B. ARAVIND KUMAR
‘Status of Tigers, Co-predators and Prey in India, 2010' has both good and bad news
While tiger numbers have more than doubled in the past four years in the State, the habitat of the big cats, as well as co-predators and prey has shown a considerable decrease.
Statistics from ‘Status of Tigers, Co-predators and Prey in India, 2010' officially released by the Ministry of Environment and Forests last week reveal that the tiger population in the State has risen by 114 per cent from 76 in 2006 to 163 in 2010. As the tiger count is not absolute, the upper limit is pegged at 173 and the lower limit at 153.
As per the report, the tiger occupancy, or habitat, area within the Tamil Nadu part of Nagarahole – Mudumalai – Wayanad population landscape which has the highest tiger numbers in the country is 4,261 sq.km with an estimated 97 to 113 tigers. Tiger densities within the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve were high at 11.06 per 100 sq.km. And surprisingly, camera traps have revealed that the reserve forests of Moyar gorge – Segur plateau region surrounding the tiger reserve had high abundance of tigers at 7.65 per 100 sq.km.
In the Parambikulam – Eravikulam – Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary landscape, the Tamil Nadu side has between 32 and 36 tigers. The landscape has shown good recovery due to good management of several reserves constituting the complex, lower human pressure due to difficult terrain and contiguous nature of the tiger habitat, the report states.
On the Tamil Nadu side of Kalakad – Mundanthurai – Periyar population, the estimated tiger population is between 36 to 40 with the occupancy at 1,691 sq.km.
However, the tiger habitat in the State has come down from 9,211 sq.km to 8,389 sq.km but it is still considered stable. But the status of co-predators and prey with regard to the occupied areas has shown considerable decrease which could pose problems for conservation.
In the past four years, the habitat of leopards have come down from 14,484 sq.km to 10,060 sq.km; that of Dhole from 19,658 sq.km to 10,217 sq.km; and that of Bear from 13,224 sq.km to 9,736 sq.km.
Among the prey, the area occupied by Chital has decreased drastically from 13,567 sq.km to 4,027 sq.km and that of Sambar from 15,909 sq.km to 9,008 sq.km. Encouragingly, the Western Ghats complex, comprising Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, has also shown an increase in tiger numbers from 402 to 534 in the past four years. Here again, the tiger occupancy has decreased by about 5,000 sq.km registering a decline of about 11.5 per cent compared to that of 2006, the report reveals.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2314251.ece
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Roar! More room for Palamau tigers
- Reserve to get 300sqkm from Latehar, Ranchi forests
A.S.R.P. MUKESH
Call for conservation
Ranchi, Aug. 1: Three hundred cheers for the majestic big cat!
The state forest department has, finally, moved to raise a territory toast to the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) by honouring a 12-year-old central notification that recommended an additional 300sqkm room at the Palamau Tiger Reserve.
Adhering to the notification, forest belts of Latehar and Ranchi West division will now be integrated into the reserve to ensure better conservation of its 11 striped denizens and management of their habitat. The exercise will stretch the total reserve area from the present 1,026sqkm to 1,326sqkm.
Sarju, Manika, Kumandi and Netarhat Hills in Latehar and Mahuatand and its adjoining areas in Ranchi West will add to the reserve buffer zone. The transfer of forest areas from these two divisions is likely to be completed in a month’s time.
DFO (core), Palamau Tiger Reserve, Premjit Anand said formalities with respective divisional officers had been completed and pockets of Latehar would be merged within 10 days flat. “The rest will happen gradually over a month,” he added.
In 1997, the Centre had issued a notification to the erstwhile Bihar government to increase the area of the reserve, but the state forest department had been sitting on the directive since. The litany of excuses had ranged from manpower crunch to the designated areas (in Latehar) being Naxalite strongholds and thus inaccessible. However, the truth arguably is lackadaisical approach to a project that entails extra burden.
Reserve director S.E.H. Kazmi refused to comment on why the exercise had been delayed for 12 years despite several hard-hitting reminders from the Centre. “When I assumed office a few months ago, I came to know of the notification and began working in that regard. I can’t say why others didn’t do it,” Kazmi, who took charge in April, said.
He underscored that the important thing was that the ambitious proposal was finally taking shape. “It is a positive step towards tiger conservation. We will be able to extend funds and habitat management schemes like building enclosures (15-20sqkm on an average) to the extended areas. This, in turn, will ensure better monitoring of buffer zones and reduce man-animal conflict, particularly poaching,” he explained.
DFO (buffer) A.K. Mishra, who is pursuing the proposal along with Anand, conceded that a few technical concerns had hindered the merger process earlier. “For instance, there were discrepancies between the central notification and the directives from principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) on areas to be included. So, Latehar division officials weren’t ready to part with some villages. But now, things are moving,” he said.
Another senior official, requesting anonymity, said some department officials weren’t interested in the first place. “Increase in reserve area means more work in terms of patrolling, monitoring and habitat management. With 90 per cent posts of forest guards lying vacant, no one wanted to take the burden. They merely completed their tenure and went away,” he said.
PCCF A.K. Singh admitted manpower crunch. “Now, we have prepared rules and regulations for recruitment of forest guards. Also, the proposal for a tiger foundation has been drafted a couple of months ago. It is waiting for the state government’s nod,” he said.
Ironically, half of the existing reserve is beyond control because there are not enough guards while DFOs for buffer and core areas were appointed only some time ago. Most importantly, funds for conservation are delayed every year in the absence of a tiger foundation. No wonder, the big cat count has dropped from 17 to 11 in a decade.
Under the Wildlife Protection Act, it is mandatory for all states with reserves to have a tiger foundation, which is an autonomous body to facilitate habitat management. Having a foundation will help the Palamau reserve get money from the Centre directly for conservation work.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110802/jsp/frontpage/story_14321080.jsp
A.S.R.P. MUKESH
Call for conservation
Ranchi, Aug. 1: Three hundred cheers for the majestic big cat!
The state forest department has, finally, moved to raise a territory toast to the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) by honouring a 12-year-old central notification that recommended an additional 300sqkm room at the Palamau Tiger Reserve.
Adhering to the notification, forest belts of Latehar and Ranchi West division will now be integrated into the reserve to ensure better conservation of its 11 striped denizens and management of their habitat. The exercise will stretch the total reserve area from the present 1,026sqkm to 1,326sqkm.
Sarju, Manika, Kumandi and Netarhat Hills in Latehar and Mahuatand and its adjoining areas in Ranchi West will add to the reserve buffer zone. The transfer of forest areas from these two divisions is likely to be completed in a month’s time.
DFO (core), Palamau Tiger Reserve, Premjit Anand said formalities with respective divisional officers had been completed and pockets of Latehar would be merged within 10 days flat. “The rest will happen gradually over a month,” he added.
In 1997, the Centre had issued a notification to the erstwhile Bihar government to increase the area of the reserve, but the state forest department had been sitting on the directive since. The litany of excuses had ranged from manpower crunch to the designated areas (in Latehar) being Naxalite strongholds and thus inaccessible. However, the truth arguably is lackadaisical approach to a project that entails extra burden.
Reserve director S.E.H. Kazmi refused to comment on why the exercise had been delayed for 12 years despite several hard-hitting reminders from the Centre. “When I assumed office a few months ago, I came to know of the notification and began working in that regard. I can’t say why others didn’t do it,” Kazmi, who took charge in April, said.
He underscored that the important thing was that the ambitious proposal was finally taking shape. “It is a positive step towards tiger conservation. We will be able to extend funds and habitat management schemes like building enclosures (15-20sqkm on an average) to the extended areas. This, in turn, will ensure better monitoring of buffer zones and reduce man-animal conflict, particularly poaching,” he explained.
DFO (buffer) A.K. Mishra, who is pursuing the proposal along with Anand, conceded that a few technical concerns had hindered the merger process earlier. “For instance, there were discrepancies between the central notification and the directives from principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) on areas to be included. So, Latehar division officials weren’t ready to part with some villages. But now, things are moving,” he said.
Another senior official, requesting anonymity, said some department officials weren’t interested in the first place. “Increase in reserve area means more work in terms of patrolling, monitoring and habitat management. With 90 per cent posts of forest guards lying vacant, no one wanted to take the burden. They merely completed their tenure and went away,” he said.
PCCF A.K. Singh admitted manpower crunch. “Now, we have prepared rules and regulations for recruitment of forest guards. Also, the proposal for a tiger foundation has been drafted a couple of months ago. It is waiting for the state government’s nod,” he said.
Ironically, half of the existing reserve is beyond control because there are not enough guards while DFOs for buffer and core areas were appointed only some time ago. Most importantly, funds for conservation are delayed every year in the absence of a tiger foundation. No wonder, the big cat count has dropped from 17 to 11 in a decade.
Under the Wildlife Protection Act, it is mandatory for all states with reserves to have a tiger foundation, which is an autonomous body to facilitate habitat management. Having a foundation will help the Palamau reserve get money from the Centre directly for conservation work.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110802/jsp/frontpage/story_14321080.jsp
Tigress trapped -TNN
PIRKHALI (SUNDERBANS): A six-year-old tigress, which frequently strayed into a village adjoining Sunderbans' Pirkhali forest, was lured and trapped on Monday.
