Investigations have revealed that the need for a packet of salt and a small bag of rice can fuel the killing of a tiger in the forests of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering China.
Locals say the lack of infrastructure in the state leads to scarcity of food, forcing poverty-hit tribals to target wildlife and sell illegal animal products.
"With little food to eat, villagers depend on tree barks to make 'tussey', an indigenous porridge," said Tagru Tame of Pipsorang village in Kurung Kumey district. "Even money cannot buy anything in the region. So, the easiest option is to seek help from the Chinese, who look for animal products to fuel Asian markets."
"Hundreds of endangered animals are killed in the thick jungles just to eke out a living," said Noory Noshi of Limeking village located 50 km from the International Line of Control. "Poverty-stricken tribals sell the animal skin to Chinese traders. In exchange, they get about 5 kg of rice and a kilo of salt."
In the absence of patrolling, the age-old trade route is now being used for trafficking of wildlife products. Noshi pointed out that this route is also the entry point for illegal immigrants who slip into Arunachal Pradesh.
"At the border, a pack of salt and a pack of rice cost around Rs 200 a kilo each and a packet of noodles costs Rs 300. There are no roads, communication facilities are lacking. So, in the absence of infrastructure, food is scarce," said Rajesh Tacho, a local MLA. "While the Chinese highway is barely 3 km from the line of control, mountain paths on the Indian side extend for up to 50 km, mostly through the inaccessible jungles," said Tacho.
Investigations revealed that most of the animals killed are smuggled through Chinese villages Oganjo, Ume, Dian and Asapila.
The middlemen, who supply the contraband to markets in south east Asia, are of Tibetan origin.
Most of the banned wildlife products are smuggled in haversacks or home-made cane bags. Sometimes, high altitude porters hired by local authorities are involved in the smuggling syndicate, insiders said. At times, Indian traffickers pose as informers and sneak into Chinese villages under the pretext of gathering information.
The Indian authorities prefer to look the other way, a matter on which Arunachal Pradesh's Director General of Police, Bimla Mehra, declined comment.
Tracking and killing the prey usually takes days of hard work. It involves trudging and trekking through the dense forest which is infested with poisonous snakes and insects.
Arunachal's Deputy Conservator of Forests, M K Palit, admitting that killing of wildlife was rampant in the state's forests. He attributed it mainly to the age-old tribal traditions and excessive issue of licensed weapons to villagers.
Palit pointed to the emerging role of traffickers in smuggling animal products outside the country in recent months. "Earlier, it was killing for food, but now it is also to make quick money, added Palit. "The situation is not very alarming and the government is doing its best," said the forest officer.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Forest dept names accused in tiger killing case
Digital Goa News Service
Panaji, April 20 - Unveiling much sensational chargesheet in tiger killing case, state forest department finally named all the five accused charged of killing a tiger, destroying evidence and possessing unlicenced weapon.
The chargesheet is filed before Judicial Magistrate First Class, Sattari at Valpoi town.
Father and son were amongst five people chargesheeted by state forest department in the sensational tiger killing case reported a year back.
Ganesh Majik and his son, Suryakant Majik, a civil defence service officer, were booked by the department capping year old investigation in the first ever tiger killing case in Goa.
Nagesh Majik, Ankush Majik and Bhiva Gawas were also chargesheeted in this case, which was exposed by renowned environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar.
The tiger was put to death with two gun shots in Cashew plantation adjoining Keri village and later dragged few metres away and burnt allegedly to destroy the evidence.
The case under arms act for using unlicenced weapon to kill the tiger is also registered against the accused by forest department who have managed to seize only one out of two guns involved in the crime.
The chargesheet has named 15 witnesses including Kerkar in this case, which will be tried later this month in the local court.
The forest department has attached forensic report by Dehradun based wildlife Institute of India (WII) to confirm that the remains of animal collected from the site where that of tiger.
“The sample of hair collected from the site matched during the forensic test,” deputy conservator of forest, Dr G T Kumar, who supervised the investigations told reporters.
He said that the department was informed about the killing through a newspaper report that appeared on April 13, 2009 on a national newspaper.
“Entire investigation began depending on the photograph of tiger carcass published on the newspaper,” he said.
The forest department officials found out that the a local youth had clicked the picture of tiger was it was killed on his mobile, which was circulated via Bluetooth to many mobile handsets and even downloaded on the computer.
Kumar stated that the department had not been able to lay hands on the original mobile phone which was used to click the picture.
The entire case had received a setback after initial findings by WII had ruled out that the animal killed was tiger. Later the final report was positive.
“Preliminary report was based on morph meter which means the examinations are done by observing the samples,” Kumar said.
Panaji, April 20 - Unveiling much sensational chargesheet in tiger killing case, state forest department finally named all the five accused charged of killing a tiger, destroying evidence and possessing unlicenced weapon.
The chargesheet is filed before Judicial Magistrate First Class, Sattari at Valpoi town.
Father and son were amongst five people chargesheeted by state forest department in the sensational tiger killing case reported a year back.
Ganesh Majik and his son, Suryakant Majik, a civil defence service officer, were booked by the department capping year old investigation in the first ever tiger killing case in Goa.
Nagesh Majik, Ankush Majik and Bhiva Gawas were also chargesheeted in this case, which was exposed by renowned environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar.
The tiger was put to death with two gun shots in Cashew plantation adjoining Keri village and later dragged few metres away and burnt allegedly to destroy the evidence.
The case under arms act for using unlicenced weapon to kill the tiger is also registered against the accused by forest department who have managed to seize only one out of two guns involved in the crime.
The chargesheet has named 15 witnesses including Kerkar in this case, which will be tried later this month in the local court.
The forest department has attached forensic report by Dehradun based wildlife Institute of India (WII) to confirm that the remains of animal collected from the site where that of tiger.
“The sample of hair collected from the site matched during the forensic test,” deputy conservator of forest, Dr G T Kumar, who supervised the investigations told reporters.
He said that the department was informed about the killing through a newspaper report that appeared on April 13, 2009 on a national newspaper.
“Entire investigation began depending on the photograph of tiger carcass published on the newspaper,” he said.
The forest department officials found out that the a local youth had clicked the picture of tiger was it was killed on his mobile, which was circulated via Bluetooth to many mobile handsets and even downloaded on the computer.
