In yet another death of a big cat in Ramnagar Forest Division near Corbett Tiger Reserve, a male tiger died on Tuesday while under observation, after it was rescued on Monday evening by local foresters. Cause of death was not known till late evening as postmortem was yet to take place. The tiger wa
s rescued in serious condition on Monday from Kota forest range of Ramnagar division.
According to officials, the big cat had serious injuries on neck and other parts indicating that he was engaged in some severe territorial fight with another tiger.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tiger-found-dead-near-Corbett-park/Article1-704243.aspx
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Man-animal conflict intensifies in Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal, June 1 (IANS) Man-animal conflict is intensifying in Madhya Pradesh with regular incidents of attacks on humans as big cats stray into inhabited areas because they are forced to move out of their shrinking reserves for food, say wildlife officials.
‘It is a well-known fact that habitat of wild animals is shrinking and this is resulting in man-animal conflict. In Madhya Pradesh, on an average, at least 35 people are killed and 1,000 are injured every year in the attack by wild animals,’ H.S. Pabla, the state’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), told IANS.
The state has six tiger reserves, nine national parks and 23 wildlife sanctuaries.
A tiger had killed two people, including a woman, outside the boundary of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in the state’s Umaria district May 23.
In late April a panther had strayed into the Boat Club area of Bhopal.
It was captured and released in the Ratapani sanctuary, but another panther in Vidisha district was not so lucky. The animal was killed by angry villagers as it strayed into a human settlement and attacked some people.
‘When any wild animal strays into human habitat, we think it is encroaching upon our land. But actually the situation is just opposite,’ says Pabla.
The view is shared by other officials.
‘If you ask any historian of Bhopal, they will tell you that till the 1970s, the heart of the town used to be forest area and tigers roamed freely there but since then, things have changed completely leading to man-animal conflict,’ J.S.Chouhan, the director of Van Vihar in the heart of Bhopal, told IANS.
Wildlife officials also cite increasing development activities as being responsible for the shrinking wildlife habitat.
‘Developmental activities are leaving an adverse impact on the wildlife and jungles, which are under immense pressure,’ said C.K. Patil, director of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
R.S. Murthy, director of the Panna Tiger Reserve, also noted the habitat quality of wild animals, including panthers and tigers, is gradually declining, leading to the attacks.
‘Tigers stay in deep forest and attack only when humans confront them,’ he added.
The officials are concerned over the state government’s decision to give land tenure deeds to forest dwellers. ‘This will only increase human activities in the jungles and will add pressure on the wildlife,’ said a forest officer.
(Shahnawaz Akhtar can be contacted at shahnawaz.a@ians.in)
http://www.inewsone.com/2011/06/01/man-animal-conflict-intensifies-in-madhya-pradesh/54425
‘It is a well-known fact that habitat of wild animals is shrinking and this is resulting in man-animal conflict. In Madhya Pradesh, on an average, at least 35 people are killed and 1,000 are injured every year in the attack by wild animals,’ H.S. Pabla, the state’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), told IANS.
The state has six tiger reserves, nine national parks and 23 wildlife sanctuaries.
A tiger had killed two people, including a woman, outside the boundary of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in the state’s Umaria district May 23.
In late April a panther had strayed into the Boat Club area of Bhopal.
It was captured and released in the Ratapani sanctuary, but another panther in Vidisha district was not so lucky. The animal was killed by angry villagers as it strayed into a human settlement and attacked some people.
‘When any wild animal strays into human habitat, we think it is encroaching upon our land. But actually the situation is just opposite,’ says Pabla.
The view is shared by other officials.
‘If you ask any historian of Bhopal, they will tell you that till the 1970s, the heart of the town used to be forest area and tigers roamed freely there but since then, things have changed completely leading to man-animal conflict,’ J.S.Chouhan, the director of Van Vihar in the heart of Bhopal, told IANS.
Wildlife officials also cite increasing development activities as being responsible for the shrinking wildlife habitat.
‘Developmental activities are leaving an adverse impact on the wildlife and jungles, which are under immense pressure,’ said C.K. Patil, director of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
R.S. Murthy, director of the Panna Tiger Reserve, also noted the habitat quality of wild animals, including panthers and tigers, is gradually declining, leading to the attacks.
‘Tigers stay in deep forest and attack only when humans confront them,’ he added.
The officials are concerned over the state government’s decision to give land tenure deeds to forest dwellers. ‘This will only increase human activities in the jungles and will add pressure on the wildlife,’ said a forest officer.
(Shahnawaz Akhtar can be contacted at shahnawaz.a@ians.in)
http://www.inewsone.com/2011/06/01/man-animal-conflict-intensifies-in-madhya-pradesh/54425
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sariska to test samples of tiger scat TNN
JAIPUR: Tired of the wait and watch game, the state forest department has decided to send scat samples to laboratories based in Hyderabad for investigating into the reasons why the tigresses at the Sariska tiger reserve are not bearing cubs.
It has been three years since the tigresses were relocated to the Sariska reserve from Ranthambore and till now no cubs have been born.
"We have collected scat (feces, a waste product produced in the digestive tract) samples of the tigress and we will be sending them to a laboratory based in Hyderabad to check if the big cats at Sariska are suffering from any hormonal imbalances. The samples will be send in three batches at intervals of 10 days," U M Sahai, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan, said.
Currently, there are three tigresses and two male tigers at the Sariska national park but despite having mated several times, the tigresses have not been able to produce any offspring. One of the male tigers ST-1, the first to be relocated to Sariska, died last year after it was poisoned by villagers.
Sariska's irony lies in the fact that the Panna tiger reserve that followed the example of Sariska in relocating tigers, has already seen cubs being born. Sariska continues to wait.
"These scat samples will be of male and female tigers. The purpose is to see if any of them are suffering from any hormonal imbalance," a source said.
The issue gathered steam in a workshop organised on the Challenges Ahead for rebuilding Sariska by the Sariska Tiger Foundation. Most of the speakers harped on the non-birth of cubs at the reserve.
Principal secretary forest and environment VS Singh felt that the portion of the reserve that was open to tourism was a very small fraction of the park. "What happens is that there are too many tourists that come into the arena resulting in stress for the tigers," he said.
Others felt that the tigers being sibling to each other has deterred them from producing any offspring despite having mated with each other. And yet others were of the opinion that the big cats were not mature enough to produce any off spring and felt that new ones will be born within a couple of years.
Even R N Mehrotra, head of the forest force, Rajasthan was hopeful. "The tigers have been mating. Even ST-1 would have fathered some cubs had he been alive. But now, we have ST-4 and with time I am sure Sariska would see cubs," he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Sariska-to-test-samples-of-tiger-scat/articleshow/8654698.cms
It has been three years since the tigresses were relocated to the Sariska reserve from Ranthambore and till now no cubs have been born.
"We have collected scat (feces, a waste product produced in the digestive tract) samples of the tigress and we will be sending them to a laboratory based in Hyderabad to check if the big cats at Sariska are suffering from any hormonal imbalances. The samples will be send in three batches at intervals of 10 days," U M Sahai, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan, said.
Currently, there are three tigresses and two male tigers at the Sariska national park but despite having mated several times, the tigresses have not been able to produce any offspring. One of the male tigers ST-1, the first to be relocated to Sariska, died last year after it was poisoned by villagers.
Sariska's irony lies in the fact that the Panna tiger reserve that followed the example of Sariska in relocating tigers, has already seen cubs being born. Sariska continues to wait.
"These scat samples will be of male and female tigers. The purpose is to see if any of them are suffering from any hormonal imbalance," a source said.
The issue gathered steam in a workshop organised on the Challenges Ahead for rebuilding Sariska by the Sariska Tiger Foundation. Most of the speakers harped on the non-birth of cubs at the reserve.
Principal secretary forest and environment VS Singh felt that the portion of the reserve that was open to tourism was a very small fraction of the park. "What happens is that there are too many tourists that come into the arena resulting in stress for the tigers," he said.
Others felt that the tigers being sibling to each other has deterred them from producing any offspring despite having mated with each other. And yet others were of the opinion that the big cats were not mature enough to produce any off spring and felt that new ones will be born within a couple of years.
Even R N Mehrotra, head of the forest force, Rajasthan was hopeful. "The tigers have been mating. Even ST-1 would have fathered some cubs had he been alive. But now, we have ST-4 and with time I am sure Sariska would see cubs," he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Sariska-to-test-samples-of-tiger-scat/articleshow/8654698.cms
Three tiger cubs Bor's new guests Vijay Pinjarkar /, TNN
NAGPUR: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have estimated the presence of 12 tigers in and around the Bor wildlife sanctuary, 60 km from Nagpur, but the number may be pegged at 15, with three new cubs being sighted recently.
A tigress with two-month-old three cubs - one male and two females - was first sighted in the Bor sanctuary by the field staff in March in the sanctuary's 'no-go' zone. The news was kept under wraps to ensure safety of the animals. The cubs are healthy and now four months old.
The entry of new tiger cubs shows that the 62 sq km Bor is becoming a breeding ground for tigers with cubs being born every year. In 2008, a tigress with three cubs, then one more tigress with two cubs in 2009, followed by another tigress with a cub in 2010 and three cubs in 2011.
