Tourist resorts near tiger reserves to pay 10% cess

Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times Resorts within five kilometers of tiger reserves will have to pay 10% cess even though tourists will not be allowed inside core critical tiger zones. The environment ministry is all set to inform Supreme Court this week that tourism activity inside core areas --- having 60 % of 1,706 Indian tigers, would be prohibited as per new guidelines. This is being done to make core areas inviolate (aloof) for tigers. The new guidelines based on a set of recommendations of a committee of experts of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) says that tourism will be allowed in fringe areas of tiger reserves through special safaris. “These safaris will be regulated by state forest departments,” a senior government official said. The guidelines had become imperative as various studies had suggested that inviolate areas of minimum 800-1,000 square kms is must if India wants to sustain tiger population of about 1,500 tigers. Also, studies have shown that human interference causes problems in breeding as happening in Sariska tiger reserve in Rajasthan. The exhaustive guidelines also prescribe a minimum cess of 10%, called conservation cess, on the total turnover of the tourist resorts around 41 tiger reserves in India. The government, however, did not agree to increasing the cess to 30 % as suggested by Tiger Task Force report of 2006. The money to be generated will have to be deposited in the account of tiger foundation and used for tiger conservation and welfare of people in and around tiger reserves. The guidelines also prescribe that the state governments could charge higher than 10 % of cess, if they want, depending on the local needs. With this money in hand, each tiger reserves will have to formulate eco-tourism development plan for providing employment avenues to locals. The guidelines also provide for a structure to monitor the use of funds generated though the cess at the reserve and the state government level. To further provide funds to tiger reserve, the government would be debarring sharing of entry ticket, which account for about 30 % of total budget of popular tiger reserve such as Corbett Tiger Reserve, with the revenue department of the state governments. The government has also proposed to impose restriction on construction of any kind around tiger reserves to protect the buffer zones, which house about 40 % of the 1,706 tigers in India. Incentives will be provided to close existing tourism resorts in the buffer zone, officials said. The Supreme Court last month had asked the NTCA to submit the proposed guidelines in a case related to banning tourism activity inside core areas in Madhya Pradesh. The next hearing of the case is slated for July.Tourist resorts near tiger reserves to pay 10% cess Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times New Delhi, May 16, 2012 Email to Author First Published: 19:42 IST(16/5/2012) Last Updated: 23:13 IST(16/5/2012) share share on facebookshare on linkedinshare on googleshare on emailmore... 0 Comments email print Resorts within five kilometers of tiger reserves will have to pay 10% cess even though tourists will not be allowed inside core critical tiger zones. The environment ministry is all set to inform Supreme Court this week that tourism activity inside core areas --- having 60 % of 1,706 Indian tigers, would be prohibited as per new guidelines. This is being done to make core areas inviolate (aloof) for tigers. The new guidelines based on a set of recommendations of a committee of experts of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) says that tourism will be allowed in fringe areas of tiger reserves through special safaris. “These safaris will be regulated by state forest departments,” a senior government official said. The guidelines had become imperative as various studies had suggested that inviolate areas of minimum 800-1,000 square kms is must if India wants to sustain tiger population of about 1,500 tigers. Also, studies have shown that human interference causes problems in breeding as happening in Sariska tiger reserve in Rajasthan. The exhaustive guidelines also prescribe a minimum cess of 10%, called conservation cess, on the total turnover of the tourist resorts around 41 tiger reserves in India. The government, however, did not agree to increasing the cess to 30 % as suggested by Tiger Task Force report of 2006. The money to be generated will have to be deposited in the account of tiger foundation and used for tiger conservation and welfare of people in and around tiger reserves. The guidelines also prescribe that the state governments could charge higher than 10 % of cess, if they want, depending on the local needs. With this money in hand, each tiger reserves will have to formulate eco-tourism development plan for providing employment avenues to locals. The guidelines also provide for a structure to monitor the use of funds generated though the cess at the reserve and the state government level. To further provide funds to tiger reserve, the government would be debarring sharing of entry ticket, which account for about 30 % of total budget of popular tiger reserve such as Corbett Tiger Reserve, with the revenue department of the state governments. The government has also proposed to impose restriction on construction of any kind around tiger reserves to protect the buffer zones, which house about 40 % of the 1,706 tigers in India. Incentives will be provided to close existing tourism resorts in the buffer zone, officials said. The Supreme Court last month had asked the NTCA to submit the proposed guidelines in a case related to banning tourism activity inside core areas in Madhya Pradesh. The next hearing of the case is slated for July. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Tourist-resorts-near-tiger-reserves-to-pay-10-cess/Article1-856837.aspx

Nations united against China, Vietnam ‘tiger medicine’

WEDNESDAY, 16 MAY 2012 23:59 PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | NEW DELHI China and Vietnam on Wednesday justified making of traditional medicines with bones and body parts of captive tigers, leading to a strong protest from participating countries at the ongoing three-day Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP). Both claimed that it was legal to make traditional medicines with bones of captive tigers and that these medicines are used for research purposes in its universities and schools. China also refused to come up with any concrete commitments to stop making of traditional medicines with tiger parts. According to sources, as signatories to the Global Tiger Initiative, both nations have been asked to tighten up anti-poaching measures. China, which claimed to have a wild tiger population of 40 to 50 cats, has four species of tigers - the Amur, South China, Indo-China and Royal Bengal. India, along with Nepal and Russia, shares top rank in big cat conservation among 13 tiger range countries. According to sources, India claimed to have not only spent $20 million in village relocation from tiger reserves, but has also recently added 2,594 sq km of tiger reserves, taking total area to above 50,000 sq km. The successful reintroduction of tigers in the wild at Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh has also added a new chapter in conservation. Taking cue from India’s success story, Russia too claimed to begin its reintroduction programme of tigers, Siberian tigers having become extinct from the country. It is carrying out habitat revival strategies with focus on increasing prey base. The population of snow leopards and sambars has shown an increase since the last global tiger meet. Nepal vied for top honours in tiger conservation for stepping up its anti-poaching measures. It claimed that not a single rhino or tiger had been poached during the past 14 months. The meeting also revealed major coordination lapses between the forest departments, NGOs, customs and the police departments in controlling wildlife crime. “It was discussed with dismay that the network of poachers worked with more coordinated approach than the protectors,” the gathering noted.http://dailypioneer.com/nation/65900-nations-united-against-china-vietnam-tiger-medicine.html

'Supari' on tigers: Poachers paid Rs.40 lakh for killing 25 big cats in Maharashtra

Madhya Pradesh's Baheliya community is known to trap and kill tigers. The Maharashtra government has issued a red alert after an intelligence input that tiger poachers have been paid an advance of Rs.40 lakh in order to kill 25 big cats. The poachers are apparently from Madhya Pradesh. There are 106 tigers in Maharashtra's tiger reserves and state forest department officials said that they face a threat from Madhya Pradesh's Baheliya community, which is known to trap and kill tigers. Immediately after getting the alert, Pravin Pardeshi, state principal secretary (forests), has issued a red alert, asking all forest personnel to keep an eye on tiger reserves and nature parks. Pardeshi has asked all forest officials to station more personnel and increase patrolling near watering holes and other places known to be frequented by tigers. The leave of all forest security guards has been cancelled till June 15. Not only that, in a bid to ensure the cooperation of tribals, a reward scheme has also been announced by Pardeshi. Under the scheme, anyone who gives information about metal traps laid out by poachers to capture the tigers would be paid Rs.5,000. Forest department officials have also been asked to ensure that besides traps, watering holes in the jungles are not used to poison the animals. The red alert and the state government's measures could not have come at a better time as in the last few days at least two tigers in Chandrapur have fallen prey to traps allegedly laid by Baheliya poachers. According to forest department officials, poachers had laid traps near a watering hole frequented by tigers in the Palasgaon range. One young male tiger was found dead after being snared in the trap and a tigress was found barely alive. Officials said that the entire watering hole was surrounded by metal traps and that one of the forest guards, who had gone to the area to set up camera traps to apprehend poachers, was himself caught in one of these traps. Baheliya gangs are involved in such activities because tiger skin fetches easily more than Rs.1 crore. There is high demand for a tiger's nails, hair, bones and teeth too. Most of the poachers are active in Sindhevahi, Mul, Nagibad, Brahmapuri and Chimur villages, which are in the buffer zone of Tadoba Tiger reserve. The poachers have it easy because the reserve lies on the border of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh from where they freely enter and exit after killing the tigers. Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tigers-poachers-killing-big-cats-maharashtra/1/189060.html http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tigers-poachers-killing-big-cats-maharashtra/1/189060.html

Tadoba Tiger Reserve to open new tourism route in buffer areas

By TBM Staff | Mumbai In a move that is sure to ease some tourist pressure from the near-saturated Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Maharashtra, the administration of TATR has decided to open a new route for tourists in its buffer areas. While safaris in the buffer areas will be cheaper than those inside the reserve, tourists can also enjoy some special perks which are not allowed inside the TATR on this new route. Tourism in the buffer area is being promoted with the sole objective of economical development of buffer villages and providing employment to local youths, according to a report by The Times of India. The new 14-km-long tourist route will begin from Navargaon Chauki and end at Jakana gate near Junona village in the buffer area. "Local eco-development committees of the Devada and Junona villages will shoulder the responsibility on this route. While gate fees will be charged, youths from the villages will also take up jobs as guides for the safaris. Modalities over the gate fees and timings of the safari are being finalised. Tourism in the buffer zone will start in the next 10 days," said P Kalyankumar, DCF, Forest Division, Chandrapur. The department has added a five-km patch of road to the existing nine-km tourist road. Three water holes fall along this route and the density of the forest and wildlife here is said to be as good as inside the tiger reserve. "Spillover tourists of TATR can be accommodated on this new buffer route," said Kalyankumar. There would be no restriction on the number of vehicles on this new route. Visitors can take the buffer ride from either Navargaon Chauki or Jakana gate. "Tourists can enjoy snacks and coffee at some specific points on the route. We even have plans of plying a mobile snack stall along the route, so that tourists can buy snacks midway if they want," he said. This new buffer route will be open to tourists even during the monsoon, when safaris inside the TATR are closed. Based upon experience gained from opening this new route, the forest department has plans to open two more routes in the buffer area soon. http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/tadoba-tiger-reserve-to-open-new-tourism-route-in-buffer-areas-16415