Kumar stated that the department had not been able to lay hands on the original mobile phone which was used to click the picture.
The entire case had received a setback after initial findings by WII had ruled out that the animal killed was tiger. Later the final report was positive.
“Preliminary report was based on morph meter which means the examinations are done by observing the samples,” Kumar said.
Tiger protection force in UP soon
Lucknow, Apr 20 (PTI) A special force for the protection of tigers, especially from poachers, will be set up in Uttar Pradesh soon.
A meeting, attended by the state Chief Secretary, to work out modalities for setting up the force was held here yesterday, Forest Department sources said.
The force, funded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, will be deployed in-and-around the Dudhwa National Park in Lakhimpur Kheri and other places.
"Though the threat of poaching is almost negligible in the Park, we cannot be complacent," Park Director Shailesh Prasad told PTI.
However, the threat of poaching exists along the 111-km long Indo-Nepal border in UP, he said adding the deployment of force in the area will help in checking the menace.
As per the 2007 census, the number of tigers in UP was 109, Prasad said adding the number had remained static since then.
A meeting, attended by the state Chief Secretary, to work out modalities for setting up the force was held here yesterday, Forest Department sources said.
The force, funded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, will be deployed in-and-around the Dudhwa National Park in Lakhimpur Kheri and other places.
"Though the threat of poaching is almost negligible in the Park, we cannot be complacent," Park Director Shailesh Prasad told PTI.
However, the threat of poaching exists along the 111-km long Indo-Nepal border in UP, he said adding the deployment of force in the area will help in checking the menace.
As per the 2007 census, the number of tigers in UP was 109, Prasad said adding the number had remained static since then.
Tiger kills honey collector in WB
Canning (WB), Apr 20 (PTI) In a fresh incident of man-animal conflict, a tiger killed a honey collector at Sunderbans in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, forest officials said.
The incident happened yesterday at Harinbhanga forest, a core area of the Sunderbans, when the honey collector along with five others were about to board a boat on Goashaba river.
The tiger pounced on the man and dragged him inside the forest, they said.
The six had taken permission from the forest department to venture into the core area between April 15 and May 15 -- the honey collecting season, the officials said.
Search is on to recover the victim's body, they said.
The incident happened yesterday at Harinbhanga forest, a core area of the Sunderbans, when the honey collector along with five others were about to board a boat on Goashaba river.
The tiger pounced on the man and dragged him inside the forest, they said.
The six had taken permission from the forest department to venture into the core area between April 15 and May 15 -- the honey collecting season, the officials said.
Search is on to recover the victim's body, they said.
PM to tiger-range states: Protect big cats
STAFF WRITER 12:53 HRS IST
New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) Worried over the dwindling big cat population, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has written to chief ministers of states with tiger ranges to declare buffer areas around the animal's habitat and expedite relocation of villages in national parks.
The Prime Minister's letter has come after conservationists at a recently-held meeting of the National Board of Wildlife, chaired by him, complained of the states' laxity in reducing human-tiger conflicts that often lead to the death of big cats, a senior environment ministry official said.
Singh, in his letter, has asked Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank to regulate growing tourism around Corbett Tiger Reserve while telling the Maharashtra government to quickly expedite the process of notifying the buffer areas around all its tiger sanctuaries.
http://www.ptinews.com/news/617472_PM-to-tiger-range-states--Protect-big-cats
Monday, April 19, 2010
112 tiger cubs spotted in national parks
New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI) Amidst reports of tiger deaths, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel with wildlife officials spotting over 112 big cat cubs in national parks across the country.
"This is one good sign of breeding among the female tigresses which we hope would check the decline of the endangered animals," a senior official from National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) said.
"There have been sighting of 112 cubs in reserves like Nagarhole (10 cubs) and Bandipur (12) in Karnataka, Nagarjunsagar (10) in Andhra Pradesh and Kanha (22), Bandhavgarh (12) and Pench (10) in Madhya Pradesh," he said.
In core forest areas of Tadoba reserves in Maharashtra, Dudhawa in Uttar Pradesh and Ranthambore national park in Rajasthan, 13, 16 and 10 cubs respectively, have been sighted with their mothers.
There are total 39 tiger reserves in the country.
"This is one good sign of breeding among the female tigresses which we hope would check the decline of the endangered animals," a senior official from National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) said.
"There have been sighting of 112 cubs in reserves like Nagarhole (10 cubs) and Bandipur (12) in Karnataka, Nagarjunsagar (10) in Andhra Pradesh and Kanha (22), Bandhavgarh (12) and Pench (10) in Madhya Pradesh," he said.
In core forest areas of Tadoba reserves in Maharashtra, Dudhawa in Uttar Pradesh and Ranthambore national park in Rajasthan, 13, 16 and 10 cubs respectively, have been sighted with their mothers.
There are total 39 tiger reserves in the country.
Possible tiger pug marks found in Goa
PANAJI: Pug marks that could be those of a tiger have been seen at Maida within the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary during a wildlife census sample survey. On Thursday, two experts from the Dehra Dun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and 35-odd forest department officials spotted them along with some from a member of the canine family.
While officials at some levels are in a denial mode about the presence of tigers in Goa, the findings—made in the presence of the two experts—if confirmed beyond doubt could establish the presence of big cats in the state's forests.
The two WWI experts were in Goa to train forest officials for the wildlife census that will begin on April 21. "The three pug marks comprise two of big cats and one of a member of the dog family, which could be a hyena or even a domestic dog" said Gautam Talukdar, one of the two WWI officers. "Further analysis will have to be done to confirm them," he added.
Experts are now relying on the camera trap method, in which two cameras are placed in the wild and they automatically click pictures of any animal entering the range of the lens.
Confirming the sighting, a senior forest official said, "The site where the pug marks of the tiger were seen shows how a tiger has walked in the area. One imprint was very prominent." A forest department source said the pug marks were likely to be that of a tiger as the claw end of the tiger is more than 2 cm long, almost ruling out the possibility of them being of a panther.
Two years back, a bison had been killed in the same area, but forest officials are not sure whether it was a big cat which killed it. "It appeared to have been trapped in some branches, so any carnivore could have attacked it," a source said.
