Goa tribals killed tiger after trapping it in wire snare

The investigation into a tiger poaching case in Goa has revealed that the big cat was shot dead by tribals of Majik community after trapping it into a wire snare.

The state forest department, which is investigating the case, in its probe report has reconstructed the entire sequence of incidents that led to the killing. “Three women were amongst the half a dozen Majik community members, who witnessed the killing, which happened in February last year. While two main accused shot the tiger to death after trapping it in wire snare, others witnessed the cold-blooded killing sitting atop a tree fearing that the tiger may jump on them,” the report said.

A Royal Bengal Tiger was killed at Keri February last year and the incident was brought to light in April after a picture of the dead animal was published in a local newspaper.

“The group of villagers fearing the aftermath later burnt the tiger by dragging it for almost 250 metres in the same cashew plantation,” the probe further stated.

A senior forest department official said that the killing might not have been exposed, if not for the act of one of the local youth to click the dead tiger on his mobile.

Forest department officials stated that it took almost one-and-a-half months for the forest officials to locate the spot, which borders Mhadei wildlife sanctuary in state’s Sattari taluka.

The department officials, accompanied by volunteers, had to comb the entire area to locate the two boulders visible in the photograph. “Finally when the spot was identified the task became more arduous because there was no evidence to establish the poaching,” a senior officer stated. It was only after thorough interrogation of the accused that the sequel to the killing in the form of burning the carcass was revealed.

Forest department’s records indicate that the two accused, Ganesh and Naguesh Majik, killed the tiger. Both have however feigned innocence in the case stating that they were not involved and instead had not even visited the cashew the area on the fateful day, officials said.

Investigation records mention that nearly twenty samples like burnt bones, fur, broken lower jaw were recovered from the site.

Keywords: Keri tiger, tiger poaching, Majik tribe

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article105532.ece

Corbett steadily turning into disaster zone

As the Union Minister of Forest and Environment, Jairam Ramesh, gets ready to preside over the inauguration of the two-day All India Tiger conference to be attended on Friday by top forest officials and wildlife experts from various Indian States in Jim Corbett National Park, wildlife poaching and environmental degeneration will not only be part of the discussion but appear as practical problems affecting the very venue of the meet.

According to a survey undertaken recently on the directions of the Union Tourism Secretary, Sujeet Banerjee, the tigers and other wildlife in Corbett Tiger Reserve area are facing problems resulting from uncontrolled human activities in the adjoining 77 tourist lodges.

While land in the Sunderkhal corridor linked with CTR has been taken over by those relocated from Tehri, another corridor area has been taken over by the tourist lodges, greatly affecting the movements of wildlife in CTR.

The survey revealed that though a maximum of 600 persons are allowed in a day to enter the CTR area, the tourist lodges provide boarding and lodging facility to 3,197. About 70 per cent of the visitors arriving in these tourists lodges aren’t here for ecotourism but for attending dance parties and other recreational activities which create noise and light pollution.

In addition, the garbage generated in 31 per cent of the lodges which are built on agricultural land adjoining CTR is dumped improperly in the ecologically sensitive region while garbage generated in 26 per cent of the lodges is simply burnt without any scientific regulation.

Even the Forest Department fleet of vehicles, used to ferry people in and out of the CTR area, consists of 26 diesel vehicles which cause unnecessary vehicular pollution in CTR.

Observers point out that although Uttarakhand claims to be encouraging ecotourism to capitalise on its environmental resources, unregulated tourist activities taking place have been causing damage to the environment and increased stress on wildlife including elephants.

The survey, which concluded in January, shows that unregulated human activities in the CTR area are damaging not only the environment but also increasing the threats faced by wildlife right in areas where they are meant to be protected.

While Ramesh presides over discussions involving top forest officials from 17 Indian States in the Jim Corbett National Park, it remains to be seen whether the conference is able to reach concrete decisions to stop the irreversible damage to our unique national wealth and environmental resources.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/235576/Corridors-lost-to-tourism-Corbett-tigers-have-nowhere-to-go.html

Gujarat opposes shifting Lions to MP

Amid the growing concern over the depleting tiger population in the country, Gujarat today opposed in the Supreme Court, the Centre’s proposal to shift the Asiatic lions from the Gir forest to the Kuno tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh.

The Gujarat government warned that relocating lions from Gir was fraught with “irreparable damage to the sociology of lions” and asserted that MP cannot manage the relocation as it had failed to protect its own tiger sanctuary.

“MP’s tigers are dying. It will be highly improper to shift the lions to Kuno reserve,” Mukul Rohtagi, the counsel for Gujarat told a bench of Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and justices B S Chauhan and Chandramouli Prasad.

The Modi government argued that the people of the state take pride in the lion sanctuary. Any attempt to translocate them to Kuno “against the will of the people of Gujarat will cause irreparable damage to their conservation and cultural ethos.”

The Union Ministry for Environment and the Wildlife Board had come out with the relocation proposal on the ground that the lion population could diminish in the event of an epidemic outbreak as witnessed elsewhere in 1994.

“There were eight tigers at Kuno in 1992 and as stated by the July 21, 2009 affidavit by Madhya Pradesh, there is no significant population of tigers at Kuno,” argued the Gujarat government.