Solar powered waterholes help Nagzira wildlife

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 17, 2012, 12.56AM IST NAGPUR: In news these days for regular tiger sightings and success of Pitezari tents, Nagzira wildlife sanctuary has come up with another innovative move. It has powered artificial waterholes with solar energy. Nagzira, 125km from Nagpur in Gondia district, has become the first sanctuary in the state to make use of renewable energy sources. These waterholes are in Borewell Camp, Murpaar, Hattigodhra and Sivwar areas of the sanctuary. Though ambient temperatures are a scorching 44 deg Celsius, wild animals of Nagzira are lucky to get uninterrupted water in the artificial waterholes with solar energy driven pumps spewing water all day. "We went ahead with the idea initially suggested by high court judge Ambadas Joshi. Being the nodal agency, the project was implemented by Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA), Pune," said M S Reddy, conservator of forest (CF), Gondia wildlife division. Reddy said the advantage of the new system, installed a month ago, was that animals could drink water without disturbance. "Manual filling of waterholes consumes time and disturbs wildlife. Besides, it may result in tragedies like at Bor where a forest labourer was mauled by a tiger as he went to operate hand pump at a waterhole last month," he adds. Reddy explained the operation of new system during a recent visit to the park. He said a solar energy based one horsepower submersible pump has been fitted on a borewell and it pumps out 7,000 litres of water everyday. It requires no battery and hence there is no recurring cost. The pump is on during sunshine hours and idle during night. Groundwater recharges in the off period. It does not disturb the wildlife as there is no sound. The system has cut down the cost of filling artificial waterholes as no manpower or tanker is needed to fill up the waterholes. It keeps supplying water consistently through the day. "Once the saucer shape waterhole is filled up, some amount of excess water spills over and creates a marshy area for herbivores to wallow. The grass coming up due to spread of wetness in the area also attracts chitals and sambars," Reddy said. Due to cooling effect in micro climate, sightings of insect fauna and birds have improved in the area. The management is now collecting data on number of wild animals sightings at the waterholes after erecting new system. "We have installed the system at waterholes near the protection camps for safety of solar panels. After studying the impact, we may decide to increase their number," Reddy stated. Solar waterholes * System costs Rs 2,51,650 each and is on a rate contract of Maharashtra Energy Development Agency * If it is fitted to a borewell situated at some height, an underground pipeline system can supply water to five saucer-shaped waterholes up to 3km away * The experiment is being conducted in New Nagzira sanctuary http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Solar-powered-waterholes-help-Nagzira-wildlife/articleshow/13177887.cms

There were 32 tiger deaths this year: Jayanthi Natarajan

As many as 32 tigers have died this year, even as latest official data showed an increase in the population estimates of the big cats. Of these, 18 were natural deaths, Environment and Forests Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said. Expressing concern over the endangered status of the tiger the world over, Ms. Natarajan on Tuesday said the Ministry was looking into the reasons for the deaths. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the first stocktaking meeting of the Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP), Ms. Natarajan said poaching was one of the reasons. Other reasons include man-animal conflict. New forest reserves Delivering the keynote address at the meet, she spoke about the establishment of new forest reserves to ensure a safe habitat for tigers. “We are in the process of establishing more tiger reserves. Based on 2010 assessment, a new tiger reserve — the Kawal Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh — has been constituted. In-principle approval has been accorded for declaring the Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu as a tiger reserve,” she said. The government had launched the fourth phase of ‘Reserve Level Monitoring' to study the big cats' population and habitat on an annual basis. Almost one per cent of country's geographical area was conserved for tigers as their core/critical habitat. “India's commitment for saving the tiger is well-known. Wild tigers thrive in 17 of our States. We have the maximum number of tigers. ‘Project Tiger' was launched in 1973 with nine tiger reserves. Today, the coverage has increased to 41 reserves spread over all the 17 States,” she said. “The wild tiger continues to remain endangered the world over. Threats to the wild tiger and its habitat are due to several factors like poaching, illegal trade catering to a demand for the body parts and derivatives of the tiger, loss of habitat due to extractive industries, infrastructure and revenge killings,” she said. Adaptive management Ms. Natarajan favoured adaptive management to tackle country- and area-specific issues related to tiger conservation. Last year, the government increased its allocation up to Rs. 1,216.86 crore, especially to support the States for securing inviolate space for tigers, she said. The tiger reserves had been directed to raise a Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF); several new technologies were being used to safeguard the animal. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3423084.ece

Sariska villagers protest relocation

Jaipur: Hundreds of people Tuesday blocked the main entrance of the Sariska tiger sanctuary in Rajasthan's Alwar district, protesting relocation of their villages falling within the reserve, officials said. The protestors did not allow the forest department officials to open the gates of the tiger reserve, leaving many tourists stranded and forcing hundreds of others to cancel their hotel and travel bookings. It is the second agitation by the villagers in the past two months. They had staged a week-long sit-in near the reserve in March. "The villagers are saying that the forest department had promised to meet some of their demands after the previous agitation. However, they say the demands were not fulfilled," a police officer told IANS. Sariska has about 28 villages which fall in the critical tiger area and need to be relocated to improve the habitat. People living in these villages mostly belong to pastoral tribes. There are about five tigers in the sanctuary at present and the forest department is planning to shift one more from Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district. During 2004-05, the forest department and the state government faced all-round criticism over the disappearance of tigers from Sariska, once a tigers' den. A report produced in March 2005 by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that there were no tigers left in the Sariska reserve at all. Poaching was found to have wiped out the tigers from their once well known habitat. IANS http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/sariska-villagers-protest-relocation_775607.html

Suspicious visitor turns out to be ex-sarpanch

TNN | May 16, 2012, 02.35AM IST CHANDRAPUR: The high alert declared following alleged intrusion of two turbaned persons inside Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve on Monday has reportedly turned out to be a false alarm. The accused identified as Kamaljeet Singh and his aide was picked up during wee hours of Tuesday from Wahangaon village in Chimur tehsil. Forest officials had detained him on Tuesday for questioning. He was detained aty the TAAR Primary investigations have revealed that Kamaljeet is ex-sarpanch of Wahangaon and had no malicious intension in visiting TATR. Panic button was pressed and high alert was declared in TATR and nearby areas after some NGO activists visiting tiger reserve filed a complaint claiming suspicious movement of two bike-borne turbaned persons in Pandharpauni area on Monday morning. Kamaljeet had sought entry into TATR with his in-law Bhupendra Singh to visit Vitthal Masram in Palasgaon inside the tiger reserve in the afternoon. However, a tourist connected to an NGO intercepted them in Pandharpauni area. He first complained to the local forest guard, who in turn searched Kamaljeet and his aide, but couldn't find anything suspicious. Later the guard called the Khatoda gate and asked whether Kamaljeet has been authorized to enter the tiger reserve. After the gate keeper confirmed Kamaljeet having registered his name as visitor, he allowed him to leave. The accused duo exited the tiger reserve from Navegaon gate. Not satisfied, the complainant tourist filed a complaint at Moharli gate, while leaving the tiger reserve. Senior forest officers, who are taking no risk since Palasgaon tiger poaching incident, moved into action on receipt of the complaint. Immediately an alert was declared and search operations were launched to trace Kamaljeet and his aide with the help of police. Forest officials took the statements of complainant tourist and the forest guard who interacted with Kamaljeet. Even the entire Pandharpauni area was searched for jaw traps suspecting the move as poaching attempt during the night. By late night, whereabouts of Kamaljeet was traced to Wahangaon falling under Shegaon police station. A team of foresters from TATR picked Kamaljeet Singh and his aide, reportedly identified as Bhupendra Singh, and took them into their custody during wee hours of Tuesday. It is learnt that Kamaljeet Singh is ex-sarpanch and ex-president of tanta mukti samiti of village and has close connections with local MLA. However, he had been reported to be involved in some forest related crimes few years back. CCF of TATR Vinaykumar Sinha and other officials could not be reached on phone for their comment on matter. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Suspicious-visitor-turns-out-to-be-ex-sarpanch/articleshow/13157874.cms

Red alert in Maharashtra as poachers get order for 25 tigers

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 16, 2012, 01.44AM IST NAGPUR: With tiger poachers from the Bahelia community of Katni in Madhya Pradesh planning to strike it rich in Maharashtra, specially in Vidarbha region, the state government has sounded a red alert. "Intelligence reports say that Bahelia gangs have been ordered to kill 25 tigers for their skins. These gangs have also been paid an advance of Rs 40 lakh," Praveen Pardeshi, state principal secretary (forests), told TOI. Until last year, in international markets, a tiger skin would fetch $20,000, which is over a crore of rupees at today's rates. Their body parts like nails, hair, bones are sold at the rate of $1200 per kg which converts to about Rs 6.50 lakhs. Bahelias are known for killing tigers with the help of metal traps. Experts say members from this community simultaneously operate at multiple locations at a given time anywhere in the country and are ruthless in their approach. Interestingly, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau's (WCCB) headquarter in Delhi, which should be playing a proactive role in such matters, is unaware about the alert. M Maranko, WCCB's regional deputy director based in Mumbai, said the regional office is not empowered to issue such alerts but admitted that bureau's Delhi officials are investigating the tiger poaching case that occurred on April 26 in Palasgaon on the periphery of the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve ( TATR) in Chandrapur district. On the contrary, SB Negi, the joint director of WCCB said from Delhi that no alert has been sounded from "our office". "If the state government seeks help we are ready to probe the case," Negi said. This brings to fore the indifferent attitude of the WCCB towards poaching of tigers. Meanwhile, Pardeshi has put on alert all the territorial and wildlife wing officials in the state directing them to monitor all water holes daily. He has also asked them to take help of volunteers and wildlife buffs. The range forest officers (RFOs) have been asked to meet all police patils and joint forest management committee (JFMC) members in fringe villages of forests to seek information. Forest officials have also been asked to display posters in every village in Chandrapur district announcing awards of Rs 5,000 to anyone giving information leading to seizure of steel traps and poisoning. Officials have been told to move in autorickshaws to different villages to publicize the award campaign. In another stringent move, forest guards and foresters have been directed not to go on leave till June 15. The additional principal chief conservators of forests (APCCF) have been asked to obtain daily visit and digital image of guards visiting all catalogued water holes that are to be maintained. Poaching activity has been at its peak during the past three years. Since 2008, at least half a dozen tigresses have gone missing from the Tadoba landscape, leaving cubs orphaned and destined to a life in cages. Some cubs died due to hunger as they were unable to hunt. The Amravati-based Satpuda Foundation had in 2008 urged the state government to track movements of Bahelias around tiger habitats in Vidarbha but no action was taken by both police and forest departments. "The wildlife wing should use past wildlife crime data base to design an effective strategy to nail the culprits and also avoid repeat of such incidents in the future," said Kishor Rithe, member of the National Board for Wild Life (NBWL). http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Red-alert-in-Maharashtra-as-poachers-get-order-for-25-tigers/articleshow/13157456.cms

