Jaipur, April 24 (IANS) Following reports of wild animals being injured in accidents, a complete ban has been clamped on the plying of private vehicles at the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan's Alwar district, an official said Sunday.
Tourists will now be able to travel only in vehicles approved by the forest department authorities.
"Recently, some cases were reported wherein the reserve staff found that some wild animals were injured. It came up that private vehicles had been involved in those incidents," the official told IANS.
"In a meeting of park officials, it was decided to ban the private vehicles. It came into effect April 20," the official added.
The tiger reserve is spread in an area of around 800 sq km and is located some 110 km from here.
Many tourists were caught unawares about the ban. "I was completely unaware that such a decision has been taken. The park authorities should have properly advertised about the ban," said Mohan Pandey, who had travelled all the way from Delhi to see the reserve.
However, animal rights activists are a happy lot.
"Private vehicles were not only injuring animals but also affecting the environment," said Babu Lal Jajoo, an animal rights activist.
Besides tigers that were relocated to the reserve from Ranthambore National Park, the sanctuary is also home to panthers, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, chitals, sambars, caracals, langurs, wild boars, four-horned deer and several species of birds.
Relocation of tigers has come as a boon for the reserve.
The tiger reserve, which had lost its sheen because of the complete disappearance of tigers, has once again started to attract tourists.
A March 2005 report by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that there were indeed no tigers left in Sariska Tiger Reserve. Poaching was found to be the chief reason behind the dwindling tiger population.
Facing flak from different quarters, the state government decided to relocate tigers from Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district to Sariska.
Since 2008, the reserve has been witnessing a rush from weekend tourists, especially from Delhi and the National capital region.
The Sariska Tiger Reserve, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile Alwar state, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955. In 1978, it was declared a tiger reserve.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=234562
Monday, April 25, 2011
WWI team in Sariska to change male tiger's collar TNN
JAIPUR: A Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, team is currently at the Sariska national park. It will try to change the VHS radio collar of male tiger ST-4 that has become defunct for quite some time.
According to forest department officials, "A two-member team from the WII has been in the park for some time. They will try to tranquillise the male tiger in a day or two. We are changing the radio collar of ST-4. It has been defunct for quite some time and we are not receiving signals from it," they said.
Initially, the plans were to replace the collar of tigress ST-2 that has not been working well, but officials said it has now started functioning and will not be replaced immediately.
"In case of ST-2 we will also have to be more careful and there are chances of the tigress being pregnant and in that case tranquillising it will not advisable," officials said.
However, what remains intriguing is lack of effort of the department in introducing satellite collars for tigers. Satellite collars send constant signals no matter where the tigers are as against VHS collars that often stop signals when tigers stray far go into valleys. However, the cost of satellite collars are more than VHS ones.
Union minister for forest and environment Jairam Ramesh, during one of his visit to Sariska after the death of male tiger ST-1, had also suggested use of satellite collars despite their costs. He had even instructed Rajesh Gopal, director, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), but the move seems to have no takers.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/WWI-team-in-Sariska-to-change-male-tigers-collar/articleshow/8075938.cms
According to forest department officials, "A two-member team from the WII has been in the park for some time. They will try to tranquillise the male tiger in a day or two. We are changing the radio collar of ST-4. It has been defunct for quite some time and we are not receiving signals from it," they said.
Initially, the plans were to replace the collar of tigress ST-2 that has not been working well, but officials said it has now started functioning and will not be replaced immediately.
"In case of ST-2 we will also have to be more careful and there are chances of the tigress being pregnant and in that case tranquillising it will not advisable," officials said.
However, what remains intriguing is lack of effort of the department in introducing satellite collars for tigers. Satellite collars send constant signals no matter where the tigers are as against VHS collars that often stop signals when tigers stray far go into valleys. However, the cost of satellite collars are more than VHS ones.
Union minister for forest and environment Jairam Ramesh, during one of his visit to Sariska after the death of male tiger ST-1, had also suggested use of satellite collars despite their costs. He had even instructed Rajesh Gopal, director, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), but the move seems to have no takers.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/WWI-team-in-Sariska-to-change-male-tigers-collar/articleshow/8075938.cms
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Tiger attacks three women near Corbett D S Kunwar, TNN
DEHRADUN: A tiger mauled and wounded two women and a 10-year-old girl on Friday near a primary school in Nainital's Ramnagar forest division. The spot is close to the buffer zone of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.
Around 8 am, when Joga Devi (52) Kamla Devi (30) and Anjali (10) of Teda village were going to collect fodder for their cattle, the tiger pounced on them, said DFO (Ramnagar forest division) Ravindra Juyal. The women cried for help. By the time, villagers from Teda came to their rescue, the tiger had disappeared into the forest.
Doctors said the condition of all the three of them is serious. The victims were admitted to Ramnagar's Community Health Centre (CHC). Later, they were shifted to Haldwani Medical College after their condition deteriorated. The victims had suffered multiple fractures, said doctors.
As the news of the attack by the tiger spread, residents of around ten villages in Ramnagar Forest Division rushed to the spot. They gheraoed senior forest officials. They also held demonstrations and took out a march to protest against the inability of forest officials to prevent man-eaters and other wild animals from attacking them. They also demanded the Uttarakhand government relocate them to safer areas.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Tiger-attacks-three-women-near-Corbett/articleshow/8062811.cms
Around 8 am, when Joga Devi (52) Kamla Devi (30) and Anjali (10) of Teda village were going to collect fodder for their cattle, the tiger pounced on them, said DFO (Ramnagar forest division) Ravindra Juyal. The women cried for help. By the time, villagers from Teda came to their rescue, the tiger had disappeared into the forest.
Doctors said the condition of all the three of them is serious. The victims were admitted to Ramnagar's Community Health Centre (CHC). Later, they were shifted to Haldwani Medical College after their condition deteriorated. The victims had suffered multiple fractures, said doctors.
As the news of the attack by the tiger spread, residents of around ten villages in Ramnagar Forest Division rushed to the spot. They gheraoed senior forest officials. They also held demonstrations and took out a march to protest against the inability of forest officials to prevent man-eaters and other wild animals from attacking them. They also demanded the Uttarakhand government relocate them to safer areas.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Tiger-attacks-three-women-near-Corbett/articleshow/8062811.cms
Windmills threaten wildlife in Koyna Sanctuary-Bahar Dutt, CNN IBN
Click to play video
Koyna Sanctuary: The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra is a critical corridor of forest and home to tigers, bison and 100 species of birds. But CNN-IBN has found that land inside the tiger reserve is up for grabs and over 200 windmills are operating inside the sanctuary, for which over 500 trees were chopped.
"BNHS has found some 250 species of birds, which are endangered species accord to them. Now because of these windmills, we can't see the birds. Prior to that, we used to see a number of different kinds of birds. We also used to see wildlife over here," said green activist Nana Khamkar.
Under the wildlife protection act, any diversion of land inside a sanctuary needs prior permission. But a RTI response from the Forest Department proved that the windmills lie inside the sanctuary and the permission was not taken. An offence report was registered by Koyna Range Forest Office in 2002, but till today no action has been taken.
