The body of a nine year old tiger was found in the Terrai forest near Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.
The tiger’s death has been related to natural reasons, mainly old age problems. "It is a male tiger and there is no sign of outer injury or marks on its body. It is an old tiger. We will conduct the postmortem today and then we will tell what really happened," said Nishant Verma, a forest official.
"The first instance here is that its paws are all torn and there are cracks in it. Also his claws are not sharp and are very blunt. It seems to be an old tiger and so there is the possibility of a natural death," Verma pointed out. Once the final results of the post mortem are revealed, the final reason of the death can be ascertained.
This is the third tiger that died at Corbett National Park within a fortnight. A pregnant tigress was found dead on 25th January and foresters shot dead a man-eater tiger on 27th January.
This year the Corbett National Park will celebrate its platinum jubilee year. The park named after hunter turned conservationist, Jim Corbett is one of the oldest National Parks in the country and has also been declared as Corebtt Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger of the Central Government.
Though celebrations for the platinum jubilee began in January with the introduction of a Special Tiger Protection Force for the big cats, most of the functions and programmes are scheduled to be held in March 2011.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Kudremukh for tigers, says Jairam
BANGALORE: Union environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh is on the warpath again, but this time he could well find an army of supporters in Karnataka for his initiative. He wants the Kudremukh National Park, 350km from Bangalore in Chikmagalur district, to be made a tiger reserve.
In a letter to chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, the minister, who hails from Chikmagalur district, said by doing this, the park's biodiversity can be saved from future mining threats. He has asked the government to send him a proposal under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to declare the park a tiger reserve.
To buttress his suggestion, Ramesh said the area is biologically significant for notification as a tiger reserve since it's located amid other good tiger areas in the Malnad-Mysore landscape. In the last all-India tiger population estimate, the Kudremukh-Bhadra landscape has one of the three distinct tiger populations in Karnataka which extends up to the Bhimasankar area in Maharashtra. Independent surveys conducted by Bangalore-based Centre for Wildlife Studies have also found that the area could potentially support a viable tiger population.
The Kudremukh Iron Ore Company, which had been operating in the area, has been closed down following a final judgment of the Supreme Court in 2002 and all major operations stand legally terminated since December 2005. Some machinery and infrastructure still remains and needs to be removed. Ramesh said there are several small revenue enclaves within the park and people don't have access to employment opportunities and also suffer due to man-animal conflict. There were reports that around 450 families have requested the state government for relocation and 12 of them have been moved last year.
In a letter to chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, the minister, who hails from Chikmagalur district, said by doing this, the park's biodiversity can be saved from future mining threats. He has asked the government to send him a proposal under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to declare the park a tiger reserve.
To buttress his suggestion, Ramesh said the area is biologically significant for notification as a tiger reserve since it's located amid other good tiger areas in the Malnad-Mysore landscape. In the last all-India tiger population estimate, the Kudremukh-Bhadra landscape has one of the three distinct tiger populations in Karnataka which extends up to the Bhimasankar area in Maharashtra. Independent surveys conducted by Bangalore-based Centre for Wildlife Studies have also found that the area could potentially support a viable tiger population.
The Kudremukh Iron Ore Company, which had been operating in the area, has been closed down following a final judgment of the Supreme Court in 2002 and all major operations stand legally terminated since December 2005. Some machinery and infrastructure still remains and needs to be removed. Ramesh said there are several small revenue enclaves within the park and people don't have access to employment opportunities and also suffer due to man-animal conflict. There were reports that around 450 families have requested the state government for relocation and 12 of them have been moved last year.
3 of 6 WWF volunteers freed
Three volunteers, all women, of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), who were among the six abducted by combat uniform-clad gunmen on Sunday from the Manas Tiger Reserve, were released on Tuesday night. Three men are still being held captive.
Kokrajhar Superintendent of Police P.K. Dutta told The Hindu that the three women were released around 6.15 p.m. in the Bengtol area of Chirang district. Efforts were on to secure the safe release of the other three captives.
The WWF-India on Tuesday issued an appeal for the immediate and safe release of its volunteers: “These young volunteers were part of the WWF team carrying out tiger habitat occupancy surveys in the area. These young and committed individuals were working towards helping to conserve the important biodiversity of the area for the larger benefit of the local community, the State and the region.”
Kokrajhar Superintendent of Police P.K. Dutta told The Hindu that the three women were released around 6.15 p.m. in the Bengtol area of Chirang district. Efforts were on to secure the safe release of the other three captives.
The WWF-India on Tuesday issued an appeal for the immediate and safe release of its volunteers: “These young volunteers were part of the WWF team carrying out tiger habitat occupancy surveys in the area. These young and committed individuals were working towards helping to conserve the important biodiversity of the area for the larger benefit of the local community, the State and the region.”
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Plan panel poaches quarter of tiger authority funds
Despite tall claims on tiger conservation in the country and clamour for more funds by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, the Planning Commission has decided to reduce the budget of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) by 25 per cent.
The sources in NTCA and tiger experts feel this is against the Government’s own policy of making core critical area of tiger reserves inviolate. Such drastic cut in allocation would greatly hamper the relocation of villages from the reserves.
The move has come at time when the country is expecting its tiger population to go up in the upcoming census count. Also, when India joined the International Tiger Forum comprising 13 nations, the member countries had decided to focus on protection of the tiger habitats, addressing poaching, illegal trade and providing the financial resources for this emergency plan.
Talking to The Pioneer, well-placed sources in NTCA said, a letter stating a mere allocation of `150 crore has been received for the 39 tiger reserves of the country for the next fiscal year. The authority, during its recent meeting with the members of the Planning Commission, had sought `1,100 crore against which it had even agreed on an allotment of about `700 crore, the sources informed. However, this drastic cut in the funds has caught NTCA high and dry.
The sources in the NTCA further pointed out that the Government in its seriousness to make the core/ critical areas of tiger reserves inviolate had even enhanced the relocation package to `10 lakh per family.
The requirement of `5,000 crore was worked out for the relocation process during the entire plan period. There are 762 villages with about 48,000 families inside core areas.
Even the budget of `196 crore for the current fiscal year is insufficient to meet this massive task and is just about enough to keep the management and ongoing activities of tiger reserves going. “Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had taken up the issue with the Planning Commission and we hoped to have sufficient funds to give relocation a fresh impetus,” said the sources.
Commenting on the grim scenario, conservationist and former director of Project Tiger PK Sen pointed out that the cut in allocation would further aggravate the prevailing crisis in the tiger reserves. “How can we hope to make the critical areas of the reserve inviolate with such a meager fund”? he questioned. It would hamper the implementation of the Government’s own policy decision, he regretted. The worst hit would be the already suffering relocation of the villagers, he lamented.
The Prime Minister had directed that the Centre should fund modernisation of Tiger Reserves management and had sought a State-specific strategy for such Central assistance, while suggesting other protection schemes.
The sources in NTCA and tiger experts feel this is against the Government’s own policy of making core critical area of tiger reserves inviolate. Such drastic cut in allocation would greatly hamper the relocation of villages from the reserves.
The move has come at time when the country is expecting its tiger population to go up in the upcoming census count. Also, when India joined the International Tiger Forum comprising 13 nations, the member countries had decided to focus on protection of the tiger habitats, addressing poaching, illegal trade and providing the financial resources for this emergency plan.