The state governemnt said that shifting the lions to Kuno will cause health problems to them as they would be prone to immune deficiency disorders. According to the Gujarat, government, the proposal for the translocation of lions is based on a false alarm/fear of an epidemic calamity on the specious arguments of the Gir lion’s genetic weakness.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/State-opposes-shifting-of-Gir-lions-to-MP-tiger-reserve/578860

Corrupt cops implicate activist as abettor in Goa Tiger Killing case

Panaji: The investigation into the last year's tiger killing in the state, has named state’s renowned environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar as abettor in the crime as he (Kerkar) did not reveal the source of information.

The investigation document mentions that Kerkar, who initially exposed the case through a newspaper, did not reveal the source of information and claimed it as a "secret source."

The State government has got the formal confirmation about the tiger killing from the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII). It has confirmed that the animal killed in the forest of Keri village, 60 kms away from here, was a tiger. The tiger poaching case was brought to light by Kerkar through his writing in the newspaper and had carried the picture of an animal carcass lying between two boulders.

"He had to be made abettor as he was not cooperating with the officers. Initially for almost one-and-half-months, we were scouting through vast jungle to get a clue based on the photograph carried in the newspaper," a senior Forest officer said. The tiger was killed in last week of February last year, the incident was reported in April.

The Forest Department has said that they had made Kerkar as abettor as they wanted to confirm the computer in which the picture of tiger was downloaded. "Kerkar also claimed that the tiger was seen in the area for last two years and it had killed the cattle. We wanted to see whether there were any report of cattle killed during the period," the officer stated.

Forest Department has already zeroed on two accused belonging to Majik community who allegedly shot the wounded tiger who had got entangled in the wire snares. When questioned Chief Conservator of Forest Shashi Kumar said that he would not like to comment on Kerkar being made abettor as 'case is being investigated.’

Kerkar said today that the Forest Department’s action was expected. "The department is more interested in covering up the incident," he alleged.

He said that as a journalist, he had carried the picture in the newspaper and had not told about the origin of picture so as to protect the source.

http://www.zeenews.com/news602781.html

Tiger census in Madhya Pradesh starts Wednesday

Seven months after the shocking revelation that the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh had no tiger left, the state is set to conduct the a much-awaited big cat census.

The census was originally scheduled Jan 18-23. However, the task would now be undertaken Feb 10-16 and after the collection and compilation of data, a report would be submitted to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) by March 10.

"The tiger census, which was initially slated to start Jan 18, was postponed as the state was witnessing three-tier panchayat polls during the period," said Chief Conservator of Forest (Coordination) Shivendu Srivastava.

The project of wild animal census 2009-10 is being undertaken on the directive of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), New Delhi, Srivastava said, adding that the officials of the state "spearhead team" were trained for the purpose in Ranthambhore (Rajasthan) Oct 21-23 last year.

After the sudden disappearance of tigers from the Panna Tiger Reserve, the WII conducted an intensive tiger census at the reserve from November 2008 to June 2009. Initially only one tiger was traced and that too disappeared later.

Some other famous tiger reserves in the state include Kanha, Bandhavgarh an

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/the-good-earth/Tiger-census-in-Madhya-Pradesh-starts-Wednesday-/articleshow/5553264.cms

Maneaters on loose around Corbett park ?

About this time last February, the Corbett National Reserve declared a tiger a maneater. The big cat had killed a woman in the buffer zone. It was yet another testimony in blood to a rise in the man-animal conflict. Last Friday, the reserve again awoke to the news of a tiger attack on humans. Three local youths had been walking along the park boundary when they were attacked. One of them was wounded and is undergoing treatment at the Forest Hospital in Haldwani. The reserve was already neck deep in questions raised by the mysterious death of four tigers within one-and-a-half months. Friday's attack has added another to the long list: Was there a maneater on prowl? Tigers are recorded to have killed more people than any other big cat. But unlike leopards and lions, maneating tigers rarely enter human habitations in order to acquire prey. The majority of victims are reportedly in the tiger's territory when the attack takes place. Ranjan Kumar Mishra, the director of the Jim Corbett National Park, said it cannot yet be termed a deliberate attack on humans. "The tiger must have been on the prowl when the three went into the forest," he said. But the recovery of a body on Saturday, apparently mauled by a wild animal, has deepened doubts. "It seems some wild animal had attacked the man. Flesh had been eaten off his back. But we believe it was a leopard that had attacked as pugmarks found next to the body indicated," a forest official said. Early on Monday, blood stains were found on a pathway in the park. This raised fears that a third attack had taken place, although officials said they were "not necessarily human blood stains". According to wildlife enthusiast Ajay Suri, the attacks were the result of a rise in human incursion into animal territory. "Five star hotels have come up around the area. Such structures have blocked the movement of wild animals. ...Four tigers have died and the authorities still don't know why they died," said Suri who was shooting for a film on tigers in the reserve. Forest officials said they were trying to ascertain why the tigers had died. "Of the four tiger deaths, only one is suspicious. Three tigers seem to have died of natural causes -- old age or fights. In the fourth case, though, we are awaiting the results of the viscera examination. Poisoning or other reasons cannot be ruled out in that case," an official said. Mishra could not be contacted for his comments on the fourth case, but other officials confirmed that viscera of the dead tigers had been sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly. "It normally takes IVRI about a month to prepare their reports. We are awaiting their reports," a Corbett official said.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/83274/India/Maneaters+on+loose.html

Man-animal conflict: Corbett Park officials seek help

Aligarh, Feb 9 (PTI) Faced with mounting public anger over attacks by tigers in areas adjoining the Jim Corbett National Park, authorities have placed a cage inside the forest to trap the man-eaters and sought the help of people in tackling the problem.

