Chennai:
After announcing that the forest area near Sathyamangalam in western Tamil Nadu would be declared as a tiger reserve, the state government is conducting a census of the big cat.
"A tiger census is now underway at Sathyamangalam. Initial findings show positive trend," official sources said.
Camera trappings have some numbers which are in the initial phase and tigers recorded in an area only gave an indication of a healthy food cycle, sources said.
"If there are tigers, there surely are sufficient deer and other animals. And if there are deer and other animals, then there is abundant green cover for these animals to feed.
Tigers are in that way indicators of forest environment, as they stand top in the forest food cycle," sources said.
Forest Minister K T Pachamal had announced in the assembly recently that 1,40,924 hectares in Sathyamangalam area would be declared as a tiger reserve.