Tribals incited by sand mafia

May 25, 2012 DC Hyderabad The sand mafia is trying to instigate tribals and locals against the protection measures for tigers in the Kawal Tiger Reserve in Adilabad district. According to the forest department officials, wildlife wing, although there is no threat to those living in settlements in the tiger reserve area, the sand mafia is instigating protests. After the Kawal sanctuary was notified as a tiger reserve, the state forest officials cracked the whip against illegal sand dredging on the banks of Kadiyam river flowing through the sanctuary as well as the Godavari river along the periphery of the sanctuary. An official of the wildlife wing said, “We strongly suspect the role of the sand mafia, which has been active in the area, of not only funding the protests but also spreading the rumours.” Members of the sand mafia, who have lost their illegal revenue due to prohibition of sand dredging, are now campaigning against the tiger reserve by scaring tribals that they will be driven out. Forest officials say that unless the tribals themselves request to be relocated they will not be shifted. Wildlife department deputy conservator of forests, Mr A. Shankaran, said, “Sand in the forest area is a forest produce. Sand mining is illegal. It’s an even bigger offence within the sanctuary and much more serious crime in a tiger reserve. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/node/125528

Wildlife Institute of India report on wildlife underpasses acceptable, says Joshi

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 25, 2012, 02.04AM IST NAGPUR: Union minister for road transport and highways Dr C P Joshi on Thursday said the report of ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) on NH6 for remodelling the road in wildlife corridors will be acceptable to his ministry. Joshi was in Mouda, 35km from here, to lay symbolic stone laying of Bhandara-Nagpur four-lane road work in 45km stretch on Thursday. The work on the project had already started in April by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). To a question, Joshi admitted that forest clearances have stalled work on NH6 and NH7. However, when pointed out that these patches cut tiger corridors to 10 protected areas (PAs), he remained mum. The issue of corridors and elevated underpasses for wildlife was also raised by state ministers Rajendra Mulak and Shivajirao Moghe. When told that Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, which was appointed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to suggest mitigation measures on NH6, has asked to construct elevated underpasses on NH6, he said, "Let the report come, we will accept it." He also said that large-scale tree felling for road widening will be compensated. "I will order officials to take up plantations," he told TOI. The NHAI has felled around 60,000 trees in 150km radius of Nagpur to widen roads. It had to plant 1.80 lakh trees as per the ratio of 1:3, but it has hardly planted any trees. Of the 33 lakh km road length in India, 71,000km roads are with NHAI. Joshi said 6,000km roads will get added to it soon. "Even if hardly 3% road network is with NHAI, country's 40% traffic passes through its roads. Better roads have added to the growth rate and removal of poverty and hence the widening process. There are 17,000km single lane roads which will be converted into double lane," Joshi said. The roads transport ministry has chalked out an ambitious project to upgrade its roads under public-private partnership (PPP). "We will need Rs 2.20 lakh crore for the upgradation which will be carried out in phases," said Joshi. He said, in Maharashtra total road length with NHAI is 4,300km, of which 1,252km roads have been four-laned and work on 453km is in progress. "Work on four-laning of another 613km will be taken up soon. Besides, a target to upgrade 856km roads have been set in 2012-13," Joshi said. He added that upgradation of roads in Vidarbha would boost economic development for which Congress party is committed. All the ongoing and proposed works in Maharashta would need Rs 30,000 crore. Although no concrete plans, on the insistence of union social welfare minister and MP from Ramtek Mukul Wasnik, in whose constituency the function was organized, Joshi said he would remodel 100-year-old Kanhan bridge, four-laning of Khapri ROB, flyover at Butibori and a mega health check-up camp in the district as part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR). "The NHAI will organize 10 such camps in India at the cost of Rs 5 crore. One such camp will be in Wasnik's constituency," said Joshi. The function was an all Congress show and not a single senior NCP leader attended the programme. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Wildlife-Institute-of-India-report-on-wildlife-underpasses-acceptable-says-Joshi/articleshow/13459718.cms

Poachers sneak into Melghat; hunt launched

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 24, 2012, 02.21AM IST NAGPUR: The forest department's intensive search following spurt in poaching in the aftermath of a 'red alert' seems to have failed to deter poachers. Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) has launched a massive hunt to nab a gang of poachers that has sneaked into the reserve from Madhya Pradesh. On May 21, the patrolling party found a five-member gang moving in Retwada in Raipur forest range bordering MP. One of the gang members had a 'bharmar' gun while another had a spear, generally used to kill herbivores. Chief conservator of forests (CCF) and field director KP Singh said, "I'm visiting the spot and have also alerted all the three divisions in MTR - Sipna, Akot and Gugamal - following the gang's movement. On May 22, a forest guard patrolling near a waterhole saw the gang and tried to catch hold of one of them but as the poachers were four in number, they managed to escape," he said. Singh said during the scuffle, one of the gang members carrying clothes dropped them at the spot. "We are tracking the gang and have also sealed the areas bordering MP and help of local police and sniffer dogs is being taken. I suspect the gang must be concentrating on herbivores as they have not fired at on the staff yet," Singh said. Principal secretary (forests) Praveen Pardeshi said all the poaching cases in the recent past have been brought to light only by the forest guards and not by NGOs. "This is a good sign. We are not hiding anything. The Palasgaon and Borda tiger poaching cases were detected by our guards," Pardeshi said. "Scrupulous search is leading to more detection of poaching incidents," said Kishor Rithe, member of National Board for Wild Life ( NBWL). He added even as entire forest staff of regular and wildlife department seems to be doing an intensive search, there are more poaching attempts. Deaths of three leopards in FDCM's Surewani area adjoining Mansinghdeo sanctuary near Pench tiger reserve were also brought to notice by regular forest staff. The Tipeshwar tiger escaping a nylon wire trap and a poachers' gang moving in MTR was also detected by the staff. Rithe said the staff is coming across even smallest poaching attempts by villagers due to foot patrolling. Officers are not in a 'denial' mode. This will help the wildlife wing face new challenges, Rithe felt. However, the conservationist said there are still some lapses and shortcoming in some of the forest divisions. Rithe reiterated his demand for a special investigation team (SIT) under chief secretary. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Poachers-sneak-into-Melghat-hunt-launched/articleshow/13419345.cms

