Devika Devi became the 25th victim to a deadly tiger attack in India in Sunderkhal village near Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve in the last 13 months, which also left eight tigers dead. At the same time, wildlife experts suggest that increase in tiger population, caused by India’s success in tiger managem
ent and checking poaching, may have a link to this increasing tiger-human conflict.
Between 2006 and 2010, the tiger population is estimated to increase by atleast 100 from 1,411. The new tiger estimation will be announced on March 26.
“Increase in tiger population in areas such as Corbett is one of the reasons for the rising conflict,” said Vivek Menon, Chief Executive Officer of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). Other experts such as Belinda Wright of Wildlife Protection Society of India term poaching of prey population and increase in human interference as primary causes for increase in conflict.
Tiger deaths in conflict with humans
2008 : Two, one each in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
2009: Six, two in Madhya Pradesh, two in Assam and one each in UttarPradesh and Maharashtra.
2010: Eight, three in Rajasthan, two in Assam, one each in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
While tiger population has increased, the habitat during these four years has either remained stagnant or shrunk.
“At least 10 new hotels and resorts have come up in the buffer zone of Corbett in the last few years with the permission of district collector,” said a local forest official.
Over 700 kms south-west of Corbett in Ranthambore tiger reserve, the increase in tiger population has not only left three persons dead and another dozen injured in the past year, it has caused migration of at least four tigers to far-off places. Tigers using traditional forest corridors, which were dense forests till 1970s, reached Kuno and Morina in Madhya Pradesh and Kota and Bharatpur in Rahasthan.
“Constant habitat destruction and illegal mining is causing the wildlife stress,” Dharmendra Kandhal, a Ranthambore based wildlife biologist said. Another indication of this is that two tigress and five cubs have been spotted outside the core area of Ranthambore, having about 25 tigers.
Nothing illegal in these activities, but a cause of concern for wildlife experts that it was hindering free movement of tigers. For instance, Uttarakhand forest department have pictures of 36 tigers in two ranges divided by river Kosi and connected by a corridor where resorts and Sunderkhal village has come up, leading to increase in conflict.
“Very few tigers used to seen in this area a few years ago,” said Anil Baluni, vice-chairperson of Uttarankhand Forest Advisory Council.
Dhonia Devi, who lost her niece in the tiger attack in January 2011, confirmed higher tiger presence and said: "Since last few months I hear tiger roar almost every last night…We shut ourselves before dark to escape their fury".
Humans killed in conflict with tigers
2008: Nine deaths.
2009: 12 deaths.
2010-2011 till end of January: 25 deaths. Ten in Uttar Pradesh, one in Rajasthan, eight in Maharashtra, one in Assam and five in Uttaranchal.
Most tiger reserves, where tiger-animal conflict has been reported in the past year, have reported increase in big cat population.
The Wildlife Institute of India, which is conducting the estimation, has captured pictures of 12 tigresses with cubs in Dudwa tiger reserve in Uttar Pradesh, where a tiger killed two persons. In Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserve in Maharashtra, where six people had died in conflict, two tigresses with cubs have been spotted in the buffer area. Kaziranga, Assam, where increase in tiger population has earned the forest distinction of having highest tiger density per 10 sq kms in the country, is not different.
The conflict is unique to tigers as they are territorial animals unlike other carnivores. “A 10 sq km area is normally territory marked by a tiger, where only the stronger male can live,” said P K Sen, former director of Project Tiger. As the population grows, the weaker tigers move out and spread into buffer areas, encroached by human settlements or tourist industry, resulting in the conflict.
Nationally, the core tiger area has shrunk to 31,207 sq kilometers in 37 tiger reserves as compared to over one lakh sq kms in 1970s, when Project Tiger was launched. “To have 20 breeding tigresses a minimum area of 800-1,200 sq kms needs to be kept inviolate as a core area for tigers with an exclusive tiger agenda,” said Rajesh Gopal, member secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority, in its journal stripes.
It means that many tiger reserves such as Ranthambore, Corbett, Kaziranga and Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh may have reached its threshold limit with estimated increase in population with some check on poaching.
One possible solution to the increasing tiger problem – relocation of tigers straying out – has been successfully implemented in Assam, where a man-eating tiger from Kaziranga has been successfully rehabilitated in Manas Wildlife Sanctuary.
“If done scientifically such relocation is possible elsewhere,” Menon said.
The NCTA and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has identified 15 new forest areas across India to provide homes to tigers living in stress. “Tigers need inviolate space which is available in India,” said Ravi Chellam of Wildlife Conservation Society, which recently did found that 15 tiger reserves can hold 1,500 tigers if the habitat is improved. These emerging tiger issues will be discussed with international experts in Delhi on March 7.
Frightened by frequent tiger attacks, over 1,000 people are willing to leave their abode in Sunderkhal since 1974 provided the compensation is good, they get agriculture land and jobs.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Clarification by Minister of State for Environment and Forests on Tiger Reserves, Critical Wildlife Habitats and Forest Right Act, 2006
The Minister of State for Environment and Forests clarified the issues regarding Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act in tiger reserves and in the critical wildlife habitats. The Minister states that:
1. “Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended in 2006) explains the core or critical tiger habitat as well as the buffer or peripheral area of a tiger reserve.
2. A tiger reserve includes two parts:
A. Core or critical tiger habitat (National Park or Sanctuary status).
B. Buffer or peripheral area.
3. The phrase ‘core or critical tiger habitat’ is mentioned only in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as a sequel to amendment made to the said Act in 2006. It is NOT defined in the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
4. The phrase ‘critical wildlife habitat’ is defined only in the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, and NOT in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
5. ‘Core or critical tiger habitat’ is different from the ‘critical wildlife habitat’. Since tigers are territorial big cats, hence considering their social land tenure dynamics, the ‘core / critical tiger habitat’ has been viewed separately from the ‘critical wildlife habitat’, which is applicable to other wild animal species.
6. Based on deliberations with experts and simulation results from scientific data, it has been found that a minimum inviolate area of 800-1200 sq.km. is required to sustain a viable population of tigers (20 breeding females).
7. Establishing the core / critical tiger habitat as ‘inviolate’ involves two steps as per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:
A. Identifying the core / critical tiger habitat by establishing on the basis of scientific and objective area that such areas are required to be kept as inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation, without affecting the rights of the Scheduled Tribes or such other forest dwellers, and notified as such by the State Government in consultation with an expert committee constituted for the purpose (out of 17 tiger States, 16 have notified the core / critical tiger habitat following this process, and action is pending only from Bihar).
B. Establishing the identified core / critical tiger habitat as inviolate through voluntary relocation on mutually agreed terms and conditions, provided that such terms and conditions satisfy the requirements laid down in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. No Scheduled Tribes or other forest dwellers shall be resettled or have their rights adversely affected for creating inviolate areas for tiger unless:
(i) The process of recognition / determination of rights and acquisition of land or forest rights of the ST and such other forest dwelling persons is complete.
(ii) The concerned agencies of the State Government need to establish with the consent of the ST and such other forest dwellers in the area, besides also consulting an ecological and social scientist familiar with the area, that the activities of the ST and other forest dwellers or the impact of their presence upon wild animals is sufficient to cause irreversible damage and shall threaten the existence of tigers and their habitat.
(iii) The State Government has to obtain the consent of the ST and other forest dwellers and come to a conclusion (besides consulting an independent ecological / social scientist) that no coexistence options are available.
(iv) Resettlement package needs to be prepared providing for livelihood of affected individuals, while fulfilling the requirements of the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy.
(v) The informed consent of Gram Sabhas and affected persons has to be obtained for resettlement.
(vi) The facilities and land allocation at resettlement area are to be provided, otherwise the existing rights of people shall not be interfered with.
8. The above provisions laid down in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (section 38V), subsequent to the 2006 amendment are specific to tiger conservation, and are not only compatible but more stringent than the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
9. Under the revised Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger (2008), two options have been given to people:
Option-I: Payment of Rs. 10 lakhs per family in case the family opts so, without any rehabilitation / relocation process by the Forest Department.
Option-II: Carrying out relocation / rehabilitation by the Forest Department with the following per family norms out of Rs. 10 lakhs:
(a)
Agricultural land procurement (2 ha.) and development
35% of the total package
(b)
Settlement of rights
30% of the total package
(c)
Homestead land and house construction
20% of the total package
(d)
Incentive
5% of the total package
(e)
Community facilities (access road, irrigation, drinking water,
sanitation, electricity, telecommunication, community centre,
places of worship, cremation ground)
10% of the total package
The cash option has been provided for catering to people who are not interested in a resettlement and are prepared to establish themselves elsewhere under ‘mutually agreed terms and conditions’, as indicated in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
1. This has checks and balances as the money is provided through the District Collector after the villager produces evidence of his procuring land etc.
2. The relocation is voluntary, and is done only if people are willing to move.
3. Monitoring committees at the District as well as State levels are required to be constituted and detailed guidelines have been issued for handholding the people after relocation, besides ensuring the centrality of PI institutions, while involving independent agencies.
4. Advisories have been issued to States for complying with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 read with the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
Critical Wildlife Habitats
FRA had come into force in January 2007 and the MoE&F had issued guidelines to the State/UT Governments for notification of the Critical Wildlife Habitats (CWLHs) in October 2007. During the last three years, not much headway could be made in notification of CWLHs. The State/UT Governments have been expressing difficulties in notifying CWLHs on the basis of the 2007 guidelines. Accordingly, MoE&F convened meetings with the Chief Wildlife Wardens and officers of the Wildlife Institute of India, discussed the guidelines and has now issued the revised guidelines, which are in consonance with the FRA.
CWLHs are such areas of the National Parks and Sanctuaries that are required to be kept as ‘inviolate’ for the purpose of wildlife conservation as determined and notified by the MoE&F, after an open process of consultation by an Expert Committee. Such areas are to be clearly identified on case-to-case basis following scientific and objective criteria and only after settling the rights of tribals and other traditional forest dwellers.
The identification and declaration of CWLHs are two distinct processes. While the identification of an area required for betterment of wildlife conservation is purely a scientific exercise to be carried out by the Forest Departments on a case-to-case basis in consultation with the scientific institutions (the criteria for identification of CWLHs have to be site-specific), its notification is to be done only after extensive consultations (means consent) with the Gram Sabha and the affected persons/stakeholders .
The guidelines ensure that CWLHs are declared only with the voluntary consent of the affected people. It also gives ample scope to the State/UT Governments to explore the possibility of ‘co-existence’. If such a possibility is not practicable, the Expert Committee, which also includes the District Tribal Welfare Officer and an NGO working in the field of Tribal Welfare, will have consultations with the Gram Sabha /affected persons for their relocation, during which the available options (Option –I for payment of rupees ten lakhs per family and Option-II for comprehensive rehabilitation by providing land, house with facilities, community rights, by the Forest Department) for voluntary relocation would also be explained. The relocation involves providing secure livelihoods to the persons to be relocated. In fact they may choose the option most suited to them.
The guidelines for notification of CWLHs apply only to the National Parks and Sanctuaries and not to other forest areas.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests will take all steps to ensure that the letter and spirit of FRA, 2006 is respected and followed in all wildlife conservation programmes. If there is any violation anywhere and that violation is reported with full documentation and evidence, it will be prepared to intervene to ensure that the situation is rectified forthwith”.
KP
1. “Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended in 2006) explains the core or critical tiger habitat as well as the buffer or peripheral area of a tiger reserve.
2. A tiger reserve includes two parts:
A. Core or critical tiger habitat (National Park or Sanctuary status).
B. Buffer or peripheral area.
3. The phrase ‘core or critical tiger habitat’ is mentioned only in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as a sequel to amendment made to the said Act in 2006. It is NOT defined in the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
4. The phrase ‘critical wildlife habitat’ is defined only in the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, and NOT in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
5. ‘Core or critical tiger habitat’ is different from the ‘critical wildlife habitat’. Since tigers are territorial big cats, hence considering their social land tenure dynamics, the ‘core / critical tiger habitat’ has been viewed separately from the ‘critical wildlife habitat’, which is applicable to other wild animal species.
6. Based on deliberations with experts and simulation results from scientific data, it has been found that a minimum inviolate area of 800-1200 sq.km. is required to sustain a viable population of tigers (20 breeding females).
7. Establishing the core / critical tiger habitat as ‘inviolate’ involves two steps as per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:
A. Identifying the core / critical tiger habitat by establishing on the basis of scientific and objective area that such areas are required to be kept as inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation, without affecting the rights of the Scheduled Tribes or such other forest dwellers, and notified as such by the State Government in consultation with an expert committee constituted for the purpose (out of 17 tiger States, 16 have notified the core / critical tiger habitat following this process, and action is pending only from Bihar).
B. Establishing the identified core / critical tiger habitat as inviolate through voluntary relocation on mutually agreed terms and conditions, provided that such terms and conditions satisfy the requirements laid down in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. No Scheduled Tribes or other forest dwellers shall be resettled or have their rights adversely affected for creating inviolate areas for tiger unless:
(i) The process of recognition / determination of rights and acquisition of land or forest rights of the ST and such other forest dwelling persons is complete.
(ii) The concerned agencies of the State Government need to establish with the consent of the ST and such other forest dwellers in the area, besides also consulting an ecological and social scientist familiar with the area, that the activities of the ST and other forest dwellers or the impact of their presence upon wild animals is sufficient to cause irreversible damage and shall threaten the existence of tigers and their habitat.
(iii) The State Government has to obtain the consent of the ST and other forest dwellers and come to a conclusion (besides consulting an independent ecological / social scientist) that no coexistence options are available.
(iv) Resettlement package needs to be prepared providing for livelihood of affected individuals, while fulfilling the requirements of the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy.
(v) The informed consent of Gram Sabhas and affected persons has to be obtained for resettlement.
(vi) The facilities and land allocation at resettlement area are to be provided, otherwise the existing rights of people shall not be interfered with.
8. The above provisions laid down in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (section 38V), subsequent to the 2006 amendment are specific to tiger conservation, and are not only compatible but more stringent than the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
9. Under the revised Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger (2008), two options have been given to people:
Option-I: Payment of Rs. 10 lakhs per family in case the family opts so, without any rehabilitation / relocation process by the Forest Department.
Option-II: Carrying out relocation / rehabilitation by the Forest Department with the following per family norms out of Rs. 10 lakhs:
(a)
Agricultural land procurement (2 ha.) and development
35% of the total package
(b)
Settlement of rights
30% of the total package
(c)
Homestead land and house construction
20% of the total package
(d)
Incentive
5% of the total package
(e)
Community facilities (access road, irrigation, drinking water,
sanitation, electricity, telecommunication, community centre,
places of worship, cremation ground)
10% of the total package
The cash option has been provided for catering to people who are not interested in a resettlement and are prepared to establish themselves elsewhere under ‘mutually agreed terms and conditions’, as indicated in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
1. This has checks and balances as the money is provided through the District Collector after the villager produces evidence of his procuring land etc.
2. The relocation is voluntary, and is done only if people are willing to move.
3. Monitoring committees at the District as well as State levels are required to be constituted and detailed guidelines have been issued for handholding the people after relocation, besides ensuring the centrality of PI institutions, while involving independent agencies.
4. Advisories have been issued to States for complying with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 read with the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
Critical Wildlife Habitats
FRA had come into force in January 2007 and the MoE&F had issued guidelines to the State/UT Governments for notification of the Critical Wildlife Habitats (CWLHs) in October 2007. During the last three years, not much headway could be made in notification of CWLHs. The State/UT Governments have been expressing difficulties in notifying CWLHs on the basis of the 2007 guidelines. Accordingly, MoE&F convened meetings with the Chief Wildlife Wardens and officers of the Wildlife Institute of India, discussed the guidelines and has now issued the revised guidelines, which are in consonance with the FRA.
CWLHs are such areas of the National Parks and Sanctuaries that are required to be kept as ‘inviolate’ for the purpose of wildlife conservation as determined and notified by the MoE&F, after an open process of consultation by an Expert Committee. Such areas are to be clearly identified on case-to-case basis following scientific and objective criteria and only after settling the rights of tribals and other traditional forest dwellers.
The identification and declaration of CWLHs are two distinct processes. While the identification of an area required for betterment of wildlife conservation is purely a scientific exercise to be carried out by the Forest Departments on a case-to-case basis in consultation with the scientific institutions (the criteria for identification of CWLHs have to be site-specific), its notification is to be done only after extensive consultations (means consent) with the Gram Sabha and the affected persons/stakeholders .
The guidelines ensure that CWLHs are declared only with the voluntary consent of the affected people. It also gives ample scope to the State/UT Governments to explore the possibility of ‘co-existence’. If such a possibility is not practicable, the Expert Committee, which also includes the District Tribal Welfare Officer and an NGO working in the field of Tribal Welfare, will have consultations with the Gram Sabha /affected persons for their relocation, during which the available options (Option –I for payment of rupees ten lakhs per family and Option-II for comprehensive rehabilitation by providing land, house with facilities, community rights, by the Forest Department) for voluntary relocation would also be explained. The relocation involves providing secure livelihoods to the persons to be relocated. In fact they may choose the option most suited to them.
The guidelines for notification of CWLHs apply only to the National Parks and Sanctuaries and not to other forest areas.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests will take all steps to ensure that the letter and spirit of FRA, 2006 is respected and followed in all wildlife conservation programmes. If there is any violation anywhere and that violation is reported with full documentation and evidence, it will be prepared to intervene to ensure that the situation is rectified forthwith”.
KP
'Conservation of smaller species as important as saving tigers' TNN
PUNE: Focus of conservationists and environmentalists should not be protecting tigers alone, there was a need to protect smaller species of animals as well, nature and environment experts said on Monday.
They were speaking at the inauguration of the fifth Kirloskar Vasundhara International Film Festival by Madhav Gadgil, environmentalist and chairman of the Western Ghat experts panel.
Conservationist and tiger expert Ulhas Karanth, who has received the 'Vasundhara Mitra' award, said that humans should understand that the world where we are living is not just ours, but the space should be shared with other living creatures. "Human beings are poorer without them," he said during an interaction with the media.
Karanth, who is also director of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) - India Programme, said that biodiversity was the key component of environment. "But it is becoming extremely difficult to conserve the vulnerable species. They need space and so they come in conflict with humans; there is also much demand for their body parts," he said.
"But I have a positive outlook. At present, we have 1,400 tigers left. But there is room for 10,000 tigers in India. We need practical models and blending of science and social pragmatism to protect and conserve them,'' Karanth said.