In their defence, Suzlon, one of the windmill companies said, "Suzlon always complies with the law of the land. Considering that this matter is sub-judice, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."
Green activist Khamkar has filed a PIL in court and is arguing the matter himself.
"Wildlife is totally scattered now. This corridor needs to be preserved as these are important animal movement areas. Because of these windmills, this important animal migration has got hampered to a very large extent," said Khamkar.
Over 200 windmills are now operating illegally inside the vital tiger reserve.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has stepped has ordered the National Tiger Conservation Authority to enquire about the matter.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/windmills-threaten-wildlife-in-koyna-sanctuary/149890-3.html
Koyna Sanctuary: The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra is a critical corridor of forest and home to tigers, bison and 100 species of birds. But CNN-IBN has found that land inside the tiger reserve is up for grabs and over 200 windmills are operating inside the sanctuary, for which over 500 trees were chopped.
"BNHS has found some 250 species of birds, which are endangered species accord to them. Now because of these windmills, we can't see the birds. Prior to that, we used to see a number of different kinds of birds. We also used to see wildlife over here," said green activist Nana Khamkar.
Under the wildlife protection act, any diversion of land inside a sanctuary needs prior permission. But a RTI response from the Forest Department proved that the windmills lie inside the sanctuary and the permission was not taken. An offence report was registered by Koyna Range Forest Office in 2002, but till today no action has been taken.
In their defence, Suzlon, one of the windmill companies said, "Suzlon always complies with the law of the land. Considering that this matter is sub-judice, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."
Green activist Khamkar has filed a PIL in court and is arguing the matter himself.
"Wildlife is totally scattered now. This corridor needs to be preserved as these are important animal movement areas. Because of these windmills, this important animal migration has got hampered to a very large extent," said Khamkar.
Over 200 windmills are now operating illegally inside the vital tiger reserve.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has stepped has ordered the National Tiger Conservation Authority to enquire about the matter.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/windmills-threaten-wildlife-in-koyna-sanctuary/149890-3.html
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Rajasthan Plans Tiger Corridor
The Rajasthan state forest department has often faced the mammoth task of tracking and returning a stray tiger from its place of residence. News of tigers straying from Ranthambore National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park, away from the park’s surrounding regions have often put the officials in a spot over the safety of the animal.
In order to prevent the tigers from straying out of the territories and for their safety, the state government has planned to build a corridor connecting six National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries of the state under the Tiger Biosphere Project. The corridor will be developed connecting Keoladeo, Ranthambore, Sawai Mansingh, Ramgarh, Jawahar Sagar and Dara sanctuaries falling under Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur, Kota and Bundi districts of the state.
Apart from Ranthambore National Park, Sariska National Park and Keoladeo Ghana National Park have also witnessed instances of straying tigers. "Due to the growing numbers of the big cats in the Ranthambore National Park, the tigers usually stray out of their territory and go missing. They become easy prey to villagers and poachers in such cases," a forest official said.
Most of the parks and sanctuaries in the state are connected to each other and those to be developed as a tiger corridor under the Tiger Biosphere Project are dense forest areas. Once the corridors are built, the park officials will have to take up serious security issues for the wildlife in these regions against poaching and other criminal activities. To ensure this it will be necessary to relocate the villages in the vicinity of the parks and sanctuaries.
The project will be developed with the help of Rs.1,153 crore worth grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for implementing the Rajasthan Forestry and Biodiversity Project (RFBP) in select areas of the state over a period of eight years between 2011 and 2019.
Ranthambore National Park one of the oldest parks in India has a healthy tiger population in its area and surrounding sanctuaries. In the last two to three years some of the tigers from Ranthambore have been shifted to Sariska National Park in order to revive the tiger population here when the park had become tigerless a few years ago due to wide scale poaching.
http://www.rang7.com/news/national-park/rajasthan-plans-tiger-corridor-890.htm
In order to prevent the tigers from straying out of the territories and for their safety, the state government has planned to build a corridor connecting six National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries of the state under the Tiger Biosphere Project. The corridor will be developed connecting Keoladeo, Ranthambore, Sawai Mansingh, Ramgarh, Jawahar Sagar and Dara sanctuaries falling under Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur, Kota and Bundi districts of the state.
Apart from Ranthambore National Park, Sariska National Park and Keoladeo Ghana National Park have also witnessed instances of straying tigers. "Due to the growing numbers of the big cats in the Ranthambore National Park, the tigers usually stray out of their territory and go missing. They become easy prey to villagers and poachers in such cases," a forest official said.
Most of the parks and sanctuaries in the state are connected to each other and those to be developed as a tiger corridor under the Tiger Biosphere Project are dense forest areas. Once the corridors are built, the park officials will have to take up serious security issues for the wildlife in these regions against poaching and other criminal activities. To ensure this it will be necessary to relocate the villages in the vicinity of the parks and sanctuaries.
The project will be developed with the help of Rs.1,153 crore worth grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for implementing the Rajasthan Forestry and Biodiversity Project (RFBP) in select areas of the state over a period of eight years between 2011 and 2019.
Ranthambore National Park one of the oldest parks in India has a healthy tiger population in its area and surrounding sanctuaries. In the last two to three years some of the tigers from Ranthambore have been shifted to Sariska National Park in order to revive the tiger population here when the park had become tigerless a few years ago due to wide scale poaching.
http://www.rang7.com/news/national-park/rajasthan-plans-tiger-corridor-890.htm
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Arrested Naxal confirms dalam plan in tiger reserve
A senior Naxal cadre has allegedly corroborated a long-held suspicion that Naxals are trying to constitute a dalam (military unit) for villages in and around Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
A state committee (CPI-Maoist) member and secretary of Chandrapur area committee, Bhimrao alias Bhanu alias Bhaskar Bhovte, was arrested along with his wife Sunanda alias Megha alias Vanaja Vasant Ramteke in Gondia district a day before Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s visit to Gadchiroli in December 2010.
“Bhovte told us that a survey was carried out in TATR and surrounding villages in the recent past with an intention to form a dalam,” a senior police officer told The Indian Express.
A series of raids had followed the couple’s arrests on the dens of Naxal activists at places like Mul and Sindewahi , situated at vantage positions vis-à-vis TATR. Some handwritten materials, most of them survey reports, were seized from there. One of the reports was about the survey conducted in TATR landscape.
“A crackdown had ensued on some youth members of an organisation claiming to be a students’ body in Chandrapur a few years ago. While many of the youths, including some girls, had been deputed as dalam members under North Gadchiroli Gondia Committee of CPI(Maoist), some were engaged by Chandrapur area committee to work on building dalam in the TATR landscape, our interrogation has revealed,¿ the official said.
