Tiger parks itself near Patna, won’t budge

Dec 21, 2011 - Rashme Sehgal | Age Correspondent | New Delhi The last 15 days have seen the Nitish Kumar government deeply concerned about the presence of a tiger which has parked himself in a small riverine island created by the Gandak river just 20 km from the state capital of Patna. The tiger has traversed 300 km from the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) to reach this island covered by tall grasses and with plenty of neelgai and wild pigs for prey. The matter of concern for the state government, as it is for the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), is that this majestic animal should not stray into a heavily populated village where there is a strong likelihood of the animal coming to harm. The VTR is located in the west Champaran district of Bihar and is contiguous to the Royal Chitwan park in Nepal. The Gandak river flows through the Valmiki park and tiger experts, following this tiger’s pug marks, vouch that this animal has a preference for walking along this river and has undertaken this self-driven expedition earlier also. Dr Rajesh Gopal, member secretary of the NTCA, said, “He has done this long march earlier and is presently ensconced close to Patna. Our main concern is he should not cause to any harm and should make his way back to the Valmiki Tiger Reserve.” A local DFO, a trained veterinarian who was tracking him, last week chanced to come close to the animal and got mauled. “He was trying to tranquillise him but happened to get very close to the animal who was hidden behind tall grasses,” said a forest officer who is also monitoring his movements. The NTCA has shot off a letter to the Bihar chief secretary asking him to ensure that villagers do not stray too close to where he is at present. So far, fortunately, the tiger has steered clear of nearby villages. A tiger expert from the Wildlife Trust of India and a special team of trekkers are keeping a close track of the animal. Tigers can easily walk a length of up to 40 km a day. Since the Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal is contiguous to the VTR, tigers are known to have walked from the north right down to Barabanki. http://www.asianage.com/india/tiger-parks-itself-near-patna-won-t-budge-715

Periyar Tiger Reserve becomes BCRLIP

Express News Service , The New Indian Express THEKKADY: As a major recognition of its conservation programme and ecological development, the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) has become a centre for the new world project Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihood Improvements Project (BCRLIP) aided by International Development Association (IDA) and� Global� EnvironmentFacility (GEF). The project is worth `3 crore with a time period of five years under which three centres, Agasthyarmala in Tamil Nadu and Geer forest in Gujarat, along with Periyar Tiger Reserve, have been selected. Under the project, the PTR will be a learning centre for the BCRLIP project. The PTR has already been declared a centre of excellence.� The BCRLIP has� been initiated with an objective to impart training and developing skills for participatory conservation movement.� Under the project, training will be given to people� across the country, conservation skill development class� will be provided, cross country visits to other national parks will be undertaken and local visits for� the protection staff and NGOs will be given.� Besides, landscape approach to conservation, moving beyond wildlife sector to involve other agencies and building partnerships with private and public entities will be given emphasis,” PTR officials said. Under the project, more contract staff will be recruited to conduct research and to give training to visiting delegates. � “For the project, ecologist, sociologist, regional planner, training officer, training assistant, field assistant and accountant will be �recruited on a contract basis. � “These people along with other researchers in the Periyar Foundation will impart training to the visiting delegates from across the country,” official said. According to PTR Deputy Director Sanjayan Kumar, the DCRLIP is a recognition for the ongoing conservation programme undergoing in the PTR. “It is a major achievement for the PTR that it selected along with three other centres for the BCRLIP programme,” Kumar said. “This will impart training for the people in the conservation of the wildlife and ecology. The training to the people will be about conservation which will help the prevention of forest and wildlife,” Sanjayan Kumar added.

Forest department claims tiger count on rise

Express News Service , The New Indian Express KARWAR: According to the officials of Wild Life Division of the Forest Department, the tiger population in Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve (DATR), in Uttara Kannada district is increasing. In 1997 (according to tiger census), there were 13 tigers- 11 in Dandeli Wild Life Sanctuary and 2 in Anshi National Park. In 2010 census, 33 tigers were recorded in Khanapur-Sharavathi belt of Western Ghat Ranges. This year, the tiger population has increased to 39 in this belt. However, wildlife activists contradicted the statement. The census is carried out on the basis of pugmarks, tiger calls, scat and litters left by the tigers. The actual sighting of the tiger is rarely done. Under these circumstances, error in estimating the tiger population is bound to occur, they opined. They pointed out that large area of DATR consists of evergreen and semi evergreen forests, which tigers dislike. According to a wildlife activist, the number of tigers may not exceed 15 in the belt. Officials asserted that steps are being taken to improve grassland and provide other facilities like water sources in DATR. DATR covers nearly 600 Sq Km of Dandeli Wild Life Reserve and 399.89 Sq Km of Anshi National Park. However, there are as many as 52 villages consisting of 4,725 families in core/critical area of DATR. The problem of rehabilitation of these families is a menace to the department. As pointed out by DCF of Dandeli Wild Life Division, Sunil Panwar, no one can evict these families. The forest department is taking steps to vacate these families by offering Rs 10 lakh per family, and through educating them.