While officials at some levels are in a denial mode about the presence of tigers in Goa, the findings—made in the presence of the two experts—if confirmed beyond doubt could establish the presence of big cats in the state's forests.
The two WWI experts were in Goa to train forest officials for the wildlife census that will begin on April 21. "The three pug marks comprise two of big cats and one of a member of the dog family, which could be a hyena or even a domestic dog" said Gautam Talukdar, one of the two WWI officers. "Further analysis will have to be done to confirm them," he added.
Experts are now relying on the camera trap method, in which two cameras are placed in the wild and they automatically click pictures of any animal entering the range of the lens.
Confirming the sighting, a senior forest official said, "The site where the pug marks of the tiger were seen shows how a tiger has walked in the area. One imprint was very prominent." A forest department source said the pug marks were likely to be that of a tiger as the claw end of the tiger is more than 2 cm long, almost ruling out the possibility of them being of a panther.
Two years back, a bison had been killed in the same area, but forest officials are not sure whether it was a big cat which killed it. "It appeared to have been trapped in some branches, so any carnivore could have attacked it," a source said.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Chargesheet filed in tiger killing
PANAJI: Almost 14 months after the tiger had been killed at Keri, the forest department filed a chargesheet in the court of the judicial magistrate first class, Valpoi but no further details were available.
Officials were tightlipped about the chargesheet and it was not known how many persons have been named in it. Additional principal conservator of forest Shashi Kumar had told reporters just over a week ago that the chargesheet would be filed soon. TOI had first reported the killing on April 13, 2009.
The big cat had been killed in a cashew plantation belonging to the Majik family in Keri after it was trapped in a cable wire snare laid along a stream. After investigations drew a blank for some time, forest officials found bones and other tiger remains on May 31, 2009 and in early June, which raised hopes among wildlife lovers of justice in the case, as the department itself was in a denial mode.
The tiger remains, including an assortment of bones, fur and teeth recovered from the site were sent to the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun for forensic tests, which was considered crucial to prove that it was indeed a tiger that had been killed.
Though the WWI preliminary report had said that the bones are not that of a tiger, another report received just a few weeks back confirmed that one sample of the remains belonged to the big cat.
During investigations, the forest department had arrested some persons belonging to Majik community and later released them.
Officials were tightlipped about the chargesheet and it was not known how many persons have been named in it. Additional principal conservator of forest Shashi Kumar had told reporters just over a week ago that the chargesheet would be filed soon. TOI had first reported the killing on April 13, 2009.
The big cat had been killed in a cashew plantation belonging to the Majik family in Keri after it was trapped in a cable wire snare laid along a stream. After investigations drew a blank for some time, forest officials found bones and other tiger remains on May 31, 2009 and in early June, which raised hopes among wildlife lovers of justice in the case, as the department itself was in a denial mode.
The tiger remains, including an assortment of bones, fur and teeth recovered from the site were sent to the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun for forensic tests, which was considered crucial to prove that it was indeed a tiger that had been killed.
Though the WWI preliminary report had said that the bones are not that of a tiger, another report received just a few weeks back confirmed that one sample of the remains belonged to the big cat.
During investigations, the forest department had arrested some persons belonging to Majik community and later released them.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Villager falls prey to tiger in Maharashtra
NAGPUR: The raging tiger-human conflict claimed one more life in rural area of Chandrapur district on Thursday.
Sixty-year-old Tuljabai Jambhole of village Shedegaon in Chimur range had gone with other villagers to collect Mahua flowers, when the tiger attacked her around 8 am in the forests along the peripheral area of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), forest officials said. The woman died on the spot.
The spot where the incident occurred is about two km from the place where the previous victim, Bhaurao Masram of Jhari village, had been killed by the tiger on April 4, officials said. They suspect it is the same tiger. The two deaths have spread panic in the villages in the area.
On April 1, a tiger had killed a 30-year-old man on the other side of the forests in Bramhapuri division when he had gone to collect the Mahua flowers, which is an important livelihood source for the impoverished villagers living around the tiger reserve.
The forest department is running a corridor conservation programme in the conflict areas to mitigate the crisis that first precipitated in 2006 and has been aggravating ever since. The area is the biggest tiger-man conflict zone in the country, experts say.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_villager-falls-prey-to-tiger-in-maharashtra_1371904
Officials seize a tiger skin from poachers in Tamil Nadu
Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu), Apr 15 (ANI): The Tamil Nadu Forest Department officials recovered a tiger skin from a seven-member gang on Thursday in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve of the state's Niligiri District.
Acting on a tip off, the officials nabbed five suspects, before they could sell the tiger skin to a customer.
Officials said that other two members of the gang managed to flee from the scene.
According to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Field Director, Rajesh Srivatsava, the hunt to nab the other two is on.
"Earlier in the morning today, they recovered the tusk and arrested five accused near Anakati area in Niligiri north division. Whole investigation was going on today. Still two accused are absconding," Srivatsava said.
"We are searching for them and definitely, we are confident that we will still arrest them and we will take stringent action against all concerned," he added.
The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as Tiger Reserve in 2007.
According to a recent tiger census, there are just 35 tigers left in Mudumali.
Poaching and loss of habitat have resulted in the dwindling of the big cats population at an alarming rate.
India is a key player in efforts to boost the global tiger population, which numbers just a few thousand which, certain wildlife experts feel could be extinct in another two decades.
Conservationists say the trade in skin and bones is booming to countries such as China, which has banned the use of tiger parts in medicine but where everything from fur to whiskers to eyeballs to bones, are still used.(ANI)
The seizure has once again highlighted the revival of poaching of tigers in the Western Ghats.
Acting on a tip off, the officials nabbed five suspects, before they could sell the tiger skin to a customer.
Officials said that other two members of the gang managed to flee from the scene.
According to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Field Director, Rajesh Srivatsava, the hunt to nab the other two is on.
"Earlier in the morning today, they recovered the tusk and arrested five accused near Anakati area in Niligiri north division. Whole investigation was going on today. Still two accused are absconding," Srivatsava said.
"We are searching for them and definitely, we are confident that we will still arrest them and we will take stringent action against all concerned," he added.
The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as Tiger Reserve in 2007.
According to a recent tiger census, there are just 35 tigers left in Mudumali.
Poaching and loss of habitat have resulted in the dwindling of the big cats population at an alarming rate.