Some recent incidents inside TATR had caught officials off-guard. The partly-rehabilitated Kolsa village had turned away Nagpur Divisional Commissioner B V Gopal Reddy two months ago when he had gone there to persuade them to agree to rehabilitation. They are stated to be in highly belligerent mood. The Rantalodhi village has had history of violent attacks on forest and police officials in the past.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/arrested-naxal-confirms-dalam-plan-in-tiger-reserve/778638/
A state committee (CPI-Maoist) member and secretary of Chandrapur area committee, Bhimrao alias Bhanu alias Bhaskar Bhovte, was arrested along with his wife Sunanda alias Megha alias Vanaja Vasant Ramteke in Gondia district a day before Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s visit to Gadchiroli in December 2010.
“Bhovte told us that a survey was carried out in TATR and surrounding villages in the recent past with an intention to form a dalam,” a senior police officer told The Indian Express.
A series of raids had followed the couple’s arrests on the dens of Naxal activists at places like Mul and Sindewahi , situated at vantage positions vis-à-vis TATR. Some handwritten materials, most of them survey reports, were seized from there. One of the reports was about the survey conducted in TATR landscape.
“A crackdown had ensued on some youth members of an organisation claiming to be a students’ body in Chandrapur a few years ago. While many of the youths, including some girls, had been deputed as dalam members under North Gadchiroli Gondia Committee of CPI(Maoist), some were engaged by Chandrapur area committee to work on building dalam in the TATR landscape, our interrogation has revealed,¿ the official said.
Some recent incidents inside TATR had caught officials off-guard. The partly-rehabilitated Kolsa village had turned away Nagpur Divisional Commissioner B V Gopal Reddy two months ago when he had gone there to persuade them to agree to rehabilitation. They are stated to be in highly belligerent mood. The Rantalodhi village has had history of violent attacks on forest and police officials in the past.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/arrested-naxal-confirms-dalam-plan-in-tiger-reserve/778638/
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tiger census: MP govt orders fresh count in Kanha
Unhappy with the latest census that robbed Madhya Pradesh of its ‘tiger state’ status, the state has decided to carry out a fresh ‘sign survey’ in Kanha tiger reserve that has lost several wild cats over the past four years.
The state’s request to re-check the data with the Wildlife Institute of India was rejected, prompting it to announce a fresh count from April 25 to 27.
The 2006 census had put the count at 89, which now stands at 60, a figure the state disputes.
PCCF (Wildlife) H S Pabla said his department will collect data such as scrape and scat marks and other indirect evidence like killing of preys.
For this purpose, camera traps have already been set up in the reserve, Pabla added.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Tiger-census--MP-govt-orders-fresh-count-in-Kanha/778035/
The state’s request to re-check the data with the Wildlife Institute of India was rejected, prompting it to announce a fresh count from April 25 to 27.
The 2006 census had put the count at 89, which now stands at 60, a figure the state disputes.
PCCF (Wildlife) H S Pabla said his department will collect data such as scrape and scat marks and other indirect evidence like killing of preys.
For this purpose, camera traps have already been set up in the reserve, Pabla added.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Tiger-census--MP-govt-orders-fresh-count-in-Kanha/778035/
Fires in tiger reserve keep officials on toes Abhay Singh, TNN
PATNA: All through the year, environment and forest department officials, both at the state headquarters and in various forest ranges of the department, remain alert to douse forest fire and keep at bay those who indulge in illegal felling of trees. However, come summer, they go on high alert to protect the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district from forest fires that is most often man-made.
As it is, during summer, those who inhabit villages in the deep forests of the VTR go on a spree to burn dry stubs and clumps of grass in their bid to prepare the forest land for new grass, which naturally emerges and begins to grow with the onset of hotweather rain, or even monsoon rains. Monsoon, normally, hits the state in the second week of June, but late-April to May-end is also the period of pre-monsoon rains.
Now, one such instance of burning of dry grass in Naurangia-done area of the VTR by villagers, specially herdsmen, on Sunday pushed a panic button at the environment and forest department headquarters on Monday. By afternoon, on Monday, the information elicited from the field said that yet another instance of burning of dry clumps of grass had occurred in the morning at the Harnatand village within the confines of the VTR.
"The fire reported from Naurangia-done area was not of high magnitude. It occurred on Sunday. The tigertrekkers in the forest area immediately intervened and doused the flames with support from the locals," said state's chief warden of forests, wildlife and sanctuaries Mithilesh Kumar, adding: "The locals and tiger-trekkers also controlled the fire reported from Harnatand village."
Incidentally, the government has already decided to upgrade the VTR as a tourist spot in the state. After Betla National Park in Jharkhand, the VTR is the only sanctuary for tiger and wildlife on the west of Sundarbans in West Bengal. The total area of the VTR is 880 square km, and also accounts for rich forests consisting of cane, sal, sagwan, khaira, seesam, semul and other trees and plants.
Early this year, deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, while reviewing the activities of the environment and forest department had announced that the VTR would be upgraded to attract tourists. He had also directed the officials of the department to prepare a blueprint for the development of the VTR into a tourist spot.
Last week, too, there were reports about fire in the VTR in the same Naurangia-done and other areas. "We have cross-checked the information. No such incident took place. Except on Sunday and in the morning today (Monday), no instances of fire have been reported," Kumar said, adding: "But we have issued the instruction to the officials and tiger-trekkers to remain alert.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Fires-in-tiger-reserve-keep-officials-on-toes/articleshow/8022748.cms
As it is, during summer, those who inhabit villages in the deep forests of the VTR go on a spree to burn dry stubs and clumps of grass in their bid to prepare the forest land for new grass, which naturally emerges and begins to grow with the onset of hotweather rain, or even monsoon rains. Monsoon, normally, hits the state in the second week of June, but late-April to May-end is also the period of pre-monsoon rains.
Now, one such instance of burning of dry grass in Naurangia-done area of the VTR by villagers, specially herdsmen, on Sunday pushed a panic button at the environment and forest department headquarters on Monday. By afternoon, on Monday, the information elicited from the field said that yet another instance of burning of dry clumps of grass had occurred in the morning at the Harnatand village within the confines of the VTR.
"The fire reported from Naurangia-done area was not of high magnitude. It occurred on Sunday. The tigertrekkers in the forest area immediately intervened and doused the flames with support from the locals," said state's chief warden of forests, wildlife and sanctuaries Mithilesh Kumar, adding: "The locals and tiger-trekkers also controlled the fire reported from Harnatand village."
Incidentally, the government has already decided to upgrade the VTR as a tourist spot in the state. After Betla National Park in Jharkhand, the VTR is the only sanctuary for tiger and wildlife on the west of Sundarbans in West Bengal. The total area of the VTR is 880 square km, and also accounts for rich forests consisting of cane, sal, sagwan, khaira, seesam, semul and other trees and plants.
Early this year, deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, while reviewing the activities of the environment and forest department had announced that the VTR would be upgraded to attract tourists. He had also directed the officials of the department to prepare a blueprint for the development of the VTR into a tourist spot.