Green stoves burn bright in Bihar's tiger land

IANS | Dec 19, 2011, 06.04PM IST VALMIKI NAGAR (Bihar): More than a hundred households living within Bihar's Valmiki Tiger Reserve have switched from the traditional mud stoves to the more efficient eco-friendly 'chulhas' to reduce their dependency on forest for fuel wood - a move that would boost conservation of the big cat. It is hoped the green stoves or 'chulhas' would help cut fuel wood use by 40 percent, which would also allow the forest to rejuvenate and increase security for the tigers. The green stoves use maximum energy produced from burning of fuel wood. An iron grate positioned just above the stove's base provides room for air circulation that helps the fuel to burn efficiently. The households are part of the 25 revenue villages in Done Valley, that is spread over a 45 sq km area in the heart of the sprawling Valmiki reserve, the only tiger sanctuary in the state. "Seven villages are currently part of the initiative, the remaining ones will be taken up in phases," said Samir Sinha, who is implementing the project and manager of NGO Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). Some 18,000 villagers in the valley depend on agriculture for livelihood. However, during the off-season many migrate to places as far as Delhi, Punjab and Gujarat to work as labourers, said Sinha. The Valmiki reserve, an 880 sq km sal forest on the Terai foothills, is home to 11 tigers, according to the reserve's Field Director Santosh Tiwari. The reserve extends up to Chitwan National Park in Nepal in the north, providing hundreds of miles of contiguous forest cover to many other threatened animals like sambar, nilgai, gaur, rhino and various species of primates. "Of the seven villages, Matiarwa has achieved 100 percent participation. The rest are progressing in varying degrees," Sinha told IANS. Other villages are Majuraha, Gardi, Naurangia, Piprahwa, Khairahni and Senrahni. Stakeholders' participation, acceptable design, monitoring and problem solving were crucial for the success of the present initiative, said Sinha. The US Fish and Wildlife Service and Germany's Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union are the other supporters of the project. Pune-based research organisation Appropriate Rural Technology Institute was contacted to train the local women, since they were the main users, said Sinha. Of the three designs, they picked the one that resembled the traditional chulha, he said. Initially, only the trained women were asked to install the stove in their homes, which served as demonstration sites. They were paid by WTI, thus generating employment for them. The mud chimneys for the stoves also brought brisk business for the village potter. Those who wanted to install the chulha contacted these women who charged them an installation fee. The stoves were monitored for their efficiency by the WTI team. Data over the past few months shows an average reduction of about 40 percent in fuel wood consumption compared to the traditional stoves. Apart from the human disturbances, poaching continues to be the biggest threat to the animals in the park. A male rhino that had crossed into Valmiki Tiger Reserve from Nepal in March this year was found dead with its horn chopped off in the Valmiki Nagar forest range in May. Last year, a tigress was also found dead in Madanpur range. A small number of rhinos still live in the reserve's Valmiki forest range, where the grasslands provide them a perfect home. India made saving the tiger one of its top priorities. The government's latest tiger census report released in March this year put the tiger population at about 1,700, a slight improvement from the previous report in 2008, which estimated it to be around 1,400.

Tadoba Tiger Reserve evacuees allege lack of amenities

PTI | 08:12 PM,Dec 19,2011 Chandrapur (Maha), Dec 19 (PTI) Majority of the villagers evacuated from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in the district are unhappy over new settlements allotted to them over alleged lack of amenities. Maharashtra government decided to relocate six villages, namely Kolsa, Botezari, Rantalodhi, Palasgaon, Jamni and Ramdegi, situated inside the tiger reserve, for which 550 hectares of forest land was allotted by the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM). However, only villagers from Botezari village agreed to the proposal and moved to the new settlement named as Bhagwanpur while a few from Kolsa also shifted to the new place. The villagers from Palasgaon refused to shift on the grounds that the new place offered to them was not suitable following which they were offered an alternate place at Salori in Warora tehsil of the district and the modalities for relocating them are being worked out, said Arun Tikhe, RFO, Waora Forest Range. However, only four our of 97 families at Kolsa have accepted the proposal to shift to Bhagwanpur. The state government is now paying Rs 10 lakh and an additional amount of Rs 50,000 as mobilisation charges to them. Meanwhile, the villagers at Bhagwanpur under the banner of 'Punarvasan Va Kalyankari Sanstha' have demanded setting up of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) with a permanent Medical Officer at the village, among other demands. The villagers also alleged that they were not given residence proofs by Gram Panchayat of Tolewahi under whose jurisdiction Bhagawanpur falls. The villagers even submitted a memorandum in this regard to Minister for Environment and Cultural Affairs Sanjay Deotale. They argued that life in the new settlement has become difficult for there is no scope for work or earning and the farm land allotted by the government has negligible yield in absence of irrigation facilities.

