Evergreen forests are restricted to small patches in a few high altitude hill tops of Sathyamamgalam between 750 metres (2,460 ft) and 1,649 metres (5,410 ft). These patches are threatened on account of land use changing to hill agriculture and plantation crops, including fruit. Semi-evergreen forests are found at high altitude. Mixed and dry deciduous forests are located on middle altitude slopes and the thorn forests are usually found in the foot hills and some times, due degradation of dry deciduous forests, at the middle elevations.[13] About 65% of the forest division is under forest cover. Significant areas of mixed Shrubland and grasslands support a large population of herbivore ungulates, the preferred prey of tigers.

Fauna

The Sathyamangalam forests are especially important because they link the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats allowing gene flow between diverse populations of the two habitats.[8]

In December 2011, the Conservator of Forests, Erode Circle stated that the SWS is home to at least 28 tigers which has been confirmed by a camera trapping study conducted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).[4] In 2011, it was reported that the Sathyamangalam forest is home to over 850 Indian Elephants, making it the largest elephant habitat in the country.[14] The 2010 survey counted 12 Bengal Tigers.[14]

The 2009 wildlife survey enumerated 10 Bengal Tigers, 866 Indian Elephants, 672 Gaurs, and 27 leopards. The survey party observed four additional species of horned antelope including 2,348 Spotted deer, 1,068 Blackbuck, 304 Sambar deer, 77 Barking deer and Four-horned antelope, 843 wild boar, 43 Sloth bear and 15 striped hyenas [15] Many Treepies, Bulbuls, Babblers, Mynahs and Crows were seen.[6][16]

In 2010, the first ever bird survey in Sathyamangalam Forest Division was conducted in the Bhavanisagar, Sathyamangalam, Thalavadi, T.N. Palayam and Hasanur Ranges. A total of 230 species of birds were recorded in the survey.[6] As of 2010, a small population of Threatened Gyps and three other species of Vultures have continued to thrive in the Moyar River valley near Mangalapatti in Sathyamangalam Forest Division. These forests have been recognised to be significant areas for the vultures in South India.[17] 20 nests have been sighted and about 40 vultures could be in the area. Vultures were last seen here in the 1970s.[18]

Tribal Population

A group of Irula men the lower Nilgiri Hills photographed in 1871-72

These forests are home to indigenous tribal people belonging largely to the Irula tribe (also known as the Urali) and, Soliga communities.[19] In late 2011, Forest Department officials were studying the cattle and human population in the area. There are seven forest settlements and 12 revenue settlements inside the area. In 2012, Data collection is nearly complete and officials will soon conduct a project stakeholders meeting with the participation of residents from these settlements.[4]

The forests were also the home of the legendary Indian bandit leader, kidnapper and murderer Koose Muniswamy Veerapan, who made a living poaching ivory and sandalwood from the forests and selling them on the black market. Veerapan was killed by police in October 2004.[20] After Veerapan was killed in 2004, people reported paranormal activities occurring in the forest such as screaming in the middle of the night and unattended lanterns seen deep in the forest. The forest of Sathyamangalam is also known for its ghost sightings and is referred to as "The most haunted place in Tamil Nadu".[21]

Travel Information

File:GOBI.jpg
Entrance to Gobichettipalayam town

National Highway NH 209 connecting Coimbatore to Mysore which joins the State Highway 15 form Erode via Gobichettipalayam at Sathyamangalam passes through the forests. It passes through a hilly terrain and has to negotiate 27 hairpin bends.

Now there have been a trekking arranged from Hasanur and Gettavady( near Thalavady) to Thengumarada through dense forest for two days. The distance it covers is nearly 20 km. The trek starts at early morning, camping in forest that night and reaching Thengumarada next afternoon. There is a great opportunity for sighting elephants, Wild boars, deers, Mangoose, Gaurs and Monitor Lizards. Even leopard and tigers are spotted often.

Tourists can have a drive through these forests, starting from Gobichettiplayam and travelling towards T N palayam, Kadambur, Germalam and to Hasanur. En route one can see all type of forest from dry thorny forest (foot hills of kadambur) to moist evergreen forest (in Germalam region). Kadambur is at an elevation of 900MSL. The ghat road is narrow and has very less traffic compared NH 209.

There is route to Thalavady via Thalamalai which is very scenic and we could see the native Shola forests. The route is open only during the day time. To go through this route one have to get permission from District Forest Office.

Accommodation is available at Government Guest House, Hasanur and cottages at Dhimbam.