A woman was recently killed and three youths were injured in two separate incidents of tiger attacks in the sanctuary area, officials said.

After protesting villagers blocked roads in the past few days demanding adequate safety measures, park authorities sought to mollify them and conceded to their demands by placing a cage inside the forest to trap the man-eaters.

"We have put in place a crisis management plan and two teams of forest rangers are now patrolling roads passing through the park to prevent any further attacks," Deputy Director of the Park, Kabi Dayal, told PTI.

http://www.ptinews.com/news/508048_Man-animal-conflict--Corbett-Park-officials-seek-help

Goa poaching case: Forensic report confirms tiger's remains

PANAJI: The investigations into Goa's tiger poaching case got a boost with forensic report confirming that the remains collected from a plantation were of a striped cat.

Chief conservator of forest Dr Shashi Kumar told reporters that Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has confirmed that the sample matches to that of a tiger.

"One of the seven samples has matched. Seven samples were found of which the sixth one matched to that of a tiger. Even if one matches it proves that the animal is a tiger," he said.

The state forest department, which received the report two weeks back, had maintained uncanny silence over it until a local English newspaper leaked the report last week.

The final report which was received by deputy conservator of forest (North division) G T Kumar has overruled the preliminary report, which had raised doubts on whether the animal remains found in a cashew plantation of Keri village were really of tiger.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Flora-Fauna/Goa-poaching-case-Forensic-report-confirms-tigers-remains/articleshow/5549297.cms

Mumbai Park puts up Tigers for adoption

Mumbai, Feb. 5: The officials of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) are planning to put up animals inside the park for adoption to corporates as well as individuals. However, the proposal is yet to get an approval.

"We have a proposal to put up animals of the national park for adoption," said Dr P.N. Munde, chief conservator of forests and director of the SGNP. However, the adoption scheme would be limited to animals that are in captivity. The adoption scheme is still on paper and the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife division), who is based in Nagpur, is the concerned authority to give a green signal.

Depending on the feasibility, the adoption proposal may be approved later this year and from 2011 onwards, the scheme

would be open to animal lovers.

"By coming out with this kind of a scheme, the financial burden on the forest department would be reduced to a certain extent," added, Mr V.L. Rathod, assistant conservator of forest, SGNP.

According to the proposal, a total of 46 animals would be put up for adoption for a year. The money would take care of the animal’s food, maintenance of the enclosures as well as the medical treatment needed in the entire year.

The animals that would be put up for adoption include four lions, two white tigers, four tigers, 23 leopards, six leopard cats, four cheetals (deers), two nilgais and a barking deer.

The adoption of a white tiger would be the most expensive at Rs 3,15,000 per annum, while the cheapest would be a barking deer at the cost of Rs 10,000 per annum. "The cost is based on the calculation that we have done for each and every animal," Dr Munde said. Apart from the adoption, the national park authorities are also planning to get sponsors to treat injured or sick animals.

http://www.asianage.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1398:national-park-to-put-up-animals-for-adoption&catid=47:mumbai&Itemid=73

Poachers use electrocution to hunt

New Delhi, Feb. 2: Poachers have found that electrocution is the easiest way to kill elephants, tigers and leopards in the wild. All they have to do is steal electricity from an overhead line by hooking a wire and then laying a live line across an animal track. In January 2010 alone, five elephants and one tiger are reported to have been killed by electrocution.

Wild elephants head the list of electrocuted animals and the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) found that 30 elephants were electrocuted in 2009. In 2008, it was 24 and in 2007 it was 33. Alarmed by the rising numbers, Belinda Wright who heads WPSI pointed out that her organisation conducted a detailed nation-wide investigation and data compilation which has revealed that more than 300 animals have been killed in this fashion.

In 2009, WPSI’s statistics revealed four leopards were electrocuted, in 2008 it was one and in 2007 the number was two. Two tigers were killed in this horrendous fashion in 2009, two in 2008 and one in 2007. In 2003, the WPSI found the 28 elephants and six tigers had died due to electrocution. But wild life activists feel that WPSI’s data has erred on the conservative side. An Orissa-based activist feels the numbers are much larger claiming that in Orissa alone during the last five years, 280 elephants have been electrocuted.

Ms Wright petitioned the Supreme Court giving a state and species-wise mortality count, showing that the commonest victims were highly endangered species such as the elephant, the tiger, the leopard and the Indian rhinoceros. Detailed information on poaching methods and video evidence of poaching were filed, along with recommendations on how to solve the problem. Supreme Court appointed-CEC asked the respondents which included the ministry of power and the Central electricity board and the ministry of environment to resolve this issue.

"We suggested the use of providing insulation on the wires running through the national reserve parks and sanctuaries but this has not happened. There is a non-seriousness in their approach to this urgent issue," said Ms Wright.