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Dec 20, 2011, 07.35AM IST NAGPUR: Taking a U-turn, the state forest department has decided not to push for dislodging National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) regional office situated on its premises in Ravi Nagar. Two blocks admeasuring 72 sq mt were given to the NTCA on orders from chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, who had also inaugurated the office along with former environment minister Jairam Ramesh on April 27. The NTCA is utilising only one block of 40 sq metres. On November 14, the principal chief conservator of forests for production & management had asked the NTCA to vacate the premises and make some alternative arrangement as the blocks were required by the department. On December 18, TOI had reported the matter. On Monday, Prakash Thosre, PCCF (P&M), said that whosoever has issued the letter to vacate the premises should be ignored. "The NTCA regional office in Nagpur is a matter of pride. I make it loud and clear that the office is here to stay. The forest department will not dislodge it till an alternative place is finalised," Thosre told TOI. Of the three new regional offices in India, Nagpur was first to be opened. It oversees 13 tiger reserves in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and provides necessary guidance in the field management. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Forest-department-now-says-NTCA-office-will-stay/articleshow/11175888.cms

Tiger found dead in open well

TNN | Dec 19, 2011, 01.30AM IST CHANDRAPUR/NAGPUR: In yet another shock for wildlife buffs, a four-year-old tiger was found dead in an open well near Ratnapur village in Sindewahi forest on Sunday. This is the fifth tiger death in Maharashtra since January 2011, and third in Brahmapuri forest division adjoining Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). Sanjay Thavre, deputy conservator of forests (DyCF), Brahmapuri division, said it is suspected that the tiger accidentally fell into the well while chasing a prey. The carcass was first seen by farm owner Wasudeo Kohle 5.30pm on Sunday. He reported it to a forest guard, who in turn intimated his seniors. Sources claimed, staff sighted carcass of a wildcat floating along with tiger's carcass. The well doesn't have a parapet wall and is surrounded by thick shrubs. The incident exposes claims of officials of ordering all open wells to be covered. The operation to fish out carcass will be done on Monday. The carcass will be burned on the spot after autopsy, said NJ Waghade, assistant conservator of forests (ACF), Bramhapuri forest division. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-found-dead-in-open-well/articleshow/11160799.cms

Panna tiger triumph; relocated cat has cub

MONDAY, 19 DECEMBER 2011 00:16 MOUSHUMI BASU | NEW DELHI HITS: 130 A path-breaking experiment on tiger conservation involving breeding of a translocated tigress in captivity has seen its first success of rehabilitation of orphaned tiger cubs in the Panna Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh. A tigress (T4) was released in Panna in March as a part of the experiment. She had been hand-reared after being rescued at the age of three weeks from Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh. While adapting herself to the ways of the wild, she has recently given birth to cubs. Panna Reserve field director R Srinivasa Murthy said one cub had been seen so far by the research team, but there would be more, most likely. This development, according to experts, is a yardstick with which to gauge the experiment’s success. The reintroduction was carried out by the Madhya Pradesh forest department, with scientific inputs and intense monitoring by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). WII scientist Dr K Ramesh, who leads the post-release monitoring programme for tiger reintroduction, said, “It is a landmark development but should not set an automatic precedence for arbitrary release of cubs anywhere.” In a wider context, such a programme involves specific planning and lots of effort and should be followed with utmost precaution and scientific monitoring, he added. Ramesh further pointed out that the unique landscape of Panna - with adequate prey, cover and less human disturbance — certainly proved favourable for this experiment. Murthy, one of the main architects of the success story, said, “T4 has barely secured 50 to 60 per cent marks in her re-wilding examination and the final result depends on how she trains her cubs in hunting skills and survival lessons.” However, he added that she had earlier been found to be steadily acclimatising — mating, making and guarding kills and marking her territory. The tigress T4 was rescued by a research team of WII along with two other cubs way back in June 2005. These new born cubs aged about three weeks were found abandoned in Kanha Tiger Reserve after their mother was killed by a male tiger. They were hand reared in a small quarantine facility near Mukki Gate of Kanha till about 2.5 years old. After relocation of T4 on March 27, this year, the Reserve management constituted four exclusive teams for round-the-clock monitoring of the animal. WII looked into finer details of the animal behaviour and movement pattern. Initially, the tigress was also tracked from elephant back every alternative day for assessing health condition. The monitoring also included deployment of camera traps and collection of scat samples to understand associated factors. The experts are, however, divided on the issue. Pointing to the guidelines of IUCN and NTCA Protocol, they said that any “captive animal considered for reintroduction purposes need to approximate the wild counterparts”. According to a recent report on Rehabilitation of captive tigers, the major concern is that these animals often show a loss of natural behaviors associated with wild fitness, which is reflected in the deficiencies shown in hunting, social interactions, establishment of individual territory, mating behaviour and successfully raising cubs. Studies have also suggested that projects using captive-born animals are less likely to be successful than projects using wild-caught animals. Well-known cat specialist Dr. George Shaller agreed to the above apprehensions of the enormous risks involved in such cases, which may ultimately culminate into growing man-animal conflict. However, tiger experts as Dr. AJT Johnsingh said “in the face of declining tiger ranges and population, such experiments if conducted scientifically may open up new conservation strategies for the future.” http://www.dailypioneer.com/pioneer-news/todays-newspaper/28866-panna-tiger-triumph-relocated-cat-has-cubs.html