Talking to The Pioneer, well-placed sources in NTCA said, a letter stating a mere allocation of `150 crore has been received for the 39 tiger reserves of the country for the next fiscal year. The authority, during its recent meeting with the members of the Planning Commission, had sought `1,100 crore against which it had even agreed on an allotment of about `700 crore, the sources informed. However, this drastic cut in the funds has caught NTCA high and dry.
The sources in the NTCA further pointed out that the Government in its seriousness to make the core/ critical areas of tiger reserves inviolate had even enhanced the relocation package to `10 lakh per family.
The requirement of `5,000 crore was worked out for the relocation process during the entire plan period. There are 762 villages with about 48,000 families inside core areas.
Even the budget of `196 crore for the current fiscal year is insufficient to meet this massive task and is just about enough to keep the management and ongoing activities of tiger reserves going. “Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had taken up the issue with the Planning Commission and we hoped to have sufficient funds to give relocation a fresh impetus,” said the sources.
Commenting on the grim scenario, conservationist and former director of Project Tiger PK Sen pointed out that the cut in allocation would further aggravate the prevailing crisis in the tiger reserves. “How can we hope to make the critical areas of the reserve inviolate with such a meager fund”? he questioned. It would hamper the implementation of the Government’s own policy decision, he regretted. The worst hit would be the already suffering relocation of the villagers, he lamented.
The Prime Minister had directed that the Centre should fund modernisation of Tiger Reserves management and had sought a State-specific strategy for such Central assistance, while suggesting other protection schemes.
Tiger reserve tag for Kaziranga draws ire
JORHAT: Activists of a number of organizations staged a protest at the Bokakhat SDO's office on Monday, seeking removal of the tiger reserve tag from Kaziranga National Park as they feel it would not only restrict their movement but also affect business. The park was declared a tiger reserve in 2007.
The Kaziranga Resort Association, the Bokakhat unit of Aaasu, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and the Kaziranga Market Association took part in the protest spearheaded by the Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association. They have also sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmoham Singh and environment minister Jairam Ramesh seeking their intervention.
Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association president Punen Gogoi said, "We oppose the government's decision to make Kaziranga a tiger reserve in the greater interest of people living here. We have sought immediate intervention of the Prime Minister and enivironment minister."
He added, "Kaziranga is famous for the one-horn rhino and the government should take steps for its protection and conservation. We have welcomed the government's initiatives to conserve tigers through Project Tiger' scheme. But we never allowed them to turn the park into a tiger reserve as the restrictions that will follow will severely harm the tourism sector as well as business."
He said if Kaziranga becomes a tiger reserve, the national park will become a core tiger area and restrictions on jeep safaris, population eviction in adjacent areas and ban on private elephant safaris would be imposed. As a result, the tourism sector will be affected and thousands of people will lose employment.
"Our agitation will continue until our demands are fulfilled. The centre and the state government must revoke the decision immediately," he added.
The Union ministry of forest and environment had initiated a step to make Kaziranga a tiger reserve in 2007. Accordingly, the state forest department implemented a few projects at the national park. Kaziranga authorities have also imposed some restrictions on tourists and safaris. Besides, people have been directed to take NOCs in case of land purchase and sell.
The Kaziranga Resort Association, the Bokakhat unit of Aaasu, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and the Kaziranga Market Association took part in the protest spearheaded by the Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association. They have also sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmoham Singh and environment minister Jairam Ramesh seeking their intervention.
Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association president Punen Gogoi said, "We oppose the government's decision to make Kaziranga a tiger reserve in the greater interest of people living here. We have sought immediate intervention of the Prime Minister and enivironment minister."
He added, "Kaziranga is famous for the one-horn rhino and the government should take steps for its protection and conservation. We have welcomed the government's initiatives to conserve tigers through Project Tiger' scheme. But we never allowed them to turn the park into a tiger reserve as the restrictions that will follow will severely harm the tourism sector as well as business."
He said if Kaziranga becomes a tiger reserve, the national park will become a core tiger area and restrictions on jeep safaris, population eviction in adjacent areas and ban on private elephant safaris would be imposed. As a result, the tourism sector will be affected and thousands of people will lose employment.
"Our agitation will continue until our demands are fulfilled. The centre and the state government must revoke the decision immediately," he added.
The Union ministry of forest and environment had initiated a step to make Kaziranga a tiger reserve in 2007. Accordingly, the state forest department implemented a few projects at the national park. Kaziranga authorities have also imposed some restrictions on tourists and safaris. Besides, people have been directed to take NOCs in case of land purchase and sell.
Tiger stray into Madhya pradesh confirmed
JAIPUR: It is now official that the male tiger T-38 of Ranthambore has now found a new home at Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh. The tiger was recently caught by a trap camera.
The big cat strayed out of the park some six months back and had been moving near the ravines of Chambal. Thereafter, the three-year -old male tiger strayed into Sheopur district of the neighbouring state after having spent a fortnight in the Shev Ki Chambal area along the Chambal river.
In October, pugmarks of the tiger was spotted near the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary which will play host to the proposed Cheetah Project in the country. Since then, forest officials of the sanctuary have been keeping a close watch on the big cat. Though the tiger may have gained entry into the sanctuary quite some time back but it was pictured recently.
"The tiger's pugmarks were noticed last month and recently it was captured on a camera," said Ashok Mishra, DFO, Kuno-Palpur.
Though a welcomed guest there, but it may become a point of no return for the tiger to Ranthambore. For not only is the sanctuary a better habitat than the overcrowded Ranthambore but with the number of males on the rise in Ranthambore it would have been a constant strive for the big cats here.
However, with no tigress present in the area, T-38 could move forward to the Madho National Park that has a few big cats, officials felt. The tiger arrived in Kuno Palpur travelling about 100 km from Ranthambore. The sanctuary is spread over an area of around 350 sq km.
Officials here termed it as a natural dispersal process catalysed by over-crowding at the Ranthambore reserve. Currently, about four tigers have dispersed from the reserve and while there is one each at Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur and Kota, two big cats have crossed the Chambal river and made into Madhya Pradesh.
The big cat strayed out of the park some six months back and had been moving near the ravines of Chambal. Thereafter, the three-year -old male tiger strayed into Sheopur district of the neighbouring state after having spent a fortnight in the Shev Ki Chambal area along the Chambal river.
In October, pugmarks of the tiger was spotted near the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary which will play host to the proposed Cheetah Project in the country. Since then, forest officials of the sanctuary have been keeping a close watch on the big cat. Though the tiger may have gained entry into the sanctuary quite some time back but it was pictured recently.
"The tiger's pugmarks were noticed last month and recently it was captured on a camera," said Ashok Mishra, DFO, Kuno-Palpur.
Though a welcomed guest there, but it may become a point of no return for the tiger to Ranthambore. For not only is the sanctuary a better habitat than the overcrowded Ranthambore but with the number of males on the rise in Ranthambore it would have been a constant strive for the big cats here.
However, with no tigress present in the area, T-38 could move forward to the Madho National Park that has a few big cats, officials felt. The tiger arrived in Kuno Palpur travelling about 100 km from Ranthambore. The sanctuary is spread over an area of around 350 sq km.
Officials here termed it as a natural dispersal process catalysed by over-crowding at the Ranthambore reserve. Currently, about four tigers have dispersed from the reserve and while there is one each at Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur and Kota, two big cats have crossed the Chambal river and made into Madhya Pradesh.
Tiger rescued from well, to be let off in the wild
Nagpur, Feb 7 (IANS) A tiger, which had fallen into a dry well near the Chameli forest area, was finally extricated Monday evening after a three-hour rescue operation, a wildlife official said.
