Unseen tiger triggers jungle safari!

Source: DNA | Last Updated 04:16(14/02/12) Indore: Even as forest officials are yet to sight the tiger reported in Choral jungles by villages, the location around the forest has become a hot spot for visitors. Inquisitive animal lovers have started thronging the forest where the officials had found pug marks of the tiger. The unsolicited tourism started soon after the forest officers disclosed location of their findings while carrying out large-scale conservation efforts to save the big cat. Wildlife expert Dr Sudhir Khetawat told that the forest department should have ideally concealed exact location of the tiger. "They could have revealed information about presence of tiger but hidden where it was. This would have prevented people from visiting the jungles and disturbing the feline's territory," he suggested. However, a forest officer admitted that the department can't stop people from visiting the area. We know that movements of human beings might upset the tiger believed to be marking his territory, a senior forest officer on condition of anonymity said. In some cases, the forest department provided vehicles for VIP visitors to reach the exact spot where the evidence of tiger presence was collected. "We are bound by instructions from superiors," the forest officer said. The forest department had instructions to ensure that the tiger is preserved using all means possible. The officers were also told to prevent any kind of man-wildlife contact before the tiger settles down in the unprotected jungles. But the hype and hoopla created by the tiger sightings have led to binocular-trotting animal lovers from the city to spend weekends in nearby jungles. On how they plan to deal with a situation where they encounter the tiger in unprotected domain, the visitors had no answer. Dr Khetawat claimed that at present it is the animal lovers who are trying to locate the tiger. "Just imagine, if poachers also knew about the tiger's location in the unprotected jungles! We have lot of members from Pardhi community in the vicinity. They are infamous for tiger poaching," he added. http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MP-IND-unseen-tiger-triggers-jungle-safari-2860632.html

Forest dept to save injured wild tiger cub in Bandipur

February 14, 2012 DC Bengaluru The Forest Department will soon treat an ailing wild tiger cub inside the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The cub, aged little over a year, was sighted three days ago inside Bandipur game area with serious injuries. The department staff on a safari vehicle saw the cub and informed the higher-ups. On tracking the cub, the officials found out that it has been living its two siblings and the mother. The tracking team wanted to photograph the cub to know the extent and nature of the injury. But despite searching for the family whole of Sunday, they could not sight it and the operation had to be called off. An expert team from the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) was sent to Bandipur on Monday morning. By noon, the injured tiger was sighted on Somap-ura Road inside the forest. The search team photographed the cub and is trying to analyse the nature of the injury. “The tiger cub was lying near a water pond and we could take pictures of the injuries, which might have been caused either by a deer or by a tiger outside the family. We are waiting for orders to tranquilise the cub, so that the veterinarians can treat it. Till Monday evening, the tiger remained out of veterinarians’ reach, and the rescue operation will begin on Tuesday morning,” sources told Deccan Chronicle. “The tiger will be captured and treatment procedure will be initiated. Depending on the recovery, the cub will be released back in the same area where it is normally seen with its mother and two siblings,” the sour-ces added. But wildlife expert term have been opposing the forest department move, saying it is “intervention with the nature”. “Tigers have high mortality rate and one cannot intervene in the natural cycle of carnivores, such as tigers. But sometimes on humanitarian grounds such forced interventions become inevit-able,” said tiger biologist Dr K. Ullas Karanth. There have been such interventions earlier when researchers and forest officials have treated tigers and elephants. Last year, a team from the CID Forest Cell tried to save an ailing tusker on the banks of Kabini river after the mammoth refused to eat. But it failed, and the elephant died. In 2000, a male tiger caught in a jaw trap was treated by forest officials. But the tiger could not be released back into the wild as the doctors had to amputate its forelimb. The tiger, named Maasti, is now housed at a special enclosure in the Bannerghatta zoo. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/forest-dept-save-injured-wild-tiger-cub-bandipur-906