Rashme Sehgal

http://www.asianage.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=927:poachers-use-electrocution-to-hunt&catid=35:india&Itemid=60

After Sariska fiasco, DNA tests for tigers before shifting

Following a Hindustan Timesreport on the genetic incompatibility of tigers that were shifted to Sariska National Park in Rajasthan last year, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has ordered DNA tests on tigers of Ranthambore and Sariska, to ascertain breeding compatibility before shifting any more of them.

The investigation (Rajasthan govt sent tiger siblings to repopulate Sariska, June 29, 2009) exposed how tigers were picked up arbitrarily for translocation without genetic or spatial analysis. Following the report, the translocation process in Rajasthan was put on hold.

Between June 2008 and February 2009, two sisters and their half-brother were sent to Sariska. These tigers have so far failed to breed.

Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh didn’t make this mistake. With two tigers sourced from Bandhavgarh and Kanha reserves, it got a third one from Pench in November last year — five months after the HT investigation — to ensure genetic diversity.

The decision on mandatory DNA testing of Ranthambore tigers was taken an NTCA meeting last month, attended by Forests and Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh. The NTCA has already issued an order, designating Bangalore’s National Centre for Biological Science to conduct the tests to identify individual tigers with breeding compatibility.

“The Hon’ble Minister for Environment and Forests has directed DNA testing of all three tigers already translocated to Sariska… through fecal samples, besides similar testing for the two tigers earmarked at Ranthambore for translocation to Sariska,” says the note.

“The process of DNA analysis will take time. However, the translocation programme will continue and our priority is to determine the compatibility of a couple of young tigers that have been moving in the outskirts of Ranthambore. The future of these tigers is uncertain due to heavy biotic pressure (human presence) in these areas and they will definitely have a better chance of survival in Sariska,” added NTCA member-secretary Dr Rajesh Gopal.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/After-Sariska-fiasco-DNA-tests-for-tigers-before-shifting/H1-Article1-504652.aspx

Tiger meal: Decision to release deer in Sunderbans evokes criticism

The state government’s decision to release 63 deer in the Sunderbans to supplement the prey base for tigers has been questioned by an NGO, specialising in wildlife.

Expressing doubt whether the Sunderbans, which according to the last census in 2001 had 274 tigers, the NGO — Nature, Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) — in a letter to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) said there should be a scientific study to ascertain the number of the big cats and to determine the prey base.

Claiming that the release of the deer was being done in an unscientific manner, NEWS secretary Biswajit Roy Chowdhury said, “Determination of the root cause for decline in prey base through a scientific basis is the need of the hour. How is such a step justified when looked at in the long-term?”

But the Field Director of Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (STR) Subrat Mukhjeree defended the government’s decision saying it was done after calls from different quarters that the big cats were straying into human habitation because of a shortage in prey base in the forests.

The state forest department also said that it was done in consultation with the state wildlife advisory board, the apex body which included representatives of wildlife NGOs.

“Nobody raised any objection when the decision was taken to release deer in the Sunderbans. In fact, deer were also released in Buxa tiger reserve and Jaldapara Wildlife sanctuary which has tigers,” Pradeep Vyas, Director Sunderban Biosphere Reserve told PTI.

Admitting that the prey base might not be uniform in all the islands in the Sunderbans as it depended on the vegetation, Vyas said shortage of prey base could not be the only reason for tigers straying. There were other factors for it as well, he added.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tiger-meal-decision-to-release-deer-in-sunderbans-evokes-criticism/573965/1

Pench Tiger reserve: Cabinet divided on road through tiger reserve

With two Union Ministers Kamal Nath and Jairam Ramesh on warpath over a contentious highway expansion project through Madhya Pradesh's Pench tiger reserve, the Centre on Friday bought time from the Supreme Court to resolve differences.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had opposed the Surface Transport Ministry's proposal to widen the road linking Nagpur to Jabalpur through Pench forest reserve from existing 18 m to 30 m, but the fight does not seem to be over just environmental concerns. The Centre dropped sufficient hints during the proceedings in court to indicate something was amiss between the two Union Ministers, who do not see eye to eye on this issue.

This comes a week after the court had asked the Government to make up its mind on whether its effort was to save tigers or to save costs involved in the project. “You can't have both. If you want to save the animals, you cannot save money,” the Bench observed on the previous occasion.

Appearing for the Centre, Attorney-General Goolam E Vahanvati on Friday told a Special Bench, comprising Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan, Justices SH Kapadia and Aftab Alam, that a solution was underway as Additional Solicitor-General (ASG) Vivek Tankha representing Surface Transport Ministry in the court had met Environment Minister Ramesh. Seeking time to take fresh instructions, the matter was posted for hearing on February 19.

In a related development, senior advocate Harish Salve appearing as amicus curiae was granted permission by the court to withdraw his note in favour of the road expansion.

The 8.7 km-road running through the forest reserve forms part of a 250-km national highway expansion project, which the National Highways Authority of India is keen to undertake. But since the matter involved forests, the Special Apex Bench referred the project plan to its expert body, the Central Empowered Committee. In its report submitted in July 2009, the CEC favoured an elevated corridor along the stretch, giving the Environment Ministry a handle to oppose the proposal.