The incident took place in an area about 40 km from here.
The tiger, a full grown adult around four years old, fell into the 40-feet-deep dry well, which was not protected by a wall, said Nitin Desai, Central India director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India.
'From preliminary information available, it was probably chasing some prey like deer or a wild boar and must have accidentally fallen into the well around dawn today. It spent around ten hours in the well without food or water,' Desai told IANS.
The animal's plight was detected almost five hours later when some tribals and forest officials heard its roar and alerted police and wildlife officials, who then mounted a rescue operation.
Animal experts and a veterinary doctor reached the place around noon with a cage and the rescue operation was taken up. It took over three and a half hours to take out the big cat from the well.
When it was brought up, the tribals and officials erupted into a roar of applause and cheers for the dazed animal which appeared weak and shaken.
An examination revealed that the creature had not sustained any fractures or injuries despite falling from such a height.
Forest officials planned to release it back into the wild later, Desai added.
He said it was surprising that a tiger had strayed into this area which has never reported a sighting in the past many years since it is not a thick forest region.
Though it would take time to confirm, Desai guessed that the tiger may have strayed from either the Bor Wildlife Reserve in Wardha or Pench Wildlife Reserve near Nagpur.
The incident took place in an area about 40 km from here.
The tiger, a full grown adult around four years old, fell into the 40-feet-deep dry well, which was not protected by a wall, said Nitin Desai, Central India director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India.
'From preliminary information available, it was probably chasing some prey like deer or a wild boar and must have accidentally fallen into the well around dawn today. It spent around ten hours in the well without food or water,' Desai told IANS.
The animal's plight was detected almost five hours later when some tribals and forest officials heard its roar and alerted police and wildlife officials, who then mounted a rescue operation.
Animal experts and a veterinary doctor reached the place around noon with a cage and the rescue operation was taken up. It took over three and a half hours to take out the big cat from the well.
When it was brought up, the tribals and officials erupted into a roar of applause and cheers for the dazed animal which appeared weak and shaken.
An examination revealed that the creature had not sustained any fractures or injuries despite falling from such a height.
Forest officials planned to release it back into the wild later, Desai added.
He said it was surprising that a tiger had strayed into this area which has never reported a sighting in the past many years since it is not a thick forest region.
Though it would take time to confirm, Desai guessed that the tiger may have strayed from either the Bor Wildlife Reserve in Wardha or Pench Wildlife Reserve near Nagpur.
Proof of tiger killing sambhar in Mhadei Paul Fernandes, TNN, Feb 8, 2011, 05.55am IST
PANAJI: World wide fund for nature (WWF) Goa has found some evidence of a sambhar being killed by a tiger in Satrem, within the limits of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary recently, while two buffaloes have been reported killed or injured last week in nearby Choraundem.
"We have submitted photographic evidence of the remains of the sambhar killed by a tiger a few weeks back at Satrem to forest dept," WWF (Goa) director Nitin Sawant told TOI on Monday. Tiger pug marks were also noticed by the side of the carcass, he added.
WWF conducted investigations at the site with the help of three volunteers, Kashinath Gaonkar, Trupti Jadhav and Anand and made a cast of the tiger pug marks for further study. "Only a tiger can kill a sambhar," Sawant said.
The WWF team traced the tiger pug marks trailing right up to the Surla river.
Speaker Pratapsingh Rane (a WWF trustee and Poriem MLA) asked for the Satrem evidence and it was submitted to him, Sawant said. "The habitat is rich with floral and faunal biodiversity and is ideal also as a tiger habitat," Sawant said.
Forest department officials said that they do not rely on evidence provided by others alone, but also carry out their own investigations. "We have also taken pug marks of a tiger near Anjunem dam about a fortnight back," deputy conservator of forest (wildlife and ecotourism, north) D N F Carvalho said.
Two incidents of killing of buffaloes by a tiger on February 3 and 5 have been reported in Choraundem. The village lies in the foothills of Chorla ghat on Goa's border and within the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary, and a few miles away from Satrem.
Both buffaloes belong to Mano Phale, 67, who also lost one buffalo on February 4, 2009.
A forest department source said that movement of the big cats is being monitored.
"The people near the sanctuary have been asked not to let their animals in the sanctuary," Carvalho said.
As part of the wildlife census conducted last year, the forest department had plans to use the camera trap method for more clinching evidence of the tiger's presence in Goa's forests. "We are waiting for directions to employ this method from wildlife institute of India, Dehra Dun," Carvalho said.
Stating that use of camera trap method is a difficult task, he said WII guidelines would help in completing the phase two of the census.
The animal census which was conducted for ten days, including two-day training for participants prior to their entry in the field, is largely over. "Two days were set out for the count of big cats," sources said.
"We have submitted photographic evidence of the remains of the sambhar killed by a tiger a few weeks back at Satrem to forest dept," WWF (Goa) director Nitin Sawant told TOI on Monday. Tiger pug marks were also noticed by the side of the carcass, he added.
WWF conducted investigations at the site with the help of three volunteers, Kashinath Gaonkar, Trupti Jadhav and Anand and made a cast of the tiger pug marks for further study. "Only a tiger can kill a sambhar," Sawant said.
The WWF team traced the tiger pug marks trailing right up to the Surla river.
Speaker Pratapsingh Rane (a WWF trustee and Poriem MLA) asked for the Satrem evidence and it was submitted to him, Sawant said. "The habitat is rich with floral and faunal biodiversity and is ideal also as a tiger habitat," Sawant said.
Forest department officials said that they do not rely on evidence provided by others alone, but also carry out their own investigations. "We have also taken pug marks of a tiger near Anjunem dam about a fortnight back," deputy conservator of forest (wildlife and ecotourism, north) D N F Carvalho said.
Two incidents of killing of buffaloes by a tiger on February 3 and 5 have been reported in Choraundem. The village lies in the foothills of Chorla ghat on Goa's border and within the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary, and a few miles away from Satrem.
Both buffaloes belong to Mano Phale, 67, who also lost one buffalo on February 4, 2009.
A forest department source said that movement of the big cats is being monitored.
"The people near the sanctuary have been asked not to let their animals in the sanctuary," Carvalho said.
As part of the wildlife census conducted last year, the forest department had plans to use the camera trap method for more clinching evidence of the tiger's presence in Goa's forests. "We are waiting for directions to employ this method from wildlife institute of India, Dehra Dun," Carvalho said.
Stating that use of camera trap method is a difficult task, he said WII guidelines would help in completing the phase two of the census.
The animal census which was conducted for ten days, including two-day training for participants prior to their entry in the field, is largely over. "Two days were set out for the count of big cats," sources said.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Another tiger found dead in Corbett Park
DEHRADUN: A 10-year-old tiger's carcass was recovered from a forested area near Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand's Ramnagar on Saturday evening.
Forest department sources said the cause of the tiger's death would be known after a postmortem, but the carcass' condition suggests that the big cat may have died two or three days earlier.
Divisional forest officer Nishant Verma said the death appears to be natural and that a two-member team of Corbett Tiger Reserve vets would conduct the post-mortem.
Sources said six tigers have died in the reserve and surrounding area since December. Forest officials gunned down a man-eater tiger that had killed five people in the reserve's buffer zone around two weeks back.
Forest department sources said the cause of the tiger's death would be known after a postmortem, but the carcass' condition suggests that the big cat may have died two or three days earlier.