India is a key player in efforts to boost the global tiger population, which numbers just a few thousand which, certain wildlife experts feel could be extinct in another two decades.
Conservationists say the trade in skin and bones is booming to countries such as China, which has banned the use of tiger parts in medicine but where everything from fur to whiskers to eyeballs to bones, are still used.(ANI)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Poachers back: Tiger skin seized in Nilgiris
UDHAGAMANDALAM: Forest officials in the Nilgiris on Wednesday seized a 'fresh' tiger skin from a four-member gang in the Sigur forest area near Anaikatty, suggesting a revival in poaching of the big cat in the Western Ghats.
Investigations are on to find out how the gang came into possession of the skin. Officials said a tip-off enabled them to move in before the skin was sold and arrest the four suspects, including two tribals. Interrogation revealed the involvement of three others, who were also arrested.
District forest officer (north) K Soundarapandian, investigating the seizure along with Mudumalai Tiger Reserve field director Rajiv K Srivasatava, said five of the seven suspects were remanded in custody after being charged under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. All were daily wage labourers from Gudalur taluk.
"An informer who works in surveillance alerted us," Srivastava told TOI. "It is a 'fresh' one and must be about two to three weeks old," he added. "The tiger must have been around four years old."
Tiger poaching in the region was last reported in 2007. A recent census estimated tigers in TN at 76, with a lower limit of 56 and upper limit of 95. Mudumalai reserve has the largest number.
Investigations are on to find out how the gang came into possession of the skin. Officials said a tip-off enabled them to move in before the skin was sold and arrest the four suspects, including two tribals. Interrogation revealed the involvement of three others, who were also arrested.
District forest officer (north) K Soundarapandian, investigating the seizure along with Mudumalai Tiger Reserve field director Rajiv K Srivasatava, said five of the seven suspects were remanded in custody after being charged under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. All were daily wage labourers from Gudalur taluk.
"An informer who works in surveillance alerted us," Srivastava told TOI. "It is a 'fresh' one and must be about two to three weeks old," he added. "The tiger must have been around four years old."
Tiger poaching in the region was last reported in 2007. A recent census estimated tigers in TN at 76, with a lower limit of 56 and upper limit of 95. Mudumalai reserve has the largest number.
Kaziranga, best for tigers
Corbett National Park may have to give up its status as the best home for tigers in India. A non-governmental organisation, Aranyak, has found that the Kaziranga National Park in Assam has 32 tigers for every 100 sq km, as compared to Corbett, which has 20 for the same area.
Tiger density in other reserves hovers between 8 and 12.
The assessment was based on monitoring of tigers with the camera trap technology used by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for conducting nation-wide tiger census.
"If we go by their assessment, Kaziranga should have 100-120 tigers," said an official of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Kaziranga, which is also known for its rhinos and elephants, had about 30 tigers in 1972, and 86 in 2007, as per the last tiger census conducted in India.
NCTA officials, however, said the real picture of the tiger population in Kaziranga would emerge only in a couple of months when the tiger census by WII is finalised.
"We expect to complete the first assessment by August," said Qamar Qureshi, a WII scientist, also part of the census.
Aranyak's assessment prompted Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh to say tiger density in Kaziranga is higher than in Corbett, which he said was under stress because of increased tourism activity.
"Initial indications on tiger census are encouraging. But I cannot say whether the tiger population would be more than 1,400 as estimated in 2007," Ramesh said.
In the first phase of tiger census completed in south India and parts of north India, WII scientists have spotted some tigers in naxal-affected tiger reserves. Scientists entered naxal-affected Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chattisgarh, Palamu Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand and Simlipal in Orissa and got tiger excreta samples.
"Some tigers have also been sighted in Indravati and Palamu," Ramesh said. Ramesh had earlier called these areas the worst tiger homes in India.
New software to track tigers
The Central government is introducing a new software to make tiger monitoring more accurate, even as the first phase of India's comprehensive tiger census showed some “encouraging trends”.
Launching the M-Stripes system – which involves GPS for field guards and software monitoring — on Wednesday, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests said that the technology would help increase the transparency of forest surveillance.
“We know that a lot of the information today is doctored and unreliable. People claim that they have gone on patrol, but actually they are just sitting in their offices and generating data,” said Mr. Ramesh. “This system will put an end to that.”
In the past, officials had continued to report tiger sightings at the Sariska and Panna reserves, inflating official figures long after the big cats had vanished from those areas.
The government hopes the current ongoing census will be more accurate, and Mr. Ramesh said that some encouraging trends had been seen in the first phase, which covered around 3.5 lakh sq km of forests, including non-tiger reserve areas, at the beat level.
Tigers were spotted in regions that had been written off earlier, including Buxa, Nagarjuna Sagar and Indravati.
A high tiger density was also reported in the Kaziranga reserve.
http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article397593.ece
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Corbett mulls special tiger police
Amid mounting concern over the dwindling population of tigers in the country, a special tiger protection force has been mooted in the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. The force will assist the staff of the country’s oldest national park in reducing the poaching risk to the endangered animal.
There are only about 1,400 tigers left in the country, thanks to poaching, shrinking habitats and a decline in the prey base. The Jim Corbett National Park, named after the celebrated hunter-writer who brought down many a maneater in the hill state, has 160 tigers. This is the highest population of tigers anywhere in the country. The government, animal lovers and even some corporations are working overtime to save the animal.
What will be unique about the 112-man force is that it will include people who live in the vicinity of the park, the Van Gujjars. They will make up 30 per cent of the people taken on contract. The total expenditure on the force will be borne by the central government. Attractive financial packages are also being offered for the rehabilitation of the people from the protected areas. “If we have to save tigers for posterity, India is the place where there is still hope,” said Wildlife Institute of India Director PR Sinha.
In the Jim Corbett National Park, at least three tigers have died since the beginning of this year. It is considered one of the best habitats for the big cat. Last year was also not good for tigers in Uttarakhand, when nine of them died.
Uttarakhand has taken proactive steps in the past to save its wildlife. In 2001, five elephants had died mysteriously in the Jim Corbett National Park. Their tusks had been removed. The police swung into action, much to the chagrin of forest officials, and the killings came to an end. The police, at that time, had called for tiger police stations outside the reserve. But that never happened.