Forrest officials beaten up by mining mafia in Ranthambore

TNN | May 16, 2012, 02.35AM IST JAIPUR: At a time when the state has embarked on a special campaign against illegal mining in the state, there is little that is stopping the mafia from going ahead with their activities even in a sacrosanct place like Ranthambore tiger reserve. The government has undertaken a two-month special drive against illegal mining in the state from April 23. A forest ranger and a forester were recently beaten up by the illegal mining mafia in the core area of the reserve. The duo were halted by a group of villagers and beaten with sticks. They somehow managed to come out of the clutches of the mafia. According to sources, Baler range officer Rajendra Singh Chaudhary and forester Bhratlal Verma visited the area after receiving a tip off on illegal mining activities. "After reaching the area they found rampant illegal mining in the zone. The area is part of the reserve and falls in the critical tiger habitat. The officers seized two tractors that had been laden with stones and were on their way through the highway when they were halted by a group of villagers," said the sources. "The villagers blocked their way with the help of three bikes and tractors. Thereafter, the officers were beaten with sticks and their uniforms were torn. The officers received injuries in their shoulder and arms and the two seized tractors were taken away from their possession," one of the sources added. An FIR has been lodged in this regard at the Bhairanda Kala police station. When contacted, officers of the forest department confirmed the incident. However, they said that mining activities have been stopped at the reserve. "We have put an end to all mining activities in the reserve with the help of police and the district administration but sometimes these kinds of activities do take place and we are helpless," they said. Illegal mining in and around the reserve has been a menace for the forest and the tiger populace in it. Areas such as Uliyana, Badhlav, Mohanpur Padli, Vasso, Bhuri Pahadi, Sukhwas Chhan, Sanwata and Bhernwanda Khurd, located in the core area of the reserve, used to be at the centre of such activities in the past. According to conservation biologist Dharmendra Khandal of Tiger Watch, "The Baler range is very important for future tiger population in Ranthambhore. If we want the existing cubs to survive we have to support the forest staff and motivate them to work fearlessly on ground." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Forrest-officials-beaten-up-by-mining-mafia-in-Ranthambore/articleshow/13157871.cms

Maha mulls involving locals to avoid tiger-human conflict in

PTI | 02:05 PM,May 15,2012 buffer zones Mumbai, May 15 (PTI) With an intention to avoid tiger-human conflict in buffer zones outside tiger reserves, the Maharashtra government has decided to involve locals in having a positive stake in wildlife conservation. Officials in the Forest department said because of the spillover of tigers outside the reserves, the government wants to cut down involvement of poachers. "Many times poachers are helped by locals," sources said. There are about 100 tigers outside the reserves without protection and efforts are on to give ownership of the Tiger reserves to the locals. "Villagers in Tadoba run the eco tourist routes. The guards and guide should be appointed from among the locals and the tourists pay the fees directly to them. The fees of local youth working as a tourist guide have been hiked from Rs 100 to Rs 200," sources said. The 79 villages in the buffer zone around tiger reserves in the state are being provided 75 per cent subsidised cooking and biogas for two years. "About 80-90 per cent of the families use fuel, wood. There are about 2,000 families in the 79 villages in Tadoba buffer zone," officials said. Sources said villagers are being encouraged to get their cattle stall-fed instead of leaving them for grazing outside the park. Similarly, compensation for cattle kills is being hiked. http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/maha-mulls-involving-locals-to-avoid-tigerhuman-conflict-in/998785.html

Over thirty tigers dead in more than four months: Govt

PTI | 05:05 PM,May 15,2012 New Delhi, May 15 (PTI) Notwithstanding efforts by the government to conserve tigers, as many as 32 big cats have died in the country in the last over four months, even as the latest official data showed an increasing trend in the national animals population estimates. Expressing concern over the endangered status of the tiger all over the world, Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan today said as many as 32 tigers have died this year out of which 18 were natural deaths. "A total of 32 tigers have died this year. 18 were natural deaths and we are constantly looking into the reasons for it," Natarajan told reporters on the sidelines of First Stocktaking Meeting of Global Tiger Recovery Programs (GTRP). She was asked about the number of national animals which died or were killed by poachers this year. Meanwhile, in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister informed a total of 14 tigers were poached till May 2012. "Poaching is one of the reasons. Other reasons such as man-animal conflict, we are already addressing those issues," she told reporters. Informing the House on the increasing trend of tiger population, she said, "The tiger population has shown an increasing trend with a population estimate of 1706, as compared to the last country level estimation in 2006, with an estimate of 1411." Delivering her key note address in the first stocktaking meeting of GRTP, Natarajan also spoke about the new forest reserves being established by the government to ensure a safe habitat for the tiger. "We are in the process of establishing more tiger reserves. Based on 2010 assessment, a new tiger reserve-Kawal Tiger Reserve at Andhra Pradesh- has been constituted. Further, in-principle approval has been accorded for declaring the Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu as a tiger reserve," she said. http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/over-thirty-tigers-dead-in-more-than-four-months-govt/998895.html

On the scent of a tiger

May 15, 2012, DHNS: WILDLIFE The Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary has good prey density and could serve as the next tiger reserve in Karnataka. A team of experts has found several prey species,scats, pug marks and other indications of tigers in the sanctuary, reports Subhash Chandra N S With the State Forest Department worried about the safety of the spillover population of Nagarhole’s tigers, the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary adjacent to it seems to be the answer to the problems at Nagarhole. Though smaller, the Brahmagiri sanctuary has a sizeable population of big cats. With good prey density, it is now tipped to be another tiger reserve in the State. The Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve is at the foothills of the Western Ghats and spreads towards the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Kodagu district, closer to the Kerala border. Located in the Western Ghats, the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary spreads over 181 sq km with two ranges, the Srimangala and Makoota Wildlife Range. Spread over 129 sq km of dense forest, Srimangala is the largest range with rich wildlife and the potential to become another tiger reserve in the State. The Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is connected to Aralum Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala along the southern border, while the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is on the south. The wildlife sanctuary has reported frequent tiger sightings, direct and indirect. It is presently believed to be home to five-six tigers. The evergreen region has a good prey density with a sizeable population of sambar, the tiger’s favourite food. Camera traps in the forest range also point to the presence of tigers in the sanctuary. According to Range Forest Officer Srinivasa Nayak, a camera obtained from the Indian Institute of Science was installed in the Srimangala Wildlife Range in January this year, when a tiger from the Nagarhole National Park strayed out. “We were able to camera trap two tigers,” he said. Nayak, entrusted with the task of tracking the tiger that strayed out of the Nagarhole National Park, says he could not track the tiger using a camera trap. He then requested his higher-ups to shift the camera to his range, which led to the surprising discovery. Apart from tigers, the camera has also captured leopard, endangered Nilgiri martin, mouse deer and barking deer. The region, according to former dean of Wildlife Institute of India A J T John Singh, is also home to Nilgiri langur and lion-tailed macaque. Tracking the tiger A team of experts comprising former principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden (PCCF) B K Singh, John Singh and others, found several prey species and scats, pug marks and other marks of tigers in the sanctuary. According to B K Singh, “The forest range is a good habitat with flora that helps the survival of herbivores, which, in turn supports bigger carnivores like leopards and tigers. It can definitely be a future hub for tiger conservation.” According to wildlife expert Sanjay Gubbi, Brahmagiri is an evergreen habitat interspersed with grasslands and has potential to hold good densities of prey and predators. “It holds good numbers of gaur and sambar, the principal prey for tigers in the area. It is part of the larger forest complex and is connected to Nagarhole Tiger Reserve through Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Tirunelli and Hilldale Reserved Forests in Kerala,” he said. Pointing out that the postmortem conducted following complaints of cattle lifting and killing also establishes the presence of a sizeable population of tigers, he says, “When everyone talks of source-sink tiger populations, it is important to ensure connectivity between these sites. A classic example is the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve and Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. Though Brahmagiri has all the characteristics to act as an excellent sink site and also provide connectivity to other protected areas to its north, an important point has to be first tackled. The small gap between Nagarhole and Brahmagiri has to be connected.” Former PCCF Singh adds, “There are two coffee estates - Huvinakadu and Faith coffee estates - on the eastern parts of the sanctuary. Experts and NGOs are suggesting to us to acquire them to provide contiguity. The south-eastern border of the sanctuary has the Tholapatti range of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary; on the east, it is connected to Mysore Elephant Reserve and on the west, it is connected to Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and Pushapgiri Wildlife Sanctuary. Building this connectivity will ensure that tigers, elephants and other animals are connected to northern Western Ghats in Karnataka. If this critical issue is not addressed now, the forests of the Western Ghats will be permanently disconnected. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/249403/on-scent-tiger.html