Mahanadi Wildlife comes under unified control

Siba Mohanty BHUBANESWAR: More than four years after Satkosia was designated a Tiger Reserve, the Odisha Government has finally brought Mahanadi Wildlife Division under the unified control of the Field Director, meeting a long-standing demand of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The Regional Conservator of Forests (RCCF), Angul, is the Field Director of Satkosia Tiger Reserve which comprises two wildlife sanctuaries such as Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipally Sanctuary, both protected areas contiguous in nature. While the Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary, managed by Satkosia Divisional Forest officer (DFO), was under administrative control of RCCF, Angul, Baisipally Wildlife Sanctuary was under the RCCF, Bhubanbeswar. Besides, Baisipally was managed by Divisional Forest Officer of Mahanadi Wildlife Division. The NTCA, while according Tiger Reserve status on Satkosia, had been insisting on bringing Baisipally under the control of the unified command of the Field Director. “There were two issues that the national authority has long been pressing for __� one, a full-fledged Field Director (FD) for the Tiger Reserve and bringing Baisipally under the FD’s jurisdiction,” sources in the Forest and Environment department said. In fact, the last meeting with NTCA earlier this month had also seen the authority expressing its dissatisfaction over the Odisha Government going slow over the process. “Conservation management in a Tiger Reserve has many complex issues and the State Government should have realised this sooner than later,” the sources added. The Forest and Environment department, through a notification, has now taken out Mahanadi Wildlife Division from RCCF, Bhubaneswar’s control and entrusted it with the RCCF, Angul. Earlier, RCCF, Angul, Pandav Behera, was designated the full-time Field Director. Satkosia Tiger Reserve, spread over Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Boudh, has a total area of 964 sq km with 524 sq km as core area which lies within Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary. While Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary has an area of 795.52 sq km, Baisipally is spread over 168.35 sq km. The total area of Mahanadi Wildlife Division is 437.29 sq km. Although Satkosia is a Tiger Reserve, the NTCA is not conducting the tiger enumeration this year since it has been designated a low-density reserve. On the other hand, Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) has already launched the exercise. Over 70 cameras have been installed over 400 sq km in the core area of the reserve. However, the outcome of the sign survey, basing on which the camera traps are installed, is yet to be complete. The STR authorities are expecting the report in the next few weeks. Once the sign survey indicates the tiger habitation, more cameras will be installed in the second phase during which the STR management plan to cover 1,200 sq km. The existing cameras will capture pictures of the the large cats for 40 days. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mahanadi-wildlife-comes-under-unified-control/260755-60-117.html

Karnataka govt finally approves a bypass for killer road in tiger reserve

TAGS: Endangered animals | Tiger reserves | Nagarhole | Karnataka government Many endangered animals have been killed by speeding vehicles on the Mysore-Mananthavadi road. Andhra: Kawal Sanctuary declared as tiger reserve Scores of endangered animals have been killed by speeding vehicles on the Mysore-Mananthavadi road, which passes through one of India's best protected tiger reserves -- Nagarahole -- in the last three decades. But now, the situation is likely to improve. In an effort to protect the remaining tigers and elephants, the Karnataka government has decided to develop a new road as a bypass for the Nagarahole tiger reserve. The Mysore-Mananthavadi road was known as the 'killer highway' among conservationists as a large number of animals, including elephants and tigers, had been mowed down by reckless drivers on the stretch. Elephants and tigers crossing the road, even during daytime in peak hour traffic, was a common sight in the area. The road is the major link for transportation of goods between Mysore and Mananthavadi. Efforts were made to regulate traffic on the road, but it brought little relief for the animals. However, after persistent efforts by conservationists, the government finally released Rs.18 crore to commence work on the new project, which includes developing 14 kilometres of an underdeveloped road outside the tiger reserve. Nagarahole tiger reserve, which is part of the national park, comprises an area of 643 sq km and holds approximately 65-70 tigers. It forms part of a large tiger habitat comprising Bandipura, Mudumalai and Waynad -- all protected areas with several other reserved forests. The original Mysore-Mananthavadi highway, passing through the southern part of Nagarahole tiger reserve, one of the best habitats for tiger and Asiatic elephant, has fragmented and dissected the wildlife corridor between Nagarahole and Bandipura tiger reserves. "Fortunately, an alternative underdeveloped road that would pass outside the tiger reserve was available for a section of the highway between Dammanakatte and Udbur junction (of the Mysore-Mananthavadi Road). This alternative road reduces the highway length within the tiger reserve by about 10 km, thereby consolidating about 50 sq km of prime tiger habitat. The government has taken a pro-active step," said conservation biologist Sanjay Gubbi, who fought extensively for the alternate road. Interestingly, the alternate road is longer by a mere 4 km, but will provide connectivity to 11 villages, thereby helping nearly 25,000 people. The villages were not even connected by the state transport units. Now the villagers will get improved transportation facilities in the name of tiger conservation. "They can now take their agricultural produce directly to the markets while previously they relied largely on middlemen due to lack of transportation facilities. Frequent buses now help school and college going students," pointed out Gubbi. Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/karnataka-govt-approves-bypass-killer-road-tiger-reserve/1/197239.html http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/karnataka-govt-approves-bypass-killer-road-tiger-reserve/1/197239.html

