SAFE PATH: The Kaniyanapura Elephant Corridor is crucial for the tusker population in Bandipur, Mudumalai and Wyanad. — PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

MYSORE: New scientific research has reaffirmed the importance of maintaining the ecological landscape of the Kaniyanapura Elephant Corridor in Bandipur National Park for the long-term survival of the Indian elephant.

The corridor is located along the Moyar and gorge. The State Government has acquired additional land to widen the elephant corridor as part of its conservation efforts.

But the Kaniyanapura landscape, as also other parts of Bandipur, are in peril owing to anthropogenic pressure abetted by reckless promotion of eco-tourism that is having a negative impact on wildlife.

Bandipur and Nagarahole in Karnataka, along with Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Wyanad in Kerala, comprise the last surviving tract of contiguous forests with the highest density of elephants in a sq.km. anywhere in Asia, except Myanmar.

The elephants in these forests use the Kaniyanapura corridor during their annual seasonal migration from one region to another in search of fodder. The corridor connects the western part of Bandipur with the eastern area, and facilitates free movement of elephants. The entire area is spread over 12,000 sq.km. covering 20 forest divisions in three States and is home to about 7000 to 10,000 elephants, thus making it a prime elephant habitat.

10 forest divisions

The Kaniyanapura corridor alone connects 10 forest divisions covering an area of 8,397 sq.km. that harbour about 4.000 to 5.000 elephants.

A scientific study carried out by Surendra Varma of the Asian Elephant Research and Conservation Centre (AERCC), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, indicates that the forests linked by the Kaniyanapura corridor harbour about 500 to 700 breeding elephants — both male and female — and this has enhanced the long-term viability of the elephant population. The region has suffered disturbances such as extensive cattle grazing.

It displays a canopy cover of only 33 per cent and ground cover of 51 per cent while the figures are high for other parts of the forests. The landscape could suffer further degradation if efforts are not made to minimise such pressure. If this happens and the forest divisions get further fragmented, the free movement of elephants will be impeded. The resulting isolation of elephant herds could result in inbreeding, culminating eventually in their extinction.

Earlier studies have shown that there were about 2-4 elephants in a sq.km. in the forests around Bandipur. According to Mr. Varma, The Kaniyanapura landscape accounts for at least 500 to 700 breeding elephants. This suggests that the elephant population here has a longer viability and hence are stronger placed to conserve the species. Any threat to the landscape surrounding the Kaniyanapura corridor would result in the separation of six forest divisions and reduce the long-term viability of the elephants by 50 per cent.

Ecologically fragile zone

Forest Department officials themselves have recognised the perils plaguing Bandipur and have mooted the idea of creating an "ecologically fragile zone" in a 10-km radius of the Bandipur National Park. The introduction of a stringent land use pattern that is in conformity with the landscape could help regulate tourism and movement of people within the forest areas. Any concession to the "eco-tourism" lobby will be a threat to the ecological balance of this region.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail