Page 42 - Demo

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Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats have shown an encounter rate of 2.01 dung piles/km in a landscape containing evergreen, dry de- ciduous and mixed deciduous vegetation patches . Similar studies in mixed deciduous scrub forest have recorded a dung encounter rate of 15.5 piles/km. A total of 19 mammals were reported from the secured area of the corridor including tiger, elephant, gaur, bonnet macaque, spotted deer, sambar deer, mouse deer, Indian grey mongoose, rud- dy mongoose, Indian hare, small Indian civet, wild boar, etc.
A major concern in the secured corridor is the proposed National Highway from Kozhikode to Mysuru (alternate route due to night traffic ban in Bandipur) via Perambra – Thottilpalam – Mananthavady – Panavalli – Appapara –Kutta – Kanoor – Belale – Hunsur).
This is being proposed as an alternative route due to the night traffic ban in Bandipur Tiger Reserve that will pass through the centre of the corridor in Panavalli- Appapara section. The proposed road and related activities along the highway will be a major hindrance to wild- life movement and defeat the very purpose of securing the corridor. Alternate route from outside the corridor should be explored for the highway.
The relocation of villagers from a remote region inside corridor to a more accessible location has significantly improved the life of the beneficiaries as they now have better access to state services, health- care and market facilities. The families were provided with land for housing in an area not far from the forest with the added benefit of facilities like schools, healthcare systems, transport links, and access to better livelihood opportunities.
The project successfully provided concrete houses with tiled roofs for the relocated families with functional toilets and access to water, leading to better hygiene for the relocated families and also brought the beneficiaries closer to various community infrastructures.
Most families were involved in agriculture or daily wage labour as their primary source of income prior to relocation. It was estimated that the yearly income averaged Rs 41,040 per household. The annu- al income improved considerably after relocation as a result of more wage labour opportunities for the relocated families apart from their own agricultural produce. The average annual income increased to Rs 175,080 per annum as the land allocated was considerably closer to town and estates, the families had ample opportunity to also work as labourers in neighbouring agricultural land.