tiger.smallIndia has deployed a high-tech GPS-based tiger monitoring system in an effort to stamp out poaching and protect the critically endangered species.

The pilot system, called “M-Stripes”, is a collaboration between India’s environment ministry, conservation and wildlife organisations and the Zoological Society of London.

The ZSL has already implemented similar systems in Kenya and Nepal.

The software enables forest rangers to record tiger sightings, wildlife crimes and ecological monitoring. The information is then compiled centrally.

Environment minister Jairam Ramesh said the system would provide greater transparency. Previous tiger data had been doctored by forest officials, he said.

Officials hope to deploy the system across six tiger reserves – Corbett in Uttarakhand, Ranthambhore in Rajasthan, Kanha in Madhya Pradesh, Bhadra in Karnataka, Anamalai in Tamil Nadu and Nagarjunasagar Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh.

“The system will provide forecasting of detrimental events like poaching or habitat degradation and, thus, will provide scope for timely safeguards. We will soon extend the system to other 33 tiger reserves in the country,” Y.V. Jhala of Wildlife Institute of India told the Times of India.

There are estimated to be just 1,411 tigers left in India.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 16th, 2010 at 9:03 am and is filed under Big cats, Conservation, Endangered species, Mammals, Wild. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.