Film maker Naresh Bedi and director of Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad, Kartikeya Sarabhai were also honoured with the `Vasundhara Mitra awards.'
Bedi, who received the award in recognition of his contribution to filmmaking on India's wildlife and natural history, said that at present tourism has become more tiger-centric. The visitors to sanctuaries and parks just like to see tigers and fail to appreciate other smaller species.
He added that the media like to sensationalise news -- a tiger's death gets reported in all papers and channels, but one has to understand that tigers are just like other animals.
On the government's role, Bedi said that funding was a major problem in filmmaking on environmental issues. The government should make arrangements so that documentaries on wildlife are shown during prime time. This will help create public awareness.
Bedi, who has made documentaries on Ganges Gharial, Man-eating Tiger, Saving the Tiger, Elephant -- Lord of the Jungles, Whistling Humter, and Ladakh -- Desert in the Skies, said that his current documentary on tigers will depict the changes in the population, habitat and challenges faced since 1960s. There will also be interviews of locals who are being relocated from the parks and sanctuaries.
Environmentalist and industrialist Sarabhai spoke on how a child looked at nature and observed it. "There is a need to reach out to more students and give them education-related projects. We encourage students to take up projects like water conservation, planting trees, waste management, energy and transport,'' he said. There are laws to protect the environment but the most important thing was that one should love nature and do things out of liking and not because of laws, he added.
They were speaking at the inauguration of the fifth Kirloskar Vasundhara International Film Festival by Madhav Gadgil, environmentalist and chairman of the Western Ghat experts panel.
Conservationist and tiger expert Ulhas Karanth, who has received the 'Vasundhara Mitra' award, said that humans should understand that the world where we are living is not just ours, but the space should be shared with other living creatures. "Human beings are poorer without them," he said during an interaction with the media.
Karanth, who is also director of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) - India Programme, said that biodiversity was the key component of environment. "But it is becoming extremely difficult to conserve the vulnerable species. They need space and so they come in conflict with humans; there is also much demand for their body parts," he said.
"But I have a positive outlook. At present, we have 1,400 tigers left. But there is room for 10,000 tigers in India. We need practical models and blending of science and social pragmatism to protect and conserve them,'' Karanth said.
Film maker Naresh Bedi and director of Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad, Kartikeya Sarabhai were also honoured with the `Vasundhara Mitra awards.'
Bedi, who received the award in recognition of his contribution to filmmaking on India's wildlife and natural history, said that at present tourism has become more tiger-centric. The visitors to sanctuaries and parks just like to see tigers and fail to appreciate other smaller species.
He added that the media like to sensationalise news -- a tiger's death gets reported in all papers and channels, but one has to understand that tigers are just like other animals.
On the government's role, Bedi said that funding was a major problem in filmmaking on environmental issues. The government should make arrangements so that documentaries on wildlife are shown during prime time. This will help create public awareness.
Bedi, who has made documentaries on Ganges Gharial, Man-eating Tiger, Saving the Tiger, Elephant -- Lord of the Jungles, Whistling Humter, and Ladakh -- Desert in the Skies, said that his current documentary on tigers will depict the changes in the population, habitat and challenges faced since 1960s. There will also be interviews of locals who are being relocated from the parks and sanctuaries.
Environmentalist and industrialist Sarabhai spoke on how a child looked at nature and observed it. "There is a need to reach out to more students and give them education-related projects. We encourage students to take up projects like water conservation, planting trees, waste management, energy and transport,'' he said. There are laws to protect the environment but the most important thing was that one should love nature and do things out of liking and not because of laws, he added.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tiger, leopard found dead in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
A tiger and a leopard were found dead in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) near here on Sunday.
Field Director, MTR, Rajiv K. Srivastava, told TheHindu that anti-poaching watchers had come across the carcasses of the tiger at Manjukaadu near Moyar along the MTR-Sigur border and the leopard inside a bamboo clump.
Pointing out that the tiger was a sub-adult female aged about four years and the leopard was a male aged about nine years, he said that preliminary investigations aided by the blood stains found on the spot indicated that the two had died about 24 to 30 hours ago in a fight.
The leopard had sustained extensive injuries.
“Though there were no indications of poisoning or any other kind of foul play, we are not taking any chances”, Mr. Srivastava said and added that the carcass of the tiger would be kept in a freezer.
A post-mortem was conducted by a forest veterinarian.
Field Director, MTR, Rajiv K. Srivastava, told TheHindu that anti-poaching watchers had come across the carcasses of the tiger at Manjukaadu near Moyar along the MTR-Sigur border and the leopard inside a bamboo clump.
Pointing out that the tiger was a sub-adult female aged about four years and the leopard was a male aged about nine years, he said that preliminary investigations aided by the blood stains found on the spot indicated that the two had died about 24 to 30 hours ago in a fight.
The leopard had sustained extensive injuries.
“Though there were no indications of poisoning or any other kind of foul play, we are not taking any chances”, Mr. Srivastava said and added that the carcass of the tiger would be kept in a freezer.
A post-mortem was conducted by a forest veterinarian.
Kaziranga in turmoil as tiger turns villain on rhino turf
Kaziranga. A World Heritage Site since 1985, the park was declared a tiger reserve in 2006.
These organizations converged at Bokakhat near Kaziranga on Saturday to launch a movement for restoring Kaziranga’s pre-Project Tiger status. Their argument: the tiger tag has invited restrictions that threaten to hurt their tourism dependent economy.
Kaziranga is home to some 2,200 one horned rhinos, almost 60% of the world population. But the tiger upstaged the herbivore last year after its number was found to be 32 per 100 sq km, the highest on earth.
The park authorities have since been under pressure to adhere to specifications laid down for a Project Tiger site. “We have accordingly declared 430 sq km (of the 860 sq km Kaziranga) as core area where entry of tourists would be restricted,” said the park’s field director Surajit Dutta.
Forest officials had earlier banned construction of new hotels besides cutting down on the number of jeeps – 250 at present – used for safaris inside the core area. Trouble started last week when it was rumored people living on the fringes would be relocated.
“The tiger has always been around, but Kaziranga is nothing without the rhino. This hype about the striped cat and this tiger tag is hurting us. We won’t let that happen,” said Punen Gogoi, president of the Kaziranga Jeep Association.
“There is too much at stake just for the tiger. We don’t want any project in Kaziranga that would harm the local people,” said Prahlad B. Barua, head of a local students’ organization, adding eviction of locals for the tiger would have ‘serious consequences’.
Green groups, insisting Kaziranga needs Project Tiger for more funding toward better upkeep have offered to broker a “way out of this mess”.
These organizations converged at Bokakhat near Kaziranga on Saturday to launch a movement for restoring Kaziranga’s pre-Project Tiger status. Their argument: the tiger tag has invited restrictions that threaten to hurt their tourism dependent economy.
Kaziranga is home to some 2,200 one horned rhinos, almost 60% of the world population. But the tiger upstaged the herbivore last year after its number was found to be 32 per 100 sq km, the highest on earth.
The park authorities have since been under pressure to adhere to specifications laid down for a Project Tiger site. “We have accordingly declared 430 sq km (of the 860 sq km Kaziranga) as core area where entry of tourists would be restricted,” said the park’s field director Surajit Dutta.
Forest officials had earlier banned construction of new hotels besides cutting down on the number of jeeps – 250 at present – used for safaris inside the core area. Trouble started last week when it was rumored people living on the fringes would be relocated.
“The tiger has always been around, but Kaziranga is nothing without the rhino. This hype about the striped cat and this tiger tag is hurting us. We won’t let that happen,” said Punen Gogoi, president of the Kaziranga Jeep Association.
“There is too much at stake just for the tiger. We don’t want any project in Kaziranga that would harm the local people,” said Prahlad B. Barua, head of a local students’ organization, adding eviction of locals for the tiger would have ‘serious consequences’.
Green groups, insisting Kaziranga needs Project Tiger for more funding toward better upkeep have offered to broker a “way out of this mess”.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Tadoba Gypsy operators want relaxation of norms Mazhar Ali, TNN
CHANDRAPUR: With forest and RTO authorities inclined to enforce law for tourist vehicles operating in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), the entire tourist Gypsy business in this tiger abode faces the threat of virtual closure.
Having old and second-hand vehicles without rooftops, Gypsy operators can never obtain tourist permit for their vehicles. Tourist gypsy operators have cried foul and demanded intervention of forest department and relaxation in rules to help them continue to earn livelihood from tourism.
Around 43 tourist Gypsies are operated by local youths of Moharli village, tourist resorts and a few private players in TATR. After it was exposed that the tourist vehicles are operating in blatant violation of RTO regulations, TATR authorities had asked the vehicle operators to comply by all norms by February 28.
TOI had reported on January 23 and February 6 on how many tourist vehicles had illegally installed CNG kits, indulged in overloading of passengers and were not registered with Chandrapur RTO.
However, it turns out that if the tourist Gypsy operators now seek tourist permits, none of them would get it. "As per laws, vehicles older than eight years and not having rooftops cannot get tourist permit. If the operators want tourist permits, they will have comply with norms," said deputy RTO, Chandrapur, Steven Alvares.
The 'Gypsy Chalak Malak Sangh,' a union of tourist Gypsy operators, have sought for relaxation in norms. Union chief Sanjay Mankar agreed that most of the tourist gypsy vehicles are more than eight years old and all of them are roofless. "Former TATR officers encouraged Moharli villagers to take up tourist Gypsy operations a couple of years back. The then officers had assured banning diesel vehicles in TATR as per regulation of NTCA and authorising gypsy vehicles for sole tourist operation in TATR on the lines of Kanha and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves. While none of these assurances have been fulfilled, present officials now talk about law enforcement to snatch away the livelihood of local youths," alleged Mankar.
"At a time when forest officials are talking about creating employment opportunities for villagers living inside buffer zone of TATR, enforcement of traffic-related laws would deny 28 families of Moharli from livelihood. Only relaxation in norms in special case for the TATR could help these poor people out of trouble," pleaded Mankar. "When Gypsies could ply in Kanha and Bandhavgarh, why not in TATR?" he asked.
Having old and second-hand vehicles without rooftops, Gypsy operators can never obtain tourist permit for their vehicles. Tourist gypsy operators have cried foul and demanded intervention of forest department and relaxation in rules to help them continue to earn livelihood from tourism.
Around 43 tourist Gypsies are operated by local youths of Moharli village, tourist resorts and a few private players in TATR. After it was exposed that the tourist vehicles are operating in blatant violation of RTO regulations, TATR authorities had asked the vehicle operators to comply by all norms by February 28.
TOI had reported on January 23 and February 6 on how many tourist vehicles had illegally installed CNG kits, indulged in overloading of passengers and were not registered with Chandrapur RTO.
However, it turns out that if the tourist Gypsy operators now seek tourist permits, none of them would get it. "As per laws, vehicles older than eight years and not having rooftops cannot get tourist permit. If the operators want tourist permits, they will have comply with norms," said deputy RTO, Chandrapur, Steven Alvares.
The 'Gypsy Chalak Malak Sangh,' a union of tourist Gypsy operators, have sought for relaxation in norms. Union chief Sanjay Mankar agreed that most of the tourist gypsy vehicles are more than eight years old and all of them are roofless. "Former TATR officers encouraged Moharli villagers to take up tourist Gypsy operations a couple of years back. The then officers had assured banning diesel vehicles in TATR as per regulation of NTCA and authorising gypsy vehicles for sole tourist operation in TATR on the lines of Kanha and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves. While none of these assurances have been fulfilled, present officials now talk about law enforcement to snatch away the livelihood of local youths," alleged Mankar.
"At a time when forest officials are talking about creating employment opportunities for villagers living inside buffer zone of TATR, enforcement of traffic-related laws would deny 28 families of Moharli from livelihood. Only relaxation in norms in special case for the TATR could help these poor people out of trouble," pleaded Mankar. "When Gypsies could ply in Kanha and Bandhavgarh, why not in TATR?" he asked.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Special tiger force for 2 Maharashtra reserves
Sensing that the current security structure at two tiger reserves in the state is inadequate, the Maharashtra government is planning to raise a special task force to protect the animals and current forest guards from poachers. The state finance department has given the nod to create this force in two tiger reserves of the four in the state.
Stating this on Friday, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Dineshchandra Pant said: "The state finance department has decided to give the green signal for the special armed force."
"In addition to setting up the special armed force, the state government has decided to strengthen the wildlife wing, for which the number of posts will be increased," Pant added.
The force's mandate will also be to reduce man-animal conflicts in areas abutting the sanctuaries.
Of the tiger reserves in Melghat, Sahyadri, Tadoba and Pench (bordering MP), the last two will get the protection force. The two together have about 65 tigers.
Each will get 112 additional armed personnel, including 96 forest guards, 12 foresters, three range forest officers and one assistant conservator of forests. The state police department will train them and they will be paid by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Apart from weapons, the tiger task force will be provided with terrain vehicles.
Stating this on Friday, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Dineshchandra Pant said: "The state finance department has decided to give the green signal for the special armed force."
"In addition to setting up the special armed force, the state government has decided to strengthen the wildlife wing, for which the number of posts will be increased," Pant added.
The force's mandate will also be to reduce man-animal conflicts in areas abutting the sanctuaries.
Of the tiger reserves in Melghat, Sahyadri, Tadoba and Pench (bordering MP), the last two will get the protection force. The two together have about 65 tigers.
Each will get 112 additional armed personnel, including 96 forest guards, 12 foresters, three range forest officers and one assistant conservator of forests. The state police department will train them and they will be paid by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Apart from weapons, the tiger task force will be provided with terrain vehicles.
NGO tries to make peace in Kaziranga
Jorhat, Feb. 11: Aaranyak, an NGO involved in the ongoing tiger census at Kaziranga National Park, today asked the park authorities not to enforce a total ban on tourist movement in areas already marked as tourism zones, so as not to dent livelihood avenues.
The request came after local organisations, opposed to Project Tiger for its myriad restrictions, asked Aaranyak to stall all its activities and leave Kaziranga.
The organisations, led by the Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association, fear that the tiger project in Kaziranga would hit the flourishing tourism industry, given the restrictions on flow of tourists to the core area of the park once Project Tiger is implemented completely. Besides, they felt that the focus on the big cat would rob Kaziranga of its glamour, since the national park has long been a draw for being the home of the rhino.
Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, secretary general of the NGO, said Aaranyak was supportive of eco-friendly tourism at Kaziranga and felt that the benefits of tourism should reach most of the villages around the park.
“Tourism activities should be promoted uniformly in all the five ranges of the park, including the north bank range,” he said. Talukdar said the ongoing census of tigers using camera traps at Kaziranga was initiated in 2009 in collaboration with the authorities of the park after it was declared a tiger reserve in 2006.
“The objective of the research was to bring out information on the number of tigers using modern scientific techniques and the initial findings have already put Kaziranga in the global focus with respect to successful conservation of habitats that support tigers along with one-horned rhinos and other species,” he said.
Kaziranga was found to have the highest density of tigers in the world in a finding by Aaranyak a few years back.
Punen Gogoi, president of the Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association, however, alleged that Aaranyak members, who are working at Kaziranga did not take the people near the park into confidence.
“They never held any discussion with the local people and worked on their own will. We will not allow them to work here unless they take us into confidence,” he said.
The request came after local organisations, opposed to Project Tiger for its myriad restrictions, asked Aaranyak to stall all its activities and leave Kaziranga.
The organisations, led by the Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association, fear that the tiger project in Kaziranga would hit the flourishing tourism industry, given the restrictions on flow of tourists to the core area of the park once Project Tiger is implemented completely. Besides, they felt that the focus on the big cat would rob Kaziranga of its glamour, since the national park has long been a draw for being the home of the rhino.
Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, secretary general of the NGO, said Aaranyak was supportive of eco-friendly tourism at Kaziranga and felt that the benefits of tourism should reach most of the villages around the park.
“Tourism activities should be promoted uniformly in all the five ranges of the park, including the north bank range,” he said. Talukdar said the ongoing census of tigers using camera traps at Kaziranga was initiated in 2009 in collaboration with the authorities of the park after it was declared a tiger reserve in 2006.
“The objective of the research was to bring out information on the number of tigers using modern scientific techniques and the initial findings have already put Kaziranga in the global focus with respect to successful conservation of habitats that support tigers along with one-horned rhinos and other species,” he said.
Kaziranga was found to have the highest density of tigers in the world in a finding by Aaranyak a few years back.
Punen Gogoi, president of the Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association, however, alleged that Aaranyak members, who are working at Kaziranga did not take the people near the park into confidence.
“They never held any discussion with the local people and worked on their own will. We will not allow them to work here unless they take us into confidence,” he said.
Circle of life moves Ranthambore TNN
JAIPUR: The circle of life goes on at the Ranthambore National Park. The spotting of two cubs after the death of the mother T-5, popularly known as Kachida tigress, has brought cheers to wildlife lovers and forest officials alike.
Another tigress T-31 was recently caught on a trap camera with two cubs. With confirmation of these two new births in Indala region of the park, the official figure of tiger cubs in the park since September last year has reached nine. Earlier, tigress T-13 gave birth to two cubs and tigress T-26 was caught on the camera with three cubs.
Morever, officials of the forests department hinted at two more cubs births though they were yet to be confirmed. "The cub count may reach to 11 but since we have not yet caught the new mother and her cubs on a camera, we cannot confirm their birth. Once their presence is established, the tiger count in Ranthambore will reach the figure of 40," an official said.
The new-born cubs, however, come with safety concerns, including the mothers concerned. "The tigress T-13 and her cubs are outside the park. Even T-26 had ventured outside the park earlier this week. Therefore, the forest department must draw up a specific action plan to ensure the safety of these tigers. They must be monitored 24'7. It is not just enough to take up only damage control after something goes wrong at the park," an activist said.
Officials of the department felt that it was difficult to monitor all the big cats round the clock. "We do keep track of the tigers and whenever any male tries to enter the territory of a mother we try and woo it away. But it is very difficult in a forest to keep a tiger in a particular place," another official said.
He also said the agriculture fields adjoining the park pose a special problem. These fields are filled with mustard and when these crops are four to five feet high they are mistaken as grassland by tigers. The big cats often get lost in these fields and ultimately get into conflict with humans. If the wandering tigresses are lactating mothers, the conflict reaches a higher dimension as they fiercely protect their cubs.
"In such cases, the alternative before us is to distract the them away from these fields by bursting fire crackers. It is a major concern for us as the nearby dwellers are dependent on these fields," the official added.
