NAGPUR: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body under ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) monitoring all 39 tiger reserves in India, will examine 15 mining and power project proposals impacting tiger conservation mostly in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
A three-member committee consisting of Urmila Pingle, NTCA member, Kishor Rithe, wildlife expert, and G N Wankhede, head of zoology department of Amravati University, has been constituted on July 2. This panel will be different from the one constituted on May 14, under P K Sen, former director of ‘Project Tiger’, to examine 17 projects in MP, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
The list of 15 project proposals was sent to NTCA by the MoEF. The three-member panel will do site appraisals of coal mining and thermal power plants vis-à-vis the buffer and corridor areas of tiger reserves and study their impact on tiger conservation in the landscape. It is likely to start work immediately and submit report to the NTCA in a month. These projects are awaiting environmental clearance and much will depend on the report of the panel. Of the 15 proposals, nine are in Maharashtra including seven in Chandrapur, one in Andhra Pradesh and five in Madhya Pradesh.
The projects in Chandrapur district are in the landscape of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). The seven proposals in Chanda include Brahmapuri coal block of Push Steels & Mining (P) Limited, Dhorwara and Telwasa opencast mine projects of WCL in Majri (Bhadrawati); Gouri Deep opencast coal mine project of WCL, expansion of Pandharpaoni coal washery (from 1.6 mtpa to 2.6 mtpa) of Aryan Coal Beneficiation India in Rajura, coal washery of Fuelco Washeries and diversion of 50.47 hectare forest land for Majra coal block of Gondwana Ispat Limited. Apart from these, two projects for bauxite mine and iron ore are situated in the buffer of Chandoli National Park in Kolhapur district.
Chandoli is part of the newly-formed Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. In Madhya Pradesh, of the five projects, three are in Umaria, in the landscape of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. One in Andhra Pradesh is about constructing a memorial to late chief minister of Andhra Pradesh YSR Reddy in a wildlife sanctuary. Most of the 15 projects in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are lilely to affect corridor between Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Kanha-Pench-Tadoba and Satpuda-Pench tiger reserves. These areas and its landscapes are estimated to have over 250 tigers or just over one-fifth the wild tiger population in India.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Youth-killer not a maneater: Experts
JAIPUR: Officials of the forest department have ruled out the possibility of a maneater mauling a 22-year-old youth at the Ranthambore reserve on Saturday. They say it is just a sad accident.
”There is no way we can call the tiger a man-eater. It so happened that the youth came in the way of the tiger and so he was mauled by the animal for self-protection. It is just a sad accident," said RN Mehrotra, chief of forest force.
On Saturday, Ghamamdi Saini was mauled to death near the Jhoomar Bawdi at the Ranthambore forest reserve. Saini had gone to the forest to cut wood when he was attacked.
”The person did not know the tiger was in the vicinity and ventured close to it only to be killed," added Mehrotra.
Forest officials are awaiting reports to confirm whether Saini was mauled by a tiger or a leopard. "The reports are awaited and so we cannot say conclusively the youth was killed by a tiger. There is a leopard that also roams the area. But definitely it was a big cat that killed the youth," said RS Shekhawat, DFO, Ranthambore.
On Saturday night after the news of Saini's death spread, locals had expressed their ire by blocking road in the area. They were demanding compensation. However, they were assured of all help and pacified.
"We have been monitoring the movement of all animals in the area and they look normal. We have to study them more to come to a conclusion to identify the animal responsible for the death," added Shekhawat.
Alerted by the second of its kind of incident this year at Ranthambore, officials are contemplating putting up signboards in the forest warning people to stay off.
"We would be putting up signboards warning people of the presence of tigers in the region. This apart we would also be putting up boards asking people not to venture into the forest after sunset and before sunrise," added Mehrotra.
”There is no way we can call the tiger a man-eater. It so happened that the youth came in the way of the tiger and so he was mauled by the animal for self-protection. It is just a sad accident," said RN Mehrotra, chief of forest force.
On Saturday, Ghamamdi Saini was mauled to death near the Jhoomar Bawdi at the Ranthambore forest reserve. Saini had gone to the forest to cut wood when he was attacked.
”The person did not know the tiger was in the vicinity and ventured close to it only to be killed," added Mehrotra.
Forest officials are awaiting reports to confirm whether Saini was mauled by a tiger or a leopard. "The reports are awaited and so we cannot say conclusively the youth was killed by a tiger. There is a leopard that also roams the area. But definitely it was a big cat that killed the youth," said RS Shekhawat, DFO, Ranthambore.
On Saturday night after the news of Saini's death spread, locals had expressed their ire by blocking road in the area. They were demanding compensation. However, they were assured of all help and pacified.
"We have been monitoring the movement of all animals in the area and they look normal. We have to study them more to come to a conclusion to identify the animal responsible for the death," added Shekhawat.
Alerted by the second of its kind of incident this year at Ranthambore, officials are contemplating putting up signboards in the forest warning people to stay off.
"We would be putting up signboards warning people of the presence of tigers in the region. This apart we would also be putting up boards asking people not to venture into the forest after sunset and before sunrise," added Mehrotra.
Now, sloth bear goes on rampage, injures five
CHANDRAPUR: Incidents of man-animal conflict continue to take place in the district. On Saturday, a blind tigress that had strayed close to villages along the border of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and injured three people was captured after two days of efforts.