Talking to TOI, A Ashraf, field director and conservator of forests, Pench tiger reserve, said this seems to be the first litter of the tigress. "Better protection, good prey base and availability of water are three key factors why Bor is becoming a safe haven for tigers," Ashraf stressed.
The results of the 2010 national tiger assessment, conducted nationally every four years by the NTCA and WII, says that Bor has 12 tigers in the 560 sq km area. However, experts say most of the tigers are Bor residents and move in the 10-15 km periphery of the sanctuary.
"Even if the tiger presence is shown in the 560 sq km area around Bor, it is the result of WII's extrapolation technique implemented on the basis of data collected from a high tiger density area," conservationists explained.
It is not only the tigers that have been multiplying but the herbivore population has also seen a jump. During a visit, flock of peacocks, herds of chital, nilgais, wild boars and sambars and a variety of bird species were sighted.
Although improved wildlife sightings in Bor is a good indication, the sanctuary needs enhanced protection and habitat management, especially in the forest areas surrounding it. The biggest threat that Bor faces today is from forest fires. Tendu collection in the 5 km area around the sanctuary needs to be banned completely. This season around 800 hectares of forest was destroyed in the ground fire.
Ashraf admits fires are a big threat. More funds have been sought this year for various works like habitat management, water conservation, fire line tracing, meadows etc. "Our focus will be on rejuvenating natural water sources instead of more saucer-shaped water holes," he added. Sources said Rs 45 lakh has been sought for Bor this year.
Tourist Robin Sonkar says the sanctuary needs better road connectivity to ease congestion on one single road. Guides need to be well-dressed and trained properly.
At present, roads upto 20 km are meant for tourism. There is scope to develop roads by another 20 km from Salaikala-Bhulaidoh-Karai and Gavhankhedi-Manoli-Sukli. This will help better movement of vehicles. Roads for monitoring by the field staff also need to be developed. "There is a need to develop circulating roads for better vehicle distribution," demanded Sonkar. Ashraf says the proposal to develop roads in the sanctuary and in the 'no-go' zone of Khorikhapa is under consideration.
A section of field staff stressed the need for revising the beat area as one guard handles an area of around 1,000 hectares. Ashraf informed that the proposal to revise beats is also under consideration.
The check-posts at Bor need basic equipment like chair, cots, table etc. The staff has not received uniform since 2007. The life of staff quarters, owned by the irrigation department, is crumbling and badly needs renovation. However, officials say funds are a problem.
The number of tigers going up has led to sporadic rise in attacks. In the last one month three villagers have been attacked outside the sanctuary. The area belongs to the territorial department. Compensation has not been paid.
G B Mahure, president of Bor Foundation, says that of late, villagers have been speaking against tigers owing to attacks and cattle kills. Delay in compensation will go against tigers, he cautioned.
WHY TIGERS BREED IN BOR
NO VILLAGES: No village inside the reserve. Hence, human presence minimum leading to good breeding
WATER: Good water availability is the basic requirement. Bor is surrounded by a dam. There is plenty of water. Backwaters have dense bushes and water round the year make it a good habitat
PROTECTION: Breeding of tigers is an indication that protection has increased. However, there is need to increase staff instead of reducing it due to hike in wages
PREY BASE: One more reason for good breeding is increase in prey base. There is increase in number of animals. Herds of chitals are sighted even outside the sanctuary. Besides, surrounded by farms from all sides, cattle is easily available.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Three-tiger-cubs-Bors-new-guests/articleshow/8651890.cms
A tigress with two-month-old three cubs - one male and two females - was first sighted in the Bor sanctuary by the field staff in March in the sanctuary's 'no-go' zone. The news was kept under wraps to ensure safety of the animals. The cubs are healthy and now four months old.
The entry of new tiger cubs shows that the 62 sq km Bor is becoming a breeding ground for tigers with cubs being born every year. In 2008, a tigress with three cubs, then one more tigress with two cubs in 2009, followed by another tigress with a cub in 2010 and three cubs in 2011.
Talking to TOI, A Ashraf, field director and conservator of forests, Pench tiger reserve, said this seems to be the first litter of the tigress. "Better protection, good prey base and availability of water are three key factors why Bor is becoming a safe haven for tigers," Ashraf stressed.
The results of the 2010 national tiger assessment, conducted nationally every four years by the NTCA and WII, says that Bor has 12 tigers in the 560 sq km area. However, experts say most of the tigers are Bor residents and move in the 10-15 km periphery of the sanctuary.
"Even if the tiger presence is shown in the 560 sq km area around Bor, it is the result of WII's extrapolation technique implemented on the basis of data collected from a high tiger density area," conservationists explained.
It is not only the tigers that have been multiplying but the herbivore population has also seen a jump. During a visit, flock of peacocks, herds of chital, nilgais, wild boars and sambars and a variety of bird species were sighted.
Although improved wildlife sightings in Bor is a good indication, the sanctuary needs enhanced protection and habitat management, especially in the forest areas surrounding it. The biggest threat that Bor faces today is from forest fires. Tendu collection in the 5 km area around the sanctuary needs to be banned completely. This season around 800 hectares of forest was destroyed in the ground fire.
Ashraf admits fires are a big threat. More funds have been sought this year for various works like habitat management, water conservation, fire line tracing, meadows etc. "Our focus will be on rejuvenating natural water sources instead of more saucer-shaped water holes," he added. Sources said Rs 45 lakh has been sought for Bor this year.
Tourist Robin Sonkar says the sanctuary needs better road connectivity to ease congestion on one single road. Guides need to be well-dressed and trained properly.
At present, roads upto 20 km are meant for tourism. There is scope to develop roads by another 20 km from Salaikala-Bhulaidoh-Karai and Gavhankhedi-Manoli-Sukli. This will help better movement of vehicles. Roads for monitoring by the field staff also need to be developed. "There is a need to develop circulating roads for better vehicle distribution," demanded Sonkar. Ashraf says the proposal to develop roads in the sanctuary and in the 'no-go' zone of Khorikhapa is under consideration.
A section of field staff stressed the need for revising the beat area as one guard handles an area of around 1,000 hectares. Ashraf informed that the proposal to revise beats is also under consideration.
The check-posts at Bor need basic equipment like chair, cots, table etc. The staff has not received uniform since 2007. The life of staff quarters, owned by the irrigation department, is crumbling and badly needs renovation. However, officials say funds are a problem.
The number of tigers going up has led to sporadic rise in attacks. In the last one month three villagers have been attacked outside the sanctuary. The area belongs to the territorial department. Compensation has not been paid.
G B Mahure, president of Bor Foundation, says that of late, villagers have been speaking against tigers owing to attacks and cattle kills. Delay in compensation will go against tigers, he cautioned.
WHY TIGERS BREED IN BOR
NO VILLAGES: No village inside the reserve. Hence, human presence minimum leading to good breeding
WATER: Good water availability is the basic requirement. Bor is surrounded by a dam. There is plenty of water. Backwaters have dense bushes and water round the year make it a good habitat
PROTECTION: Breeding of tigers is an indication that protection has increased. However, there is need to increase staff instead of reducing it due to hike in wages
PREY BASE: One more reason for good breeding is increase in prey base. There is increase in number of animals. Herds of chitals are sighted even outside the sanctuary. Besides, surrounded by farms from all sides, cattle is easily available.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Three-tiger-cubs-Bors-new-guests/articleshow/8651890.cms
Latest technologies to support wildlife conservation
BANGALORE/CHENNAI: India's wildlife and forest management officials are finding a new way of dealing with endangered fauna - by using simple but effective technology tools such as radio sensor tagging that helps in tracking the movement and breeding of these animals. A pitched battle is being waged by conservationists, the government and non-government organisations to save India's national animal, the magnificent tiger, from extinction and technology is at the centre of the efforts being made. Simple technology is being used extensively to estimate, track and protect the remaining 1,706 tigers across the country.
To the surprise and dismay of many, the 2006 tiger census said there were only 1,411 tigers left in the country. The 2010 census found the numbers going up to 1706 but habitats were shrinking rapidly. The technology aided census has been useful in coming up with a fairly realistic number that drives home the gravity of the problem, which was hitherto little known. Until the 'project tiger' efforts of 2006, tiger habitats in India were relatively unknown. With the use of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS), the government was able to identify potential tiger habitats. In the same project, with the use of camera traps, reliable population estimation of this elusive species was made. "These are landmark developments in integrating technology with mainstream conservation," said PR Sinha, director, Wild Life Institute of India.
During the survey, officials used radio telemetry, satellite tracking, geographical information systems and global positioning systems to count tigers. In the first phase of the Rs 9.1-crore tiger census, field data was collected by trained people. In the second phase, tiger habitats were analysed using satellite data while in the third, hi-tech cameras were installed at strategic points to count tigers. "This was a massive exercise we undertook in which technology played a major role," says Sinha. Nearly six lakh square kilometres of forest was assessed in 17 states using remote sensing data.
The Wild Life Institute of India is also helping authorities to prosecute offenders by churning out forensic data. "We do DNA analysis and other forensic studies to help law enforcement nail poachers," he added.
SIMPLE TOOLS
Radio telemetry is a simple technology used extensively by wildlifers. The technology -- which uses radio waves emitted from a transmitter attached to an animal to track and monitor them -- was developed in the United States in the 1960s. "Radio tagging has been a real break through in tracking cats, nocturnal animals, or to track long distance migrations like that of turtles or whales," says Ullas Karanth , tiger expert and conservation zoologist.