New tourism route in Tadoba buffer soon

Mazhar Ali, TNN | May 15, 2012, 01.21AM IST CHANDRAPUR: In a move that is sure to ease some tourist pressure from the near-saturated Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), the buffer administration of TATR has decided to open a new route for tourists in the buffer area which has a good density of wildlife and scenic beauty. While safari in the buffer area will be cheaper than that inside TATR, tourists can also enjoy some special perks which are not allowed inside the tiger reserve on this new route. Tourism in the buffer area is being promoted with the sole objective of economical development of buffer villages and providing employment to local youths. The new 14-km-long tourist route will begin from Navargaon Chauki and end at Jakana gate near Junona village in the buffer area. "Local eco-development committees of Devada and Junona village will shoulder the responsibility of tourism on this route. While they will charge the gate fees from tourists, youths from the villages will take up the job of guides for the safari. Modalities over the gate fees and timings of the safari are being finalized. Tourism in the buffer zone would start in the next 10 days," said Chandrapur forest division DCF P Kalyankumar. The forest department has added a five-km patch of road to the existing nine-km road on this exclusive tourist road. Three water holes fall along this route whose forest and wildlife density is as good as that inside the tiger reserve. "Spillover tourists of TATR could be accommodated on this new buffer route. While the forest along the route has good scenic beauty, tourists can even spot a tiger and other wild animals in the buffer zone," said Kalyankumar. There would be no restriction on the number of vehicles on this new route. Visitors can take the buffer ride from either points at Navargaon Chauki or Jakana gate. "Tourists can enjoy snacks and coffee at some specific points on the route. We even have plans of plying a mobile snack stall along the route, so that tourists can buy snacks midway if they want," he said. This new buffer route will be open for the tourists even during the monsoon, when safari inside the TATR is closed. Based upon the experience gained from opening of this new route, the forest department has plans of opening two more tourists routes in the buffer area soon. Now, enjoy wildlife from machan The forest department is going to add a new feature of machan tourism to the wildlife tourism in the buffer area of TATR. Machan tourism will be taken up in Agarzari forest, located along the banks of Irai dam in the buffer area. The eco-development committee of Agarzari will shoulder the responsibility of machan tourism. "We have identified four machans in the dense jungle along the bank of Irai dam for the activity. Guides from Agarzari village will take tourists to the machans in the morning and stay with them for the specified time slot. Initially, machan tourism will be taken up during day time. Based upon its outcome and response of tourists, we may consider machan tourism during the night in the future," said DCF Kalyankumar. Tourist guides from the village are being trained in identification of birds which come in a large number to the dam. Being a perennial source of water for the entire wildlife population in the area, tigers and leopards also visit the Irai reservoir. Apart from the fun of staying on machan in vicinity of wildlife, tourist will have the additional pleasure of around 15-km-long ride up to the machans through the thick jungle. Formalities for launching machan tourism are in the final stages and this new tourist attraction is likely to begin in next 10 days, said Kalyankumar. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/New-tourism-route-in-Tadoba-buffer-soon/articleshow/13141632.cms

Sathyamangalam to house fourth tiger reserve in State

The Hindu The image of a tiger captured in the monitoring cameras installed in Sathyamangalam forests in Erode district. File photo “A forest research centre will be established at Vandalur Arignar Anna Zoological Park” Sathyamangalam will be the State's fourth tiger reserve with the government promising to create a new reserve for the big cats spread over 1.40 lakh hectares from the present sanctuary limits. Replying to the discussion on the demands for grants for the Forest Department, Minister K.T. Pachamal said that the government notified 1,41,161 hectares of reserve forests in Sathyamangalam as a wildlife sanctuary in August 2011. To protect the sanctuary and the tiger habitat, it decided to create the fourth tiger reserve on 1,40,924 hectares through notification. The State has three tiger reserves in Mudumalai, Anaimalai and Kalakad-Mundanthurai. The tiger count in the State at present is 163 and the number is steadily going up in the Sathyamangalam reserve forests. A forest research centre would be established at Vandalur Arignar Anna Zoological Park at a cost of Rs.34.24 crore with the State's own funds. This would be expanded with financial assistance from the Centre and upgraded to a Rs.74.37 crore research facility. A butterfly park would be created near Srirangam at a cost of Rs.8.67 crore on a 10 hectares in the Upper Anicut reserve forest. To prevent man-animal conflict, Rs.10 crore would be spent in seven districts this year from the allotted Rs.44.13 crore for four years beginning this fiscal. The Chief Minister had given consent for new legislation to prevent the felling of trees in non-forest areas, including government lands such as roadsides. A committee would be formed to ensure that ten trees were planted for every tree cut. http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article3419287.ece

99 tigers sighted in a single day in Maharashtra

Pradip Kumar Maitra, Hindustan Times Nagpur, May 14, 2012 Here’s some good news for wildlife lovers! At least 99 tigers and 96 leopards were sighting during the nightlong machan (waterhole) census in just one day at different tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries, including the famed Tadoba, Melghat and Pench in Maharashtra. The census was done on May 6, which was a full moon night. According to the state wildlife wing, apart from big cats, a number of rare species such as pangolin and mouse deer were also sighted. "If 99 tiger were sighted in just a day in protected forest areas, it indicates that the tiger population in the state would be over 200," claims Kishore Mishrikotkar, assistant conservator of forests (Wildlife). During the census, 634 wild dogs, 621 bears, 43 jackals, 153 wolves, 19 foxes, 2444 bisons, 14 bears and other wild animals were also sighted. The census was carried out only in 6 national parks (four of these are tiger reserves) and 37 wildlife sanctuaries. However, the wildlife wing could not carry out the census in Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Chaprala sanctuary in Gadchiroli because of naxalite problem. The waterhole machan census technique is widely used to count animals when they visit waterholes. This technique is used when water sources are not numerous and widely scattered in the area. The best time to conduct a waterhole census is at the height of the dry season when water is a limiting factor. And that was the reason to conduct it during summer, in May this year. The state wildlife warden and principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF)-Wildlife, SWH Naqvi, informed that 45 big cats had been sighted in Tadoba in Chandrapur district and 22 tigers were spotted in Melghat tiger reserve in Amravati in a single day. However, not a single tiger was sighted in Navegaon National Park in Bhandara. But as many as seven tigers and an equal number of leopards were sighted in the neighbouring Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary in Gondia district. Naqvi said that the daylong census was carried out only in protected forest areas. Maharashtra’s forest cover is 50,650 sq kms which is 16.46% of the total geographical area of the state. The state has 8,739 sq km of very dense forest while the area under moderately dense forest is 20,834 sq km and open forest in the state amounts to 21,077 sq kms. The Maharashtra has six national parks and 40 wildlife sanctuaries. These protected forest areas constitute around 2.5% of the total geographical area of the state and 15% of the forest cover in Maharashtra. And the recent wildlife census was carried out only in protected forest area. The tiger population in the state has increased considerably of late, thanks to better forest and wildlife management. The population of the big cat has gone up from 103 in 2006 census to 169 in 2010 census. Wildlife experts estimate that the tiger population has now touched 200 figure in the state. The number of tigers in Tadoba tiger reserve has risen from 53 to 69 as compared to the last census. Tadoba has probably become the first tiger reserve in the country to spot as many as 32 tiger cubs since January 2010. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Maharashtra/99-tigers-sighted-in-a-single-day-in-Maharashtra/Article1-855629.aspx

Goa mulls tiger reserve status for Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

Last Updated: Friday, May 11, 2012, 10:57 0 Tags: Goa, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Tiger Panaji: Goa's BJP-led Government may push ahead with a proposal to declare Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and its adjoining areas as a tiger reserve, a move which if implemented will help in curbing mining in forest areas. State Forest Department is in talks with a local environmentalist, Nirmal Kulkarni, and NGOs associated with Ranathambore Tiger Reserve to collect data to establish presence of tigers in the sanctuary spread over 208.48 km. "The data will be collected through camera-traps, images and indirect evidences like tiger scat and their pug marks," Chief Wildlife Warden Richard D'Souza said. The sanctuary, located in North-Eastern Goa, is a continuous corridor for tigers, who usually walk into the region from neighbouring Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve in Karnataka and also Maharashtra's Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. D'Souza claimed that providing tiger reserve status to Mhadei will not be a difficult task, but it will require rehabilitation of the villagers living within the sanctuary. As per Government estimates, 28 hamlets are located inside the sanctuary, carved out to protect wroughton's free- tailed bat, which is on the brink of extinction. The latest survey by Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has established the presence of tigers over 322 sq km covering six wildlife sanctuaries in the coastal state. The survey was conducted by WII with the help of 60 officers and personnel of Goa Forest Department. "Goa can potentially be home to a small breeding population of tigers which would be sustained by immigrants from Anshi-Dandeli as well as Sahyadri," WII said in a report to the Government. Tiger reserve status to wildlife sanctuaries will go a long way in curbing mining menace which has gripped the forest areas of Goa, activists have said. Government records indicate that there are 44 active mines in the vicinity of wildlife sanctuaries. Moreover, 34 mining leases exist within the sanctuaries. PTI

Palasgaon tiger stable but not out of danger

TNN | May 11, 2012, 05.51AM IST NAGPUR: The Palasgaon tiger, which suffered injuries on its left paw and subsequent internal complications after getting entangled in a metal trap laid by poachers, has shown a slight improvement. However, vets treating it admit that it would be a big achievement to save the tiger. "Although the health parameters show some improvement and condition of the tiger has not deteriorated further, I still feel it is not out of danger," Dr NP Dakshinkar, the professor & head of department of medicine at the Nagpur Veterinary College, told TOI. On Thursday, a team of doctors including dean Dr A Samad, Dr Dakshinkar, Dr Gautam Bhojne, and forest officials including A K Saxena, additional PCCF (wildlife), Nagpur, East, ACF Kishore Mishrikotkar and honorary district wildlife warden Kundan Hate checked on the ailing tiger at the Seminary Hills nursery. It has been under treatment ever since it was brought here on April 28. The poaching incident happened on two days earlier. One tiger died and a third escaped the traps that were cleverly set at a waterhole on the outskirts of the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. Dr Dakshinkar said although the tiger has not come out of the acute renal failure, there is definitely some improvement as toxic wastes are passing out. The tiger's liver functioning is absolutely normal and this possibly resulted in its improved appetite. "The animal consumed 2.5kg meat on Thursday, which is a good sign. The urea-creatinine levels are still high but show a declining trend," Dr Dakshinkar said. Looking into the tiger's improved condition, the vets have stopped administering IV fluids and as a change of strategy, are resorting to minimum medication. "If the need is felt, the fluids will be administered again," said Dr Dakshinkar. The vets are leaving no stone unturned to see that the tiger comes out of bad health. Sources said utmost care is being taken during the treatment. "On Thursday, it took three hours to put a plaster on the injured left paw of the animal," said sources. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Palasgaon-tiger-stable-but-not-out-of-danger/articleshow/13089388.cms

