NAGPUR: Close on the heels of a tiger injuring a shepherd in Kitadi forest in Bhiwapur forest range recently, one more person was attacked near the same spot on Thursday evening. The place is 65 km from Nagpur.
According to conservator of forests for Nagpur Division, the attack took place around 4 pm when Raju Domaji Fofse, aged around 30 years, had gone about 5 km into the forest to graze his goats. The incident took place in compartment 450, where a shepherd was attacked earlier.
Fofse, a resident of Ranmangli village, had a miraculous escape as the tiger injured his leg leading to dislocation. The victim has been brought to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in the evening. "We learn that Fofse went too close to the tiger despite the animal giving a warning by roaring," said Rambabu.
This is the third attack, second in 15 days in the area. Earlier, a woman Barjabai Boje of Ranmangli had died on April 18 after being attacked by a tiger while collecting mahua flowers.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Tiger Reserve Defends Cub Decision
“The decision to keep the three orphaned cubs of the Jhurjhura tigress, killed on May 19 by a rashly driven vehicle inside the Bandhavgarh tiger reserve, in an enclosure at the same spot where they had been found as they were familiar with the area was taken during the visit of member secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve on May 31 and June 1.”
This has been pointed out in a letter written to Mr Rajesh Gopal, the member secretary of NTCA by the field director, Bandhagarh Tiger Reserve, Chandrakant Patil on Thursday. In his letter, sent after one of the orphaned cubs was found dead, Mr Patil has said that the area is hilly and due to this reason it was difficult to put up a chainlink fence. This is also a favourite spot of tigers because of the presence of large number of caves in the area.
A 3-kilometre-long Chainlink fencing was prepared to enclose about 45.208 hectare area. A machan (watch tower) was also constructed near the Jhurjhura pond and the cubs were given feed near this place. After the commencement of monsoon, the cubs were not visiting this place regularly since July 27. They were, however, seen near a cave on July 28 morning by Mahaout (elephant rider) Ramzan and Jannu along with beat guard Gohadi.
Mr Patil has further said in his letter that on August 6 at about 8.30 pm, the range officer, Tala, informed him that he had seen some bones within the enclosed area and was wondering whether or not these were the bones of a tiger cub.
The next morning, they reached the spot where the bones had been sighted.
http://www.asianage.com/india/tiger-reserve-defends-cub-decision-915
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Man-eater strikes in Pilibhit again
A man-eater, which has been on the prowl in and around the jungles of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, made its sixth kill in a village of the district.
Redawati Devi, 55, fell victim to the big cat when she stepped into the woods in search of firewood required for her daily chores.
Parts of her badly mauled and half-devoured body were recovered after an extensive hunt by a team of wildlife officials late Tuesday.
Even though wildlife officials admit that Redawati Devi was the sixth victim of a tiger attack in the past four months, they said they were still not in a position to declare the big cat as a 'man-eater'.
State chief wild life conservator B.K. Patnaik told IANS: 'We cannot affirm that the tiger has turned into a man-eater unless we have confirmation that this was the same animal that has been striking in this vicinity over the past few months.'
'Rain and slush have made it impossible for our teams to get a clear picture of the pug-marks of the animal. However, we have managed to collect some hair of the tiger from the site where it fed on its victim; and this hair would be sent for DNA analysis so that it could be matched with previous records.'
Prima facie, he suspects that the attacking animal was a young tiger who should not have any reason to turn man-eater.
'Tigers turn into man-eaters largely on account of old-age or injury, which impairs their capacity to get hold of their natural prey' he said.
'Considering that this one appears to be a young animal, we have to find out why it has been attacking human beings, while we also need to confirm whether there is only one or more than one tiger active in the area,' he added.
Meanwhile, according to official records available with wildlife authorities, each of the six kills over the past four months were made within a radius of four km. While the first one was reported May 3, it was followed by more kills June 7, June 23, July 25, July 27 and the latest one Tuesday.
http://sify.com/news/man-eater-strikes-in-pilibhit-again-news-national-kilpOccjjgc.html
To prevent tiger attacks, Forest dept to arrest trespassers in reserved areas of Pilibhit
Following incidents of tiger attacks at Pilibhit district’s Deoria range in western Uttar Pradesh, the Forest department has issued instructions to enforce the Trespass Act, 1963 to ensure that no villagers enter the reserved forest area. According to the act, if anyone enters the reserved area, the person will be arrested.
The decision was taken following reports of six people being killed in tiger attacks between May 3 and August 10. According to Forest officials, since all the attacks happened inside the forest area and there is no evidence that tigers have entered the villages, it has been decided to strictly implement the act.
“This is not a protected area but a reserved forest land and we can take legal action against people trying to enter. We have been warning the villagers but to no avail. So, we are forced to take strict action. We will book people who are caught by our staff trying to enter forest area,” said Divisional Forest Officer V K Singh.
On August 10, a 55-year-old woman’s semi-eaten body was found inside the Deoria forest range — spread over 700 acres. Though the area has been marked for Tiger Census 2010, this was the first time that there was evidence regarding the presence of big cats in the area.
