LTMs STANDING ON NH-169A IN THE GHAT SECTION OF SOMESHWARA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
By Meera Bhardwaj
Efforts are on to wean away the Lion tailed Macaques (LTM) at Agumbe Ghats from consumption of fruits and junk food which are given by visitors to this popular tourist destination across the Western Ghats in Karnataka.
The state forest department has initiated action and will be using a novel idea to stop illegal feeding of LTMs. As such wildlife conservationists from Shivamogga district have made lot of efforts to bring in awareness among tourists and stop them from feeding the LTMs while at the same time appealed to the state forest department to take permanent measures before it is too late.
ON THE FIFTH CURVE, ONE CAN SEE A GROUP ON THE ROAD WALL WAITING FOR FOOD
In view of the escalating problem, activists wrote to the state forest department to take action against illegal feeding of LTMs in Agumbe ghat section of NH-169A that falls in the core area of Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary. And they have even got a patrolling cabin for watchers installed at this place to monitor and stop feeding activities.
With only one forest watcher on duty, the tourism department has occupied this cabin which was meant for wildlife watchers. Activists have been following up this issue for two years but there has been no improvement in the situation as LTMs still flock to the road and beg for food from tourists.
Akhilesh Chipli, environmental activist, Sagar and Secretary, SWAN & Man (Save-Wild-Atmosphere-Nature and Man) says, “This problem arose about two and a half years back when a few LTMs on one level below the Sunset Point at Agumbe Ghats were fed fruits, biscuits, chips and other food items by visiting tourists. We started a campaign program to educate visitors and in cooperation with forest officials, even set up a cabin for forest staff to patrol the area and dissuading people from feeding these endangered species. Forest officials have already put up sign boards on this road not to feed the LTMs but still people persist in feeding these arboreal species.”
AN LTM BEING FED BY TOURISTS DESPITE WARNING SIGNS PUT UP BY FOREST DEPARTMENT
Activists noticed that a few people were carrying papaya, pineapple and cucumber in gunny bags and feeding the LTMs. These fruits and vegetables are not part of the diet of LTMs, they inform. One can see warning signs on the curves of this ghat section not to feed the animals but there has been no let up. In fact, the problem has persisted and escalated and now a greater number of LTMs can be seen on the roads begging for food.
Due to human interference, the LTMs of Someshwara gather on the rubble wall alongside the road and literally beg for food. Regularly, some 15-17 macaques stand on the wall near the 7th curve and another group of 15 animals on the 5th curve. If this situation continues, activists say the whole groups of LTM of Someshwara WLS may turn feral and lose ecological importance. Strong action is needed to conserve the LTMs and its ecological importance.
AN ARBOREAL SPECIES, THE LTM LIVES ON TREE CANOPIES OF RAIN FORESTS OF WESTERN GHATS
Speaking to Green Minute, the Karnataka PCCF and Head of Forest Force, Sanjai Mohan said, “I have informed the wildlife wing. Earlier it had been stopped but the problem has cropped up again. We will look into the issue for a permanent solution as this is a bad precedent. In fact, this goes against the macaques’ natural behaviour as they do not come down from the tree canopies. Due to easy availability of food, this has been happening. We can raise the fine amount but it is very difficult to track people and impose fines who maybe, feeding them any time of the day.”
Further, the PCCF added, “A novel scheme was taken up in Kudremukh National Park where tourists were provided with bags at the entry point for collection of all food and other items and then the bag was handed over by tourists at the exit point to the forest staff. This scheme worked very well in Kudremukh but for this scheme to continue and succeed, commitment from the staff is required. Maybe, we can try out this scheme in the Agumbe Ghat section to wean away the LTMs from begging for food. I will ask the officials to start this scheme so that we can dissuade the animals from getting easy food.”
ENDEMIC TO WESTERN GHATS, THE DISTRIBUTION OF LTMs IS CONFINED TO THE EVERGREEN FORESTS
The species is classified as “Endangered” due to its:
- highly selective feeding habits,
- limited range of occupancy of 2500 sq kms,
- delayed sexual maturity,
- long inter-birth intervals,
- low population turnover and
- a small remaining wildlife population,
Basically, a frugivorous species, a LTM feeds on 70-120 plant species seasonally. These are the factors which have earned the LTM, a “Flagship Species” recognition so as to conserve the Evergreen forests of Western Ghats.
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