Tiger found dead in Nainital

PTI | 12:12 AM,Dec 18,2011 Rishikesh, Dec 17 (PTI) A tiger was today found dead near Bichauri range of Ramnagar forest area in Nainital district, forest officials said. The body of around ten-year-old tiger was found by forest personnel near Bichauri range, they said. It is suspected that the tiger was killed during a clash between two big cats, they said.

Stalled relocation of Kolsa in TATR begins

TNN | Dec 19, 2011, 01.27AM IST NAGPUR: In a major move, the state government has once again set in motion the stalled resettlement of villages in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). On Sunday, as a symbolic gesture, a cheque of Rs 25,000 each was handed over to four families from Kolsa by state environment minister Sanjay Deotale in Chandrapur. Principal secretary (forests) Praveen Pardeshi, field director VK Sinha, Harshwardhan and Poonam Dhanwatey of Tiger Research and Conservation Trust (TRACT), who will do hand-handling to expedite the relocation process, were also present. In 2007, 39 landless families of Kolsa and the entire Botezari village were resettled in Tolewahi in Mul tehsil. The remaining 97 families had refused to move out. The relocation of Kolsa village was stalled since then. It started afresh after the relocation package was enhanced to Rs 10 lakh per family by the Centre. After negotiations by TRACT, the 31 families agreed to move out. All opted for Option-I and will be paid Rs 10 lakh. In Option-I, four families were handed over a cheque of Rs 25,000 by Deotale. Of the balance amount, a fixed deposit (FD) of Rs 3 lakh for 5 years, and another FD of Rs 2 lakh for two years will be opened in the name of family head and wife. The balance amount will be deposited in savings account. The cut-off date has been extended to 2003 and more family members will add to the list. At another function, a cheque of Rs 47,000 was handed over to each family resettled in Tolewahi. Deotale promised to bring in all civic amenities which are missing in Tolewahi. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Stalled-relocation-of-Kolsa-in-TATR-begins/articleshow/11160768.cms