Another tigress T-31 was recently caught on a trap camera with two cubs. With confirmation of these two new births in Indala region of the park, the official figure of tiger cubs in the park since September last year has reached nine. Earlier, tigress T-13 gave birth to two cubs and tigress T-26 was caught on the camera with three cubs.
Morever, officials of the forests department hinted at two more cubs births though they were yet to be confirmed. "The cub count may reach to 11 but since we have not yet caught the new mother and her cubs on a camera, we cannot confirm their birth. Once their presence is established, the tiger count in Ranthambore will reach the figure of 40," an official said.
The new-born cubs, however, come with safety concerns, including the mothers concerned. "The tigress T-13 and her cubs are outside the park. Even T-26 had ventured outside the park earlier this week. Therefore, the forest department must draw up a specific action plan to ensure the safety of these tigers. They must be monitored 24'7. It is not just enough to take up only damage control after something goes wrong at the park," an activist said.
Officials of the department felt that it was difficult to monitor all the big cats round the clock. "We do keep track of the tigers and whenever any male tries to enter the territory of a mother we try and woo it away. But it is very difficult in a forest to keep a tiger in a particular place," another official said.
He also said the agriculture fields adjoining the park pose a special problem. These fields are filled with mustard and when these crops are four to five feet high they are mistaken as grassland by tigers. The big cats often get lost in these fields and ultimately get into conflict with humans. If the wandering tigresses are lactating mothers, the conflict reaches a higher dimension as they fiercely protect their cubs.
"In such cases, the alternative before us is to distract the them away from these fields by bursting fire crackers. It is a major concern for us as the nearby dwellers are dependent on these fields," the official added.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Tiger census result to be out on March 26
New Delhi, Feb 10 (PTI) The results of the much-awaited scientific census of tigers, currently underway, will be made public at the end of next month, Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh said here today. "It is on 26th March," Ramesh said when asked when is the results of the census of the big cat are expected. Tigers are there in "protected areas" -- tiger reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries -- in 19 states in the country. The census is being carried out by installing cameras at strategic points, like water bodies in the forests where the tigers go for water, in their respective territories and a computer analysis is being done to ascertain their presence. Though preliminary analysis of the ongoing census of tigers in the forests indicates that their numbers might have increased, there has been concern over the rise in the cases of man-animal conflict. Forest officials had killed a "man-eater" tiger in January after a half-eaten human body was recovered in Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. A tigress, suspected of killing four women in two weeks, was also shot by hunters in January. The 2007 census had shown a sharp fall in the number of tigers in the country. According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.
Cubs of T-5 tigress spotted Anindo Dey, TNN
JAIPUR: The two cubs of T-5, which died in Ranthambore on Wednesday, have been spotted by forest department officials on Thursday.
Both cubs are in good health and are spotted on a hilltop, officials said. "They consumed some dressed meat and water. But when we tried to catch them, they ran way. We will not be chasing them now as it might scare them away from the area and make it more difficult to catch them. We will wait for them instead," a forest official said.
"We have designed a special cage for the cubs in which we hope to keep them after we catch them. But plans thereafter are yet to be framed," state chief wildlife warden H M Bhatia said.
He said the department is in consultation with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to take care of the cubs, which have also been caught by a trap camera.
R N Mehrotra, principal chief conservator of forest and head of forest forces, however, ruled out the possibility of keeping the cubs in a zoo. "There is no point keeping them in a zoo. It has been ruled out," he said.
Officials said the best place for the cubs would be the already existing enclosure at the Sariska reserve. "Safety of the cubs is our prime concern and Sariska promises to be a better place for them than Ranthambore. We will hand raise them for some years in a protected cage. After that whether we leave them in Sariska or bring them back to Ranthambore will be decided," an official said.
He said raising the two cubs would be a difficult task but the Ranthambore staff had already looked after at least two cubs in the past. "The Guda tigress had died around September 1, 2007 leaving behind two cubs. These cubs, later renamed T-36 and T-37, were hand raised by the staff at Ranthambore.
"Of course, the cubs then were about one or two moths older than these ones. We brought them up till they were two years old and then released them. I remember their first kill was a goat and though they were not good at all then but nature slowly taught them. The T-36 tiger is still alive and is with the T-42 male in the Quwalji area," the official said.
"In 2001-02, the Bairda tigress, too, had died and her cubs were raised by our staff Ranjit, who is still serving with us. He may be assigned the task for these cubs too. The Ranthambore staff are experienced in such cases and they can do a good job," he added.
T-5, popularly known as Kachida tigress, died on Wednesday. She underwent an emergency surgery recently at the Ranthambore National Park after tourism minister Bina Kak spotted it with a wound on its rear.
Both cubs are in good health and are spotted on a hilltop, officials said. "They consumed some dressed meat and water. But when we tried to catch them, they ran way. We will not be chasing them now as it might scare them away from the area and make it more difficult to catch them. We will wait for them instead," a forest official said.
"We have designed a special cage for the cubs in which we hope to keep them after we catch them. But plans thereafter are yet to be framed," state chief wildlife warden H M Bhatia said.
He said the department is in consultation with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to take care of the cubs, which have also been caught by a trap camera.
R N Mehrotra, principal chief conservator of forest and head of forest forces, however, ruled out the possibility of keeping the cubs in a zoo. "There is no point keeping them in a zoo. It has been ruled out," he said.
Officials said the best place for the cubs would be the already existing enclosure at the Sariska reserve. "Safety of the cubs is our prime concern and Sariska promises to be a better place for them than Ranthambore. We will hand raise them for some years in a protected cage. After that whether we leave them in Sariska or bring them back to Ranthambore will be decided," an official said.
He said raising the two cubs would be a difficult task but the Ranthambore staff had already looked after at least two cubs in the past. "The Guda tigress had died around September 1, 2007 leaving behind two cubs. These cubs, later renamed T-36 and T-37, were hand raised by the staff at Ranthambore.
"Of course, the cubs then were about one or two moths older than these ones. We brought them up till they were two years old and then released them. I remember their first kill was a goat and though they were not good at all then but nature slowly taught them. The T-36 tiger is still alive and is with the T-42 male in the Quwalji area," the official said.
"In 2001-02, the Bairda tigress, too, had died and her cubs were raised by our staff Ranjit, who is still serving with us. He may be assigned the task for these cubs too. The Ranthambore staff are experienced in such cases and they can do a good job," he added.
T-5, popularly known as Kachida tigress, died on Wednesday. She underwent an emergency surgery recently at the Ranthambore National Park after tourism minister Bina Kak spotted it with a wound on its rear.
Cubs of T-5 tigress spotted Anindo Dey, TNN
JAIPUR: The two cubs of T-5, which died in Ranthambore on Wednesday, have been spotted by forest department officials on Thursday.
Both cubs are in good health and are spotted on a hilltop, officials said. "They consumed some dressed meat and water. But when we tried to catch them, they ran way. We will not be chasing them now as it might scare them away from the area and make it more difficult to catch them. We will wait for them instead," a forest official said.
"We have designed a special cage for the cubs in which we hope to keep them after we catch them. But plans thereafter are yet to be framed," state chief wildlife warden H M Bhatia said.
He said the department is in consultation with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to take care of the cubs, which have also been caught by a trap camera.
R N Mehrotra, principal chief conservator of forest and head of forest forces, however, ruled out the possibility of keeping the cubs in a zoo. "There is no point keeping them in a zoo. It has been ruled out," he said.
Officials said the best place for the cubs would be the already existing enclosure at the Sariska reserve. "Safety of the cubs is our prime concern and Sariska promises to be a better place for them than Ranthambore. We will hand raise them for some years in a protected cage. After that whether we leave them in Sariska or bring them back to Ranthambore will be decided," an official said.
He said raising the two cubs would be a difficult task but the Ranthambore staff had already looked after at least two cubs in the past. "The Guda tigress had died around September 1, 2007 leaving behind two cubs. These cubs, later renamed T-36 and T-37, were hand raised by the staff at Ranthambore.
"Of course, the cubs then were about one or two moths older than these ones. We brought them up till they were two years old and then released them. I remember their first kill was a goat and though they were not good at all then but nature slowly taught them. The T-36 tiger is still alive and is with the T-42 male in the Quwalji area," the official said.
"In 2001-02, the Bairda tigress, too, had died and her cubs were raised by our staff Ranjit, who is still serving with us. He may be assigned the task for these cubs too. The Ranthambore staff are experienced in such cases and they can do a good job," he added.
T-5, popularly known as Kachida tigress, died on Wednesday. She underwent an emergency surgery recently at the Ranthambore National Park after tourism minister Bina Kak spotted it with a wound on its rear.
Both cubs are in good health and are spotted on a hilltop, officials said. "They consumed some dressed meat and water. But when we tried to catch them, they ran way. We will not be chasing them now as it might scare them away from the area and make it more difficult to catch them. We will wait for them instead," a forest official said.
"We have designed a special cage for the cubs in which we hope to keep them after we catch them. But plans thereafter are yet to be framed," state chief wildlife warden H M Bhatia said.
He said the department is in consultation with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to take care of the cubs, which have also been caught by a trap camera.
R N Mehrotra, principal chief conservator of forest and head of forest forces, however, ruled out the possibility of keeping the cubs in a zoo. "There is no point keeping them in a zoo. It has been ruled out," he said.
Officials said the best place for the cubs would be the already existing enclosure at the Sariska reserve. "Safety of the cubs is our prime concern and Sariska promises to be a better place for them than Ranthambore. We will hand raise them for some years in a protected cage. After that whether we leave them in Sariska or bring them back to Ranthambore will be decided," an official said.
He said raising the two cubs would be a difficult task but the Ranthambore staff had already looked after at least two cubs in the past. "The Guda tigress had died around September 1, 2007 leaving behind two cubs. These cubs, later renamed T-36 and T-37, were hand raised by the staff at Ranthambore.
"Of course, the cubs then were about one or two moths older than these ones. We brought them up till they were two years old and then released them. I remember their first kill was a goat and though they were not good at all then but nature slowly taught them. The T-36 tiger is still alive and is with the T-42 male in the Quwalji area," the official said.
"In 2001-02, the Bairda tigress, too, had died and her cubs were raised by our staff Ranjit, who is still serving with us. He may be assigned the task for these cubs too. The Ranthambore staff are experienced in such cases and they can do a good job," he added.
T-5, popularly known as Kachida tigress, died on Wednesday. She underwent an emergency surgery recently at the Ranthambore National Park after tourism minister Bina Kak spotted it with a wound on its rear.
Traumatized tigress suffers miscarriage- Vijay Pinjarkar /, TNN
Nagpur: Foresters offered prayers at the popular Tekdi Ganesh temple on Wednesday for the well-being of the Katlabodi tigress that was rescued from a 35-foot dry well, 40 kms from here, on Monday. It didn't go unanswered as the tigress seems to be on the road to recovery.
However, the severe shock and trauma of having fallen into the well led to a miscarriage with the tigress, which is expected to be less than six years old, delivering three stillborn cubs on Tuesday afternoon. Though disheartening news, the tragedy quelled rumours of its cubs moving in the Katlabodi forest area.
The traumatized tigress was brought to the Deer Park at Seminary Hills around 9.30pm on Monday night and was kept in isolation. On Tuesday around 11am, the forest staff monitoring the tigress was surprised to see something unusual in the cage.
The tigress had delivered two stillborn cubs. The third cub was noticed after the cage was shifted to the forest guesthouse around 1.30pm. The cages were completely covered with green net and late in the evening when the animal was being put in the squeeze cage, the staff saw one more stillborn cub.
Of the three premature cubs, two are female while one is a male. Tiger experts, who did not want to be quoted, said pregnancy in the tigers is not obvious to the eye for the first two and half months, but becomes noticeable only in the last 10-12 days.
"The tigress looked healthy but its genitalia were normal and hence the pregnancy could not be detected. The gestation period for tigers ranges from 93 to 111 days. It can have a litter of between 1 and 7 blind cubs, the norm being 2 to 4," an expert vet told TOI.
In the case of Katlabodi tigress, the cubs had developed body organs like whiskers, nails, ears, legs and tail. The coat and teeth were missing. Doctors of the government veterinary college here are trying to ascertain age of the cubs.
The dead cubs will be used for educational purpose for vet students. Chief wildlife warden DC Pant, who was on tour and could not be contacted, has apparently given his OK to this plan.
Conservationists say the miscarriage might be perhaps one of the reasons why the tigress took so long on Tuesday evening to enter the treatment cage. "She must have been unable to bear the trauma of three dead cubs around her and hence the reluctance to move into the other cage," they said.
The staff and forest officials felt that the tigress was not moving due to an internal injury after the fall. However, at night, after the noise and traffic came to a standstill, the wildcat entered the treatment cage.
On Wednesday morning, a team of Dr NP Dakshinkar, professor of medicine at Nagpur Veterinary College, and assistant professor Dr Gautam Bhojane started treatment of the tigress. Its blood, urine, scat samples were tested and all the reports appear to be normal. The vets have prescribed some medicines.
Staff monitoring the tigress saw the tigress moving and also standing on all four legs, indicating that her the hind ones were responding and the spinal cord was all right.
Though miscarriage is an unusual phenomena among tigers, experts TOI spoke to said it's also quite normal. "Due to great fall, it went into physical and mental shock. Due to pressure on its abdomen it must have bled from inside and aborted the cubs," said PM Lad, the ex-principal chief conservator of forests of Madhya Pradesh.
His wife Dr Kamal Lad, a gynaecologist who had raised a tiger cub for seven months in 1983, said the case is very similar to humans. "Self abortion is rare in tigers. But any stressful situation can lead to miscarriage," she said.
"It may also happen when the predator is surrounded by so many humans. Although having no option but to capture and cage the animal, it causes irritation and stress leading to such a situation," said a Chennai-based wildlife expert.
However, the severe shock and trauma of having fallen into the well led to a miscarriage with the tigress, which is expected to be less than six years old, delivering three stillborn cubs on Tuesday afternoon. Though disheartening news, the tragedy quelled rumours of its cubs moving in the Katlabodi forest area.
The traumatized tigress was brought to the Deer Park at Seminary Hills around 9.30pm on Monday night and was kept in isolation. On Tuesday around 11am, the forest staff monitoring the tigress was surprised to see something unusual in the cage.
The tigress had delivered two stillborn cubs. The third cub was noticed after the cage was shifted to the forest guesthouse around 1.30pm. The cages were completely covered with green net and late in the evening when the animal was being put in the squeeze cage, the staff saw one more stillborn cub.
Of the three premature cubs, two are female while one is a male. Tiger experts, who did not want to be quoted, said pregnancy in the tigers is not obvious to the eye for the first two and half months, but becomes noticeable only in the last 10-12 days.
"The tigress looked healthy but its genitalia were normal and hence the pregnancy could not be detected. The gestation period for tigers ranges from 93 to 111 days. It can have a litter of between 1 and 7 blind cubs, the norm being 2 to 4," an expert vet told TOI.
In the case of Katlabodi tigress, the cubs had developed body organs like whiskers, nails, ears, legs and tail. The coat and teeth were missing. Doctors of the government veterinary college here are trying to ascertain age of the cubs.
The dead cubs will be used for educational purpose for vet students. Chief wildlife warden DC Pant, who was on tour and could not be contacted, has apparently given his OK to this plan.
Conservationists say the miscarriage might be perhaps one of the reasons why the tigress took so long on Tuesday evening to enter the treatment cage. "She must have been unable to bear the trauma of three dead cubs around her and hence the reluctance to move into the other cage," they said.
The staff and forest officials felt that the tigress was not moving due to an internal injury after the fall. However, at night, after the noise and traffic came to a standstill, the wildcat entered the treatment cage.
On Wednesday morning, a team of Dr NP Dakshinkar, professor of medicine at Nagpur Veterinary College, and assistant professor Dr Gautam Bhojane started treatment of the tigress. Its blood, urine, scat samples were tested and all the reports appear to be normal. The vets have prescribed some medicines.
Staff monitoring the tigress saw the tigress moving and also standing on all four legs, indicating that her the hind ones were responding and the spinal cord was all right.
Though miscarriage is an unusual phenomena among tigers, experts TOI spoke to said it's also quite normal. "Due to great fall, it went into physical and mental shock. Due to pressure on its abdomen it must have bled from inside and aborted the cubs," said PM Lad, the ex-principal chief conservator of forests of Madhya Pradesh.
His wife Dr Kamal Lad, a gynaecologist who had raised a tiger cub for seven months in 1983, said the case is very similar to humans. "Self abortion is rare in tigers. But any stressful situation can lead to miscarriage," she said.
"It may also happen when the predator is surrounded by so many humans. Although having no option but to capture and cage the animal, it causes irritation and stress leading to such a situation," said a Chennai-based wildlife expert.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Ranthambhore tigress, nursed by Tourism Minister, found dead
A well-meaning intervention for tiger conservation appears to have turned futile as T-5, the tigress popularly known by the name ‘Kachida female,' was found dead in the Ranthambhore National Park on Wednesday.
T-5, a much written about animal after Rajasthan Tourism Minister Bina Kak got a wound in its body cleared of maggots last week during a visit to the park, appears to have died on Tuesday. The forest staff are now trying to locate two of its two/three-month-old cubs.
‘Natural death'
Rajasthan Minister for Forests and Environment Ramlal Jat has attributed the death to natural causes. After making preliminary enquiries, he has despatched a team to Ranthambhore to probe the matter.
It is obvious that “natural death” in this case means that the tigress was not poached or killed by humans. All the other reasons, including diseases and infections, could be termed natural by some logic.
The carcass of the tigress, aged around seven, was found in the Kachida area on Wednesday morning, though the death seemingly took place some 18 hours earlier.
“I am feeling very sad. They never told me about it being unwell or anything like that. I had told the officials to keep a round-the-clock watch on the tigress and its cubs. But now it appears that they kept misleading me about sighting it even when they had no trace of it,” said a visibly shocked Ms. Kak, who had extended her stay in Sawai Madhopur to oversee the treatment of the animal.
“Maybe the maggots had already entered the internal parts of the animal. Or it could be that the wound got further aggravated. The animal was often found sitting in the water after her treatment,” Ms. Kak observed.
“Even when the cubs were not seen with the mother it was not reported by the park staff. Then the tourist vehicles were also allowed in that area though I had warned them against any disturbance to this tiger family for some time,” she noted. “I am sad, but I have no regrets as I did what I should have.”