'Action against tiger poachers will not be considered a crime'

PTI May 22, 2012, 07.51PM IST MUMBAI: Taking a stern stand against poachers, Maharashtra government today decided that action taken by forest authorities against those caught while hunting down tigers will not be considered a crime. Talking to reporters here, forest minister Patangrao Kadam said if the forest officials fire upon the poachers injuring or killing them, the action will not be considered a crime. The minister said his ministry has sanctioned 70 additional forest guards for Tadoba tiger reserve and 90 guards for Pench. He said the forest guards will be fully armed. "There have been instances when the guards have been booked for human rights violations when they have taken action against the poachers. The government did not want this to happen," he said. The minister said recently two tigers were caught in a steel trap and died. "A CID inquiry has been instituted to find out whether they died because of poaching or were electrocuted," he added. Besides this, a four-member committee of experts, who have served as chief conservator of forest, has been appointed to advise the government on steps to be taken for precautions against poaching of tigers. Kadam said he had asked the power department officials to check electricity lines in the tiger reserves and also told the irrigation department to ensure maximum water holes. He said Range forest officers have been provided 100 jeeps and State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) troops have been deployed in Sironcha to prevent trafficking of teakwood. He said a secret fund of Rs 50 lakh has been sanctioned to give incentives to informers providing tips about smugglers and poachers to the forest officials. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-22/flora-fauna/31814048_1_forest-guards-tiger-poachers-forest-officials

10 forest officials taken hostage

Express News Service BARIPADA: Ten forest personnel have been held hostage by the residents of Gopinathpur village inside Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj district on Wednesday. They include three foresters, two forest guards and five Protection Assistants. The villagers who had taken hostage the forester of Nigirda range Khirod Chandra Singh along with a PA on Tuesday, again kidnapped eight others demanding release of three villagers who were arrested on charges of poaching in the forest. The three villagers are Mansid Nag (40) of Gopinathpur village, Lada Tabundia (35) of Saruda village and Lanka Sinku (35) of Bagdaga village under Rairangpur forest division. The officials who have been held hostage include forester Chandra Sekhar Mishra of Lengdakocha range, forester Biranchi Narayan Mohapatra of Dhuduruchampa range and two forest guards - Jhangul Hansda and Amit Kumar Bindhani. The other five are Protection Assistants. Sources said an army of around 60 villagers cordoned off the forest range offices and took the officials hostage. Later, they took them to their village and informed the forest officials to release the arrested to get the officials freed. Meanwhile, the Forest Department and the district administration have engaged mediators to discuss the matter with the villagers. Regional Conservator of Forests and Field Director of STR Anup Nayak said five mediators were negotiating with the villagers. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/10-forest-officials-taken-hostage/260836-60-117.html

Guards of Maharashtra tiger reserves told to shoot poachers on sight

Published: Wednesday, May 23, 2012, 8:45 IST By Surendra Gangan | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA The state forest department has issued an order empowering guards to shoot poachers on sight in Maharashtra’s four tiger reserves. The order was issued after two tigers and three leopards were found killed in the last few weeks. Forest minister Patangrao Kadam on Tuesday said the high-powered committee of forest officers took the decision to empower the staff. He said the guards have been provided with logistic support as well. “Killing poachers won’t be considered a crime and no case will be registered if the forest staff catch them in the act and open fire. The guards have been provided with state-of-the-art arms. They will also be given 100 vehicles. The department has been given additional funds for hiring informants,” Kadam said. He said a CID probe has been announced in the killing of two tigers at the Tadoba reserve to find out whether they were electrocuted or poached. A committee of four forest officers will conduct a parallel inquiry in the killings. On April 26, a tiger was found killed and another seriously injured in the Tadoba reserve. On May 18, a tiger was found chopped to pieces; it is suspected to be a contract killing. On May 20, three leopards were found killed, but it is not yet clear if they died of electric shock. Praveen Pardesi, principal secretary, forest department, said the staff have been keeping vigil round the clock. “Earlier, wildlife activists and locals used to find the bodies and alert officials. But in the recent killings, it was the guards who found the dead animals,” he said. http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_guards-of-maharashtra-tiger-reserves-told-to-shoot-poachers-on-sight_1692469

Conservation body orders vigilance in MP tiger reserves

TNN | May 23, 2012, 07.05AM IST BHOPAL: In the wake of National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) warning that poachers might strike anytime in 42 tiger reserves across the country, security has been tightened in and around the tiger reserves and national parks in the state. According to NTCA warning, local poachers, especially those hailing from Katni district in Madhya Pradesh have been paid in advance to get tigers' body parts which would fetch huge money in international markets, a top forest official said. NTCA has emailed, faxed and telephonically asked six tiger reserves - Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Pench, Satpura and Sanjay Gandhi to keep a vigil and keep the poachers at bay a fortnight ago, he added. "We have stepped up vigil in and around the park. Patrolling is being carried day in and out following NTCA's warning, Pench tiger reserve field director Alok Kumar told TOI. He said patrolling teams were keeping a tight security in core area spread over Seoni and Chhindwara districts and that the intelligence network has been asked to pass event the slightest information in connection with suspicious persons to forest department officials. "We are taking no chances following the killing of tiger in Chandrapur in Maharashtra," he said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Conservation-body-orders-vigilance-in-MP-tiger-reserves/articleshow/13403756.cms