“This is for the first time that we have seen incidents of tiger attacks in the area. It seems that a young tiger or a group of tigers are trying to expand their territory. So far, the tiger has not come towards the human habitat but is attacking people who are entering its territory,” said Singh. All these incidents have been reported 3 km to 5 km inside the forest area. Perhaps the victims had gone to collect wood or cut grass, he added.
Tiger not a man-eater if killings accidental
LUCKNOW: Pilibhit tiger killed sixth human on Monday evening. But forest officials are not yet willing to brand it a man-eater. The reason being that tiger did not ambush and kill humans. Victims had all gone to the forest, were attacked, killed and eaten by it.
The bundles of firewood, grass and bags containing `katarua' mushroom (which grows extensively in monsoon and sells for Rs 70 to 80 per kg) were recovered from spots of killings. Most probably, victims were attacked while they were squatting on ground and the tiger mistook them to be quadrupeds.
"However, now it may not happen because if it is one tiger killing all, it would not be scared of human beings anymore," said G C Mishra, former director, Dudhwa. Man-killing and man-eating are different stages.
There are several circumstances under which human beings attacked accidentally by tigers and leopards, might die, but these cases are to be considered only accidental killings. The National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) guidelines for declaration of big cats as man eaters are clear on this.
"Such circumstances include approach by man in an area where tigress is sheltering her cubs, approaching accidentally a sleeping tiger/tigress, especially by grass cutters and wood collectors, a bent posture of humans when a tiger takes him to be an animal and attacks. In such cases, tiger may not eat dead person for the first time but it may start eating the dead body if it comes across such accidents more than once."
Besides, if tigress is with cubs and is confined to a limited area where there is shortage of natural prey, it is more prone to eat the body. The eating of dead body does not prove it is a man-eater. Similarly, the fact that tiger has killed more than one human being also does not prove it is a man-eater. The circumstances under which animal killed the human being should be examined in detail.
In case of Deoria tiger, it could be a "potential man-eater". More because humans are an easy prey. In most of the situations, it is old age, illness or deformity that makes tiger a man-eater. Whether Deoria tiger too has any of these problems is yet to be ascertained.
The bundles of firewood, grass and bags containing `katarua' mushroom (which grows extensively in monsoon and sells for Rs 70 to 80 per kg) were recovered from spots of killings. Most probably, victims were attacked while they were squatting on ground and the tiger mistook them to be quadrupeds.
"However, now it may not happen because if it is one tiger killing all, it would not be scared of human beings anymore," said G C Mishra, former director, Dudhwa. Man-killing and man-eating are different stages.
There are several circumstances under which human beings attacked accidentally by tigers and leopards, might die, but these cases are to be considered only accidental killings. The National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) guidelines for declaration of big cats as man eaters are clear on this.
"Such circumstances include approach by man in an area where tigress is sheltering her cubs, approaching accidentally a sleeping tiger/tigress, especially by grass cutters and wood collectors, a bent posture of humans when a tiger takes him to be an animal and attacks. In such cases, tiger may not eat dead person for the first time but it may start eating the dead body if it comes across such accidents more than once."
Besides, if tigress is with cubs and is confined to a limited area where there is shortage of natural prey, it is more prone to eat the body. The eating of dead body does not prove it is a man-eater. Similarly, the fact that tiger has killed more than one human being also does not prove it is a man-eater. The circumstances under which animal killed the human being should be examined in detail.
In case of Deoria tiger, it could be a "potential man-eater". More because humans are an easy prey. In most of the situations, it is old age, illness or deformity that makes tiger a man-eater. Whether Deoria tiger too has any of these problems is yet to be ascertained.
Tardy progress on census
NAGPUR: State's principal chiefconservator of forests (wildlife) Dinesh Chandra Pant has set August 31 as deadline for all the remaining forest divisions in the state to submit data on tiger census conducted between January 28 and February 3.
Pant told TOI that of the 76 forest divisions including those in Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), only 36 had submitted the data so far. "We are in constant touch with the remaining divisions and have asked them to submit the data by month-end," he added.
In the six-day exercise (phase I), carnivore sign survey, ungulate encounter rate, and habitat quality was done by sampling of beats and variety of features were recorded by moving on transect lines drawn in 5,838 beats. The data feeding is in its final stage in respective divisions. It is being submitted on a CD to chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Nandkishore's office at Nagpur.
Earlier, a deadline of April 30 was set. It was later extended to July 31 and it has finally been set for August 31 by Pant. Pant said there were certain technical problems and corrections had to be made. Secondly, at many divisions, officials who were trained in data feeding got transferred recently resulting in delay.
The collected data would be submitted to Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, which would come out with the estimated tiger numbers most likely in November. Prior to that, intensive monitoring of source population with the help of photo identity, radio telemetry, sign surveys for three months would be done before declaring final figures.
In Maharashtra, over 5,000 sq km area having tiger presence was scanned. Although are keeping their fingers crossed, they expect the numbers to go up with new cubs and tigers being sighted in some new areas even after first phase of data collection.
"In 2007, when a similar census was conducted, the data collected was not up to the mark as field staff had not got clear view of new methodology. This time, a serious exercise was done and many left out areas were also covered. This will not necessarily mean more or less tigers, but there will be greater accuracy in estimation," a senior wildlife wing official said.
Pant told TOI that of the 76 forest divisions including those in Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), only 36 had submitted the data so far. "We are in constant touch with the remaining divisions and have asked them to submit the data by month-end," he added.