T-5, a much written about animal after Rajasthan Tourism Minister Bina Kak got a wound in its body cleared of maggots last week during a visit to the park, appears to have died on Tuesday. The forest staff are now trying to locate two of its two/three-month-old cubs.
‘Natural death'
Rajasthan Minister for Forests and Environment Ramlal Jat has attributed the death to natural causes. After making preliminary enquiries, he has despatched a team to Ranthambhore to probe the matter.
It is obvious that “natural death” in this case means that the tigress was not poached or killed by humans. All the other reasons, including diseases and infections, could be termed natural by some logic.
The carcass of the tigress, aged around seven, was found in the Kachida area on Wednesday morning, though the death seemingly took place some 18 hours earlier.
“I am feeling very sad. They never told me about it being unwell or anything like that. I had told the officials to keep a round-the-clock watch on the tigress and its cubs. But now it appears that they kept misleading me about sighting it even when they had no trace of it,” said a visibly shocked Ms. Kak, who had extended her stay in Sawai Madhopur to oversee the treatment of the animal.
“Maybe the maggots had already entered the internal parts of the animal. Or it could be that the wound got further aggravated. The animal was often found sitting in the water after her treatment,” Ms. Kak observed.
“Even when the cubs were not seen with the mother it was not reported by the park staff. Then the tourist vehicles were also allowed in that area though I had warned them against any disturbance to this tiger family for some time,” she noted. “I am sad, but I have no regrets as I did what I should have.”
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Third Tiger Dies within Fortnight in Corbett National Park
The body of a nine year old tiger was found in the Terrai forest near Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.
The tiger’s death has been related to natural reasons, mainly old age problems. "It is a male tiger and there is no sign of outer injury or marks on its body. It is an old tiger. We will conduct the postmortem today and then we will tell what really happened," said Nishant Verma, a forest official.
"The first instance here is that its paws are all torn and there are cracks in it. Also his claws are not sharp and are very blunt. It seems to be an old tiger and so there is the possibility of a natural death," Verma pointed out. Once the final results of the post mortem are revealed, the final reason of the death can be ascertained.
This is the third tiger that died at Corbett National Park within a fortnight. A pregnant tigress was found dead on 25th January and foresters shot dead a man-eater tiger on 27th January.
This year the Corbett National Park will celebrate its platinum jubilee year. The park named after hunter turned conservationist, Jim Corbett is one of the oldest National Parks in the country and has also been declared as Corebtt Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger of the Central Government.
Though celebrations for the platinum jubilee began in January with the introduction of a Special Tiger Protection Force for the big cats, most of the functions and programmes are scheduled to be held in March 2011.
The tiger’s death has been related to natural reasons, mainly old age problems. "It is a male tiger and there is no sign of outer injury or marks on its body. It is an old tiger. We will conduct the postmortem today and then we will tell what really happened," said Nishant Verma, a forest official.
"The first instance here is that its paws are all torn and there are cracks in it. Also his claws are not sharp and are very blunt. It seems to be an old tiger and so there is the possibility of a natural death," Verma pointed out. Once the final results of the post mortem are revealed, the final reason of the death can be ascertained.
This is the third tiger that died at Corbett National Park within a fortnight. A pregnant tigress was found dead on 25th January and foresters shot dead a man-eater tiger on 27th January.
This year the Corbett National Park will celebrate its platinum jubilee year. The park named after hunter turned conservationist, Jim Corbett is one of the oldest National Parks in the country and has also been declared as Corebtt Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger of the Central Government.
Though celebrations for the platinum jubilee began in January with the introduction of a Special Tiger Protection Force for the big cats, most of the functions and programmes are scheduled to be held in March 2011.
Kudremukh for tigers, says Jairam
BANGALORE: Union environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh is on the warpath again, but this time he could well find an army of supporters in Karnataka for his initiative. He wants the Kudremukh National Park, 350km from Bangalore in Chikmagalur district, to be made a tiger reserve.
In a letter to chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, the minister, who hails from Chikmagalur district, said by doing this, the park's biodiversity can be saved from future mining threats. He has asked the government to send him a proposal under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to declare the park a tiger reserve.
To buttress his suggestion, Ramesh said the area is biologically significant for notification as a tiger reserve since it's located amid other good tiger areas in the Malnad-Mysore landscape. In the last all-India tiger population estimate, the Kudremukh-Bhadra landscape has one of the three distinct tiger populations in Karnataka which extends up to the Bhimasankar area in Maharashtra. Independent surveys conducted by Bangalore-based Centre for Wildlife Studies have also found that the area could potentially support a viable tiger population.
The Kudremukh Iron Ore Company, which had been operating in the area, has been closed down following a final judgment of the Supreme Court in 2002 and all major operations stand legally terminated since December 2005. Some machinery and infrastructure still remains and needs to be removed. Ramesh said there are several small revenue enclaves within the park and people don't have access to employment opportunities and also suffer due to man-animal conflict. There were reports that around 450 families have requested the state government for relocation and 12 of them have been moved last year.
In a letter to chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, the minister, who hails from Chikmagalur district, said by doing this, the park's biodiversity can be saved from future mining threats. He has asked the government to send him a proposal under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to declare the park a tiger reserve.
To buttress his suggestion, Ramesh said the area is biologically significant for notification as a tiger reserve since it's located amid other good tiger areas in the Malnad-Mysore landscape. In the last all-India tiger population estimate, the Kudremukh-Bhadra landscape has one of the three distinct tiger populations in Karnataka which extends up to the Bhimasankar area in Maharashtra. Independent surveys conducted by Bangalore-based Centre for Wildlife Studies have also found that the area could potentially support a viable tiger population.
The Kudremukh Iron Ore Company, which had been operating in the area, has been closed down following a final judgment of the Supreme Court in 2002 and all major operations stand legally terminated since December 2005. Some machinery and infrastructure still remains and needs to be removed. Ramesh said there are several small revenue enclaves within the park and people don't have access to employment opportunities and also suffer due to man-animal conflict. There were reports that around 450 families have requested the state government for relocation and 12 of them have been moved last year.
3 of 6 WWF volunteers freed
Three volunteers, all women, of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), who were among the six abducted by combat uniform-clad gunmen on Sunday from the Manas Tiger Reserve, were released on Tuesday night. Three men are still being held captive.
Kokrajhar Superintendent of Police P.K. Dutta told The Hindu that the three women were released around 6.15 p.m. in the Bengtol area of Chirang district. Efforts were on to secure the safe release of the other three captives.
The WWF-India on Tuesday issued an appeal for the immediate and safe release of its volunteers: “These young volunteers were part of the WWF team carrying out tiger habitat occupancy surveys in the area. These young and committed individuals were working towards helping to conserve the important biodiversity of the area for the larger benefit of the local community, the State and the region.”
Kokrajhar Superintendent of Police P.K. Dutta told The Hindu that the three women were released around 6.15 p.m. in the Bengtol area of Chirang district. Efforts were on to secure the safe release of the other three captives.
The WWF-India on Tuesday issued an appeal for the immediate and safe release of its volunteers: “These young volunteers were part of the WWF team carrying out tiger habitat occupancy surveys in the area. These young and committed individuals were working towards helping to conserve the important biodiversity of the area for the larger benefit of the local community, the State and the region.”
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Plan panel poaches quarter of tiger authority funds
Despite tall claims on tiger conservation in the country and clamour for more funds by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, the Planning Commission has decided to reduce the budget of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) by 25 per cent.
The sources in NTCA and tiger experts feel this is against the Government’s own policy of making core critical area of tiger reserves inviolate. Such drastic cut in allocation would greatly hamper the relocation of villages from the reserves.
The move has come at time when the country is expecting its tiger population to go up in the upcoming census count. Also, when India joined the International Tiger Forum comprising 13 nations, the member countries had decided to focus on protection of the tiger habitats, addressing poaching, illegal trade and providing the financial resources for this emergency plan.
Talking to The Pioneer, well-placed sources in NTCA said, a letter stating a mere allocation of `150 crore has been received for the 39 tiger reserves of the country for the next fiscal year. The authority, during its recent meeting with the members of the Planning Commission, had sought `1,100 crore against which it had even agreed on an allotment of about `700 crore, the sources informed. However, this drastic cut in the funds has caught NTCA high and dry.
The sources in the NTCA further pointed out that the Government in its seriousness to make the core/ critical areas of tiger reserves inviolate had even enhanced the relocation package to `10 lakh per family.
The requirement of `5,000 crore was worked out for the relocation process during the entire plan period. There are 762 villages with about 48,000 families inside core areas.
Even the budget of `196 crore for the current fiscal year is insufficient to meet this massive task and is just about enough to keep the management and ongoing activities of tiger reserves going. “Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had taken up the issue with the Planning Commission and we hoped to have sufficient funds to give relocation a fresh impetus,” said the sources.
Commenting on the grim scenario, conservationist and former director of Project Tiger PK Sen pointed out that the cut in allocation would further aggravate the prevailing crisis in the tiger reserves. “How can we hope to make the critical areas of the reserve inviolate with such a meager fund”? he questioned. It would hamper the implementation of the Government’s own policy decision, he regretted. The worst hit would be the already suffering relocation of the villagers, he lamented.
The Prime Minister had directed that the Centre should fund modernisation of Tiger Reserves management and had sought a State-specific strategy for such Central assistance, while suggesting other protection schemes.
The sources in NTCA and tiger experts feel this is against the Government’s own policy of making core critical area of tiger reserves inviolate. Such drastic cut in allocation would greatly hamper the relocation of villages from the reserves.
The move has come at time when the country is expecting its tiger population to go up in the upcoming census count. Also, when India joined the International Tiger Forum comprising 13 nations, the member countries had decided to focus on protection of the tiger habitats, addressing poaching, illegal trade and providing the financial resources for this emergency plan.
Talking to The Pioneer, well-placed sources in NTCA said, a letter stating a mere allocation of `150 crore has been received for the 39 tiger reserves of the country for the next fiscal year. The authority, during its recent meeting with the members of the Planning Commission, had sought `1,100 crore against which it had even agreed on an allotment of about `700 crore, the sources informed. However, this drastic cut in the funds has caught NTCA high and dry.
The sources in the NTCA further pointed out that the Government in its seriousness to make the core/ critical areas of tiger reserves inviolate had even enhanced the relocation package to `10 lakh per family.
The requirement of `5,000 crore was worked out for the relocation process during the entire plan period. There are 762 villages with about 48,000 families inside core areas.
Even the budget of `196 crore for the current fiscal year is insufficient to meet this massive task and is just about enough to keep the management and ongoing activities of tiger reserves going. “Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had taken up the issue with the Planning Commission and we hoped to have sufficient funds to give relocation a fresh impetus,” said the sources.
Commenting on the grim scenario, conservationist and former director of Project Tiger PK Sen pointed out that the cut in allocation would further aggravate the prevailing crisis in the tiger reserves. “How can we hope to make the critical areas of the reserve inviolate with such a meager fund”? he questioned. It would hamper the implementation of the Government’s own policy decision, he regretted. The worst hit would be the already suffering relocation of the villagers, he lamented.
The Prime Minister had directed that the Centre should fund modernisation of Tiger Reserves management and had sought a State-specific strategy for such Central assistance, while suggesting other protection schemes.
Tiger reserve tag for Kaziranga draws ire
JORHAT: Activists of a number of organizations staged a protest at the Bokakhat SDO's office on Monday, seeking removal of the tiger reserve tag from Kaziranga National Park as they feel it would not only restrict their movement but also affect business. The park was declared a tiger reserve in 2007.
The Kaziranga Resort Association, the Bokakhat unit of Aaasu, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and the Kaziranga Market Association took part in the protest spearheaded by the Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association. They have also sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmoham Singh and environment minister Jairam Ramesh seeking their intervention.
Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association president Punen Gogoi said, "We oppose the government's decision to make Kaziranga a tiger reserve in the greater interest of people living here. We have sought immediate intervention of the Prime Minister and enivironment minister."
He added, "Kaziranga is famous for the one-horn rhino and the government should take steps for its protection and conservation. We have welcomed the government's initiatives to conserve tigers through Project Tiger' scheme. But we never allowed them to turn the park into a tiger reserve as the restrictions that will follow will severely harm the tourism sector as well as business."
He said if Kaziranga becomes a tiger reserve, the national park will become a core tiger area and restrictions on jeep safaris, population eviction in adjacent areas and ban on private elephant safaris would be imposed. As a result, the tourism sector will be affected and thousands of people will lose employment.
"Our agitation will continue until our demands are fulfilled. The centre and the state government must revoke the decision immediately," he added.
The Union ministry of forest and environment had initiated a step to make Kaziranga a tiger reserve in 2007. Accordingly, the state forest department implemented a few projects at the national park. Kaziranga authorities have also imposed some restrictions on tourists and safaris. Besides, people have been directed to take NOCs in case of land purchase and sell.
The Kaziranga Resort Association, the Bokakhat unit of Aaasu, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and the Kaziranga Market Association took part in the protest spearheaded by the Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association. They have also sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmoham Singh and environment minister Jairam Ramesh seeking their intervention.
Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association president Punen Gogoi said, "We oppose the government's decision to make Kaziranga a tiger reserve in the greater interest of people living here. We have sought immediate intervention of the Prime Minister and enivironment minister."
He added, "Kaziranga is famous for the one-horn rhino and the government should take steps for its protection and conservation. We have welcomed the government's initiatives to conserve tigers through Project Tiger' scheme. But we never allowed them to turn the park into a tiger reserve as the restrictions that will follow will severely harm the tourism sector as well as business."
He said if Kaziranga becomes a tiger reserve, the national park will become a core tiger area and restrictions on jeep safaris, population eviction in adjacent areas and ban on private elephant safaris would be imposed. As a result, the tourism sector will be affected and thousands of people will lose employment.
"Our agitation will continue until our demands are fulfilled. The centre and the state government must revoke the decision immediately," he added.
The Union ministry of forest and environment had initiated a step to make Kaziranga a tiger reserve in 2007. Accordingly, the state forest department implemented a few projects at the national park. Kaziranga authorities have also imposed some restrictions on tourists and safaris. Besides, people have been directed to take NOCs in case of land purchase and sell.
Tiger stray into Madhya pradesh confirmed
JAIPUR: It is now official that the male tiger T-38 of Ranthambore has now found a new home at Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh. The tiger was recently caught by a trap camera.
The big cat strayed out of the park some six months back and had been moving near the ravines of Chambal. Thereafter, the three-year -old male tiger strayed into Sheopur district of the neighbouring state after having spent a fortnight in the Shev Ki Chambal area along the Chambal river.
In October, pugmarks of the tiger was spotted near the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary which will play host to the proposed Cheetah Project in the country. Since then, forest officials of the sanctuary have been keeping a close watch on the big cat. Though the tiger may have gained entry into the sanctuary quite some time back but it was pictured recently.
"The tiger's pugmarks were noticed last month and recently it was captured on a camera," said Ashok Mishra, DFO, Kuno-Palpur.
Though a welcomed guest there, but it may become a point of no return for the tiger to Ranthambore. For not only is the sanctuary a better habitat than the overcrowded Ranthambore but with the number of males on the rise in Ranthambore it would have been a constant strive for the big cats here.
However, with no tigress present in the area, T-38 could move forward to the Madho National Park that has a few big cats, officials felt. The tiger arrived in Kuno Palpur travelling about 100 km from Ranthambore. The sanctuary is spread over an area of around 350 sq km.
Officials here termed it as a natural dispersal process catalysed by over-crowding at the Ranthambore reserve. Currently, about four tigers have dispersed from the reserve and while there is one each at Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur and Kota, two big cats have crossed the Chambal river and made into Madhya Pradesh.
The big cat strayed out of the park some six months back and had been moving near the ravines of Chambal. Thereafter, the three-year -old male tiger strayed into Sheopur district of the neighbouring state after having spent a fortnight in the Shev Ki Chambal area along the Chambal river.
In October, pugmarks of the tiger was spotted near the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary which will play host to the proposed Cheetah Project in the country. Since then, forest officials of the sanctuary have been keeping a close watch on the big cat. Though the tiger may have gained entry into the sanctuary quite some time back but it was pictured recently.
"The tiger's pugmarks were noticed last month and recently it was captured on a camera," said Ashok Mishra, DFO, Kuno-Palpur.
Though a welcomed guest there, but it may become a point of no return for the tiger to Ranthambore. For not only is the sanctuary a better habitat than the overcrowded Ranthambore but with the number of males on the rise in Ranthambore it would have been a constant strive for the big cats here.
However, with no tigress present in the area, T-38 could move forward to the Madho National Park that has a few big cats, officials felt. The tiger arrived in Kuno Palpur travelling about 100 km from Ranthambore. The sanctuary is spread over an area of around 350 sq km.
Officials here termed it as a natural dispersal process catalysed by over-crowding at the Ranthambore reserve. Currently, about four tigers have dispersed from the reserve and while there is one each at Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur and Kota, two big cats have crossed the Chambal river and made into Madhya Pradesh.
Tiger rescued from well, to be let off in the wild
Nagpur, Feb 7 (IANS) A tiger, which had fallen into a dry well near the Chameli forest area, was finally extricated Monday evening after a three-hour rescue operation, a wildlife official said.
The incident took place in an area about 40 km from here.
The tiger, a full grown adult around four years old, fell into the 40-feet-deep dry well, which was not protected by a wall, said Nitin Desai, Central India director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India.
'From preliminary information available, it was probably chasing some prey like deer or a wild boar and must have accidentally fallen into the well around dawn today. It spent around ten hours in the well without food or water,' Desai told IANS.
The animal's plight was detected almost five hours later when some tribals and forest officials heard its roar and alerted police and wildlife officials, who then mounted a rescue operation.
Animal experts and a veterinary doctor reached the place around noon with a cage and the rescue operation was taken up. It took over three and a half hours to take out the big cat from the well.
When it was brought up, the tribals and officials erupted into a roar of applause and cheers for the dazed animal which appeared weak and shaken.
An examination revealed that the creature had not sustained any fractures or injuries despite falling from such a height.
Forest officials planned to release it back into the wild later, Desai added.
He said it was surprising that a tiger had strayed into this area which has never reported a sighting in the past many years since it is not a thick forest region.
Though it would take time to confirm, Desai guessed that the tiger may have strayed from either the Bor Wildlife Reserve in Wardha or Pench Wildlife Reserve near Nagpur.
The incident took place in an area about 40 km from here.