There are famous temples around Sanctuary including Bannari Amman Temple at the entrance of the Sanctuary and the Kongalli Temple in the Thalavady Range which is deep inside the forest.

Contacts

District Forest Office, SF No. 193, Raja Nagar, Periya Semoor, Erode - 638004 Phone 0424 - 2291722

Conservator of Forests, 11, Gandhiji Nagar, Perundurai Road, Erode - 638009 Phone 0424 - 2240976

Deputy Commissioner of Forests, 19, West Park Street, Gobichettipalayam - 638452 Phone 04285 - 228404

District Forest Officer 2/41, Forest Rest House, Hasanur Phone 04295 - 244225

District Forest Officer Mysore Trunk Road, Sathyamangalam Phone 04295 - 220312

Forest Ranger 2/351, GPM Road, Bungalowpudur, Gobichettipalayam Phone 04285 - 260398

External sources

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.

References

  1. ^ a b c d B. Aravind Kumar (2011-09-27). "Sathyamangalam wildlife sanctuary expanded to 1.41 lakh hectares". The Hindu, Chennai. Chennai, India: Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  2. ^ a b c d N. SUNDARADEVAN, Principal Secretary to Government (2008-12-03), "Declaration of Sathyamangalam Forest Division as Wild Life Sanctuary under the Wild Life (Protection) Act." (PDF), TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Part II—Sec.2, NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT, Chennai: ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS DEPARTMENT, p. 390, retrieved 2011-01-24
  3. ^ "Contact us", Tamil Nadu Forest Department, official website, Site Maintained by National Information Centre, retrieved 1011-1-4 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ^ a b c S. Ramesh (2011-09-27). "Plan for tiger reserve to be sent to Union Ministry for approval". The Hindu, Coimbature. Chennai, India: Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Retrieved 2011-12-27.
  5. ^ a b C.R. Biloy (2010-04-01). "Good news for the tiger?". The Hindu, Chennai. Chennai, India: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
  6. ^ a b c Karthik Madhavan (2010-04-01). "Healthy tigers spotted in Sathyamangalam forests". The Hindu, Chennai. Chennai, India: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Retrieved 2011-01-02. Cite error: The named reference "KM" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Two more tiger reserves for TN". IBN Live. Chennai, India: Cable News Network LP, LLLP. 6-4-2012. Retrieved 6-4-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  8. ^ a b "Sathyamangalam could be a tiger reserve". The Times of India, Chennai. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2010-03-01. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
  9. ^ "Tiger reserve status for Sathyamangalam likely", The Hindu, Chennai, India: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd, 2011-03-10, retrieved 2011-03-13
  10. ^ "Veerappan lair now a tiger den". The Times of India, Chennai. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2010-09-30. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  11. ^ a b K A Shaji (2011-12-26). "WWF study confirms at least 25 tigers in Sathyamangalam forests". The Times of India,. Coimbatore: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Retrieved 2012-02-02.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  12. ^ "Over 100 tigers spotted in three tiger reserves, says forest minister -". The Times of India, Chennai. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2010-10-24. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
  13. ^ L. Arul Pragasan, C. Muthumperumal, N. Parthasarathy. "27.0 Shola Forests and Some Important Species of Southernmost Eastern Ghats". Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun. Retrieved 2011-01-11.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ a b "Focus back on preventing poaching in forests". The Times of India, Chennai. Chennai, India: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2011-01-01. Retrieved 2011-01-02. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  15. ^ "Trouble In Jumbo Land", Tehelka Magazine, Vol 5, Issue 25, Anant Media Pvt. Ltd, 2008-06-28, retrieved 2011-01-03 {{citation}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  16. ^ Sathyamangalam (2009-03-30), "Sathyamangalam Wildlife Census - March 2009", Travel Pod, TravelPod.com, retrieved 2011-01-03{{citation}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  17. ^ Ramakrishnan, B (25). "Is diclofenac the only culprit for declining population of Gyps vultures in the Moyar Valley". Current Science. 99 (12): 1645–1646. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  18. ^ "Vultures' nests sighted in Moyar river valley". The Hindu, Chennai. Chennai, India: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2010-04-01. Retrieved 2010-04-15. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  19. ^ "MM Hills CCC background", Community-based Conservation Centres, ATREE, retrieved 1011-1-7 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  20. ^ "Karnataka Police arrest Veerappan's wife". India Today. Living Media India Limited. 2008-11-26. Retrieved 2011-01-07. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  21. ^ "Sathyamangalam Forests". YourGhostStories.com. 2009-01-12. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
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