Irritated by cattle loss, villagers try to take on tiger

TNN | May 11, 2012, 05.52AM IST CHANDRAPUR: Panic stricken villagers of Tekadi, located on the border of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, on Thursday morning tried to tackle a full grown tiger on their own. Aggrieved by the loss of their cattle killed by tigers, a group of villagers rushed to a tiger and tried to drive away the beast from the kill. However, timely intervention of local forest officers prevented any untoward incident. A tiger from TATR killed a bullock on the bank of Irai river close to Tekadi village on Wednesday night. The beast then dragged its kill to thick shrubs and devoured over it. After villagers learnt about the incident tension gripped the village. Twelve villagers went out in search of the kill and found the tiger sitting over it. "Even as small mob had gathered around, the tiger continued to devour its kill. Some people even tried to drive the beast away. But, team of foresters reached the spot in time and pacified the villagers," sources in forest department said. RFO Rautkar pacified the villagers. Later a rapid response team from Chandrapur forest division and police squad from Bhadrawati was also rushed to the spot. Through public address system the villagers were asked to go back to the village and the tiger was driven back into jungle by making 'haka' (din). "Tiger is safe and we have made all arrangements for its protection. The villagers might have dared to go close to tiger out of fear sycosis, however no untoward incident took place," said DCF, Chandrapur forest division, P Kalyankumar. He suspected that tiger could have came for water in Irai river and killed the cattle that was present at the water body. RFO Rautkar claimed that they have made all arrangements for monitoring the tiger's movement. "The cattle kill is on the same place. We have mounted four camera traps around the kill to monitor the tiger. A machan has also been built close to the spot to keep a watch over the tiger," he said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Irritated-by-cattle-loss-villagers-try-to-take-on-tiger/articleshow/13089407.cms

7 tigers spotted at Nagzira, none at Navegaon during census

TNN | May 11, 2012, 05.54AM IST Bhandara: There is mixed news for wildlife lovers, as a number of tigers were sighted in Nagzira tiger sanctuary while not a single tiger was seen at Navegaon Bandh national park during the recent machan census. Forest officials assured though that there are tigers in the national park, but they might not have visited waterholes during the census. Assistant conservator of forest (Nagzira) Ramesh Saraf said that during the water hole census in Nagzira tiger sanctuary on May 6, volunteers and staff sighted 7 tigers, 7 leopards, 196 wild dogs, 45 sloth bear, 712 sambar, 476 bison, 1,177 chital. The waterhole census begun on May 6 and concluded 24 hours later, with 84 wild life lovers and NGO representatives, including 15 ladies, participated in the census. These people came from as far away as Amravati, Akola, Akot, Pune, Nagpur and Bhandara. Census was also conducted in Navegaon Bandh national park on the same day, said ACF Govind Yede. Here, people sighted 6 leopards, 85 sloth bear, 311 bison, 36 sambar, 30 chital, 151 wild boar, 272 blue bull, 46 wild dogs, 19 wolf, 2 hyena, 56 barking deer, 16 mongoose, 129 peacocks, 1,365 rhesus macaque, 565 langoor, 7 porcupine, 5 civet cat and 9 wildcats. Chintu Rajput and Munna Nagori, activists of Wild Watch, said the high tiger density in Nagzira tiger sanctuary's 355 sq km area is proven by sighting of 7 tigers. As for Navegaon Bandh national park, though no tiger was counted during census, officials said the forest stretches up to Deori, and the resident tigers might have gone into the adjacent forest area. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/7-tigers-spotted-at-Nagzira-none-at-Navegaon-during-census/articleshow/13089411.cms

MP govt wants to lease forest patches to private tour operators

Nitin Sethi, TNN | May 11, 2012, 06.20AM IST Madhya Pradesh govt has stirred a controversy by proposing to lease out large tracts of reserved forest lands to private tourism operators. NEW DELHI: After demanding that the core of tiger reserves be opened to tourism, the Madhya Pradesh government has mooted another controversial proposal, to lease out large tracts of reserved forest lands to private tourism operators. The proposal to develop 'ecotourism forests' through PPP mode could stir a controversy like the earlier one to open tiger reserves to tourism, which is now being contested in the Supreme Court. TOI accessed a draft of the proposed policy, shared by state officials with other stakeholders, lamenting the impact of UPA's Forest Rights Act which hands back forests to traditional owners claiming that would increase pressure on the green zones. It instead proposes that the forest department bid out forest patches of 50-150 sq km through competitive bidding to those interested in tourism to control the lands for a period of 10 years. While the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 notes that no forest can be diverted for non-forest use without permission of the centre, the Madhya Pradesh government believes that tourism falls outside the purview of the regulations. HS Pabla, head of the ecotourism board of Madhya Pradesh government, told TOI that the state law department had suggested that tourism operations did not fall foul of the act's provisions. Similar attempts by forest departments and governments to lease out forest lands to paper, pulp and other industries has failed over the past two decades owing to pressure from communities that have traditional rights. Laying the blame for decimation of forests squarely on the people living in proximity to forests, the MP policy paper suggests that tourism would help save the green patches and provide jobs to tribals and others living off the forests. At a time when state and central governments are attempting to give back rights to tribals, the move is bound to raise concerns. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/MP-govt-wants-to-lease-forest-patches-to-private-tour-operators/articleshow/13089614.cms

Forest Department red flags Arkacheri work

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 11, 2012, 05.32AM IST NAGPUR: After initial hesitation, the Buldhana forest division has finally asked the irrigation department to stop work on Arkacheri, a minor irrigation project that falls within 10 km of Melghat tiger reserve (MTR). The letter was issued by Buldhana deputy conservator of forests Dilip Gujela on the direction of Mohan Jha, chief conservator of forests (CCF), Amravati Circle, who made it clear that although project site is non-forest land, it falls within 10 km of MTR and hence needed prior permission from National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). Gujela wrote on May 7 to executive engineer of minor irrigation department asking to stop the work but sources said irrigation department actually increased the pace of work. The matter is already being heard in the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court through a PIL filed by Sonala villagers. Irrigation department chief engineer R B Shukla claimed work had been stopped but asserted that the site was beyond 10 km periphery of the tiger reserve and was not even in the buffer zone. When asked about forest department letter, he said, "I will let you know." Gujela said he had asked the irrigation department to stop work till permission was received from wildlife department. A report on Arkacheri has been submitted to the CCF Mohan Jha. The project violates provision of Environment Protection Act (EPA) 1986 which is not being implemented seriously by the forest department. "As per provisions of the Act, irrigation department has to submit a proposal to wildlife department and take permission as the project site is within 10 km of tiger reserve," Gujela said. The irrigation department plans to divert Ar river into Kacheri nala. Ar comes from Wan wildlife sanctuary. As per the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, diversion of river water from a protected area is prohibited without wildlife department permission. The Rs 47.51 crore Arkacheri will irrigate 1,900 hectares land but farmers claim over half of the command area land was already under well irrigation. Villagers of Sonala, where Arkacheri is coming up, said they never demanded the project as Wan medium irrigation project was situated just 5 km upstream of Arkacheri and was an assured source of water for the wells falling in submergence of the new project. Besides, the new site has no hard stratum generally needed to construct a dam. Ravikiran Govekar, assistant inspector general (AIG) with NTCA's Nagpur regional office, said he had written to MTR officials and was awaiting reply. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Forest-Department-red-flags-Arkacheri-work/articleshow/13089255.cms

Palamu Tiger Reserve officials upset with CRPF misdemeanour

TNN | May 10, 2012, 03.20AM IST DALTONGANJ: Tiger trackers in Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) are scared of moving around freely following harassment meted out to one of them, by the central paramilitary force. The CRPF is presently carrying out phase two of operation 'Octopus' against the Maoists in the PTR According to tiger tracker Hikmat Singh (35), security forces stopped him when he was on his way to work at Toungaree village under Garu West range of PTR on sunday suspecting him to be a Maoist. Singh said that despite showing his departmental identity card, tiger trapping camera and two SIM cards and cell phones, the security forces paid no heed to his words and slapped him twice for carrying a cell phone in the jungle! "The security forces forced another tracker Pooshan Singh to say that he works as a tiger tracker in the day but at night he work for the naxalites," he said, asserting that most people in the forest do whatever the security men dictate them. However, Singh's ordeal did not end here. The security forces took him down to their base camp and quizzed him there. Finally mukhiya Manju Devi was called in by the security forces who managed to free him from the clutches of the security personnel. Singh said his tiger trapping camera, identity card, cap, tiffin box, two Sim cards, cell phone and one 'gamchee' (towel) are still in the possession of the security forces. PTR field director SHE Kazmi said Singh's ordeal is concerning and the security forces should try to understand the circumstances under which these trackers work. When Hikmat Singh had shown his departmental identity card, tiger trapping camera etc the security forces should have cross checked it with other forest officials, he said. DIG CRPF B K Sharma said presence of any person in jungle with two Sim cards, cell phone arouses suspicion and if in such a situation, a person is quizzed one should not take it otherwise. But when asked about seizure of tiger trapping camera, tiffin box, cell phone, identity card and other belongings by the security forces, Sharma assured to look into the matter. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Palamu-Tiger-Reserve-officials-upset-with-CRPF-misdemeanour/articleshow/13073614.cms

The single male and other rare animals

A camera-trapping exercise in Arunachal Pradesh’s Namdapha Tiger Reserve yields a spectacular array of images of rare wildlife By Cara Tejpal Fifteen thousand photographs, 20 missing cameras, 22 stolen data cards, monitoring teams under gunfire and a triumphant climax. It may sound like the plot of an exceptionally thrilling espionage novel, but in reality it represents a spark of hope in an otherwise bleak conservation landscape. A camera-trapping exercise in Arunachal Pradesh’s Namdapha Tiger Reserve has yielded a spectacular array of images of rare wildlife, including a single, male tiger. Aaranyak, an organisation that works for the conservation of biodiversity in Northeast India (www.aaranyak.org), joined hands with the Namdapha Tiger Reserve Authority to conduct the two-month long project. All 60 employees of the forest department, along with a dozen Aaranyak field staff took forward the mission. The teams placed 90 state-of-the-art cameras with motion sensors across the 300 sq km of the park and spent the next eight weeks monitoring the cameras, collecting photographs, replacing batteries and managing the massive amount of data that was generated. The National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Panthera Foundation, USA supported this camera-trapping exercise. Covering an area of almost 2000 sq. km, Namdapha’s predominantly unexplored forest has its fair share of problems. Most worrying of which is the anthropogenic pressure on the park from tribal communities living within the core area of the reserve and a long-standing culture of hunting in the region. Researchers were shot at twice by poachers, endured one attack on them at their campsite, had cameras broken and memory cards stolen during the course of the survey. Namdapha also borders Myanmar, a country well known for its hand in wildlife crime. There is a lack of infrastructure and the skeletal staff of the forest department is hard-pressed to patrol the arduous terrain. “The Namdapha camera-trapping was a wonderful exercise and the joint team of Aaranyak and Namdapha Staff has accomplished a tough but rewarding job. However, to save the jewels living in the park, Namdapha management will have to be smarter and more diligent as the poachers today are better equipped and more numerous than before,” says Firoz Ahmed, an award winning wildlife biologist from Aaranyak and the person in charge of the camera-trapping exercise. The images published by Aaranyak are breathtaking, though a little grainy (camera traps, what do you expect?). Portly hog-badgers, shy binturongs, lithe spotted linsangs, the elusive Asiatic golden cat, clouded leopards and marbled cats are just a few of the animals that this slide show will bring to you. And perhaps in these images we can see the dawn of a new era of conservation in Namdapha. The pictures serve as a reminder of the precious biodiversity this country harbours. Cara Tejpal is a student of nature, wildlife conservationist and compulsive traveller based out of New Delhi http://www.tehelka.com/story_main52.asp?filename=Ws080512Animals.asp

