A PRELIMINARY SURVEY ON THE STATUS OF TIGERS (Panthera tigris) IN DIBRUSAIKHOWA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

摘要

Tiger (Panthera tigris) is the most significant species of wildlife in the flood plains of Dibrusaikhowa Biosphere Reserve, with a healthy population and an additional large potential habitat for expansion. The grassy riverine plains, interspersed with evergreen and moist deciduous tree forest and swamps, is ideal for the sustainment and propagation of the tiger population. The presence of prey species, i.e. wild ungulates, is very low and the tigers thrive to a great extent on the livestock of the cattle stations. The tigers normally keep within the protected area, but in winter some animals - usually males - stray to nearby villages, particularly along the Brahmaputra and even to towns like Dibrugarh. Also, during heavy flooding the tigers occasionally take shelter in nearby villages. Taking into consideration factors like the rich tiger population in the area, the inadequate surveys on the species in the region, and finally the protection and management infrastructure in Dibrusaikhowa and its impact on the tiger population at present and in the future, there is an urgent need for a first hand preliminary survey on its status. This paper deals with the distribution of tigers within the reserve, their major prey species, local movements and recommendations.