Just a day later, a sloth bear went berserk and mauled five people at a small settlement along Adegaon-Masele road on Sunday morning. Like the tiger incident, the situation turned tense and heavy police force was rushed to the area to control the mob.
Around 40 families of farmers and farm labourers live in a settlement located some distance away from Adegaon village in Chimur tehsil. A bear strayed into this settlement around 5 am and attacked one Indira Nannaware, who was up early for her morning chores. Neighbours and family members of Indira woke up on hearing her cries.
However, the bear directed its fury at the rescuers and mauled three others --Annaji Nannaware, Nandkishor Nannaware and Bhauji Nannaware – before fleeing the spot. Later, all the four injured were admitted at Chimur rural hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the bear escaped to a nearby zudpi jungle and took shelter in the shrubs near Adegaon. A group of people soon tracked the beast down and tried to capture it with the help of a net made of ropes.
However, the beast foiled their attempt and mauled one Murlidhar Gajbhiye. He too was taken to Chimur rural hospital for treatment. Forest officials from Chimur and Talodhi range also reached the spot. However, the villagers were enraged due to the delay of forest officials in reaching the spot. Efforts were on by the forest department staffers to capture the bear with the help of net till late in the evening, but the beast kept eluding the pursuers.
aThe heavy mob of over two hundred villagers kept following the foresters and bears in Zudpi jungle during the exercise. In a couple of instances, the annoyed bear charged at the crowd. In the panic that ensued, one Ankush Sonwane, 19, fell down and broke his leg. RFO, Chimur range, BS Padve confirmed the incident and said that the forest department staffers are trying hard to net the bear. “The place falls under Talodhi forest range. However being close a team of Chimur range too has come to assist the Talodhi foresters. We have brought a cage to the spot, so that after bear was captured in the net she could be caged safely,” said Padve.
Just a day later, a sloth bear went berserk and mauled five people at a small settlement along Adegaon-Masele road on Sunday morning. Like the tiger incident, the situation turned tense and heavy police force was rushed to the area to control the mob.
Around 40 families of farmers and farm labourers live in a settlement located some distance away from Adegaon village in Chimur tehsil. A bear strayed into this settlement around 5 am and attacked one Indira Nannaware, who was up early for her morning chores. Neighbours and family members of Indira woke up on hearing her cries.
However, the bear directed its fury at the rescuers and mauled three others --Annaji Nannaware, Nandkishor Nannaware and Bhauji Nannaware – before fleeing the spot. Later, all the four injured were admitted at Chimur rural hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the bear escaped to a nearby zudpi jungle and took shelter in the shrubs near Adegaon. A group of people soon tracked the beast down and tried to capture it with the help of a net made of ropes.
However, the beast foiled their attempt and mauled one Murlidhar Gajbhiye. He too was taken to Chimur rural hospital for treatment. Forest officials from Chimur and Talodhi range also reached the spot. However, the villagers were enraged due to the delay of forest officials in reaching the spot. Efforts were on by the forest department staffers to capture the bear with the help of net till late in the evening, but the beast kept eluding the pursuers.
aThe heavy mob of over two hundred villagers kept following the foresters and bears in Zudpi jungle during the exercise. In a couple of instances, the annoyed bear charged at the crowd. In the panic that ensued, one Ankush Sonwane, 19, fell down and broke his leg. RFO, Chimur range, BS Padve confirmed the incident and said that the forest department staffers are trying hard to net the bear. “The place falls under Talodhi forest range. However being close a team of Chimur range too has come to assist the Talodhi foresters. We have brought a cage to the spot, so that after bear was captured in the net she could be caged safely,” said Padve.
Tadoba villagers vent tiger attack ire on forest officers
Mumbai: A mob of angry villagers beat up two forest officers in Satara village on the periphery of the Tadoba Andhari tiger reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district after an old and ailing tigress attacked a villager on Friday, seriously injuring him.The villagers were angry that the officials allegedly did not do enough to drive the animal back into the forest in time. Officials said the villagers intimidated the tigress by getting too close to her.
The tigress, which has been ailing, and according to sources in the forest department, is partially blind, was sighted at around 8am in a pond on a farm belonging to Janardan Vaidya.
The news spread, and the villagers made a beeline to see the tigress. Intimidated, the animal attacked Vaidya when he went too close to drive it away, despite being warned against it by the villagers.
When range forest officer Umesh Dhotekar and a forest guard reached the village late afternoon, the angry villagers gave them a thrashing.
Vaidya, meanwhile, managed to free himself from the tigress' grip, but sustained serious injuries in the confrontation. Forest officials are now monitoring the situation and the movement of the tigress, who is still moving around the village.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Tigers kill 2 fishermen
KOLKATA: Two fishermen, who had gone fishing deep in the Sunderbans were mauled to death by tigers on Thursday. Their bodies are yet to be recovered. While one of them had gone in a group of five and had set out from home on Monday, the other was part of a father-son duo that had set out on Thursday morning. Victims Bapi Mondal, 35, and Ajit Dhali were from Gosaba's Sonagaon and Jharkhali respectively.
Bapi had had gone fishing with his neighbours Bapi Maji, Sanatan Mondal, Khagendranath Mondal and others. Residents of Gosaba's Sonagaon, they had gone to the Panchamukhani river that flows by the Panchamukhani forest — a prime tiger zone — for fishing. Ajit, on the other hand, had gone fishing with his father to Storekhali jungle.