Last week, too, there were reports about fire in the VTR in the same Naurangia-done and other areas. "We have cross-checked the information. No such incident took place. Except on Sunday and in the morning today (Monday), no instances of fire have been reported," Kumar said, adding: "But we have issued the instruction to the officials and tiger-trekkers to remain alert.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Fires-in-tiger-reserve-keep-officials-on-toes/articleshow/8022748.cms
Monday, April 18, 2011
Radio collar 'chokes' big cat TNN
KOLKATA: Controversy has again struck the Sunderbans. This time, a ten-year-old male tiger caught from Dobanki seven days back is bearing the brunt.
The radio collar fitted to the tiger stopped functioning about three months back, but it is yet to be removed. Experts said the collar had badly choked the tiger`s neck and it could not eat properly. The tiger is now at Alipore Zoo.
But two principal chief conservators of forests are speaking in conflicting voices. While S B Mondal, PCCF (wildlife) said that he had given instruction to remove the collar, PCCF and head of forest force Atanu Raha said it won`t be removed unless the tiger comes to a state when it can be tranquillized. Though Raha said the tiger had gained weight in past few days, he could not say if the big cat could be tranquillized.
"If the collar is defunct, what`s the use of it?" asked wildlife conservationist Valmik Thapar. Koustubh Sharma of International Snow Leopard Trust said: "If you can`t monitor the cat, what`s the use? Tranquillizing tigers for radio collaring has an ethical and financial bearing. If the tiger has been caught again, either the defunct collar should be removed, or replaced with a new one before releasing it in the wild." Biswajit Roy Chowdhury of Nature Environment and Wildlife Society said that since the tiger had been kept in a cage, it`s not difficult to remove the collar. "Their numbers are already dwindling, why put another life at risk for a collar?" he asked.
Y V Jhala of Wildlife Institute of India said new collars are available with WII in the state. "The tiger was radio collared at Netadhopani and gave signals for almost 11 months. If the collar is defunct, forest officials should have contacted us, " he said.
Thapar said bringing an animal to zoo is a bad decision. "Unless a tiger turns man-eater, it should not be brought to zoo. The department should observe the big cats in local camps so that it can be reintroduced to the wild fast." He called for a review on the malfunctioning of radio collars. "Some incidents have been reported from Ranthambore and Kanha." Radio collars were blamed for tiger deaths in Panna in 2009. A research programme in Bangladeshi Sunderbans by Adam Barlow had to be suspended after the death of two tigers were reported in 2006 after being radio collared. Alipore Zoo director Raju Das said that they were observing the tiger and plans were on to remove the collar in a couple of days.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Radio-collar-chokes-big-cat/articleshow/8012936.cms
The radio collar fitted to the tiger stopped functioning about three months back, but it is yet to be removed. Experts said the collar had badly choked the tiger`s neck and it could not eat properly. The tiger is now at Alipore Zoo.
But two principal chief conservators of forests are speaking in conflicting voices. While S B Mondal, PCCF (wildlife) said that he had given instruction to remove the collar, PCCF and head of forest force Atanu Raha said it won`t be removed unless the tiger comes to a state when it can be tranquillized. Though Raha said the tiger had gained weight in past few days, he could not say if the big cat could be tranquillized.
"If the collar is defunct, what`s the use of it?" asked wildlife conservationist Valmik Thapar. Koustubh Sharma of International Snow Leopard Trust said: "If you can`t monitor the cat, what`s the use? Tranquillizing tigers for radio collaring has an ethical and financial bearing. If the tiger has been caught again, either the defunct collar should be removed, or replaced with a new one before releasing it in the wild." Biswajit Roy Chowdhury of Nature Environment and Wildlife Society said that since the tiger had been kept in a cage, it`s not difficult to remove the collar. "Their numbers are already dwindling, why put another life at risk for a collar?" he asked.
Y V Jhala of Wildlife Institute of India said new collars are available with WII in the state. "The tiger was radio collared at Netadhopani and gave signals for almost 11 months. If the collar is defunct, forest officials should have contacted us, " he said.
Thapar said bringing an animal to zoo is a bad decision. "Unless a tiger turns man-eater, it should not be brought to zoo. The department should observe the big cats in local camps so that it can be reintroduced to the wild fast." He called for a review on the malfunctioning of radio collars. "Some incidents have been reported from Ranthambore and Kanha." Radio collars were blamed for tiger deaths in Panna in 2009. A research programme in Bangladeshi Sunderbans by Adam Barlow had to be suspended after the death of two tigers were reported in 2006 after being radio collared. Alipore Zoo director Raju Das said that they were observing the tiger and plans were on to remove the collar in a couple of days.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Radio-collar-chokes-big-cat/articleshow/8012936.cms
Govt announces two billion rupees for tiger relocation
Panna, April 17 (ANI): India's Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Saturday announced two billion rupees for village relocation programmes in Madhya Pradesh for establishing buffer zones in tiger reserves across the country. Speaking to mediapersons while on a tour in the reserve, Ramesh said that the ministry would financially assist the state, even as he expressed his discontentment over the Ken-Betwa river linking project saying it would destroy the Panna Tiger Reserve
http://www.indiablooms.com/VideoDetails/videoDetails170411f.php
http://www.indiablooms.com/VideoDetails/videoDetails170411f.php
Pilibhit forest division may get special package TNN
LUCKNOW: After the national tiger census-2010 identified Pilibhit forest division as a promising area for tigers, good times might set in for the division. The division may get a special package for development from the forest department.
The tiger census-2010 report has observed that tiger population is increasing in the protected area and outside. Moyar-Singur-Satyamangalam, Ramnagar and Pilibhit regions have been specifically mentioned in the report.
After being identified as one of the promising areas for tigers, the division might get special infrastructural package. Sources said that a proposal seeking special package has been prepared but refused to divulge on the facilities that have been asked for. "It is only after department agrees to it that anything can be said," said sources.
On the other hand, efforts to set up a new tiger reserve in Pilibhit are underway. Pilibhit division spreads over 712 sq km area. It has five ranges under it, Diuria, Mala, Mahof, Haripur and Barahi. The census this year has shown 112 tigers present in Dudhwa-Lakhimpur-Pilibhit-Katarniaghat belt.
In the last census, as many as 95 tigers were counted in this belt. This time, there has been an increase. Since report has already stated that tigers in Pilibhit are increasing, contribution of the division in the increase in number of tigers in the belt can not be ruled out.
Meanwhile, at the time of the census exercise in the division in May, some rare wildlife species were also found in the division like leopard cats and four-horned antelopes. Thus, making it an important division in respect of wildlife.
On the other hand, the division is also seeing a spurt in incidents of man-animal conflict. In the start of this month, there have been two incidents in which men were left injured in attack by wild animals. On April 2, a 28-year old man was attacked and injured by a leopard in Haripur range.
While the department provided for the treatment of the man and released compensation to him, another man was left injured in an attack by a tiger in Diuria range two days later. The package, therefore, will also help the division overcome these difficulties.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Pilibhit-forest-division-may-get-special-package/articleshow/8009467.cms
The tiger census-2010 report has observed that tiger population is increasing in the protected area and outside. Moyar-Singur-Satyamangalam, Ramnagar and Pilibhit regions have been specifically mentioned in the report.