Five underpasses to protect wildlife

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 23, 2012, 01.22AM IST NAGPUR: In a major victory for wildlife activists, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, has recommended five underpasses in four patches on Maharashtra side and two on the Chhattisgarh side as part of the mitigation plan on NH6, where four-laning is cutting through vital tiger populations of Central Indian landscape. The WII had been appointed to suggest mitigation measures by the National Tiger Conservation Authority ( NTCA). TOI was the first to report on the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) violations by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on NH6 in January 2009. Since then permission has been held up for widening the highway from two-lane to four-lane. NGO Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) had moved the Supreme Court's centrally empowered committee (CEC) against the cutting of tiger corridors. On the directions of the CEC, NHAI prepared a mitigation plan but it was not acceptable to the WTI, which insisted on flyovers. Finally, the WII was asked to prepare a plan and accordingly a two-member team visited NH6 for eight days beginning January 27. The WII report asks NHAI to construct underpasses for animals stretching 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 metre in length and 7 metre in height. The NHAI's revised mitigation plan submitted to the forest department had suggested underpasses in eight vulnerable patches, with dimensions of 10 feet height and 20 feet width. In addition, NHAI had suggested fencing of thick chain links, rescue gates and ramps. However, since this mitigation plan does not satisfy the needs of wild animals, WII has virtually rejected it. The NHAI plan was prepared by ex-chief wildlife warden RN Indurkar and retired ACF SS Deshpande. Most of the road from Bhandara to Chhattisgarh border has been upgraded from two-lane to four-lane, except in the three stretches passing through forest area. The incomplete stretches are from Maramjob to Bahmni (4.15km), Bahmni to Duggipar (3.05km), and Sakoli to Mundipar (3.2km). Apart from these, WII has also proposed two additional structures in the completed four-lane road between Sirpur-Navatola (6.3km). "This stretch led to bifurcation of 70% of the corridor between Kanha-Pench and Navegaon, Nagzira and Tadoba reserves," WII sources said. In the three as yet uncompleted stretches, the WII says that box culverts of 3.05 height and 6.10 width proposed by the NHAI are unsuitable for wildlife. These box culverts have been largely conceived as drainage structures. The WII has proposed underpasses of 2,000 metre width and 7 metre height. Regarding the 3.05km patch between Bahmni and Duggipar, the WII says it is a vital connectivity between Navegaon and Nagzira. The NH6 is 1km from the boundary of the park. However, Prafulla Bhamburkar of WTI says that after the notification of Navegaon Sanctuary, the four-lane road is now virtually touching the sanctuary boundary. The WII has also disapproved NHAI's plan to change total width of forest used for the road from 60 metre to 45 metre. WII sources said, "The reduced width will not have any influence on volume of traffic, but actually give less time to animals to decide whether to cross the road or not. Reduced width will increase probability of animal fatalities." On an average, 6,000 vehicles use NH6 in every 24 hours. The WII has said NHAI should be asked to implement the mitigation measures as soon as possible. Delay in implementing the measures will affect the long-term functionality of the crucial corridor connecting 10 protected areas (PAs). http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Five-underpasses-to-protect-wildlife/articleshow/13400986.cms

Tigers get younger in Ranthambhore!

SUNNY SEBASTIAN Tigress T-39 was sighted for the first time with a cub on Monday morning in Sultanpur area of Ranthambhore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. Photo: Special arrangement It is raining litters in Ranthambhore National Park; more tiger cubs sighted Rajasthan's Ranthambhore National Park is turning into a little kingdom of tiger cubs with their number registering an all-time high figure of two dozens. One new cub was discovered on Monday morning in the Sultanpur locality of the park while tiger-watchers insist that T-17, the tigress born to Machli and now called “Sundari” by virtue of her good looks too has turned a mother though photographic evidence on the young ones is awaited. The Monday morning celebrity was T-39, the daughter of the Sultanpur tigress which had left the park some months back and is now living in the Chambal ravines in Kota and Baran districts of the State. T-39 obviously inherited her mother's terrain in her absence as she was spotted with a cub in that locality (see photo). “This is an exciting find! I am sure we will have more good news when T-17 comes out in the open with her cubs. I had seen her mating with the male tiger T-25 some time in January. Thereafter she was spotted in the company of another male, T-28. Ever since, the Forest staff in the park had been keeping the date and counting the days as it is approximately 90 days of pregnancy for tiger,” said Bina Kak, Rajasthan's Minister for Environment & Forests, talking to The Hindu. “It is very difficult to decide whether a particular tigress is pregnant or not. They all look the same if the tummy is full,” she noted. Ms. Kak is especially happy about T-17 as she (the Minister) had insisted on getting the collar round the feline's neck removed. “The decision to remove the collar seemingly worked in reproduction. I want the collars to be removed in the case of the female tigers in Sariska as well so that the existing spell over tiger breeding in that park after the re-introduction of tigers breaks,” she said. Ms. Kak said if the National Tiger Conservation Authority approves she would move two more tigresses from Ranthambhore to Sariska. If regular park visitors are to be believed, the number of cubs has reached 22-24 and this means that the average age of Ranthambhore tigers is coming down. The park at present has 34 adult tigers and the water hole census carried out on May 6-7 too had confirmed this. The female tigresses with cubs at present are: T-13, T-5, T-8, T-31, T-9 (all with two cubs each), T-19, T-26, T-11 and T-30 -- all with three cubs each. Yet counting the tiger cubs may be more like counting your eggs before they are hatched. That is why the Forest authorities are often reluctant to give out the numbers of litters at any given time. Perhaps that also explains why they had kept the number of tiger cubs in the park as “over a dozen” after the water hole census this time. “It is a very risky area. All the tiger cubs are not likely to survive and if the figures are given out in advance the media is bound to make a big fuss when the deaths take place due to various reasons,” pointed out Rajpal Singh, Member, Rajasthan Board for Wildlife. “The fact that tigers are breeding copiously in the park is surely very exciting. Even if 60 per cent of the present cub population survives that is going to be a big number,” he added. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3445488.ece