Since Monday, the haul of Bapi's group had been satisfactory and the group had decided to start early on Thursday, too. The group had retired early on Wednesday and started cooking their morning meal early on of Thursday. While two of were cooking, Bapi Mondal and Sanatan were trying to push the boat into the nearby creek.
"Bapi was on the other side and I couldn't see him. Suddenly there was a roar and I looked up to see that the tiger had already nabbed him. It had bitten into his neck and was pulling him away into the forest. By the time we collected our wits and ran after the tiger, it was nowhere in sight," a trembling Sanatan said.
The assistant field director of Sunderban Tiger Reserve (STR), Anjan Guha said, "The group had a valid permit to go fishing. We fear that the tiger has moved deep into the jungle. The nature of this part of the forest is such that many tigers come to feast on a prey. We'll launch a search but it might be difficult to trace the body."
Bapi had had gone fishing with his neighbours Bapi Maji, Sanatan Mondal, Khagendranath Mondal and others. Residents of Gosaba's Sonagaon, they had gone to the Panchamukhani river that flows by the Panchamukhani forest — a prime tiger zone — for fishing. Ajit, on the other hand, had gone fishing with his father to Storekhali jungle.
Since Monday, the haul of Bapi's group had been satisfactory and the group had decided to start early on Thursday, too. The group had retired early on Wednesday and started cooking their morning meal early on of Thursday. While two of were cooking, Bapi Mondal and Sanatan were trying to push the boat into the nearby creek.
"Bapi was on the other side and I couldn't see him. Suddenly there was a roar and I looked up to see that the tiger had already nabbed him. It had bitten into his neck and was pulling him away into the forest. By the time we collected our wits and ran after the tiger, it was nowhere in sight," a trembling Sanatan said.
The assistant field director of Sunderban Tiger Reserve (STR), Anjan Guha said, "The group had a valid permit to go fishing. We fear that the tiger has moved deep into the jungle. The nature of this part of the forest is such that many tigers come to feast on a prey. We'll launch a search but it might be difficult to trace the body."
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Protectors turn tiger-killers
BHOPAL: Tiger conservation in Madhya Pradesh is suffering at the hands of its protectors. From speeding forest jeeps to guards believing in the occult, tigers continue to succumb at the hands of those who swear to shelter them.
Three forest chowkidars of Pench National Park in Chhindwara district were arrested last week after a six-month-old female cub was found dead with its paws sawed off. Investigation revealed the chowkidars in collusion with the president of a local environmental committee had supplied four tiger paws to a 'tantrik' for an exclusive puja.
The cub was last spotted with her mother on June 9. Two weeks later, the forest department found its burnt carcass without its paws. Nine people have been arrested in this connection.
Earlier, on the morning of May 19, tourists found an eight-year-old tigress and mother of three cubs badly injured and gasping for breath at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Umaria district. The forest department identified her as Jhurjhura. She died a few hours later. The postmortem report stated she died of haemorrhage and internal injuries caused by a vehicle hit.
Jhurjhura's death became sensational with allegations that the jeep which hit her belonged to a resort owned by a cabinet minister in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government. The forest department suspended three officials for negligence but failed to track down the vehicle or the persons travelling in it.
Three forest chowkidars of Pench National Park in Chhindwara district were arrested last week after a six-month-old female cub was found dead with its paws sawed off. Investigation revealed the chowkidars in collusion with the president of a local environmental committee had supplied four tiger paws to a 'tantrik' for an exclusive puja.
The cub was last spotted with her mother on June 9. Two weeks later, the forest department found its burnt carcass without its paws. Nine people have been arrested in this connection.
Earlier, on the morning of May 19, tourists found an eight-year-old tigress and mother of three cubs badly injured and gasping for breath at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Umaria district. The forest department identified her as Jhurjhura. She died a few hours later. The postmortem report stated she died of haemorrhage and internal injuries caused by a vehicle hit.
Jhurjhura's death became sensational with allegations that the jeep which hit her belonged to a resort owned by a cabinet minister in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government. The forest department suspended three officials for negligence but failed to track down the vehicle or the persons travelling in it.
Amravati NGO creates model for tiger buffers
NAGPUR: The Nature Conservation Society, Amravati (NCSA), an NGO engaged in wildlife conservation in Central India, has created a model for the development of buffer villages in tiger reserves.
At a time when respective state governments are hesitating to notify buffer zones for tiger reserves due to confusion among villagers and politicians, the NCSA has actually created a model to explain the development plan for villages in the buffer. The NCSA model has been set up on a 20-acre private land on the outskirts of Melghat Tiger Reserve in Amravati district. Known as ‘Muthawa’ Community Resource Centre (MCRC), it has now become a resource centre for communities living in the buffer of the tiger reserve. Muthawa is the name of God for Korku tribals. The 20-acre area has regenerated 60 indigenous plant species of Melghat reserve. There are 3,000 standing trees on this plot of 20 feet. “We did nothing but simply provided protection to this area,” said Kishor Rithe, one of the architects of MCRC. Birds responded well to this protection. Quails, partridges and around 20 local species of birds started nesting in this area. “Their three generations now have started pest controlling in the organic farming plot,” he added.