Row over prowling tiger at CISH as shooter called in

Controversy has erupted over a tiger prowling on the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) campus under Awadh Forest Division in Uttar Pradesh, barely 15 km from Lucknow. While the Forest Department and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) have failed to tranquilise it even after a month and a licensed shikari brought in to tackle it, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has stepped into protect the wild cat. A letter written by Deputy Director, NTCA and addressed to the Chief Wildlife Warden has stated that under no circumstances the straying tiger should be killed. Ironically, the move of NTCA comes only after certain wildlife activists including the former Environment Minister Maneka Gandhi raised hue and cry over the shikari’s arrival. The letter from NTCA says that the guidelines specified by the authority in handling man-tiger conflict must be strictly adhered to. The strayed animal should be monitored unobtrusively for tranquilising by trained personnel involving the Wildlife Institute of India for subsequent release in the wild after due examination with respect to disabilities, it said. The four-year-old tiger strayed into the campus from the Pilibhit forest, near River Gomti that runs across the forest reaching Lucknow. The tiger moved through the thick vegetation on either side of the river and sneaked into the CISH campus. The tiger is now trapped as it is unable to cross the highway due to heavy human pressures and traffic. After a month when the combined team of the State Forest Department and WTI have failed to tranquilise the animal, licensed shooter Nawab Shafath Ali Khan has been brought from Hyderabad. According to Chief Wildlife Warden, Mohammad Ehsaan, it is not easy to tranquilise a tiger. “The tranquilising gun can at best operate within a range of 25 metres, the process can only happen during the day. Khan has been summoned to tranquilise the animal,” he added. Well-placed sources pointed out that Khan is a national- level shooter, who carries a .458 Winchester Magnum. In 2009, Khan had been invited by the Awadh Forest division to shoot a tigress, which had killed five persons. However, this time, there has not been any such incident of either human or even cattle killing so far. “Hence, one fails to understand why the shooter had to be brought in the first place?” sources said. Reacting to the whole episode Maneka Gandhi asked, “Why did the NTCA have to wait for a month to sprig into action?” She said the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department should exercise utmost caution in dealing with the situation and not try to eliminate such strayed animals. http://dailypioneer.com/nation/42246-row-over-prowling-tiger-at-cish-as-shooter-called-in.html

Tiger foils tranquillising attempts

Efforts to tranquillise the tiger that strayed into the Central Institute of Sub Tropical Horticulture campus at Rehmankheda in the Awadh Forest Division of Lucknow proved futile, as it charged twice at the team tasked with sedating it. Hyderabadi shooter Nawab Shafat Ali Khan, was on the cow elephant, Roopkali, when the tiger charged at it on Friday, forcing the pachyderm to turn away in panic. After some time, when the elephant pressed ahead again, the feline came “dangerously close.” “Because of the high bushes, the view was not clear for using the tranquillising gun,” said Mr. Khan, who took charge of ‘Operation Rehmankheda Tiger.' There are thorny and lantana bushes 10-12 feet high on the CISTH campus, giving the tiger a natural cover. What is more, a nala flows through it. On Saturday, the elephant was not used, as the tiger moved 200-250 metres deeper into the bushes. A half-eaten buffalo calf was found. Officials waited through the day hoping the tiger would come out to gather the kill. “But it did not come near the machan or cages,” said Ashok Mishra, DFO, Awadh Forest Division. Four teams with as many tranquillising guns were on the job. No order to shoot has been issued as the tiger has not harmed any human. “We are hopeful of capturing it,” Mr. Mishra said. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2883536.ece

Officials look for hurt tiger cub

Express News Service , The New Indian Express BANGALORE:� A 17-month-old male tiger cub was injured in a territorial fight near Somanakoppa in Bandipur National Park (BNP). The divisional forest officer of BNP was instructed to tranquillise the big cat immediately and treat its injuries before the wound worsens. “The safari on the� Somanakoppa side for tourists will be closed till the treatment is over,” said Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) B K Singh. He told Express that a tigress had given birth to four cubs - two males and two females - last year. The tigress was residing with its cubs inside the national park. Two days ago, a forest guard spotted a male tiger cub with injuries on its tail and other parts of the body. It is speculated the male cub got engaged in a territorial fight with another tiger and sustained injuries. Singh said there is an immediate need to treat the injured tiger else it would die of infection. Singh said, “The forest department is keen to protect the big cats across the state forests. The vigilance is upgraded by deploying more men in tiger core zones. This� helped� to reduce poaching cases in Karnataka.” http://ibnlive.in.com/news/officials-look-for-hurt-tiger-cub/229505-60-115.html