50% families inside TATR opt for Rs 10L cash relief

TNN | Dec 17, 2011, 01.55AM IST CHANDRAPUR: Almost 50% of the families living in two villages inside Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) set for relocation have opted for a cash compensation of Rs 10 lakh instead of seeking rehabilitation benefits. The rehabilitation process of village Navegaon (Ramdegi) and Jamni inside TATR has begun and the work on felling and land levelling is underway at the sites selected for relocation. With the high court setting a deadline of one year for relocation, the government machinery has expedited process in the second phase of rehabilitation. Navegaon village will be rehabilitated in compartment number 29 in Chimur forest range near village Khadsangi while Jamni village in number 42 of Chimur range near Dablapur. Villagers themselves have selected both the sites for rehabilitation. Authorities have identified 240 beneficiary families in Navegaon and 222 families in Jamni for rehabilitation. The government has put two options before the beneficiaries under Rs 10 lakh compensation package for rehabilitation. In the first case, the beneficiary takes the entire compensation amount denying rehabilitation. However, the administration will ensure that such beneficiaries aptly utilize the compensation amount. In the second case, the sum will be deposited with the administration and it will arrange for all residential and farming facilities at the rehabilitation site. CCF and field director of TATR Vinaykumar Sinha said, "129 families, including 110 landowners and 19 landless families in Navegaon (Ramdegi), have opted for seeking cash benefits. Similarly, 107 families, including 88 landowner and 19 landless families in Jamni, have decided to go for a cash benefit of Rs 10 lakh under the rehabilitation package." The remaining 111 families in Navegaon and 115 families in Jamni have agreed to avail rehabilitation benefits, he added. Meanwhile, the land record office in Chimur has completed the measurement of relocation site of both the villages. The town planning department has prepared gaothan map of the rehabilitation site of Navegaon village. The process of preparing gaothan map for relocation site of Jamni is underway. The work on tree felling and levelling of land at Navegaon site is in progress. At Jamni site, it is stalled due to lack of labourers, officials said. District collector Vijay Waghmare reviewed the progress of rehabilitation work in the meeting held on Wednesday. He said that the administration is hard-pressed to complete the work early following the high court directives. Better offer TATR had a total of six villages including Botezari, Kolsa, Navegaon (Ramdegi), Jamni, Rantalodhi and Kolsa inside the core area. Earlier in first phase of rehabilitation, entire Botezari village and part of Kolsa village was rehabilitated out of TATR at the site now known as Bhagwanpur in Mul forest range four years back. However, over 90 families of Kolsa had refused to move at the last moment citing lack of amenities at the rehabilitation site. The first phase of rehabilitation was carried out under the Rs 1 lakh rehabilitation package. However, to pursue the remaining villagers of Kolsa inside TATR, the government offered Rs 10 lakh rehabilitation package. TATR authorities and NGOs are negotiating and pursuing Kolsa villagers to move out of the tiger reserve. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/50-families-inside-TATR-opt-for-Rs-10L-cash-relief/articleshow/11138208.cms

Tiger wounded in fight with wild animals

PTI | 03:12 PM,Dec 16,2011 Udhagamandalam,Dec 16 (PTI) A 14-year-old male tiger, believed to have been injured during a fight with wild animals, is being treated at the Elephant camp near here, forest department officials said today. The wounded tiger was noticed by some villagers near Bokkapuram in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Three veterinarians staying at the Elephant camp in Theppakkadu brought the animal to the camp. The tiger's condition is normal now, forest department sources said.

Phase IV of tiger census to be 45-days long

Mazhar Ali, TNN | Dec 16, 2011 CHANDRAPUR: Authorities of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) have geared up to carry out phase IV of its tiger monitoring, an extended programme of three earlier phases of tiger estimation exercise, in January and February next year. However, compared earlier phases, it would be an extensive exercise lasting for 45 days, covering tiger reserve, buffer zone and tiger pockets in regular forest areas in Chandrapur circle. Funded by NTCA, phase IV would be carried out in the areas of tiger presence under the supervision of chief wildlife warden. This annual exercise would help to re-ascertain the number of tigers in the reserve and areas around it, their breeding and dispersal pattern. Phase IV monitoring will include eight days of protocol documentation of sign survey, followed by extensive capture-recapture exercise with the help of camera traps and line transact assessment to ascertain the tiger population. "It is 45 days long extensive monitoring programme to access of tiger population. A least three pairs of camera traps would be placed in each beat of forest area. The presence of tigers in particular area will be established by capturing images and it would be verified by recapturing the same tiger's images in camera trap during the exercise," said CCF, TATR, Vinay Sinha. He explained that distance method would be used in transact line assessment and new lines would be made in the areas being freshly accessed for wildlife population. "Phase IV tiger monitoring would be carried out in tiger reserves, its buffer areas and tiger pockets falling in the regular forest areas around tiger reserve. NGO activist would be involved in the monitoring exercise during line transact assessment," he said. He claimed their draft plan and modality for phase IV is ready and they intended to execute monitoring exercise in January and February next years. He however did not give the exact dates of execution of the programme. Sinha claimed that a training programme at officer level has been organized at Panna tiger reserve on December 28 and 29. Officers up to RFO level would be guided in this training programme and they would in turn train the staffers under them at local level for the phase IV tiger monitoring exercise. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Phase-IV-of-tiger-census-to-be-45-days-long/articleshow/11125454.cms

Three tiger cubs dead in two days, toll 17

HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times Dehradun, December 16, 2011 Three tiger cubs have died in different parts of Uttarakhand in the last two days, taking the death toll so far this year to 17 — up from the seven recorded last year. Alarmed wildlife authorities have sought immediate submission of postmortem reports to shore up conservation plans. On Tuesday, the bodies of a male and a female cub were found in Kilpura range of Terai east forest division. Another female cub was found dead in Dhela range of Corbett Tiger Reserve on Wednesday night. According to forest department officials, the cubs might have been separated from their mothers and succumbed to the cold conditions. But officials are not ruling out any possibilities.   Uttarakhand chief wildlife warden SS Sharma said, "I have asked forest officials to submit the postmortem report to me at the earliest. After analysing the reasons for these deaths, I will be in a better position to frame a plan of action for conservation." Earlier this month, HT had reported the rise in tiger deaths in the state.  Rajendra Agarwal, state head of the Wildlife Protection Society of India, said, "It’s surprising that within two days, three tiger cubs have died… If it continues, we could face an alarming situation." http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NorthIndia/Three-tiger-cubs-dead-in-two-days-toll-17/Article1-782995.aspx