“It took four years to create a model of activities to be carried out in the buffer villages of the tiger reserve. The NCSA is busy creating trainers who will go to villages in the buffer of any tiger reserve with the conservation and livelihood agenda for tribals,” claimed Nishikant Kale, president of NCSA. The centre grows jowar, rice, udad and vegetables like brinjals, chilli, tomato and turmeric as first crop and gram as the second crop. Focus has been given on agroforestry and horticulture. “We’ve planted forest produce like charoli, amla, bamboo, mahua and sagargoti which can give us forest produce and fruits like mango, orange, tamarind, citrus, papaya, banana, karvanda, drumstick, guava and custard apple as fruits.
There are 500 trees of these varieties. To support this kind of pesticide-free agriculture a strong natural pest controlling mechanism has been created within the centre. The centre produces manure from urine, agricultural waste and composting. A unique nursery grows saplings based on the agro-forestry model in tribal villages.
“To explain eco-tourism in buffer specially benefiting the locals, we have created a wildlife habitat within the campus. Many wild animals have started visiting waterholes and the meadow in the centre,” says Rithe.
“Many leading organisations, government departments, banks, micro finance institutes, university departments and research organisations are visiting the centre and have started many programmes with our collaboration in their own areas,” Kale said.
At a time when respective state governments are hesitating to notify buffer zones for tiger reserves due to confusion among villagers and politicians, the NCSA has actually created a model to explain the development plan for villages in the buffer. The NCSA model has been set up on a 20-acre private land on the outskirts of Melghat Tiger Reserve in Amravati district. Known as ‘Muthawa’ Community Resource Centre (MCRC), it has now become a resource centre for communities living in the buffer of the tiger reserve. Muthawa is the name of God for Korku tribals. The 20-acre area has regenerated 60 indigenous plant species of Melghat reserve. There are 3,000 standing trees on this plot of 20 feet. “We did nothing but simply provided protection to this area,” said Kishor Rithe, one of the architects of MCRC. Birds responded well to this protection. Quails, partridges and around 20 local species of birds started nesting in this area. “Their three generations now have started pest controlling in the organic farming plot,” he added.
“It took four years to create a model of activities to be carried out in the buffer villages of the tiger reserve. The NCSA is busy creating trainers who will go to villages in the buffer of any tiger reserve with the conservation and livelihood agenda for tribals,” claimed Nishikant Kale, president of NCSA. The centre grows jowar, rice, udad and vegetables like brinjals, chilli, tomato and turmeric as first crop and gram as the second crop. Focus has been given on agroforestry and horticulture. “We’ve planted forest produce like charoli, amla, bamboo, mahua and sagargoti which can give us forest produce and fruits like mango, orange, tamarind, citrus, papaya, banana, karvanda, drumstick, guava and custard apple as fruits.
There are 500 trees of these varieties. To support this kind of pesticide-free agriculture a strong natural pest controlling mechanism has been created within the centre. The centre produces manure from urine, agricultural waste and composting. A unique nursery grows saplings based on the agro-forestry model in tribal villages.
“To explain eco-tourism in buffer specially benefiting the locals, we have created a wildlife habitat within the campus. Many wild animals have started visiting waterholes and the meadow in the centre,” says Rithe.
“Many leading organisations, government departments, banks, micro finance institutes, university departments and research organisations are visiting the centre and have started many programmes with our collaboration in their own areas,” Kale said.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tiger kills another man in Uttar Pradesh
Lucknow, June 24 (Calcutta Tube) A tiger killed a man in a village adjoining a forest area in Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh, an official said Thursday.
The partially eaten body of Bulakiram, 55, was recovered Wednesday evening from the fields on the outskirts of Akora village, which is near Deuriya area of the Pilibhit forest reserve.
‘Pugmarks found at the site indicate that the man was attacked by a male, adult tiger,’ said Divisional Forest Officer V.K. Singh.
‘Significantly, the Deuriya area of the forest reserve is not considered as tigers’ territory. Field investigations carried out following the incident now indicate that two tigers are present in Deuriya,’ Singh told IANS over telephone from Pilibhit, some 250 km from Lucknow.
Bulakiram had left his house Tuesday to collect wood and had been missing since then.
It’s the third such incident in the district in the last two months.
As per the last census, Pilibhit forest reserve was home to 36 tigers.
http://calcuttatube.com/tiger-kills-man-in-uttar-pradesh-2/101563/
6 tiger cubs spotted in Tadoba reserve
There is now hope for India’s tiger conservation programme. Six tiger cubs have been spotted in three ranges (two in each) in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur forest area, bordering the Tadoba Tiger Reserve, 160 km from Nagpur.
At the end of April a tiger census had found that there were 11 tiger cubs in the reserve (this is apart from the six in the forest area abutting the reserve).
Sources at the state wildlife headquarters said three tigresses missing from the north Chanda circle a few months ago, had each given birth to two cubs.
Conservator of Forests (North Chanda circle) RS Yadav said the tigresses may have moved to desolate places for breeding. The six cubs were seen over the past two months, the latest sighting was on Sunday, he said.
“We then installed cameras in the area to know the positions and movements of the tigresses and their cubs,” Yadav added.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/6-tiger-cubs-spotted-in-Tadoba-reserve/Article1-565071.aspx
Tribals to be moved out of state’s tiger reserve
New Delhi, June 30: The Union ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) has beefed up a detailed plan to relocate 1,000 Chenchu tribal families from the core area of the Nagarjungsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve reserve.