Divisional forest officer Nishant Verma said the death appears to be natural and that a two-member team of Corbett Tiger Reserve vets would conduct the post-mortem.
Sources said six tigers have died in the reserve and surrounding area since December. Forest officials gunned down a man-eater tiger that had killed five people in the reserve's buffer zone around two weeks back.
Tadoba tourist gypsies must comply with RTO norms before Feb 28
CHANDRAPUR: Alarmed by the blatant violation of traffic related regulations by tourist gypsy vehicles in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), forest authorities have initiated measures to rein in the violators. While TATR administration has announced a deadline for seeking of tourist permit and other necessary clearances from RTO office for gypsy operators, all these vehicles are being checked for illegally installed gas kits (CNG units) and overloading of passengers.
RTO officials here had discovered that majority of tourist gypsies plying in TATR here do not have their registration at Chandrapur RTO office. While many such tourist vehicles were registered in districts other than Chandrapur, a few of them have their registration in Andhra Pradesh. If Chandrapur RTO is to give tourist permit to these vehicles, they first have to be registered here. However, this has not been done for many vehicles.
Moreover, none of these gypsies has a tourist permit mandatory for carrying tourists on commercial basis. RTO also had received complaints about these vehicle boarding more than permissible carrying capacity of passengers and some of them had even installed illegal gas kits without approval of RTO authorities. TOI had reported about this violation of tourist vehicles in TATR on January 23. After learning about the violation of norms, TATR authorities have now initiated measures check abuse of traffic related laws in their territory.
CF and field director, TATR, Vinaykumar Sinha said that forest department is coordinating with RTO authorities to check the violations. "There are around 43 tourist gypsies plying in TATR. We have asked all gypsy operators to seek the necessary tourist permit and other RTO related clearances by the end of February. No gypsy without valid documents would be allowed to enter TATR after the deadline," said Sinha.
He said, "We had asked the RTO officials to hold a meeting with the union of tourist gypsy operators and guide them about the regulations and clearances regarding traffic laws. As soon as RTO gives consent, a meeting would be convened to facilitate the smooth implementation of law." President of tourist gypsy operator union in TATR, Sanjay Mankar, had earlier agreed that they are ready to seek necessary tourist permits if it is mandatory.
RTO officials here had discovered that majority of tourist gypsies plying in TATR here do not have their registration at Chandrapur RTO office. While many such tourist vehicles were registered in districts other than Chandrapur, a few of them have their registration in Andhra Pradesh. If Chandrapur RTO is to give tourist permit to these vehicles, they first have to be registered here. However, this has not been done for many vehicles.
Moreover, none of these gypsies has a tourist permit mandatory for carrying tourists on commercial basis. RTO also had received complaints about these vehicle boarding more than permissible carrying capacity of passengers and some of them had even installed illegal gas kits without approval of RTO authorities. TOI had reported about this violation of tourist vehicles in TATR on January 23. After learning about the violation of norms, TATR authorities have now initiated measures check abuse of traffic related laws in their territory.
CF and field director, TATR, Vinaykumar Sinha said that forest department is coordinating with RTO authorities to check the violations. "There are around 43 tourist gypsies plying in TATR. We have asked all gypsy operators to seek the necessary tourist permit and other RTO related clearances by the end of February. No gypsy without valid documents would be allowed to enter TATR after the deadline," said Sinha.
He said, "We had asked the RTO officials to hold a meeting with the union of tourist gypsy operators and guide them about the regulations and clearances regarding traffic laws. As soon as RTO gives consent, a meeting would be convened to facilitate the smooth implementation of law." President of tourist gypsy operator union in TATR, Sanjay Mankar, had earlier agreed that they are ready to seek necessary tourist permits if it is mandatory.
From Ranthambore to Keoladeo and Finally To Sariska Soon
A tiger from Ranthambore National Park that strayed into Keoladeo Ghana National Park has been given permission to be transferred to Sariska National Park.
T 7 a tiger from Ranthambore recently strayed to Keoladeo Ghana National Park also called Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. The state forest department has now given permission for the transfer of T7 to Sariska National Park.
Sariska National Park which had lost all is tigers a few years ago due to large scale poaching at the park has been the recipient of many tigers transferred from Ranthambore National Park to revive the big cat population here again.
Officials at Keoladeo Ghana National Park too are monitoring the movement of the tiger to ensure its safe passage to its new home as soon as possible.
T 7 a tiger from Ranthambore recently strayed to Keoladeo Ghana National Park also called Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. The state forest department has now given permission for the transfer of T7 to Sariska National Park.
Sariska National Park which had lost all is tigers a few years ago due to large scale poaching at the park has been the recipient of many tigers transferred from Ranthambore National Park to revive the big cat population here again.
Officials at Keoladeo Ghana National Park too are monitoring the movement of the tiger to ensure its safe passage to its new home as soon as possible.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Minister’s photo eye saves a tiger family
The Rajasthan Tourism Minister's new love for photography saved a family of tigers in Ranthambhore National Park this week. The observant Minister, who spotted blood in the hind portion of a tigress in the photographs she took during a visit to the park, got the animal operated upon for cleaning a wound infested with maggots. The Minister, Bina Kak, is now being lauded by the conservation community not for saving one tiger but a whole family of three.
The family of T-5, referred to as “Kachida female” in the tiger conservation circles, was saved as Ms. Kak, after watching the tigress in the Ranthambhore woods this past Wednesday, felt something was amiss with the animal. “In the photographs and the video I noticed a red patch on the rump of the tigress. After seeing the pictures I went back to the spot where it was squatting and found blood stains on the ground,” said Ms. Kak, who was Forest Minister in the previous Gehlot government here, to The Hindu.
The Minister summoned Divisional Forest Officer R.P. Gupta and explained the situation. The services of two veterinarians — one from Jaipur and the other from Sawai Madhopur — was requisitioned for an early operation. “I spoke to the PCCF and briefed him on the urgency. It was a sensitive issue and the officers understandably were scared about tranquillising the tigress and carrying out an operation,” Ms. Kak said.
The Minister, who was to start for Jaipur at 6 a.m. on Thursday, stayed back to oversee the operation as the vets, Rajiv Garg and Arvind Mathur, tranquillised the tigress with darts and carried out the “clean-up” job in 20 minutes. “There were hundreds of maggots in the wound and the animal would have died eventually if the clinical intervention was not carried out,” Ms. Kak said.
The tigress got up and walked away four hours after the operation near the Anantpur chowki in Berda. “I was told that she finished a portion of her kill the next day and is now normal,” said a jubilant Ms. Kak.
“It was surely a laudable act in many ways. The Minister deserves kudos for her initiative while the team of vets has proved that now Rajasthan medics have the capacity to do such operations,” said Rajasthan Board for Wildlife member Rajpal Singh.
“Such operations involving wild tigers are rare as risks are involved though in the case of zoo animals it may appear normal,” he noted.
Ms. Kak got her reward for the good work — more photos of the tigress! Even if one does not have to believe her claim — that the tigress looked at her with grateful eyes as it walked away — the animal, as the photographs show, appears more reassured. And the latest information is that T-5 has resumed suckling her two-month-old cubs.
The family of T-5, referred to as “Kachida female” in the tiger conservation circles, was saved as Ms. Kak, after watching the tigress in the Ranthambhore woods this past Wednesday, felt something was amiss with the animal. “In the photographs and the video I noticed a red patch on the rump of the tigress. After seeing the pictures I went back to the spot where it was squatting and found blood stains on the ground,” said Ms. Kak, who was Forest Minister in the previous Gehlot government here, to The Hindu.
