 |
|
|
|
General background:
Kerala, situated within the folds of the Western Ghats, an area
of great floristic diversity, contains some of the most picturesque
and important wildlife sanctuaries in India. In total, there
are 12 wildlife sanctuaries and two national parks. Unfortunately,
poor funding ad organised poaching hamper the conservation of
wildlife in the entire South India region. Few of the sanctuaries
can claim to be well-organised and, except for Periyar National
Park, they lack basic infrastructure. Most of the larger animals
have been hunted close to extinction with the remaining populations
hiding in the remote forested zones of the Nilgiri Biosphere
Reserve. Sightings of the venerable
Asian elephant, for example, can be expected only Periyar National
Park and sightings of tigers are very rare nowadays. In general,
the best way to see the animals is to steer clear of the organised
excursions and instead organise walking safaris with approved
wildlife guides. But while the game viewing may be disappointing
in some cases, the wildlife parks, like so much of Kerala, can
be breathtakingly beautiful.
The Tiger’s fate: Tragically, the Indian
tiger apparently faces likely extinction in the not-so-distant
future. The apparently insatiable demand for tiger skin, claw
and bone for Chinese Medicine, coupled with scarcity of habitat
and official incompetence and corruption on a grand scale, means
that the tiger population has plummeted. The last all-India
census in 1993 estimated 3,750 tigers, a sharp decline from
four years earlier. At present, the numbers are estimated to
be even less - 3,000 to 3,500 tigers at best. Some believe the
real figure has dipped below 2000. The recent WWF discovery,
in 2005, that Sariska, a Rajasthan park, may no longer have
tigers and that the famed Ranthambore’s park in the same
state is missing 18 of its 47 tigers has left conservationists
irate, nature-lovers furious and the government deeply embarrassed.
Belated action has been taken with the set-up of a Wildlife
Crime Prevention, but, tragically, it is probably too late.
There are tigers in Kerala, but the chances of seeing them in
the wild are miniscule.
Birdwatching: Mammal-lovers may be
frustrated but ornithologists will not be disappointed by Kerala’s
abundant birdlife. The state’s tropical forests, grasslands,
rivers, lakes and lagoons ensure an incredible biodiversity
that supports around 500 species of birds, 16 of which are endemic.
Indeed, Kerala offers some of the best birding in South Asia.
Birding hot spots include Thattekkad, Kumarakom, Munnar, Periyar
and Parambikulam. The best time to visit Kerala for birding
is between October and April.
|
|
|
|
|
|