The tiger, a full grown adult around four years old, fell into the 40-feet-deep dry well, which was not protected by a wall, said Nitin Desai, Central India director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India.
'From preliminary information available, it was probably chasing some prey like deer or a wild boar and must have accidentally fallen into the well around dawn today. It spent around ten hours in the well without food or water,' Desai told IANS.
The animal's plight was detected almost five hours later when some tribals and forest officials heard its roar and alerted police and wildlife officials, who then mounted a rescue operation.
Animal experts and a veterinary doctor reached the place around noon with a cage and the rescue operation was taken up. It took over three and a half hours to take out the big cat from the well.
When it was brought up, the tribals and officials erupted into a roar of applause and cheers for the dazed animal which appeared weak and shaken.
An examination revealed that the creature had not sustained any fractures or injuries despite falling from such a height.
Forest officials planned to release it back into the wild later, Desai added.
He said it was surprising that a tiger had strayed into this area which has never reported a sighting in the past many years since it is not a thick forest region.
Though it would take time to confirm, Desai guessed that the tiger may have strayed from either the Bor Wildlife Reserve in Wardha or Pench Wildlife Reserve near Nagpur.
Proof of tiger killing sambhar in Mhadei Paul Fernandes, TNN, Feb 8, 2011, 05.55am IST
PANAJI: World wide fund for nature (WWF) Goa has found some evidence of a sambhar being killed by a tiger in Satrem, within the limits of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary recently, while two buffaloes have been reported killed or injured last week in nearby Choraundem.
"We have submitted photographic evidence of the remains of the sambhar killed by a tiger a few weeks back at Satrem to forest dept," WWF (Goa) director Nitin Sawant told TOI on Monday. Tiger pug marks were also noticed by the side of the carcass, he added.
WWF conducted investigations at the site with the help of three volunteers, Kashinath Gaonkar, Trupti Jadhav and Anand and made a cast of the tiger pug marks for further study. "Only a tiger can kill a sambhar," Sawant said.
The WWF team traced the tiger pug marks trailing right up to the Surla river.
Speaker Pratapsingh Rane (a WWF trustee and Poriem MLA) asked for the Satrem evidence and it was submitted to him, Sawant said. "The habitat is rich with floral and faunal biodiversity and is ideal also as a tiger habitat," Sawant said.
Forest department officials said that they do not rely on evidence provided by others alone, but also carry out their own investigations. "We have also taken pug marks of a tiger near Anjunem dam about a fortnight back," deputy conservator of forest (wildlife and ecotourism, north) D N F Carvalho said.
Two incidents of killing of buffaloes by a tiger on February 3 and 5 have been reported in Choraundem. The village lies in the foothills of Chorla ghat on Goa's border and within the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary, and a few miles away from Satrem.
Both buffaloes belong to Mano Phale, 67, who also lost one buffalo on February 4, 2009.
A forest department source said that movement of the big cats is being monitored.
"The people near the sanctuary have been asked not to let their animals in the sanctuary," Carvalho said.
As part of the wildlife census conducted last year, the forest department had plans to use the camera trap method for more clinching evidence of the tiger's presence in Goa's forests. "We are waiting for directions to employ this method from wildlife institute of India, Dehra Dun," Carvalho said.
Stating that use of camera trap method is a difficult task, he said WII guidelines would help in completing the phase two of the census.
The animal census which was conducted for ten days, including two-day training for participants prior to their entry in the field, is largely over. "Two days were set out for the count of big cats," sources said.
"We have submitted photographic evidence of the remains of the sambhar killed by a tiger a few weeks back at Satrem to forest dept," WWF (Goa) director Nitin Sawant told TOI on Monday. Tiger pug marks were also noticed by the side of the carcass, he added.
WWF conducted investigations at the site with the help of three volunteers, Kashinath Gaonkar, Trupti Jadhav and Anand and made a cast of the tiger pug marks for further study. "Only a tiger can kill a sambhar," Sawant said.
The WWF team traced the tiger pug marks trailing right up to the Surla river.
Speaker Pratapsingh Rane (a WWF trustee and Poriem MLA) asked for the Satrem evidence and it was submitted to him, Sawant said. "The habitat is rich with floral and faunal biodiversity and is ideal also as a tiger habitat," Sawant said.
Forest department officials said that they do not rely on evidence provided by others alone, but also carry out their own investigations. "We have also taken pug marks of a tiger near Anjunem dam about a fortnight back," deputy conservator of forest (wildlife and ecotourism, north) D N F Carvalho said.
Two incidents of killing of buffaloes by a tiger on February 3 and 5 have been reported in Choraundem. The village lies in the foothills of Chorla ghat on Goa's border and within the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary, and a few miles away from Satrem.
Both buffaloes belong to Mano Phale, 67, who also lost one buffalo on February 4, 2009.
A forest department source said that movement of the big cats is being monitored.
"The people near the sanctuary have been asked not to let their animals in the sanctuary," Carvalho said.
As part of the wildlife census conducted last year, the forest department had plans to use the camera trap method for more clinching evidence of the tiger's presence in Goa's forests. "We are waiting for directions to employ this method from wildlife institute of India, Dehra Dun," Carvalho said.
Stating that use of camera trap method is a difficult task, he said WII guidelines would help in completing the phase two of the census.
The animal census which was conducted for ten days, including two-day training for participants prior to their entry in the field, is largely over. "Two days were set out for the count of big cats," sources said.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Another tiger found dead in Corbett Park
DEHRADUN: A 10-year-old tiger's carcass was recovered from a forested area near Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand's Ramnagar on Saturday evening.
Forest department sources said the cause of the tiger's death would be known after a postmortem, but the carcass' condition suggests that the big cat may have died two or three days earlier.
Divisional forest officer Nishant Verma said the death appears to be natural and that a two-member team of Corbett Tiger Reserve vets would conduct the post-mortem.
Sources said six tigers have died in the reserve and surrounding area since December. Forest officials gunned down a man-eater tiger that had killed five people in the reserve's buffer zone around two weeks back.
Forest department sources said the cause of the tiger's death would be known after a postmortem, but the carcass' condition suggests that the big cat may have died two or three days earlier.
Divisional forest officer Nishant Verma said the death appears to be natural and that a two-member team of Corbett Tiger Reserve vets would conduct the post-mortem.
Sources said six tigers have died in the reserve and surrounding area since December. Forest officials gunned down a man-eater tiger that had killed five people in the reserve's buffer zone around two weeks back.
Tadoba tourist gypsies must comply with RTO norms before Feb 28
CHANDRAPUR: Alarmed by the blatant violation of traffic related regulations by tourist gypsy vehicles in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), forest authorities have initiated measures to rein in the violators. While TATR administration has announced a deadline for seeking of tourist permit and other necessary clearances from RTO office for gypsy operators, all these vehicles are being checked for illegally installed gas kits (CNG units) and overloading of passengers.
RTO officials here had discovered that majority of tourist gypsies plying in TATR here do not have their registration at Chandrapur RTO office. While many such tourist vehicles were registered in districts other than Chandrapur, a few of them have their registration in Andhra Pradesh. If Chandrapur RTO is to give tourist permit to these vehicles, they first have to be registered here. However, this has not been done for many vehicles.
Moreover, none of these gypsies has a tourist permit mandatory for carrying tourists on commercial basis. RTO also had received complaints about these vehicle boarding more than permissible carrying capacity of passengers and some of them had even installed illegal gas kits without approval of RTO authorities. TOI had reported about this violation of tourist vehicles in TATR on January 23. After learning about the violation of norms, TATR authorities have now initiated measures check abuse of traffic related laws in their territory.
CF and field director, TATR, Vinaykumar Sinha said that forest department is coordinating with RTO authorities to check the violations. "There are around 43 tourist gypsies plying in TATR. We have asked all gypsy operators to seek the necessary tourist permit and other RTO related clearances by the end of February. No gypsy without valid documents would be allowed to enter TATR after the deadline," said Sinha.
He said, "We had asked the RTO officials to hold a meeting with the union of tourist gypsy operators and guide them about the regulations and clearances regarding traffic laws. As soon as RTO gives consent, a meeting would be convened to facilitate the smooth implementation of law." President of tourist gypsy operator union in TATR, Sanjay Mankar, had earlier agreed that they are ready to seek necessary tourist permits if it is mandatory.
RTO officials here had discovered that majority of tourist gypsies plying in TATR here do not have their registration at Chandrapur RTO office. While many such tourist vehicles were registered in districts other than Chandrapur, a few of them have their registration in Andhra Pradesh. If Chandrapur RTO is to give tourist permit to these vehicles, they first have to be registered here. However, this has not been done for many vehicles.
Moreover, none of these gypsies has a tourist permit mandatory for carrying tourists on commercial basis. RTO also had received complaints about these vehicle boarding more than permissible carrying capacity of passengers and some of them had even installed illegal gas kits without approval of RTO authorities. TOI had reported about this violation of tourist vehicles in TATR on January 23. After learning about the violation of norms, TATR authorities have now initiated measures check abuse of traffic related laws in their territory.
CF and field director, TATR, Vinaykumar Sinha said that forest department is coordinating with RTO authorities to check the violations. "There are around 43 tourist gypsies plying in TATR. We have asked all gypsy operators to seek the necessary tourist permit and other RTO related clearances by the end of February. No gypsy without valid documents would be allowed to enter TATR after the deadline," said Sinha.
He said, "We had asked the RTO officials to hold a meeting with the union of tourist gypsy operators and guide them about the regulations and clearances regarding traffic laws. As soon as RTO gives consent, a meeting would be convened to facilitate the smooth implementation of law." President of tourist gypsy operator union in TATR, Sanjay Mankar, had earlier agreed that they are ready to seek necessary tourist permits if it is mandatory.
From Ranthambore to Keoladeo and Finally To Sariska Soon
A tiger from Ranthambore National Park that strayed into Keoladeo Ghana National Park has been given permission to be transferred to Sariska National Park.
T 7 a tiger from Ranthambore recently strayed to Keoladeo Ghana National Park also called Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. The state forest department has now given permission for the transfer of T7 to Sariska National Park.
Sariska National Park which had lost all is tigers a few years ago due to large scale poaching at the park has been the recipient of many tigers transferred from Ranthambore National Park to revive the big cat population here again.
Officials at Keoladeo Ghana National Park too are monitoring the movement of the tiger to ensure its safe passage to its new home as soon as possible.
T 7 a tiger from Ranthambore recently strayed to Keoladeo Ghana National Park also called Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. The state forest department has now given permission for the transfer of T7 to Sariska National Park.
Sariska National Park which had lost all is tigers a few years ago due to large scale poaching at the park has been the recipient of many tigers transferred from Ranthambore National Park to revive the big cat population here again.
Officials at Keoladeo Ghana National Park too are monitoring the movement of the tiger to ensure its safe passage to its new home as soon as possible.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Minister’s photo eye saves a tiger family
The Rajasthan Tourism Minister's new love for photography saved a family of tigers in Ranthambhore National Park this week. The observant Minister, who spotted blood in the hind portion of a tigress in the photographs she took during a visit to the park, got the animal operated upon for cleaning a wound infested with maggots. The Minister, Bina Kak, is now being lauded by the conservation community not for saving one tiger but a whole family of three.
The family of T-5, referred to as “Kachida female” in the tiger conservation circles, was saved as Ms. Kak, after watching the tigress in the Ranthambhore woods this past Wednesday, felt something was amiss with the animal. “In the photographs and the video I noticed a red patch on the rump of the tigress. After seeing the pictures I went back to the spot where it was squatting and found blood stains on the ground,” said Ms. Kak, who was Forest Minister in the previous Gehlot government here, to The Hindu.
The Minister summoned Divisional Forest Officer R.P. Gupta and explained the situation. The services of two veterinarians — one from Jaipur and the other from Sawai Madhopur — was requisitioned for an early operation. “I spoke to the PCCF and briefed him on the urgency. It was a sensitive issue and the officers understandably were scared about tranquillising the tigress and carrying out an operation,” Ms. Kak said.
The Minister, who was to start for Jaipur at 6 a.m. on Thursday, stayed back to oversee the operation as the vets, Rajiv Garg and Arvind Mathur, tranquillised the tigress with darts and carried out the “clean-up” job in 20 minutes. “There were hundreds of maggots in the wound and the animal would have died eventually if the clinical intervention was not carried out,” Ms. Kak said.
The tigress got up and walked away four hours after the operation near the Anantpur chowki in Berda. “I was told that she finished a portion of her kill the next day and is now normal,” said a jubilant Ms. Kak.
“It was surely a laudable act in many ways. The Minister deserves kudos for her initiative while the team of vets has proved that now Rajasthan medics have the capacity to do such operations,” said Rajasthan Board for Wildlife member Rajpal Singh.
“Such operations involving wild tigers are rare as risks are involved though in the case of zoo animals it may appear normal,” he noted.
Ms. Kak got her reward for the good work — more photos of the tigress! Even if one does not have to believe her claim — that the tigress looked at her with grateful eyes as it walked away — the animal, as the photographs show, appears more reassured. And the latest information is that T-5 has resumed suckling her two-month-old cubs.
The family of T-5, referred to as “Kachida female” in the tiger conservation circles, was saved as Ms. Kak, after watching the tigress in the Ranthambhore woods this past Wednesday, felt something was amiss with the animal. “In the photographs and the video I noticed a red patch on the rump of the tigress. After seeing the pictures I went back to the spot where it was squatting and found blood stains on the ground,” said Ms. Kak, who was Forest Minister in the previous Gehlot government here, to The Hindu.
The Minister summoned Divisional Forest Officer R.P. Gupta and explained the situation. The services of two veterinarians — one from Jaipur and the other from Sawai Madhopur — was requisitioned for an early operation. “I spoke to the PCCF and briefed him on the urgency. It was a sensitive issue and the officers understandably were scared about tranquillising the tigress and carrying out an operation,” Ms. Kak said.
The Minister, who was to start for Jaipur at 6 a.m. on Thursday, stayed back to oversee the operation as the vets, Rajiv Garg and Arvind Mathur, tranquillised the tigress with darts and carried out the “clean-up” job in 20 minutes. “There were hundreds of maggots in the wound and the animal would have died eventually if the clinical intervention was not carried out,” Ms. Kak said.
The tigress got up and walked away four hours after the operation near the Anantpur chowki in Berda. “I was told that she finished a portion of her kill the next day and is now normal,” said a jubilant Ms. Kak.
“It was surely a laudable act in many ways. The Minister deserves kudos for her initiative while the team of vets has proved that now Rajasthan medics have the capacity to do such operations,” said Rajasthan Board for Wildlife member Rajpal Singh.
“Such operations involving wild tigers are rare as risks are involved though in the case of zoo animals it may appear normal,” he noted.
Ms. Kak got her reward for the good work — more photos of the tigress! Even if one does not have to believe her claim — that the tigress looked at her with grateful eyes as it walked away — the animal, as the photographs show, appears more reassured. And the latest information is that T-5 has resumed suckling her two-month-old cubs.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
MP HC won't keep tourists away from tigers
NAGPUR: Madhya Pradesh High Court, with its main seat at Jabalpur, has rejected a petition seeking a ban on tourism in core zones and critical tiger habitats (CTHs) of forest reserves. Ajay Dubey of Prayatna, a Bhopal-based NGO working for environment protection for the past 10 years, had filed the PIL to protect tigers from alleged disturbance caused by tourism.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Madhya Pradesh government and others were the respondents in the petition filed on September 8 last year. Dubey had sought relief to protect tigers by banning tourism as per NTCA guidelines that call for keeping these areas completely inviolate except for management intervention.
A division bench of justices Ajit Singh and Sanjay Yadav ruled that NTCA emphasised on phasing out of ongoing tourism activities in the core areas or CTHs. Even the guidelines issued by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) speak only about the phasing out the ongoing tourism activities and not its immediate banning in these areas. The respondents- MP government, chief wildlife warden, NTCA and others- too denied that amended Wildlife Protection Act 1972 mandated complete prohibition of tourism activity in the core or CTH areas.
The respondents further stated that there was continuous dialogue with the NTCA and the matter was likely to be resolved to mutual satisfaction. The MP government also narrated in detail about the importance and advantages of tourism in tiger reserves and produced a press statement of May 5, 2010, issued by the MoEF denying any proposal to prohibit tourism in tiger reserves.
The court ruled that Section 38-v too did not prohibit tourism either in core or CTH areas. The expression in the explanation that core or CTH were required to be kept as inviolate for the purposes of tiger conservation did not indicate a complete ban on tourism, the bench said.
"The word 'inviolate' used also did not imply complete prohibition or banning of tourism. Inviolate is defined by approved lexicographers to mean 'unhurt', uninjured; unpolluted; unbroken," the court ruled.
Reacting to verdict, Dubey told TOI, "We will not give up. The fight to protect tigers will continue. Prayatna will file a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court." He said the word 'inviolate' had to be read in context of notification of the core or CTH by the government. It meant without any disturbance by human beings, he said. Tourism activity in such areas would mean violation of the NTCA guidelines, he added.
Weekly off for Pench,
Kanha and Bandhavgarh
To relieve some tourism related stress on wildlife, Madhya Pradesh wildlife department has decided to keep Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves closed for one day in a week. At present, these parks are open on all days. H S Pabla, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), told TOI the decision would be for only three tiger reserves where tourist pressure was high and would come into effect from April 1, 2011.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Madhya Pradesh government and others were the respondents in the petition filed on September 8 last year. Dubey had sought relief to protect tigers by banning tourism as per NTCA guidelines that call for keeping these areas completely inviolate except for management intervention.
A division bench of justices Ajit Singh and Sanjay Yadav ruled that NTCA emphasised on phasing out of ongoing tourism activities in the core areas or CTHs. Even the guidelines issued by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) speak only about the phasing out the ongoing tourism activities and not its immediate banning in these areas. The respondents- MP government, chief wildlife warden, NTCA and others- too denied that amended Wildlife Protection Act 1972 mandated complete prohibition of tourism activity in the core or CTH areas.
The respondents further stated that there was continuous dialogue with the NTCA and the matter was likely to be resolved to mutual satisfaction. The MP government also narrated in detail about the importance and advantages of tourism in tiger reserves and produced a press statement of May 5, 2010, issued by the MoEF denying any proposal to prohibit tourism in tiger reserves.
The court ruled that Section 38-v too did not prohibit tourism either in core or CTH areas. The expression in the explanation that core or CTH were required to be kept as inviolate for the purposes of tiger conservation did not indicate a complete ban on tourism, the bench said.