The Minister summoned Divisional Forest Officer R.P. Gupta and explained the situation. The services of two veterinarians — one from Jaipur and the other from Sawai Madhopur — was requisitioned for an early operation. “I spoke to the PCCF and briefed him on the urgency. It was a sensitive issue and the officers understandably were scared about tranquillising the tigress and carrying out an operation,” Ms. Kak said.
The Minister, who was to start for Jaipur at 6 a.m. on Thursday, stayed back to oversee the operation as the vets, Rajiv Garg and Arvind Mathur, tranquillised the tigress with darts and carried out the “clean-up” job in 20 minutes. “There were hundreds of maggots in the wound and the animal would have died eventually if the clinical intervention was not carried out,” Ms. Kak said.
The tigress got up and walked away four hours after the operation near the Anantpur chowki in Berda. “I was told that she finished a portion of her kill the next day and is now normal,” said a jubilant Ms. Kak.
“It was surely a laudable act in many ways. The Minister deserves kudos for her initiative while the team of vets has proved that now Rajasthan medics have the capacity to do such operations,” said Rajasthan Board for Wildlife member Rajpal Singh.
“Such operations involving wild tigers are rare as risks are involved though in the case of zoo animals it may appear normal,” he noted.
Ms. Kak got her reward for the good work — more photos of the tigress! Even if one does not have to believe her claim — that the tigress looked at her with grateful eyes as it walked away — the animal, as the photographs show, appears more reassured. And the latest information is that T-5 has resumed suckling her two-month-old cubs.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
MP HC won't keep tourists away from tigers
NAGPUR: Madhya Pradesh High Court, with its main seat at Jabalpur, has rejected a petition seeking a ban on tourism in core zones and critical tiger habitats (CTHs) of forest reserves. Ajay Dubey of Prayatna, a Bhopal-based NGO working for environment protection for the past 10 years, had filed the PIL to protect tigers from alleged disturbance caused by tourism.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Madhya Pradesh government and others were the respondents in the petition filed on September 8 last year. Dubey had sought relief to protect tigers by banning tourism as per NTCA guidelines that call for keeping these areas completely inviolate except for management intervention.
A division bench of justices Ajit Singh and Sanjay Yadav ruled that NTCA emphasised on phasing out of ongoing tourism activities in the core areas or CTHs. Even the guidelines issued by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) speak only about the phasing out the ongoing tourism activities and not its immediate banning in these areas. The respondents- MP government, chief wildlife warden, NTCA and others- too denied that amended Wildlife Protection Act 1972 mandated complete prohibition of tourism activity in the core or CTH areas.
The respondents further stated that there was continuous dialogue with the NTCA and the matter was likely to be resolved to mutual satisfaction. The MP government also narrated in detail about the importance and advantages of tourism in tiger reserves and produced a press statement of May 5, 2010, issued by the MoEF denying any proposal to prohibit tourism in tiger reserves.
The court ruled that Section 38-v too did not prohibit tourism either in core or CTH areas. The expression in the explanation that core or CTH were required to be kept as inviolate for the purposes of tiger conservation did not indicate a complete ban on tourism, the bench said.
"The word 'inviolate' used also did not imply complete prohibition or banning of tourism. Inviolate is defined by approved lexicographers to mean 'unhurt', uninjured; unpolluted; unbroken," the court ruled.
Reacting to verdict, Dubey told TOI, "We will not give up. The fight to protect tigers will continue. Prayatna will file a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court." He said the word 'inviolate' had to be read in context of notification of the core or CTH by the government. It meant without any disturbance by human beings, he said. Tourism activity in such areas would mean violation of the NTCA guidelines, he added.
Weekly off for Pench,
Kanha and Bandhavgarh
To relieve some tourism related stress on wildlife, Madhya Pradesh wildlife department has decided to keep Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves closed for one day in a week. At present, these parks are open on all days. H S Pabla, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), told TOI the decision would be for only three tiger reserves where tourist pressure was high and would come into effect from April 1, 2011.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Madhya Pradesh government and others were the respondents in the petition filed on September 8 last year. Dubey had sought relief to protect tigers by banning tourism as per NTCA guidelines that call for keeping these areas completely inviolate except for management intervention.
A division bench of justices Ajit Singh and Sanjay Yadav ruled that NTCA emphasised on phasing out of ongoing tourism activities in the core areas or CTHs. Even the guidelines issued by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) speak only about the phasing out the ongoing tourism activities and not its immediate banning in these areas. The respondents- MP government, chief wildlife warden, NTCA and others- too denied that amended Wildlife Protection Act 1972 mandated complete prohibition of tourism activity in the core or CTH areas.
The respondents further stated that there was continuous dialogue with the NTCA and the matter was likely to be resolved to mutual satisfaction. The MP government also narrated in detail about the importance and advantages of tourism in tiger reserves and produced a press statement of May 5, 2010, issued by the MoEF denying any proposal to prohibit tourism in tiger reserves.
The court ruled that Section 38-v too did not prohibit tourism either in core or CTH areas. The expression in the explanation that core or CTH were required to be kept as inviolate for the purposes of tiger conservation did not indicate a complete ban on tourism, the bench said.
"The word 'inviolate' used also did not imply complete prohibition or banning of tourism. Inviolate is defined by approved lexicographers to mean 'unhurt', uninjured; unpolluted; unbroken," the court ruled.
Reacting to verdict, Dubey told TOI, "We will not give up. The fight to protect tigers will continue. Prayatna will file a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court." He said the word 'inviolate' had to be read in context of notification of the core or CTH by the government. It meant without any disturbance by human beings, he said. Tourism activity in such areas would mean violation of the NTCA guidelines, he added.
Weekly off for Pench,
Kanha and Bandhavgarh
To relieve some tourism related stress on wildlife, Madhya Pradesh wildlife department has decided to keep Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves closed for one day in a week. At present, these parks are open on all days. H S Pabla, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), told TOI the decision would be for only three tiger reserves where tourist pressure was high and would come into effect from April 1, 2011.
After car safari ban, four tiger sightings
Burning bright
Alipurduar, Feb. 4: Big cats have been spotted in the Buxa Tiger Reserve at least four times in the first phase of the 2011 census after practically none in almost 30 years.
Forest survey officials said this could be because restrictions had been imposed in the reserve, in Jalpaiguri’s Alipurduar, since November last year.
According to guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, car safaris are now banned in core areas of the forest, brought under Project Tiger in 1983. Visitors are allowed on foot in select areas but picnics are banned on the Jainti river banks.
“Our census teams have reported at least four tiger sightings in the first phase of the survey conducted between January 23 and 28. We have been getting positive results because of the cut-down in disturbance inside the forest,” said R.P. Saini, the field director of the reserve.
A count done last year by DNA-testing of tiger scat samples had recorded the presence of about 15 animals in the reserve. A beat officer had clicked a tiger last year but the picture was too grainy for any conclusion to be drawn with certainty.
This year’s survey will be done in three phases, with the second scheduled to start in the third week in February.
“We have improved scat collection and preservation methods with help from experts of Aranyak laboratory in Guwahati. Representatives from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology will be present with our team during the second phase,” Saini said.
To further minimise disturbance in the reserve, about 33 families of Bhutia Busti, who have been staying in the core area for over 20 years, would be shifted to the buffer zone, he said.