Tiger sighted in Ramnagar forest division again

WEDNESDAY, 23 MAY 2012 00:27 PNS | DEHRADUN Forest department personnel have once again sighted the tiger which had been seen lying almost immobile in the Ramnagar forest division on Sunday. Though it was earlier suspected that the feline might be injured, no visual signs of injury or blood marks have been found on its body or the site where it was lying. Forest department personnel had spotted a tiger lying more of less in the same place near Bhandarpani in Kota range of the Ramnagar forest division on Sunday morning which had elicited concern of the officials when it was found in the same place in the evening. The tiger disappeared on Sunday night but was sighted once again at the same place on Tuesday. The tiger was earlier thought to be injured but according to Chief Conservator of Forests, Kumaon Circle, Paramjeet Singh, there is no visual injury on the tiger and not a drop of blood was found on the spot where it was resting. A team of wildlife experts and vets was called to the site and personnel were trying to feed the feline meat. http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/67481-tiger-sighted-in-ramnagar-forest-division-again.html

Hundreds of volunteers help forest staff in census

TNN | May 23, 2012, 04.53AM IST MYSORE: The three-day elephant census commenced on Monday in Mysore, Chamarajnagar and Kodagu districts with many volunteers assisting the forest officials. Some 100 volunteers each are assisting the ground staff and officials in Nagarahole, Bandipur and BR Hills tiger reserves. The officials have divided the reserves into units, assigning volunteers and the staff to go on beats. The exercise started early in the day and ended after the sunset. At Bandipur, the volunteers, who stayed at anti-poaching camps, started the groundwork at 6am. There are 70 volunteers who are assigned with 59 beats. "We will collate the data and arrive at the number of jumbos in the tiger reserve," Kumar Pushkar, director of the Bandipur tiger reserve, told The Times of India. Spread over 874 sqkm, the volunteers gathered data in each block, which will help in arriving at a figure. Madikeri: 8 injured in jumbo attack Eight persons were injured in two incidents of elephant attacks at different places in Madikeri on Monday. A tusker attacked a group of seven workers at Pollibetta inside an estate. In the second incident, Thimmaiah, an estate writer at Kerebeilu Tota near Banangala, suffered deep wounds on his back when a tusker attacked him from behind. Hundreds of volunteers help forest staff in census TNN | May 23, 2012, 04.53AM IST Article Comments inShare Read More:The Times|Nagarahole Bandipur|Kerebeilu Tota 0 MYSORE: The three-day elephant census commenced on Monday in Mysore, Chamarajnagar and Kodagu districts with many volunteers assisting the forest officials. Some 100 volunteers each are assisting the ground staff and officials in Nagarahole, Bandipur and BR Hills tiger reserves. The officials have divided the reserves into units, assigning volunteers and the staff to go on beats. The exercise started early in the day and ended after the sunset. At Bandipur, the volunteers, who stayed at anti-poaching camps, started the groundwork at 6am. There are 70 volunteers who are assigned with 59 beats. "We will collate the data and arrive at the number of jumbos in the tiger reserve," Kumar Pushkar, director of the Bandipur tiger reserve, told The Times of India. Spread over 874 sqkm, the volunteers gathered data in each block, which will help in arriving at a figure. Madikeri: 8 injured in jumbo attack Eight persons were injured in two incidents of elephant attacks at different places in Madikeri on Monday. A tusker attacked a group of seven workers at Pollibetta inside an estate. In the second incident, Thimmaiah, an estate writer at Kerebeilu Tota near Banangala, suffered deep wounds on his back when a tusker attacked him from behind.