The reserve is home to 82 tigers and tiger experts have been pressing for the need to create an undisturbed forest base for these animals. The tribals are likely to be relocated to the fringe areas of the sanctuary and every family member above 18 years is being offered Rs 10 lakh for the relocation.
Anthropologists question whether these hunter gatherer Chenchus who do not practise agriculture will be able to adjust to these changed circumstances.
The environmentalist, Mr Shekar Dattarati, who has personally interviewed many Chenchus, pointed out, “They do not want to remain marooned inside a forest with no prospects. Nor do they want their children to suffer as they have done in the past.” But he did admit, “Resettlement is a sensitive topic. The Chenchus worship the tiger and are known not to attack it. Keen to utilise their tracking and protecting skills, the MoEF has hired 400 young Chenchu boys as forest guards.”
The minister, Mr Jairam Ramesh, confirmed, “The younger generation must be given a stake in conserving the forests. Relocation will not be forced down people. Our aim will be to create a consensus on this move.”
The other tribe living in the forests are the Lambadas who are practising agriculture right in the heart of the tiger reserve. Most of the Lambadas have migrated from Mahrashtra as Andhra Pradesh was the only state that offered them ST status.
The Integrated Tribal Development Authority is working with these tribals at a local level. NGOs regret that the MoEF and ITDA have been working at cross purposes with little co-ordination between them.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/tribals-be-moved-out-state’s-tiger-reserve-087
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Revision in Wildlife Act to speed up trials
For nearly two decades, a haul of tiger bones and skins has been rotting at the Delhi wildlife division, while the case against the accused has been stuck at the Tees Hazari court.
Across the country, lakhs of similar cases pertaining to crimes against wildlife have been ensnared in magistrate courts because of the low priority accorded to these offences.
To remedy the situation, the ministry of environment and forests has now suggested an amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), which will remove one tier in the cumbersome legal system and reduce delays in deciding wildlife cases.
The amendment proposes that cases involving serious offences - including trading in protected species and their products or trying to manipulate the boundaries of national sanctuaries and tiger reserves - be fasttracked to the sessions court, instead of going through a magistrate's court.
"Wildlife cases, including those against poachers and traders in wildlife products, take 10-12 years to be disposed of through the trial cases," Wildlife Trust of India vicechairman and senior wildlife activist Ashok Kumar said.
He added: "By reducing one tier - the burdened magistrate courts that try all petty crimes - the provision will speed-up trials and ensure the accused are punished."
Activists have pointed out that in several wildlife cases, the seized material either vanishes from government depositories or rots in the long time taken by the courts. "So finally, when the judge does ask to see the seized products as evidence before handing out punishment, the material is not there at all," Kumar explained.
Another modification proposed by the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment bill is imposing stiffer fines for wildlife offences.
The amendment would make trading in critical species, such as the tiger, punishable by a minimum imprisonment of seven years and a fine of Rs 25 lakh. For a second offence, the fine is hiked up to Rs 50 lakh.
The stiff penalties have drawn mixed reactions with some wildlife activists welcoming it and others expressing doubts over whether the changes can be implemented.
Activist Belinda Wright of the Wildlife Protection Society of India said: "It is important to increase the penalties as the old ones were not a deterrent to those selling tiger parts. The traders make huge profits and the earlier fines were mere pittance.
"But Kumar believes that even the earlier fines were not imposed on the accused by the various courts. "It needs to be a figure that the society will accept and judges also find reasonable," he said.
One proposal in the draft bill which has unanimous approval is the ban on the manufacture of leg traps, which are indiscriminately used by poachers.
Wildlife researcher and activist Jose Louies pointed out that poachers carry any number of leg traps or manufacture them with impunity, as the possession of such an instrument is not an offence.
"By banning the manufacture, all the people carrying or using the leg traps will become liable for punishment," he pointed out.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Kerala govt runs into tiger panel
The Kerala government has filed a petition in the Supreme Court opposing a ban on night traffic on stretches of two National Highways that pass through Karnataka’s Bandipur tiger reserve.
Following reports of tigers, deer and elephants being run over by vehicles, the Karnataka High Court in March ordered stopping of night traffic on NH 212 and NH 67. Resulting from the order, traffic has been banned between 9 pm and 6 am over 13 km of NH 212 and 20 km of NH 67.
In its appeal, Kerala has called Karnataka’s stand as “smacking of romantic notions and myopic”, arguing the ban will “seriously” impact the state’s economy. Interestingly, among the suggestions the Kerala government has offered as alternatives to the ban are: a convoy of vehicles from the forest department can accompany commercial trucks at night or a new elevated road that can be made on pillars.
The issue now promises to snowball as the National Tiger Conservation Authority is set to become a party and oppose the petition. The Authority, helmed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, has decided to oppose the petition in the apex court. “This is an issue of all kinds of animals dying because of traffic through the tiger reserve. This is one of the best areas that we have. We have decided to appeal against this (petition) in the Supreme Court,” said Rajesh Gopal, Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority.
While Kerala has said in its petition that the ban on night traffic on the two highways will lead to discomfort of lakhs of people in that state and would also affect the vegetable market there, wildlife activists said there are existing routes which create a diversion of 30-40 km which should instead be used.