In the six-day exercise (phase I), carnivore sign survey, ungulate encounter rate, and habitat quality was done by sampling of beats and variety of features were recorded by moving on transect lines drawn in 5,838 beats. The data feeding is in its final stage in respective divisions. It is being submitted on a CD to chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Nandkishore's office at Nagpur.
Earlier, a deadline of April 30 was set. It was later extended to July 31 and it has finally been set for August 31 by Pant. Pant said there were certain technical problems and corrections had to be made. Secondly, at many divisions, officials who were trained in data feeding got transferred recently resulting in delay.
The collected data would be submitted to Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, which would come out with the estimated tiger numbers most likely in November. Prior to that, intensive monitoring of source population with the help of photo identity, radio telemetry, sign surveys for three months would be done before declaring final figures.
In Maharashtra, over 5,000 sq km area having tiger presence was scanned. Although are keeping their fingers crossed, they expect the numbers to go up with new cubs and tigers being sighted in some new areas even after first phase of data collection.
"In 2007, when a similar census was conducted, the data collected was not up to the mark as field staff had not got clear view of new methodology. This time, a serious exercise was done and many left out areas were also covered. This will not necessarily mean more or less tigers, but there will be greater accuracy in estimation," a senior wildlife wing official said.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
9 PAs move a step ahead to be critical habitat Read more: 9 PAs move a step ahead to be critical habitat
NAGPUR: The state-level committee on identifying critical wildlife habitat (CWH) on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to proposals from nine sanctuaries to initiate the process of public consultation to formally declare these areas as CWH.
On Tuesday, the committee met at Van Sabhagriha under the chairmanship of principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Maharashtra, DC Pant. Additional PCCF PJ Thosre, CCFs Nandkishore, AK Saxena and panel member Kishor Rithe were present. The meeting was attended by over two dozen wildlife officials from the state. This was the panel’s third meeting in three years. It last met on August 10, 2009.
Pant stressed the need for early meetings as CWH deals with creating inviolate spaces for wildlife, including the flagship species tiger. Talking to TOI, Pant said proposals of nine sanctuaries were cleared for the second stage of identifying CWH. The protected areas (PAs) include Phansad, Tansa, Koyna, Radhanagri, Katepurna, Dhyanganga, Painganga, Chaprala and Bhimashankar.
“We also considered new proposals from Bor, Tipeshwar, Yawal and Aner sanctuaries. Proposals of two PAs, Kalsubai and Nandura-Mayureshwar, were only discussed,” Pant said. To speed up the process of relocating villages, a decision was taken to form a subcommittee. CCFs and DyCFs will be chiefs and member-secretaries respectively. Some PAs have been told to resubmit their proposals by August 30.
“We will review the proposals by November 10,” Pant said. Eight areas, including 3 tigers reserves — Pench, Tadoba-Andhari and Melghat, Wan, Ambabarwa and Narnala sanctuaries, and Gugamal national park have been declared critical tiger habitats
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/9-PAs-move-a-step-ahead-to-be-critical-habitat/articleshow/6290920.cms
On Tuesday, the committee met at Van Sabhagriha under the chairmanship of principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Maharashtra, DC Pant. Additional PCCF PJ Thosre, CCFs Nandkishore, AK Saxena and panel member Kishor Rithe were present. The meeting was attended by over two dozen wildlife officials from the state. This was the panel’s third meeting in three years. It last met on August 10, 2009.
Pant stressed the need for early meetings as CWH deals with creating inviolate spaces for wildlife, including the flagship species tiger. Talking to TOI, Pant said proposals of nine sanctuaries were cleared for the second stage of identifying CWH. The protected areas (PAs) include Phansad, Tansa, Koyna, Radhanagri, Katepurna, Dhyanganga, Painganga, Chaprala and Bhimashankar.
“We also considered new proposals from Bor, Tipeshwar, Yawal and Aner sanctuaries. Proposals of two PAs, Kalsubai and Nandura-Mayureshwar, were only discussed,” Pant said. To speed up the process of relocating villages, a decision was taken to form a subcommittee. CCFs and DyCFs will be chiefs and member-secretaries respectively. Some PAs have been told to resubmit their proposals by August 30.
“We will review the proposals by November 10,” Pant said. Eight areas, including 3 tigers reserves — Pench, Tadoba-Andhari and Melghat, Wan, Ambabarwa and Narnala sanctuaries, and Gugamal national park have been declared critical tiger habitats
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/9-PAs-move-a-step-ahead-to-be-critical-habitat/articleshow/6290920.cms
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Orphaned tiger cub killed in MP
A six-month old orphaned tiger cub, who had lost its mother to a car accident earlier this year, was killed by a tiger who entered its fenced enclosure, according to forest authorities at Bandhavgarh National Park. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) H S Pabla confirmed the death of one cub and said the cub’s two siblings were found to be safe on Sunday evening.
The three cubs had been orphaned when their mother got run over by a vehicle inside the park and died a day later, on May 19. A National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) probe had revealed that the tigress was run over by one of the two vehicles allowed inside the park after visiting hours, on May 18. One vehicle, according to the probe, had forest officials and the other had a local political leader.