Alipurduar, Feb. 4: Big cats have been spotted in the Buxa Tiger Reserve at least four times in the first phase of the 2011 census after practically none in almost 30 years.
Forest survey officials said this could be because restrictions had been imposed in the reserve, in Jalpaiguri’s Alipurduar, since November last year.
According to guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, car safaris are now banned in core areas of the forest, brought under Project Tiger in 1983. Visitors are allowed on foot in select areas but picnics are banned on the Jainti river banks.
“Our census teams have reported at least four tiger sightings in the first phase of the survey conducted between January 23 and 28. We have been getting positive results because of the cut-down in disturbance inside the forest,” said R.P. Saini, the field director of the reserve.
A count done last year by DNA-testing of tiger scat samples had recorded the presence of about 15 animals in the reserve. A beat officer had clicked a tiger last year but the picture was too grainy for any conclusion to be drawn with certainty.
This year’s survey will be done in three phases, with the second scheduled to start in the third week in February.
“We have improved scat collection and preservation methods with help from experts of Aranyak laboratory in Guwahati. Representatives from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology will be present with our team during the second phase,” Saini said.
To further minimise disturbance in the reserve, about 33 families of Bhutia Busti, who have been staying in the core area for over 20 years, would be shifted to the buffer zone, he said.
Karnataka Government May Declare Kudremukh National Park as a Tiger Reserve
After direct sighting of about eight tigers at the Kudremukh National Park in Karnataka in the last tiger census, the state department is planning to declare the area as a Tiger Reserve.
The last tiger census conducted at Kudremukh National Park displayed many direct and indirect evidences such as scat and pug marks to confirm that this area is good for a tiger habitat. Some of the cats have even been seen roaming the abandoned mining areas here which is a good sign.
With all the evidences in hand, the state government plans to declare the National Park as a Tiger Reserve which will ensure that the area is well protected. Also the government will have to put a ban on all the mining companies that have occupied a part of the National Park. To make their plea stronger, the state government has sought the help of wildlife experts and Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. If Kudremukh National Park is declared a Tiger Reserve, it will be the largest forest block in the centre of Western Ghats to be declared as a Tiger Reserve in the state
Once declared as a Tiger Reserve there will be no scope for any commercial activities in this area and this has given hope to many wildlife experts who have been fighting a long battle to clear out the mining companies form the park since a long time.
According to noted tiger scientist and director of Centre for Wildlife Studies, K Ullas Karanth, “It is a fantastic area that has been lying neglected. In 1986, while on a survey, I found it was the ideal habitat for the largest lion-tailed macaque, based on which, it was declared a national park in 1987. In the 16 sq km of abandoned mining area, vegetation has come up and of late tiger signs have also been seen. I have been suggesting this area be declared a tiger reserve, for a very long time.”
Kudremukh National Park is the largest Wildlife Protected Area of a tropical wet evergreen type of forest in the Western Ghats. It also has a unique habitat of the Sholas, and Annamalai trees and has been named after a distinct peak in the park that is shaped like a horse face. The park adjoins Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary on the western side and is linked to Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary through a narrow stretch of reserved forests on the southern edge. On can find here more than 195 rare species of birds including the great pied hornbill and is home to animals such as tigers, leopards, wild dogs, lion tailed macaque, sloth bear, common langur and others.
Even before being declared as a declared as a National Park, mining lease were issued in this area from July 1969 to 1999. After 1999, though the lease was not extended butthe mining companies were granted temporary work permits. As such about 37 sq km of the National Park was used for mining. But in 2005, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea of the mining firms to renew their lease and occupy the land.
The declaration of Kudremukh National Park as Tiger Reserve may further intensify the on-going lobbying for the mining row that is building pressure on the state government to permit mining and allow functioning of idle machinery at abandoned mining areas.
However if the rights of the beast wins this round this will be the biggest even green forest block in the area. Other tiger reserves mostly comprise of dry, moist and semi-deciduous forests.
Kudremuhk National Park is situated about 95 km from Chikmagalur and 350 kms from Bangalore,and is also close to Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Dandeli and Anshi Tiger Reserve, Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve and all connected together form a large pathway for the movement of tigers, Asian elephants and other wild animals.
The Karnataka state government had even declared as Biligiri Ranganna Betta or BR Hills near Mysore as a Tiger Reserve some time ago. These picturesque hills are located between Cauvery River and Tungabhadra River.
The last tiger census conducted at Kudremukh National Park displayed many direct and indirect evidences such as scat and pug marks to confirm that this area is good for a tiger habitat. Some of the cats have even been seen roaming the abandoned mining areas here which is a good sign.
With all the evidences in hand, the state government plans to declare the National Park as a Tiger Reserve which will ensure that the area is well protected. Also the government will have to put a ban on all the mining companies that have occupied a part of the National Park. To make their plea stronger, the state government has sought the help of wildlife experts and Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. If Kudremukh National Park is declared a Tiger Reserve, it will be the largest forest block in the centre of Western Ghats to be declared as a Tiger Reserve in the state
Once declared as a Tiger Reserve there will be no scope for any commercial activities in this area and this has given hope to many wildlife experts who have been fighting a long battle to clear out the mining companies form the park since a long time.
According to noted tiger scientist and director of Centre for Wildlife Studies, K Ullas Karanth, “It is a fantastic area that has been lying neglected. In 1986, while on a survey, I found it was the ideal habitat for the largest lion-tailed macaque, based on which, it was declared a national park in 1987. In the 16 sq km of abandoned mining area, vegetation has come up and of late tiger signs have also been seen. I have been suggesting this area be declared a tiger reserve, for a very long time.”
Kudremukh National Park is the largest Wildlife Protected Area of a tropical wet evergreen type of forest in the Western Ghats. It also has a unique habitat of the Sholas, and Annamalai trees and has been named after a distinct peak in the park that is shaped like a horse face. The park adjoins Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary on the western side and is linked to Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary through a narrow stretch of reserved forests on the southern edge. On can find here more than 195 rare species of birds including the great pied hornbill and is home to animals such as tigers, leopards, wild dogs, lion tailed macaque, sloth bear, common langur and others.
Even before being declared as a declared as a National Park, mining lease were issued in this area from July 1969 to 1999. After 1999, though the lease was not extended butthe mining companies were granted temporary work permits. As such about 37 sq km of the National Park was used for mining. But in 2005, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea of the mining firms to renew their lease and occupy the land.
The declaration of Kudremukh National Park as Tiger Reserve may further intensify the on-going lobbying for the mining row that is building pressure on the state government to permit mining and allow functioning of idle machinery at abandoned mining areas.
However if the rights of the beast wins this round this will be the biggest even green forest block in the area. Other tiger reserves mostly comprise of dry, moist and semi-deciduous forests.
Kudremuhk National Park is situated about 95 km from Chikmagalur and 350 kms from Bangalore,and is also close to Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Dandeli and Anshi Tiger Reserve, Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve and all connected together form a large pathway for the movement of tigers, Asian elephants and other wild animals.