"The word 'inviolate' used also did not imply complete prohibition or banning of tourism. Inviolate is defined by approved lexicographers to mean 'unhurt', uninjured; unpolluted; unbroken," the court ruled.
Reacting to verdict, Dubey told TOI, "We will not give up. The fight to protect tigers will continue. Prayatna will file a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court." He said the word 'inviolate' had to be read in context of notification of the core or CTH by the government. It meant without any disturbance by human beings, he said. Tourism activity in such areas would mean violation of the NTCA guidelines, he added.
Weekly off for Pench,
Kanha and Bandhavgarh
To relieve some tourism related stress on wildlife, Madhya Pradesh wildlife department has decided to keep Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves closed for one day in a week. At present, these parks are open on all days. H S Pabla, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), told TOI the decision would be for only three tiger reserves where tourist pressure was high and would come into effect from April 1, 2011.
After car safari ban, four tiger sightings
Burning bright
Alipurduar, Feb. 4: Big cats have been spotted in the Buxa Tiger Reserve at least four times in the first phase of the 2011 census after practically none in almost 30 years.
Forest survey officials said this could be because restrictions had been imposed in the reserve, in Jalpaiguri’s Alipurduar, since November last year.
According to guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, car safaris are now banned in core areas of the forest, brought under Project Tiger in 1983. Visitors are allowed on foot in select areas but picnics are banned on the Jainti river banks.
“Our census teams have reported at least four tiger sightings in the first phase of the survey conducted between January 23 and 28. We have been getting positive results because of the cut-down in disturbance inside the forest,” said R.P. Saini, the field director of the reserve.
A count done last year by DNA-testing of tiger scat samples had recorded the presence of about 15 animals in the reserve. A beat officer had clicked a tiger last year but the picture was too grainy for any conclusion to be drawn with certainty.
This year’s survey will be done in three phases, with the second scheduled to start in the third week in February.
“We have improved scat collection and preservation methods with help from experts of Aranyak laboratory in Guwahati. Representatives from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology will be present with our team during the second phase,” Saini said.
To further minimise disturbance in the reserve, about 33 families of Bhutia Busti, who have been staying in the core area for over 20 years, would be shifted to the buffer zone, he said.
Alipurduar, Feb. 4: Big cats have been spotted in the Buxa Tiger Reserve at least four times in the first phase of the 2011 census after practically none in almost 30 years.
Forest survey officials said this could be because restrictions had been imposed in the reserve, in Jalpaiguri’s Alipurduar, since November last year.
According to guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, car safaris are now banned in core areas of the forest, brought under Project Tiger in 1983. Visitors are allowed on foot in select areas but picnics are banned on the Jainti river banks.
“Our census teams have reported at least four tiger sightings in the first phase of the survey conducted between January 23 and 28. We have been getting positive results because of the cut-down in disturbance inside the forest,” said R.P. Saini, the field director of the reserve.
A count done last year by DNA-testing of tiger scat samples had recorded the presence of about 15 animals in the reserve. A beat officer had clicked a tiger last year but the picture was too grainy for any conclusion to be drawn with certainty.
This year’s survey will be done in three phases, with the second scheduled to start in the third week in February.
“We have improved scat collection and preservation methods with help from experts of Aranyak laboratory in Guwahati. Representatives from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology will be present with our team during the second phase,” Saini said.
To further minimise disturbance in the reserve, about 33 families of Bhutia Busti, who have been staying in the core area for over 20 years, would be shifted to the buffer zone, he said.
Karnataka Government May Declare Kudremukh National Park as a Tiger Reserve
After direct sighting of about eight tigers at the Kudremukh National Park in Karnataka in the last tiger census, the state department is planning to declare the area as a Tiger Reserve.
The last tiger census conducted at Kudremukh National Park displayed many direct and indirect evidences such as scat and pug marks to confirm that this area is good for a tiger habitat. Some of the cats have even been seen roaming the abandoned mining areas here which is a good sign.
With all the evidences in hand, the state government plans to declare the National Park as a Tiger Reserve which will ensure that the area is well protected. Also the government will have to put a ban on all the mining companies that have occupied a part of the National Park. To make their plea stronger, the state government has sought the help of wildlife experts and Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. If Kudremukh National Park is declared a Tiger Reserve, it will be the largest forest block in the centre of Western Ghats to be declared as a Tiger Reserve in the state
Once declared as a Tiger Reserve there will be no scope for any commercial activities in this area and this has given hope to many wildlife experts who have been fighting a long battle to clear out the mining companies form the park since a long time.
According to noted tiger scientist and director of Centre for Wildlife Studies, K Ullas Karanth, “It is a fantastic area that has been lying neglected. In 1986, while on a survey, I found it was the ideal habitat for the largest lion-tailed macaque, based on which, it was declared a national park in 1987. In the 16 sq km of abandoned mining area, vegetation has come up and of late tiger signs have also been seen. I have been suggesting this area be declared a tiger reserve, for a very long time.”
Kudremukh National Park is the largest Wildlife Protected Area of a tropical wet evergreen type of forest in the Western Ghats. It also has a unique habitat of the Sholas, and Annamalai trees and has been named after a distinct peak in the park that is shaped like a horse face. The park adjoins Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary on the western side and is linked to Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary through a narrow stretch of reserved forests on the southern edge. On can find here more than 195 rare species of birds including the great pied hornbill and is home to animals such as tigers, leopards, wild dogs, lion tailed macaque, sloth bear, common langur and others.
Even before being declared as a declared as a National Park, mining lease were issued in this area from July 1969 to 1999. After 1999, though the lease was not extended butthe mining companies were granted temporary work permits. As such about 37 sq km of the National Park was used for mining. But in 2005, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea of the mining firms to renew their lease and occupy the land.
The declaration of Kudremukh National Park as Tiger Reserve may further intensify the on-going lobbying for the mining row that is building pressure on the state government to permit mining and allow functioning of idle machinery at abandoned mining areas.
However if the rights of the beast wins this round this will be the biggest even green forest block in the area. Other tiger reserves mostly comprise of dry, moist and semi-deciduous forests.
Kudremuhk National Park is situated about 95 km from Chikmagalur and 350 kms from Bangalore,and is also close to Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Dandeli and Anshi Tiger Reserve, Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve and all connected together form a large pathway for the movement of tigers, Asian elephants and other wild animals.
The Karnataka state government had even declared as Biligiri Ranganna Betta or BR Hills near Mysore as a Tiger Reserve some time ago. These picturesque hills are located between Cauvery River and Tungabhadra River.
The last tiger census conducted at Kudremukh National Park displayed many direct and indirect evidences such as scat and pug marks to confirm that this area is good for a tiger habitat. Some of the cats have even been seen roaming the abandoned mining areas here which is a good sign.
With all the evidences in hand, the state government plans to declare the National Park as a Tiger Reserve which will ensure that the area is well protected. Also the government will have to put a ban on all the mining companies that have occupied a part of the National Park. To make their plea stronger, the state government has sought the help of wildlife experts and Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. If Kudremukh National Park is declared a Tiger Reserve, it will be the largest forest block in the centre of Western Ghats to be declared as a Tiger Reserve in the state
Once declared as a Tiger Reserve there will be no scope for any commercial activities in this area and this has given hope to many wildlife experts who have been fighting a long battle to clear out the mining companies form the park since a long time.
According to noted tiger scientist and director of Centre for Wildlife Studies, K Ullas Karanth, “It is a fantastic area that has been lying neglected. In 1986, while on a survey, I found it was the ideal habitat for the largest lion-tailed macaque, based on which, it was declared a national park in 1987. In the 16 sq km of abandoned mining area, vegetation has come up and of late tiger signs have also been seen. I have been suggesting this area be declared a tiger reserve, for a very long time.”
Kudremukh National Park is the largest Wildlife Protected Area of a tropical wet evergreen type of forest in the Western Ghats. It also has a unique habitat of the Sholas, and Annamalai trees and has been named after a distinct peak in the park that is shaped like a horse face. The park adjoins Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary on the western side and is linked to Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary through a narrow stretch of reserved forests on the southern edge. On can find here more than 195 rare species of birds including the great pied hornbill and is home to animals such as tigers, leopards, wild dogs, lion tailed macaque, sloth bear, common langur and others.
Even before being declared as a declared as a National Park, mining lease were issued in this area from July 1969 to 1999. After 1999, though the lease was not extended butthe mining companies were granted temporary work permits. As such about 37 sq km of the National Park was used for mining. But in 2005, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea of the mining firms to renew their lease and occupy the land.
The declaration of Kudremukh National Park as Tiger Reserve may further intensify the on-going lobbying for the mining row that is building pressure on the state government to permit mining and allow functioning of idle machinery at abandoned mining areas.
However if the rights of the beast wins this round this will be the biggest even green forest block in the area. Other tiger reserves mostly comprise of dry, moist and semi-deciduous forests.
Kudremuhk National Park is situated about 95 km from Chikmagalur and 350 kms from Bangalore,and is also close to Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Dandeli and Anshi Tiger Reserve, Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve and all connected together form a large pathway for the movement of tigers, Asian elephants and other wild animals.
The Karnataka state government had even declared as Biligiri Ranganna Betta or BR Hills near Mysore as a Tiger Reserve some time ago. These picturesque hills are located between Cauvery River and Tungabhadra River.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Tiger to be translocated to Sariska soon: Raj minister
Jaipur, Feb 3 (PTI) A tiger which had strayed into Keoladev National Park from Ranthambore will soon be translocated to Sariska National Park, a Rajasthan minister said today."We have received the permission to translocate the big cat 'T-7' and a team from the Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradun, will translocate the tiger very soon," state forest and wildlife minister, Ram Lal Jaat said here.He said that all the efforts will be made for the protection of wildlife animals in a planned way.Chairing a meeting, he also discussed the progress for water arrangement in Keoladev National Park (in Bharatpur district) and monitoring of big cats and directed officials to keep track of tigers and make every possible effort to protect wildlife.Public representatives and senior officials were among those who attended the meeting.Union Environment
Protest against killing, parading tiger carcass
LUCKNOW: A week after foresters killed a man-eater near Corbett National Park, a protest is brewing against the killing and ''the way the animal was paraded''. On Wednesday, wildlife activists and local guides' association wore black ribbons to mark their protest.
''The tiger was was made a man-eater,'' says Narendra Sharma of Bagh Bachao Samiti, Ramnagar. The tiger was shot at on January 11. ''Since it was injured, it became incapable of hunting its natural prey,'' said Sharma. The Samiti along with other wildlife organisations and locals organised a protest at Ramnagar. A memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister was handed over to the authorities.
''The incidents of man-animal conflict have increased at Corbett National Park. Had the forest officials worked as a link between locals and wildlife in the area (for sensitising people), they would not have demanded shooting down of the tiger,'' the memorandum said.
The organizations also protested against the way the dead tiger was paraded atop an elephant. ''There are several tigers present in Garjia area as shown by camera traps,'' Sharma says. The wildlife activists said the authorities have not been able to control man-animal conflict.
The tiger killed on January 27 was about 10 years old. The department has already faced lot of flak for claiming that it was a tigress.
''The tiger was was made a man-eater,'' says Narendra Sharma of Bagh Bachao Samiti, Ramnagar. The tiger was shot at on January 11. ''Since it was injured, it became incapable of hunting its natural prey,'' said Sharma. The Samiti along with other wildlife organisations and locals organised a protest at Ramnagar. A memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister was handed over to the authorities.
''The incidents of man-animal conflict have increased at Corbett National Park. Had the forest officials worked as a link between locals and wildlife in the area (for sensitising people), they would not have demanded shooting down of the tiger,'' the memorandum said.
The organizations also protested against the way the dead tiger was paraded atop an elephant. ''There are several tigers present in Garjia area as shown by camera traps,'' Sharma says. The wildlife activists said the authorities have not been able to control man-animal conflict.
The tiger killed on January 27 was about 10 years old. The department has already faced lot of flak for claiming that it was a tigress.
Tiger strays into Kerwah residential area in Bhopal
Bhopal, Feb 3 (PTI) A tiger from Ratapani sanctuary inMadhya Pradesh''s Raisen district has strayed into the Kerwaharea situated on the outskirts of the state capital, posing athreat to humans, forest officials said today.
Buzz up!
Pugmarks of a more than four-year-old tiger has beenfound in Kerwah area on January 31, Area Forest Range OfficerSudhir Singh told PTI here.
The tiger had killed a cow in Kerwah jungle area onJanuary 31 and added that around 100 forest officials weremonitoring the jungles on the Kerwah-Ratapani tract, he said.
The big cat was sighted on Sunday by an advocate inKerwah area which has human habitation around it. Advocate ASoni, who captured the big cat photo on his cell phone, passedon the information to the forest officials
This is not the first time that a big cat from Ratapanihas entered Kerwah area having human habitation. In 2007, atigress along with her two cubs had strayed in Kerwah andKalisot area, on the outskirts of Bhopal, they said.
Ratapani, spread over an area of 435 sq km is said to behaving around 10 big cats.
Buzz up!
Pugmarks of a more than four-year-old tiger has beenfound in Kerwah area on January 31, Area Forest Range OfficerSudhir Singh told PTI here.
The tiger had killed a cow in Kerwah jungle area onJanuary 31 and added that around 100 forest officials weremonitoring the jungles on the Kerwah-Ratapani tract, he said.
The big cat was sighted on Sunday by an advocate inKerwah area which has human habitation around it. Advocate ASoni, who captured the big cat photo on his cell phone, passedon the information to the forest officials
This is not the first time that a big cat from Ratapanihas entered Kerwah area having human habitation. In 2007, atigress along with her two cubs had strayed in Kerwah andKalisot area, on the outskirts of Bhopal, they said.
Ratapani, spread over an area of 435 sq km is said to behaving around 10 big cats.
'Carrot & stick' policy show results in MTR Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN, Feb 4, 2011, 12.40am IST
SEMADOH (MELGHAT): From being dubbed as 'poor' in the independent management effectiveness evaluation five years ago, Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Amravati district is now turning around, thanks to series of steps taken to strengthen protection in the past two years.
The 'carrot and stick' policy of the MTR managers is paying off. "In the last two years, we've developed an institution here. If our protection measures sustain, and villages inside MTR are relocated, in the next five years, Melghat holds the promise of becoming India's number one tiger reserve," claims field director A K Mishra.
Mishra says four-pronged strategy about better wildlife monitoring and recording it systematically, joint patrolling, watershed management and capacity building by organising workshops for field staff every month has delivered results.
A visit to over a dozen protection huts in a couple of ranges in Sipna Wildlife Division showed that efforts were being made to give comfort to field staff by providing concrete structures and basic facilities like steel cots and cupboards replacing the bamboo thatches.
"Absenteeism was a bad habit among the field staff. We started conducting surprise checks at protection huts. Those absent were marked leave without pay. There were protests from a section of employees, but they fell in line after learning our intentions. Now the staff is scared of bunking," said P H Badge, deputy conservator of Sipna.
There is direct biotic pressure from 70 villages on the reserve. Of these, 26 villages are inside MTR putting huge grazing and felling pressure. However, action against illicit grazers has reduced cases of unauthorised grazing from 103 in 2008-09 to 36 in 2009-2010. "We feel this has led to increase in prey base. Cattle kills by carnivores have gone down from 249 to 142 during the same period. This was possible due to good protection and action," Mishra said.
Fire in Melghat was the biggest threat causing habitat destruction. However, Mishra added that by involving people and making them aware, incidents of forest fires had been brought down 50%.
"In 2009, there were 430 fire incidents destroying 14,460 hectares forest, but in 2010, these were brought down to 252 and loss of 7,521 hectares. This was made possible despite the fact that 80% of the staff is above 45 years; 15% staff is new and over 20% of the posts are vacant," says Mishra.
Another reason why MTR is better now is the joint and group patrolling launched in August 2009. A group of eight persons does patrolling twice a week and nine times in a month. "Cases of water poisoning for fish are common. From February 15, a drive will be launched to check all natural and artificial water holes in the reserve with the help of litmus paper. Small water holes with 2-3 litres of water would be closed down to eliminate cases of poisoning," informed S B Dhote, RFO of Chourakund, who has set an example for the entire reserve by mapping each water hole.
His model is being followed elsewhere. Mapping of water holes is also helping to know animal movement, he added. "Last year, due to water hole monitoring we could save 45 peacocks and other animals," Dhote informed.
In Melghat, conflicting demands of tigers and humans results in man-animal and management conflicts. The problems become more complicated when political leaders turn hostile towards animals.
Mishra said such circumstances made it very difficult to perform. Yet, implementation of standard protocol by setting up protection camps (75) and strengthening them, regular training modules to build staff capacity, fire patrol teams, eco-development schemes, frequent meetings with villagers, deployment of SRPF during monsoon, and erection of barriers (39) among host of other measures had helped.
"Even NTCA team that visited Melghat in December to evaluate the tiger reserve was surprised about the number of steps being taken by MTR," officials said.
The 'carrot and stick' policy of the MTR managers is paying off. "In the last two years, we've developed an institution here. If our protection measures sustain, and villages inside MTR are relocated, in the next five years, Melghat holds the promise of becoming India's number one tiger reserve," claims field director A K Mishra.
Mishra says four-pronged strategy about better wildlife monitoring and recording it systematically, joint patrolling, watershed management and capacity building by organising workshops for field staff every month has delivered results.
A visit to over a dozen protection huts in a couple of ranges in Sipna Wildlife Division showed that efforts were being made to give comfort to field staff by providing concrete structures and basic facilities like steel cots and cupboards replacing the bamboo thatches.
"Absenteeism was a bad habit among the field staff. We started conducting surprise checks at protection huts. Those absent were marked leave without pay. There were protests from a section of employees, but they fell in line after learning our intentions. Now the staff is scared of bunking," said P H Badge, deputy conservator of Sipna.
There is direct biotic pressure from 70 villages on the reserve. Of these, 26 villages are inside MTR putting huge grazing and felling pressure. However, action against illicit grazers has reduced cases of unauthorised grazing from 103 in 2008-09 to 36 in 2009-2010. "We feel this has led to increase in prey base. Cattle kills by carnivores have gone down from 249 to 142 during the same period. This was possible due to good protection and action," Mishra said.
Fire in Melghat was the biggest threat causing habitat destruction. However, Mishra added that by involving people and making them aware, incidents of forest fires had been brought down 50%.