The state government had first claimed that a tourist vehicle hit the tigress but later suspended three forest officials in connection with the case.
The park has remained closed to visitors since July 1 and is due to reopen on October 15. The only people who have access to the park right now are forest officials. There have also been rumours about one or more cubs missing from the park.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Orphaned-tiger-cub-killed-in-MP/658339
Luxury train in Ranthambore
JAIPUR: While the Ranthambore National Park (RNP) remains closed for three months between July and September, an exception made this year has irked the common man and wildlife enthusiasts. Forty tourists aboard the luxury train Palace on Wheels were allowed to go inside the park for tiger-sighting in August.
Wildlife experts say that the park is essentially for the conservation of tiger, while tourism is just a corollary. "The tigers get just these three months unhindered by human intervention. The entire objective of national parks is to maintain a protected area as close as possible to the natural habitat. And to disturb the park at this time is uncalled for", said an expert.
However, government officials said that special permission was sought only for this year. "We had to approach the CM to get a special clearance. We could not have skipped Ranthambore as it is part of the itinerary and highlighted in the marketing of the train within the country and abroad. Next year, we will not promote the park as a destination for the months of July, August and September," said Manjit Singh, RTDC chairman and managing director.
It was only after a series of meetings between chief secretary T Srinivasan and forest minister Ramlal Jat that the clearance came from CM Ashok Gehlot. But it had a rider this would be the last time an exception was made in the case of the two luxury trains, the Palace on Wheels and the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels.
Tour operators also feel that the government had to bend its rules because it can't backtrack after committing to an international tourist. "The international consumer laws are very stringent and if Ranthambore was skipped from the itenary, the RTDC would have had to refund the entire amount. That may be the reason why the CM had to grant permission to the PoW to enter," said a tour operator.
However, others may not agree. "This sounds discriminatory. Either they should open it for everyone or shut it completely. There are areas in the buffer zone that are rocky and not affected by rain. Permitting tourists just here would also help check the grazing menace as the forest officials are not very vigilant," said Dharmendra Khandal, a conservation biologist with the NGO Tiger Watch don't agree.
A visit to the Ranthambore Park is part of the much-publicized itinerary of the PoW, which is considered number four in its category in the world. While the government has been sanctioning a visit into the forest in September for many years, this year the PoW chugged off a month in advance. The itinerary had been sold months in advance.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Luxury-train-in-Ranthambore/articleshow/6284604.cms
Wildlife experts say that the park is essentially for the conservation of tiger, while tourism is just a corollary. "The tigers get just these three months unhindered by human intervention. The entire objective of national parks is to maintain a protected area as close as possible to the natural habitat. And to disturb the park at this time is uncalled for", said an expert.
However, government officials said that special permission was sought only for this year. "We had to approach the CM to get a special clearance. We could not have skipped Ranthambore as it is part of the itinerary and highlighted in the marketing of the train within the country and abroad. Next year, we will not promote the park as a destination for the months of July, August and September," said Manjit Singh, RTDC chairman and managing director.
It was only after a series of meetings between chief secretary T Srinivasan and forest minister Ramlal Jat that the clearance came from CM Ashok Gehlot. But it had a rider this would be the last time an exception was made in the case of the two luxury trains, the Palace on Wheels and the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels.
Tour operators also feel that the government had to bend its rules because it can't backtrack after committing to an international tourist. "The international consumer laws are very stringent and if Ranthambore was skipped from the itenary, the RTDC would have had to refund the entire amount. That may be the reason why the CM had to grant permission to the PoW to enter," said a tour operator.
However, others may not agree. "This sounds discriminatory. Either they should open it for everyone or shut it completely. There are areas in the buffer zone that are rocky and not affected by rain. Permitting tourists just here would also help check the grazing menace as the forest officials are not very vigilant," said Dharmendra Khandal, a conservation biologist with the NGO Tiger Watch don't agree.
A visit to the Ranthambore Park is part of the much-publicized itinerary of the PoW, which is considered number four in its category in the world. While the government has been sanctioning a visit into the forest in September for many years, this year the PoW chugged off a month in advance. The itinerary had been sold months in advance.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Luxury-train-in-Ranthambore/articleshow/6284604.cms
Sunday, August 8, 2010
MP order violating forest laws: Jairam
NEW DELHI: Union environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh has told the Madhya Pradesh government that its recent order to open national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves to tourism are in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, the Forest Conservation Act and Supreme Courtorders.
In a letter written to state chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ramesh has also made a veiled threat pointing out that the tiger reserves are run by central funds and the recent orders by the state's chief wildlife warden would violate the rules under which such funding is provided.
The Union minister's letter comes a day after TOI highlighted that the MP government had decided to turn forest guards into guides and their beat offices in the core
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/MP-order-violating-forest-laws-Jairam/articleshow/6272299.cms
In a letter written to state chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ramesh has also made a veiled threat pointing out that the tiger reserves are run by central funds and the recent orders by the state's chief wildlife warden would violate the rules under which such funding is provided.
The Union minister's letter comes a day after TOI highlighted that the MP government had decided to turn forest guards into guides and their beat offices in the core
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/MP-order-violating-forest-laws-Jairam/articleshow/6272299.cms
Killer Pilibhit tiger not alone
LUCKNOW: There is a twist in the tiger tale of Pilibhit now. The officials are of the opinion that it was not one but two tigers involved in human killings which have taken place in Deoria range of Pilibhit forest division. One of the predators, they say, is a tigress.