The Karnataka state government had even declared as Biligiri Ranganna Betta or BR Hills near Mysore as a Tiger Reserve some time ago. These picturesque hills are located between Cauvery River and Tungabhadra River.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Tiger to be translocated to Sariska soon: Raj minister
Jaipur, Feb 3 (PTI) A tiger which had strayed into Keoladev National Park from Ranthambore will soon be translocated to Sariska National Park, a Rajasthan minister said today."We have received the permission to translocate the big cat 'T-7' and a team from the Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradun, will translocate the tiger very soon," state forest and wildlife minister, Ram Lal Jaat said here.He said that all the efforts will be made for the protection of wildlife animals in a planned way.Chairing a meeting, he also discussed the progress for water arrangement in Keoladev National Park (in Bharatpur district) and monitoring of big cats and directed officials to keep track of tigers and make every possible effort to protect wildlife.Public representatives and senior officials were among those who attended the meeting.Union Environment
Protest against killing, parading tiger carcass
LUCKNOW: A week after foresters killed a man-eater near Corbett National Park, a protest is brewing against the killing and ''the way the animal was paraded''. On Wednesday, wildlife activists and local guides' association wore black ribbons to mark their protest.
''The tiger was was made a man-eater,'' says Narendra Sharma of Bagh Bachao Samiti, Ramnagar. The tiger was shot at on January 11. ''Since it was injured, it became incapable of hunting its natural prey,'' said Sharma. The Samiti along with other wildlife organisations and locals organised a protest at Ramnagar. A memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister was handed over to the authorities.
''The incidents of man-animal conflict have increased at Corbett National Park. Had the forest officials worked as a link between locals and wildlife in the area (for sensitising people), they would not have demanded shooting down of the tiger,'' the memorandum said.
The organizations also protested against the way the dead tiger was paraded atop an elephant. ''There are several tigers present in Garjia area as shown by camera traps,'' Sharma says. The wildlife activists said the authorities have not been able to control man-animal conflict.
The tiger killed on January 27 was about 10 years old. The department has already faced lot of flak for claiming that it was a tigress.
''The tiger was was made a man-eater,'' says Narendra Sharma of Bagh Bachao Samiti, Ramnagar. The tiger was shot at on January 11. ''Since it was injured, it became incapable of hunting its natural prey,'' said Sharma. The Samiti along with other wildlife organisations and locals organised a protest at Ramnagar. A memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister was handed over to the authorities.
''The incidents of man-animal conflict have increased at Corbett National Park. Had the forest officials worked as a link between locals and wildlife in the area (for sensitising people), they would not have demanded shooting down of the tiger,'' the memorandum said.
The organizations also protested against the way the dead tiger was paraded atop an elephant. ''There are several tigers present in Garjia area as shown by camera traps,'' Sharma says. The wildlife activists said the authorities have not been able to control man-animal conflict.
The tiger killed on January 27 was about 10 years old. The department has already faced lot of flak for claiming that it was a tigress.
Tiger strays into Kerwah residential area in Bhopal
Bhopal, Feb 3 (PTI) A tiger from Ratapani sanctuary inMadhya Pradesh''s Raisen district has strayed into the Kerwaharea situated on the outskirts of the state capital, posing athreat to humans, forest officials said today.
Buzz up!
Pugmarks of a more than four-year-old tiger has beenfound in Kerwah area on January 31, Area Forest Range OfficerSudhir Singh told PTI here.
The tiger had killed a cow in Kerwah jungle area onJanuary 31 and added that around 100 forest officials weremonitoring the jungles on the Kerwah-Ratapani tract, he said.
The big cat was sighted on Sunday by an advocate inKerwah area which has human habitation around it. Advocate ASoni, who captured the big cat photo on his cell phone, passedon the information to the forest officials
This is not the first time that a big cat from Ratapanihas entered Kerwah area having human habitation. In 2007, atigress along with her two cubs had strayed in Kerwah andKalisot area, on the outskirts of Bhopal, they said.
Ratapani, spread over an area of 435 sq km is said to behaving around 10 big cats.
Buzz up!
Pugmarks of a more than four-year-old tiger has beenfound in Kerwah area on January 31, Area Forest Range OfficerSudhir Singh told PTI here.
The tiger had killed a cow in Kerwah jungle area onJanuary 31 and added that around 100 forest officials weremonitoring the jungles on the Kerwah-Ratapani tract, he said.
The big cat was sighted on Sunday by an advocate inKerwah area which has human habitation around it. Advocate ASoni, who captured the big cat photo on his cell phone, passedon the information to the forest officials
This is not the first time that a big cat from Ratapanihas entered Kerwah area having human habitation. In 2007, atigress along with her two cubs had strayed in Kerwah andKalisot area, on the outskirts of Bhopal, they said.
Ratapani, spread over an area of 435 sq km is said to behaving around 10 big cats.
'Carrot & stick' policy show results in MTR Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN, Feb 4, 2011, 12.40am IST
SEMADOH (MELGHAT): From being dubbed as 'poor' in the independent management effectiveness evaluation five years ago, Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Amravati district is now turning around, thanks to series of steps taken to strengthen protection in the past two years.
The 'carrot and stick' policy of the MTR managers is paying off. "In the last two years, we've developed an institution here. If our protection measures sustain, and villages inside MTR are relocated, in the next five years, Melghat holds the promise of becoming India's number one tiger reserve," claims field director A K Mishra.
Mishra says four-pronged strategy about better wildlife monitoring and recording it systematically, joint patrolling, watershed management and capacity building by organising workshops for field staff every month has delivered results.
A visit to over a dozen protection huts in a couple of ranges in Sipna Wildlife Division showed that efforts were being made to give comfort to field staff by providing concrete structures and basic facilities like steel cots and cupboards replacing the bamboo thatches.
"Absenteeism was a bad habit among the field staff. We started conducting surprise checks at protection huts. Those absent were marked leave without pay. There were protests from a section of employees, but they fell in line after learning our intentions. Now the staff is scared of bunking," said P H Badge, deputy conservator of Sipna.
There is direct biotic pressure from 70 villages on the reserve. Of these, 26 villages are inside MTR putting huge grazing and felling pressure. However, action against illicit grazers has reduced cases of unauthorised grazing from 103 in 2008-09 to 36 in 2009-2010. "We feel this has led to increase in prey base. Cattle kills by carnivores have gone down from 249 to 142 during the same period. This was possible due to good protection and action," Mishra said.
Fire in Melghat was the biggest threat causing habitat destruction. However, Mishra added that by involving people and making them aware, incidents of forest fires had been brought down 50%.
"In 2009, there were 430 fire incidents destroying 14,460 hectares forest, but in 2010, these were brought down to 252 and loss of 7,521 hectares. This was made possible despite the fact that 80% of the staff is above 45 years; 15% staff is new and over 20% of the posts are vacant," says Mishra.
Another reason why MTR is better now is the joint and group patrolling launched in August 2009. A group of eight persons does patrolling twice a week and nine times in a month. "Cases of water poisoning for fish are common. From February 15, a drive will be launched to check all natural and artificial water holes in the reserve with the help of litmus paper. Small water holes with 2-3 litres of water would be closed down to eliminate cases of poisoning," informed S B Dhote, RFO of Chourakund, who has set an example for the entire reserve by mapping each water hole.
His model is being followed elsewhere. Mapping of water holes is also helping to know animal movement, he added. "Last year, due to water hole monitoring we could save 45 peacocks and other animals," Dhote informed.
In Melghat, conflicting demands of tigers and humans results in man-animal and management conflicts. The problems become more complicated when political leaders turn hostile towards animals.
Mishra said such circumstances made it very difficult to perform. Yet, implementation of standard protocol by setting up protection camps (75) and strengthening them, regular training modules to build staff capacity, fire patrol teams, eco-development schemes, frequent meetings with villagers, deployment of SRPF during monsoon, and erection of barriers (39) among host of other measures had helped.
