Previous Year Question
The term ‘M-STrIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of
Captive breeding of Wild Fauna
Maintenance of Tiger Reserves
Indigenous Satellite Navigation System
Security of National Highways
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
M-STrIPES stands for ‘Monitoring System for Tigers-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status’.
It is a software-based system developed for patrolling and ecological monitoring in tiger reserves.
It was developed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority with technical support from the Wildlife Institute of India.
It was launched in selected tiger reserves in the year 2010.
Its objective is to provide more effective protection to tigers and their habitats from poaching and other threats.
It records the routes, time, distance and spatial coverage of patrols conducted by forest personnel.
It uses GPS and Geographic Information System, or GIS.
It assists in preparing spatial maps of the routes covered by patrolling teams.
Direct sightings, pugmarks, scat, scratches and other signs of tigers or other wildlife can be recorded through it.
Information related to poaching, human encroachment, forest fires, livestock grazing and other threats can also be recorded.
The collected data can show which areas of a tiger reserve have been adequately patrolled and where protection needs to be strengthened.
It helps reserve managers evaluate the intensity and spatial coverage of patrolling.
The system enables evidence-based conservation and better management of tiger reserves.
It is not related to captive breeding, an indigenous satellite navigation system or the security of national highways.
Therefore, M-STrIPES is related to the maintenance and conservation of tiger reserves.