National network of tiger poachers busted

Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times A nation-wide network of poachers spanning across four tiger states has been unearthed with the arrest of six members of two separate gangs in the last fortnight. Six leopard and tiger skins and about five kilogram of bones have been recovered from them. But, their claim of killing eight to ten tigers in less than six months, which is about 40 percent of poaching incidents big cat deaths during the period, has caused panic. “Their claim is alarming and we are verifying it,” said a senior Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) official. About 18 tiger deaths, of which five were killed this January, have been reported in last one year. Increase in tiger population from 1,411 to 1,706 in less than years has pushed the big cats outside the protected core areas, thereby making them vulnerable to poaching. The big catch was on Thursday when the WCCB officers arrested Dharambir and four accomplices from Bijnore in Uttar Pradesh with four leopard and one tiger skin. The animals were apparently killed with the help of iron traps in Corbett Tiger Reserve and Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand when the elections were on. They have claimed to have already transported two consignments to international wildlife dealer in Delhi identified as Lavi Singh after the state assembly elections got over on January 30. They were unlucky third time when they were caught with the parts in Haridwar. The WCCB officials believe that the consignment was meant for sale in the international market. Belinda Wright of NGO Wildlife Protection Society of India said the international price of tiger parts has increased manifold. “We have seen a sudden spurt in demand in the last few weeks which may be cause of increase in poaching and seizures,” she said. The WCCB investigation has confirmed Wright’s apprehension with investigation into seizure of a tiger skin by customs officials in Siliguri, West Bengal revealing that tigers were killed in Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Chhattisgarh. The WCCB has been able to establish linkage with Siliguri seizure with the network of poachers in these three states. “The local poachers were employed to kill the tigers and then body parts were transported to Kolkatta. From there it was smuggled outside the country from Nepal and Myanmar borders,” the official said. The officials are also trying to link arrest of five persons in Kerala and recovery of a leopard and tiger skin from them with international wildlife smugglers. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/National-network-of-tiger-poachers-busted/Article1-809187.aspx

Hyderabad shikari called upon to tackle Lucknow tiger menace

TNN | Feb 10, 2012, 02.36AM IST HYDERABAD: The tiger menace has returned to Awadh Forest Division dangerously close to Lucknow and licensed shikari Nawab Shafath Ali Khan from the city has been invited by the authorities to tackle the menace. With the tiger on the prowl at the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) campus, barely 15km from the Lucknow, for more than a month, residents have been living in fear. All attempts by the Awadh Forest division and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) to track and tranquillise the big cat have been in vain. The four-year-old tiger got into the campus from Pilibhit forest, near river Gomti running from the forest to Lucknow. On either side of the river is thick forest like vegetation. The tiger entered the vegetation and travelled along the river. Unable to deviate, it reached the CISH campus. According to Khan, the forest department and WTI put together a six-member team to tranquillise the tiger so that it could be released back into its natural habitat. After 35 days, on February 7, the team of trackers used a buffalo calf as bait to lure the tiger. After realising that they had failed, the unsuspecting team went to release the calf only to be charged by the tiger. Khan received an invitation from Ashok Mishra, DFO Awadh Forest Division, on February 8 to tranquillise the animal. When contacted, DFO Ashok Mishra confirmed that Khan has indeed been invited by the Awadh Forest Department and will be leaving for Lucknow to tranquillise the tiger on February 10 at 10 am. "The CISH campus forest abuts the Lucknow-Haridwar highway. The tigeris trapped because it is unable to cross the highway into the proper forest due to heavy traffic," said Khan, who resides in Bazaar Guard area. Tigers move from one place to another with the change of season and the forest department is afraid that the wild cat might enter Lucknow anytime, he added. Tigers always charge towards the shooter when they are tranquillised. As a precautionary measure and for safety of his team, Khan will carry a .458 Winchester Magnum which has enough stopping power to take on a charging tiger in its tracks and a range of 100 metres. "The forest department doesn't have powerful weapons to tackle man-eaters or rogue elephants," he noted, adding this is the first time that a private individual has been called by the forest department to tranquilise the national animal. On February 24, 2009, Khan was invited by the Awadh Forest division to put down a tigress which turned man-eater and had killed five people and mauled many more. The tigress had travelled 350 km from Pilibheet to Faizabad and terrorised farmers. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Hyderabad-shikari-called-upon-to-tackle-Lucknow-tiger-menace/articleshow/11830002.cms