'Power plants will choke Vidarbha development'

Aparna Nair, TNN | Dec 16, 2011, 12.50AM IST NAGPUR: Tiger mascots were prominently displayed as green organisations came together on Thursday to protest the large number of thermal power plants coming up in Vidarbha that would further degrade the environment of the region. Their main demand included the cancelling permissions to 49 power plants slated to come up in Vidarbha. "What is the need of these when we are already self-sufficient in power and exporting energy," asked R B Goenka, convenor Vidarbha Environment Action Group (VEAG). He said that such a large number of thermal plants would affect environment drastically. "The water table will further lower. Water and air pollution will rise drastically. In satellite images you cannot see vegetation in 10 km radius of power plants because of harmful effects," he said. Greenpeace also supported this agitation held near Hislop College through its Junglistan campaign. "Forest around Tadoba are already degrading due to the opencast mines and the power plants. We are questioning the ministry on the need of so many plants in a small region," said Preethi Herman, campaigner, Greenpeace. These power plants may prove to be the doom for Nagpur's development. Paramjit Ahuja, founder member, VEAG said, "In future, each country will have limits on carbon emission. Thus, every region will have its quota. Because of the large number of thermal power plants in the area, the carbon emissions will already be high, prompting the government to stop industrialization in the region." Sudhir Paliwal of VEAG said that the expansion of the Koradi power plant is another matter of concern. "Coal in our country is radioactive and contains heavy metals like mercury. So even after burning, the contamination remains in the ash which is not disposed of properly. Government needs to be conscious about the radioactivity and finalise its acceptable level in coal," he said. Clearly Vidarbha is being made sacrificial goat for other region's development. "These plants are not even going to generate much employment. Parts of the Nagpur metro regions are being demanded for mining. Then how is the city going to be developed," asks Pradeep Behere, president, Srushti Paryavaran Mandal. Vrushali Shrirang of Green Vigil said that quest for sustainable development was the need and resources should be used to meet demand and not to produce surplus. Alternative actions possible The activists said that they were not against development. In order to meet power demands, they suggested alternative ways that would have lower environmental impact and would not be biased against some region's interests. 1. Power plants should be set up where there is requirement of power or near places having coal reserves 2. Go in for 100 MW plants that use air cooling. Thus water used for cooling could be saved 3. Set up underground transmission cables 4. Set up infrastructure corridors http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Power-plants-will-choke-Vidarbha-development/articleshow/11125091.cms

50-yr-old man killed by tiger

TNN | Dec 14, 2011, 10.27PM IST BAHRAICH: A 50-year-old man was killed when he was attacked by a tiger at Bagulahia farm in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary here on Wednesday. Divisonal Forest Officer (DFO) Wildlife RK Singh told that the Mahant Yadav went to the forest area on Tuesday to get some fodder when he was attacked by the animal, they said adding he died instantly. According to figures provided by the DFO, 12 people have been killed in attacks by leopards and tigers in the region. 65 people have been killed and 95 were injured in the incidents of leopard and tiger attacks in the villages around Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary in three years. There are 9 forest gram sabhas and 21 gram sabhas under the Katarniaghat forest where the movement of the leopards and tigers are frequently seen. The leopards and tigers enter these villages quite often in the search of food and water where they not only make prey to the cattles of the villagers but the villagers also fall prey to them occassionally. The recent incident which occurred at Ameersingh purwa of Karikot where a leopard attacked on a four years old girl and ate it alive. This incident has not only created terror in the forest areas but also in the whole district. The workplans were chalked out many at times in order to secure the gram sabhas of around the forests but they were never implemented. Recently the district magistrate (DM)Bahraich pinky jowel held the meeting with the villagers, he had assured them that every possible effort would be made to protect the villagers. For this he had also ordered to prepare a workplan for constructing a ditch around the villages and planting the thorny bushes in it. The work was to be executed by MNREGA. What to mention of executing the work, even the workplan could not be approved. However the entry of the wild animals in the villages has gone up and many persons lost their life.