Using telemetry, it was found that the Oilve Ridley sea turtle travels all the way to Sri Lanka from the Orissa coast where they have mass nests. It was also used to identify migratory pathways of Siberian Cranes, trans-boundary movement of tiger, snow leopard and elephant, and homing-instincts of relocated mammals from as far as 400km away.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/latest-technologies-to-support-wildlife-conservation/articleshow/8655719.cms
To the surprise and dismay of many, the 2006 tiger census said there were only 1,411 tigers left in the country. The 2010 census found the numbers going up to 1706 but habitats were shrinking rapidly. The technology aided census has been useful in coming up with a fairly realistic number that drives home the gravity of the problem, which was hitherto little known. Until the 'project tiger' efforts of 2006, tiger habitats in India were relatively unknown. With the use of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS), the government was able to identify potential tiger habitats. In the same project, with the use of camera traps, reliable population estimation of this elusive species was made. "These are landmark developments in integrating technology with mainstream conservation," said PR Sinha, director, Wild Life Institute of India.
During the survey, officials used radio telemetry, satellite tracking, geographical information systems and global positioning systems to count tigers. In the first phase of the Rs 9.1-crore tiger census, field data was collected by trained people. In the second phase, tiger habitats were analysed using satellite data while in the third, hi-tech cameras were installed at strategic points to count tigers. "This was a massive exercise we undertook in which technology played a major role," says Sinha. Nearly six lakh square kilometres of forest was assessed in 17 states using remote sensing data.
The Wild Life Institute of India is also helping authorities to prosecute offenders by churning out forensic data. "We do DNA analysis and other forensic studies to help law enforcement nail poachers," he added.
SIMPLE TOOLS
Radio telemetry is a simple technology used extensively by wildlifers. The technology -- which uses radio waves emitted from a transmitter attached to an animal to track and monitor them -- was developed in the United States in the 1960s. "Radio tagging has been a real break through in tracking cats, nocturnal animals, or to track long distance migrations like that of turtles or whales," says Ullas Karanth , tiger expert and conservation zoologist.
Using telemetry, it was found that the Oilve Ridley sea turtle travels all the way to Sri Lanka from the Orissa coast where they have mass nests. It was also used to identify migratory pathways of Siberian Cranes, trans-boundary movement of tiger, snow leopard and elephant, and homing-instincts of relocated mammals from as far as 400km away.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/latest-technologies-to-support-wildlife-conservation/articleshow/8655719.cms
Monday, May 30, 2011
Radio collars a mating impediment? Rachna Singh, TNN
JAIPUR: It has been about three years since the first tiger was re-located to Sariska National Park from Ranthambhore. But so far, despite reports of tigers mating, the mystery is that they are not breeding.
This is one of the issues that the Sariska Tiger Foundation is going to discuss in Jaipur, at a technical workshop on Rebuilding Sariska: Challenges Ahead.' The workshop will include lectures on tiger reserve management, tiger monitoring and protection by various wildlife experts and delegates from wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun on Monday.
According to Sunayan Sharma senior vice president Sariska Tiger Foundation, "All matings have failed in delivering any litter. This is a matter of serious concern. On the other hand Panna is a success story. There must be some scientific explanation behind this mystery. Scientists should find answers to this question. May be that can give input to the reserve management which help the tigresses breed. If the radio collar is causing any kind of disturbance than may be it can be removed early as the animal gets settled in the new location."
The thought echoes similar opinion expressed earlier by K L Saini (retd) IFS and former field director Tiger Project Sariska from 1984 to 88 who felt that even while the radio collars were one of the best ways to monitor tiger movement, once the tiger establishes its territory and before the start of mating season, the radio collars should be removed from at least the female's neck.
"My submission that the radio collars might be a hindrance at the time of mating is on the basis of dealing with tigers in national parks, Wildlife sanctuaries and zoos' during my service of 30 years. And a little knowledge about the sexual behaviour of tigers and all other cats would justify that radio collars be removed from the neck of the female cats after they settle in their territories for successful revival of tigers in Sariska," said Saini.
Among the other issues is also the rehabilitation of Bawarias the hunter gatherer community which is skilled only in hunting and till date this is the main source of their livelihood.
"Surprisingly they have been kept deprived of the benefits of various governmental schemes, basically launched to benefit such poor sections of the society. They have not been issued Voter I.D./B.P.L.cards. They are even deprived of employment under Narega. In this matter I have been trying hard from this organisation s side for last one yr. with the district administration but of no avail," said Dinesh Durrani founder and general secretary Sariska Tiger Foundation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Radio-collars-a-mating-impediment/articleshow/8641440.cms
This is one of the issues that the Sariska Tiger Foundation is going to discuss in Jaipur, at a technical workshop on Rebuilding Sariska: Challenges Ahead.' The workshop will include lectures on tiger reserve management, tiger monitoring and protection by various wildlife experts and delegates from wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun on Monday.
According to Sunayan Sharma senior vice president Sariska Tiger Foundation, "All matings have failed in delivering any litter. This is a matter of serious concern. On the other hand Panna is a success story. There must be some scientific explanation behind this mystery. Scientists should find answers to this question. May be that can give input to the reserve management which help the tigresses breed. If the radio collar is causing any kind of disturbance than may be it can be removed early as the animal gets settled in the new location."
The thought echoes similar opinion expressed earlier by K L Saini (retd) IFS and former field director Tiger Project Sariska from 1984 to 88 who felt that even while the radio collars were one of the best ways to monitor tiger movement, once the tiger establishes its territory and before the start of mating season, the radio collars should be removed from at least the female's neck.
"My submission that the radio collars might be a hindrance at the time of mating is on the basis of dealing with tigers in national parks, Wildlife sanctuaries and zoos' during my service of 30 years. And a little knowledge about the sexual behaviour of tigers and all other cats would justify that radio collars be removed from the neck of the female cats after they settle in their territories for successful revival of tigers in Sariska," said Saini.
Among the other issues is also the rehabilitation of Bawarias the hunter gatherer community which is skilled only in hunting and till date this is the main source of their livelihood.
"Surprisingly they have been kept deprived of the benefits of various governmental schemes, basically launched to benefit such poor sections of the society. They have not been issued Voter I.D./B.P.L.cards. They are even deprived of employment under Narega. In this matter I have been trying hard from this organisation s side for last one yr. with the district administration but of no avail," said Dinesh Durrani founder and general secretary Sariska Tiger Foundation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Radio-collars-a-mating-impediment/articleshow/8641440.cms
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Jairam announces shifting guidelines from tiger areas
New Delhi: Environment and Forests Ministry has notified draft guidelines for voluntary relocation and rehabilitation of villages and dwellers from notified core or critical tiger habitats of tiger reserves, providing a fixed compensation of Rs 10 lakhs to each family under Project Tiger.
Minister Jairam Ramesh has stressed that the relocation should be entirely voluntary and not forced, respecting the rights of forest dwellers, in the process to be followed for effective conservation and protection of tigers. The 13-page draft is available on the ministry website to seek inputs from stakeholders in the next 30 days, up to June 26.
The draft makes it clear that the relocation should be limited to the “critical tiger habitats” as defined under The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and not in the buffer or peripheral areas where the co-existence of human activity is permitted but to a lesser degree.
It requires State Governments to first identify critical tiger habitats as laid down by National Tiger Conservation Authority and then go for relocation of families and villages from such areas. It stresses that even in case of voluntary relocation, “the rights of people should be recognised and settled before relocation”.
The draft lays down detailed operational guidelines for relocating villages and involving the local Gram Sabha at every stage, right from preparing record of forest rights to verification of dwellers, delineation on a map, prioritising villages, cut off date for residing families and choice of options.
It requires that a meeting of the concerned Gram Sabha be convened with active participation of villagers to be relocated and they must be informed about the details of the critical tiger habitat, its importance, man-tiger conflict, options available under voluntary resettlement for payment, process of relocation and rehabilitation and a grievance redressal system.
Whether a dweller opts for cash compensation of Rs 10 lakhs per family without wanting any rehabilitation or relocation by forest department or agrees for relocation and rehabilitation, Centre will be providing only Rs 10 lakhs per family and it would be up to State Government to provide more compensation if felt necessary in the second option.
The cash option to families wishing to settle elsewhere also has checks and balances as the money will be released by the district collector only after they produce evidence of procuring alternate land. Only after villagers give due consent that Government will proceed with valuation of recognised rights and assets of villagers.
The draft also envisages that a minimum Rs 3 lakhs out of cash compensation will be in fixed deposit for three years to ensure interest payment to relocated villagers. Also, the lump-sum payment of Rs 10 lakhs will be deposited in beneficiary’s joint account with spouse in case of a married individual.
In case, the villagers through Gram Sabha do not agree for the lump-sum payment and demand due compensation for their assets, the draft lays down that they will get compensation proportionate to their assets as per valuation by the collector and the balance amount will be distributed equally to all eligible families.