"Even NTCA team that visited Melghat in December to evaluate the tiger reserve was surprised about the number of steps being taken by MTR," officials said.
The 'carrot and stick' policy of the MTR managers is paying off. "In the last two years, we've developed an institution here. If our protection measures sustain, and villages inside MTR are relocated, in the next five years, Melghat holds the promise of becoming India's number one tiger reserve," claims field director A K Mishra.
Mishra says four-pronged strategy about better wildlife monitoring and recording it systematically, joint patrolling, watershed management and capacity building by organising workshops for field staff every month has delivered results.
A visit to over a dozen protection huts in a couple of ranges in Sipna Wildlife Division showed that efforts were being made to give comfort to field staff by providing concrete structures and basic facilities like steel cots and cupboards replacing the bamboo thatches.
"Absenteeism was a bad habit among the field staff. We started conducting surprise checks at protection huts. Those absent were marked leave without pay. There were protests from a section of employees, but they fell in line after learning our intentions. Now the staff is scared of bunking," said P H Badge, deputy conservator of Sipna.
There is direct biotic pressure from 70 villages on the reserve. Of these, 26 villages are inside MTR putting huge grazing and felling pressure. However, action against illicit grazers has reduced cases of unauthorised grazing from 103 in 2008-09 to 36 in 2009-2010. "We feel this has led to increase in prey base. Cattle kills by carnivores have gone down from 249 to 142 during the same period. This was possible due to good protection and action," Mishra said.
Fire in Melghat was the biggest threat causing habitat destruction. However, Mishra added that by involving people and making them aware, incidents of forest fires had been brought down 50%.
"In 2009, there were 430 fire incidents destroying 14,460 hectares forest, but in 2010, these were brought down to 252 and loss of 7,521 hectares. This was made possible despite the fact that 80% of the staff is above 45 years; 15% staff is new and over 20% of the posts are vacant," says Mishra.
Another reason why MTR is better now is the joint and group patrolling launched in August 2009. A group of eight persons does patrolling twice a week and nine times in a month. "Cases of water poisoning for fish are common. From February 15, a drive will be launched to check all natural and artificial water holes in the reserve with the help of litmus paper. Small water holes with 2-3 litres of water would be closed down to eliminate cases of poisoning," informed S B Dhote, RFO of Chourakund, who has set an example for the entire reserve by mapping each water hole.
His model is being followed elsewhere. Mapping of water holes is also helping to know animal movement, he added. "Last year, due to water hole monitoring we could save 45 peacocks and other animals," Dhote informed.
In Melghat, conflicting demands of tigers and humans results in man-animal and management conflicts. The problems become more complicated when political leaders turn hostile towards animals.
Mishra said such circumstances made it very difficult to perform. Yet, implementation of standard protocol by setting up protection camps (75) and strengthening them, regular training modules to build staff capacity, fire patrol teams, eco-development schemes, frequent meetings with villagers, deployment of SRPF during monsoon, and erection of barriers (39) among host of other measures had helped.
"Even NTCA team that visited Melghat in December to evaluate the tiger reserve was surprised about the number of steps being taken by MTR," officials said.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Ramesh letter sparks off protest in Uttarakhand
It is Environment minister Jairam Ramesh versus Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal over killing of a tiger, claimed to be man-eater, near Corbett tiger reserve. Ramesh on Tuesday asked the state government to impose section 144 of Code for Criminal Procedure (prevents gathering of more
than four people) where tiger attacks a person to ensure safe capture of animal. On Wednesday, the locals decided to stage a demonstration against Ramesh, assisted by local BJP leaders, against the suggestion.
“How can we prevent people from gathering at a site where a tiger attacks a villager,” said a state government functionary. And, added that tiger conservation cannot be done sitting in the air-conditioned offices in Delhi.
Pokhriyal has so far not agreed to Ramesh’s suggestion of a joint inspection of Corbett and nearby areas. According to officials, many of the suggestions made by the union minister were not implementable.
Another twist in the controversy has emerged as instead of relocating the Sunderkhal village from the buffer zone of the Corbett as suggested by Ramesh, the state forest department, headed by CM, has demanded a study to examine presence of four to five tigers near the village.
“It is an unusual behaviour,” said Anil Baluni, vice-chairperson of State Forest and Environment Advisory Board, who claimed that they four to five tigers have been caught on camera near the village.
Tiger being a territorial animal has an area of about 10 sq kms and another tiger can enter the area only after killing the present there. “We want National Tiger Conservation Authority’s suggestion on how to deal with this situation,” Baluni said.
Jairam Ramesh has asked the state government to immediately send a proposal for seeking 100 % assistance to relocate Sunderkhal village, which is there since 1974. At least five persons of this village, in buffer zone of the reserve, were mauled to death by a tiger, killed last week, in a month’s time.
Coming down strongly on the state government for brutally killing the tiger, Ramesh has suggested that two units of rapid response units should be set up to capture the animal to avoid lethal encounters.
To overcome the problem of increasing tiger population in Corbett and reduce man-animal conflict, Ramesh has suggested that parts of Lansdowne, West Terai and Ramnagar divisions should be declared as buffer of Corbett. He also wants the state government to monitor movement of tigers and killing cattle by them to avoid conflict.
The minister has also said that the state government should appoint Brijendra Singh, as honorary wildlife warden for Corbett for appropriate guidance. Singh in the recent past had been critical of officials at Corbett on management of the reserve.
than four people) where tiger attacks a person to ensure safe capture of animal. On Wednesday, the locals decided to stage a demonstration against Ramesh, assisted by local BJP leaders, against the suggestion.
“How can we prevent people from gathering at a site where a tiger attacks a villager,” said a state government functionary. And, added that tiger conservation cannot be done sitting in the air-conditioned offices in Delhi.
Pokhriyal has so far not agreed to Ramesh’s suggestion of a joint inspection of Corbett and nearby areas. According to officials, many of the suggestions made by the union minister were not implementable.
Another twist in the controversy has emerged as instead of relocating the Sunderkhal village from the buffer zone of the Corbett as suggested by Ramesh, the state forest department, headed by CM, has demanded a study to examine presence of four to five tigers near the village.
“It is an unusual behaviour,” said Anil Baluni, vice-chairperson of State Forest and Environment Advisory Board, who claimed that they four to five tigers have been caught on camera near the village.
Tiger being a territorial animal has an area of about 10 sq kms and another tiger can enter the area only after killing the present there. “We want National Tiger Conservation Authority’s suggestion on how to deal with this situation,” Baluni said.
Jairam Ramesh has asked the state government to immediately send a proposal for seeking 100 % assistance to relocate Sunderkhal village, which is there since 1974. At least five persons of this village, in buffer zone of the reserve, were mauled to death by a tiger, killed last week, in a month’s time.
Coming down strongly on the state government for brutally killing the tiger, Ramesh has suggested that two units of rapid response units should be set up to capture the animal to avoid lethal encounters.
To overcome the problem of increasing tiger population in Corbett and reduce man-animal conflict, Ramesh has suggested that parts of Lansdowne, West Terai and Ramnagar divisions should be declared as buffer of Corbett. He also wants the state government to monitor movement of tigers and killing cattle by them to avoid conflict.
The minister has also said that the state government should appoint Brijendra Singh, as honorary wildlife warden for Corbett for appropriate guidance. Singh in the recent past had been critical of officials at Corbett on management of the reserve.
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