Thursday, May 5 2005 12:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Madurai: Not only Sariska, tigers and leopards are difficult to spot in the forests of Western Ghats between famous Coutrallam and Sivagiri ranges also even as good rains and increased greenery have brought about an encouraging rise in the population of other wild animals.

A survey of animals conducted by 140 volunteers in March this year showed the presence of leopard and tigers was not very encouraging as only three big cats had been found - one at Shencottah and two close to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and just 10 leopards at Shencottah and Sivagiri, about 150 km from Madurai, according to District Forest Officer H Venu Prasad.

But forest officials were surprised by the presence of Travancore flying squirrels, which were rare to see in the belt, and 60 nilgiri tahrs too.

Another reason for the increase in animal population was close monitoring of poachers, Prasad said.

The survey team noted the presence of 500 to 600 sambars, 3000 deer, 3500 wild boars, 400 indian gaurs, 200 wild dogs, 300 barking deers, 200 niligiri monkeys and 200 langurs, 2000 bonnet macaque, 100 line-tiled macaque and 120 elephants.

Prasad said the rise in animal population was significant and there would be more animals next year as the forest cover and greenery had increased and summer showers this year had been good.

The pea-fowls and jungle fowls could account to near 1000, he said.

The forest department is taking steps to closely monitor wild animals. "We are comparing the statistics and find out the reasons for the fall in the animal population earlier. We have identified the poaching routes and had sealed them," Prasad said.

"We are serious about maintaining the wildlife population and increasing the population...we will not tolerate any slide in the population of any species," he said.

Village forest committees would be formed to monitor the movement of the anti-social elements inside the forests. As officials themselves stayed in forests during surprise raids, poaching had drastically come down, said an official.

Meanwhile, officials in charge of eco-development in Gulf of Munnar Biosphere, 120 km from Madurai, say it has become a major destination for migratory birds.

Melselvanoor is increasingly becoming a popular site for bird watchers. According to a rough survey, more than 4000 migratory birds, including spoonbills, spot-billed pelicans, painted storks, grey horns, white ibis, darters, cormorants, some Indian and some foreign birds, had arrived.