Great efforts are being put up at the highest level to save the tiger. Still, there are no visible signs as yet if poaching of tigers has come down. An estimate prepared by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, a United Nations agency, has disclosed that there were 100,000 tigers just 20 years ago in Asia. Now, only 3,200 are left in the wild.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/corbett-mulls-special-tiger-police/391522/
Saturday, April 10, 2010
14 deaths this year, meet to discuss tiger mortality
To prevent tiger mortality, a meeting between the officials of the state Forest department and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is scheduled to be held by the end of this week.
With 14 tiger deaths already being reported from across the country this year, the meeting would focus on the mysterious death of a tiger in the state’s North Kheri forest division.
The carcass of an adult male tiger was recovered from North Kheri on January 6. According to the postmortem report, the cause of death could not be ascertained, as the carcass was over 48 hours old and the internal organs of the big cat had decomposed.
“The meeting is scheduled during April 10 to 12,” said B K Patnaik, PCCF, UP Forest department. “We will review the protection strategy that is being taken up by officials at the tiger reserves. We can review the shortcomings and loopholes in their strategy and suggest solutions,” said a NTCA official.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/14-deaths-this-year--meet-to-discuss-tiger-mortality/602261/
Friday, April 9, 2010
Good news! 117 tiger cubs sighted in nine reserves
Conservationists in the government have sighted 117 tiger cubs in nine reserves in the past 15 months.
Favourable developments are happening in the national tiger conservation authority (NTCA), but wildlife officials are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping the cubs grow up safely.
The past few years have been worrisome for tigers in India — over 135 have died since the last census figures came out in 2006. To make matters worse, 80 tigers died in the nine reserves between January 2009 and March 2010. Last year was the bloodiest when 66 big cats were killed or died due to natural causes.
“Increasing number of tigersmeans breeding is happening in reserves,” Yadvendradev Jhala, a leading Wildlife Institute of India scientist, said. He, however, said the 117 cubs could not be included in the ongoing census. “Only adult tigers are counted,” Jhala said.
NTCA officials said the sighting of cubs was a good sign after so many deaths in a year, but it was important to protect them, so that they become adults and add to the population of tigers in India. “They multiply fast, but their mortality rate is also high. India loses 25-30 tigers every year, but 2009, when 66 catsdied, was an exception,” an NTCA member said.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
3-year-old tigress found injured in Ranthambore
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Wildlife officials to review strategies to protect tigers
Concerned over 14 big cats dying in the last three months, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has decided to convene a three-day meeting of wildlife officials of tiger-range states to review protection strategy in national parks.
The meeting, to be chaired by NTCA Member Secretary Rajesh Gopal, has come days after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed concern over the recent unnatural tiger deaths in sanctuaries particularly Corbett and Kanha tiger reserves in Uttarakhand and Rajasthan, respectively.
"The meeting, which commences from April 10, has been proposed at Ramnagar in Uttarakhand to discuss the strategies for plugging the loopholes to ensure safety of tigers. Chief Wildlife Wardens and Field Directors will attend the meet," Deputy Inspector General (NTCA) S P Yadav said.
The government has already warned that as many as 18 reserves in the country threatens to go the Panna and Sariska way where all native striped cats were wiped out by the poachers.
"During the meeting, issues such as need for expediting buffer and core zones, streamlining tourism and strengthening weaker areas would be deliberated in detail," Yadav said.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Sangli's 10 tigers get Rs 28cr but Vid's 139 only Rs 3.8cr
NAGPUR: It is not just people of Vidarbha who suffer discrimination within Maharashtra. The step-motherly treatment extends to even wild animals. Even though Vidarbha has a bulk of Maharashtra's forests and wildlife, most of the funds for their protection are being siphoned off to western Maharashtra.
The manner in which funds were distributed under the state plan in 2009-10 show how the government, in its eagerness to take monies to western Maharashtra, is even leaving state's tigers unprotected. Of Rs 41.56 crore grants released under various heads, only Rs 3.78 crore were given for Vidarbha, while protected areas (PAs) in Western Maharashtra, which have only a fraction of wildlife of Vidarbha, managed to grab the rest.
Apart from the grants released under the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) by the ministry of environment & forests (MoEF), money is released under state plan for promoting eco-tourism, wildlife protection, relocation of villages inside PAs, forest tourism, rescue centres and nature conservation.
Of the Rs 3.78 crore, Nagpur Wildlife Circle got Rs 1.80 crore for eco-tourism. It includes Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (Rs 96 lakh); Pench (54 lakh); Bor (Rs 12 lakh); Tipeshwar (Rs 7.50 lakh); Chaprala (Rs 8.71 lakh) and Bhamragarh (Rs 2.10 lakh). Besides, Rs 1.43 crore were released for Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) including Rs 1.25 crore for MTR; Rs 7.40 lakh for Wan and Rs 10.60 lakh for Ambabarwa sanctuaries.
The state released Rs 3.18 lakh for a nature interpretation centre in Nagpur. Nagzira and Navegaon areas were completely ignored. Rs 10.67 lakh has been released for development of forest garden in Chikhaldara; Rs 6.67 lakh for Wadali (Amravati) and Rs 62.17 lakh for proposed works on Gorewada Zoo. The PAs in Vidarbha got Rs 3.24 crore but considering their area and importance, this is meagre.
The manner in which funds were distributed under the state plan in 2009-10 show how the government, in its eagerness to take monies to western Maharashtra, is even leaving state's tigers unprotected. Of Rs 41.56 crore grants released under various heads, only Rs 3.78 crore were given for Vidarbha, while protected areas (PAs) in Western Maharashtra, which have only a fraction of wildlife of Vidarbha, managed to grab the rest.
Apart from the grants released under the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) by the ministry of environment & forests (MoEF), money is released under state plan for promoting eco-tourism, wildlife protection, relocation of villages inside PAs, forest tourism, rescue centres and nature conservation.
Of the Rs 3.78 crore, Nagpur Wildlife Circle got Rs 1.80 crore for eco-tourism. It includes Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (Rs 96 lakh); Pench (54 lakh); Bor (Rs 12 lakh); Tipeshwar (Rs 7.50 lakh); Chaprala (Rs 8.71 lakh) and Bhamragarh (Rs 2.10 lakh). Besides, Rs 1.43 crore were released for Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) including Rs 1.25 crore for MTR; Rs 7.40 lakh for Wan and Rs 10.60 lakh for Ambabarwa sanctuaries.