After being identified as one of the promising areas for tigers, the division might get special infrastructural package. Sources said that a proposal seeking special package has been prepared but refused to divulge on the facilities that have been asked for. "It is only after department agrees to it that anything can be said," said sources.
On the other hand, efforts to set up a new tiger reserve in Pilibhit are underway. Pilibhit division spreads over 712 sq km area. It has five ranges under it, Diuria, Mala, Mahof, Haripur and Barahi. The census this year has shown 112 tigers present in Dudhwa-Lakhimpur-Pilibhit-Katarniaghat belt.
In the last census, as many as 95 tigers were counted in this belt. This time, there has been an increase. Since report has already stated that tigers in Pilibhit are increasing, contribution of the division in the increase in number of tigers in the belt can not be ruled out.
Meanwhile, at the time of the census exercise in the division in May, some rare wildlife species were also found in the division like leopard cats and four-horned antelopes. Thus, making it an important division in respect of wildlife.
On the other hand, the division is also seeing a spurt in incidents of man-animal conflict. In the start of this month, there have been two incidents in which men were left injured in attack by wild animals. On April 2, a 28-year old man was attacked and injured by a leopard in Haripur range.
While the department provided for the treatment of the man and released compensation to him, another man was left injured in an attack by a tiger in Diuria range two days later. The package, therefore, will also help the division overcome these difficulties.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Pilibhit-forest-division-may-get-special-package/articleshow/8009467.cms
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Goa may add to India's tiger numbers IANS
PANAJI: Where have Goa's tigers gone? Despite consistently throwing up four to five tigers in past counts, the latest 2011 tiger census conspicuously avoids reference to the state and its elusive tiger. The good news, however, is that this state could once again add as many as five tigers to the national tally of 1,706.
Assistant conservator of forests wildlife and eco-tourism Kamu Prakash said that although the state forest department had completed its share of field work and sent its findings to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, the analysis confirming the findings is yet to be returned.
"The Union ministry of environment and forests had come up with a set of guidelines on how the tiger census is to be conducted, based on which we had submitted that there could be as many as five tigers in Goa," Prakash said.
"But we are yet to receive the report either confirming or refuting our findings (from the WII)," he added, saying once the report is out, the tiger count in India is likely to go up.
"The nationwide census began in November 2009, whereas here in Goa we held it only in the last week of April and the beginning of May. So we submitted our report almost six months late. Our report is expected to come in about a fortnight," Prakash said.
Suspected tiger faeces were found at Surla and Nandran within the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary at Mollem and pugmarks of a tigress and two cubs discovered along the water's edge in Anjunem dam near the Goa-Karnataka border in recent times.
"The tiger-related findings from Goa will have to be correlated with those from Karnataka to ensure we are not counting the same tiger twice," Prakash said.
Wildlife and environmental activists have long been campaigning that Goa's sanctuaries be notified as tiger reserves. They have accused the forest department of denying the presence of tigers to appease the politically and economically strong mining lobby.
Following strict directives from the ministry of environment and forests, the Goa forest department in the past has had to initiate probes into mining near the Netravali wildlife sanctuary in eastern Goa, a known tiger corridor.
The mining lobby fears that the confirmed presence of the country's most endangered animal could force a halt to their highly lucrative ore extraction operations. More than two dozen mining leases ring the sanctuary area.
Noted wildlife activist Rajendra Kerkar has said top forest officials were dithering from admitting to the presence of the tiger in Goa's forests because of pressure from the Rs.6,000- crore mining industry in Goa, which has nearly 100 open cast mining pits, most of which border the wildlife sanctuaries.
A tiger was poached in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary, 70 km from here in 2009.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-may-add-to-Indias-tiger-numbers/articleshow/8004576.cms
Assistant conservator of forests wildlife and eco-tourism Kamu Prakash said that although the state forest department had completed its share of field work and sent its findings to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, the analysis confirming the findings is yet to be returned.
"The Union ministry of environment and forests had come up with a set of guidelines on how the tiger census is to be conducted, based on which we had submitted that there could be as many as five tigers in Goa," Prakash said.
"But we are yet to receive the report either confirming or refuting our findings (from the WII)," he added, saying once the report is out, the tiger count in India is likely to go up.
"The nationwide census began in November 2009, whereas here in Goa we held it only in the last week of April and the beginning of May. So we submitted our report almost six months late. Our report is expected to come in about a fortnight," Prakash said.
Suspected tiger faeces were found at Surla and Nandran within the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary at Mollem and pugmarks of a tigress and two cubs discovered along the water's edge in Anjunem dam near the Goa-Karnataka border in recent times.
"The tiger-related findings from Goa will have to be correlated with those from Karnataka to ensure we are not counting the same tiger twice," Prakash said.
Wildlife and environmental activists have long been campaigning that Goa's sanctuaries be notified as tiger reserves. They have accused the forest department of denying the presence of tigers to appease the politically and economically strong mining lobby.
Following strict directives from the ministry of environment and forests, the Goa forest department in the past has had to initiate probes into mining near the Netravali wildlife sanctuary in eastern Goa, a known tiger corridor.
The mining lobby fears that the confirmed presence of the country's most endangered animal could force a halt to their highly lucrative ore extraction operations. More than two dozen mining leases ring the sanctuary area.
Noted wildlife activist Rajendra Kerkar has said top forest officials were dithering from admitting to the presence of the tiger in Goa's forests because of pressure from the Rs.6,000- crore mining industry in Goa, which has nearly 100 open cast mining pits, most of which border the wildlife sanctuaries.
A tiger was poached in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary, 70 km from here in 2009.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-may-add-to-Indias-tiger-numbers/articleshow/8004576.cms
Ramesh praises tiger revival project in Panna - PTI
Panna (MP), Apr 16 (PTI) Union Environment and Forests Minister, Jairam Ramesh today praised the ongoing programme of tiger population revival at Panna Tiger Reserve here, and announced a grant of Rs 200 crore for tiger conservation in Madhya Pradesh. "Madhya Pradesh will get Rs 200 crore as the first instalment for the tiger conservation, and I am happy with the progress of the translocation of tigers in the the Panna Tiger Reserve," Ramesh, here to review the project, told reporters. To a question he said that MOEF would not give nod to Ken-Betwa river linking scheme, as it would affect the wildlife and ecology of the reserve. The Ministry would also not give clearance to a proposed railway line through the Reserve, Ramesh said. Panna had become completely devoid of tigers two years back. To revive the big cat population, three tigresses and a tiger were translocated here from outside. Two tigresses have already given birth to around five cubs; two of them today celebrated their birthday in the minister's presence.
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/ramesh-praises-tiger-revival-project-in-panna/650979.html
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/ramesh-praises-tiger-revival-project-in-panna/650979.html
Saturday, April 16, 2011
3 more tiger reserves to come up in Maharashtra
Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh on Friday announced that three new tiger reserves would be notified in Maharashtra — in Navegaon, Nagzira and Bor — and rehabilitation of villages at Tadoba and Melghat would be taken up on priority.