Manas Tiger Reserve set to regain past glory-PTI

Manas: Battered by militant activities in the early nineties resulting in its listing as a world heritage site in danger, the picturesque Manas tiger reserve is all set to regain its pristine glory, thanks to astute forest and infrastructure management. Conservation initiatives are going in the right direction and the park is all set to attract animal lovers and tourist as it had done two decades back, says Field Director, Anindya Swargiary. The park recently organised a function called "Logistic support for Manas Tiger reserve" that was held in association with WWF where the WWF officials handed over various vital logistic items to the park authorities. Acknowledging that militant activities had taken the park hundred years back in terms of management system, the park director said serious effort was make to bring it back to order. Although the park was one of the biggest tiger reserves in the country, its unique location offers a difference than other parks. Expressing the hope that tiger population had increased, Swargiary said recently nine big cats were traced during a survey by the Wildlife Institute of India while a fresh survey is underway. Alongwith forest officials, several organisations and NGOs are working in tandem to develop and preserve the park in a coherent manner, he said. The field director felt that as the park shares an international boundary with neighbouring Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, coordination with that country's forest authroties was necessary. Infact only the Manas river running through the park is the boundary line with the otherside known as Royal Bhutan tiger reserve. A meeting between forest officials of the two countries was held recently to bring about coordination in the effort to protect forest and wildlife, says Swargiary. Urging Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), the administrators of the area, to sanction more fund, the forest official said a detailed report will be finalised soon outlining all aspects of preservation. Council head of the department of NTC, G C Basumatary says recognition by the world community in bringing back the world heritage site status to Manas was possible due to untiring efforts of the authorities. During the event, Dipankar Ghosh, programme coordinator of WWF stressed on the need to raise the profile of Manas in national and international levels. Assuring all effort from WWF side to help revive the park, Ghosh congratulated the forest authorities for helping the park to develop. Giving a detail account of the activities in the park, BTC deputy chief Khampha Borgoyary says a probe committee has been set up after skeleton of a Rhino which was translocated from the Pabitora wildlife sanctuary was found inside the park. During the event, eight motorcycles, 20 binoculars, 500 mosquito nets, 1000 shoes, 500 jackets and caps, 500 sweaters, 60 torches and 10 charge lights were handed over to the forest staff. Swargiary says plans are on the anvil to develop accomodation and travelling facilities for the tourists to the park. Admitting that of late the park had very few visitors due to lack of transport facilities, the park director says an amibitous plan is being made by the BTC to easy acess to the visitors to the park and their comfortable stay. Meanwhile, local villagers who are living in the fringe of the park are being educated and made aware of the need to protect the environment and wildlife.

Controversy over killing of tiger in KNP continues

 BOKAKHAT, Dec 14 – The resentment over the killing of a Royal Bengal tiger at Bochagaon by police constables on December 5 took a new turn with NGOs, police and Forest department differing on the matter. It may be mentioned that the Royal Bengal tiger had created panic in the fringe villages of the Kaziranga National Park since the last two weeks as a result of which the persons had to suffer losses. Later, the tiger was reportedly killed by police constables in self-defence and to protect the life and property of the villagers. After going through the proper investigation and post mortem by concerned Forest official and Veterinary doctors the carcass of the tiger was burnt. Meanwhile, the Kaziranga National Park and the National Tiger Conservation Authority of India have launched an inquiry into the incident. Local people lodged complaints that the Kaziranga Park authorities had been informed about the panic created by the tiger for the last 15 days but the Forest department did not take any positive steps due to which the unwanted situation took place. On the other hand, local people including leading citizens and dignitaries of different socio-cultural organisations of Kaziranga and Bokakhat have expressed strong resentment over the news published in some newspapers acusing the villagers as the killers of the Royal Bengal tiger in the park area. They clarified in a press meet that neither the police nor the local people intentionally killed the tiger but only under compulsion. Hema Borah, president of the Four-Lane Demand Committee, spoke against the Government decision for not connecting Bokakhat and Jakhalabandha with the Four-lane plea. Addressing the mediapersons, most of the dignaitaries representing their organisations vehemently opposed the decision of the Government for declaring KNP as another project Tiger site. Dipak Hazarika, joint secretary of AJYCP’s central committee, Bitupan Saikia, secretary of Bokakhat subdivisional unit of AASU, Lila Tamuli, president of Kaziranga Sports Association, Nagen Saikia of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, Deva Pratim Borah of Four-Lane Demand Committee and Tulshi Bordoloi of Kaziranga Jeep Safari Union addressed the meet and appealed to the media to write in the greater interest of the Kaziranga area, highlighting the major problem and facts. Nilu Acharjee, Swapan Nath and Achyut Hazarika from among the scribes presented short speeches in response to the situation. http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=dec1511/state07