NGO activists protest tiger poaching

TNN | May 22, 2012, 01.55AM IST CHANDRAPUR: A group of NGO activists, connected to different organizations, staged a protest on Monday morning before state forest secretary Pravin Pardeshi, flaying the failure of the forest department in saving the tiger. They waved black flags and demanded a CBI probe into poaching cases. Over two dozen wildlife activists gathered at the gate of Rambagh forest premises. They staged a protest march up to forest rest house. A delegation of activists, led by Suresh Chopne, Sachin Wazalwar and Ashish Ghume, later met Pardeshi and submitted their joint memorandum to him. The memorandum demanded CBI investigation into poaching of tigers. NGOs also demanded day and night monitoring of all waterholes, use of latest technology for protection of tigers, inclusion of local NGOs into special investigation team, inclusion of NGO activists into patrolling and monitoring, denial to all proposals of coal mines and industries around buffer zone of TATR and protection of tiger corridors. Other demands such as monthly review of protection work with local NGOs and special management for control of fire in forest were also raised before the forest secretary. President of Green Planet Society Suresh Chopne claimed that Pardeshi has agreed to include NGO activists into waterhole monitoring in jungles. "We would provide 100 NGO activists for the monitoring exercise from different organizations. We have asked for special identification cards for such activists, to which Pardeshi agreed," he said. Activists of Green Planet Society, Jungle Care, Wild Care, Friends of Tadoba, People for Animals, Chandrapur Bachao Samiti, Prahar organization, Viano Nature Club, Prithvimitra Nisarg Sanstha and Vanyajeev Sanrakshan Samiti took part in the protest.NGO activists protest tiger poaching TNN | May 22, 2012, 01.55AM IST Article Comments inShare Read More:Tiger Poaching|TATR|Rambagh Forest 0 CHANDRAPUR: A group of NGO activists, connected to different organizations, staged a protest on Monday morning before state forest secretary Pravin Pardeshi, flaying the failure of the forest department in saving the tiger. They waved black flags and demanded a CBI probe into poaching cases. Over two dozen wildlife activists gathered at the gate of Rambagh forest premises. They staged a protest march up to forest rest house. A delegation of activists, led by Suresh Chopne, Sachin Wazalwar and Ashish Ghume, later met Pardeshi and submitted their joint memorandum to him. The memorandum demanded CBI investigation into poaching of tigers. NGOs also demanded day and night monitoring of all waterholes, use of latest technology for protection of tigers, inclusion of local NGOs into special investigation team, inclusion of NGO activists into patrolling and monitoring, denial to all proposals of coal mines and industries around buffer zone of TATR and protection of tiger corridors. Other demands such as monthly review of protection work with local NGOs and special management for control of fire in forest were also raised before the forest secretary. President of Green Planet Society Suresh Chopne claimed that Pardeshi has agreed to include NGO activists into waterhole monitoring in jungles. "We would provide 100 NGO activists for the monitoring exercise from different organizations. We have asked for special identification cards for such activists, to which Pardeshi agreed," he said. Activists of Green Planet Society, Jungle Care, Wild Care, Friends of Tadoba, People for Animals, Chandrapur Bachao Samiti, Prahar organization, Viano Nature Club, Prithvimitra Nisarg Sanstha and Vanyajeev Sanrakshan Samiti took part in the protest.NGO activists protest tiger poaching TNN | May 22, 2012, 01.55AM IST Article Comments inShare Read More:Tiger Poaching|TATR|Rambagh Forest 0 CHANDRAPUR: A group of NGO activists, connected to different organizations, staged a protest on Monday morning before state forest secretary Pravin Pardeshi, flaying the failure of the forest department in saving the tiger. They waved black flags and demanded a CBI probe into poaching cases. Over two dozen wildlife activists gathered at the gate of Rambagh forest premises. They staged a protest march up to forest rest house. A delegation of activists, led by Suresh Chopne, Sachin Wazalwar and Ashish Ghume, later met Pardeshi and submitted their joint memorandum to him. The memorandum demanded CBI investigation into poaching of tigers. NGOs also demanded day and night monitoring of all waterholes, use of latest technology for protection of tigers, inclusion of local NGOs into special investigation team, inclusion of NGO activists into patrolling and monitoring, denial to all proposals of coal mines and industries around buffer zone of TATR and protection of tiger corridors. Other demands such as monthly review of protection work with local NGOs and special management for control of fire in forest were also raised before the forest secretary. President of Green Planet Society Suresh Chopne claimed that Pardeshi has agreed to include NGO activists into waterhole monitoring in jungles. "We would provide 100 NGO activists for the monitoring exercise from different organizations. We have asked for special identification cards for such activists, to which Pardeshi agreed," he said. Activists of Green Planet Society, Jungle Care, Wild Care, Friends of Tadoba, People for Animals, Chandrapur Bachao Samiti, Prahar organization, Viano Nature Club, Prithvimitra Nisarg Sanstha and Vanyajeev Sanrakshan Samiti took part in the protest. NGO activists protest tiger poaching TNN | May 22, 2012, 01.55AM IST Article Comments inShare Read More:Tiger Poaching|TATR|Rambagh Forest 0 CHANDRAPUR: A group of NGO activists, connected to different organizations, staged a protest on Monday morning before state forest secretary Pravin Pardeshi, flaying the failure of the forest department in saving the tiger. They waved black flags and demanded a CBI probe into poaching cases. Over two dozen wildlife activists gathered at the gate of Rambagh forest premises. They staged a protest march up to forest rest house. A delegation of activists, led by Suresh Chopne, Sachin Wazalwar and Ashish Ghume, later met Pardeshi and submitted their joint memorandum to him. The memorandum demanded CBI investigation into poaching of tigers. NGOs also demanded day and night monitoring of all waterholes, use of latest technology for protection of tigers, inclusion of local NGOs into special investigation team, inclusion of NGO activists into patrolling and monitoring, denial to all proposals of coal mines and industries around buffer zone of TATR and protection of tiger corridors. Other demands such as monthly review of protection work with local NGOs and special management for control of fire in forest were also raised before the forest secretary. President of Green Planet Society Suresh Chopne claimed that Pardeshi has agreed to include NGO activists into waterhole monitoring in jungles. "We would provide 100 NGO activists for the monitoring exercise from different organizations. We have asked for special identification cards for such activists, to which Pardeshi agreed," he said. Activists of Green Planet Society, Jungle Care, Wild Care, Friends of Tadoba, People for Animals, Chandrapur Bachao Samiti, Prahar organization, Viano Nature Club, Prithvimitra Nisarg Sanstha and Vanyajeev Sanrakshan Samiti took part in the protest.