Sundarban Tiger Reserve (STR) officials said that the animal is in good health and will be released back into the forest in a day.
The tigress has strayed into Mathurakhand village from Pirkhali forest across the river as many as eight times since July 8. The tigress had tasted easy prey. It killed two goats, a cow and some dogs. On Saturday, STR officials laid a trap and caught it early on Monday.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Tigress-trapped/articleshow/9449432.cms
Sundarban Tiger Reserve (STR) officials said that the animal is in good health and will be released back into the forest in a day.
The tigress has strayed into Mathurakhand village from Pirkhali forest across the river as many as eight times since July 8. The tigress had tasted easy prey. It killed two goats, a cow and some dogs. On Saturday, STR officials laid a trap and caught it early on Monday.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Tigress-trapped/articleshow/9449432.cms
Monday, August 1, 2011
SC notice to NTCA on banning tourism in core area Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: Enlivening hopes to ban tourism in core zones and critical tiger habitats (CTHs) of reserves, the Supreme Court (SC) issued notice to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Madhya Pradesh government. The notices were waived on a special leave petition (SLP) filed by Advocate Gaurav Agrawal on Friday on behalf of Ajay Dubey of Prayatna, a Bhopal-based NGO working for environment protection for a decade.
"The SC has granted three weeks' time to respondents NTCA and the MP government to file their replies," Dubey told TOI.
The SLP was filed against the interim order of January 19, 2011 passed by the Jabalpur high court rejecting Dubey's prayer for barring all kinds of commercial tourism, hotelling and other human activities in the core and critical areas as notified in the tiger reserves of Madhya Pradesh.
The Jabalpur high court had ruled that tourism is not prohibited in the tiger reserves but is permitted subject to normative standards laid down by the NTCA. Keeping parks inviolate for the purposes of tiger conservation does not indicate banning of tourism.
The court had ruled that the word 'inviolate' used also does not imply complete prohibition or banning of tourism.
Inviolate is defined by approved lexicographers to mean 'unhurt', unpolluted and unbroken.
However, Dubey says the word 'inviolate' has to be read in toto i.e. after notification of the core or CTH by the government, the areas should kept as inviolate for tiger conservation. 'Inviolate' means without any disturbance by human beings. Tourism activity in such areas would mean violation of the NTCA guidelines.
The necessity for filing the writ petition had arisen because Madhya Pradesh, which is home to two-third of tiger population of the country, has in recent years, witnessed an unfortunate and sudden decline of tigers with the government succumbing to private and commercial interests.
Dubey had filed a PIL on banning tourism in core areas on September 8, 2010. Supreme Court has now brightened hope.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/SC-notice-to-NTCA-on-banning-tourism-in-core-area/articleshow/9434424.cms
"The SC has granted three weeks' time to respondents NTCA and the MP government to file their replies," Dubey told TOI.
The SLP was filed against the interim order of January 19, 2011 passed by the Jabalpur high court rejecting Dubey's prayer for barring all kinds of commercial tourism, hotelling and other human activities in the core and critical areas as notified in the tiger reserves of Madhya Pradesh.
The Jabalpur high court had ruled that tourism is not prohibited in the tiger reserves but is permitted subject to normative standards laid down by the NTCA. Keeping parks inviolate for the purposes of tiger conservation does not indicate banning of tourism.
The court had ruled that the word 'inviolate' used also does not imply complete prohibition or banning of tourism.
Inviolate is defined by approved lexicographers to mean 'unhurt', unpolluted and unbroken.
However, Dubey says the word 'inviolate' has to be read in toto i.e. after notification of the core or CTH by the government, the areas should kept as inviolate for tiger conservation. 'Inviolate' means without any disturbance by human beings. Tourism activity in such areas would mean violation of the NTCA guidelines.
The necessity for filing the writ petition had arisen because Madhya Pradesh, which is home to two-third of tiger population of the country, has in recent years, witnessed an unfortunate and sudden decline of tigers with the government succumbing to private and commercial interests.
Dubey had filed a PIL on banning tourism in core areas on September 8, 2010. Supreme Court has now brightened hope.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/SC-notice-to-NTCA-on-banning-tourism-in-core-area/articleshow/9434424.cms
Tigers' number in VTR down by two Abhay Singh , TNN
PATNA: Wildlife lovers in Bihar have some reason for concern. For, the tiger population in the state's only tiger sanctuary, Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) project area, has declined to eight in 2010 compared to 10 in the last tiger census done in 2006.
The pug-mark based 2006 count of the tigers in the state had put the figure at 10, with the lower and UP)per limits between seven and 13, respectively.
Overall, the number of tigers in the country has increased to 1,706 - an increase of around 20% over the 2006 figure of 1,411 tigers.
The current status of the tigers in the VTR project area has been brought out in the latest report called `Status of Tigers, Co-Predators And Preys In India, 2010' of the Union ministry of forest and environment released a few days ago. The 2010 census of the tigers in the country was done by applying a new technique called `photo camera strapping'.
The 2010 report, however, has not qualified the fall in the number of tigers over the four years in VTR as alarming. On the contrary, it has called the status of tigers as "stable". This report has also noted that the total "tiger km" in VTR has increased to 750 square km from 510 square km in 2006.
Significantly, the VTR forms geographically harmonious ensemble with what in the wildlife lingua is called `Shivalik-Gangetic Plain Landscape Complex'. It includes tiger reserves of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh (UP). Besides, the VTR is also contiguous with Chitwan National Park in Nepal.
Since as many as 142 villages are situated on the periphery of the VTR, the 2010 status report on tigers in the country has noted, "Despite the high human pressure, this area is able to sustain tiger population due to its proximity and connectivity to the source population of tigers in the Chitwan National Park in Nepal."
Even as the 2010 report has qualified the status of tigers in the VTR as "stable", there is need to conserve both the tigers and their habitat. Incidentally, deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, who reviewed the status of the VTR early this year, had announced to develop the VTR as a tourist spot. The slide in the count of tigers in the VTR has sprung a new situation that defies complacency.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Tigers-number-in-VTR-down-by-two/articleshow/9435751.cms
The pug-mark based 2006 count of the tigers in the state had put the figure at 10, with the lower and UP)per limits between seven and 13, respectively.
Overall, the number of tigers in the country has increased to 1,706 - an increase of around 20% over the 2006 figure of 1,411 tigers.
The current status of the tigers in the VTR project area has been brought out in the latest report called `Status of Tigers, Co-Predators And Preys In India, 2010' of the Union ministry of forest and environment released a few days ago. The 2010 census of the tigers in the country was done by applying a new technique called `photo camera strapping'.
The 2010 report, however, has not qualified the fall in the number of tigers over the four years in VTR as alarming. On the contrary, it has called the status of tigers as "stable". This report has also noted that the total "tiger km" in VTR has increased to 750 square km from 510 square km in 2006.
Significantly, the VTR forms geographically harmonious ensemble with what in the wildlife lingua is called `Shivalik-Gangetic Plain Landscape Complex'. It includes tiger reserves of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh (UP). Besides, the VTR is also contiguous with Chitwan National Park in Nepal.
Since as many as 142 villages are situated on the periphery of the VTR, the 2010 status report on tigers in the country has noted, "Despite the high human pressure, this area is able to sustain tiger population due to its proximity and connectivity to the source population of tigers in the Chitwan National Park in Nepal."
Even as the 2010 report has qualified the status of tigers in the VTR as "stable", there is need to conserve both the tigers and their habitat. Incidentally, deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, who reviewed the status of the VTR early this year, had announced to develop the VTR as a tourist spot. The slide in the count of tigers in the VTR has sprung a new situation that defies complacency.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Tigers-number-in-VTR-down-by-two/articleshow/9435751.cms
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Experts question "independence" of evaluation of tiger reserves -HT
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Independent tiger experts have questioned the management evaluation process of tiger reserves, in which 40% of the reserves were found to be in “very good” state, saying most of the evaluators were from the forest bureaucracy. The National Tiger Conservation Authority --- the body
mandated to protect tigers --- in 2010 had constituted nine committees to evaluate management of 39 tiger reserves across India.
At the first meeting of the committees, two independent wildlife experts, Belinda Wright of Wildlife Protection Society of India and Biswajit Mohanty of Wildlife Society of Orissa had resigned from the evaluation committees protesting against nomination of large number of Indian Forest Service (IFS) officials in the committees.
HK Chaudhury, retired principal conservator of forests, headed the committee to evaluate tiger habitats in his home state of Assam and north-east. CK Shreedharan, a retired IFS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, was chairperson of the committee to review performance of tiger reserves in south states including Tamil Nadu.
Another two IFS officers --- H Sen and AK Bhardwaj– were nominated as independent experts as they were on deputation to Wildlife Institute of India. IFS officers Rajeev Sharma from West Bengal cadre and RK Dogra from Tamil Nadu cadre were asked to evaluate tiger reserves outside their cadre states.
“With so many IFS officers in the committee it cannot be called an independent evaluation,” said tiger and wildlife expert Valmik Thapar.