"We got to know of it after we studied the pugmarks around bodies," said VK Singh, DFO, Pilibhit. All the men have not been killed by a tiger but a stray tigress has also killed and partially eaten humans. On the other hand, last indication towards big cats still roaming in the area came on August 3 when a partially eaten carcass of blue bull was found at Pasgawan compartment of Deoria range. "However, there has been killing reported after we found the carcass of blue bull," added DFO.
The compartment where carcass was found lying is about 4 km away from the site where the partially eaten body of Jamuna Prasad, resident of Dilawarpur village, was found lying on July 27. His body was recovered by forest officials from Ghundchai forest beat in Deoria range. This indicates that tigers have not changed their location.
After the fact about two big cats roaming in the area came to light, forest officials have installed 40 digital cameras over 712 sq km of Deoria range. The entire range has been divided into 20 grids of 4 sq km each and a camera has been installed in every grid. The cameras will be in place for the next one month. "This will help us know how many tigers are there in the area who could be involved in man killings," added the DFO.
The camera trappings so far have shown the presence of one stray tiger only. The big cats have killed and partially eaten five men since May 3 till July 26 in Deoria range. The forest department is manning the area to keep any more human killings at bay. The villagers are not allowed to enter forest area and are being detained for trespassing.
However, what has made forest officials a little relaxed is the fact that killing of a blue bull shows that aberrant tiger could be going for its natural prey. The camera trappings for over a month-long period will help know more about the behaviour of other tigers in the area as well.
"We got to know of it after we studied the pugmarks around bodies," said VK Singh, DFO, Pilibhit. All the men have not been killed by a tiger but a stray tigress has also killed and partially eaten humans. On the other hand, last indication towards big cats still roaming in the area came on August 3 when a partially eaten carcass of blue bull was found at Pasgawan compartment of Deoria range. "However, there has been killing reported after we found the carcass of blue bull," added DFO.
The compartment where carcass was found lying is about 4 km away from the site where the partially eaten body of Jamuna Prasad, resident of Dilawarpur village, was found lying on July 27. His body was recovered by forest officials from Ghundchai forest beat in Deoria range. This indicates that tigers have not changed their location.
After the fact about two big cats roaming in the area came to light, forest officials have installed 40 digital cameras over 712 sq km of Deoria range. The entire range has been divided into 20 grids of 4 sq km each and a camera has been installed in every grid. The cameras will be in place for the next one month. "This will help us know how many tigers are there in the area who could be involved in man killings," added the DFO.
The camera trappings so far have shown the presence of one stray tiger only. The big cats have killed and partially eaten five men since May 3 till July 26 in Deoria range. The forest department is manning the area to keep any more human killings at bay. The villagers are not allowed to enter forest area and are being detained for trespassing.
However, what has made forest officials a little relaxed is the fact that killing of a blue bull shows that aberrant tiger could be going for its natural prey. The camera trappings for over a month-long period will help know more about the behaviour of other tigers in the area as well.
Runaway Rajasthan tiger has a whole army of men running after it
JAIPUR: A hide-and-seek game is on between a runaway male tiger and an array of men trailing it in the ravines of the Chambal river in Dholpur district of Rajasthan. The feline, aged around six years, belongs to Ranthambhore National Park but has been playing truant for the past three years. Now the task before the experts and the forest authorities is to get it back to the Rajasthan jungles because the animal has reached the boundary of the State and may walk over either to Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh any time.
Over 150 people are out now “stalking” the tiger, which the local people refer to as Mohan, to make it move homeward. The team, which includes Jaipur Zoo veterinarian Arvind Mathur and wildlife expert Sudarshan Sharma from Ranthambhore, is adopting “Haka” method to unsettle the tiger from the bushes and drive it in the opposite direction.
“ Haka is a terminology often used during the hunting expeditions of yore. In this technique men armed with sticks shout and beat the bush around them to disturb the animal from its location and make it move in the direction they want it to,” informs Rajpal Singh, author and member of the Rajasthan Board for Wildlife. The team is carrying tranquillizer guns with it so that in case sedation is needed that can be carried out, he says. “We need to do this as the animal stands the risk of exposure to human habitation. There can be accidents while it crosses the public roads or railway tracks in the process of continuing with its .onward journey,” says Mr. Singh. “My feeling is that the tiger must have reached the Van Vihar sanctuary in the district.”
When last spotted, the tiger was in Duria Kheda near Kathumari village, some 20 km from the district town of Dholpur. “We could not do much today as the animal could not be located during the day,” said R. K. Bhati, Divisional Forest Officer of Dholpur, on Saturday evening talking to The Hindu on phone. “We are on its trail and the mission continues. We have to get it back by whatever means,” he added.
The fugitive animal has already been to Bund Baretha sanctuary in Bharatpur district during his earlier wanderings. After getting out of Ranthambhore National Park at an early age, he had returned to it once before starting all over again. This time it had left the Kailadevi sanctuary, adjoining Ranthambhore, on July 21 and has been moving on a perilous style ever since.