6 booked for trespassing in Kharangla forest

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 10, 2012, 05.33AM IST NAGPUR: It is apparent that the forest department has not learnt any lessons from the Palasgaon tiger poaching incident. There's a literal free for all in the sensitive Bhiwapur forest range, despite the proven presence of many tigers. On the night of May 5, on the eve of the machan census, Umred police booked six persons under Section 26 of the Indian Forest Act (IFA) 1927 for trespassing in the reserve forest of Ranbodi in Kharangla beat. The cops are also probing the role of wildlife enthusiast Sanjay Soni from Nagpur, who too was roaming in the forest in his vehicle, and described himself as a forest officer. Soni has flatly denied all charges. Those who have been booked are Kedarnath Pathak, Jaggu Sahu, Raju Anru, Mukesh Raut, Ravindra Raut, and Digamber Sontakke, all from Umred. Sources said that actually the offences should have been registered by forest officials. "Since no objectionable material was found on the accused, an offence of trespassing was registered. Without prior permission you cannot move in the reserve forest. All have been released on bail," PSI AK Mankar told TOI. The Ranbodi area has been declared sensitive and the free movement of vehicles here raises question mark over safety of tigers in the area, especially in the backdrop of Palasgaon poaching incident. Meanwhile, Nagpur division officials are puzzled what Soni was doing in Ranbodi? Soni says he went to the forest for patrolling with prior permission of RFO Londhe. "While Londhe was resting in Navegaon (Deshmukh) guesthouse, he had asked me to check water holes in the forest area. Those booked were sarpamitras from Umred," he said. Londhe is RFO of Kuhi range while Dipali Vankar is in charge of Bhiwapur range. So, Londhe had no reason to entertain Soni in another officer's range. Sources said the Nagpur forest division is not taking action against Soni since their own officer has been caught on the wrong foot. Chief conservator of forests (CCF) for Nagpur Circle CR Gajbhiye said he has taken note of the Soni episode. "I've asked deputy conservator PK Mahajan to take action against Soni, who, I was told, posed as a forest officer." However, Gajbhiye's orders have not been acted upon yet. Forest department sources said that Soni and his two friends had volunteered to be part of the machan census exercise on May 6 in Bor wildlife sanctuary. Their I-cards were also prepared, but Soni chose to visit Ranbodi and Kharangla at the instance of Londhe. When asked about this, Soni said, "I was asked to volunteer in New Bor Sanctuary, where I was not interested. Hence, I preferred to go to Bhiwapur." Honorary district wildlife warden for Nagpur Kundan Hate has decided to register a formal complaint with PCCF (wildlife) SWH Naqvi in the matter. "Even persons with wildlife conservation credentials are not allowed in Bhiwapur range while others have a free run. The incident puts a question mark on protection in the area," he said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/6-booked-for-trespassing-in-Kharangla-forest/articleshow/13074595.cms

Honey badger, flying squirrels sighted around Gateway to Tiger Land

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 9, 2012, 02.11AM IST NAGPUR: The 24-hour machan (waterhole) census conducted in tiger reserves, sanctuaries and national parks on May 6, the Buddha Pournima day, not only delighted wildlife buffs but also revealed hidden wildlife treasure in Vidarbha's rich forests. Sighting of rare animals like mouse deer in Navegaon National Park and, honey badger (chaandi aswal) and flying squirrels in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) were reported. TATR is known for its tigers. It lived up it as 40 tigers, including cubs, and 12 leopard sightings were reported from its three ranges - Kolsa, Moharli and Tadoba. On the same day last year, sighting of 39 tigers, 15 leopards and 191 bears was recorded. Although, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) doesn't approve the waterhole census, terming it as unscientific, the number of sightings is an indicator of animal density in the particular area. Of the 1,707 tiger estimated to be in India, 169 are in Maharashtra. In a few months, tiger numbers of each reserve will be announced. After the withdrawal of machan census in 2007, barring TATR no park allowed volunteers. It was only after the recent Palsagaon incident when a tiger was killed and another got entangled in a metal trap, panic buttons were pressed by the forest department and NGOs were allowed to take part. TATR continued to be the most-sought destination by wildlife buffs with 144 volunteers being allowed to take watch on 138 machans. In Tadoba range, this time 11 tigers, 2 leopards and 19 sloth bears were sighted. Sarang Mishrikotkar, a student, was lucky enough to sight two honey badgers. "I also saw a mother sloth bear carried her 2 offsprings on her back to quench its thirst and a leopard secretly crouched near the waterhole waiting for its prey to come closer," said Sarang. Dr Swati Kulkarni (three of the four in Pandharpaoni, Tadoba range) and Anuradha Dorlikar (Telia female with four cubs, Moharli range) were among the lucky ones to spot tigers. "I was lucky to sight 15 sloth bears including 4 cubs from my Dewada road machan. A bear even tried to climb our machan at 11.30pm," said Rohan Vinkey of Cobra Adventure and Nature Club, Yavatmal. A forest guard at Yenbodi machan in Tadoba too had a similar shock when a tiger cub attempted to make its way up. The Pench tiger reserve and the newly declared Mansinghdeo wildlife sanctuary adjoining Pench emerged dark horses with 12 tiger and 8 leopard sightings. Three tiger sightings were also reported in Tipeshwar sanctuary in Yavatmal. GK Vashisht, assistant conservator of forests (ACF) for Pench, said 8 tiger sightings were recorded in East Pench followed by 2 in West. He added that 2 tiger sightings were recorded in Mansingdeo's Chorbahuli range near Pench and a leopard sighting in Saleghat. In Bor sanctuary, while rains played spoilsport, Navegaon, New Navegaon National Park, Nagzira and New Nagzira sanctuaries showed up good herbivore and carnivore sightings. Record reveals that in Navegaon 6 leopards, 85 sloth bears, 311 bisons, 36 sambars, 30 chitals, 151 wild boars and 272 nilgais were sighted. Interestingly, in New Navegaon park, the sightings included 17 leopards, 5 sloth bears, 46 bisons, 17 sambars, 19 wolfs and a rare mouse deer besides 13 boars. In Nagzira, five tiger sightings were reported. In New Nagzira (Umarzari), a tiger was sighted besides, 7 leopards, 28 bisons and 12 sloth bears. There could be record of more animals as reports of sightings from territorial areas were still awaited. In Melghat, no volunteers were allowed. "As time was scarce, we couldn't revamp our machans. The reports of sightings are still awaited," said VM Godbole, deputy conservator of forests (wildlife), Akot. There was resentment among volunteers in Tadoba as several machans were not up to the mark and at many places volunteers were shifted late. To this Sinha says, "We did not want make new machans by cutting tree branches." On the flip side, the volunteers were provided food and water by the forest staff. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Honey-badger-flying-squirrels-sighted-around-Gateway-to-Tiger-Land/articleshow/13058154.cms

Tiger reserve expansion plan goes awry

Subhash Chandra N S, Bangalore, May 8, 2012, DHNS : Experts say a bigger area will help set up anti-poaching camps, aid patrolling The delay in acquiring land on the northern fringes of the Nagarahole National Park has cost the tiger population dear. The demarcation boundary in Doddaharave, between Periyapatna and Kushalnagar range in the north of Nagarahole, has turned into a favourite destination for poachers. According to Forest Department statistics, eight instances of poaching had been reported from the area since January 2009. Sanjay Gubbi, a wildlife expert and a member of the State Board of Wildlife, had suggested acquisition of Anechaukur, Devmachi, Mauvkal and other reserved forests on the northern border of the Park. The proposal made by the Forest department in this regard in 2008 was seen as a long-term solution to consolidate the tiger habitats and expand the tiger reserve by about 20 per cent. The proposal, approved by Dilip Kumar, the then principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden, would have seen the light of day had there been no political pressure or interference from the timber lobby. It is learnt that the proposal was shelved to ensure indiscriminate timber extraction in the area. Declared reserved forests way back in 1891 during the colonial era, these areas have the potential of serving as “sink sites” if included to the tiger reserve. “Adding them to the tiger reserve will facilitate setting up of anti-poaching camps and aid regular patrolling,” Gubbi told Deccan Herald. Poaching widespread There have been several instances of poaching on the northern fringes of Nagarahole. On August 27, 2011, Periyapatna police seized tiger bones, six chital antlers and four chital pelts. Venkatappa, the man wanted in the case, had been at large while Swamy, his arrested associate, had confessed to poaching tigers in the Doddaharave forests. The matter is so serious that B K Singh, former PCCF, has sought an explanation from the assistant conservator of forests and range forest officers of Periyapatna and Kushalnagar. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/248057/tiger-reserve-expansion-plan-goes.html