The decision to nominate so many IFS officers also went against the idea of independent evaluation mooted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2005, after tigers vanished from Sariska tiger reserve in Rajasthan.
“The PM wanted the evaluation to be done by a committee of National Board for Wildlife rather than a government agency,” Thapar said.
The measuring of management effectiveness of tiger reserves released on Thursday rated 15 of the 39 tiger reserves evaluated as very good. Another 12 reserves were rated good and eight satisfactory. Only four tiger reserves got poor rating.
In similar exercise in 2006 of 28 tiger reserves, nine were rated very good and 10 as good. Another even got satisfactory rating and two as poor.
“The evaluation indicates and overall improvement in management of tiger reserves,” the report said.
VB Mathur, Dean at Dehradun based Wildlife Institute of India (WII), defended the evaluation process saying it was totally independent as no change was made in the report even after receiving objections from reserve managers. “We followed an international well settled protocol for evaluation and integrity of the nine evaluation committees,” he said.
Thapar, however, wanted revamp of the entire process saying no IFS officers should be part of the evaluation committees.
“The committees should have people from outside the government having experience in different fields such as sociology, conservation and wildlife protection,” he said.
Rajesh Gopal, member secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority, which constituted the committees, did not answer to calls or text messages.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Experts-question-independence-of-evaluation-of-tiger-reserves/Article1-727434.aspx
0 Comments email print
Independent tiger experts have questioned the management evaluation process of tiger reserves, in which 40% of the reserves were found to be in “very good” state, saying most of the evaluators were from the forest bureaucracy. The National Tiger Conservation Authority --- the body
mandated to protect tigers --- in 2010 had constituted nine committees to evaluate management of 39 tiger reserves across India.
At the first meeting of the committees, two independent wildlife experts, Belinda Wright of Wildlife Protection Society of India and Biswajit Mohanty of Wildlife Society of Orissa had resigned from the evaluation committees protesting against nomination of large number of Indian Forest Service (IFS) officials in the committees.
HK Chaudhury, retired principal conservator of forests, headed the committee to evaluate tiger habitats in his home state of Assam and north-east. CK Shreedharan, a retired IFS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, was chairperson of the committee to review performance of tiger reserves in south states including Tamil Nadu.
Another two IFS officers --- H Sen and AK Bhardwaj– were nominated as independent experts as they were on deputation to Wildlife Institute of India. IFS officers Rajeev Sharma from West Bengal cadre and RK Dogra from Tamil Nadu cadre were asked to evaluate tiger reserves outside their cadre states.
“With so many IFS officers in the committee it cannot be called an independent evaluation,” said tiger and wildlife expert Valmik Thapar.
The decision to nominate so many IFS officers also went against the idea of independent evaluation mooted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2005, after tigers vanished from Sariska tiger reserve in Rajasthan.
“The PM wanted the evaluation to be done by a committee of National Board for Wildlife rather than a government agency,” Thapar said.
The measuring of management effectiveness of tiger reserves released on Thursday rated 15 of the 39 tiger reserves evaluated as very good. Another 12 reserves were rated good and eight satisfactory. Only four tiger reserves got poor rating.
In similar exercise in 2006 of 28 tiger reserves, nine were rated very good and 10 as good. Another even got satisfactory rating and two as poor.
“The evaluation indicates and overall improvement in management of tiger reserves,” the report said.
VB Mathur, Dean at Dehradun based Wildlife Institute of India (WII), defended the evaluation process saying it was totally independent as no change was made in the report even after receiving objections from reserve managers. “We followed an international well settled protocol for evaluation and integrity of the nine evaluation committees,” he said.
Thapar, however, wanted revamp of the entire process saying no IFS officers should be part of the evaluation committees.
“The committees should have people from outside the government having experience in different fields such as sociology, conservation and wildlife protection,” he said.
Rajesh Gopal, member secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority, which constituted the committees, did not answer to calls or text messages.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Experts-question-independence-of-evaluation-of-tiger-reserves/Article1-727434.aspx
Tiger conservation does not stop with numbers, warn experts-PTI
CHENNAI: The latest national tiger estimation showing a 20 per cent increase in the number of big cats to 1706 from 1411 is cause for cheer, but leading experts and conservationists say the next focus should be on protecting its habitats and retaining their continuity and overall ecological quality.
"Though the latest national tiger population estimation shows an increasing trend, we need to focus on protection of tiger habitats, retaining habitat contiguity and the overall ecological quality of tiger habitats," says Ravi Chellam, a scientist with the Wildlife Institute of India.
TheAll India Tiger Estimation - conducted every four years - in 2010 showed a 20 per cent increase over the figure in 2006 which was 1411.
Notwithstanding the increase in the numbers, experts feel the big cats are constantly under threat due to development related infrastructure expansion into tiger habitats.
"Though we still have a few large tiger habitats, expansion of infrastructure into tiger habitats like laying of railway lines and roads have a very negative impact on their habitat as well as on direct mortality of animals and also increased human access to these habitats," says Chellam.
"Data only shows the number of tigers left in the wild, but it is other deeds like conserving habitats and preventing their fragmentation and restoring connectivity that will ensure the tiger population survives and proliferates in the long run," he said.
Tamil Nadu along with Uttarakhand, Maharashtra and Karnataka leads in tiger density, says the estimation.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/tiger-conservation-does-not-stop-with-numbers-warn-experts/articleshow/9429788.cms
"Though the latest national tiger population estimation shows an increasing trend, we need to focus on protection of tiger habitats, retaining habitat contiguity and the overall ecological quality of tiger habitats," says Ravi Chellam, a scientist with the Wildlife Institute of India.
TheAll India Tiger Estimation - conducted every four years - in 2010 showed a 20 per cent increase over the figure in 2006 which was 1411.
Notwithstanding the increase in the numbers, experts feel the big cats are constantly under threat due to development related infrastructure expansion into tiger habitats.
"Though we still have a few large tiger habitats, expansion of infrastructure into tiger habitats like laying of railway lines and roads have a very negative impact on their habitat as well as on direct mortality of animals and also increased human access to these habitats," says Chellam.
"Data only shows the number of tigers left in the wild, but it is other deeds like conserving habitats and preventing their fragmentation and restoring connectivity that will ensure the tiger population survives and proliferates in the long run," he said.
Tamil Nadu along with Uttarakhand, Maharashtra and Karnataka leads in tiger density, says the estimation.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/tiger-conservation-does-not-stop-with-numbers-warn-experts/articleshow/9429788.cms
Manpower crisis, poor infrastructure plaguing most NE tiger reserves'
Jul 29, 2011, 11.36pm IST
GUWAHATI: Except Kaziranga, majority of the tiger reserves in the northeast are suffering either from inadequate manpower or poor infrastructure.
The latest report on Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Tiger Reserves in India prominently highlighted that inadequate staff, no proper buffer zone, poor conservation, infrastructure and untimely release of funds as some of the weaknesses in many tiger reserves of the region.
Kaziranga has found place in the "very good" category along with 13 other tiger reserves across the country. Manas in Assam, Pakke in Arunachal Pradesh and Dampa in Mizoram were in the category of "good" along with eight other tiger reserves of the country in this category. Only Nameri in Assam and Namdapha in Arunachal were included in the "satisfactory" category along with four other tiger reserves of the country.
While Kaziranga has no such issues of inadequate manpower or poor infrastructure, the MEE has pointed out that Pakke, Namdapha, Nameri and Dampa suffers from shortage of field staff. Pakke suffers not only from inadequate frontline staff, but also from poor infrastructure and untimely release of funds. The MEE said the 500-MW power project adjacent to Pakke is likely to pose a threat to the tiger reserve whose strength lies in being free from human habitation and well protected by rivers on three sides.
Similarly for Dampa, the MEE said, only a handful of regular field staff (four foresters and seven forest guards) are manning the reserve. "Field protection and even office management is being done by temporary staff," the report said. .
For Namdapha and Nameri, it categorically pointed out that inadequate staff and poor infrastructure were the major shortcomings along with the problem of encroachment. In case of Nameri, "there is a severe shortage of field staff" and most of the existing field staff are in the age group of 40 to 48 years."
The MEE said while 84 families of Lisu tribe have settled in five villages within the core area of Namdapha, there was a manifold increase in encroachment and population in villages adjoining the forest lands of Nameri. Although Manas has been spared from inadequate manpower, MEE has noted that the tiger reserve still has to deal with poor infrastructure.
"Manas has 38 anti-poaching camps in the core area and none in the buffer. The camps are inadequately equipped in terms of arms and ammunition, living facilities for the staff and communication," said the report.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-29/guwahati/29833442_1_tiger-reserves-dampa-management-effectiveness-evaluation
GUWAHATI: Except Kaziranga, majority of the tiger reserves in the northeast are suffering either from inadequate manpower or poor infrastructure.
The latest report on Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Tiger Reserves in India prominently highlighted that inadequate staff, no proper buffer zone, poor conservation, infrastructure and untimely release of funds as some of the weaknesses in many tiger reserves of the region.