Against all odds, including incessant rain, harsh terrain and the presence of dacoit gangs in the Chambal ravines, the Mission titled “Operation Reverse” continues. Once the tiger gets caught it also stands the chance of joining the newly-revived five-strong tiger family in Sariska Tiger Reserve.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/08/stories/2010080858980100.htm
Friday, August 6, 2010
Tiger number up? Minister Ramesh drops hint
New Delhi: The new tiger census -- the results of which are expected in November -- may have some “good news”. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has said he is expecting the tiger count in the country to go up.
CNN-IBN has accessed information that puts the number of tigers in the country at around 1,600 to1,800--it was earlier 1411 Scientists at the Wildlife Institute of India are however cautious and say they are still analyzing the census data and it is too soon for them to make any projection.
“I hope we are going to see some good news on tigers when the new results come out in November,” said Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh.
“I don't know what we are going to see -- we are just receiving the data from states. I seriously hope there’s a good news about it. I have no indication to say that there is increase in tiger population as of yet,” said Ramesh about the census on Thursday.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tiger-number-up-minister-ramesh-drops-hint/128332-3.html?from=tn
Ugly spat between TATR officials plays out in full public view
Thakre defies HoFF orders, reports sick
After attending office till lunch, he reported sick in the evening and did not show up. Seeing the tussle between two officials taking an ugly turn, HoFF AK Joshi had sent a fax to Thakre on Thursday, directing him to hand over charge to Sinha before 6pm. However, after receiving the fax, Thakre left office and did not return.
Calls made by TOI correspondents in Chandrapur and Nagpur were not returned by Thakre. Till 6pm, Sinha, who has already taken charge on his own on August 3, had not been handed over possession of the office by Thakre. Sinha too did not respond to calls made to him. Additional chief secretary for revenue M Ramesh Kumar, who is holding additional charge of forest, told TOI there is no written stay in favour of Thakre.
The orders to transfer Sinha were issued by the chief minister and should have been followed. "We are examining the facts and would decide on disciplinary action after verifying them. Prima facie, I feel Thakre has flouted the CM’s orders," Ramesh Kumar said. Thakre has been transferred toForest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) on July 13 as regional manager (headquarters) at Nagpur, in place of Sinha, but he is not interested in joining. On Wednesday, Thakre had locked the office and vanished. According to highly placed sources, Thakre sought the help of BJP MLA from Ballarpur Sudhir Mungantiwar to get his transfer stalled. He also played the ‘Marathi manoos’ card to see that he is not shifted out.
A few months ago, a news items had appeared in a local daily giving caste colour to TATR management, instead of focusing on professionalism. Talking to TOI, Mungantiwar said, "I had recommended a month ago that Thakre should be retained here. I was told that he is being shifted because he is a ‘Marathi’, and the government wants to bring a non-Marathi person as the field director. I felt this is wrong and hence recommended Thakre’s retention."
Mungantiwar asked, "How can you transfer a person who has completed only 10 months. There should be some reasons for his transfer. The PCCF has issued the orders on Thursday, but when Sinha has taken charge one-sided, why was the need felt to issue fresh orders?" However, there are many examples where forest officers were transferred but orders were changed even before joining.
The state BJP chief said, "I did my job and now it’s up to the officials and government to decide. Thakre can take a legal course." Official sources justified Thakre’s transfer. This has been done in view of the upgradation of IFS cadre soon. In the upgradation, the post of TATR field director will be upgraded to CCF. Thakre is not becoming CCF for now. In fact, he is among the six officers who will be reverted as DyCF in the new set up. So, he is not qualified to hold this post in the new set-up
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Thakre-defies-HoFF-orders-reports-sick/articleshow/6264029.cms
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Blue bull carcass hints at tiger's whereabouts
LUCKNOW: The elusive tiger of Pilibhit which has killed five men in last three months has re-surfaced after a week-long time. On Tuesday, it killed a blue bull. The partially eaten carcass was found lying in Pasgawan compartment of Deoria range of Pilibhit division.
The compartment where carcass was found lying is about 4 km away from the site where the partially eaten body of Jamuna Prasad, resident of Dilawarpur village was found lying on July 27. His body was recovered by forest officials from Ghundchai forest beat in Deoria range. This indicates that the tiger has not changed its location.
"Killing of a blue bull also shows that it is going for its natural prey," said V K Singh, DFO, Pilibhit. It is the little distance between the site of the last and the latest killing, which is making forest officials believe that it is the same tiger which has struck again.
The tiger has killed and partially eaten five men from May 3 till July 26 in Deoria range. The forest department is manning the area to keep any more human killings at bay. In the past three days, seven villagers have been detained for trespassing. Since villagers are dependent on forest for their several needs, they continue to defy forest officials and enter forest area.
Besides, eight digital cameras, which were installed at the sites where killings had taken place, have been withdrawn by the department. Pilibhit forest officials had planned to divide the range into 25 grids of 4 sq km each. The plan was also about installing a camera at every grid. However, no camera trappings, so far, have given any clue about the tiger. Therefore, the officials have decided to wait before they go ahead with the said plan.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Blue-bull-carcass-hints-at-tigers-whereabouts/articleshow/6258776.cms
The compartment where carcass was found lying is about 4 km away from the site where the partially eaten body of Jamuna Prasad, resident of Dilawarpur village was found lying on July 27. His body was recovered by forest officials from Ghundchai forest beat in Deoria range. This indicates that the tiger has not changed its location.