Nightmare for tourists as tigress enters lodge
GOSABA (SOUTH 24-PARGANAS): They had gone there for a taste of the Sunderbans: mangrove jungles, surging tides and maybe, a whiff of wildlife. When they returned on Sunday, they had lived through a nightmare, their picture postcard holiday marred by a close encounter with the Bengal tiger — right inside the Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge.
Four tourists were at the lodge, a popular haunt of visitors, when a full-grown tigress, reportedly being chased by two tigers in heat, jumped over the boundary fence of the forest department complex twice in the space of 24 hours.
The animal was finally tranquillised on Sunday morning, but not before it had run amok inside the compound, its roars sending the tourists and the handful of forest staffers running for cover. Apart from the lodge, the complex houses a forest office and quarters.
As the tourists stayed trapped, fear of the tigress kept boats away from the Sajnekhali jetty on Saturday. The quartet was sent back on Sunday on a boat that had come with drinking water.
The lodge is currently being renovated and a section of forest officials felt the construction work triggered the breach. According to them, a pile of rubble had been placed just outside the boundary fence. The 9 ft-high barrier is enough to keep tigers out. But the rubble lowered this critical hei-ght, with the tiger climbing atop the rubble heap, before jumping into the compound.
Sunderban Tiger Reser-ve deputy field director Ri-cha Dwibedi said: "It seems to have climbed atop the rubble and leaped inside."
But West Bengal Forest Development Corporation MD PBN Rao claimed he did not know how the breach took place. "I have no information if rubble was kept outside the fence. I'll have to ask my manager at the spot for details."
Four tourists were at the lodge, a popular haunt of visitors, when a full-grown tigress, reportedly being chased by two tigers in heat, jumped over the boundary fence of the forest department complex twice in the space of 24 hours.
The animal was finally tranquillised on Sunday morning, but not before it had run amok inside the compound, its roars sending the tourists and the handful of forest staffers running for cover. Apart from the lodge, the complex houses a forest office and quarters.
As the tourists stayed trapped, fear of the tigress kept boats away from the Sajnekhali jetty on Saturday. The quartet was sent back on Sunday on a boat that had come with drinking water.
The lodge is currently being renovated and a section of forest officials felt the construction work triggered the breach. According to them, a pile of rubble had been placed just outside the boundary fence. The 9 ft-high barrier is enough to keep tigers out. But the rubble lowered this critical hei-ght, with the tiger climbing atop the rubble heap, before jumping into the compound.
Sunderban Tiger Reser-ve deputy field director Ri-cha Dwibedi said: "It seems to have climbed atop the rubble and leaped inside."
But West Bengal Forest Development Corporation MD PBN Rao claimed he did not know how the breach took place. "I have no information if rubble was kept outside the fence. I'll have to ask my manager at the spot for details."
Wildlife rangers rescue tiger cub in Jim Corbett National Park
Wildlife rangers rescue tiger cub in Jim Corbett National Park | |||
| 2010-06-27 23:30:00 | |||
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Fisherman killed by tiger in Sunderban Reserve Canning (WB):
Fisherman killed by tiger in Sunderban Reserve
Canning (WB): A fisherman was killed by a tiger while another tigress was captured after it strayed into the Sajnekhali office campus of Sunderban Tiger Reserve. About 10 fishermen had ventured from Basanti area into the Sunderban jungles ten days ago. They entered the Tiger Reserve's Core Area when one of them Dilip Baidya was attacked by a tiger on Saturday. The tiger was chased away by other fishermen but Baidya succumbed to his injuries. In a separate incident, a tigress entered the Sajnekhali Tiger campus on Saturday evening. The animal was again spotted on Sunday on the campus. The tigress was later tranquilised and then put in a cage.
Sariska may see two more tigers this rainy season
JAIPUR: Call them monsoon tigers, for this time round too the rainy season will mark the arrival of tigers in Sariska. As soon as the season's first showers lash the slopes of the mighty Aravallis, another pair of wild tigers would be shifted to Sariska Tiger Reserve from Ranthambhore National Park. The twosome—a male and a female—would join the group of one male and two females which have already made the Sariska woods their home since the first ever tiger re-location in the country two years ago.
“The temperature has to come down. We cannot release the tigers if the temperature is above 40 degrees C. The ideal situation to carry out the exercise is the rainy season,” says the Chief Wildlife Warden of Rajasthan, R. N. Mehrotra.
“Now that the Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests has given clearance for another round of re-location, we have started the preparations. It can happen some time in the first fortnight of July,” Mr. Mehrotra reveals.
Environmentalists and tiger lovers are happy about the end to the impasse over tiger-shifting as after an unsavoury controversy over the wisdom of bringing together the tigers from the same gene pool the National Tiger Conservation Authority had started acting tough on the issue. Though still positive about the re-introduction of the tiger population in Sariska – after the reserve lost all its tigers some time in 2004-05-- the Authority had asked the State forest officials to catch the young tigers which have been straying outside the Ranthambhore Park.
The change in the attitude of both the Authority and Union Minister Jairam Ramesh appears to be due partly to a recent report from environmentalist Aparajita Datta of the Mysore-based National Conservation Foundation which termed the attempt to catch the tigers outside the Park “difficult” due to their elusive nature as well as the tough terrain they are stalking. Ms. Datta, also a member of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, suggested depending on the knowledge of the field staff as the basis for the selection of the “suitable pair”.