"In 2009, there were 430 fire incidents destroying 14,460 hectares forest, but in 2010, these were brought down to 252 and loss of 7,521 hectares. This was made possible despite the fact that 80% of the staff is above 45 years; 15% staff is new and over 20% of the posts are vacant," says Mishra.
Another reason why MTR is better now is the joint and group patrolling launched in August 2009. A group of eight persons does patrolling twice a week and nine times in a month. "Cases of water poisoning for fish are common. From February 15, a drive will be launched to check all natural and artificial water holes in the reserve with the help of litmus paper. Small water holes with 2-3 litres of water would be closed down to eliminate cases of poisoning," informed S B Dhote, RFO of Chourakund, who has set an example for the entire reserve by mapping each water hole.
His model is being followed elsewhere. Mapping of water holes is also helping to know animal movement, he added. "Last year, due to water hole monitoring we could save 45 peacocks and other animals," Dhote informed.
In Melghat, conflicting demands of tigers and humans results in man-animal and management conflicts. The problems become more complicated when political leaders turn hostile towards animals.
Mishra said such circumstances made it very difficult to perform. Yet, implementation of standard protocol by setting up protection camps (75) and strengthening them, regular training modules to build staff capacity, fire patrol teams, eco-development schemes, frequent meetings with villagers, deployment of SRPF during monsoon, and erection of barriers (39) among host of other measures had helped.
"Even NTCA team that visited Melghat in December to evaluate the tiger reserve was surprised about the number of steps being taken by MTR," officials said.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Ramesh letter sparks off protest in Uttarakhand
It is Environment minister Jairam Ramesh versus Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal over killing of a tiger, claimed to be man-eater, near Corbett tiger reserve. Ramesh on Tuesday asked the state government to impose section 144 of Code for Criminal Procedure (prevents gathering of more
than four people) where tiger attacks a person to ensure safe capture of animal. On Wednesday, the locals decided to stage a demonstration against Ramesh, assisted by local BJP leaders, against the suggestion.
“How can we prevent people from gathering at a site where a tiger attacks a villager,” said a state government functionary. And, added that tiger conservation cannot be done sitting in the air-conditioned offices in Delhi.
Pokhriyal has so far not agreed to Ramesh’s suggestion of a joint inspection of Corbett and nearby areas. According to officials, many of the suggestions made by the union minister were not implementable.
Another twist in the controversy has emerged as instead of relocating the Sunderkhal village from the buffer zone of the Corbett as suggested by Ramesh, the state forest department, headed by CM, has demanded a study to examine presence of four to five tigers near the village.
“It is an unusual behaviour,” said Anil Baluni, vice-chairperson of State Forest and Environment Advisory Board, who claimed that they four to five tigers have been caught on camera near the village.
Tiger being a territorial animal has an area of about 10 sq kms and another tiger can enter the area only after killing the present there. “We want National Tiger Conservation Authority’s suggestion on how to deal with this situation,” Baluni said.
Jairam Ramesh has asked the state government to immediately send a proposal for seeking 100 % assistance to relocate Sunderkhal village, which is there since 1974. At least five persons of this village, in buffer zone of the reserve, were mauled to death by a tiger, killed last week, in a month’s time.
Coming down strongly on the state government for brutally killing the tiger, Ramesh has suggested that two units of rapid response units should be set up to capture the animal to avoid lethal encounters.
To overcome the problem of increasing tiger population in Corbett and reduce man-animal conflict, Ramesh has suggested that parts of Lansdowne, West Terai and Ramnagar divisions should be declared as buffer of Corbett. He also wants the state government to monitor movement of tigers and killing cattle by them to avoid conflict.
The minister has also said that the state government should appoint Brijendra Singh, as honorary wildlife warden for Corbett for appropriate guidance. Singh in the recent past had been critical of officials at Corbett on management of the reserve.
than four people) where tiger attacks a person to ensure safe capture of animal. On Wednesday, the locals decided to stage a demonstration against Ramesh, assisted by local BJP leaders, against the suggestion.
“How can we prevent people from gathering at a site where a tiger attacks a villager,” said a state government functionary. And, added that tiger conservation cannot be done sitting in the air-conditioned offices in Delhi.
Pokhriyal has so far not agreed to Ramesh’s suggestion of a joint inspection of Corbett and nearby areas. According to officials, many of the suggestions made by the union minister were not implementable.
Another twist in the controversy has emerged as instead of relocating the Sunderkhal village from the buffer zone of the Corbett as suggested by Ramesh, the state forest department, headed by CM, has demanded a study to examine presence of four to five tigers near the village.
“It is an unusual behaviour,” said Anil Baluni, vice-chairperson of State Forest and Environment Advisory Board, who claimed that they four to five tigers have been caught on camera near the village.
Tiger being a territorial animal has an area of about 10 sq kms and another tiger can enter the area only after killing the present there. “We want National Tiger Conservation Authority’s suggestion on how to deal with this situation,” Baluni said.
Jairam Ramesh has asked the state government to immediately send a proposal for seeking 100 % assistance to relocate Sunderkhal village, which is there since 1974. At least five persons of this village, in buffer zone of the reserve, were mauled to death by a tiger, killed last week, in a month’s time.
Coming down strongly on the state government for brutally killing the tiger, Ramesh has suggested that two units of rapid response units should be set up to capture the animal to avoid lethal encounters.
To overcome the problem of increasing tiger population in Corbett and reduce man-animal conflict, Ramesh has suggested that parts of Lansdowne, West Terai and Ramnagar divisions should be declared as buffer of Corbett. He also wants the state government to monitor movement of tigers and killing cattle by them to avoid conflict.
The minister has also said that the state government should appoint Brijendra Singh, as honorary wildlife warden for Corbett for appropriate guidance. Singh in the recent past had been critical of officials at Corbett on management of the reserve.
Chourakund, Shahanoor MTR's new tourism hubs
SEMADOH (MELGHAT): With a view to keep core and critical tiger habitats (CTHs) inviolate as per National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines, the management of 2000 sq km Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) is developing Chourakund, Harisal and Shahanoor as new eco-tourism hubs.
The new guidelines of centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) of 'Project Tiger' states, "core and CTHs should not be used for any form of tourism, and the ongoing tourism activities in such areas should be phased out to fringe and buffer areas without affecting its corridor value."
At present, in MTR, 55 sq km area is open for tourism at Semadoh. Tourists gain entry to see wildlife from Semadoh and Chikhaldara side. Whereas tourists from Khandwa and Burhanpur side in Madhya Pradesh are isolated. With development of Chourakund and Harisal ranges in Sipna Wildlife Division, 30-35 km from Semadoh, all tourists will stand to gain.
The guest house at Chourakund will be handed over to Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), which has signed an MoU with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) to commercially exploit eco-tourism in wildlife areas by developing facilities. In Melghat, apart from Chourakund, guest houses at Hatru, Chunkhadi, Rangubeli and Tarubanda will also be handed over to the FDCM.
"Chourakund and Harisal have one of the best forest patches with presence of leopards and tigers and other wildlife. It has huge tourism potential, which will be spread over 100 sq km area and will also be included in the working plan. It will take some time before we throw the area open for tourists," said A K Mishra, field director of MTR.
Semadoh Sankul, which has good accommodation facilities, will be discouraged for tourists in future as it falls in core zone of the tiger reserve. However, activities like nature education camps for students will be continued, officials said. Similarly, Shahanoor under Akot Wildlife Division of Melghat will be another eco-tourism hotspot. However, this will not mean discouraging tourists in 12 sq km Narnala Wildlife Sanctuary.
M S Reddy, deputy conservator of forests (DyCF), Akot Division, said Shahanoor is two kms from Narnala and is situated on revenue land. Every year, Rs 40 lakh are being given under the district planning development committee (DPDC) funds to develop Shahanoor. He said that Rs 60 lakh have been proposed for Narnala and Shahanoor. In Shahanoor, plans were afoot to set up additional accommodation, nature trails and education facilities.
The MTR comprises Gugamal National Park (where tourists are not allowed) and four sanctuaries - Melghat, Wan, Narnala and Ambabarwa, besides multiple use area (MUA). Mishra said Melghat's beautiful landscape gave it rich eco-tourism potential. "Considering the large area, flow of tourists is less. In 2009-10, 23,462 tourists visited Melghat, a rise of 962 over 2008-09 figure. More tourists can be attracted if about 15 British-era rest houses and inspection huts in MTR are developed," Mishra added.
The new guidelines of centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) of 'Project Tiger' states, "core and CTHs should not be used for any form of tourism, and the ongoing tourism activities in such areas should be phased out to fringe and buffer areas without affecting its corridor value."
At present, in MTR, 55 sq km area is open for tourism at Semadoh. Tourists gain entry to see wildlife from Semadoh and Chikhaldara side. Whereas tourists from Khandwa and Burhanpur side in Madhya Pradesh are isolated. With development of Chourakund and Harisal ranges in Sipna Wildlife Division, 30-35 km from Semadoh, all tourists will stand to gain.
The guest house at Chourakund will be handed over to Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), which has signed an MoU with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) to commercially exploit eco-tourism in wildlife areas by developing facilities. In Melghat, apart from Chourakund, guest houses at Hatru, Chunkhadi, Rangubeli and Tarubanda will also be handed over to the FDCM.
"Chourakund and Harisal have one of the best forest patches with presence of leopards and tigers and other wildlife. It has huge tourism potential, which will be spread over 100 sq km area and will also be included in the working plan. It will take some time before we throw the area open for tourists," said A K Mishra, field director of MTR.
Semadoh Sankul, which has good accommodation facilities, will be discouraged for tourists in future as it falls in core zone of the tiger reserve. However, activities like nature education camps for students will be continued, officials said. Similarly, Shahanoor under Akot Wildlife Division of Melghat will be another eco-tourism hotspot. However, this will not mean discouraging tourists in 12 sq km Narnala Wildlife Sanctuary.
M S Reddy, deputy conservator of forests (DyCF), Akot Division, said Shahanoor is two kms from Narnala and is situated on revenue land. Every year, Rs 40 lakh are being given under the district planning development committee (DPDC) funds to develop Shahanoor. He said that Rs 60 lakh have been proposed for Narnala and Shahanoor. In Shahanoor, plans were afoot to set up additional accommodation, nature trails and education facilities.
The MTR comprises Gugamal National Park (where tourists are not allowed) and four sanctuaries - Melghat, Wan, Narnala and Ambabarwa, besides multiple use area (MUA). Mishra said Melghat's beautiful landscape gave it rich eco-tourism potential. "Considering the large area, flow of tourists is less. In 2009-10, 23,462 tourists visited Melghat, a rise of 962 over 2008-09 figure. More tourists can be attracted if about 15 British-era rest houses and inspection huts in MTR are developed," Mishra added.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Sightings rare but tigers abound in Melghat
SEMADOH (MELGHAT): Although direct sighting of tigers did not happen in the rugged terrain of Melghat during the five-day exercise of wildlife and habitat estimation, it still produced substantial evidence about the wild cats' presence- raising hopes of their long-term survival here.
The in-house exercise, conducted from January 27 to 31, with the help of 400 staffers and around 25 volunteers in 230 beats of Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR), comprising Akot, Sipna and Gugamal Wildlife Divisions was testing time for the field staff.
This was revision of a similar exercise carried out all over India by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, between January 27 and February 3 last year.
Tigers have always remained elusive in MTR, fondly called the 'Kipling Country' and known for its mystifying landscape with high hills and deep valleys. Tourists in the past one year (December 2010 to January 2011) have reported just three tiger and five leopard sightings. Yet, clinching evidence of carnivores like pugmarks, scrape and scent marks, scats etc. show tigers and leopards are very much around. They are rarely spotted due to complex landscape and dense forest cover. Also, large areas are not accessible to tourists.
The officials' joy knew no bound when they received reports of direct sighting of leopard and two cubs and a tiger each in Semadoh and Chourakund forest ranges in the Sipna Wildlife Division.
"It is a good sign. For the past over two years, the field staff has been rigorously monitoring their respective areas and maintaining registers about sightings. This is helping us know of the animals' presence. For those who don't believe there are tigers in Melghat, we can present them the evidence. We have maintained complete transparency," said A K Mishra, field director & conservator of forests of MTR.
Apart from indirect evidence of leopards and tigers on pugmark impression pads (PIPs), direct sightings of herbivores like chitals and sambars were also reported from transact lines. There was also good evidence of bisons, porcupines, hyenas too. Melghat, where poor prey base is still an issue, even direct sightings of herbivores came as a good news for the staff.
Volunteers were disturbed to see cattle sharing territory with wild animals even in core area. "We saw cow dung and pellets of sambar on the same transact lines in Semadoh area, indicating that grazing was a big problem in Melghat," said Sandeep Dhahad, a volunteer from Nagpur.
Mishra admits grazing is the biggest threat in the reserve. "It has affected prey base in Melghat, but for the past two years, we have been tough on grazers. Offences against unauthorised grazers were brought down from 103 in 2008-09 to 36 in 2009-10.
"Tracking down signs and collecting evidence on transact lines on hillocks and river banks was not a child's play. At one point, we felt like giving up due to many ups and downs in the three-km transact. It came to traversing nearly 10 kms a day but it was also an exciting experience," said Smith Malkan and Adarsh, both students from Mumbai, who participated in the exercise for the first time.
"Our day started at 5.30 am and ended at 11.30 am. The transact lines were located two km away from Semadoh, where we were based. We saw pugmarks of two different tigers on both days in Jawaharkund area. A farmer also claimed to have seen a tiger near the periphery of the reserve," both added.
Some volunteers were disappointed at not sighting animals despite moving in core zone. Mishra explained, "Over 80% of the MTR is teak forest. Since December, the trees have been shedding leaves. You can see carpet of teak leaves everywhere. The rustling of leaves makes sightings difficult and also proves a hurdle in collecting evidence."
Despite 70% of the MTR field staff being above 50 years, the exercise went well as almost all participated seriously. Praveen Kumar Badge, deputy conservator of forests (DyCF), Sipna, says, "We have tightened screws on field staff that was in habit of absconding from duty without prior information. In the past two years, several surprise checks on protection huts have been conducted and erring employees have been punished. This has yielded results," he says.
IMP BOX
55 tigers in Melghat?
In 2010, the exercise of all India monitoring of tiger, co-predators, prey and their habitat, was carried out. The data have been compiled and submitted to Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The field data collection shows tiger occupancy in almost all areas of critical tiger habitat (CTH) of the MTR. The carnivore signs for tiger collected during the exercise indicate presence of tiger in 55 out of 87 beats of Gugamal Division and 63 out of 96 beats in Sipna Division. Official sources claim due to terrain, topography, density of the forests and biotic interference, sightings are difficult. But group patrolling, protection camps, sighting reports, captures by camera trap, cattle kill etc. are regularly carried out. Proper documentation is maintained at different levels and data collected show presence of 40-55 tigers.
However, in 2005-06, the monitoring had revealed that Melghat, part of the Satpuda landscape, has tiger presence in 1,828 sq km, and supports a population of 21-39 tigers. The tiger distribution in Melghat is contiguous with the population in Madhya Pradesh. The latest result shows that Melghat has come up silently.
Testing time for staff
The in-house exercise to count tiger, co-predators, prey and their habitat was a testing time for the forest guards and foresters of Melghat, who, for the first time, had to appear for an exam of 100 marks at Semadoh on the first day (January 27). "This was just to test the knowledge of the staff and had nothing to do with their appraisals," said field director A K Mishra.
The descriptive paper consisted of rights and duties of guards and foresters. Besides, there were objective type questions, fill in the blanks and match the following on issues like wildlife crime, monitoring, patrolling, forest fires, line transact method etc. This is perhaps for the first time that a test for field staff has been conducted. "It will refurbish the knowledge of the staff," felt Praveen Kumar Badge, deputy conservator of Sipna Division.
The in-house exercise, conducted from January 27 to 31, with the help of 400 staffers and around 25 volunteers in 230 beats of Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR), comprising Akot, Sipna and Gugamal Wildlife Divisions was testing time for the field staff.
This was revision of a similar exercise carried out all over India by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, between January 27 and February 3 last year.
Tigers have always remained elusive in MTR, fondly called the 'Kipling Country' and known for its mystifying landscape with high hills and deep valleys. Tourists in the past one year (December 2010 to January 2011) have reported just three tiger and five leopard sightings. Yet, clinching evidence of carnivores like pugmarks, scrape and scent marks, scats etc. show tigers and leopards are very much around. They are rarely spotted due to complex landscape and dense forest cover. Also, large areas are not accessible to tourists.
The officials' joy knew no bound when they received reports of direct sighting of leopard and two cubs and a tiger each in Semadoh and Chourakund forest ranges in the Sipna Wildlife Division.
"It is a good sign. For the past over two years, the field staff has been rigorously monitoring their respective areas and maintaining registers about sightings. This is helping us know of the animals' presence. For those who don't believe there are tigers in Melghat, we can present them the evidence. We have maintained complete transparency," said A K Mishra, field director & conservator of forests of MTR.
Apart from indirect evidence of leopards and tigers on pugmark impression pads (PIPs), direct sightings of herbivores like chitals and sambars were also reported from transact lines. There was also good evidence of bisons, porcupines, hyenas too. Melghat, where poor prey base is still an issue, even direct sightings of herbivores came as a good news for the staff.
Volunteers were disturbed to see cattle sharing territory with wild animals even in core area. "We saw cow dung and pellets of sambar on the same transact lines in Semadoh area, indicating that grazing was a big problem in Melghat," said Sandeep Dhahad, a volunteer from Nagpur.
Mishra admits grazing is the biggest threat in the reserve. "It has affected prey base in Melghat, but for the past two years, we have been tough on grazers. Offences against unauthorised grazers were brought down from 103 in 2008-09 to 36 in 2009-10.
"Tracking down signs and collecting evidence on transact lines on hillocks and river banks was not a child's play. At one point, we felt like giving up due to many ups and downs in the three-km transact. It came to traversing nearly 10 kms a day but it was also an exciting experience," said Smith Malkan and Adarsh, both students from Mumbai, who participated in the exercise for the first time.
"Our day started at 5.30 am and ended at 11.30 am. The transact lines were located two km away from Semadoh, where we were based. We saw pugmarks of two different tigers on both days in Jawaharkund area. A farmer also claimed to have seen a tiger near the periphery of the reserve," both added.
Some volunteers were disappointed at not sighting animals despite moving in core zone. Mishra explained, "Over 80% of the MTR is teak forest. Since December, the trees have been shedding leaves. You can see carpet of teak leaves everywhere. The rustling of leaves makes sightings difficult and also proves a hurdle in collecting evidence."