Buffer zone protects human habitation

Express News Service , The New Indian Express CHIKMAGALUR:� The conservation guild activists claimed that owing to buffer zone, the Project Tiger area in the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary will not affect human habitation around it. In a statement issued here on Thursday, activists of Wild Cat-C, Bhadra wildlife Conservation Trust and the Nature Conservation Guild, Sridev Hulikere and D V Girish, claimed that Project Tiger buffer zone formation would affect industrial units and construction of jungle resorts. According to them, there was no need for people around Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary to panic. The activists added that the cultivable lands, including plantations, are within a 10 km radius of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. The buffer zone area will be carved out of government lands and 90 per cent of it falls under the reserve forests. The� Environment Conservation Act states that� buffer zone should be formed in ecologically sensitive areas and care should be taken not to disturb areas of� human habitation. Sridev and Girish said that people residing within 10 km radius of the sanctuary would� willingly move out. Those moving out, would be rehabilitated suitably. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/buffer-zone-protects-human-habitation/228821-60-115.html

Huge haul of poached animal parts, 5 held

FRIDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2012 00:41 PNS | DEHRADUN HITS: 112 The pelts of one tiger, four leopards and about 3 kg big cat bones were seized from five persons who were arrested in Najibabad in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. The wildlife contraband is said to have been sourced from Uttarakhand. According to regional deputy director (northern region) of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau Ramesh K Pandey, a joint operation involving the WCCB, UP STF and Najibabad police arrested five persons based on intelligence provided by the bureau. The five were arrested with one tiger and four leopard pelts, bones and two iron traps used specifically for trapping big cats. The kingpin of the gang, Dharmveer Kanjar, was also among those arrested. The rest have been identified as Sunil Nath and Omar of Najibabad, Navi Singh of Dharchula and the car driver, Punit Chauhan. It is believed that Dharmveer received wildlife contraband from the plains and hilly regions of Uttarakhand. According to Pandey, Najibabad is a convenient town with links to both the hills and the plains due to which Dharmveer was able to source banned wildlife commodities from all parts of the State. The arrested persons confessed that while three leopard pelts have been sourced from Kugadda in Kalagarh forest range in Uttarakhand, the tiger skin and one leopard pelt were obtained from Rajaji National Park. http://dailypioneer.com/nation/41549-huge-haul-of-poached-animal-parts-5-held.html

Security scan at Corbett, 4 other tiger hubs on cards

THURSDAY, 09 FEBRUARY 2012 00:16 PNS | DEHRADUN HITS: 158 The National Tiger Conservation Authority will be conducting security audit in five tiger reserves across the country including the Corbett tiger reserve in Uttarakhand. Though the NTCA deputy inspector general SP Yadav said he was too busy to either recall the names of these tiger reserves or the parameters of the security audit, wildlife activists state that all wildlife and environment in addition to tigers could benefit greatly if the security audit is undertaken efficiently and its recommendations are executed effectively at the ground level. Apart from being India’s national animal, the tiger is also important because its conservation will ensure the conservation of many other animals and the environment. India also holds over half of the world’s tiger population (in the wild) with 1,706 living in the nation according to the latest tiger census report released by the NTCA in March 2011. This makes the security audit of tiger reserves all the more important because inspite of efforts undertaken by the authority and State forest departments, poaching of tigers and other big cats, their prey species and anthropogenic damage in protected areas has continued in many parts of the nation. According to the letter issued by the NTCA to five tiger reserves including Nagarhole tiger reserve in Karnataka, Tadoba-Andheri in Maharashtra, Bandavgarh in Madhya Pradesh, Kaziranga in Assam and Corbett in Uttarakhand in January this year, security audit of these reserves will be undertaken within six months. http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/41299-security-scan-at-corbett-4-other-tiger-hubs-on-cards.html

PTR tiger count stalled for want of equipment

TNN Feb 4, 2012, 10.35PM IST DALTONGANJ: The fourth phase of the tiger census in Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) is likely to be delayed. Sources said the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has asked for an estimate of tigers here but for want of infrastructural facilities, the process if likely to be delayed. The PTR does not have digital and trapping cameras in large numbers, global positioning system equipment and range finders. Sources said without these equipment, PTR cannot go for the fourth phase of the count. The tech support is necessary for accuracy of figures. Sources said the number of tigers in PTR has been fudged. In early 1994, there used to be 49 tigers whereas today the PTR struggles to count a little near a dozen big cats. The field director-cum-conservator, S E H Kazmi, conceded, " Right now these equipment are not with the PTR and hence it is difficult to go for any estimation. The fourth phase count is a sophisticated procedure in which all information is to be fed into a software and even a minor inaccuracy will be declared an error." DNA test of scat of tigers is now the main plank of counting its population but there are other things like a range finder. A range finder gives the exact position of wildlife in any tiger reserve. The PTR is segmented into 30 zones and sources said more than half the zones are in highly sensitive areas affected by extremism. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-04/ranchi/31024319_1_palamu-tiger-reserve-tiger-census-ptr