Kaziranga has found place in the "very good" category along with 13 other tiger reserves across the country. Manas in Assam, Pakke in Arunachal Pradesh and Dampa in Mizoram were in the category of "good" along with eight other tiger reserves of the country in this category. Only Nameri in Assam and Namdapha in Arunachal were included in the "satisfactory" category along with four other tiger reserves of the country.
While Kaziranga has no such issues of inadequate manpower or poor infrastructure, the MEE has pointed out that Pakke, Namdapha, Nameri and Dampa suffers from shortage of field staff. Pakke suffers not only from inadequate frontline staff, but also from poor infrastructure and untimely release of funds. The MEE said the 500-MW power project adjacent to Pakke is likely to pose a threat to the tiger reserve whose strength lies in being free from human habitation and well protected by rivers on three sides.
Similarly for Dampa, the MEE said, only a handful of regular field staff (four foresters and seven forest guards) are manning the reserve. "Field protection and even office management is being done by temporary staff," the report said. .
For Namdapha and Nameri, it categorically pointed out that inadequate staff and poor infrastructure were the major shortcomings along with the problem of encroachment. In case of Nameri, "there is a severe shortage of field staff" and most of the existing field staff are in the age group of 40 to 48 years."
The MEE said while 84 families of Lisu tribe have settled in five villages within the core area of Namdapha, there was a manifold increase in encroachment and population in villages adjoining the forest lands of Nameri. Although Manas has been spared from inadequate manpower, MEE has noted that the tiger reserve still has to deal with poor infrastructure.
"Manas has 38 anti-poaching camps in the core area and none in the buffer. The camps are inadequately equipped in terms of arms and ammunition, living facilities for the staff and communication," said the report.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-29/guwahati/29833442_1_tiger-reserves-dampa-management-effectiveness-evaluation
Saturday, July 30, 2011
'Goa stretch of Western Ghats vital tiger link' Paul Fernandes, TNN
PANAJI: The presence of the big cat in the state received a loud roar of official support, with the ministry of environment and forests considering the Goa stretch of the Western Ghats an important tiger corridor" between Anshi-Dandeli in Karnataka and the Sahyadris in Maharashtra, and confirming occupancy of tigers in the state's forests.
The findings-part of phase one of the study 'Status of tigers, co-predators and prey in India 2010'-are based on data collected in 2009-10 from signs gathered by forest department officials and volunteers in the field. "The evidence on the ground usually covers everything from scats and pug marks to tiger kill," an environmentalist explained.
The report effectively stomps out the state forest department's past denial of the tiger's presence in Goa. Released on Thursday, the report considers the Western Ghats stretch from the Dang forests in Gujarat (including Goa) up to the Palakkad gap in Kerala as one of two corridors with the potential for contiguous tiger occupancy.
Though the exact number of big cats in Goa's forests can be further determined by using the camera trap method- which will be taken up in the third phase of the study and is yet to be started in the state-the report seriously considers the importance of Goa's link to the corridor.
It also refers to the better connectivity of Western Ghats tiger populations as compared to the same in central India and the Shivalik Gangetic plains landscapes, and finds that the habitat matrix in the Western Ghats is more conducive for tiger occupancy.
"However, the habitat connectivity is threatened by plantations, agriculture, industrial and infrastructural development," the report states. It calls for "timely effort to identify and legitimize the minimal corridors" which is needed for the conservation objective of ensuring gene flow between the Western Ghats tiger populations in times to come.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-stretch-of-Western-Ghats-vital-tiger-link/articleshow/9416410.cms
The findings-part of phase one of the study 'Status of tigers, co-predators and prey in India 2010'-are based on data collected in 2009-10 from signs gathered by forest department officials and volunteers in the field. "The evidence on the ground usually covers everything from scats and pug marks to tiger kill," an environmentalist explained.
The report effectively stomps out the state forest department's past denial of the tiger's presence in Goa. Released on Thursday, the report considers the Western Ghats stretch from the Dang forests in Gujarat (including Goa) up to the Palakkad gap in Kerala as one of two corridors with the potential for contiguous tiger occupancy.
Though the exact number of big cats in Goa's forests can be further determined by using the camera trap method- which will be taken up in the third phase of the study and is yet to be started in the state-the report seriously considers the importance of Goa's link to the corridor.
It also refers to the better connectivity of Western Ghats tiger populations as compared to the same in central India and the Shivalik Gangetic plains landscapes, and finds that the habitat matrix in the Western Ghats is more conducive for tiger occupancy.
"However, the habitat connectivity is threatened by plantations, agriculture, industrial and infrastructural development," the report states. It calls for "timely effort to identify and legitimize the minimal corridors" which is needed for the conservation objective of ensuring gene flow between the Western Ghats tiger populations in times to come.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-stretch-of-Western-Ghats-vital-tiger-link/articleshow/9416410.cms
Kota tigress relocation gets NTCA approval Anindo Dey, TNN
JAIPUR: The tigress to be relocated to the Sariska tiger reserve has been identified. The Sultanpur tigress in Kota will be first of the three tigresses to be relocated. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has already granted permission to the state for this.
During his last visit to Sariska, the then Union forest and environment minister Jairam Ramesh had said three more tigresses were to be shifted. Currently, the reserve has three tigresses and two tigers.
The tigress had strayed from the Ranthambore tiger reserve in January 2010. A team of forest officials had been trying to trace it but with the tigress settling down in the ravines of the Kalisind river on the border of Kota and Baran districts, there was little effort made in bringing her back. Even the periodic tracking of the tiger came to a halt.
Irked by lack of efforts from the forest department in keeping a tab on the tigress, a potential mother, the issue came up for discussion in a meeting. It was then that the state wrote to the NTCA seeking permission for the relocation of the big cat. But now when the permission has been granted, officials of the forest department are still unsure if it will happen. "The place where the tigress is settled is a big area and no tab has been kept on it. One is unsure if we will be able to locate the animal and tranquilise it before relocating it to Sariska," officials said.
Forest officials are trying to relocate tigresses to Sariska as all three, failed to give birth to a cub ever since they were relocated despite mating.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Kota-tigress-relocation-gets-NTCA-approval/articleshow/9416900.cms
During his last visit to Sariska, the then Union forest and environment minister Jairam Ramesh had said three more tigresses were to be shifted. Currently, the reserve has three tigresses and two tigers.
The tigress had strayed from the Ranthambore tiger reserve in January 2010. A team of forest officials had been trying to trace it but with the tigress settling down in the ravines of the Kalisind river on the border of Kota and Baran districts, there was little effort made in bringing her back. Even the periodic tracking of the tiger came to a halt.
Irked by lack of efforts from the forest department in keeping a tab on the tigress, a potential mother, the issue came up for discussion in a meeting. It was then that the state wrote to the NTCA seeking permission for the relocation of the big cat. But now when the permission has been granted, officials of the forest department are still unsure if it will happen. "The place where the tigress is settled is a big area and no tab has been kept on it. One is unsure if we will be able to locate the animal and tranquilise it before relocating it to Sariska," officials said.
Forest officials are trying to relocate tigresses to Sariska as all three, failed to give birth to a cub ever since they were relocated despite mating.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Kota-tigress-relocation-gets-NTCA-approval/articleshow/9416900.cms
Blow to Buxa's tiger hopes Krishnendu Mukherjee, TNN
KOLKATA: At a time when man-animal conflict is ruling the headlines, an MoEF report may come as a severe blow to Buxa's tiger dreams.
The report, a part of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves, said that the core area in the north Bengal reserve is inadequate for a viable breeding population of the big cats. "The 390.58 sq km core area is also not inviolate with about nine human settlements within the core," the report added.
An official from the National Tiger Conservation Authority said that about 30 forest villages are there inside the reserve and large human population for resource dependence and cattle grazing have resulted in degradation of forests. "This reflects in wide spread occurrence of invasive species like Mikania, Eupatorium and Ageratum," the official added.
"The state has decided to provide a package of Rs 10 lakh to the families, that will be relocating from Buxa Tiger Reserve," said PCCF (wildlife), SB Mondal. The relocation, to be done under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, will impact almost 18,000 villagers. Eight villages inside the reserve had already agreed to the relocation plan. The villages to be relocated outside the core area are Jainti, Bhutiabasti, Gangutia, Raimatang, Butrhi, Adma, Pana, 27 mile and 28 mile. Mondal said that they are waiting for funds from the Centre to kick start the process.
Though Wildlife Institute of India's (WII) YV Jhala had referred to a study done by Aaranyak, which predicted an estimation of 15 tigers inside the reserve, he added that inadequacy in habitat management, socio-political issues, lack of training in wildlife management are posing challenge to a proper management of the reserve.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Blow-to-Buxas-tiger-hopes/articleshow/9414756.cms
The report, a part of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves, said that the core area in the north Bengal reserve is inadequate for a viable breeding population of the big cats. "The 390.58 sq km core area is also not inviolate with about nine human settlements within the core," the report added.
An official from the National Tiger Conservation Authority said that about 30 forest villages are there inside the reserve and large human population for resource dependence and cattle grazing have resulted in degradation of forests. "This reflects in wide spread occurrence of invasive species like Mikania, Eupatorium and Ageratum," the official added.