Mhadei tiger reserve to have 28 villages on the run

May 9, 2012 TEAM HERALD teamherald@herald-goa.com PANJIM: Around 28 villages alone from Mhadei wildlife sanctuary will have to be relocated, if state government goes ahead with its proposal of having tiger reserve there. The Forest department has decided to collect data required to push the proposal for tiger reserve along the wildlife corridor. Renowned environmentalist Nirmal Kulkarni’s help has been engaged by the Forest department to lay camera trap and document the presence of tiger in the wildlife sanctuaries especially in Mhadei region. The department is also contemplating to take help of NGOs working in Ranathambore Tiger Reserve. Additional Principle Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF) Richard D’Souza said that he will submit a proposal for having a tiger reserve, if department gets data to suffice it. D’Souza admitted that there are tigers along the corridor, which has been proved in the census done in last few years. The APCCF said that most of the villages are on the fringe area of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary. But as per the data provided to the High Court in a petition filed by former Health Minister Vishwajit Rane seeking denotification of Mhadei area as a wildlife sanctuary, there are 28 such villages inhabited by several thousand people. D’Souza said that the department will have to go for relocation package, if it carries ahead idea of tiger reserve. Forest department has been struggling for decades together in rehabilitating the people living in the wildlife sanctuaries. Environmentalists in the state have been pressing for the declaration of Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve. The suspicions were raised that the Forest department was averse to declare it as a reserve to protect interest of the mining industry. The animal census held in 2002 had counted presence of four tigers in the state based on pugmarks and other related signs of the wild beast. Later the tiger sightings were reported in 1995, which continued till date. Meanwhile, D’Souza made it clear that whether there is reserve or not, the mines will not be allowed in the wildlife sanctuaries at any cost. He said that once buffer zone committees submit their report, almost 44 mining leases will have to shut their operation, further giving no scope for new mining. http://oheraldo.in/News/Main%20Page%20News/Mhadei-tiger-reserve-to-have-28-villages-on-the-run/59301.html

Rescued tiger suffering from renal failure

Pradip Kumar Maitra, Hindustan Times Nagpur, May 07, 2012 The badly injured tiger that was rescued from a poacher's trap in Chandrapur’s Tadoba tiger reserve in April is suffering from renal failure. Veterinary experts at Nagpur, who are treating the adult tiger at the Seminary Hill wildlife orphanage, say its health is deteriorating. Non-functioning of its kidneys have shocked the wildlife wing of the state and all necessary measures are being taken to save the wild cat. Dr NP Dakshindas, head of the veterinarians’ team, informed that the recent blood and urine test of the tiger revealed that it was suffering from renal failure most likely because it could not drink water for almost a day and a half, being caught in the jaw trap. The scorching summer only aggravated the problem. "The tiger’s health is being monitoring round the clock. The tiger had finally eaten something on Monday after a gap of five days," Dr Dakshindas said and added that the animal was in bad shape. The Chandrapur forest department rescued the big cat from an iron jaw laid by poachers near Palasgaon range, a buffer zone of Tadoba tiger reserve, some 200 kms from here in eastern part of Maharashtra. Another tiger that was caught in a jaw trap at the same spot was found dead. The carcass of the trapped tiger was noticed by the forest personnel during routine patrolling. Later a team of forest officials, along with vets, rescued the trapped tiger. "The rescued tiger was not responding to the treatment from the beginning and that led to the veterinary doctors to test its blood and urine which confirmed that it was suffering from renal failure," informed Kishore Mishrikotkar, assistant conservator of forests (wildlife wing), Vidarbha region. "This is the first time that we are facing such complicated health issue of a wild animal. We are a little clueless," said Mishrikotkar. He said that the forest department is also taking help of noted nephrologist of central India, Dr Dhananjay Ukhalkar, in this regard. "We want to make sure the aniimal should feel comfortable and we are doing what’s best for it," he added.

In the noose and under the gun

May 7 2012 Poaching Time-tested foot patrolling is the key to control wildlife poaching. Success stories have often come through dedicated long-term efforts of a few forest officials and their ground staff who believe in fundamental approaches to combat poaching, observes Sanjay Gubbi Images of confiscated tiger or leopard pelts are a common feature in the Indian media these days. There is an escalation in seizure of wildlife products depicting either increased vigil by enforcement authorities or increase in poaching incidences or a combination of the two. Interestingly, the species confiscated are more diverse than earlier. In the past, wildlife products confiscated mostly consisted of parts from rare or commercially prized wildlife species such as tigers, leopards, otters and elephants. Now, even common species are increasingly finding their place in the list of seized materials. Barn owl, sand boa, soft shell turtle, axis deer and many other commonly found wildlife species are incessantly targeted by poachers. Similarly, the quantity of tiger and leopard pelts, and ivory seized has been on the rise. It looks like the booming economies of China and South East Asian countries have increased the demand for wildlife products. Poaching of wildlife happens at two scales, for meat or for body parts. Hunting for meat is largely carried out by individuals or by loosely formed groups targeting high meat yielding species, or species that are high on the list of delectable dishes. Hunting for body parts is controlled by organised syndicates. Shockingly, loosely knit local poachers are now trying to hunt high value wildlife species to find their way into organised syndicates. Many accused recently arrested with tiger and leopard pelts confess to have opportunistically poached big cats or collected elephant ivory in the hope of finding ways to sell their valuable catch uncovering a disturbing trend. Interestingly, several of the people recently arrested trying to buy common wildlife species are from the real estate business. At a period when real estate profits were low, it is believed these entrepreneurs relied on black magic to enhance their profits. People hunt wildlife for sport, religious reasons, to earn supplementary income and some with large income motivations. Humans have been hunting in the tropical forests for 100,000 years. So what is alarming about wildlife poaching? The fact that the scale and consumption levels have gone beyond sustainable levels, at least in the Indian context. Science says that wild meat hunting will be unsustainable when human densities exceed one person/square kilometer. Unlike in some parts of Africa, South America and small parts of India, people do not depend on wild meat as a primary source of protein. Wherever hunting is sustainable, it is only due to the fact that human densities are so low that offtakes do not make any dent on wildlife populations. Effects of hunting Hunting is a loser’s game. It affects wildlife at various intensities including at individual, population and landscape levels. Hunting leads to decreased wildlife densities. In some cases, even if the species is not locally extinct, it would not be performing its ecological functions due to the miniscule numbers; hence it can be considered ‘ecologically extinct’. Hunting of bird species such as hornbills, which provide key ecosystem services through seed dispersal, could upset the forest complex, as plant species dependent on hornbills for dispersal can go locally extinct. India lost tigers from Sariska and Panna tiger reserves during the last decade and the media increasingly reports stories of confiscated wildlife products. So have we taken our eye off the ball? Increasingly, our focus and determination to carry out old fashioned activities has given way to other conservation enforcement strategies. The time-tested foot patrolling is the key to control wildlife poaching. Success stories, at least in parts, have come through dedicated long-term efforts of a few forest officials well supported by their ground team who believed in this fundamental practice to combat poaching. Wildlife numbers bounced back under these situations. Currently, even with increased resources and the best of legislations, few believe in this reliable system. A snare or a jaw trap can be detected only through foot patrolling; there is no alternative to this and unfortunately few care about this. Behavioural changes in people will take a long time to become a reality. Till people wholeheartedly stop killing wildlife, we need our foot soldiers to scan, monitor, and handle poaching as a primary conservation threat. However, to make them more effective and keep them motivated, we need to enhance the incentives provided to these trench warriors. A forest watcher continues to languish in the hot and humid jungles with little amenities. To improve his condition, he needs full support of those key people in decision making positions. It will be foolhardy not to recognise this renewed conservation threat and appropriately implement strategies to save our endangered wildlife species. Needless to say our hard learnt lessons from Sariska and Panna will mean very little in the larger conservation context. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/247584/in-noose-gun.html

Tiger finds new home

May 7, 2012 By Amit S. Upadhye DC Srimangala (Kodagu) The camera-trap experiment, where the movement of wild animals are captured with the help of cameras, has shown positive results in the Bramhagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. Over the last one month, the camera trap laid by the forest department has shown the presence of two tigers. Two cameras, installed at Palemane section of Srimangala Wildlife Range, caught two pictures of tigers moving on the main road in the night. The cameras are fixed on the path, frequented by tigers and other animals. A leopard, some mammals and a number of nocturnal creatures were also captured by the cameras. Spread over 181 sq km, Bramhagiri forest is one of the critical wildlife habitats for tigers as it is connected to Nagarhole in the state and to Mudumalai and Wyanad Tiger Reserves in Tamil Nadu and Kerala respectively. If this tiger habitat has to be saved, it has to be added as the buffer zone to Nagarhole range, which has the source population of tigers. But it is not easy as Bramhagiri forest has human habitation. A stone-quarrying unit has come up within 1 km radius of the forest without the consent of wildlife division. There have also been incidents of poaching, but have been hushed up due to pressure from ruling party leaders, the ground level staff say. “It’s important for forests like Nagarhole to have a buffer zone. Bramhagiri, if managed, can accommodate 20 tigers easily. The landscape is perfect and there is a good prey base. If non-forestry activities, including poaching, are curbed, the forest will support tigers. It’s a good sign that camera traps in Shrimangala have caught two tigers. More such experiments should be conducted across the sanctuary,” said A.J.T. John Singh, Former Dean of Wildlife Institute of India. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests B.K. Singh said plans are afoot to enhance the existing connectivity between Bramhagiri and Nagarhole, but they are yet to be finalised. “There is a coffee estate abutting the Nagarhole forest, which has to be purchased and added to Bramhagiri. If the connectivity improves, the conflict levels between humans and wildlife will come down,” Mr Singh said. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/tiger-finds-new-home-248