Despite 70% of the MTR field staff being above 50 years, the exercise went well as almost all participated seriously. Praveen Kumar Badge, deputy conservator of forests (DyCF), Sipna, says, "We have tightened screws on field staff that was in habit of absconding from duty without prior information. In the past two years, several surprise checks on protection huts have been conducted and erring employees have been punished. This has yielded results," he says.
IMP BOX
55 tigers in Melghat?
In 2010, the exercise of all India monitoring of tiger, co-predators, prey and their habitat, was carried out. The data have been compiled and submitted to Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The field data collection shows tiger occupancy in almost all areas of critical tiger habitat (CTH) of the MTR. The carnivore signs for tiger collected during the exercise indicate presence of tiger in 55 out of 87 beats of Gugamal Division and 63 out of 96 beats in Sipna Division. Official sources claim due to terrain, topography, density of the forests and biotic interference, sightings are difficult. But group patrolling, protection camps, sighting reports, captures by camera trap, cattle kill etc. are regularly carried out. Proper documentation is maintained at different levels and data collected show presence of 40-55 tigers.
However, in 2005-06, the monitoring had revealed that Melghat, part of the Satpuda landscape, has tiger presence in 1,828 sq km, and supports a population of 21-39 tigers. The tiger distribution in Melghat is contiguous with the population in Madhya Pradesh. The latest result shows that Melghat has come up silently.
Testing time for staff
The in-house exercise to count tiger, co-predators, prey and their habitat was a testing time for the forest guards and foresters of Melghat, who, for the first time, had to appear for an exam of 100 marks at Semadoh on the first day (January 27). "This was just to test the knowledge of the staff and had nothing to do with their appraisals," said field director A K Mishra.
The descriptive paper consisted of rights and duties of guards and foresters. Besides, there were objective type questions, fill in the blanks and match the following on issues like wildlife crime, monitoring, patrolling, forest fires, line transact method etc. This is perhaps for the first time that a test for field staff has been conducted. "It will refurbish the knowledge of the staff," felt Praveen Kumar Badge, deputy conservator of Sipna Division.
Divisional commissioner visits Tadoba to speed up relocation of villages
CHANDRAPUR: In a bid to give speed up relocation and rehabilitation of villages inside Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), divisional commissioner BV Gopal Reddy on Monday sanctioned several amenities for the villagers of Bhagwanpur. These people had been rehabilitated out of the tiger reserve a few years back. The new works would serve twofold motive of developing Bhagwanpur village and encouraging the remaining villages to move out of TATR.
Commissioner Reddy was here on Monday to review the status of relocating villages out of the tiger reserve as per the directives of the high court. After a marathon meeting with revenue and forest officials at the district collectorate, Reddy visited TATR and heard out the woes of villagers living inside the tiger reserve.
"He sanctioned series of amenities demanded by Bhagwanpur villagers and directed revenue and forest officials to see that they are executed in a time-bound manner. The villagers who were rehabilitated under pervious package of Rs 1 lakh, a few years back in Bhagwanpur, would get monetary incentive to compensate the loss. Also, several of their demands related to change of agricultural land, irrigation facilities, levelling and paddy-bunding of farms etc are going to the fulfilled," said CF, Chandrapur forest circle, GRK Rao, who is also project officer for the rehabilitation process.
Rao claimed that rehabilitated villagers would get incentive of Rs 47,000 each, as against the latest package of Rs 10 lakh per family of National Tiger Conservation Authority. He informed that the commissioner has approved 17 cases of change of agricultural land and directed levelling and paddy-bunding of around 30 hectares of land under National Employment Guarantee scheme in Bhagwanpur.
Moreover, the commissioner directed building of common irrigation well for small groups of farmers from Bhagwanpur under a scheme to improve irrigation facilities. Villagers were complaining since long about lack of irrigation from existing pond built for Bhagwanpur. "Common wells for small group of 7-8 farmers would help address their irrigation problem. All the works would be executed in time-bound manner," Rao added.
He further informed that commissioner agreed to relocate public health centre (PHC) from Kolsa village in TATR to the rehabilitated Bhagwanpur village, but maintained that health facilities at existing Kolsa village would continue. "A doctor would visit the village Kolsa thrice a week to provide health facilities. The commissioner has also directed revenue officials to forward a proposal seeking approval for gram panchayat status for Bhagwanpur to the government," he added. Officials have also been directed to see that Bhagwanpur villagers get ample work under employment guarantee scheme now onwards.
Rao further informed that the proposal of rehabilitating villages Jamni and Navegaon-Ramdegi under new Rs 10 lakh package has been already forwarded to the NTCA for final approval. The relocation process would be initiated after release of funds. Process for preparation of rehabilitation proposal of Palasgaon village is in the offing, he said.
"Earlier Palasgaon was scheduled to be relocated to village Bhagwanpur along with Botezari and Kolsa villages. But the entire Palasgaon village and some Kolsa villagers backed away from the rehabilitation process a few years back. Now, they have selected an alternate rehabilitation site at compartment no. 11 in Warora forest range. Soon after district collectorate approves the number of beneficiary families, a proposal for their rehabilitation would be forwarded to NTCA. The land acquired for Palasgaon villagers earlier at Bhagwanpur site would be surrendered to the government," said Rao.
Similarly, forest department has already acquired land to rehabilitate Rantalodhi villagers in compartment no. 186 of Saoli forest range, however after they backed away they were asked to select other options. As soon as they finalise the relocation site, their proposal also would be forwarded, said Rao.
Commissioner Reddy was here on Monday to review the status of relocating villages out of the tiger reserve as per the directives of the high court. After a marathon meeting with revenue and forest officials at the district collectorate, Reddy visited TATR and heard out the woes of villagers living inside the tiger reserve.
"He sanctioned series of amenities demanded by Bhagwanpur villagers and directed revenue and forest officials to see that they are executed in a time-bound manner. The villagers who were rehabilitated under pervious package of Rs 1 lakh, a few years back in Bhagwanpur, would get monetary incentive to compensate the loss. Also, several of their demands related to change of agricultural land, irrigation facilities, levelling and paddy-bunding of farms etc are going to the fulfilled," said CF, Chandrapur forest circle, GRK Rao, who is also project officer for the rehabilitation process.
Rao claimed that rehabilitated villagers would get incentive of Rs 47,000 each, as against the latest package of Rs 10 lakh per family of National Tiger Conservation Authority. He informed that the commissioner has approved 17 cases of change of agricultural land and directed levelling and paddy-bunding of around 30 hectares of land under National Employment Guarantee scheme in Bhagwanpur.
Moreover, the commissioner directed building of common irrigation well for small groups of farmers from Bhagwanpur under a scheme to improve irrigation facilities. Villagers were complaining since long about lack of irrigation from existing pond built for Bhagwanpur. "Common wells for small group of 7-8 farmers would help address their irrigation problem. All the works would be executed in time-bound manner," Rao added.
He further informed that commissioner agreed to relocate public health centre (PHC) from Kolsa village in TATR to the rehabilitated Bhagwanpur village, but maintained that health facilities at existing Kolsa village would continue. "A doctor would visit the village Kolsa thrice a week to provide health facilities. The commissioner has also directed revenue officials to forward a proposal seeking approval for gram panchayat status for Bhagwanpur to the government," he added. Officials have also been directed to see that Bhagwanpur villagers get ample work under employment guarantee scheme now onwards.
Rao further informed that the proposal of rehabilitating villages Jamni and Navegaon-Ramdegi under new Rs 10 lakh package has been already forwarded to the NTCA for final approval. The relocation process would be initiated after release of funds. Process for preparation of rehabilitation proposal of Palasgaon village is in the offing, he said.
"Earlier Palasgaon was scheduled to be relocated to village Bhagwanpur along with Botezari and Kolsa villages. But the entire Palasgaon village and some Kolsa villagers backed away from the rehabilitation process a few years back. Now, they have selected an alternate rehabilitation site at compartment no. 11 in Warora forest range. Soon after district collectorate approves the number of beneficiary families, a proposal for their rehabilitation would be forwarded to NTCA. The land acquired for Palasgaon villagers earlier at Bhagwanpur site would be surrendered to the government," said Rao.
Similarly, forest department has already acquired land to rehabilitate Rantalodhi villagers in compartment no. 186 of Saoli forest range, however after they backed away they were asked to select other options. As soon as they finalise the relocation site, their proposal also would be forwarded, said Rao.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Dead tiger surfaces' in Ranthambore
JAIPUR: Nearly four years after a tiger named Yuvraj' reportedly fell prey to the poachers at Ranthambore National Park, a controversy has surfaced with a few wildlife activists claiming that a tiger, T-21, is none other than Yuvraj itself. Now it has become a case of dead tiger walking, with forest officials refuting the theory and wildlife activists sticking to it.
The tiger in the middle of the controversy is the first male litter of
T-15, the Guda tigress. Yuvraj met an untimely end when it was allegedly poached in November 2007. Though the body of the tiger was never found, the forest department had initiated action against a few Mongiya tribals accusing them of poaching.
Now, three years after the alleged death of the Yuvraj, some wildlife activists have come up with the theory that a male tiger, T-21 in the park, is none other than Yuvraj itself. The theory is arrived at after activists compared the stripes on T-21 and tallied it with of Yuvraj, got from pictures taken in the past.
"The stripes on the bodies of a tiger are unique to it. No two tigers can have the same pattern of stripes on their body. I have been under this hunch that Yuvraj and T-21 could be the same tiger. Recently, some of my friends and I compared the stripes that were on Yuvraj and those on T-21 and found them to be the same," says conservation biologist Dharmendra Khandal of Tiger Watch.
"Actually Yuvraj was there in the past three years in Ranthambore and was never poached. Even the body of the tiger was never recovered despite the fact that a whole lot of people were trying to trace it," he added.
The revelation has also put a question mark on effective tracking of tigers at the park.
According to sources, Yuvraj and its sibling got separated from their mother, the Guda tigress, at the end of 2006. After staying together with its sibling for sometime, Yuvraj drifted out of the forests to Man Singh Sanctuary in 2007 mainly due to the presence of other dominant males in the park.
But, according to officials of the state forest department, Yuvraj was killed near a place called Lakheri, about 30 kms from the periphery of the park. At that time, nearly seven Mongiya poachers, including one called Bachu Mongya, were listed as accused. Eventually Bacchu died while his brothers Moolya Mogya and Sakrama Mogya still remain accused and are absconding. Yuvraj's sibling T-12 was recently shifted to the Sariska reserve.
"Ranthambore is an open park and unlike many other tiger reserves it gives scope for effective monitoring of tigers. What needs to be done is that each tiger here should be properly tracked and a record maintained," added Khandal.
When contacted, HM Bhatia, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan, assured to get the fact investigated. "I have no idea of it now but I will get it checked," he said.
The tiger in the middle of the controversy is the first male litter of
T-15, the Guda tigress. Yuvraj met an untimely end when it was allegedly poached in November 2007. Though the body of the tiger was never found, the forest department had initiated action against a few Mongiya tribals accusing them of poaching.
Now, three years after the alleged death of the Yuvraj, some wildlife activists have come up with the theory that a male tiger, T-21 in the park, is none other than Yuvraj itself. The theory is arrived at after activists compared the stripes on T-21 and tallied it with of Yuvraj, got from pictures taken in the past.
"The stripes on the bodies of a tiger are unique to it. No two tigers can have the same pattern of stripes on their body. I have been under this hunch that Yuvraj and T-21 could be the same tiger. Recently, some of my friends and I compared the stripes that were on Yuvraj and those on T-21 and found them to be the same," says conservation biologist Dharmendra Khandal of Tiger Watch.
"Actually Yuvraj was there in the past three years in Ranthambore and was never poached. Even the body of the tiger was never recovered despite the fact that a whole lot of people were trying to trace it," he added.
The revelation has also put a question mark on effective tracking of tigers at the park.
According to sources, Yuvraj and its sibling got separated from their mother, the Guda tigress, at the end of 2006. After staying together with its sibling for sometime, Yuvraj drifted out of the forests to Man Singh Sanctuary in 2007 mainly due to the presence of other dominant males in the park.
But, according to officials of the state forest department, Yuvraj was killed near a place called Lakheri, about 30 kms from the periphery of the park. At that time, nearly seven Mongiya poachers, including one called Bachu Mongya, were listed as accused. Eventually Bacchu died while his brothers Moolya Mogya and Sakrama Mogya still remain accused and are absconding. Yuvraj's sibling T-12 was recently shifted to the Sariska reserve.
"Ranthambore is an open park and unlike many other tiger reserves it gives scope for effective monitoring of tigers. What needs to be done is that each tiger here should be properly tracked and a record maintained," added Khandal.
When contacted, HM Bhatia, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan, assured to get the fact investigated. "I have no idea of it now but I will get it checked," he said.
Karnataka forest dept mulls over tiger reserve tag to Kudremukh
After the declaration of Biligiri Rangannabetta (BRT) as a tiger reserve by the state government, the forest department is now pinning its hopes on giving the same status to the Kudremukh National Park.
If it happens, not only will the state government be forced to clear off the mining companies that have occupied a part of the national park, but will also have to ensure that the area is well protected. Moreover, there will be no scope for any commercial activities in the premises in future.
The principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) BK Singh said they were mulling over the idea of getting the area declared as a tiger reserve.
It is a good habitat for tigers as during the last tiger census, over eight tigers were sighted directly, apart from the indirect evidences (scat, pug marks, etc.). The big cats have also been sighted in abandoned mining areas, which is a good sign. In order to make the plea stronger, help from experts and Wildlife Institute of India is also being sought.
This idea has raised a hope among experts who have been fighting a long battle to clear the mining companies from the site. In fact, it will then be the first and the biggest-ever green forest block, located at the centre of the Western Ghats to be declared as tiger reserve, in the state.
The proposal comes at a time when the on-going lobbying for the mining row has pressure building on the state government to permit mining and allow functioning of idle machinery at abandoned mining areas.
According to noted tiger scientist and director of Centre for Wildlife Studies, K Ullas Karanth, “It is a fantastic area that has been lying neglected. In 1986, while on a survey, I found it was the ideal habitat for the largest lion-tailed macaque, based on which, it was declared a national park in 1987. In the 16 sq km of abandoned mining area, vegetation has come up and of late tiger signs have also been seen. I have been suggesting this area be declared a tiger reserve, for a very long time.”
He added that Kudremukh is the largest block of rain forest adjoining Agumbe and Balur. It has a unique habitat of the Sholas, another one being Annamalai.
It is in the centre of the Western Ghats and is not far from Bhadra, Bandipur, Nagarhole, Anshi and Dandeli tiger reserves. It serves as a path for tiger movement and supports biodiversity. It’s the habitat of the great pied hornbill and lion-tailed macaque.
Kudremukh National Park is spread across 900 sqkm, but the greater Kudremukh area is spread across 1,000 sq km. About 37 sq km of national park area was used for mining. But a curative petition in the Supreme Court, in December 31, 2005, dismissed the plea of the mining firms to renew their lease and occupy the land.
Kudremukh was declared as a national park in 1987 and the lease for mining was issued from July 1969-1999. So when the area was notified and the lease was over, it was not renewed, but the company was granted temporary work permit for a year and later extended for another year.
Then a case was filed in the high court, following which the state government was asked to include all areas into the national park and protect it.
Wildlife First managing trustee Praveen Bhargav said despite the Supreme Court orders, the mining company is still in possession of land in an area which is declared as ecologically-sensitive as per the Godhaverman report.
Thus, it is now for the state government to decide and issue a declaration. Predominantly, tiger reserves comprise of dry, moist and semi-deciduous forests. So the idea is to bring in the best-ever green parts in the tiger reserve.
If it happens, not only will the state government be forced to clear off the mining companies that have occupied a part of the national park, but will also have to ensure that the area is well protected. Moreover, there will be no scope for any commercial activities in the premises in future.
The principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) BK Singh said they were mulling over the idea of getting the area declared as a tiger reserve.
It is a good habitat for tigers as during the last tiger census, over eight tigers were sighted directly, apart from the indirect evidences (scat, pug marks, etc.). The big cats have also been sighted in abandoned mining areas, which is a good sign. In order to make the plea stronger, help from experts and Wildlife Institute of India is also being sought.
This idea has raised a hope among experts who have been fighting a long battle to clear the mining companies from the site. In fact, it will then be the first and the biggest-ever green forest block, located at the centre of the Western Ghats to be declared as tiger reserve, in the state.
The proposal comes at a time when the on-going lobbying for the mining row has pressure building on the state government to permit mining and allow functioning of idle machinery at abandoned mining areas.
According to noted tiger scientist and director of Centre for Wildlife Studies, K Ullas Karanth, “It is a fantastic area that has been lying neglected. In 1986, while on a survey, I found it was the ideal habitat for the largest lion-tailed macaque, based on which, it was declared a national park in 1987. In the 16 sq km of abandoned mining area, vegetation has come up and of late tiger signs have also been seen. I have been suggesting this area be declared a tiger reserve, for a very long time.”
He added that Kudremukh is the largest block of rain forest adjoining Agumbe and Balur. It has a unique habitat of the Sholas, another one being Annamalai.
It is in the centre of the Western Ghats and is not far from Bhadra, Bandipur, Nagarhole, Anshi and Dandeli tiger reserves. It serves as a path for tiger movement and supports biodiversity. It’s the habitat of the great pied hornbill and lion-tailed macaque.
Kudremukh National Park is spread across 900 sqkm, but the greater Kudremukh area is spread across 1,000 sq km. About 37 sq km of national park area was used for mining. But a curative petition in the Supreme Court, in December 31, 2005, dismissed the plea of the mining firms to renew their lease and occupy the land.
Kudremukh was declared as a national park in 1987 and the lease for mining was issued from July 1969-1999. So when the area was notified and the lease was over, it was not renewed, but the company was granted temporary work permit for a year and later extended for another year.
Then a case was filed in the high court, following which the state government was asked to include all areas into the national park and protect it.
Wildlife First managing trustee Praveen Bhargav said despite the Supreme Court orders, the mining company is still in possession of land in an area which is declared as ecologically-sensitive as per the Godhaverman report.
Thus, it is now for the state government to decide and issue a declaration. Predominantly, tiger reserves comprise of dry, moist and semi-deciduous forests. So the idea is to bring in the best-ever green parts in the tiger reserve.
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