Political posturing, encroachments are eating into Mhadei's tiger territory Paul Fernandes, Rajendra P Kerkar & Murari Shetye, TNN

Caranzol: The issue of settlements and encroachments within the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary and its fringes, coupled with political posturing, is slowly eating into tiger territory. In 1999, the official appointed to hear stakeholders affected by the sanctuary's notification received a total of 117 claims from residents of villages falling within the sanctuary. A few years later, figures provided in the North Goa working plan indicated encroachments of around 1,539.71 ha in 21 villages under the Valpoi range and four villages under the Keri range of the sanctuary. "Though there are no proper records regarding encroachments, the satellite imagery (with 1999 as cut-off) can be used to determine fresh incursions within the sanctuary's limits," a government official said. On June 3, 1999, the government notified 44 sq km of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary's 208 sq km area under Section 26A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This area had been earlier declared a reserve forest and was clear of encumbrances. The remainder 164 sq km was notified under Section 18 of the same Act as it included encroachments. "Notifying the area under this mode meant the claims of those interested in the land could be heard," an official explained. P V Savant was appointed as the revenue officer and collector for the sanctuary and was directed to hear claims of aggrieved stakeholders. He received 10 claims, including eight from individual families, two separately from a group of 96 villagers from Zarme and 13 from Thane-Dongurli and Ivrem-Buzuruco of Thane Dongurli panchayat, staking claim to forest lands. In their deposition, the claimants stated they had developed and brought specific areas in forest land under cashew plantation. They were in possession of the land for two to four decades and sustained their families on cashew and other produce, they informed Savant. Some prayed that they should be granted occupancy right as per the land revenue code and rules, even though they could not produce documentary evidence. The form I & XIV they produced to support their cases indicated that they were classified encroachers on government land. Savant observed, among other remarks, that the state should review the proposal of including Zarme and Ivrem-Buzuruco in the sanctuary as lots of land was occupied by encroachers. The government had, incidentally, granted occupancy rights to 104 persons during 1983, 1984 and 1985. Of these, 99 cases are in the sanctuary. The extent of area granted under occupancy rights varies from 850 sq m to 1,5250 sq m. While the government has granted rights to some farmers, a process of regularization is still in progress by the revenue department, say sources. As per records, sanads (occupancy rights) were issued in 42 cases prior to 1980 in Ivrem Buzuruco. While survey numbers were mentioned in the sanads in respect of one person in two cases, none were mentioned in the other 40 cases. Savant had noted in an order: "...considering the ground reality of large areas of proposed sanctuary under cashew plantations the state is advised to review the sanctuary proposal." He further urged the government to prevent further encroachments by demarcating old and new encroachments. But forest officials say that doing this will change the boundaries of the sanctuary. The government subsequently appointed a committee headed by Hemant Karapurkar to examine the rationale for de-notification of the two sanctuaries (Neturlim wildlife sanctuary in Sanguem had been notified along with Mhadei). The Karapurkar committee had stated in its report that 1,826 families are affected by the proposal in Mhadei. "However, the committee did not provide either the list of the persons or the survey numbers of those claiming to be affected," alleges Claude Alvares, director, NGO Goa Foundation. Forest minister Felipe Neri Rodrigues was not available for comment, while additional principal conservator of forests Shashi Kumar avoided any discussion on the issue. The government's indecision is only aggravating the problem, forest officials and greens both agree. A forest official conceded, "It is not helping the cause of the tiger nor the people in keeping the issue burning." Environmentalists suggest that the government has to decide the issue of encroachments within the sanctuary. Fixing a cut-off period to draw a line between old and new encroachments is advisable, they say. "The government has to approach the Supreme Court and seek its advice on the matter," says Talulah D'Silva of Mission Green, Goa. This NGO had initiated an e-petition with an appeal to declare the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve and a second one, seeking local support for it. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Political-posturing-encroachments-are-eating-into-Mhadeis-tiger-territory/articleshow/11116262.cms

Two tiger cubs found dead

PTI | 09:12 PM,Dec 13,2011 Rishikesh, Dec 13 [PTI] Two tiger cubs were today found dead in Kilpuri range of the Terai East forest division in Haldwani area of Nainital district in Uttarakhand, forest officials said. A postmortem of the tiger cubs, one male and another female, is being conducted, they said. Both the cubs were one and half year old and were apparently siblings, Chief Wildlife Warden S S Sharma said. Meanwhile, honorary Corbett Wildlife warden Bijendra Singh asked the authorities to take proper care of the elusive tigers. http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/two-tiger-cubs-found-dead/928218.html