The state released Rs 3.18 lakh for a nature interpretation centre in Nagpur. Nagzira and Navegaon areas were completely ignored. Rs 10.67 lakh has been released for development of forest garden in Chikhaldara; Rs 6.67 lakh for Wadali (Amravati) and Rs 62.17 lakh for proposed works on Gorewada Zoo. The PAs in Vidarbha got Rs 3.24 crore but considering their area and importance, this is meagre.
Funds delay Sahyadri tiger plan
SATARA: Paucity of funds has delayed installation of sophisticated highly sensitive cameras in Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, both part of the proposed Sahyadri tiger project.
The camera trapping is planned to capture images of tigers and the large number of their prey animals in these protected areas.
Sahyadri Tiger Project will be the fourth tiger projects in the state. The rest three tiger projects in the state - Tadoba-Andhari project, Pench project and Melghat project - are in the Satpura range of forests.The exact number of tigers in Chandoli and Koyna sanctuaries is not known. Tigers have rarely been spotted by anyone in these two wildlife sanctuaries. The presence of pug marks had, however , confirmed existence of these wild animals. The Centre had recently announced the Sahyadri Tiger project to protect these and other endangered animals as well as several rare plants found in these bio-diversity-rich region.
http://www.sakaaltimes.com/SakaalTimesBeta/20100405/4661055558105635176.htm
Bangla for joint tiger census with India
STAFF WRITER 20:58 HRS IST
Kolkata, Apr 5 (PTI) Bangladesh today proposed a joint tiger census with India in the Sunderbans to arrive at an accurate estimate of the number of big cats there.
"The tigers of the Sunderbans are no respector of borders. They roam freely in both the Bangladesh and Indian sides, making tiger census almost as difficult as counting crows. So, there must be a joint tiger census with Bangladesh and India," Environment and Forest Minister of Bangladesh Hasan Mahmud told newsmen.
In reply to a question, Mahmud said the last tiger census carried out in Bangladesh in 2004 estimated the number of the big cats at 440. The figure now stands at 450.
Mahmud, who earlier called on West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, said he had requested the latter's support in voting Sunderbans as the 7th wonder of the world.
Kaziranga brought fresh hopes on tiger conservation: Ramesh
Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh on Monday said Kaziranga has brought fresh hopes on tiger conservation in the country with the National Park registering a density of about 30 tigers over 100 square kilometres of the park, which he described to be the highest in the country.
After a field visit the Minister told journalists inside the world heritage site, that such a high density indicate that Kaziranga with a total area of more than 1000 square km area should have more than 100 tigers. Mr. Ramesh said that figures of tiger census would be out in November. Assam Forest and Environment Minister Rockybul Hussain accompanied Mr. Ramesh in field visit.
Regional offices
The Union Minister announced that four regional offices of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) would be opened in Bangalore, Nagpur, Kolkata and Guwahati to spread out activities of NTCA to field areas and to ensure that it did not remain Delhi-centric. The NTCA headquarters in Delhi would also look after northern India.
http://beta.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article389104.ece#
Maoists let tiger census officials enter their den
New Delhi: Even as security agencies are busy fighting the bloodiest battle against Maoists, the red brigade is actually helping the environment and forests ministry conduct the tiger census.
For the first time in a decade, wildlife officials have managed to enter three tiger reserves in Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand that were earlier out of their reach.
After having detailed discussions with the Maoists in these three jungles and helping them understand the threat to Indian tigers, scientists and forest officials finally managed to enter Indravati tiger reserve in Chhattisgarh, Simlipal in Orissa and Palamu in Jharkhand.
“These tiger reserves are Maoist dens. But this time, we will have tiger census in these areas. Census in Indravati will be conducted in the second phase that would start after the monsoon,” Qamar Qureshi, a scientist in the Wildlife Institute of India that is spearheading the tiger census, said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_maoists-let-tiger-census-officials-enter-their-den_1367911
Monday, April 5, 2010
Rajasthan fails to utilise grant for tigers
JAIPUR: The state forest department has failed to utilise a Central grant of Rs 1.22 crore allotted to it during 2007-08 under the project tiger scheme in Ranthambore, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has stated in a report.
The CAG, who scrutinised the records of the deputy conservator of forests and deputy director (core) of Project Tiger in Ranthambore, pointed out that a sum of Rs 2.76 crore was allotted for the year 2007-08 by the Union government for minor constructions and eco-development work in the forest.
The CAG, who scrutinised the records of the deputy conservator of forests and deputy director (core) of Project Tiger in Ranthambore, pointed out that a sum of Rs 2.76 crore was allotted for the year 2007-08 by the Union government for minor constructions and eco-development work in the forest.
Subsequently, the Centre released a sum of Rs 1.54 crore in two installments — Rs 1.5 crore in July 2007 and Rs 0.04 crore in March 2008. The remaining sum was to be released after 85% utilisation of this amount..
The state government, after receiving the money from the Centre, handed it over to the forest department in September 2007. However, the department failed to utilise the amount even by March 2008 as a result of which the remaining sum of Rs 1.22 crore was not given by the Centre at all.
The state government, after receiving the money from the Centre, handed it over to the forest department in September 2007. However, the department failed to utilise the amount even by March 2008 as a result of which the remaining sum of Rs 1.22 crore was not given by the Centre at all.
Non-relocation of village in Dudhwa worrying conservationists
Aligarh: The delay in relocation of a village located in the Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh is causing worry to conservationists who believe that it will further endanger the Indian tiger.
Despite an Allahabad High Court order in 2003, district officials in Lakhimpur Kheri have failed to relocate inhabitants of Surma village to an alternative site.
In a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently, wildlife activist Kaushelendra Singh of 'Tiger and Terrain Society' has made a plea for expediting the relocation of the village located in the core area of the park
Despite an Allahabad High Court order in 2003, district officials in Lakhimpur Kheri have failed to relocate inhabitants of Surma village to an alternative site.