With Salve's opinion coming in the way of implementing CEC recommendation, even the Attorney-General supported his offer to withdraw. “It is unfortunate that the amicus is being personally attacked over his opinion,” Vahanvati said, referring to the criticism over Salve being an interested party in the expansion of road.

Finding the criticism against him in bad taste, Salve asked the court to consider the matter independent of his view. Having opposed the elevated corridor, Salve had supported an alternative plan of fencing and construction of 13 bridges and underpasses to facilitate smooth movement of animals. This would cost the Government Rs 600 crore, as against the elevated corridor project that would have cost beyond Rs 900 crore.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/232614/Daao-Pench-Cabinet-divided-on-road-through-tiger-reserve.html

In Corbett, tiger & elephant deaths remain whodunits - TOI

CORBETT TIGER RESERVE (RAMGAGAR): The Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) authorities have made no serious attempt to find out the causes for the deathsof 13 tigers, six leopards and 17 elephants that perished in the Corbett landscape in the last three years.

Four of the tigers were found dead in CTR in less than two months, since December 13 last. The carcass of yet another leopard was found in the Ramgagar forest division, bordering the CTR, early on Wednesday morning.

Yet, no autopsy has been carried out on the dead leopard till this report was filed, late Friday evening. CTR director R K Mishra said, "We are not responsible for anything in the neighbouring forest divisions."

He could not comment on the possibility of the cats that died in forest divisions neighboring the CTR having strayed from the reserve.

Mishra did say that the Bareilly-based Indian Veterinary Research Institute, to which viscera of all 33 dead animals have been sent for forensic examination, "has not sent reports of a single viscera examination, despite reminders". He said, "Now, we will send a team to IVRI to make inquiries."

CTR warden, Umesh Chand Tiwari, however, said that two reports had been received. "Reports of two viscera had arrived. One said the concerned tiger did not die of any disease while the other said the viscera was not fit for examination."

The problem, according to a senior official of the Central government-run IVRI, is not that the reports are not being delivered. "We have sent to CTR reports of all the viscera sent to us. These have been sent either by registered post or by hand," he said. But the nub was that the viscera were too decomposed for any meaningful examination.

"The trouble is that they have sent us only viscera that are too decomposed or otherwise unfit for examination. We have repeatedly been advising Corbett that we can train their officials on how to collect and preserve viscera. But, they have never bothered to respond," said the IVRI official.

"While Uttar Pradesh forest divisions send us entire carcasses of wild animals, Corbett has not bothered to do so," IVRI sources said.

D Swarup, head of the veterinary medicine division at IVRI, said, "If the CTR were serious, they would have formed a panel, including government and private facilities and NGOs, to carry out the autopsies and viscera tests."

Swarup said IVRI also often carried out examinations in the presence of NGO representatives. CTR warden Tiwari, however, did not respond to these statements.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/In-Corbett-tiger-elephant-deaths-remain-whodunits/articleshow/5515385.cms

Tiger poachers' village sealed - Mid Day

After MiD DAY's report on the tiger poaching case, the police and forest department of Arunachal Pradesh (AP) have sealed Namuk village. Tribals of Namuk allegedly killed the tiger and brought it to the village.

"We have deployed a team of cops at Namuk village that is investigating the case and recording every movement of people coming to the village.

Strict information has been given to the cops to not allow any unknown people in the village for the time being," said Tusar Taba, superintendent of police, Along district, AP.

A forest official from AP said, "We have got some initial leads that confirm the incident's authenticity and we are keeping an eye on every movement in the area."

Wildlife filmmaker and John Abraham's colleague in the campaign, Mike Pandey while talking to MiD DAY said, "May be we should think about the strict law that has protected the rhino in Kenya.

There is a serious and urgent need at all community levels especially political to come forward to protect the tiger. It's a shame for us 1 billion Indians that we are unable to protect 1,000 tigers."

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/jan/300110-tiger-poaching-Namuk-village-death.htm

Another Tiger dies in MP taking toll to 19 in 13 months

Bhopal: With the death of a tiger in Pench Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, known as the 'Tiger State', has lost 19 big cats in the last 13 months."A seven-year-old radio-collared big cat was found dead in a lake at Karmajhiri range of Pench Reserve yesterday," the park director K Nayak said, adding that "the possibility of the tiger being poisoned can't be ruled out."The tiger was spotted on January 25 and was healthy, he said, adding that its viscera has been sent to a Sagar district-based labortary for tests.The animal's body was dispossed of after post-mortem report which found its kidney enlarged, Nayak told PTI today.Two tiger cubs had died in the Pench reserve last month, and the officials claimed it was due to severe cold.Last year, Madhya Pradesh lost 18 big cats, including four tigers each in Kanha Tiger Reserve and Pench, as also three in Bandhavgarh tiger reserve.With the last death of the tiger in Pench, the state has lost 17 tigers in different reserves, besides two in the wild in last 13 months, officials said.Forest department officials claim that the deaths were largely "due to territorial fights among tigers and old age-related problems."

Jairam Ramesh denies permission to Tadoba mines as another tiger dies in Corbett

Chandrapur (Maharashtra), Jan 27 (PTI) The Ministry of Environment and Forests has denied permission to Adani Group for coal mining at Lohara near Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), for setting up a 1980 MW power plant in Gondia district of Maharashtra.