He also said Nagpur, Maharashtra’s second capital, would be promoted as the “gateway to tiger reserves” as it is the entry point to 13 of the 39 tiger reserves in the country. The “Orange City” would also be the first to get a field office of the National Tiger Conservation Authority; two other offices are to be set up elsewhere in the country.
The minister said the Central government had approved an initial grant of Rs 50 crore for the rehabilitation of villages in Melghat and Tadoba tiger reserves.
“Next week, I will be going to Gadchiroli to launch a new scheme. It will open a new era in the relation of forest with people. The paradigm of forest conservation has to change and must make tribals partners in forest management. All rich, mineral, tribal and violence areas overlap. The Forest Department has an important role to play in anti-Naxal actions,” said Ramesh.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/3-more-tiger-reserves-to-come-up-in-Maharashtra/776901/
He also said Nagpur, Maharashtra’s second capital, would be promoted as the “gateway to tiger reserves” as it is the entry point to 13 of the 39 tiger reserves in the country. The “Orange City” would also be the first to get a field office of the National Tiger Conservation Authority; two other offices are to be set up elsewhere in the country.
The minister said the Central government had approved an initial grant of Rs 50 crore for the rehabilitation of villages in Melghat and Tadoba tiger reserves.
“Next week, I will be going to Gadchiroli to launch a new scheme. It will open a new era in the relation of forest with people. The paradigm of forest conservation has to change and must make tribals partners in forest management. All rich, mineral, tribal and violence areas overlap. The Forest Department has an important role to play in anti-Naxal actions,” said Ramesh.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/3-more-tiger-reserves-to-come-up-in-Maharashtra/776901/
Friday, April 15, 2011
Karnataka CM writes to centre on Tiger reserve
Chief Minister Mr BS Yeddyurappa has urged the Centre to take an 'urgent decision' on the fate of buildings and structures belonging to the defunct Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd to enable the State government speed up the process of declaring the Kudremukh National Park as a Tiger Reserve.
In a letter to Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh, Yeddyurappa said that the State Forest Department was examining the Centre’s proposal to notify the Kudremukh National Park as a Tiger Reserve under Section 38(V) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
In a letter to Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh, Yeddyurappa said that the State Forest Department was examining the Centre’s proposal to notify the Kudremukh National Park as a Tiger Reserve under Section 38(V) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Finance Dept stalls tiger force formation Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: Four months after deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar cleared the formation of special tiger protection force (STPF) for Pench and Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserves, the state finance department has put spanner in the STPF works.
Considering the danger tigers in the wild face and the need for stepping up protection in sensitive areas having source populations of tigers with active involvement of forest dwelling communities, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in February 2009 mandated setting up of STPFs in tiger reserves in the country with 100% central assistance.
However, the state is yet to respond. On December 15, while in the city to attend winter session of the assembly, Pawar had cleared setting up of STPF by sanctioning 224 posts (two battalions of 112 personnel each) after discussing the issue with forest officials. So far, the decision remains on paper. STPF would be headed by an officer of the rank of assistant conservator of forest (ACF) and have RFOs, foresters and forest guards. In the STPF, 30% guards would be from communities around the reserves. They will be entitled to same salary and emoluments as others.
Sources said the finance department has put hurdles in the process by making some irrelevant queries. The department has asked whether the 224 posts will be created temporarily. It has also asked that if Centre stopped giving 100% grants, who will bear the expenses. It wants to know whether these posts would be absorbed in the forest department and if yes, how.
The finance officials have further asked whether there is a provision to relax educational qualification for 30% of the STPF staff that would be from local communities as they would be paid salary equivalent to foresters and forest guards. Sources said, these queries appear frivolous in nature and some (like educational qualification bit) have nothing to do with finance department.
As per the NTCA guidelines, STPF personnel will have to undergo training from police and para military forces. "There is a need to take home ministry's view on the issue," the finance department has said. It has also stated that as per the norms, the STPF recruits should not be above 40 years. On this condition, the NTCA approval will be needed, they mentioned.
Senior forest officials are upset by the irrelevant queries. All the issues were sorted out in the meeting with Pawar. Finance department officials were also present. "Why did they not raise these queries then," they asked. Former PCCF (wildlife) D C Pant had written to additional director general of police (DGP), training, about training STPF personnel. However, police department showed inability to train them.
Top forest officials said money towards salaries of the staff would come from the NTCA. "If, after 10 years, the Centre stops grants, by that time many employees in the department would have retired. Hence, there will be no additional burden on the exchequer. Pawar was convinced and only after that he gave a go ahead to STPF," they said.
Apart from Pench and Tadoba, STPF is to be set up in Dudhwa-Katerniaghat and Corbett in Uttar Pradesh, Ranthambhore in Rajasthan, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench in Madhya Pradesh, Pakke in Arunachal Pradesh, Bandipore in Karnataka, Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu, Kaziranga in Assam and Similipal in Orissa.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Finance-Dept-stalls-tiger-force-formation/articleshow/7967450.cms
Considering the danger tigers in the wild face and the need for stepping up protection in sensitive areas having source populations of tigers with active involvement of forest dwelling communities, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in February 2009 mandated setting up of STPFs in tiger reserves in the country with 100% central assistance.
However, the state is yet to respond. On December 15, while in the city to attend winter session of the assembly, Pawar had cleared setting up of STPF by sanctioning 224 posts (two battalions of 112 personnel each) after discussing the issue with forest officials. So far, the decision remains on paper. STPF would be headed by an officer of the rank of assistant conservator of forest (ACF) and have RFOs, foresters and forest guards. In the STPF, 30% guards would be from communities around the reserves. They will be entitled to same salary and emoluments as others.
Sources said the finance department has put hurdles in the process by making some irrelevant queries. The department has asked whether the 224 posts will be created temporarily. It has also asked that if Centre stopped giving 100% grants, who will bear the expenses. It wants to know whether these posts would be absorbed in the forest department and if yes, how.
The finance officials have further asked whether there is a provision to relax educational qualification for 30% of the STPF staff that would be from local communities as they would be paid salary equivalent to foresters and forest guards. Sources said, these queries appear frivolous in nature and some (like educational qualification bit) have nothing to do with finance department.
As per the NTCA guidelines, STPF personnel will have to undergo training from police and para military forces. "There is a need to take home ministry's view on the issue," the finance department has said. It has also stated that as per the norms, the STPF recruits should not be above 40 years. On this condition, the NTCA approval will be needed, they mentioned.
Senior forest officials are upset by the irrelevant queries. All the issues were sorted out in the meeting with Pawar. Finance department officials were also present. "Why did they not raise these queries then," they asked. Former PCCF (wildlife) D C Pant had written to additional director general of police (DGP), training, about training STPF personnel. However, police department showed inability to train them.
Top forest officials said money towards salaries of the staff would come from the NTCA. "If, after 10 years, the Centre stops grants, by that time many employees in the department would have retired. Hence, there will be no additional burden on the exchequer. Pawar was convinced and only after that he gave a go ahead to STPF," they said.