"The state has decided to provide a package of Rs 10 lakh to the families, that will be relocating from Buxa Tiger Reserve," said PCCF (wildlife), SB Mondal. The relocation, to be done under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, will impact almost 18,000 villagers. Eight villages inside the reserve had already agreed to the relocation plan. The villages to be relocated outside the core area are Jainti, Bhutiabasti, Gangutia, Raimatang, Butrhi, Adma, Pana, 27 mile and 28 mile. Mondal said that they are waiting for funds from the Centre to kick start the process.
Though Wildlife Institute of India's (WII) YV Jhala had referred to a study done by Aaranyak, which predicted an estimation of 15 tigers inside the reserve, he added that inadequacy in habitat management, socio-political issues, lack of training in wildlife management are posing challenge to a proper management of the reserve.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Blow-to-Buxas-tiger-hopes/articleshow/9414756.cms
Tiger cub killed on Corbett road
A tiger cub was run over by a speeding vehicle on the road passing through Dhela range of the Corbett National Park on Friday. Corbett director Ranjan Kumar Mishra said a female tiger cub — aged about three months — was found dead on Dhela Road. The cub had sustained major head injury, leading to massive bleeding.
Park authorities are conducting a drive to check all vehicles at nearby resorts for signs of blood to identify who’s responsible.
Mishra added that the numbers and timing of vehicles passing through the checkpost on Dhela Road used to be noted during the night but due to the uncooperative attitude of vehicle users, among other factors, this system had become lax.
It is expected that checking will be stringent once again, and all vehicles on the road after 7:30 pm will be identified to help narrowing down on suspects in case of deaths of wild animals.
Honorary Wildlife Warden of Corbett and National Tiger Conservation Authority member Brijendra Singh said that considering the death of another tiger on Ramnagar road the previous year, the need for controlling speed and number of vehicles using such roads was essential.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/357029/Tiger-cub-killed-on-Corbett-road.html
Park authorities are conducting a drive to check all vehicles at nearby resorts for signs of blood to identify who’s responsible.
Mishra added that the numbers and timing of vehicles passing through the checkpost on Dhela Road used to be noted during the night but due to the uncooperative attitude of vehicle users, among other factors, this system had become lax.
It is expected that checking will be stringent once again, and all vehicles on the road after 7:30 pm will be identified to help narrowing down on suspects in case of deaths of wild animals.
Honorary Wildlife Warden of Corbett and National Tiger Conservation Authority member Brijendra Singh said that considering the death of another tiger on Ramnagar road the previous year, the need for controlling speed and number of vehicles using such roads was essential.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/357029/Tiger-cub-killed-on-Corbett-road.html
Friday, July 29, 2011
Tiger numbers up by 20 per cent in four years
PTI | 07:07 PM,Jul 28,2011
The Ministry report warned that once the habitats are lost, it is impossible to claim them back for restoration. "Poaching can wipe out individual tiger populations, but these can be re-established by reintroductions as has been done in Sariska and Panna," it said. Currently, only a few populations like Nagarhole-Bandipur-Mudumalai-Wayanad-Moyar-Segur, Corbett population, Sundarbans (India and Bangladesh) and Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong have the required population size for long term survival without immigration. "The remaining tiger populations require habitat connectivity for genetic and demographic viability," the report said. Populations that currently have corridor connectivity and exist as meta-populations are Rajaji-Corbett, Dudhwa-Katarniaghat-Kishanpur (along with Bardia and Suklaphanta in Nepal), Satpura-Melghat, Pench-Kanha, Bhadra-Kudermukh, Parambikulam-Indira Gandhi-Eravikulam and KMTR-Periyar. "Loss of connectivity between these populations would prove detrimental for their persistence," the report said. "The landscapes that have potential for meta population existence but are currently in need of conservation inputs are Srisailam, Simlipal-Satkosia, Ranthambhore-KunoPalpur-Sheopur, Indravati-Northern AndhraPradesh-Chandrapur-Nagzira-Navaegaon, and Bandhavgarh-Sanjay-Guru Ghasidas-Palamau," it said. PTI TGB
The Ministry report warned that once the habitats are lost, it is impossible to claim them back for restoration. "Poaching can wipe out individual tiger populations, but these can be re-established by reintroductions as has been done in Sariska and Panna," it said. Currently, only a few populations like Nagarhole-Bandipur-Mudumalai-Wayanad-Moyar-Segur, Corbett population, Sundarbans (India and Bangladesh) and Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong have the required population size for long term survival without immigration. "The remaining tiger populations require habitat connectivity for genetic and demographic viability," the report said. Populations that currently have corridor connectivity and exist as meta-populations are Rajaji-Corbett, Dudhwa-Katarniaghat-Kishanpur (along with Bardia and Suklaphanta in Nepal), Satpura-Melghat, Pench-Kanha, Bhadra-Kudermukh, Parambikulam-Indira Gandhi-Eravikulam and KMTR-Periyar. "Loss of connectivity between these populations would prove detrimental for their persistence," the report said. "The landscapes that have potential for meta population existence but are currently in need of conservation inputs are Srisailam, Simlipal-Satkosia, Ranthambhore-KunoPalpur-Sheopur, Indravati-Northern AndhraPradesh-Chandrapur-Nagzira-Navaegaon, and Bandhavgarh-Sanjay-Guru Ghasidas-Palamau," it said. PTI TGB
Staff shortage hits tiger reserves
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, July 28: The Sunderbans is among 15 tiger reserves with “very good” management practices, but field staff shortages and inadequate training are hampering conservation activities in all of India’s 39 tiger reserves.
An exercise initiated by the Union environment ministry to assess conservation efforts in tiger reserves has dubbed the effectiveness of management as “good” in 12 reserves, satisfactory in eight, and poor in four.
“But staff shortages and ageing field staff across all the reserves threaten conservation efforts,” said Vinod Mathur, dean at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun.
“In the absence of fresh recruitment, the ageing staff can’t even hand over their skills to the next generation,” added Mathur, who was involved in the exercise, titled “management effectiveness” evaluation of tiger reserves.
Mathur said the average age of field staff was 52 years, and the shortage across all reserves could touch 30 per cent. Such personnel are tasked with patrolling and routine housekeeping activities in the reserves.
The environment ministry had earlier this year released its new estimate of tigers in India — 1,706, about 20 per cent higher than the 2006 estimate of 1,411, although the latest estimate included the count of 70 tigers in the Sunderbans, unlike the 2006 census.
The “management effectiveness” evaluation assessed the tiger reserves on several conservation-related parameters including habitat management, threat assessment and funding contributions by state governments.
“Bengal provides a substantial level of funding for the Sunderbans — we don’t see that level of funding from any other state,” Mathur said. The funds are used for all conservation-related activities, including patrolling through the reserve’s harsh environment.
Three of the four poorly managed tiger reserves — Indravati and Udanti-Sitanadi in Chhattisgarh and Palamau in Jharkhand — fall in the so-called “Red corridor”, affected by Left-wing extremism. The fourth poorly managed reserve is Satkosia in Orissa.
A detailed analysis of the tiger census, released earlier this year, has shown a 12 per cent decline in the animals’ numbers at “connecting habitats” — corridors of favourable habitat that connect two tiger reserves.
The increase in the overall count since 2006 has been attributed to an increase in tiger density in Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and parts of the Northeast, and the inclusion of the Sunderbans in the estimation.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110729/jsp/nation/story_14304797.jsp
New Delhi, July 28: The Sunderbans is among 15 tiger reserves with “very good” management practices, but field staff shortages and inadequate training are hampering conservation activities in all of India’s 39 tiger reserves.
An exercise initiated by the Union environment ministry to assess conservation efforts in tiger reserves has dubbed the effectiveness of management as “good” in 12 reserves, satisfactory in eight, and poor in four.
“But staff shortages and ageing field staff across all the reserves threaten conservation efforts,” said Vinod Mathur, dean at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun.
“In the absence of fresh recruitment, the ageing staff can’t even hand over their skills to the next generation,” added Mathur, who was involved in the exercise, titled “management effectiveness” evaluation of tiger reserves.
Mathur said the average age of field staff was 52 years, and the shortage across all reserves could touch 30 per cent. Such personnel are tasked with patrolling and routine housekeeping activities in the reserves.
The environment ministry had earlier this year released its new estimate of tigers in India — 1,706, about 20 per cent higher than the 2006 estimate of 1,411, although the latest estimate included the count of 70 tigers in the Sunderbans, unlike the 2006 census.
The “management effectiveness” evaluation assessed the tiger reserves on several conservation-related parameters including habitat management, threat assessment and funding contributions by state governments.
“Bengal provides a substantial level of funding for the Sunderbans — we don’t see that level of funding from any other state,” Mathur said. The funds are used for all conservation-related activities, including patrolling through the reserve’s harsh environment.
Three of the four poorly managed tiger reserves — Indravati and Udanti-Sitanadi in Chhattisgarh and Palamau in Jharkhand — fall in the so-called “Red corridor”, affected by Left-wing extremism. The fourth poorly managed reserve is Satkosia in Orissa.
