Konkan Confirmed as Tiger Habitat in Western Ghats: Study Finds 12 Big Cats
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A joint study by the Maharashtra Forest Department, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR), and Wildlife Conservation Trust has confirmed that the Konkan region in the Western Ghats is not just a corridor for tigers but also a thriving habitat. The study, conducted using camera traps, recorded the presence of 12 tigers, including two cubs, primarily in the Sindhudurg and Satara districts.
Study Details and Findings
The study was part of a two-year scientific project initiated after a 2022 National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) report found no stable tiger population in STR. While earlier camera traps captured no tigers over 17,400 trap nights, subsequent surveys detected signs of tiger presence in STR and nearby forests, including the Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary.
From December 2022 to May 2023, researchers deployed 208 camera traps at 104 strategic locations across the tiger reserve and adjoining corridors. The study documented eight adult tigers and two cubs, with an additional two tigers sighted recently within the Sahyadri reserve.
Girish Punjabi, a wildlife researcher with the Wildlife Conservation Trust, said, “This is the first comprehensive study covering the entire corridor area. It confirms that the region is not just a passage but a habitat for tigers in the Western Ghats.”
About Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, established in 2008, spans Ratnagiri, Satara, and Kolhapur districts in Maharashtra. It comprises the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park, covering a total area of 1,165.57 square kilometers, with a core area of 600.12 square kilometers and a buffer area of 565.45 square kilometers. Located along the Koyna River and Vasant Sagar Reservoir, the STR serves as a critical part of the Western Ghats ecosystem.
Conservation Significance
This discovery underscores the importance of preserving the STR and surrounding forests, which form a crucial part of the tiger corridor in the Western Ghats. The findings also highlight the need for enhanced conservation measures to protect this fragile ecosystem and its iconic species.
The study report was submitted to the Maharashtra Forest Department in May 2024, and its findings are expected to guide future conservation strategies.