“She has recommended the selection of a pair from the 10-odd young tigers identified by us already. They have to be young, transient in nature and unsettled,” says Mr. Mehrotra. As far as possible the attempt would be to carry out the genetic analysis of the chosen tigers so that the new ones are not related to the three tigers already in Sariska.
The first tiger—a male—was airlifted from Ranthambhore and released in Sariska on June 28, 2008. The second, a female, was moved to the new area through the same process in July the same year. The third, another female feline, was flown in in February 2009. All three have lived happily since then but the only complaint seems to be that there are no little ones snorting around even when the couple re-located to the Panna tiger reserve in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh much later has multiplied.
Though dates are not official yet, July 4 could be an ideal day to watch out for the tiger to burn bright in Sariska once again!
http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/27/stories/2010062757810100.htm
Simlipal reserve: Poachers’ haven, foresters’ shame
The controversy over elephant deaths in Simlipal Tiger reserve in Odisha has deepened further with the discovery of three more carcasses — two of these charred, another in a decomposed state. While, in a report, a team set up by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has confirmed seven jumbo deaths, information is coming in about possible deaths of at least eight more pachyderms.
The Pioneer had reported on the series of jumbo deaths on June 2, following which the NTCA had ordered a probe into the incident by a two-member committee. Accord-ing to sources, the recently-submitted report mentions of seven confirmed deaths of tuskers in the reserve.
However, sources said this is not the end of the story. “Three more carcasses, including charred bones of two jumbos and decomposed carcass of another, were found.”
Their samples have been brought from the area, informed the sources. “There is definite evidence of at least seven-eight more deaths,” they asserted.
The sources also confirmed having sighted at least 50 chulhas in the core area, near Jodapal, which were estimated to have been used in cooking meals for at least 300 persons. Bones of sambar, bison and barking deer have also been found there.
Meanwhile, Field Director of the reserve, HS Upadhyay, told The Pioneer that a team, comprising Deputy Field Director VR Das, Assistant Conservator DK Samal and informers, found several bones in the forest. But he added these bones could not be said to be parts of the three carcasses. “They need to be examined thoroughly,” he said.
Upadhyay said the team would visit the forest next week once again, to check out for more such carcasses and maintained that the department is in full control of the situation with senior officers undertaking frequent visits to reserve areas.
However, others don’t agree with Upadhyay’s contention that the situation was under control. “How much is the forest department in the know of things happening in the reserve?” questioned an expert. “If such a situation continues, Simlipal may also be destined to go the Sariska way.”
The most disturbing factor, according to experts, is that though it is a tiger reserve, but there seems to be little or no response from the forest department on elephant deaths. They claim that it was left for the independent teams of wildlife activists and enthusiasts to venture into the deep and scout out information and reports, which often forces the department to act.
The sources further pointed out that the three revenue villages in the core area are proving to be major threats to the wildlife there. “They are keen to be relocated from the forests, but the department unfortunately does not seem to be as much interested,” they regretted.
The Pioneer had reported on the series of jumbo deaths on June 2, following which the NTCA had ordered a probe into the incident by a two-member committee. Accord-ing to sources, the recently-submitted report mentions of seven confirmed deaths of tuskers in the reserve.
However, sources said this is not the end of the story. “Three more carcasses, including charred bones of two jumbos and decomposed carcass of another, were found.”
Their samples have been brought from the area, informed the sources. “There is definite evidence of at least seven-eight more deaths,” they asserted.
The sources also confirmed having sighted at least 50 chulhas in the core area, near Jodapal, which were estimated to have been used in cooking meals for at least 300 persons. Bones of sambar, bison and barking deer have also been found there.
Meanwhile, Field Director of the reserve, HS Upadhyay, told The Pioneer that a team, comprising Deputy Field Director VR Das, Assistant Conservator DK Samal and informers, found several bones in the forest. But he added these bones could not be said to be parts of the three carcasses. “They need to be examined thoroughly,” he said.
Upadhyay said the team would visit the forest next week once again, to check out for more such carcasses and maintained that the department is in full control of the situation with senior officers undertaking frequent visits to reserve areas.
However, others don’t agree with Upadhyay’s contention that the situation was under control. “How much is the forest department in the know of things happening in the reserve?” questioned an expert. “If such a situation continues, Simlipal may also be destined to go the Sariska way.”
The most disturbing factor, according to experts, is that though it is a tiger reserve, but there seems to be little or no response from the forest department on elephant deaths. They claim that it was left for the independent teams of wildlife activists and enthusiasts to venture into the deep and scout out information and reports, which often forces the department to act.
The sources further pointed out that the three revenue villages in the core area are proving to be major threats to the wildlife there. “They are keen to be relocated from the forests, but the department unfortunately does not seem to be as much interested,” they regretted.
Stress on better tiger protection steps in Assam
GUWAHATI, June 27 – Proactive action on the part of the Forest Department could place Assam in the forefront of the tigerconservation programme in the country. This would be possible due to the advantages that the state already possesses, which include a stable and growing population of the highly protected species.