Incentives mulled to keep NE tribals from clutches of poachers

SUNDAY, 06 MAY 2012 23:46 PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | NEW DELHI Providing incentives to hunting tribes of North-East for community conservation of forests is the new mantra that wildlife officials have decided upon. The measure comes amid mounting concerns over the vulnerability of the region to illegal international wildlife trade. The meeting noted with alarm that a majority of local communities from North-East that still sustains itself through “bush hunting” (hunting for meat) is joining hands with professional big cat poachers from Central India. It discussed ways and means of weaning the locals back from hunting practices through community conservation of forest. The officials of security forces manning the borders in the region, customs, police and forest departments were brought together by Traffic India and World Wildlife Fund for the first time to brainstorm over ways to control the crime. It was hosted by the State Forest Department of Arunachal Pradesh. “The idea was to drive home the point that implementation of wildlife act can not be effectively implemented just by the forest department --- especially considering the porous borders that these States share with Myanmar and China”, pointed out Khalid Pasha, head of Traffic India. Other accompanying agencies have also to act on time concertedly and need to be sensitised for the purpose, he added The emerging tiger presence in reserves as Dampa, Namdapha in Arunachal Pradesh besides growing demand for new species as pangolins coupled with the growing fur and bone trade in Myanmar have made it more imperative for the coming together of these agencies to control the crime. One of the richest hot spots in biodiversity, the Morey border in Manipur was acting as a convenient transit point of not only tiger parts but also turtle meat, otter skin, besides scales and meat of pangolins for use in Chinese Traditional Medicines, Pasha pointed out. These products conveniently make their way into Myanmar which is well connected to not only the Indian border but also with Bangladesh, Thailand and China. The upcoming Myanmar market has flocked professional hunting community of big cats the Bawarias from Central India to the North-Eastern states. The meeting noted with alarm how the local tribal communities are being lured by them to actively participate in poaching activities, as they are well aware of the landscape. Metal traps, snares and a deadly poison called acolyte (that instantly paralyses the central nervous system of the animal) is being largely used. The meeting brought to light amongst the officials the various modus operandi being deployed by the poachers in this regard. The issue also came up for serious discussion in the recent meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority with the Field Directors of tiger reserves across the country. http://dailypioneer.com/nation/63289-incentives-mulled-to-keep-ne-tribals-from-clutches-of-poachers.html

Traditional iron traps create poaching scare in 29 tiger reserves: NTCA

Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times New Delhi, May 03, 2012 Traditional way of catching tigers in wild – through snares – is back and has caught the forest department officials off-guard. In just three months over 80 traps and snares have been recovered in two tigers reserves in Karnataka --- Bandipur and Nagarhole. Over 30 have been found in and around tiger areas in Uttarakhand and about 40 in Madhya Pradesh. Wildlife poachers have been traditionally using snares and traps to hunt animals including tigers. But, fire-arms and poison was replacing the traditional method, which had seen a sudden return. The apparent reason is the increasing demand of clean tiger skins and body parts in the international wildlife smuggling network. A firearms leaves a black spot on the skin and poison leads to change in colour of the skin and body parts. That does not happen in case of snares as a wild animal turns immobile and dies a slow death because of bleeding. The tiger watchdog, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), found that many wandering gangs were targeting tigers using snares and iron traps across 10 states in India. “The situation is serious and calls for urgent action to step up protection in tiger reserves,” said an advisory issued by NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal. The field directors of 41 tiger reserves in India had been instructed to deploy special anti-poaching squads to patrol the reserves and look for snares and traps. They have been instructed to complete the exercise within a fortnight. The NTCA has also said that forest guards should keep a track of tigers and their cubs, straying out of the tiger reserves as they could fall prey to poachers. Another location to keep vigil are the water-bodies, which tigers frequent. The authority had also received intelligence reports that many gangs had visited villages around tiger reserves in the recent past to examine the possibility of killing a tiger. As many as 29 tiger reserves had been identified as potential threat from poachers. “We have instructed the forest departments to conduct a special exercise in these reserves,” Gopal said. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Traditional-iron-traps-create-poaching-scare-in-29-tiger-reserves-NTCA/Article1-850199.aspx

Shimoga villages want tiger project scrapped in KNP

May 4, 2012 DC Shimoga The people of Western Ghats residing in Tirthahalli and Hosanagar taluks are demanding cancellation of proposed Tiger Project in the Kudremukh National Park covering the Someshwara and Mookambika wildlife sanctuaries, as this would displace a large number of people, threaten their livelihoods and encourage Maoists activities in the region. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle Mr Nagesh Angirasa, a worker of the Someshwara and Mookambika wildlife area civic committee (sponsored by Sri Pejawar Mutt, Udupi) of Mallandur village near Agumbe of Tirthahalli taluk in the district here on Thursday said, that proposed tiger project will lead to eviction of people and socio-economic misery. Kudremukh National Park and its established area including the Someshwara and Mookambika wildlife sanctuaries, is spread over the four districts of Shimoga, Chikmagalur, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. These regions are covered with thick green vegetation with rolling hilly grassland and shola forests. In 1987, the Karnataka government declared the region as the national park. As per the survey of 2005, the human population in the national park is around 6240 living in 1300 households and cultivating 2790 acres of land. According to him, soon after the declaration of Kudremukh National Park, the maoist extremists entered the scene and after a decade of existence in the region, spread their roots in the park. They encouraged the tribals to disbelieve the government by telling them that they would be forcibly evicted from the park . The maoist outfits ran a parallel government in the park villages and used to collect money from contractors, politicians and farmers. In the span of nine years, from 2002 to 2011, 23 incidents of encounters, looting, kidnapping and bomb explosion were recorded, the memorandum of the committee said. It was during 2009 and 2010, with the initiative of some development works and confidence building measures taken up in the area, distrust between the government and the habitants was minimized. Tiger Project would again create distrust among the tribals and pave way for the re-entry of Maoists, Mr Nagesh Angirasa said. The tiger conservation project is already in progress in the Bhadra wildlife sanctuary covering Shimoga and Chikmagalur districts. Instead of that, the government should make all efforts to declare the national park region under the UNESCO scheme. This would help in reviving social life in the region. A memorandum in this regard has been submitted to the Centre through the deputy commissioner of Shimoga, Mr M.V. Vedamurthy. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/node/119299

NTCA to take action against Uttarakhand, UP and Rajasthan

Nihi Sharma Sahani, Hindustan Times Dehradun, May 03, 2012 National Tiger Conservation Society (NTCA) will take action against Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan that were found to have delayed formation of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) in their respective states. Jayanthi Natarajan, union minister of forest and environment expressed displeasure over the non-formation of force that intends to deploy additional staff for tiger conservation. Dr. Rajesh Gopal, member secretary NTCA told Hindustan Times, “We will take action against states that delayed constituting STPF. It’s the responsibility of state forest department to form this force for tiger conservation.” Apparently, Natarajan in a meeting with field directors in Delhi on Wednesday reviewed various works. While she closely monitored Project Tiger details, she also expressed displeasure over non-formation of STPF. She mentioned that Karnataka is the only state to have formed STPF but states likes Uttarakhand, UP and Rajasthan have delayed it. Hindustan Times in its April 16 issue gave a detailed report on lackadaisical attitude of state forest department that has ignored formation of STPF since last two years in Uttarakhand. For this project, NTCA had already released first installment of Rs. 90 lakh. But, no results were recorded. A total of 108 people are to be appointed under the project dedicated to tiger conservation. These people will be divided into 3 platoons. Additional Conservator of Forest (ACF) will head each platoon. Interestingly, 18 foresters and 90 forest guards are to be appointed. Giving special place to forest dwellers, government of India in its project has reserved 30% positions of forest guards for them. This means, 27 gujjars or forest dwellers will be appointed and forest guards will fill remaining 63 positions. The ministry will bear entire expenses of salary and other allowances of appointed force. When contacted Ranjan Kumar Mishra, director Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) who was also present in the meeting with Natarajan, he shared, "We have already given advertisement for recruitment of forest staff. It’s in the final syages." http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Uttarakhand/NTCA-to-take-action-against-Uttarakhand-UP-and-Rajasthan/Article1-850247.aspx

Move to raise Tiger Protection Force in Arunachal Pradesh

PTI SHARE · PRINT · T+ ITANAGAR, MAY 3: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Nabam Tuki, has said there is an initiative to create a ‘Special Tiger Protection Force' for enhancing the protective cover on the wild cats and other animals inhabiting in the Tiger Reserves in the State. “The Force will see to it that no harm is caused to tigers and other animals in the Tiger Reserves in the state,” Mr Tuki said while addressing a two-day orientation programme on ‘Strengthening Wildlife Law Enforcement and Conservation' here yesterday. “We should carefully guard against invasion of market forces connected with illegal wildlife trade gaining entry into the state and It is highly relevant in the context of the long inter-State and international borders of the State,” he said.

In Mowgli's land…

K. SANJANA One of the wild sights at the Pench Tiger Reserve. Photo: Special Arrangement National Tiger Ambassador K. Sanjana recounts her wild experience at the Pench Tiger Reserve. Our bags were packed and we were ready to go to Pench Tiger Reserve. After the train journey to Nagpur, my coordinator Arivazhagan Chelliah, teacher Annapoorni and I — the National Ambassador from Chennai — met with the other National Tiger Ambassadors from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ramnagar and Kolkata and their respective teachers and coordinators. The first thing we noticed when we reached the forest was that our cell phone had lost signal. This made it all the more exciting as we lost contact with the outside world. Pench Tiger Reserve is the place where Rudyard Kipling based his famous Jungle Book. So, we were very thrilled to be in the land of Mowgli. That night we armed ourselves with our binoculars, cameras and notepads and hopped into the open jeep. In the forest The first thing that caught our eye as we entered the forest was a group of spotted deer. We observed that they lifted their tails while running; this, we were told, was to warn the others about lurking danger. Then we were startled by a sound which we assumed to be an alarm call and we were expecting to see a tiger. Later, we came to know that it was a rutting call. Rutting calls are made by male deer to attract the female deer. As we moved on, we caught a glimpse of two jackals. It was interesting to learn that jackals don't hunt in packs and they mate for life. We also saw a variety of birds like the Jungle Babbler, Treepie, Roller Bird, Parakeet and lots more. Among the flora, the tree that fascinated me was the ghost tree. Its bark is white in colour and is devoid of any leaves in this season. So, at night it appears ghostly with fluttering arms. On many trees we saw rake marks (the marks of a tiger's claw). Along the way we saw many trees with their barks chipped off; the result of the deer rubbing their antlers on the trunks and the porcupines that would chew on them. While inside some water droplets fell on our face. Assuming it was the early morning dewdrops we eagerly lifted our faces to catch a few more. But, to our utter disgust, we were told that it was the defecation of the cicadas! But what really made our day was the sight of two tigers: Badi Matha and her grandchild. The experience of seeing a tiger face-to-face in the wild was truly unbelievable. The sessions We had lot of interactive sessions with Anish Andheria and Sahrdul Bajikar, which were interesting and informative. We learnt a lot about the estimation of tigers. We were taught about the capture-recapture technique and we also learnt about epiphytes and parasites. In the sessions we were informed that Pench Tiger Reserve was one of the best managed tiger reserves in the country. In short, the trip was extremely enlightening. It was not only a wake-up call towards conservation but it also taught us how to overcome our regional differences for a greater cause. http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/nxg/article3376539.ece