However, those wanting Forest Department to relocate and rehabilitate them, the draft envisages allocation of two hectares of agriculture land per family and diversion of degraded forest land for the purpose with due clearance if revenue land is not available. Thirty per cent of total package of Rs 10 lakhs will be given as compensation for their assets. If the assets of an entire village exceeds 30 per cent of the package, the balance has to be funded by the State Government.
In case of agricultural land made available free of cost, the draft provides for 35 per cent of total package spent on creating community facilities. The draft also recommends dovetailing relocation of villages in a state-level rehabilitation act for project affected persons as done for national parks and sanctuaries by Maharashtra Government through its Act passed in 2001 to ensure development benefits to relocated families.
http://oheraldo.in/news/Main%20Page%20News/Jairam-announces-shifting-guidelines-from-tiger-areas/48604.html
Minister Jairam Ramesh has stressed that the relocation should be entirely voluntary and not forced, respecting the rights of forest dwellers, in the process to be followed for effective conservation and protection of tigers. The 13-page draft is available on the ministry website to seek inputs from stakeholders in the next 30 days, up to June 26.
The draft makes it clear that the relocation should be limited to the “critical tiger habitats” as defined under The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and not in the buffer or peripheral areas where the co-existence of human activity is permitted but to a lesser degree.
It requires State Governments to first identify critical tiger habitats as laid down by National Tiger Conservation Authority and then go for relocation of families and villages from such areas. It stresses that even in case of voluntary relocation, “the rights of people should be recognised and settled before relocation”.
The draft lays down detailed operational guidelines for relocating villages and involving the local Gram Sabha at every stage, right from preparing record of forest rights to verification of dwellers, delineation on a map, prioritising villages, cut off date for residing families and choice of options.
It requires that a meeting of the concerned Gram Sabha be convened with active participation of villagers to be relocated and they must be informed about the details of the critical tiger habitat, its importance, man-tiger conflict, options available under voluntary resettlement for payment, process of relocation and rehabilitation and a grievance redressal system.
Whether a dweller opts for cash compensation of Rs 10 lakhs per family without wanting any rehabilitation or relocation by forest department or agrees for relocation and rehabilitation, Centre will be providing only Rs 10 lakhs per family and it would be up to State Government to provide more compensation if felt necessary in the second option.
The cash option to families wishing to settle elsewhere also has checks and balances as the money will be released by the district collector only after they produce evidence of procuring alternate land. Only after villagers give due consent that Government will proceed with valuation of recognised rights and assets of villagers.
The draft also envisages that a minimum Rs 3 lakhs out of cash compensation will be in fixed deposit for three years to ensure interest payment to relocated villagers. Also, the lump-sum payment of Rs 10 lakhs will be deposited in beneficiary’s joint account with spouse in case of a married individual.
In case, the villagers through Gram Sabha do not agree for the lump-sum payment and demand due compensation for their assets, the draft lays down that they will get compensation proportionate to their assets as per valuation by the collector and the balance amount will be distributed equally to all eligible families.
However, those wanting Forest Department to relocate and rehabilitate them, the draft envisages allocation of two hectares of agriculture land per family and diversion of degraded forest land for the purpose with due clearance if revenue land is not available. Thirty per cent of total package of Rs 10 lakhs will be given as compensation for their assets. If the assets of an entire village exceeds 30 per cent of the package, the balance has to be funded by the State Government.
In case of agricultural land made available free of cost, the draft provides for 35 per cent of total package spent on creating community facilities. The draft also recommends dovetailing relocation of villages in a state-level rehabilitation act for project affected persons as done for national parks and sanctuaries by Maharashtra Government through its Act passed in 2001 to ensure development benefits to relocated families.
http://oheraldo.in/news/Main%20Page%20News/Jairam-announces-shifting-guidelines-from-tiger-areas/48604.html
Saturday, May 28, 2011
New guidelines to resettle tribals near tiger parks TNN
NEW DELHI: Scarred by the controversy over the environment ministry's attempt to brazenly relocate tribals from wildlife sanctuaries and parks, Jairam Ramesh has now proposed guidelines to resettle people specifically from tiger reserves.
The environment ministry had to withdraw the controversial regulations when it came under flak from tribal groups and re-issue a fresh set of rules.
The guidelines issued on Friday are specifically intended for tiger reserves. The relocation of people from tiger reserves as well as other sanctuaries has always been a controversial process but this got mired in greater conflict when the Forest Rights Act was promulgated. Just before the Act was enacted, the environment ministry moved swiftly to amend the Wildlife Protection Act and create a special dispensation for tiger reserves as different from other wildlife parks and sanctuaries.
The overlap of the two laws created a piquant situation requiring the government to get the existing wildlife parks and sanctuaries to be re-christened as 'critical wildlife habitats' if the forest department wanted to keep them free of people through a process set in the Forest Rights Act. This process is yet to begin.
For the tiger-bearing areas – whether national parks or sanctuaries – the environment ministry is required to get them declared as 'tiger reserves' by demarcating the lands and resettling people after settling the rights of the people under the Forest Rights Act.
The regulations are intended to set a formal protocol for such relocations from the identified tiger reserves. In the last meeting of the apex National Tiger Conservation Authority, several non-official members had raised concerns about cases where rights of the people were not respected while attempting to relocate them and declare the site as tiger reserve.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/New-guidelines-to-resettle-tribals-near-tiger-parks/articleshow/8612638.cms
The environment ministry had to withdraw the controversial regulations when it came under flak from tribal groups and re-issue a fresh set of rules.
The guidelines issued on Friday are specifically intended for tiger reserves. The relocation of people from tiger reserves as well as other sanctuaries has always been a controversial process but this got mired in greater conflict when the Forest Rights Act was promulgated. Just before the Act was enacted, the environment ministry moved swiftly to amend the Wildlife Protection Act and create a special dispensation for tiger reserves as different from other wildlife parks and sanctuaries.
The overlap of the two laws created a piquant situation requiring the government to get the existing wildlife parks and sanctuaries to be re-christened as 'critical wildlife habitats' if the forest department wanted to keep them free of people through a process set in the Forest Rights Act. This process is yet to begin.
For the tiger-bearing areas – whether national parks or sanctuaries – the environment ministry is required to get them declared as 'tiger reserves' by demarcating the lands and resettling people after settling the rights of the people under the Forest Rights Act.
The regulations are intended to set a formal protocol for such relocations from the identified tiger reserves. In the last meeting of the apex National Tiger Conservation Authority, several non-official members had raised concerns about cases where rights of the people were not respected while attempting to relocate them and declare the site as tiger reserve.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/New-guidelines-to-resettle-tribals-near-tiger-parks/articleshow/8612638.cms
State wants spl training for Similipal tiger guards TNN
BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Thursday asked the Centre to train youths recruited for the special tiger protection force ( STPF) at Similipal, at CRPF or BSF bases.
At a meeting with Union environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh in New Delhi, state forest and environment minister Debi Prasad Mishra also requested him to release Rs 10 crore for Similipal Biosphere Reserve. The Union minister agreed to do so within July.
Earlier, the state government had submitted a Management Action Plan for the Similipal Biosphere Reserve under the Central Plan scheme. Mishra also sought Rs170 crore more under the CAMPA fund stating that the state has already utilized a substantive part of it. Ramesh promised to release the money in July. The state minister took up proposals for conservation of wetlands like Daha, Kanjia, Kuanria and Ansupa, beside the mangroves of Bhitarkanika with Ramesh.
He discussed the establishment of National Wetlands Development and Eco System Research and Training Centre at Bhubaneswar for which Ramesh said Rs 10 crore has already been approved. Mishra told Ramesh that coal washeries had been causing lot of pollution in the state and suggested the MoEF review the condition. Among other issues discussed included removal of dry bamboo from Satkosia Tiger Reserve and sanction of 5,000 eco-clubs for the state. Ramesh said he has plans to visit Similipal in the first week of July.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/State-wants-spl-training-for-Similipal-tiger-guards/articleshow/8593111.cms
At a meeting with Union environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh in New Delhi, state forest and environment minister Debi Prasad Mishra also requested him to release Rs 10 crore for Similipal Biosphere Reserve. The Union minister agreed to do so within July.
Earlier, the state government had submitted a Management Action Plan for the Similipal Biosphere Reserve under the Central Plan scheme. Mishra also sought Rs170 crore more under the CAMPA fund stating that the state has already utilized a substantive part of it. Ramesh promised to release the money in July. The state minister took up proposals for conservation of wetlands like Daha, Kanjia, Kuanria and Ansupa, beside the mangroves of Bhitarkanika with Ramesh.
He discussed the establishment of National Wetlands Development and Eco System Research and Training Centre at Bhubaneswar for which Ramesh said Rs 10 crore has already been approved. Mishra told Ramesh that coal washeries had been causing lot of pollution in the state and suggested the MoEF review the condition. Among other issues discussed included removal of dry bamboo from Satkosia Tiger Reserve and sanction of 5,000 eco-clubs for the state. Ramesh said he has plans to visit Similipal in the first week of July.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/State-wants-spl-training-for-Similipal-tiger-guards/articleshow/8593111.cms
Friday, May 27, 2011
NTCA office starts operation sans a head- TNN
NAGPUR: Nearly a month after it was inaugurated, the regional office of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) started its operation on Thursday from Ravi Nagar.
The NTCA office was inaugurated by union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh and chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on April 27, since then the office was locked.