Adani Power is setting up the project at Tiroda (Gondia) and had planned to source the coal from Lohara.

"Our Ministry issued a letter on January 7, to Adani Group stating that the permission (for coal mining) has been denied to them since it would destroy rich forests and tiger habitat," Union Minister Jairam Ramesh, told reporters after his visit to Lohara.

Ramesh who met several environmental activists here yesterday assured them that "there will be no review and no reconsideration" in this matter.

http://www.ptinews.com/news/486822_Adani-denied-coal-mining-rights-near-Tadoba-reserve

Fifth tiger found dead in Corbett this month

The carcass of a male tiger was spotted on Tuesday night in the Dhikala zone of the forest.

India's tigers are under threat with just about 1400 left in the wild. Uttarakhand's famous Corbett National Park has lost its fifth tiger in a month.

Four tigers have been reported dead from Jim Corbett National Park and surrounding areas over the past month, the last one having been reported on the twelfth of this month. The post mortem will be conducted on the tiger to find out cause of death.

http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/fifth_tiger_found_dead_in_corbett_this_month.php

Bandipur National Park to get 216 forest guards

BANGALORE: The Bandipur National Park will soon receive 216 forest guards. Presently, the national park is short-staffed— it has only 30 forest guards as against the sanctioned strength of 103.

As part of a new rule, the guards will now have to compulsorily serve for five years in a particular location after posting, informed officials of the Bandipur Tiger reserve.

“This had been a longpending need of the reserve and we are glad that, it is finally happening,” says Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Bandipur, K T Hanumanthappa.

There are 103 beats (basic unit of administration in a forest division) in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and the existing lot of 30 guards had to guard it.

There was a vacancy of more than 60 forest guards, which has currently been filled with temporary staff.

Tiger farming, the answer?

After tiger farming—the raising of tigers for commercial trade— has been debunked the world over, a former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests has suggested that it should be used as a conservation strategy.

“We should allow tiger farming on a mass scale and there should licenses issued for shooting tigers,’’ said Parameshwarappa, ex-PCCF at a book launch.

He said that it is high time conservationists realise that conservation needs to be turned into an enterprise. Whatever income is generated from the sale of elephant tusks or commercial farming of tigers, needs to be put back into conservation, he said. With government budget it is impossible to conserve anything in this country, he added.

Sunderbans tiger census next month

Kolkata, Jan 27 (PTI) The much-awaited tiger census in the Sunderbans forest will begin next month and preparations are underway to conduct the exercise with DNA sampling method for the first time.

Pradeep Vyas, director of the Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve (SBR) told PTI here that the census would be conducted in February. The exact dates would, however, be decided after the field training of staff was over.

"Training of the staff is now underway and their field training will begin by the end of this month," Vyas said, adding 200 tiger guards will assist the census staff.

For the first time DNA sampling method would be tried for the tiger head counting in the famous mangrove forest, he said.

Jairam, Kamal Nath clash lover Pench Tiger Reserve highway - TOI

NEW DELHI: It was a virtually a clash between two of UPA government's high-profile ministers Kamal Nath and Jairam Ramesh in the Supreme Courtover a road -- whether there should be an elevated corridor of national highway through the Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh or the existing road should be widened.

In the midst of a clash of views between the ministries of transport and environment, amicus curiae Harish Salve introduced an emotional twist by telling the Forest Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices S H Kapadia and Aftab Alam that he wanted to withdraw his suggestions since he had been maligned for making them.

But by the time he had appealed to the Bench to treat his suggestion to widen the 18-metre-wide road to 30 metres as withdrawn, the Bench had moved ahead to ask the two ministers to thrash out the differences.

The apex court appointed high-powered environment panel Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had suggested an elevated corridor be built for the prupose of a proper highway through Pench Reserve, but taking into account the enormous expenditure of Rs 900 crore required for it had favourted widening of the existing road.

Appearing for the ministry of transport, additional solicitor general Vivek Tankha said that all parties -- Madhya Pradesh government, National Highway Authority of India and transport ministry -- were agreeable to Salve's suggestion and that the court could put its stamp of approval.

However, counsel for the Jairam Ramesh-headed ministry of forest and environment, advocate Harish Beeran put a spoke into the transport ministry's suggestion and said MoEF had serious objection to widening of the road.

Beeran said that widening of road to 30 metres would destroy a large number of trees in the dense forest in Pench Reserve, one of the well-protected habitat for tigers. He said MoEF was agreeable to CEC's suggestion for constructing an elevated corridor that would involve least cutting of trees and also not obstruct the elephant corridors.

The Bench told the ministry of transport that the government cannot have it both ways -- protection of tigers and environment and not spending money. It asked officials of the two ministries to hold a meeting and thrash out the differences and present a composite plan, if possible, to the court on January 29 when the matter would be taken up for hearing again

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Jairam-Kamal-Nath-clash-lover-Pench-Tiger-Reserve-highway/articleshow/5489759.cms

Ramesh under pressure to clear Lohara - TOI

NAGPUR: Under pressure from his cabinet colleagues to give go-ahead to coal blocks of Adani group in Lohara close to Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve union minister of environment & forests Jairam Ramesh will visit Lohara and Tadoba on January 26 to ascertain the facts. He will be accompanied by top MoEF officials.

