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Monday, August 10, 2009

World Tiger summit in Ranthambore next year

The first ever World Tiger Summit is likely to be held at Ranthambore which the goverment believes is the best run tiger sanctuary in the country. Well the state and central governments would do well to address chronic problems of understaffing and slopiness if they want to showcase the best to the world.

World Tiger Summit in Ranthambore next year

Southern western Ghats have max Tiger population

The NTCA has delcared the Nagarhole-Mudhumalai-Bandipur-Wyanad region as the most-populated tiger reserve. A report in Deccan Herald today cites the NTCA suggesting that the region be retained as an inter state tiger reserve which will allow easy and free movement of animals within the region. It is worth noting that a highway passing through Bandipur sanctuary was recently shut to night traffic owing to large number of animals being killed in nightime accidents.
Protecting big cats, govt’s new priority

To save Tiger we need to save all 6 populations

An interesting report in The Indian Express today cites a study conducted by the WII which found 6 distinct Tiger populations across the country. These populations have evolved as a result of adaptations to local conditions. so for instanc Tiger population in the himalyan region will be very different from teh ones in western ghats of South India. The study suggests avioding misxing of these populations less we end up with progeny which is not adapted to survive local conditions.

Little change on the ground despite all hype and hoopla

A report in TOI today cites how poorly managed Ranthambore's tiger protection system is. The guards at the park are all almost 50 years old with no new recuruitments having taken place in the last few years. If this is the situation at one of the most well known and 'better' protected parks one can imagine what is happening in other lesser known reserves. Ever since Sariska lost all its tigers in 2004, tiger conservation has been top of the agenda items for new media outlets. Forest officials, state govt wildlife mandarins never miss a chance to be in the limelight but when it comes to improving situation on the ground it seems we are still stuck in the sovient era. The report also notes that Ranthambore is one of the fortunate parks where tiger population has been growing despite lack of proper facilities for forest guards.