TOI's visit to the office on Thursday found that wildlife veterinarian Dr A D Kholkute, who has been appointed as a consultant, was sitting in the office. The furniture has been hired from the adjoining working plan office and arrangement for fans has also been made.
NTCA sources said they have already appointed Ravikiran Govekar, assistant inspector general (AIG), forests, on May 11. The state government has been informed about it but has not yet relieved Govekar. Govekar is deputy conservator of forests with Allapalli wildlife division.
In the meanwhile, the MoEF has taken no steps to appoint an inspector general (IG), a rank of chief conservator of forests (CCF), to head the NTCA office.
General manager of Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) Shree Bhagwan was tipped to head the office but the MoEF has not issued a notification yet. Bhagwan was not available for comments.
The state government delay in relieving Govekar and MoEF in appointing an officer to head the NTCA office here may cost dear. A section of officials feared that it may not happen that the regional office is shifted to Bhopal.
Earlier, the central office of MoEF and later the office of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) were proposed to come up at Nagpur. However, MoEF office was set up in Bhopal and WCCB in Jabalpur. "MP still considers itself to be a tiger state and must be eyeing the NTCA office," state forest officials feared.
Of the three NTCA offices in India, Nagpur is the first to be opened. It will oversee 13 tiger reserves in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The main duties of Nagpur office will be planning, monitoring, and providing necessary guidance in the field management.
NTCA officials said plans are afoot to recruit eight support ministerial staffers on outsourcing basis, but unless an IG level officer is appointed to head the office, its opening seems to be a futile exercise.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NTCA-office-starts-operation-sans-a-head/articleshow/8594202.cms
The NTCA office was inaugurated by union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh and chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on April 27, since then the office was locked.
TOI's visit to the office on Thursday found that wildlife veterinarian Dr A D Kholkute, who has been appointed as a consultant, was sitting in the office. The furniture has been hired from the adjoining working plan office and arrangement for fans has also been made.
NTCA sources said they have already appointed Ravikiran Govekar, assistant inspector general (AIG), forests, on May 11. The state government has been informed about it but has not yet relieved Govekar. Govekar is deputy conservator of forests with Allapalli wildlife division.
In the meanwhile, the MoEF has taken no steps to appoint an inspector general (IG), a rank of chief conservator of forests (CCF), to head the NTCA office.
General manager of Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) Shree Bhagwan was tipped to head the office but the MoEF has not issued a notification yet. Bhagwan was not available for comments.
The state government delay in relieving Govekar and MoEF in appointing an officer to head the NTCA office here may cost dear. A section of officials feared that it may not happen that the regional office is shifted to Bhopal.
Earlier, the central office of MoEF and later the office of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) were proposed to come up at Nagpur. However, MoEF office was set up in Bhopal and WCCB in Jabalpur. "MP still considers itself to be a tiger state and must be eyeing the NTCA office," state forest officials feared.
Of the three NTCA offices in India, Nagpur is the first to be opened. It will oversee 13 tiger reserves in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The main duties of Nagpur office will be planning, monitoring, and providing necessary guidance in the field management.
NTCA officials said plans are afoot to recruit eight support ministerial staffers on outsourcing basis, but unless an IG level officer is appointed to head the office, its opening seems to be a futile exercise.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NTCA-office-starts-operation-sans-a-head/articleshow/8594202.cms
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tiger mauls forest labourer TNN
BHANDARA: A tigress mauled a forest labourer in the Sawarla reserve forest in Paoni range on Tuesday afternoon. The victim was admitted to the Paoni rural hospital and is reportedly out of danger.
The tigress recently delivered three cubs in Sawarla forest. One of the cubs came out of the bushes and went near the tank where the labourer was working. The tigress followed the cub and on seeing the labourer attacked him. Later, the tigress and the cub disappeared into the forest.
Paoni range forest officer U B Mahakalkar said that labourers go deep into the forests to collect tendu leaves. This may have disturbed the animal and forced her to attack.
"We have urged villagers and labourers not to go deep into the forests because apart from the tigress and her cubs, a male tiger too is doing the rounds in that area," said Mahakalkar.
There are seven tigers in Paoni range which has abundant prey base. "Humans staying away from the area helps in increasing the tiger population and also saves lives," added the forest official.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-mauls-forest-labourer/articleshow/8576092.cms
The tigress recently delivered three cubs in Sawarla forest. One of the cubs came out of the bushes and went near the tank where the labourer was working. The tigress followed the cub and on seeing the labourer attacked him. Later, the tigress and the cub disappeared into the forest.
Paoni range forest officer U B Mahakalkar said that labourers go deep into the forests to collect tendu leaves. This may have disturbed the animal and forced her to attack.
"We have urged villagers and labourers not to go deep into the forests because apart from the tigress and her cubs, a male tiger too is doing the rounds in that area," said Mahakalkar.
There are seven tigers in Paoni range which has abundant prey base. "Humans staying away from the area helps in increasing the tiger population and also saves lives," added the forest official.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-mauls-forest-labourer/articleshow/8576092.cms
Tiger census from November: Ramesh
Bhopal: Tiger census will be carried out in 40 reserves across the country from November, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh Wednesday said. "The big cat census in the 40 tiger reserves of the country will commence from November and the exercise will end in a year's time," Jairam told reporters here. He said that the latest census was being done on the basis of tiger landscape, in which Madhya Pradesh lost its tiger state tag to Karnataka.
About the Madhya Pradesh government's claim that there were more tigers in the world-famous Kanha Reserve than revealed in the latest census, he said, "There was no politics in the census and nothing should be read into it."
About Madhya Pradesh's Panna Reserve that had become devoid of tigers two years ago, he said that the translocation of the striped animal to the reserve is underway and there were around eight big cats. "There are some issues regarding people, which need to be addressed in Panna," he said, adding people around the reserves play an important part in tiger conservation.
http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=9387557&programId=1073754912&pageTypeId=1073754893&contentType=EDITORIAL
About the Madhya Pradesh government's claim that there were more tigers in the world-famous Kanha Reserve than revealed in the latest census, he said, "There was no politics in the census and nothing should be read into it."
About Madhya Pradesh's Panna Reserve that had become devoid of tigers two years ago, he said that the translocation of the striped animal to the reserve is underway and there were around eight big cats. "There are some issues regarding people, which need to be addressed in Panna," he said, adding people around the reserves play an important part in tiger conservation.
http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=9387557&programId=1073754912&pageTypeId=1073754893&contentType=EDITORIAL
Tadoba may be closed for tourists this monsoon Mazhar Ali, TNN
CHANDRAPUR: After over 15 years of its creation, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) may, for the first time, close its gates for tourists during this monsoon season. TATR is the only tiger reserve in the state that remains open for tourists during rainy season. However, authorities have taken a cue from other reserves and now decided to close it for tourist during monsoon. A proposal to this effect has been forwarded to higher ups for approval.
TATR, spread over 625.40 sq km, was created in 1995 by merging Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. Tourist arrangements in Tadoba have seen several changes during the last few years. It began with removal of halting facility in Tadoba range and closure of tourist rest house in the heart of tiger land over three years back. Soon, open tourist gypsies started plying in the tiger reserve for convenience of the visitors. New entry gates were opened for easy access for visitors into the tiger reserve. Several tourist resorts mushroomed around the tiger reserve and forest department too constructed several facilities to serve the tourists. Timings of entry and exit were adjusted according to seasons. All these steps were taken in view of having better balance between tourism and protection and conservation of wildlife, particularly tigers in the TATR.
TATR field director Vinaykumar Sinha said, "All tiger reserves are closed for tourists during monsoon, but TATR is the exception. However, we have decided to close our park for tourists from this rainy season and have sought approval from PCCF office." If the proposal is cleared, the reserve would be closed for tourists between mid-June and first week of October. He held that though tourism would be hampered during monsoon, but closure would help the park managers in better management and protection.
Nitin Desai, wildlife activist and director (Central India) of Wildlife Protection Society of India, welcomed the move, but with some apprehensions. "Closure of park during rainy season has its pros and cons. While lesser tourism is good for flourishing of wildlife and forest, it is harmful from the point of view of protection as poachers may be encouraged to intrude into the reserve due to lesser tourist activity." Desai held that roads in tiger reserve are extensive damaged to the by vehicular movement during rainy season. Moreover, wildlife sighting is reduced due to spread of greenery everywhere. There is also a possibility accident with wildlife due thick growth of foliage during rainy season, hence closure could come handy. "With no tourists moving around for almost four months, forest thieves might take advantage. Hence, TATR authorities need to ensure enhanced protection if they close the park," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tadoba-may-be-closed-for-tourists-this-monsoon/articleshow/8561694.cms
TATR, spread over 625.40 sq km, was created in 1995 by merging Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. Tourist arrangements in Tadoba have seen several changes during the last few years. It began with removal of halting facility in Tadoba range and closure of tourist rest house in the heart of tiger land over three years back. Soon, open tourist gypsies started plying in the tiger reserve for convenience of the visitors. New entry gates were opened for easy access for visitors into the tiger reserve. Several tourist resorts mushroomed around the tiger reserve and forest department too constructed several facilities to serve the tourists. Timings of entry and exit were adjusted according to seasons. All these steps were taken in view of having better balance between tourism and protection and conservation of wildlife, particularly tigers in the TATR.
