Parambikulam to become tiger reserve

The formalities connected with the declaration of the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary in the State as a tiger reserve are nearing completion, Forest Minister Benoy Viswom said here on Friday.Parambikulam will be the second tiger reserve in the State after the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR), which was given that status way back in 1978.The Minister said this while releasing a book of photographs, titled 'Periyar in her Elements,' published jointly by the Periyar Foundation and the Kerala Forest Department. The book contains more than 80 breathtaking photos from the PTR, taken by 15 well-known wildlife photographers from Kerala and outside.A black-and-white photo of an elephant in the Periyar forests by the renowned ornithologist Salim Ali and another of a majestic tusker virtually posing for the camera against the backdrop of Thekkady Lake by the famous Indian wildlife photographer T.N.A. Perumal, included in the pages of the book, add to the value of the book to those interested in the conservation history of the country.Principal Chief Conservator of Forests T.N. Manoharan said the book was an attempt to lift the concept of conservation to spiritual levels, the oneness of existence and the interdependence of all species of life. Art and poetry are combined in the book to awaken conservation consciousness.The book was published in the context of the 75th anniversary of the declaration of the Periyar area as a game reserve. It was then known as Nellikkampetty Game Reserve. More wildlife areas were added to Nellikkanpetty to turn the region first into a sanctuary and then into a tiger reserve.The head of the Forest Department R.P. Sharma, the Forest Secretary P.K. Mohanty and Chief Wildlife Warden J.K. Tiwari also addressed the function, held at the Forest Headquarters here.

 

The Hindu, 21^st September 2008