Eco-Pro activists stage agitation

TNN | Feb 9, 2012, 06.15AM IST CHANDRAPUR: Wildlife organization Eco-Pro staged a day-long sit-in agitation before the office of chief conservator of forests (CCF) on Wednesday to press the demand of initiating fire protection works in the forest. However, it turned out that fire protection works have been stranded across the state for lack of grants. The organization is now planning to the take up the matter with the state forest minister. Incidents of fire in forests generally begin in March, and therefore forest authorities accomplish their preparation to tackle the fires by February 15 every year. However, this year, no initiative in this regard has been taken so far due to lack of funds. Alarmed by the delay, Eco-Pro had raised the issue with APCCF (planning and development) Shri Bhagwan during his recent visit here. But as no grants were released for fire protection, Eco-Pro activists led by their president Bandu Dhotre staged the sit-in. "Lack of fire protection works such as fire line cutting and deployment of fire watchers, puts entire forest and wildlife in danger. While precious forest is lost in fires, herbivores too are deprived of their food in the area. Uncontrolled fires also lead to the death of newborns and cubs of wild animals, as they are unable to move away swiftly. Only fire protection measures can help checking this problem, but thanks to lack of funds its works are withheld," said Bandu Dhotre. CCF of Chandrapur circle BSK Reddy agreed that fire protection works are held up due to lack of grants. "The situation is the same across the state as grants are not available to take up fire protection work. We have received a part of aid on Wednesday itself, and it would be immediately released to start the work," he said. Reddy said that they have sought help from Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) for taking up fire protection works in the buffer zone of tiger reserve. TATR is going provide some aid from its tiger protection foundation for fire protection in buffer, he added. Dhotre said that as fire protection works are held up across the state, his organization would take up the issue with the forest minister Patangrao Kadam. More than two dozen activists of Eco-Pro participated in the agitation. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Eco-Pro-activists-stage-agitation/articleshow/11817708.cms

NGOs kept out of tiger census

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Feb 8, 2012, 07.20AM IST NAGPUR: SK Khetarpal, the state's principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), has shut the door on NGOs but kept it open for individuals to participate in the phase IV tiger monitoring exercise beginning on Friday. "But it's up to the park managers to decide on the participation of individuals. I won't interfere in this matter," Khetarpal told TOI on Tuesday. The exercise, which was to start earlier from February 2 to 7, will now be held between February 10 and 17 in tiger reserves and their buffer areas, and sanctuaries and national parks. Khetarpal had told TOI in January that only volunteers with wildlife and genuine credentials would be allowed to take part in the monitoring. On Monday, TOI received several calls from wildlife buffs on being denied participation by park managers. The wildlife chief said the department has enough staff to conduct the exercise. "The real field work can be done in a better way by forest staffers who are familiar with the areas. It's also an opportunity for the new forest recruits to learn techniques," he said. On transparency, the chief wildlife warden said, "What can be more transparent than the cameras. We've good number of tigers that are spilling over in non-protected areas. The camera traps cannot be tampered with. Moreover, the Wildlife Institute of India ( WII) will check the data which cannot be distorted." VK Sinha, field director & chief conservator (CCF) of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), said the first lot of compass and rangefinders needed on transact lines has been received. More are expected in a few days. Unavailability of these gears, along with zilla parishad and panchayat polls, was one of the reasons to postpone the monitoring exercise. The exercise will go on even without rangefinders in the hilly terrain and dense forests of Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) as it difficult to sight animals beyond 30-40 metres. "MTR needed 275 rangefinders but considering the topography I have sought only 10," said A K Mishra, field director of MTR. MTR will allow the participation of wildlife lovers. "They need to produce a photo identity card for verification," said Mishra. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) are among the NGOs which have been denied permission. WWF coordinator for Satpuda Maikal Landscape Project, Chhitaranjan Dave, has expressed disappointment over the move. SP Yadav, the deputy inspector general (DIG) of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), confirmed that it has left the participation of NGOs to PCCFs. "All we insist is that the national monitoring protocol be followed," he said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NGOs-kept-out-of-tiger-census/articleshow/11802640.cms