According to highly-placed sources, Ramesh is arriving in the city on Monday night and will leave for Tadoba by road on Tuesday morning. After the expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the MoEF rejected Adani's proposal to clear 1750 hectares of dense forests in Lohara for coal mining, Ramesh is under pressure to reconsider the proposal.

Sources say as coal blocks suitable for Adani power plant in Tiroda near Gondia, home town of Praful Patel, are not available, the company is again vying for Lohara. The MoEF in November 2009 has already rejected the proposal on the grounds that mining project is in the buffer of TATR and the corridor is a rich forest and forms fringe of tiger reserve. The panel has also asked Adani to meet the coal requirement by importing coal from other blocks.

Sources said Adani was planning to seek coal from Madanpur and Parsakete blocks in Korba but these blocks too have been denied by the MoEF on the ground that these form part of elephant corridor. Left with no option, now Adani group is once again seeking Patel's help to get Lohara blocks cleared.

Earlier, Patel had told TOI it was the responsibility of the UPA government to provide an alternate coal block to Adani. "A new site for coal mining will be allotted to the company. if there was a delay in allotment of alternate site for coal mining, then efforts will be made to provide coal for the project from an alternate coal linkage. We will ensure that there was no delay in the commissioning of the thermal power plant," he had said.

In view of this, sources close to Ramesh said it's true that the minister is under pressure to clear Lohara blocks. When contacted, Ramesh told TOI, "Yes, there is pressure, but I am not going to buckle. I'm visiting Tadoba and Pench tiger reserves on January 26 and will be having Bt-brinjal consultations on January 27 in Nagpur and also visit Neeri."

The move by Adani is likely to foment fresh trouble with anti-mining activists and conservationists planning huge protests in Chandrapur during Ramesh's visit to protest against mining near TATR. "We praise Ramesh for his bold decision to reject mining near Tadoba. However, renewed attempts by Adani to grab Lohara will be foiled," warned Bandu Dhotre and others, who have taken the matter to high court through a PIL. Many activists plan to meet Ramesh in Chanda

Tigers' pug marks spotted across Karnataka

er census in Bhadra wildlife sanctuary is going on without any impediment. Footprints of tigers have been spotted by thevolunteers while walking in the forest.

A team has found the big cat's pug marks and another team has collected its scats. The 37 teams led by the Bhadra wildlife deputy conservator of forest, Vijayamohanraj, are making efforts to find signs of the big cat and other predators like leopards, sloth bears and doles.

Each team has been provided with a forest front line staff in all the four ranges of Bhadra wildlife sanctuary. Monday onwards they will begin walking on transact lines and enumerating herbivores and also assessing the status of the flora. The tiger assessment will come to an end on January 27.

Tiger with travelling itch finds home from home

A tiger travelled 270 km from its homestead to establish a new home, baffling experts who are speculating about its migratory route which is dotted by human habitat.

The finding, supported by photographs taken by hidden camera traps, established that the tiger from the Bhadra tiger reserve moved out of its home range and formed a new territory at Dandeli-Anshi reserve.

Scientists and tiger experts in the State are as excited as they are baffled, as the discovery may go to render the camera trap a reliable method to monitor tigers. The finding, resulting from three years of study, began with the camera trapping a four-month-old cub that was photographed along with his sister and mother for the first time at Bhadra in April 2006.In October 2006, a wildlife photographer captured it on camera while it was trying to corner a gaur in the company of another tiger.

The bombshell came in May 2008, when the cub, now a two-year-old, was first pictured at the Dandeli tiger reserve. Yet again in 2009, a camera trap in Dandeli photographed it. The picture was sufficient proof of the migrant tiger having set up its territory over there – 270 km from its native home range.

How did the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) establish that the tiger was from Bhadra?

It is well established that the stripes of the tiger, like human fingerprints, are unique to each animal.

Tigers photographed by camera traps are classified by their stripes for monitoring purposes. The cameras are placed at crucial places where the animal movement is frequent. The traveller-tiger is among 11 individuals trapped by camera at Bhadra, and after it was photographed again at Dandeli, was identified by its stripes. The WCS has created a database of individual photographed tigers.

Scientists say that Indian tigers, governed by the availability of prey, do not migrate for a long distance, unlike the Siberian tiger which tend to travel up 500 kilometres in search of prey.

WCS India director Dr Ravi Chellam said the home range of tiger was believed to be 60 sq km. “This has opened avenues of study, because there is human habitat en route, and it (tiger) could not have travelled as the crow flies,” he said.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/48570/tiger-travelling-itch-finds-home.html

Hunt on as tigress leaves Ranthambore

A worried team of 35 forest officials and experts are on the trail of a two-year-old old tigress which ran away from the Ranthambore National Park last week. The young tigress seems to have retraced the path of another tiger, which strayed out of the park and was mowed down by a train in Darrah, in Jhalawar, in 2003.

Forest officials said in the last year alone at least five tigers have walked out of the national park. “There have been such incidents in the past, primarily because of over population in the park. There are around 40 tigers in the park now and it not possible for them all to exist in this space,” said Rajasthan Chief Conservator of Forests P S Somshekhar.

