TIRUNELVELI: The Kalakkad – Mundanthurai Tiger Conservation Foundation Tamil Nadu Trust, which has been established with the objective of conserving the fauna and flora, has appealed to individuals and institutions to donate liberally to preserve the forest of Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) and its flagship species.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director, KMTR, H. Malleshappa, said that the tiger reserve, covering an area of 895.39 square kilometres, with 400 square kilometres of evergreen forests, has 448 endemic species of angiosperms, 17 genera and 161 species of ferns. As per the tiger census taken during last fiscal, the tiger reserve had 13 tigers, of which three were found through scat analysis.
“The number should have gone up further, which will be known exactly during the next census to be conducted scientifically,” said Mr. Malleshappa.
He suggested that the donors may provide solar fences to prevent wild animal invasion into adjoining farms, construction of watch towers and vehicles. He stated that the donors could adopt any wild animal species by bearing their protection costs or maintain the reserve hygienically. He said that the tiger reserve administration would give preference to the donors whenever they visit the sanctuary.
The names of the donors would be displayed at vantage points. The donors would get income tax exemption for their contribution to the trust.
He said that the Union Government had released Rs.1.94 crore which would be used various purposes.
Deputy Directors of KMTR, D. Venkatesh (Mundanthurai) and K. Sathyanathan (Kalakkad) were present.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/28/stories/2010092857980100.htm
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