CBI probe for Panna tiger debacle stuck at the lowest level

MAHIM PRATAP SINGH The Hindu A tiger seen at the Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh. File photo: R. Sreenivasa Murthy Three years after the entire tiger population of the Panna Tiger Reserve was decimated, the Madhya Pradesh government has neither been able to fix responsibility for the disaster, nor has it handed over the enquiry to the Central Bureau of Investigation inspite of requests from the Ministry of Environment and forests and even the Prime Minister's Office. A new string of official communication, copies of which are available with The Hindu, suggests that a CBI investigation into the Panna debacle is being held up due to non-communication from the ground i.e. office of the Field Director, Panna Tiger Reserve. Last year, the Prime Minister's Office forwarded a complaint regarding CBI enquiry into the Panna debacle to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). On 20th July 2011, the NTCA wrote to the Madhya Pradesh government asking for an update on the matter. The state government sent the NTCA request to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) who in turn asked the Field Director, Panna Tiger Reserve to send the details of available evidence required for the CBI probe. Since then, the PCCF (Wildlife) office has sent repeated reminders in May, August, September and December 2011―to the Field Director, PTR, asking him to make available the evidence for three poaching cases that the state government had identified for CBI enquiry in 2010. But there has been no response from the Field Director. In March 2010, in response to a letter from NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal advising for a CBI enquiry into the Panna debacle, the state government had identified three poaching cases and had admitted the need for a CBI probe. The latest reminder to the FD was sent in December 2011, which unequivocally stated: “Regarding CBI probe in the disappearance of Panna tigers...in spite of repeated reminders, you have not provided us with the details and evidences relating to three cases identified by the government.. we are receiving constant reminders from the government from the government...please send the details as soon as possible” (translated from Hindi). Interestingly, the Field Director (FD) R.S. Murthy had only recently exposed the official-poacher nexus in the PTR in a confidential report last year, which was accessed by wildlife activist Ajay Dube under the Right to Information Act (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2487974.ece). In the report, Mr. Murthy had indicted the forest staff for acting in collusion with local hunting communities such as the Pardhis and the Bahelias as well as with national and international poaching mafia by suppressing cases or not registering one at all. “We believe that the FD is under pressure from some senior officials responsible for the loss of tiger population in Panna. This is the same officer who had exposed the official-poacher nexus through his report, why is he silent now inspite of repeated reminders,” asked Mr. Ajay dube, who obtained the entire chain of correspondence under the Right to Information Act. Not only has the state government not been able to fix responsibility in the case, it has failed to demarcate a buffer zone for the Panna Tiger Reserve, a requirement under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, amended in 2006. In such a situation, the future of the national animal appears bleak at the Panna Tiger Reserve, which is constantly under attack from poaching and illegal mining. http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article2869203.ece