"Killing of a blue bull also shows that it is going for its natural prey," said V K Singh, DFO, Pilibhit. It is the little distance between the site of the last and the latest killing, which is making forest officials believe that it is the same tiger which has struck again.
The tiger has killed and partially eaten five men from May 3 till July 26 in Deoria range. The forest department is manning the area to keep any more human killings at bay. In the past three days, seven villagers have been detained for trespassing. Since villagers are dependent on forest for their several needs, they continue to defy forest officials and enter forest area.
Besides, eight digital cameras, which were installed at the sites where killings had taken place, have been withdrawn by the department. Pilibhit forest officials had planned to divide the range into 25 grids of 4 sq km each. The plan was also about installing a camera at every grid. However, no camera trappings, so far, have given any clue about the tiger. Therefore, the officials have decided to wait before they go ahead with the said plan.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Blue-bull-carcass-hints-at-tigers-whereabouts/articleshow/6258776.cms
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Cops, foresters' joint drive against poachers
NAGPUR: The Nagpur forest division and rural police will launch a joint drive to check wildlife crime in vulnerable areas soon. The decision was taken on Tuesday at the district tiger cell meeting.
The move follows recent seizure of deer meat from the city. The district tiger cell headed by superintendent of police CH Wakde met at his office. Conservator of forests for Nagpur division N Rambabu, member-secretary and divisional forest officer (vigilance) DW Pagar, conservationists, police and MSEDCL officials were also present. Wakde assured all cooperation to the forest department in curbing wildlife crime.
Rambabu told TOI, “We have decided to seriously follow the system of maintaining ‘musafir’ registers in villages to keep track of strangers in the area. Besides, large-scale public awareness will be launched in the division with the help of wall paintings and posters.” The CF said a joint drive of regular field staff and police is planned in vulnerable areas to flush out habitual wildlife criminals.
Meanwhile, the four accused caught with deer meat on Sunday at Dighori naka, Dashrath Shettiyar, Seluraj Shetty, Sanmugan Shettiyar and Subramanyam Shetty, all residents of Bhuteshwar Nagar near Gangabai Ghat, have been granted bail. All accused were produced before the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) PD Deshmukh, who granted conditional bail on surety of Rs 10,000 each.
The move follows recent seizure of deer meat from the city. The district tiger cell headed by superintendent of police CH Wakde met at his office. Conservator of forests for Nagpur division N Rambabu, member-secretary and divisional forest officer (vigilance) DW Pagar, conservationists, police and MSEDCL officials were also present. Wakde assured all cooperation to the forest department in curbing wildlife crime.
Rambabu told TOI, “We have decided to seriously follow the system of maintaining ‘musafir’ registers in villages to keep track of strangers in the area. Besides, large-scale public awareness will be launched in the division with the help of wall paintings and posters.” The CF said a joint drive of regular field staff and police is planned in vulnerable areas to flush out habitual wildlife criminals.
Meanwhile, the four accused caught with deer meat on Sunday at Dighori naka, Dashrath Shettiyar, Seluraj Shetty, Sanmugan Shettiyar and Subramanyam Shetty, all residents of Bhuteshwar Nagar near Gangabai Ghat, have been granted bail. All accused were produced before the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) PD Deshmukh, who granted conditional bail on surety of Rs 10,000 each.
Admn can’t identify allocated coal blocks near Taadoba
CHANDRAPUR: The committee constituted by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to study the impact of various proposed coal and thermal power projects on the buffer and corridors of tiger reserves has come across a serious flaw in the allocation of coal blocks to mining companies. It has been found in some instances that though the companies have approached the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) for environment clearance, the district administration and forest department, whose land will be acquired, are completely ignorant about the proposal, and even unaware of the location of the proposed project.
The three-member committee of NTCA was shocked when the district administration and forest department failed to locate the project site of a proposed coal mine by M/s Push Steel and Mining (P) Ltd falling in the tiger corridor. This company has been allocated a coal block in Bramhapuri for mining of 0.36 MTPA of coal in an area spread over 360 ha of land. The land includes 194.524 ha of private land, 56.957 of non-forest land and 108.519 ha of forest land. Kishor Rithe, wildlife expert and member of NTCA committee, confirmed that the administration failed to locate the Bramhapuri coal block allocated to Push Ltd during their visit for inspection. “None of the project proponents was present at a meeting held at the office of conservator of forest in Chandrapur to examine the proposal. Moreover, forest officials had no clue about the project, even as a major chunk of forest land is required for the proposed mine. Even officials of the district administration could not locate the project site. Hence, the site inspection could not be carried out,” said Rithe.
District mining officer Meena Nikhare confirmed that the company has not submitted any proposal seeking mining lease to their department, and they have no official details about the proposed project. Conservationists in Chandrapur have cried foul over the allocation of coal blocks in the district.