A detailed analysis of the tiger census, released earlier this year, has shown a 12 per cent decline in the animals’ numbers at “connecting habitats” — corridors of favourable habitat that connect two tiger reserves.
The increase in the overall count since 2006 has been attributed to an increase in tiger density in Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and parts of the Northeast, and the inclusion of the Sunderbans in the estimation.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110729/jsp/nation/story_14304797.jsp
Officials, activists divided over tiger cubs’ relocation TNN
JAIPUR: Sariska's jinx with cubs continues. The latest controversy to grip Sariska comes after the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) approved relocation of two cubs, left orphaned by the death of the Kachida tigress at Ranthambore within six months after it was operated upon by the forest authorities.
However, even now senior forest officials are confused whether to relocate the cubs. Interestingly, the NTCA's approval has come only after the state sent it a proposal seeking permission for it.
"The cubs are well-settled in Ranthambore. What is the need to relocate them to Sariska? Moreover, they are very young and the process of tranquilising them before relocation may prove detrimental to their health," said a senior forest official.
They explained the proposal was sent about six months ago and the situation has changed much since then. "There are grown-up tigers roaming in Sariska and the cubs might just stray into their territory and get killed," he added.
But wildlife activists are not willing to buy any of the claims of the officials. "The cubs are more prone to attacks from elder tigers in Ranthambore than at Sariska. Ranthambore is overpopulated and even sub-adult tigers have often strayed from the forest in search of a territory. In such a situation the cubs stand no chance," they added.
Activists also say the original plan sent to NTCA was not to catch the cubs and leave them at Sariska. "The proposal was to leave them in the cage that is built in Sariska where we normally leave any relocated tiger for a period for acclimatisation. Here we could have taught the cubs to hunt on their own by releasing deer within the cage. Once they grew up we could have left them in the wild. Not relocating them after permissions from the NTCA might amount to taking all the responsibility of the well-being of the cubs in Ranthambore on our shoulders," they say.
When contacted, U M Sahai, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan, said, "We have received the NTCA permission. However, since it is such a long time since the proposal was sent we will write again to the authorities to learn of their opinion as to whether the relocation should be done now."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Officials-activists-divided-over-tiger-cubs-relocation/articleshow/9404683.cms
However, even now senior forest officials are confused whether to relocate the cubs. Interestingly, the NTCA's approval has come only after the state sent it a proposal seeking permission for it.
"The cubs are well-settled in Ranthambore. What is the need to relocate them to Sariska? Moreover, they are very young and the process of tranquilising them before relocation may prove detrimental to their health," said a senior forest official.
They explained the proposal was sent about six months ago and the situation has changed much since then. "There are grown-up tigers roaming in Sariska and the cubs might just stray into their territory and get killed," he added.
But wildlife activists are not willing to buy any of the claims of the officials. "The cubs are more prone to attacks from elder tigers in Ranthambore than at Sariska. Ranthambore is overpopulated and even sub-adult tigers have often strayed from the forest in search of a territory. In such a situation the cubs stand no chance," they added.
Activists also say the original plan sent to NTCA was not to catch the cubs and leave them at Sariska. "The proposal was to leave them in the cage that is built in Sariska where we normally leave any relocated tiger for a period for acclimatisation. Here we could have taught the cubs to hunt on their own by releasing deer within the cage. Once they grew up we could have left them in the wild. Not relocating them after permissions from the NTCA might amount to taking all the responsibility of the well-being of the cubs in Ranthambore on our shoulders," they say.
When contacted, U M Sahai, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan, said, "We have received the NTCA permission. However, since it is such a long time since the proposal was sent we will write again to the authorities to learn of their opinion as to whether the relocation should be done now."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Officials-activists-divided-over-tiger-cubs-relocation/articleshow/9404683.cms
Tiger habitat shrinks by 20 pc in State: Subhash Chandra NS,Bangalore,
The increase in tiger population might have put the State in the limelight for its conservation efforts, however, the second countrywide report on the status of tigers in India, to be released by Environment Minister Jayanthi Natrajan in Delhi shows a decline in the big cat’s habitat by 20 per cent.
Sources in the Wildlife Institute of India said the second report, which runs to over 200 pages gave an assessment of tigers across the country. “It is the largest ever exercise to count tigers in the country,” sources said.
Though the State’s wildlife experts attribute the contiguous forest as the reason for better conservation in the State, the second report ‘Tigers, co-predators in India- 2010’ stated that forests in Karnataka were not in a position to support the increasing number of tigers as their area had shrunk by 20 per cent.
According to the report, the data collected from the tiger habitats of 17 states in India, showed an average decline of 12 per cent in their area. However, the silver lining for Karnataka was that the leopard population in the State as well as the habitat was stable.
The report also stated that the future of big cats appeared bleak unless measures were taken to secure the tigers’ habitat which had been lost due to various reasons, sources said.
It could be recalled that the recent census report had showed a marginal increase in the number of tigers in the State. It was estimated that tigers numbered 34 to 47 in 435.5 sq km of Sharavathi Valley (Anshi- Dandeli). The big cat population was estimated to be between 32 and 47 in Kudremukh-Bhadra region which spreads across 327.4 sq km.
As many as 350 to 411 tigers had been estimated to be present in 5,033 sq km area of Nagarahole, Mudumalai-Wayanad region.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/179609/tiger-habitat-shrinks-20-pc.html
Sources in the Wildlife Institute of India said the second report, which runs to over 200 pages gave an assessment of tigers across the country. “It is the largest ever exercise to count tigers in the country,” sources said.
Though the State’s wildlife experts attribute the contiguous forest as the reason for better conservation in the State, the second report ‘Tigers, co-predators in India- 2010’ stated that forests in Karnataka were not in a position to support the increasing number of tigers as their area had shrunk by 20 per cent.
According to the report, the data collected from the tiger habitats of 17 states in India, showed an average decline of 12 per cent in their area. However, the silver lining for Karnataka was that the leopard population in the State as well as the habitat was stable.
The report also stated that the future of big cats appeared bleak unless measures were taken to secure the tigers’ habitat which had been lost due to various reasons, sources said.
It could be recalled that the recent census report had showed a marginal increase in the number of tigers in the State. It was estimated that tigers numbered 34 to 47 in 435.5 sq km of Sharavathi Valley (Anshi- Dandeli). The big cat population was estimated to be between 32 and 47 in Kudremukh-Bhadra region which spreads across 327.4 sq km.
As many as 350 to 411 tigers had been estimated to be present in 5,033 sq km area of Nagarahole, Mudumalai-Wayanad region.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/179609/tiger-habitat-shrinks-20-pc.html
Another feather in Manas cap - Delhi report classifies Kaziranga as ‘very good’ among tiger reserves
Days of glory
Guwahati, July 28: Manas is on a roll.
Weeks after winning back its World Heritage Site tag, the national park has earned the distinction of being classified as a “good” tiger reserve, following the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of tiger reserves in India exercise carried out by National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institute of India.
The report was released in New Delhi today. It reveals that most of the tiger reserves in the Northeast have done well in comparison to earlier reports.
Kaziranga has been classified in the “very good” category, while Dampa and Pakke are in the “good” category, and Nameri and Namdapha have been kept in the “satisfactory” category.
MEE is an assessment of how well protected areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves, community reserves and tiger reserves are being managed and their effectiveness in conserving flora and fauna.
Thirty indicators were used to evaluate the reserves.
Manas was earlier classified as poor while Kaziranga and Pakke were “good”.
Nameri was satisfactory, Dampa and Namdapha were classified as poor.
“On Manas tiger reserve, it says there are no human settlements inside the core of the reserve except for an area of 16.3 square km in Panbari on the fringes and 20 hectares at Betbari in North Kamrup which was encroached upon in 1996. Relocation of these settlements is being addressed through negotiations with local people.
“It is a good news for us and shows that the efforts put in during the last few years are finally paying off. There are some concerns, which are being adequately taken care of,” A. Swargiary, field director of the Manas tiger reserve, said.
The report says there is excellent availability of water in the reserve, part of a larger landscape, dynamic ecosystem, change in attitude of local people towards conservation of Manas and good support from Manas.
On the weaknesses, it says there is poor infrastructure in the buffer areas, multiplicity of management in the buffer area, porosity of the southern tip of the Manas river and lack of clarity in the role of volunteers.
It has suggested that the authorities should discuss the issue with the Bodoland Territorial Council to place the buffer areas under the unified command of the field director.
This apart, it should prepare a volunteer deployment programme and create administrative structure so that they can work under the supervision of regular staff.
A source in Manas said though relocation of people from the core areas is on the cards, it looks to be a tough job, as there are several problems. A sum of Rs 10 lakh will be paid to each family for moving out.
It says that Kaziranga has one of the best protection strategies, which are well implemented with 152 anti poaching camps, a number of roads and a well-connected communication system.
It is prepared to meet emergencies arising out of flash floods, the core area is free from human habitation and the wildlife staff trained better at the senior level.
The reserve is estimated to have 106 tigers.