Maharashtra: Tiger poaching on the rise

CNN-IBN New Delhi: A spate of tiger poaching incidents have come to light from Maharashtra. The body of a tiger chopped into 11 pieces with its head and paws missing was recovered on Friday. It appears the tiger parts have been taken by the poachers. The incident happened at the Tadoba Tiger Reserve, which has seen a spate of poaching incidents. Just two weeks ago, the forest department found leghold traps in which two tigers had been caught. One of the tigers died and the other was injured. The park is considered to be a fine habitat for tigers in Central India with over 40 tigers on the last count. A red alert has been issued, but no one has been caught so far. In another shocking incident, a leopard along with her two cubs got electrocuted in the Saleghat forest near the Pench Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra. The officers have ruled out poaching and called it an accident. The animals were reportedly electrocuted when a high tension cable fell on them. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/maharashtra-tiger-poaching-on-the-rise/259962-3.html

'Go for participatory wildlife management'

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 22, 2012, 12.57AM IST NAGPUR: Even as reactions condemning poaching of tigers in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve ( TATR) landscape are pouring in, NGOs and conservationists have been coming up with several suggestions and ideas to handle the situation. Dilip Gode, secretary of the Vidarbha Nature Conservation Society ( VNCS), said there are some good examples of community forest management where wildlife protection has been given top priority. "It is again time to initiate an action of participatory wildlife management in select areas by building public trust," he said. "The Borda episode (tiger chopped into 10 pieces) is a conspiracy cooked by a gang very systematically operating in the area since long. Everybody knew that its leaders stay at some places in Madhya Pradesh. Yet, we unable to control the poaching incidents," says Gode. He felt it's futile to set up task forces. "What has happened to earlier such investigations and task forces. Have their recommendations been implemented," asked Gode. Gode demanded that responsibility be fixed and stern action against those forest officials neglecting their duties. "Investigate the matter by constituting a committee under a retired high court judge with officials from revenue, police, forest and representatives of credible NGOs," said Gode. As a state wildlife board (SWB) member, Gode had raised the issue of wildlife management in non-PAs. The government had set up a committee to find problems and prepare implementable management plan but the panel failed to function due to apathy of a top officer of the department who headed the committee. Another tiger escapes trap A tiger escaped a nylon wire trap, set for herbivores, on Monday in Pipardol forest under the Pandharkawda forest division in Yavatmal district. Forest officials told TOI that the incident came to light around 6.30pm. Even as a rescue team was getting ready to leave Nagpur, the tiger managed to extricate itself from the net. The forest officials have launched a hunt for local poachers. The spot is 20km by road from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Go-for-participatory-wildlife-management/articleshow/13365653.cms

Ranthambore reserve blessed with another cub

Asish Mehta, TNN | May 22, 2012, 02.03AM IST JAIPUR: After two new tiger cubs were spotted in the month of April, the wildlife authorities in Ranthambore were elated after they found T-39 with a cub on Monday. With this, the number of cubs born in the last 10 months has gone up to 21. The total number of tigers in the park has now gone up to 47 which include 26 adults (12 males and 14 females) and 21 cubs, according to the wildlife authorities at the Ranthambore National Park. On Monday, some forest guards spotted T-39 with a cub in the Sulanpur area. Initially, it was not known if the cub belonged to tigress T-39. When TOI contacted Y K Sahoo, field director of the park, he said, "Yes, T-39 was spotted with a cub. There is a possibility of a second cub as tigresses are known to give birth two cubs." Sahoo added, "The age of the cub appears to be around three months." The wildlife authorities have also said that T-17 tigress in the park is also pregnant as judged by her behavioural changes. "Her behaviour shows that she too has delivered recently. Usually, a tigress hides her cub for three months, so we will have to wait for three months for confirmation," said an official. Some of the wildlife enthusiasts including state tourism and environment minister Bina Kak have shared pictures of T-39 with a cub and many tiger lovers have expressed happiness. "Even T-17 seems to have delivered recently. Fingers crossed," said a wildlife lover. Wildlife enthusiasts attributed the birth of new cub to the rehabilitation of villagers from the core tiger habitat. "It is the result of efforts made by the wildlife authorities and those working for tiger protection," said Dharmendra Khandal, conservation biologist at Tiger Watch, an NGO at Ranthambore. Similarly, the experts also said that now the state government should expedite the work of extension of core critical habitat for tigers from the existing 392 sq km to 1,100 sq km. "The work of evacuation of the villagers and their rehabilitation need to be done in a proper way. Villagers should be taken in confidence," said a tiger conservationist. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Ranthambore-reserve-blessed-with-another-cub/articleshow/13366729.cms

