Conservation of Grizzled Squirrel
Sirvilliputhur Grizzled Wildlife Sanctuary:
Sirvilliputhur Grizzled Wildlife Sanctuary/Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS) is situated at southern part of Tamilnadu with 480 sq. km area. In year 1989 it is declared as sanctuary mainly for protection & conservation of vulnerable Grizzled Squirrel. Periyar Tiger Reserve formed contiguous part of this sanctuary on the South western side and the Megamalai Reserve Forest on the north western side. While its southern limit is continues with the Sivagiri Reserved Forest of Tirunelveli Forest Division.
An important and unique habitat of this sanctuary provides an ecologically sustainable habitat for about 32 species of Mammals, more than 200 species of birds, 53 species of reptiles, 24 species of amphibians, 56 species of butterflies and wide variety of flora. Important fauna found here Grizzled Giant Squirrel, bonnet macaque, Common Langur, Slender Loris, Lion Tailed Macaque, Tiger, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Civet, Mongoose, Sloth Bear, Jackal, Elephant, Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Indian Pangolin, Indian Hare, Indian Porcupine. Sanctuary is recognised as an Important Bird Area (over 200 species – 14 species are endemic to the Western Ghats).
The Grizzled Squirrel (Scientific name – Ratufa macroura):
Grizzled squirrel is the Flagship species of this sanctuary & according to IUCN conservation status it is Near Threatened. It is the smallest of the giant squirrels found in the Indian subcontinent. It is entirely arboreal mammal having dorsal surface and tail grey or brownish grey more or less grizzled with white hence the name Grizzled Squirrel. It breeds once a year, producing a single offspring.
These squirrels feed mostly on fruits, nuts, insects, bird eggs, and the bark of some trees. During period when there is deficiency of fruits, they can survive on tender leaves, Seeds. The important food trees for them are Tamarind (key food tree species), Combretum ovalifolium (key food climber species), Vagai, Usil, Naval, Neer maruthu, Thani, Neem and Mango. This species is highly restricted to south India and Sri Lanka & is found in mixed deciduous forests and riverine forests (below 800 m MSL). Along with Grizzled Squirrel
Wildlife Sanctuary this squirrel has been recorded from, Theni Forest Division, Palani Hills, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Anaimalai Tiger reserve, Sirumalai, Thiruvannamalai Forest Division of the Eastern Ghats, Hosur Forest Division and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
Distribution of Grizzled Squirrel inside the sanctuary:
1. Ayyankovil
2. Senbagathoppu
3. Alagarkovil
4. Athikovil
5. Periyar Dam
6. Kovilan Dam
7. Samiparai
8. Sathuragiri
Population Grizzled Squirrel in Sanctuary:
Year Number of individuals
2008 545
2009 535
2010 793
2012 980
2013 1016
2014 984
Important protection issues of sanctuary:
As Grizzled squirrel is a Schedule I species & according to IUCN conservation status it is Near Threatened species. Inside the forest area illicit felling of trees by organized armed smuggling gangs is the cause of concerned. Also illicit collection of firewood by local people is the major threat to the vegetation in all the Ranges of sanctuary. People are traditionally dependent on the sanctuary area for grazing & these cattle stay for months in the remote core area of sanctuary which leads to degradation and poor regeneration. Along with it these cattle competes with herbivores for food and water and also there is a threat of spreading infectious diseases to the wild animals from these cattle. Sanctuary has religiously important temples such as Saduragiri Mahalingam temple, Kallalagar temple, Hariharapermal temple, Ayyanarkoil, Sasthakovil, Thavampetranayagikovil & there is right of way is given to pilgrims to visit these temples during festival days. Due their presence the negative impacts are seen on the ecosystem. Cultivation of ganja plants in the remote forest areas was one of burning issues for sanctuary. For cultivation of Ganja, cultivators used to clear the forest patch. This activity hence created many open areas inside the sanctuary. Along with it the cultivators were often indulge in felling of valuable timber trees and poaching.
As sanctuary is situated in rain shadow region, incidences of fire are high. Reasons for that are the natural causes like lightings but along with it there are various incidences of manmade fire by pilgrims, graziers, MFP collecting tribes, that affects the vegetation & also regeneration. Poaching for meat is also cause of concern & this is common near bounadary area of sanctuary. The entire eastern boundary of the sanctuary lies in farmlands and fallow lands in Virudhunagar and Madurai Districts hence along with poaching the problem of man animal conflict is very common in that area.
Activities taken by forest department:
1. Fruit bearing trees plantation – As we seen squirrel is mainly feed upon fruits hence forest department started the activity to plant fruit bearing tree every year. Target for each year is to plant 2000 trees. The species are Tamarind, Mango, Guava, Strabulus asper, Alstonia scholaris (Pala), Jamun etc.
2. Gap planting – Due various anthropological activities sanctuary faced problem of deterioration of habitat & hence for that gap planting is started by department.
3. Inside the sanctuary tribal people settlements are there. Paliyar & Kanis are the two major tribes’ lives there from centuries & these tribes consider grizzled squirrel as ‘God’ hence they protect this species without harming it.
4. To reduce poaching activities department established anti- poaching camps. Tribal people are involved in Anti-poaching teams as watchers. These teams keep continuous watch in the vulnerable pockets of sanctuary. These teams are also involved in fire fighting operations.
5. Forest field staff does intensified patrolling regularly in the sanctuary boundaries. Night patrolling is also done in remote areas.
6. One of the innovative operation done by department is to depute anitpoaching watchers in patrolling works for effective prevention of illegal activities like hunting, wood cutting, ganja cultivation, grazing and fire wood collection etc.
7. Grazing is completely banned by department & grazing offences are booked if such incidences happened.
8. To control the cultivation of ganja department protection strategies like intelligence gathering, patrolling and camping in vulnerable areas and co- ordination with the adjoining forests divisions were taken & result of it was there is no ganja cultivation in the past 2 years inside the sanctuary.
9. To solve man- animal conflict issues various actions are taken up by department like give compensation for crop damage, to conduct grievance meeting, to form elephant proof trenches and create water troughs in strategic locations.
10. During festival days pilgrims visit to the temples & to avoid damaged caused by them they are checked at entry points for inflammable materials, plastics, etc.
11. As we seen fire is major issues of concern hence to deal with it department took various actions as follows –
– Prevention of fire = Create alternative livelihood options, create awareness by putting up signs, posters and notices about the dangers of the forest fires in and around the fire prone areas, maintenance of fire lines in the fire prone areas, roadsides clearing , clearing trekking paths and boundary lines to break the progress of the fire.
– Control of fire = To control fire a team/squad consist of few Forest Guards, Forest watchers, Anti-poaching watchers along with one vehicle and a driver are kept ready always during fire seasons for emergency calls. Fire watchers are generally from the local population especially tribes. Watch Towers are also utilized to watch over vast area & give alert to fire fighting team.
– For fire information sharing and subsequent fire combat operations, wire-less communications are used & it seems to be more effective.
– Traditional method for fire fighting is used in the area which is devoid of road network and has smooth terrain. Counter fire is also used & found very effective for undulating, rugged area
12. Collection of NWFP by local people during fruiting season is stopped by volunteer action themselves.
13. Creations of Waterholes for wild animals. Till today 20 waterholes are created by forest department inside the sanctuary area.
14. Bore well construction as water source inside the sanctuary.
15. To increase peoples participation around 60 JFM committees are formed which helps the department for protection activities.
16. Process of translocation of trial settlement from wildlife sanctuary is started now.
17. Along with these activities to reduce the pressure of local people on forest Ecotourism initiatives also started by department.