A well-placed source in the Forest Department told The Assam Tribune that there was a need for “more focused thinking and intervention” to protect the tiger, which has a sizeable population in Kaziranga and few other protected areas. He favoured a policy that embraced more areas in the state where the presence of tigers was documented by independent observers.
There are reports which indicate that apart from tigers being located in Kaziranga, Manas and Nameri, the range of the animal extends into a number of eeserve forests in Assam and adjoining states. In total, the state could now possess a tiger population hovering around 180.
Dr Bibhab Talukdar of the biodiversity conservation group Aaranyak acknowledging the presence of the tiger in reserved forests said that better protection was required in those areas to ensure the survival of the animals. “I would say that the time has come to treat those reserved forests in a different way. It would be seriously limiting if we treat those merely as sources of timber,” he remarked.
Dr Talukdar pointed out that the net of tiger conservation should extend to other areas including parts of eastern Assam and some sand bars close to Kaziranga where the presence of the big cat has been located.
“While tigers are being surveyed in key protected areas, there are other areas where the animal’s presence has also been proved. Any serious conservation programme concerning the species must take into account those areas where monitoring is yet to take place,” he noted.
He was of the view that there was a dispersed population of tigers in areas across Assam, which has never been documented. “There is a genuine need for a scientific study to know about this population,” he asserted. Experts are of the belief that nearly 50 animals could be scattered in parts of the state, which are not within any protected area.
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun2810/city07
Friday, June 25, 2010
Stiffer penalties to curb wildlife crime
India has proposed to slap stiffer penalties to curb wildlife crime and illicit trade, but experts said these would still be insufficient deterrents.
The environment ministry, in a draft amendment of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, has proposed that fines for offences against critical or most endangered species be hiked 20 times. Illegal trade in these species and offences in national parks and sanctuaries would entail a fine of at least Rs25 lakh. An offence in a tiger sanctuary would carry a maximum penalty of Rs50 lakh the first time and Rs75 lakh for repeat offenders. Jail terms would be hiked to five-seven years, from three-seven years.
Conservationists say higher fines and jail terms are not the right way to rein in wildlife crime.
“The whole thrust of the changes has been to increase penalty provision. But in real life, there is an inverse relationship between increase in penalty and conviction rate,” said Ritwick Dutta, an environment lawyer. “At present, offences against endangered tigers already invite a three-year sentence. Has it worked?”
He added that in the 30 years of the Act, no one has been convicted for seven years. Actor Salman Khan, who was convicted of hunting black buck, a critical species, got away with a Rs5,000 fine.
“A deterrent works only when there is awareness, which is quite low. It is not the severity, but the certainty of the punishment which matters, which is a deterrent,” Dutta said.
Samir Sinha, head of TRAFFIC, a non-profit body that monitors wildlife trade, also said penalties alone would not deter crimes.
“After all these years of experience, my sense is that higher penalty should also be combined with higher probability of people getting caught. Unless delivery mechanism is strengthened, this won’t be effective. Wildlife trade has to be made less lucrative,” he said.
Tribal rights activists are disconcerted by the proposed amendments for a different reason.
“The penalties are extremely high and so is the potential for abuse. A large number of tribals are slapped with false and petty cases every year,” said Shankar Gopalakrishnan, secretary, Campaign for Survival and Dignity, a tribal rights activist group. “Without recognizing that and without any reference to the Forest Rights Act in the amendments, it doesn’t bode well.”
One of the ministry’s amendments to the law seeks to broaden research in conservation sciences. It proposes that the government promote independent scientific research and frame comprehensive rules and procedures for it.
“Indian wildlife research is not where it should be because of the forest department, which controls all permits and research. This is definitely very positive,” said Raghu Chundawat, a wildlife scientist.
“The forest department’s role should be limited to (the) Act and not on what kind of research should be done,” he said. “This is not private property.”
http://www.livemint.com/2010/06/24214603/Stiffer-penalties-to-curb-wild.html?atype=tp
'Won’t force villagers out of tiger reserves'
Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh on Thursday said there would be no forceful relocation of villagers from the 39 tiger reserves in the country even if the process takes a decade to complete.
Around 48,000 families are to be relocated from the core tiger areas for which the Centre has provided Rs 600 crore. The relocation is, however, moving slowly due to resistance from the villagers.
“The villagers have to be relocated to protect tigers," Ramesh told forest officials and NGO representatives from tiger reserves around the country. “For that, the villagers will have to be convinced that the deal being offered is good.”
Most forest officials are convinced the deal being offered is beneficial both for tigers and villagers. “Around 70 per cent of villagers in Sariska and Ranthambore have agreed to move out of core tiger areas,” said R.N. Mehrotra, Chief Conservator of Forest, Rajasthan.
Although Rajasthan is ahead of other states in the relocation process, finding land to resettle the villagers is still a challenge for the state government. Most of the NGOs representatives at the two-day national consultation on relocation said there was no transparency in implementation of the process. “The guidelines for relocation have not been provided in local languages. In most cases, it is in either English or Hindi,” said a NGO representative.
But Sariska, which lost all its tigers in 2004, has been able to relocate most of the villagers and is ready to get a tiger couple by mid-July.
“As soon as there is soon rain, we will relocate the tigers from Ranthambore,” Mehrotra said.HT Correspondent
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Won-t-force-villagers-out-of-tiger-reserves/Article1-562764.aspx
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