Three cheers: Tiger number up in Panna

Lemuel Lall, TNN | May 20, 2012, 05.43AM IST BHOPAL: Tiger population revival programme in India has received a boost with one more tigress named T-2 giving birth to three cubs in the Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR), in eastern Madhya Pradesh. With the three new additions tiger population in Panna reserve has risen to 20. After the failure of a similar programme in Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, the big cat population revival in PTR had brought back relief to the wildlife experts and foresters associated with the project. Three months ago, a feline christened T - 1, begot four cubs. Seven-year-old T-2 had been trans-located to PTF from world famous Kanha tiger reserve three years ago. The tigress gave birth to three cubs in a cave last month. "None of us can risk going to the cave and seeing the cubs, a top forest official said. This is the second litter of T-2.This feline gave birth to four cubs, eighteen months ago. With the arrival of three new guests in the PTR, the cub population has gone up to 15 in the park. Panna tiger reserve was in the news in the year 2009 as tiger population had vanished following poaching in the region. After PTR became devoid of big cat population the tiger population revival programme was launched in the park in early 2009. Four tigresses and a tiger were trans-located to PTR from Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench tiger reserves. Apart from T-2's seven cubs in two litters, two other tigresses - T- 1 and T -4 have begotten 10 cubs so far, of them 2 had died. Spread over an area of 543 sq km in Panna and Chhatarpur district, PTR had once been home to 35 tigers but slowly and gradually it lost them to poachers. This is the second litter of T-2.This feline gave birth to four cubs, eighteen months ago. With the arrival of three new guests in the PTR, the cub population has gone up to 15 in the park. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Three-cheers-Tiger-number-up-in-Panna/articleshow/13310580.cms

Ideas pour in to stop tiger poaching

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 21, 2012, 01.44AM IST NAGPUR: Reactions continue to pour in against the brutal poaching of a full-grown tiger at Borda near Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve on Friday. Reacting to Friday's incident, Belinda Wright, executive director of Wildlife Protection Society of India ( WPSI), said the loss of every wild tiger is a major set back for this critically endangered species. "The removal of three tigers from the wild due to poaching in Tadoba landscape tragically illustrates just how inadequate our existing protection measures are. The only short-term remedy for this is intelligence-led enforcement," Wright said. To achieve this, the forest department needs to collaborate closely with skilled enforcement officers from the police department, and experienced NGOs. Modern investigation techniques, including forensics and trained dogs, need to be quickly put in place, she said. Wright said another essential requirement is improved patrolling and monitoring in the field. Prof Nishi Mukherjee, who works with Baiga tribals in Kanha, called for a law to shoot poachers at sight. In Kaziranga tiger reserve in Assam, poachers are shot, he said. The Assam government, like the government of South Africa, knows how much economic sustenance the parks can give to local people. "Nagpur is the 'tiger capital of the world' and the 'gateway to tiger land'. Why must Maharashtra be a soft state within the country? With such flagrant poaching continuing without any accountability, is anyone held responsible?" asks Mukherjee. He said, "If criminals plunder gold from the Reserve Bank of India, will the security keep quiet? Similarly, if poachers plunder tigers and leopards, our forest wealth, should the forest department keep mum? Tigers and leopards are like gold mines and can bring in huge money, but locals have failed to understand this." Wildlife veterinarian Dr AD Kholkute called for close watch on Nagbhid, Talodi, Sindewahi, Mul and Babupeth railway stations and bus stands, from where Bahelia poachers sneak into the forest areas. "Inquire with local cycle stores about any unknown person hiring a cycle and if a local person has introduced him," he suggested. There are coal mines in Chandrapur and majority of the workers are from other states. Officials should inquire about guests visiting these workers. Besides, villagers, particularly shepherds and cowboys, need to be taken into confidence as they know people wander in the forests. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Ideas-pour-in-to-stop-tiger-poaching/articleshow/13324280.cms

Tiger carcass had gunshot-like wound

Mazhar Ali, TNN May 20, 2012, 04.53AM IST CHANDRAPUR: Was the tiger, whose carcass was recovered in 10 pieces in Borda jungle, was shot by a gun? That is the big question before investigators probing the tiger poaching case. While investigators are much inclined on electrocution angle in poaching, mention of a hole on tiger carcass akin to a gunshot injury in autopsy report has raised new questions in the case. Veterinary doctors who performed post mortem on the tiger carcass found burn injury marks which could have been caused due to electrocution, but they also discovered a lone hole on the stomach just below the hip which could be a shot injury of manually loading gun. "Vets have recovered some blackish metal like balls from the injury. Such injury could be caused due to gun shot," said sources. DCF, Chandrapur forest division, P Kalyankumar confirmed the hole in the tiger carcass. "The entire injured portion having hole on it has been removed from the carcass and forwarded to the forensic department for confirmation. Possibility of tiger being shot by gun cannot be ruled out. In that case, burn injury marks suggesting electrocution could have been put deliberately to confuse investigators," he said. Forest officers are also probing the case from the angle of electrocution. They have obtained trip record of electric supply lines from MSEDCL. The tiger is assumed to have been killed Thursday night, but it has turned out that there was no tripping of power supply that night. "Records suggest that electric supply was not snapped on Thursday night. But there were incidents of tripping in the afternoon and evening on Thursday. However, poachers do not lay electrified wire for poaching during the day as there are high chances of grazing cattle coming in its contact," Kalyankumar said. He, however, maintained that this is an unusual case and hence chances of day time electrocution too is not being ruled out. Investigators have summed up that more than one poacher are involved in poaching. Whoever had poached the tiger had access to four-wheeler and a butcher. Foresters are more focused on summer farming area, which have to irrigation facility with 11 KV connections. "Local poachers are clear suspects in the case. Poachers could have been after some herbivores, but a tiger died in their trap. They were clever enough to remove the carcass to a distant location. There is definitely no Baheliya gang connection into this poaching as such destruction of tiger skin is not their modus operandi," DCF said. Forest department is seeking all the help from police and MSEDCL for investigations into the case, he added. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-20/nagpur/31788085_1_tiger-carcass-electrocution-chandrapur-forest-division