Abstract

Many of our Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks and Tiger Reserves do not have adequate scientific background information for proper management. No effort has been made to study the ecological conditions, the ecological requirements of wildlife and the availability of resources. As a result erroneous decisions are often taken based on casual observations. Undue alarm is sometimes voiced about the increase of population of a particular species and advice is given to cull them. In 1976 such a situation arose in Periyar Tiger Reserve, with respect to the wild dog. It was in this context that the present project "An Ecological Study in Periyar Tiger Reserve with special reference to wildlife" was initiated. The major objective is to help evolve a management plan for the reserve based on population dynamics, basic ecological requirements of the major species, resource availability and the general ecological conditions prevailing in the Reserve. Before undertaking intensive studies on individual species, it was necessary to make a reconnaissance in the Reserve, to bring out the general status, distribution and habitat preference of each species, to evaluate the overall ecological conditions in the Reserve and, to assess the more important problems in respect of management. These goals have been attatined by the survey and the present report covers this part of the study. The study brings out a checklist of mammals (excluding smaller ones) and birds in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. It also indicates the distribution pattern of the major species of wildlife in the Reserve and its preferred habitat. The disturbance to wildlife in the Reserve and the various problems related to management are briefly dealt with. Made some interim recommendations and also suggested the areas where intensive research is required