TATR field director Vinaykumar Sinha said, "All tiger reserves are closed for tourists during monsoon, but TATR is the exception. However, we have decided to close our park for tourists from this rainy season and have sought approval from PCCF office." If the proposal is cleared, the reserve would be closed for tourists between mid-June and first week of October. He held that though tourism would be hampered during monsoon, but closure would help the park managers in better management and protection.
Nitin Desai, wildlife activist and director (Central India) of Wildlife Protection Society of India, welcomed the move, but with some apprehensions. "Closure of park during rainy season has its pros and cons. While lesser tourism is good for flourishing of wildlife and forest, it is harmful from the point of view of protection as poachers may be encouraged to intrude into the reserve due to lesser tourist activity." Desai held that roads in tiger reserve are extensive damaged to the by vehicular movement during rainy season. Moreover, wildlife sighting is reduced due to spread of greenery everywhere. There is also a possibility accident with wildlife due thick growth of foliage during rainy season, hence closure could come handy. "With no tourists moving around for almost four months, forest thieves might take advantage. Hence, TATR authorities need to ensure enhanced protection if they close the park," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tadoba-may-be-closed-for-tourists-this-monsoon/articleshow/8561694.cms
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Hunt begins for the big cat - First comprehensive tiger survey in Karbi Anglong district
Guwahati, May 24: Is it there? Or is it not? It is time for some answers as WWF India officials have for the first time begun a hunt for tigers in Karbi Anglong.
Twenty-five cameras are being placed at the Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary for this study to find big cats, the first comprehensive tiger sign survey in Karbi Anglong.
The Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong has been identified as a priority tiger landscape and is among the top 12 in the world.
The work on the survey, which will encompass nearly 2,000 square km in Karbi Anglong and will take around a month, has started from Monday with the forest department providing all necessary support to the team.
“There is hope for finding tiger signs,” Jimmy Borah, assistant coordinator Tiger programme WWF India, said. Kaziranga, bordering Karbi Anglong, has the world’s highest density of tigers at 32.64 tigers per 100 square km. The WWF team had just returned from Arunachal Pradesh.
The survey also holds importance for tigers in Kaziranga as it is shares a border with Karbi Anglong. “For the survival of tigers in Kaziranga, Karbi Anglong is important as we would like to know the habitat there,” tiger expert Firoz Ahmed of Aaranyak said.
The 451square km Marat Longri, which was declared a wildlife sanctuary in April 2003, is an important component of Dhansiri-Lumding elephant reserve. The survey will also examine the elephant status and habitat.
Last year, forest department authorities of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India, had started a reforestation drive to restore parts of encroached land in the Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary.
Karbi Anglong, the largest district in Assam with its five wildlife sanctuaries and two elephant reserves, plays a vital role in the protection and conservation of natural resources of the state.
A forest official said the corridors linking Kaziranga with the forests of Karbi Anglong have suffered extensive degradation because of encroachment, illegal logging, stone mining, growing settlements and tourist movements, which have severely disrupted wildlife movement, particularly during the flood season.
A report on Monitoring Tiger and Prey Animals of Kaziranga National Park, by Aaranyak, with technical support from Wildlife Institute of India last year, said gaur — one of the major prey species of tigers — which was common in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape, has nearly disappeared from the Kaziranga National Park.
The primary reason for this depletion could be hunting in Karbi Anglong.
The report has suggested a scientific study in the hills of Karbi Anglong to address the issue of establishment of protected areas and protection of wildlife from hunting.
The State of the Forest Report, 2009, had found that the district had lost 37 square km of forest cover, compared to the 2007. Insurgency and shifting cultivation are the main reasons for this decline of forest cover in the district.
After covering Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary, the WWF team will then go to Lumding and Dhansiri areas.
Firoz Ahmed, a tiger expert with Aaranyak, said a lot of research work needed to be done on tigers in Assam as issues like genetic diversity are yet to be delved into.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110525/jsp/northeast/story_14023661.jsp
Twenty-five cameras are being placed at the Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary for this study to find big cats, the first comprehensive tiger sign survey in Karbi Anglong.
The Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong has been identified as a priority tiger landscape and is among the top 12 in the world.
The work on the survey, which will encompass nearly 2,000 square km in Karbi Anglong and will take around a month, has started from Monday with the forest department providing all necessary support to the team.
“There is hope for finding tiger signs,” Jimmy Borah, assistant coordinator Tiger programme WWF India, said. Kaziranga, bordering Karbi Anglong, has the world’s highest density of tigers at 32.64 tigers per 100 square km. The WWF team had just returned from Arunachal Pradesh.
The survey also holds importance for tigers in Kaziranga as it is shares a border with Karbi Anglong. “For the survival of tigers in Kaziranga, Karbi Anglong is important as we would like to know the habitat there,” tiger expert Firoz Ahmed of Aaranyak said.
The 451square km Marat Longri, which was declared a wildlife sanctuary in April 2003, is an important component of Dhansiri-Lumding elephant reserve. The survey will also examine the elephant status and habitat.
Last year, forest department authorities of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India, had started a reforestation drive to restore parts of encroached land in the Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary.
Karbi Anglong, the largest district in Assam with its five wildlife sanctuaries and two elephant reserves, plays a vital role in the protection and conservation of natural resources of the state.
A forest official said the corridors linking Kaziranga with the forests of Karbi Anglong have suffered extensive degradation because of encroachment, illegal logging, stone mining, growing settlements and tourist movements, which have severely disrupted wildlife movement, particularly during the flood season.
A report on Monitoring Tiger and Prey Animals of Kaziranga National Park, by Aaranyak, with technical support from Wildlife Institute of India last year, said gaur — one of the major prey species of tigers — which was common in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape, has nearly disappeared from the Kaziranga National Park.
The primary reason for this depletion could be hunting in Karbi Anglong.
The report has suggested a scientific study in the hills of Karbi Anglong to address the issue of establishment of protected areas and protection of wildlife from hunting.
The State of the Forest Report, 2009, had found that the district had lost 37 square km of forest cover, compared to the 2007. Insurgency and shifting cultivation are the main reasons for this decline of forest cover in the district.
After covering Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary, the WWF team will then go to Lumding and Dhansiri areas.
Firoz Ahmed, a tiger expert with Aaranyak, said a lot of research work needed to be done on tigers in Assam as issues like genetic diversity are yet to be delved into.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110525/jsp/northeast/story_14023661.jsp
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Vidarbha to be tiger tourism hub, Surendra Gangan,DNA
With a budgetary allocation of Rs25 crore and financial assistance of Rs50 crore from the central government, the state forest department plans to promote tiger tourism in Vidarbha. The department has put together a plan to double the number of tourists visiting tiger reserves in Vidarbha in the near future.
Even before Union forest minister Jairam Ramesh announced plans to promote Nagpur as a ‘tiger gateway’, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had directed the finance department to provide additional funding for promotions.
With three notified tiger reserves in Vidarbha, the department identified a potential for tiger promotion. Ramesh announced a financial aid of Rs50 crore for the rehabilitation of nearly 25 hamlets and villages in Tadoba and Melghat reserves.
“The budgetary allocation this year was unprecedented. With the allocation of Rs50crore, we can now plan capacity expansion, promotion of domestic tourism facilities and packages for circuit trips to various tiger reserves. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and Forest Development Corporation Limited also have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote forest tourism. We may join hands for some projects,” an official said.
The Tadoba tiger reserve is the most popular among tourists with 1 lakh tourist footfalls last year. The number was merely 35,000 in 2003-04. The other reserves, Melghat and Pench, have also witnessed a rise in the number of tourists in the last few years.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_vidarbha-to-be-tiger-tourism-hub_1546774
Even before Union forest minister Jairam Ramesh announced plans to promote Nagpur as a ‘tiger gateway’, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had directed the finance department to provide additional funding for promotions.
With three notified tiger reserves in Vidarbha, the department identified a potential for tiger promotion. Ramesh announced a financial aid of Rs50 crore for the rehabilitation of nearly 25 hamlets and villages in Tadoba and Melghat reserves.
“The budgetary allocation this year was unprecedented. With the allocation of Rs50crore, we can now plan capacity expansion, promotion of domestic tourism facilities and packages for circuit trips to various tiger reserves. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and Forest Development Corporation Limited also have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote forest tourism. We may join hands for some projects,” an official said.
The Tadoba tiger reserve is the most popular among tourists with 1 lakh tourist footfalls last year. The number was merely 35,000 in 2003-04. The other reserves, Melghat and Pench, have also witnessed a rise in the number of tourists in the last few years.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_vidarbha-to-be-tiger-tourism-hub_1546774
Govt working on Kudremukh tiger reserve project proposal, Soumita Majumdar
It’s official. The Union government has granted in-principle approval for constituting the Kudremukh National Park as a tiger reserve. Informing the state government of the approval, the deputy inspector general of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), under the Union ministry of environment and forests, has asked the chief wildlife warden of Karnataka to submit a detailed proposal in this regard at the earliest.