The three-member committee of NTCA was shocked when the district administration and forest department failed to locate the project site of a proposed coal mine by M/s Push Steel and Mining (P) Ltd falling in the tiger corridor. This company has been allocated a coal block in Bramhapuri for mining of 0.36 MTPA of coal in an area spread over 360 ha of land. The land includes 194.524 ha of private land, 56.957 of non-forest land and 108.519 ha of forest land. Kishor Rithe, wildlife expert and member of NTCA committee, confirmed that the administration failed to locate the Bramhapuri coal block allocated to Push Ltd during their visit for inspection. “None of the project proponents was present at a meeting held at the office of conservator of forest in Chandrapur to examine the proposal. Moreover, forest officials had no clue about the project, even as a major chunk of forest land is required for the proposed mine. Even officials of the district administration could not locate the project site. Hence, the site inspection could not be carried out,” said Rithe.
District mining officer Meena Nikhare confirmed that the company has not submitted any proposal seeking mining lease to their department, and they have no official details about the proposed project. Conservationists in Chandrapur have cried foul over the allocation of coal blocks in the district.
MP to launch ''Patrolling the Tiger Land'' scheme for tourists
Bhopal, Aug 3 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh will launch a novel scheme "Patrolling the Tiger Land" from this October in which tourists visiting the national parks will get an opportunity to trek forest with the patrolling parties. Under the scheme, tourists will be able to trek forests along with patrolling parties in the national parks in the state so that they can have a real experience of wildlife and flora and fauna, official sources said today. The tourists national park/sanctuary will be provided with a patrolling party/trek by the range officer concerned or any other competent authority, they said, adding the tourists would be able to go into deep jungles accompanied by patrolling party. Tourists will be allowed to carry food and drinking water with them. They will have to pay vehicle entry fees as per rules apart from separate charges for trekking the forest along with the patrolling party, they said. Only four tourists will be allowed to accompany a patrolling party and they will be allowed to take rest in the camps of the forest department, officials said. Children below the age of 12 years will not be allowed under this system, they said. This arrangement will come into force from the next tourism seasonbeginning from October 16.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Scat analysis indicates presence of more tigers in Buxa
The Buxa Tiger Reserve in north Bengal, identified as a low density tiger reserve, may in fact harbour a greater number of the big cats as indicated by initial reports of scat samples.
“We had sent 83 samples to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad of which 55 were fit for analysis. Preliminary reports confirmed that 33 of these samples are of tiger origin,” Field Director of Buxa Tiger Reserve R.P. Saini told PTI.
During the tiger estimation exercise, scats were collected to enable DNA profiling of tigers in the reserve, but the exercise could not be completed due to rain and another full-fledged exercise would be undertaken after the monsoon, he said.
Describing the preliminary findings as “very encouraging”, he said it clearly indicated the presence of a number of tigers in the Buxa Tiger Reserve.
Asked to give the number of big cats in Buxa Tiger Reserve, he said although a detailed report about the number and gender of the tigers was yet to be received, it could be anything between 12 and 16.
Questions were frequently raised about the presence of tigers in Buxa Tiger Reserve where a big cat was photographed for the first time since its inception.
NTCA had identified Buxa as one of the reserves having low density tiger population and constituted a special team last year for urgent appraisal of the reserve.
He said that reports regarding preliminary findings were submitted to the state government as well as the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Encouraged by the reports, the State government has sanctioned Rs. 30 lakh to the Buxa Tiger Reserve for the development of grasslands in the reserve, he said.
Saini said scats were also sent to ‘Aranyak’, an NGO based in Assam, for analysis and their preliminary report. He also said that 35 of the samples belonged to tigers.
He said that GPS positioning was recorded during the scat collection and after receiving the detailed report camera traps would be set up in areas with high tiger density.
BTR authorities had earlier toyed with the idea of going in for captive breeding to maintain the tiger population.
Now they have decided to relocate nine villages from the core areas of the reserve. The villages to be relocated outside the core area are Jainti, Bhutiabasti, Gangutia, Raimatang, Butrhi, Adma, Pana, 27 mile and 28 mile, he said.
The relocation would start anytime after funds were received from the government for the purpose, he said adding residents of eight villages had already agreed to opt for a monetary package for relocation.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article549620.ece
No signal from relocated Sariska tiger
JAIPUR: Having completed the first phase of relocation of tigers to Sariska, it is testing time for forest officials. For the past three days, they are not getting any signal from the radio collar of a male tiger.
‘‘Whenever a tiger comes to a new surrounding it strays to distant areas in order to survey the place. The tiger may have gone to a place (valley) within the territory from where we are not receiving any signal,’’ a forest officer said.
He said, ‘‘In valleys signal from the radio collar fails to reach the satellite and till the tiger remains in that location, it is difficult to trace it. Same is the case with this tiger which was relocated to Sariska from Ranthambore about two months back.
We have not received any signal for the last three days. But the moment it reaches a plateau it will be easily traced.’’
‘‘Whenever a tiger comes to a new surrounding it strays to distant areas in order to survey the place. The tiger may have gone to a place (valley) within the territory from where we are not receiving any signal,’’ a forest officer said.
He said, ‘‘In valleys signal from the radio collar fails to reach the satellite and till the tiger remains in that location, it is difficult to trace it. Same is the case with this tiger which was relocated to Sariska from Ranthambore about two months back.
We have not received any signal for the last three days. But the moment it reaches a plateau it will be easily traced.’’
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