Apart from Pench and Tadoba, STPF is to be set up in Dudhwa-Katerniaghat and Corbett in Uttar Pradesh, Ranthambhore in Rajasthan, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench in Madhya Pradesh, Pakke in Arunachal Pradesh, Bandipore in Karnataka, Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu, Kaziranga in Assam and Similipal in Orissa.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Finance-Dept-stalls-tiger-force-formation/articleshow/7967450.cms
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tiger dies in Kaziranga National Park PTI
GOLAGHAT: A tiger was found dead in Assam's Kaziranga National Park on Tuesday, park officials said.
The tiger was found dead in Kachpara area of Kohora range of the park by forest guards this morning, Park director Surajit Dutta said.
The cause of death appeared to be natural and was due to old age, he said.
The tiger was found dead in Kachpara area of Kohora range of the park by forest guards this morning, Park director Surajit Dutta said.
The cause of death appeared to be natural and was due to old age, he said.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
More green cover for Corbett tigers
The indomitable tigers of Corbett are set to get more breathing space with the environment ministry sanctioning Rs 65 crore for relocating 1,000 homes in Sundherkhal village. Sunderkhal falls in the tiger corridor connecting dense forest on two sides of the Kosi river. Now, in a bid to check
man-tiger conflict — tigers have killed at least a dozen people in the village in the last four months — the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has decided to release R65 crore for relocation of the village and implementing the annual action plan of Corbett in the current financial year.
With the tiger population in Corbett rising to 214 from 164 in last four years, the village has borne the maximum onslaught. After Kaziranga, Corbett witnessed maximum increase in tiger population.
“I agree the man-tiger conflict is a very sensitive and major issue in Uttarakhand as in some other states,” environment minister Jairam Ramesh said in a letter to Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal.
Over 40 people have died in tiger-human conflict in the state in the last six months, which also resulted in death of about eight tigers.
The digital mapping of tigers in Corbett shows the new tiger population has spread to the outskirts of 2,295-sq km big reserve, especially in the Ram Nagar forest division, where the Sunderkhal village is located.
Under the plan, each household will get either Rs 10 lakh as compensation or an alternative land. The relocation, however, will be voluntary in nature.
NCTA’s generosity may fall short of expectations as there is no plan to check the growth of hotels/resorts on the banks of Kosi around Sunderkhal. “Most of these resorts have come up on revenue land which is not under the forest department’s jurisdiction,” said a state forest department official.
Although Jairam Ramesh has emphasised on a check on unregulated growth of hotel industry around Corbett, he has pushed the ball into the state’s court to take action.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/More-green-cover-for-Corbett-tigers/Article1-683923.aspx
man-tiger conflict — tigers have killed at least a dozen people in the village in the last four months — the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has decided to release R65 crore for relocation of the village and implementing the annual action plan of Corbett in the current financial year.
With the tiger population in Corbett rising to 214 from 164 in last four years, the village has borne the maximum onslaught. After Kaziranga, Corbett witnessed maximum increase in tiger population.
“I agree the man-tiger conflict is a very sensitive and major issue in Uttarakhand as in some other states,” environment minister Jairam Ramesh said in a letter to Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal.
Over 40 people have died in tiger-human conflict in the state in the last six months, which also resulted in death of about eight tigers.
The digital mapping of tigers in Corbett shows the new tiger population has spread to the outskirts of 2,295-sq km big reserve, especially in the Ram Nagar forest division, where the Sunderkhal village is located.
Under the plan, each household will get either Rs 10 lakh as compensation or an alternative land. The relocation, however, will be voluntary in nature.
NCTA’s generosity may fall short of expectations as there is no plan to check the growth of hotels/resorts on the banks of Kosi around Sunderkhal. “Most of these resorts have come up on revenue land which is not under the forest department’s jurisdiction,” said a state forest department official.
Although Jairam Ramesh has emphasised on a check on unregulated growth of hotel industry around Corbett, he has pushed the ball into the state’s court to take action.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/More-green-cover-for-Corbett-tigers/Article1-683923.aspx
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Tiger tally dips in Madhya Pradesh, govt demands census re-evaluation
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government has rejected the latest 2011 tiger census calling for a re-evaluation following a decline in the tiger tally.
Earlier tagged as the Tiger State with the highest number of big cats, it has now lost that status to Karnataka.
The state now has 257 tigers vis-à-vis the 300 recorded during the previous census.
The situation is especially worrisome at the famous Kanha National Park which now has just 60 tigers.
The government though has trashed the findings of the census.
"We don't agree with the numbers as survey at the Kanha National Park is yet to be completed. Once that happens, the tiger population figure will surely change", said state Forest Minister Sartaaj Singh.
As per the wildlife institute data, the tiger habitat in the state has shrunk by nearly 3000 square kilometres. The Opposition is blaming the government for the decline in the numbers.
"The falling numbers of wild animals in Madhya Pradesh is a cause for concern. Our state had the highest numbers of tigers at one point. The Forest Minister and the Chief Minister are responsible for this", said Choudhary Rakesh Singh, Acting Leader of the Opposition, Madhya Pradesh.
Even as the overall tiger count has gone up in the latest census, the falling numbers in the state has emerged as a big concern.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/tiger-tally-dips-in-madhya-pradesh-govt-demands-census-re-evaluation-97472
Earlier tagged as the Tiger State with the highest number of big cats, it has now lost that status to Karnataka.
The state now has 257 tigers vis-à-vis the 300 recorded during the previous census.
The situation is especially worrisome at the famous Kanha National Park which now has just 60 tigers.
The government though has trashed the findings of the census.
"We don't agree with the numbers as survey at the Kanha National Park is yet to be completed. Once that happens, the tiger population figure will surely change", said state Forest Minister Sartaaj Singh.
As per the wildlife institute data, the tiger habitat in the state has shrunk by nearly 3000 square kilometres. The Opposition is blaming the government for the decline in the numbers.
"The falling numbers of wild animals in Madhya Pradesh is a cause for concern. Our state had the highest numbers of tigers at one point. The Forest Minister and the Chief Minister are responsible for this", said Choudhary Rakesh Singh, Acting Leader of the Opposition, Madhya Pradesh.
Even as the overall tiger count has gone up in the latest census, the falling numbers in the state has emerged as a big concern.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/tiger-tally-dips-in-madhya-pradesh-govt-demands-census-re-evaluation-97472
Maharashtra mulls tiger tourism
The Maharashtra government is proposing to tag Nagpur as the ‘tiger capital’ of the state to gain more visitors as it gears up to promote the state on India’s tourist map.
“We have decided to make Nagpur the gateway to the tiger land as Maharashtra and Gujarat have the highest tiger population (in the country). States like Gujarat and Kerala are already promoting their assets... in order to stay in competition we will now promote what we have in abundance,” Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan told reporters who visited the state recently as part of a tour organised by the Maharashtra government.
Maharashtra has a tiger population of 169 as per the 2010 census, Nagpur being the highest scorer with 148 tigers.