In a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently, wildlife activist Kaushelendra Singh of 'Tiger and Terrain Society' has made a plea for expediting the relocation of the village located in the core area of the park
Surma, with a population of nearly 4000 people, is occupying more than 500 acres of land within the park. Conservationists are also worried that the village is serving as a base for poachers and internationals gangs carrying out illicit trade in animal parts.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Tiger kills man near Tadoba, sixth victim this year
The tiger-human conflict claimed one more life in Chandrapur district on Thursday when 30-year-old Gurum Shrirame was killed by a tiger in the Murpar area of Chimur range in Brahmapuri division.
“Shrirame had gone to the forest yesterday to collect Mahua flowers. He, however, didn’t return by the night. When villagers searched for him, a partly-devoured body dragged about 100 metres away from the spot of the attack was discovered,” Divisional Forest Officer Sanjay Thavre told The Indian Express.
This has taken the toll of those killed in seven attacks by tigers this year to six. Last year had seen a lull in the conflict, raging since 2006, with only four deaths occurring compared to 25 in 2008. This had led to a suspicion about disappearance of tigers from the conflict areas — either due to revenge killings or because of poaching. Many abandoned cubs were rescued, with their parents missing, from the conflict areas in 2009, strengthening the suspicion.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Tiger-kills-man-in-Chandrapur--sixth-victim-this-year/599495
Friday, April 2, 2010
A MELANCHOLIC HOMECOMING Return to Palamau Tiger Reserve(PTR)--The Heartland of Wildlife and Naxalism in Jharkhand
First of all let me briefly introduce myself and my relationship with the Palamau Tiger Reserve—A neglected Tiger Reserve that seems to have been forgotten and abandoned by all—Conservationists, Officers as well as the General Public. I am a 19 year old Engineering student, a huge wildlife enthusiast and a I.F.S. aspirant. And all the credit for my unconditional love towards the forest and its denizens goes first of all to my father who himself is an I.F.S. officer and then to this place-Palamau Tiger Reserve(PTR).My father whom I consider one of the most honest and upright I.F.S. officer and a huge wildlife enthusiast himself was posted as the D.F.O. of PTR from 1991-1998.He introduced me to the forest--its noises, smells, its inhabitants and the nuances of its conservation at a very young age. My mother contributed equally in all this and even though I fail to mention her as often as I mention Dad, she always encouraged me in this field and her love for forest and wildlife has been a great inspiration. One of my earliest memories of PTR is walking about 20 kms with Abba and the forest staff when I was just 4 year old, as they went about dousing a forest fire in an interior part of the Reserve. My determination towards preserving such places for posterity increased exponentially when I saw how honestly and arduously my father worked for this. Apart from working day in and day out with his dedicated staff to improve the Reserve, he literally put his life on the line thrice—firstly when he went alone to recover some tusks from a Naxal Dasta(a few weeks before this they had killed a government engineer by calling him alone to give back some stolen goods), on the second instance he did an undercover operation disguising himself as a client and nabbed a gang of armed poachers with huge cache of skins; and finally when he barely survived a landmine blast in the PTR triggered by the Naxals on 16th Feb 1998(in which his driver and a tracker died)who were in turn ransomed by the timber mafia because of his work against them. I was deeply inspired and moved by the compassion and respect he exhibited for the martyred foot soldiers of Reserve when he single handedly amassed 3 lakhs each for the family of the deceased driver and tracker within a month of the incident . He did this by contributing himself and sending out an appeal (http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/hpg/envis/doc98html/biodjp69.html) to all the Forest Staff and Officers, organizations working for the cause of wildlife, conservationists and his relatives narrating the incident and asking them to donate for the families of the deceased. The government had refused to compensate the victims on the grounds that they were daily wagers(even they had been working for roughly 20 years).Just after 20 days of the blast he went back to the PTR and spent two weeks visiting every part of the Reserve.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Death of a tiger
After poachers, it is sustained official insensitivity, and the human-animal conflict that threatens the endangered species of the great Indian tiger
Akash Bisht Ramnagar/Dhikala
Every night, the Kiari village on the fringes of Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand attracts several intruders from the wild who pillage the fields of farmers, dependent on the little produce that the land yields. The increasing loss of crop over the years has forced farmers near the park to wage a war against herds of wild boars and elephants. Wild boars, the most frequent among these uninvited guests, are considered 'enemy number one' as they destroy an entire crop with amazing speed. This phenomenon has pushed farmers to lay traps (wire snares) near their fields. Ironically, the tragedy is that in this battle for survival, these ugly confrontations sometimes claim innocent victims - precious tigers and leopards.
On March 16, one such wire snare killed a tiger near the Phata range. This was the fifth tiger death in the past four months that even had Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sit up and take notice at the recently held National Board for Wildlife meeting.
Corbett has the densest population of tigers in the world and some tigers are bound to die owing to natural causes like ageing, diseases and animal-animal conflict. Out of the five tiger deaths, one was poisoned, while the rest, except for the Phata tiger, died of natural causes. The Wildlife Protection Society of India informed Hardnews that 16 tigers have died in the park since 2008; two were seizures wherein tiger skin and bones were recovered. Corbett reserve has around '150-200 villages' in the vicinity, and tigers, known to be wanderers, often walk into human settlements forcing a deadly human-animal conflict.
"We don't have any safety from the wild boars and we have conveyed this to the forest department, but our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. The compensation paid for the crops destroyed is abysmally low and doesn't cover more than 10 per cent of the total cost. So the villagers are left with no option but to resort to such extreme measures," says Vidya Sagar Kiari village.
Often, domesticated animals stray deep into the reserve looking for greener pastures; they sometimes fall prey to tigers. Infuriated villagers consequently resort to revenge killings wherein they poison the carcass of the big cat's kill, which can lead to painful death of the tiger.
Citing this confrontation, the Corbett Foundation (CF) in collaboration with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), introduced an interim relief scheme wherein villagers are paid Rs 3,000 or less for every cattle killed by a tiger or leopard. This scheme has genuinely helped in reducing tiger mortality due to poisoning. "The people of the hills have a strong emotional bonding with their cattle and their death is deeply mourned by family members. They get so aggrieved that they poison the kill to avenge its death," says Dr Harendra Singh Bargali, deputy director, CF.
Bargali said that as soon as villagers inform them of a killing by a big cat, a team is dispatched to investigate. Once the kill is confirmed, the villagers are paid the amount promptly. This cools them down. "The forest department also provides compensation to villagers but it takes six months to a year to get the paltry sum. That's where we come in and try to calm the villagers by providing some financial assistance," says Bargali.