Stating that the tiger faces threat from poachers or even a scared, desperate populace, Rajasthan Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) R N Mehrotra said: “Every effort is being made to track her down and lead her back to the park. The entire forest machinery in that area, covering five districts have been put on alert,” he said.

Ranthambore Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) R S Shekhawat confirmed that the tigress made a kill three days ago in Kota district’s Itawa region. “We have found some pug marks and are following all leads possible,” he said. “She was spotted in Itawa two days ago and is moving in a south easterly direction. Another 85 km and she will be inside the Darrah Sanctuary in Jhalawar district,” Shekhwat said.

The officials said that though the male-female ratio in Ranthambore was almost equal, stronger males drive out weaker ones. “But in this case it is a female, which makes the issue more serious,” Somshekhar said. Mehrotra asserted that the park could handle only about 35 tigers. “Though it is an excellent sign that the population is increasing, overpopulation is detrimental to the animal’s survival. Even as we expect another six mothers in the next four months, more cats will stray away from the park and the situation could get dangerous,” he said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/hunt-on-as-tigress-leaves-ranthambore/569440/2

India launches TigerNet.nic.in to simplify tiger death reporting system

India’s National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in association with the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC, has launched TigerNet.nic.in, a national tiger conservation website that will allow tiger reserve directors and chief wildlife wardens in the country to key-in crucial information about tiger deaths, poaching and seizures.

The TigerNet website will enable enforcement officers to record information on tiger mortalities, to monitor patterns of where poaching incidents are occurring and use this information to strengthen anti-poaching efforts.

It is anticipated that the new website will simplify the whole tiger death reporting system and allow a more accurate and transparent picture to be generated of the poaching and other threats facing the nation's tiger population.

The accurate reporting of tiger deaths and the circumstances surrounding them has been a contentious issue in India, with conflicting information from official sources and NGOs, and accusations of secrecy over some findings.

http://www.alootechie.com/content/india-launches-tigernetnicin-simplify-tiger-death-reporting-system

Karnakat tiger census draws large number of enthusiasts

BANGALORE: This Friday begins the search for the big cats in Karnataka. The census of tigers, co-predators, prey and their habitats will be carried out in forest areas across the state from January 22 to 27. However, this year the census will be different with very high interface between general public or enthusiasts and the forest department. Two to three enthusiasts will accompany forest guards in each of their trails.

They would not just sight the wild animals like sambars and elephants but may even get a glimpse of the tiger, for which people wait for a lifetime.

There are 2,819 beats (tracks which are monitored by forest watchers) in Karnataka. There is already huge excitement among the enthusiasts who have flooded the forest department office with application forms.

The demand for applications, according to additional principal chief conservator of forests B K Singh, is very high for Nagarahole, Bandipur, Bhadra and Biligiriranga Swamy Temple (BRT) Wildlife Sanctuary.

"I am going to Bhadra for the census. I am keen to go because I wanted to experience the forests, more than just a tourist experience. I am realistic enough to understand that I might not sight a tiger. But in my small way I want to contribute something to wildlife," said a software engineer Vijay Singh who is also a member of the wildlife enthusiasts group, Vanya.

On January 22, 23 and 24, the Carnivore Sign Encounter Rate will be surveyed. It is to quantify the abundance of tigers, leopards, sloth bears and other carnivores. The signs to look out for will be pugmark trails, scats, scrapes, rake marks on trunks, vocalization and actual sighting. It is the most important survey, so two volunteers have been allotted with one forest guard.

On January 25, 26, 27, the sampling for ungulate (animals with hooves) encounter rates will be done along a transect line. A record would be made of all herbivores seen during this process, the time of sighting, the species (sambar, chital, wild pig others), the size of the herd and the forest or terrain type. On all three days, the volunteers on their way back, will document the pellets of these ungulates.

They will also do a vegetation and a grass survey because the space occupied by the grass is directly proportionate to the presence of ungulates or prey species.

"We have tried to make the system more transparent this year, and there has been overwhelming response from enthusiasts and youngsters. Though we got too many applications, we tried not to decline anyone's application," added Singh.

* After the surveys are completed, results will be sent to Wildlife Institute of India whose officials will then inspect and verify data again

* Census results will be out after four to five months

* Volunteers don't have to be wildlife experts. They should be able to write and count

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Trailing-tigers-people-join-census/articleshow/5474477.cms

Two poachers arrested in Bahraich

Two poachers were arrested and leopard skin recovered from their possession in the Risia area of Bahraich district on Saturday. The police suspect that the accused have links with the notorious Bawariya gang.

Those arrested have been identified as Salim, a resident of Shravasti, and Poi Devi — belonging to Chittor in Rajasthan.

“The accused were arrested in Bahraich for a similar offence in 2006. After being granted bail, they have been residing in the area from the last six months. They claimed the leopard was poached in Nepal. However, we believe that it happened in the local jungle area,” said Risia Station Officer K D Singh. The accused will be sent on custody remand, he added.

“Poi Devi’s husband Varmal was also earlier arrested in Bahraich for a similar offence and is in jail,” said Singh.

In 2006, a 10-member Bawariya gang, which operated in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, was arrested. While six members were from Bawariya, the remaining were locals. Tiger skin, bones and iron traps were recovered from their possession.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Two-poachers-arrested-in-Bahraich/568559