Kudremukh will be the sixth tiger reserve in the state and the 41st in the country. The state wildlife authorities have already begun working on the proposal, which has been sought under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
“Earlier, Kudremukh was a national park. Now that it has become a tiger reserve, some development activities need to be taken up. Unlike a national park scenario, now the entire forest has to be bifurcated into core and buffer areas. And tourism can be allowed only in the buffer areas,” said MH Swaminath, principal chief conservator of forest, Government of Karnataka.
The wildlife density is already good in Kudremukh park, that falls in Chikmagalur district. With the park turning into a tiger reserve, the potential is high, said sources from the wildlife department. The various species spotted in the Kudremukh National Park include macaque, langur, slender loris, squirrel, porcupine, black-naped hare, elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted dear, wild boar, pangolin, leopard, jungle cat, malabar civet, hyena, jackal, fox, sloth bear and otter.
The core area inside the forest, that will be off-limits for any kind of tourism, human habitat or intervention, will comprise 600.32 sq kms of area.
“As of now, there are about 6,244 people residing in this area. However, these families are ready to go out if they are paid suitable compensation as decided by the revenue authority,” said a source.
About 168 sq kms of area has been proposed to be kept as buffer area. This area is inhabited by a population of 5,816 people.
According to the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore, a survey of meta population by DNA analysis of carnivores has established that Kudremukh National Park is home to about eight tigers.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_govt-working-on-kudremukh-tiger-reserve-project-proposal_1546800
Kudremukh will be the sixth tiger reserve in the state and the 41st in the country. The state wildlife authorities have already begun working on the proposal, which has been sought under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
“Earlier, Kudremukh was a national park. Now that it has become a tiger reserve, some development activities need to be taken up. Unlike a national park scenario, now the entire forest has to be bifurcated into core and buffer areas. And tourism can be allowed only in the buffer areas,” said MH Swaminath, principal chief conservator of forest, Government of Karnataka.
The wildlife density is already good in Kudremukh park, that falls in Chikmagalur district. With the park turning into a tiger reserve, the potential is high, said sources from the wildlife department. The various species spotted in the Kudremukh National Park include macaque, langur, slender loris, squirrel, porcupine, black-naped hare, elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted dear, wild boar, pangolin, leopard, jungle cat, malabar civet, hyena, jackal, fox, sloth bear and otter.
The core area inside the forest, that will be off-limits for any kind of tourism, human habitat or intervention, will comprise 600.32 sq kms of area.
“As of now, there are about 6,244 people residing in this area. However, these families are ready to go out if they are paid suitable compensation as decided by the revenue authority,” said a source.
About 168 sq kms of area has been proposed to be kept as buffer area. This area is inhabited by a population of 5,816 people.
According to the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore, a survey of meta population by DNA analysis of carnivores has established that Kudremukh National Park is home to about eight tigers.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_govt-working-on-kudremukh-tiger-reserve-project-proposal_1546800
Monday, May 23, 2011
Tiger mauls woman to death in Kuhi forest Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: A woman was killed by a tiger at Velgaon near Dahegaon, under the Kuhi forest range in Nagpur division, on Sunday. The victim, Leelabai Dhanraj Shende (35), was a resident of Dahegaon and had gone to collect tendu leaves in nearby Velgaon forest.
The spot where she was mauled falls in compartment no. 458 in Mandhal round, and is 3km away from her house.
The last tiger attack had happened on April 16, 2010, when one Barjabai Bhoge was collecting mahua flowers in the jungle and was killed by a tiger in Ranmangli forest in Bhiwapur range. Although Ranmangli is far from the latest attack site, this hints at the tigers expanding their expand territory.
CR Gajbhiye, chief conservator of forests ( CCF), Nagpur Territorial Circle, said the incident took place at around 6am. "The attack may have occurred since the woman came within critical distance of the tiger," Gajbhiye said, "We are monitoring the situation and will take all necessary precautions to prevent such incidents."
With the latest death, the toll due to attack by tigers or leopards has mounted to 22 in a year in the region. In Chandrapur, 17 deaths were reported from January-December 2010. In 2011, this is the fifth death, with two each recorded in January and March 2011.
N Rambabu, conservator for Nagpur division, says Kuhi range is contiguous with Bhiwapur forest encompassing Ranbodi-Rannmangli-Kharangla areas spread across 25 sq km (2,500 hectares). "There are nine tigers in the area, which is too small to accommodate so many tigers. Since the tigers are in search of new areas, it is leading to conflict," he added.
Last year, a tigress with three cubs and one with two cubs were sighted in Bhiwapur range. There is presence of two male tigers also. Looking into the tiger dynamics, where each animal needs at least 10-15 sq km area, tiger experts fear Bhiwapur-Kuhi is emerging as the new man-animal conflict zone.
According to eyewitness accounts, Leelabai was collecting tendu leaves while her husband Dhanraj had climbed the tree to pluck leaves. After a while, Dhanraj heard his wife screaming 'tiger, tiger' in Marathi. "By the time Dhanraj and others rushed to Leelabai's help, the tiger had already dragged her body 25-30 feet. Dhanraj drove away the tiger by hurling stones," said RFO ST Londhe.
Rambabu fears the attack may be a case of mistaken identity. The victim must have bent to collect flowers on the ground, which is not advisable. "Our posters to create awareness among villagers suggest no bending or sitting in the forest," he said.
The victim is survived by two sons and a daughter. Forest officials released Rs 5,000 towards expenses for performing last rites of Leelabai. BJP MLA from Umrer Sudhir Parwe also visited the spot.
The post mortem was performed at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur. "We will pay Rs 2 lakh compensation to the kin of the victim after the case is finalized," said SS Chavan, assistant conservator (ACF).
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-mauls-woman-to-death-in-Kuhi-forest/articleshow/8518913.cms
The spot where she was mauled falls in compartment no. 458 in Mandhal round, and is 3km away from her house.
The last tiger attack had happened on April 16, 2010, when one Barjabai Bhoge was collecting mahua flowers in the jungle and was killed by a tiger in Ranmangli forest in Bhiwapur range. Although Ranmangli is far from the latest attack site, this hints at the tigers expanding their expand territory.
CR Gajbhiye, chief conservator of forests ( CCF), Nagpur Territorial Circle, said the incident took place at around 6am. "The attack may have occurred since the woman came within critical distance of the tiger," Gajbhiye said, "We are monitoring the situation and will take all necessary precautions to prevent such incidents."
With the latest death, the toll due to attack by tigers or leopards has mounted to 22 in a year in the region. In Chandrapur, 17 deaths were reported from January-December 2010. In 2011, this is the fifth death, with two each recorded in January and March 2011.
N Rambabu, conservator for Nagpur division, says Kuhi range is contiguous with Bhiwapur forest encompassing Ranbodi-Rannmangli-Kharangla areas spread across 25 sq km (2,500 hectares). "There are nine tigers in the area, which is too small to accommodate so many tigers. Since the tigers are in search of new areas, it is leading to conflict," he added.
Last year, a tigress with three cubs and one with two cubs were sighted in Bhiwapur range. There is presence of two male tigers also. Looking into the tiger dynamics, where each animal needs at least 10-15 sq km area, tiger experts fear Bhiwapur-Kuhi is emerging as the new man-animal conflict zone.
According to eyewitness accounts, Leelabai was collecting tendu leaves while her husband Dhanraj had climbed the tree to pluck leaves. After a while, Dhanraj heard his wife screaming 'tiger, tiger' in Marathi. "By the time Dhanraj and others rushed to Leelabai's help, the tiger had already dragged her body 25-30 feet. Dhanraj drove away the tiger by hurling stones," said RFO ST Londhe.
Rambabu fears the attack may be a case of mistaken identity. The victim must have bent to collect flowers on the ground, which is not advisable. "Our posters to create awareness among villagers suggest no bending or sitting in the forest," he said.
The victim is survived by two sons and a daughter. Forest officials released Rs 5,000 towards expenses for performing last rites of Leelabai. BJP MLA from Umrer Sudhir Parwe also visited the spot.
The post mortem was performed at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur. "We will pay Rs 2 lakh compensation to the kin of the victim after the case is finalized," said SS Chavan, assistant conservator (ACF).
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-mauls-woman-to-death-in-Kuhi-forest/articleshow/8518913.cms
Tourism pressure on Kaziranga park to be shifted from core area
GUWAHATI: The unimpeded growth of tourism around Kaziranga would soon be shifted from the core area of this national park. The chairperson of the committee on forests, environment and eco-tourism under the Union ministry of environment and forests, Sujit Banerji, said this on Saturday.
Banerji, who was in the city to attend a convention of Tour Operators` Association of Assam (TOAA), said concrete structures and other infrastructure ringing forests should be regulated in such a way that wildlife is able to move freely in buffer zones of protected eco-systems. "Buffer areas need to be well forested and so once wildlife starts inhabiting these areas, pressure of tourism is shifted from the core areas. There has to be incentives for the local community to allow forest increase in buffer areas," Banerji observed.
The former Union secretary of tourism said the committee, formed after unregulated tourism was reported from tiger reserves across the country, would promoted other parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the state to reduce "pressure" on Kaziranga. He said the committee will soon come out with recommendations on tourism in tiger reserves.