The weaknesses identified for Kaziranga are rapid habitat degradation in and around the tiger reserve, speeding traffic along National Highway 37 and delay in release of funds, among others.
It has suggested a periodic review of tourism activities and the initiation of steps for habitat and population monitoring.
The strengths of Dampa are no human settlements inside the core area, attitudinal change in the local communities and habitat for species of high conservation value, among others.
The long international border which opens up scope for movement of people from neigbouring countries and shifting cultivation in the buffer area are some of its weaknesses.
Pakke has excellent protection mechanism, man management and is free from human habitation. Namdapha has inadequate staff and most of them are not trained, 84 families are staying in the core area and there is no eco-development.
Similarly, at Nameri tiger reserve, the buffer zone is not under the tiger reserve, there is a severe shortage of manpower and severe degradation and encroachment of buffer areas.
The estimated total population of tigers in Assam is 143 with the lower limit being 113 and the upper limit being 173. In 2006, the population was 70.
In the Northeast, the tiger population is 148 with the lower limit being 118 and the upper limit being 178. In 2006 it was 100.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110729/jsp/frontpage/story_14304436.jsp
Guwahati, July 28: Manas is on a roll.
Weeks after winning back its World Heritage Site tag, the national park has earned the distinction of being classified as a “good” tiger reserve, following the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of tiger reserves in India exercise carried out by National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institute of India.
The report was released in New Delhi today. It reveals that most of the tiger reserves in the Northeast have done well in comparison to earlier reports.
Kaziranga has been classified in the “very good” category, while Dampa and Pakke are in the “good” category, and Nameri and Namdapha have been kept in the “satisfactory” category.
MEE is an assessment of how well protected areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves, community reserves and tiger reserves are being managed and their effectiveness in conserving flora and fauna.
Thirty indicators were used to evaluate the reserves.
Manas was earlier classified as poor while Kaziranga and Pakke were “good”.
Nameri was satisfactory, Dampa and Namdapha were classified as poor.
“On Manas tiger reserve, it says there are no human settlements inside the core of the reserve except for an area of 16.3 square km in Panbari on the fringes and 20 hectares at Betbari in North Kamrup which was encroached upon in 1996. Relocation of these settlements is being addressed through negotiations with local people.
“It is a good news for us and shows that the efforts put in during the last few years are finally paying off. There are some concerns, which are being adequately taken care of,” A. Swargiary, field director of the Manas tiger reserve, said.
The report says there is excellent availability of water in the reserve, part of a larger landscape, dynamic ecosystem, change in attitude of local people towards conservation of Manas and good support from Manas.
On the weaknesses, it says there is poor infrastructure in the buffer areas, multiplicity of management in the buffer area, porosity of the southern tip of the Manas river and lack of clarity in the role of volunteers.
It has suggested that the authorities should discuss the issue with the Bodoland Territorial Council to place the buffer areas under the unified command of the field director.
This apart, it should prepare a volunteer deployment programme and create administrative structure so that they can work under the supervision of regular staff.
A source in Manas said though relocation of people from the core areas is on the cards, it looks to be a tough job, as there are several problems. A sum of Rs 10 lakh will be paid to each family for moving out.
It says that Kaziranga has one of the best protection strategies, which are well implemented with 152 anti poaching camps, a number of roads and a well-connected communication system.
It is prepared to meet emergencies arising out of flash floods, the core area is free from human habitation and the wildlife staff trained better at the senior level.
The reserve is estimated to have 106 tigers.
The weaknesses identified for Kaziranga are rapid habitat degradation in and around the tiger reserve, speeding traffic along National Highway 37 and delay in release of funds, among others.
It has suggested a periodic review of tourism activities and the initiation of steps for habitat and population monitoring.
The strengths of Dampa are no human settlements inside the core area, attitudinal change in the local communities and habitat for species of high conservation value, among others.
The long international border which opens up scope for movement of people from neigbouring countries and shifting cultivation in the buffer area are some of its weaknesses.
Pakke has excellent protection mechanism, man management and is free from human habitation. Namdapha has inadequate staff and most of them are not trained, 84 families are staying in the core area and there is no eco-development.
Similarly, at Nameri tiger reserve, the buffer zone is not under the tiger reserve, there is a severe shortage of manpower and severe degradation and encroachment of buffer areas.
The estimated total population of tigers in Assam is 143 with the lower limit being 113 and the upper limit being 173. In 2006, the population was 70.
In the Northeast, the tiger population is 148 with the lower limit being 118 and the upper limit being 178. In 2006 it was 100.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110729/jsp/frontpage/story_14304436.jsp
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tiger reserve: It's now 'how to approach locals' TNN
PANAJI: Forest minister Felipe Neri Rodrigues said his department is working out modalities of approaching elected representatives and stakeholders in the periphery of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary with the central government's proposal of declaring it a tiger reserve.
"We are in the process of finding a mode of reaching stakeholders, and my department is being sensitized about finding one," Rodrigues told TOI on Tuesday.
Department officials will have to prepare a draft plan to approach the stakeholders and create awareness about this proposal, he said.
Former union minister of environment and forests, Jairam Ramesh, had written, on June 28, to chief minister Digambar Kamat, urging him to consider a proposal to declare Mhadei as a tiger reserve on merit, and to even look at expanding its limits beyond the sanctuary.
Mhadei on Goa's eastern border is contiguous tiger landscape to Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary and Anshi-Dandeli tiger reserve in Karnataka, Ramesh had stated.
Karnataka's tiger landscape comprising Bhimgad and Anshi has a population of 35 tigers, while Goa had five to six big cats as per the census count almost a decade ago.
Rodrigues said his department was contemplating how to put the central government proposal before the elected representatives and stakeholders of the area. "A proposal will be prepared with department officials to reach the common man in habitations in or near the sanctuary areas," he said.
He further said that he would prefer to reach out to stakeholders first and "thereafter seek the general view of others".
When pointed out that a delay in completing the process may lead to further damage to the environment or advantage to the mining or other lobbies, the minister said it was important to spell out what the proposal is about first to the people.
Asked if spelling out merits and demerits of the proposal to the people would be done during the interactive session, Rodrigues said, "Implications of the tiger reserve proposal may not be done at this stage, but after seeking stakeholders' reactions."
Environmentalists have been irked by the forest department's denial of the tiger presence and the diversion of huge tracts of forest to development, especially to mining.
Rodrigues conceded that seeking the people's views may take some time.
National Board of Wildlife member and conservationist, Prerna Singh Bindra, had also chipped in with the suggestion to consider the tiger reserve proposal seriously as it would help the water security of the region. She had written to Goa's CM on July 22, stating that River Mhadei and a few other rivers in Karnataka have their catchment areas in the Mhadei basin.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Tiger-reserve-Its-now-how-to-approach-locals/articleshow/9376870.cms
"We are in the process of finding a mode of reaching stakeholders, and my department is being sensitized about finding one," Rodrigues told TOI on Tuesday.
Department officials will have to prepare a draft plan to approach the stakeholders and create awareness about this proposal, he said.
Former union minister of environment and forests, Jairam Ramesh, had written, on June 28, to chief minister Digambar Kamat, urging him to consider a proposal to declare Mhadei as a tiger reserve on merit, and to even look at expanding its limits beyond the sanctuary.
Mhadei on Goa's eastern border is contiguous tiger landscape to Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary and Anshi-Dandeli tiger reserve in Karnataka, Ramesh had stated.
Karnataka's tiger landscape comprising Bhimgad and Anshi has a population of 35 tigers, while Goa had five to six big cats as per the census count almost a decade ago.
Rodrigues said his department was contemplating how to put the central government proposal before the elected representatives and stakeholders of the area. "A proposal will be prepared with department officials to reach the common man in habitations in or near the sanctuary areas," he said.
He further said that he would prefer to reach out to stakeholders first and "thereafter seek the general view of others".
When pointed out that a delay in completing the process may lead to further damage to the environment or advantage to the mining or other lobbies, the minister said it was important to spell out what the proposal is about first to the people.
Asked if spelling out merits and demerits of the proposal to the people would be done during the interactive session, Rodrigues said, "Implications of the tiger reserve proposal may not be done at this stage, but after seeking stakeholders' reactions."
Environmentalists have been irked by the forest department's denial of the tiger presence and the diversion of huge tracts of forest to development, especially to mining.
Rodrigues conceded that seeking the people's views may take some time.
National Board of Wildlife member and conservationist, Prerna Singh Bindra, had also chipped in with the suggestion to consider the tiger reserve proposal seriously as it would help the water security of the region. She had written to Goa's CM on July 22, stating that River Mhadei and a few other rivers in Karnataka have their catchment areas in the Mhadei basin.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Tiger-reserve-Its-now-how-to-approach-locals/articleshow/9376870.cms
Killer tracks in tiger reserve Animals fall prey to speeding trains, blame game on A.S.R.P. MUKESH
Trains are meant to observe speed restrictions between Hehegara and Chipadohor in Betla within Palamau Tiger Reserve. File picture
Ranchi, July 26: Around 70 Up and Down trains, often flouting regulation speed limits, use an 8-km railway track that cuts through Palamau Tiger Reserve in the Chipadohor area of Betla forest, proving to be a menace for the animal population.