Skeletal remains of tiger cub found
Bangalore, Mar 31 (PTI) Skeletal remains of a tiger cub was found in the Maddur range of the Bandipur national park near a cattle kill today, taking the death toll of the predator to six in the past eight months.
"Evidently, the cub, about eight months old, might have died eight days ago. Though the carcass was found deep in the forest near a cattle kill, post mortem did not indicate food poisoning" Karnataka Chief Wildlife Warden, B K Singh.
According to Sanjay Gubbi of Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS), there was nothing left of the cattle kill and the cub.
There is concern that its mother might have perished after sharing the kill with its cub. "Normally a mother does not abandon a cub so young. There was concern that the tigress may also have died. But there were no such indication," Gubbi said.
"Evidently, the cub, about eight months old, might have died eight days ago. Though the carcass was found deep in the forest near a cattle kill, post mortem did not indicate food poisoning" Karnataka Chief Wildlife Warden, B K Singh.
According to Sanjay Gubbi of Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS), there was nothing left of the cattle kill and the cub.
There is concern that its mother might have perished after sharing the kill with its cub. "Normally a mother does not abandon a cub so young. There was concern that the tigress may also have died. But there were no such indication," Gubbi said.
Tiger reserves to get buffer zones soon
BANGALORE: After long four years, buffer zones in tiger reserves of Karnataka will soon become a reality.
According to the forest department a 300 sqkm buffer around Bandipur and a 400 sqkm buffer around Anshi-Dandeli reserves have got in-principle approval from the Centre.
The notification of buffer zones is very significant as it will lead to protection of the reserves from intensive projects like mining.
"Those which got in-principle approval will be notified in a month or so. In Nagarahole, we're facing some problems and the buffer zone may take some more time to be determined. This notification will not just have a bearing on people living in the zone, but have a major impact on human-animal conflict. If a tiger strays, it will not hit the boundary straightaway," principle chief conservator of forests, B K Singh told TOI.
WHAT'S A BUFFER ZONE?
A buffer is like a thin layer of protection on all sides of the reserve. It is not inviolate like core area and human habitation won't be relocated. Those living in this zone will be given alternative livelihood options to reduce dependence on core forest produce. "These zones will be protected from major changes in land use. Unlike the core area, which is exclusive, the buffer zone will be inclusive but importance will be given to protection of wildlife," National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), member secretary, Rajesh Gopal told TOI.
Many states like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, which record a large number of tiger deaths, still haven't notified buffer zones.
ON THE ANVIL
Total area of Bandipur tiger reserve is 950 sqkm; additional 300 sqkm being added on Karnataka side as buffer zone
Total area of Anshi-Dandeli tiger reserve is 800 sqkm; additional 400 sqkm being added as buffer area
Nagarahole buffer zone yet to be determined; notification for Bhadra tiger reserve with Centre
No large, intensive development projects allowed in zone
According to the forest department a 300 sqkm buffer around Bandipur and a 400 sqkm buffer around Anshi-Dandeli reserves have got in-principle approval from the Centre.
The notification of buffer zones is very significant as it will lead to protection of the reserves from intensive projects like mining.
"Those which got in-principle approval will be notified in a month or so. In Nagarahole, we're facing some problems and the buffer zone may take some more time to be determined. This notification will not just have a bearing on people living in the zone, but have a major impact on human-animal conflict. If a tiger strays, it will not hit the boundary straightaway," principle chief conservator of forests, B K Singh told TOI.
WHAT'S A BUFFER ZONE?
A buffer is like a thin layer of protection on all sides of the reserve. It is not inviolate like core area and human habitation won't be relocated. Those living in this zone will be given alternative livelihood options to reduce dependence on core forest produce. "These zones will be protected from major changes in land use. Unlike the core area, which is exclusive, the buffer zone will be inclusive but importance will be given to protection of wildlife," National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), member secretary, Rajesh Gopal told TOI.
Many states like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, which record a large number of tiger deaths, still haven't notified buffer zones.
ON THE ANVIL
Total area of Bandipur tiger reserve is 950 sqkm; additional 300 sqkm being added on Karnataka side as buffer zone
Total area of Anshi-Dandeli tiger reserve is 800 sqkm; additional 400 sqkm being added as buffer area
Nagarahole buffer zone yet to be determined; notification for Bhadra tiger reserve with Centre
No large, intensive development projects allowed in zone
Jairam asks Nath to go take a walk - Et.com
NEW DELHI: Blamed by his Cabinet colleagues, particularly surface transport minister Kamal Nath, of stalling projects, environment ministerJairam Ramesh hit back saying he would further increase the rejection rate of projects.
Making it clear that he means business, Mr Ramesh said that his ministry has lowered its specifications on roads passing through national forests.
Instead of four-lane highways, states and NHAI has been asked to make two lane roads while passing through forests and night time restrictions on speed limits have been imposed.
He made it clear that his ministry would not okay projects that would adversely impact natural reserves and the environment.
Earlier this month, Mr Kamal Nath had complained to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the delay, on account of environment and forest clearances, in 11 key projects of the National Highway Authority of India including expansion of a stretch of the National Highway-7 that passes through Pench tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh that falls within Nath’s parliamentary constituency, Chhindwara.
The environment ministry did not accord approval as the road was to pass through a tiger reserve.
“More than 95% projects get environment approval and more than 85% gets forest approval. I am trying my best to increase the rejection rate as we were somewhat liberal in the past and overlooked environmental issues,” Mr Ramesh said.
Making it clear that he means business, Mr Ramesh said that his ministry has lowered its specifications on roads passing through national forests.
Instead of four-lane highways, states and NHAI has been asked to make two lane roads while passing through forests and night time restrictions on speed limits have been imposed.
He made it clear that his ministry would not okay projects that would adversely impact natural reserves and the environment.
Earlier this month, Mr Kamal Nath had complained to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the delay, on account of environment and forest clearances, in 11 key projects of the National Highway Authority of India including expansion of a stretch of the National Highway-7 that passes through Pench tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh that falls within Nath’s parliamentary constituency, Chhindwara.
The environment ministry did not accord approval as the road was to pass through a tiger reserve.
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