Some of the structures in Kaziranga have come up on vital animal corridors. "It is important to make the local community a part of the conservation process. Then much of the poaching pressure on Kaziranga would be reduced. I am glad that NH-37 on southern Kaziranga has been spared the onslaught of the highway expansion project," said Banerji. There has been much apprehension among tour operators in Kaziranga that tourism would be hampered because of the tiger project. Banerji said tourism is as important as conservation but there has to be a balance. Early this year, jeep safari operators at Kaziranga agitated demanding removal of the tiger reserve status from the national park.
Assam tourism principal secretary, H S Das, said mushrooming tourism structures around Kaziranga has become a matter of concern for the park`s fragile eco-system. "The park`s fragile eco-system would be in danger if such structures were allowed to flourish without regulation," Das said.
The Kaziranga Biodiversity Conservation Committee has been formed to look into the mushrooming of resorts and ensure ecologically-compliant development outside the park. Das said the committee would come out with its report soon.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Tourism-pressure-on-Kaziranga-park-to-be-shifted-from-core-area/articleshow/8507496.cms
Banerji, who was in the city to attend a convention of Tour Operators` Association of Assam (TOAA), said concrete structures and other infrastructure ringing forests should be regulated in such a way that wildlife is able to move freely in buffer zones of protected eco-systems. "Buffer areas need to be well forested and so once wildlife starts inhabiting these areas, pressure of tourism is shifted from the core areas. There has to be incentives for the local community to allow forest increase in buffer areas," Banerji observed.
The former Union secretary of tourism said the committee, formed after unregulated tourism was reported from tiger reserves across the country, would promoted other parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the state to reduce "pressure" on Kaziranga. He said the committee will soon come out with recommendations on tourism in tiger reserves.
Some of the structures in Kaziranga have come up on vital animal corridors. "It is important to make the local community a part of the conservation process. Then much of the poaching pressure on Kaziranga would be reduced. I am glad that NH-37 on southern Kaziranga has been spared the onslaught of the highway expansion project," said Banerji. There has been much apprehension among tour operators in Kaziranga that tourism would be hampered because of the tiger project. Banerji said tourism is as important as conservation but there has to be a balance. Early this year, jeep safari operators at Kaziranga agitated demanding removal of the tiger reserve status from the national park.
Assam tourism principal secretary, H S Das, said mushrooming tourism structures around Kaziranga has become a matter of concern for the park`s fragile eco-system. "The park`s fragile eco-system would be in danger if such structures were allowed to flourish without regulation," Das said.
The Kaziranga Biodiversity Conservation Committee has been formed to look into the mushrooming of resorts and ensure ecologically-compliant development outside the park. Das said the committee would come out with its report soon.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Tourism-pressure-on-Kaziranga-park-to-be-shifted-from-core-area/articleshow/8507496.cms
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Machan census in TATR brings back old memories -TNN
NAGPUR: The lost memories of 'machan' census came alive at the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) on May 17. On Buddha Pournima day, over 95 wildlife buffs and forest staffers took part in the waterhole census exercise to count herbivores and carnivores.
This was the first time so many volunteers belonging to wildlife NGOs were involved after 2007, when the pugmark and waterhole census method to count animals was withdrawn by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
TATR field director VK Sinha says the reason to involve NGOs was to maintain transparency besides keeping a record for their own benefit. There had not been any such count after 2007.
"Although not required by NTCA, we conducted a five-day in-house pugmark exercise from May 12-16, followed by 'machan' (waterhole) census on Buddha Pournima, when there is a full moon night and better visibility. The exercise will help update our records," says Sinha.
Volunteers were allowed to take part only in the machan census. As per the waterhole estimation of animals in TATR, there were 790 gaurs, 823 sambars, 1,950 cheetals, 346 barking deer, 37 chousinghas, 214 nilgai, 1,759 wild boars, 44 jackals, 273 sloth bears and 192 wild dogs.
AV Vaidya, range forest officer (RFO) research, who conducted the exercise in Tadoba, said there were 148 'machans' in three ranges of TATR; 51 in Kolsa, 50 in Moharli and 48 in Tadoba. In all, 95 volunteers attached to NGOs working for wildlife conservation took part in the census. Many women trainee forest guards from Rangers College, Chandrapur, also took part.
Although officials said they were still compiling the data, volunteers who were part of the exercise said there were direct sightings of 10 tigers, including cubs in Tadoba, a couple of leopards and five sloth bears.
"We are simply thrilled to see wildlife so closely," said Prakash Kamble, president of Wild Cat, Chandrapur.
Bandu Dhotre, president of Eco-Pro, whose 30 volunteers were involved in the exercise, said he doesn't see any threat in allowing genuine wildlife lovers to take part in the exercise. "It will help develop young generations of conservationists and also create love and awareness for wildlife," Dhotre said.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-20/nagpur/29563733_1_moharli-tatr-waterhole
This was the first time so many volunteers belonging to wildlife NGOs were involved after 2007, when the pugmark and waterhole census method to count animals was withdrawn by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
TATR field director VK Sinha says the reason to involve NGOs was to maintain transparency besides keeping a record for their own benefit. There had not been any such count after 2007.
"Although not required by NTCA, we conducted a five-day in-house pugmark exercise from May 12-16, followed by 'machan' (waterhole) census on Buddha Pournima, when there is a full moon night and better visibility. The exercise will help update our records," says Sinha.
Volunteers were allowed to take part only in the machan census. As per the waterhole estimation of animals in TATR, there were 790 gaurs, 823 sambars, 1,950 cheetals, 346 barking deer, 37 chousinghas, 214 nilgai, 1,759 wild boars, 44 jackals, 273 sloth bears and 192 wild dogs.
AV Vaidya, range forest officer (RFO) research, who conducted the exercise in Tadoba, said there were 148 'machans' in three ranges of TATR; 51 in Kolsa, 50 in Moharli and 48 in Tadoba. In all, 95 volunteers attached to NGOs working for wildlife conservation took part in the census. Many women trainee forest guards from Rangers College, Chandrapur, also took part.
Although officials said they were still compiling the data, volunteers who were part of the exercise said there were direct sightings of 10 tigers, including cubs in Tadoba, a couple of leopards and five sloth bears.
"We are simply thrilled to see wildlife so closely," said Prakash Kamble, president of Wild Cat, Chandrapur.
Bandu Dhotre, president of Eco-Pro, whose 30 volunteers were involved in the exercise, said he doesn't see any threat in allowing genuine wildlife lovers to take part in the exercise. "It will help develop young generations of conservationists and also create love and awareness for wildlife," Dhotre said.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-20/nagpur/29563733_1_moharli-tatr-waterhole
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Scientist points out loopholes in tiger census Bahar Dutt, Juhi Chaudhary, CNN-IBN
New Delhi: It was a moment of celebration when the Environment Minister announced that India's tiger population has increased by almost 16 per cent. But now, leading tiger scientist Ullas Karanth has questioned if there were problems with the methodology used.
In a published paper, Karanth has stated, "Details now in public domain do not reveal critical information on tiger photo-captures at sampled locations, density estimation protocols used, and how these local tiger numbers were extrapolated across wider regions".
Karanth an expert in the tiger ecology is in fact credited with developing the famous camera trap method for counting tigers instead of the earlier method of using pugmarks which was scientifically inaccurate. He has also questioned the mathematics of the
Government in arriving at the magic numbers.
"What I find a bit unconvincing across the country is the fact that on one hand it is claimed that the habitat is actually shrunk by 22 per cent, while the population density has gone up by 50 per cent in the remaining occupied area. I don't think there was enough data to come to this conclusion," said Ullas Karanth.
Dr Gopal of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, responding to Karanth, has stated that four states of Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka have shown increase in tiger density thereby pushing tiger numbers higher.
On the allegation of not putting reports in the public domain, he said that the detailed reports are available on the Environment Ministry website.
"Dr Karanth and his associates consider anything that has not originated from them as 'Substandard Science' and fake selective amnesia," said Dr Gopal.
Even as the war of words continues between the tiger scientists, the Environment Ministry maintains that the figures are correct, while others say the focus needs to shift to active protection on the ground.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/scientist-points-out-loopholes-in-tiger-census/152710-3.html
In a published paper, Karanth has stated, "Details now in public domain do not reveal critical information on tiger photo-captures at sampled locations, density estimation protocols used, and how these local tiger numbers were extrapolated across wider regions".
Karanth an expert in the tiger ecology is in fact credited with developing the famous camera trap method for counting tigers instead of the earlier method of using pugmarks which was scientifically inaccurate. He has also questioned the mathematics of the
Government in arriving at the magic numbers.
"What I find a bit unconvincing across the country is the fact that on one hand it is claimed that the habitat is actually shrunk by 22 per cent, while the population density has gone up by 50 per cent in the remaining occupied area. I don't think there was enough data to come to this conclusion," said Ullas Karanth.
Dr Gopal of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, responding to Karanth, has stated that four states of Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka have shown increase in tiger density thereby pushing tiger numbers higher.
On the allegation of not putting reports in the public domain, he said that the detailed reports are available on the Environment Ministry website.
"Dr Karanth and his associates consider anything that has not originated from them as 'Substandard Science' and fake selective amnesia," said Dr Gopal.
Even as the war of words continues between the tiger scientists, the Environment Ministry maintains that the figures are correct, while others say the focus needs to shift to active protection on the ground.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/scientist-points-out-loopholes-in-tiger-census/152710-3.html
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