A three-year-old elephant calf was fatally hit by a goods train speeding at 60kmph on July 22 night. However, the carcass on tracks has simply sparked a war of words between the state forest department and Dhanbad railway division.
Officials at the reserve blame the railways for not sticking to an agreed upon speed limit. But, the railways claim they always do, also clarifying that the death of the calf occurred in an area that was beyond the zone with speed curbs.
At a joint meeting in 2004-05, a mutual agreement was drafted between the forest department and railways. Trains were supposed to run within the speed limit of 20kmph, blow horns and keep high mast lights on. Labourers were supposed to be employed to uproot bushes regularly for visibility and sprinkle lubricants on tracks to ward off animals.
However, the forest department officials claim nothing of the sort happened.
According to PTR director S.E.H. Kazmi, senior railway officials pass the buck, claiming manpower crunch, but do nothing to sensitise employees who man the trains. “No one seems to be aware of any rule. Fortunately, no tiger has been mowed down yet,” he said.
He agreed the track was a threat to ecological sanctity, but said nothing could be done as the rail link existed much before the reserve came into being in 1973. “Diverting it practically is not possible. It’s one of the two routes connecting Delhi and Ranchi,” he said.
However, divisional railway manager (Dhanbad division) Anand Sagar Upadhyay denied rules were violated. There’s an 8km stretch between Chipadohor and Hehegara, but speed restrictions are applicable on 2km. Of the stretch, 1km is a caution zone where a speed limit of 20-25kmph is to be maintained, while the other is a lookout zone, where the driver has to be alert, but not maintain speed limit. The incident took place beyond the restricted 2km and we aren’t at fault,” he said.
He added that they had written to the forest department last year, asking for a review on speed limits. “They (the department) said things are fine,” Upadhyay said, adding according to their records, animal deaths due to trains took place in 1981-82 and 2003-04.
“Our record shows we are enforcing better speeds,” he said, but then went on to add a technical nitty-gritty. “The goods train had a high capacity engine, which meant it could have clocked speed in no time. In this case, even if the driver intended to stop the train, he couldn’t have done so immediately,” he said.
Which means even emergency brakes wouldn’t have saved the animal.
However, even if no one wants to own up responsibility, the death of the elephant is prompting a reaction. Casualties of small animals such as goats, deer, hares, among others, are frequently not recorded as villagers collect the carcass. In the case of larger animals, too, forest department officials plead helplessness, saying they don’t have enough manpower or patrolling jeeps.
But the reason that no one admits is that if all accidents were recorded, it would make both the forest department and the railways cut a sorry figure.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110727/jsp/frontpage/story_14293974.jsp
Ranchi, July 26: Around 70 Up and Down trains, often flouting regulation speed limits, use an 8-km railway track that cuts through Palamau Tiger Reserve in the Chipadohor area of Betla forest, proving to be a menace for the animal population.
A three-year-old elephant calf was fatally hit by a goods train speeding at 60kmph on July 22 night. However, the carcass on tracks has simply sparked a war of words between the state forest department and Dhanbad railway division.
Officials at the reserve blame the railways for not sticking to an agreed upon speed limit. But, the railways claim they always do, also clarifying that the death of the calf occurred in an area that was beyond the zone with speed curbs.
At a joint meeting in 2004-05, a mutual agreement was drafted between the forest department and railways. Trains were supposed to run within the speed limit of 20kmph, blow horns and keep high mast lights on. Labourers were supposed to be employed to uproot bushes regularly for visibility and sprinkle lubricants on tracks to ward off animals.
However, the forest department officials claim nothing of the sort happened.
According to PTR director S.E.H. Kazmi, senior railway officials pass the buck, claiming manpower crunch, but do nothing to sensitise employees who man the trains. “No one seems to be aware of any rule. Fortunately, no tiger has been mowed down yet,” he said.
He agreed the track was a threat to ecological sanctity, but said nothing could be done as the rail link existed much before the reserve came into being in 1973. “Diverting it practically is not possible. It’s one of the two routes connecting Delhi and Ranchi,” he said.
However, divisional railway manager (Dhanbad division) Anand Sagar Upadhyay denied rules were violated. There’s an 8km stretch between Chipadohor and Hehegara, but speed restrictions are applicable on 2km. Of the stretch, 1km is a caution zone where a speed limit of 20-25kmph is to be maintained, while the other is a lookout zone, where the driver has to be alert, but not maintain speed limit. The incident took place beyond the restricted 2km and we aren’t at fault,” he said.
He added that they had written to the forest department last year, asking for a review on speed limits. “They (the department) said things are fine,” Upadhyay said, adding according to their records, animal deaths due to trains took place in 1981-82 and 2003-04.
“Our record shows we are enforcing better speeds,” he said, but then went on to add a technical nitty-gritty. “The goods train had a high capacity engine, which meant it could have clocked speed in no time. In this case, even if the driver intended to stop the train, he couldn’t have done so immediately,” he said.
Which means even emergency brakes wouldn’t have saved the animal.
However, even if no one wants to own up responsibility, the death of the elephant is prompting a reaction. Casualties of small animals such as goats, deer, hares, among others, are frequently not recorded as villagers collect the carcass. In the case of larger animals, too, forest department officials plead helplessness, saying they don’t have enough manpower or patrolling jeeps.
But the reason that no one admits is that if all accidents were recorded, it would make both the forest department and the railways cut a sorry figure.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110727/jsp/frontpage/story_14293974.jsp
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sundarbans have only 90 tigers
KOLKATA: It is neither 274, nor 64, the exact number of tigers in the Sundarbans is 90. Recently, the Wild Life Institute of India (WLII) has informed this to the state forest department, said state's chief wild life warden Sitanshu Bikash Mondal.
Earlier, the WLII set the figure at 64, while the state forest departments used to claim that there were 274 tigers in the Sundarbans and the tiger population was ever increasing.
Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) earlier carried out study to refute the claim of the state forest department. The ISI study revealed that the number of Royal Bengal tigers in Sundarbans would be some where closed to 70. However, the forest department questioned the veracity of this study.
According to WLII, there are 1627 tigers in India. Unlike rest of the forests in India, it is really difficult to carry out tiger census in Sundarbans. The entire area is strewn with pneumatophores or breathing roots of mangrove trees. Routinely, each island gets completely inundated. So it is next to impossible to physically access every part of the Sundarbans.
So, WLII and the forest department jointly put camera traps, put radio-collars around some tiger's neck and of course analyse the tiger scat to identify the DNA of the tiger. The tiger scat were collected periodically by the forest guards.
The number of tiger in Sundarbans is difficult to ascertain. More than half of Sundarbans is in our neighbouring country Bangladesh and tiger never follow the political boundaries created by human beings. So tigers often move around a wider area across the Sundarbans. Unless it is a joint Indo-Bangla tiger census, the tiger-population in Sundarbans is difficult to as-certain, said a senior forest officer.
The Indo-Bangla joint initiative was first taken up by the then union forest minister Jairam Ramesh. Ramesh made it a point by inviting the Bangladesh forest minister in Kolkata to take the initiative forward. Now it is up to new forest and environment minister Jayanti Natarajan to take the is-sue forward farther.
According to the forest department, there are 185 rhinoceros. But the gender ratio is quite skewed. To strike a balance, 20 male rhinoceros of North Bengal will be exchanged with 20 female rhinos of Kaziranga national park, Assam shortly.
Earlier, the WLII set the figure at 64, while the state forest departments used to claim that there were 274 tigers in the Sundarbans and the tiger population was ever increasing.
Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) earlier carried out study to refute the claim of the state forest department. The ISI study revealed that the number of Royal Bengal tigers in Sundarbans would be some where closed to 70. However, the forest department questioned the veracity of this study.
According to WLII, there are 1627 tigers in India. Unlike rest of the forests in India, it is really difficult to carry out tiger census in Sundarbans. The entire area is strewn with pneumatophores or breathing roots of mangrove trees. Routinely, each island gets completely inundated. So it is next to impossible to physically access every part of the Sundarbans.
So, WLII and the forest department jointly put camera traps, put radio-collars around some tiger's neck and of course analyse the tiger scat to identify the DNA of the tiger. The tiger scat were collected periodically by the forest guards.
The number of tiger in Sundarbans is difficult to ascertain. More than half of Sundarbans is in our neighbouring country Bangladesh and tiger never follow the political boundaries created by human beings. So tigers often move around a wider area across the Sundarbans. Unless it is a joint Indo-Bangla tiger census, the tiger-population in Sundarbans is difficult to as-certain, said a senior forest officer.
The Indo-Bangla joint initiative was first taken up by the then union forest minister Jairam Ramesh. Ramesh made it a point by inviting the Bangladesh forest minister in Kolkata to take the initiative forward. Now it is up to new forest and environment minister Jayanti Natarajan to take the is-sue forward farther.
According to the forest department, there are 185 rhinoceros. But the gender ratio is quite skewed. To strike a balance, 20 male rhinoceros of North Bengal will be exchanged with 20 female rhinos of Kaziranga national park, Assam shortly.
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