The total number of tigers has gone up from 103 to 169 in a period of four years.
“Nagpur is the major store house of tigers as the city alone has three tiger reserves and more than five sanctuaries. In all Maharashtra has four reserves and 34 sanctuaries,” A K Khetrapal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) told PTI.
“The tiger population has gone up from 53 to 69 in Tadoba reserve and from 30 to 35 in Melghat reserve since 2006. Besides this, the tiger population has seen an increase in the sanctuaries of Sahadyri -- Sindhudurg with 21 tigers, Nagjira-Navegaon -- 20 tigers and Bor -- 12 tigers,” said Khetrapal.
Maharashtra ranks after Uttarakhand in terms of increase in the tiger population, followed by Assam, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The tiger-census carried out in three phases across the country in 2010 reported the number of tigers to have gone up from 1411 (in 2006) to 1706.
Among various enhanced conservation and protection measures undertaken by the state to provide a safe shelter to India’s national animal include creation of buffer zones ranging from eight to ten kilometres around the boundary of these reserves and sanctuaries.
“These buffer zones help in keeping the human population living around that region away from tiger attacks,” adds Khetrapal. Besides this, certain sanctuaries in Maharashtra have been declared as critical habitat areas.
“The concept behind such a habitat is to remove the entire human population dwelling there and provide them an alternate shelter. Thus providing enough space and security to the tigers,” said the official.
A protection force has also been introduced to save the animal from poachers. In addition to that, both artificial and natural water holes have been dug out to provide enough water for them during summer season.
Besides this, Archaeological Survey of India has collaborated with the Japanese Bank for International Co- operation (JBIC) to save the 1000-year-old paintings at the Ajanta Caves which are facing severe issues of water leakage and colour fading as part of the steps to rope in more tourists.
Buddhist architecture comprising 30 caves was rediscovered by a British Army Officer John Smith in 1819. Out of the 30 caves, 12 have been closed down by ASI due to water leakage.
“The leakage of water was a major issue some time ago but the problem has been resolved now. The ASI team has created separate pipes to divert the route of the leaking water thereby saving the antique wall paintings from decay,” says Abrar Hussain, a government approved tourist guide at the Ajanta caves.
The installation of fibre optic lights has proved to be the most remarkable step till date to preserve the Buddhist paintings depicting the entire life of Lord Buddha.
Perfect for light-sensitive exhibits, use of fibre optic lighting is harmless and also does not produce heat. .
“Earlier normal lighting methods which were installed inside the caves resulted in the discolouration and melting of the texture of the paintings,” adds Hussain.
Private vehicles have been banned within the periphery of about five kilometres. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has started eco-friendly CNG buses to carry tourists. The fair too has been kept nominal, ranging from Rs seven to Rs 15 for air conditioned and non-airconditioned buses respectively.
“ASI in collaboration with the Japanese Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) is currently building a replica of the entire monument for further research on the caves and its history,” adds Hussain.
Apart from this, the government is planning to raise the standard of guest houses at all tourist places to provide comfortable stay and experience to the visitors, Mr. Chavan said.
It has also been decided to focus on the rich heritage of forts in the state by allotting a separate fund for their conservation.
“Maharashtra has a large number of forts which speak about the rich Maratha lineage. It has become important to put forth this history of warriors and hence promote the state,” Mr. Chavan said.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article1684769.ece
“We have decided to make Nagpur the gateway to the tiger land as Maharashtra and Gujarat have the highest tiger population (in the country). States like Gujarat and Kerala are already promoting their assets... in order to stay in competition we will now promote what we have in abundance,” Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan told reporters who visited the state recently as part of a tour organised by the Maharashtra government.
Maharashtra has a tiger population of 169 as per the 2010 census, Nagpur being the highest scorer with 148 tigers.
The total number of tigers has gone up from 103 to 169 in a period of four years.
“Nagpur is the major store house of tigers as the city alone has three tiger reserves and more than five sanctuaries. In all Maharashtra has four reserves and 34 sanctuaries,” A K Khetrapal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) told PTI.
“The tiger population has gone up from 53 to 69 in Tadoba reserve and from 30 to 35 in Melghat reserve since 2006. Besides this, the tiger population has seen an increase in the sanctuaries of Sahadyri -- Sindhudurg with 21 tigers, Nagjira-Navegaon -- 20 tigers and Bor -- 12 tigers,” said Khetrapal.
Maharashtra ranks after Uttarakhand in terms of increase in the tiger population, followed by Assam, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The tiger-census carried out in three phases across the country in 2010 reported the number of tigers to have gone up from 1411 (in 2006) to 1706.
Among various enhanced conservation and protection measures undertaken by the state to provide a safe shelter to India’s national animal include creation of buffer zones ranging from eight to ten kilometres around the boundary of these reserves and sanctuaries.
“These buffer zones help in keeping the human population living around that region away from tiger attacks,” adds Khetrapal. Besides this, certain sanctuaries in Maharashtra have been declared as critical habitat areas.
“The concept behind such a habitat is to remove the entire human population dwelling there and provide them an alternate shelter. Thus providing enough space and security to the tigers,” said the official.
A protection force has also been introduced to save the animal from poachers. In addition to that, both artificial and natural water holes have been dug out to provide enough water for them during summer season.
Besides this, Archaeological Survey of India has collaborated with the Japanese Bank for International Co- operation (JBIC) to save the 1000-year-old paintings at the Ajanta Caves which are facing severe issues of water leakage and colour fading as part of the steps to rope in more tourists.
Buddhist architecture comprising 30 caves was rediscovered by a British Army Officer John Smith in 1819. Out of the 30 caves, 12 have been closed down by ASI due to water leakage.
“The leakage of water was a major issue some time ago but the problem has been resolved now. The ASI team has created separate pipes to divert the route of the leaking water thereby saving the antique wall paintings from decay,” says Abrar Hussain, a government approved tourist guide at the Ajanta caves.
The installation of fibre optic lights has proved to be the most remarkable step till date to preserve the Buddhist paintings depicting the entire life of Lord Buddha.
Perfect for light-sensitive exhibits, use of fibre optic lighting is harmless and also does not produce heat. .
“Earlier normal lighting methods which were installed inside the caves resulted in the discolouration and melting of the texture of the paintings,” adds Hussain.
Private vehicles have been banned within the periphery of about five kilometres. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has started eco-friendly CNG buses to carry tourists. The fair too has been kept nominal, ranging from Rs seven to Rs 15 for air conditioned and non-airconditioned buses respectively.
“ASI in collaboration with the Japanese Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) is currently building a replica of the entire monument for further research on the caves and its history,” adds Hussain.
Apart from this, the government is planning to raise the standard of guest houses at all tourist places to provide comfortable stay and experience to the visitors, Mr. Chavan said.
It has also been decided to focus on the rich heritage of forts in the state by allotting a separate fund for their conservation.
“Maharashtra has a large number of forts which speak about the rich Maratha lineage. It has become important to put forth this history of warriors and hence promote the state,” Mr. Chavan said.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article1684769.ece
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)