Fighting chance for India's tigers: Poaching declines

Last Updated: Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 12:16 100 0 New Delhi: In cheering news for wildlife conservationists, tiger poaching dropped nearly 60 percent in 2011 as compared to the previous year, though it continues to pose a major threat to the survival of the big cat in the country, a leading NGO said. According to the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), 13 tigers were hunted last year as compared to 30 in 2010 - a decline of 57 percent. The bodies of poached tigers, seized bones and skins were computed to arrive at the figures. Adding other factors like road accidents, infighting, fighting with other animals, electrocution, found dead, and rescue and treatment, the overall toll rises to 61. In 2010, it was 58. However, top on the list of WPSI's tiger mortality is the found dead figure, 21. The toll from infighting was the same as that of poaching. In the previous year, 10 tigers died in such fights. "There has been definitely a decrease in poaching cases in 2011 compared to 2010, but it does not mean poaching has stopped," WPSI's Tito Joseph said. This could be "due to effective patrolling strategies adopted by the tiger authority (National Tiger Conservation Authority) in coordination with other agencies," Joseph said. The illegal wildlife trade continues to be a major threat to tigers. Joseph said traders were offering huge amounts of money in black markets for tiger body parts. "Recently trade activities were detected in Vietnam and Cambodia. The threat is not only from China (a known hub for such trade) but also from Southeast Asian countries," he said. "We need to be vigilant 24 hours 365 days," Joseph said. "Wildlife articles always have a very premium market and prices are not going to come down easily," U.C. Tiwari, wildlife warden of the Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, told IANS. The 1,200-plus sq km Corbett sanctuary is one of the 39 tiger reserves in the country. The poaching figure only reflects the cases that come to light and it may not truly reflect the ground condition, said Tiwari. He warned that the situation could turn alarming if the mortality rate of adult tigers rises. "Because adult tigers don't die easily,... there has to be some extraordinary circumstance." According to WPSI, of the 21 tigers found dead in 2011 many were adult tigers. In 2010, 15 tigers were found dead. "The fact that many poachers are now lodged in jails has surely contributed to the decrease. They are still cooling their heels in different jails," the official added. Acknowledging this, Ashok Kumar, an eminent tiger conservationist and vice chairman of the NGO Wildlife Trust of India, said poaching has reduced considerably as many poachers were jailed. "Our lawyers fight against them in court so they do not come out of jails. "All Alwar (Rajasthan)-based poachers are today in jails," said Kumar, referring to a gang blamed for extermination of tigers in the Sariska reserve, one of the two tiger sanctuaries in the state. Kumar has been at the forefront of the fight against poachers and illegal trade of wildlife for over two decades. He was the first director of Traffic India, which studies wildlife trade. Rajasthan is also home to the famed Ranthambore National Park. Sariska currently has five tigers, all shifted from Ranthambore as part of a government attempt to repopulate tigers in the reserve. The latest official tiger census report released in March 2011 estimated about 1,700 tigers in the country. IANS http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/fighting-chance-for-india-s-tigers-poaching-declines_757335.html

Evidence of presence of tiger found in Choral forest

PTI | Feb 6, 2012, 07.14PM IST INDORE: Initial survey and evidence collected by the forest department have indicated presence of a tiger in Choral forest, spread over 10 sq km area in Barwah-Devas-Indore region, official sources today said. A ten-member team from district forest department, led by Sub-Divisional forest officer Abhay Jain, found carcasses of two bulls with bite-marks on the neck, and pugmarks of a sole tiger, in the range of Bagoda, Pitambari and Naniya, sources said here. "The team has not sighted the tiger so far, but villagers have claimed to have seen it," an official said, adding "we do not attribute credence to that unless it is sighted by the experts". A cave, suspected to be the tiger's den, was also seen,sources said. The pugmarks were estimated to be fortnight-old. The area is home to wild animals such as cheetal and neelgai. Wild Life Institute of India had earlier indicated presence of at least five to seven big cats in the Choral forest, the sources said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Evidence-of-presence-of-tiger-found-in-Choral-forest/articleshow/11780439.cms

Govt sees Nandhor valley as next tiger reserve!

TUESDAY, 07 FEBRUARY 2012 00:10 PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | NEW DELHI Located at the heart of Terai Arc Landscape along the Himalayan foothills, Nandhor valley in Uttarakhand has caught the attention of National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) for its potential of a good tiger habitat. The Standing Committee of the board in its last meeting favoured its declaration into a protected area at the earliest. In its recent camera trapping WWF studies found at least four tigers in the area. According to Dr AJT Johnsingh, member of the NBWL Standing Committee, Nandhor area has been found to have good tiger presence and if protected, it can become as successful as Corbett National Park. “Protection was crucial, as a particular local community inhabiting the area was known to indulge in hunting.” he added. Spanning an area of about 18,00sq. km is spread out in Haldwani, Terai east and Champawat forest divisions, with the Gola, Kilpura-Khatima-Surai and Boom-Bhramdev wildlife corridors. The vegetation of the Nandhor valley forests comprises a mosaic of dry and moist deciduous forests with traces of temperate forests towards the higher elevation areas. “This landscape still holds potential for the conservation of tigers, as it has nearly 1,000 sqkm of tiger habitat that needs better protection”, the experts pointed out. The area is also well connected with the forests in Nepal across the Sharada river on the eastern side and it continues till the eastern part of Sukhlaphanta Wildlife Reserve, they added. According to Joseph Vattakaven, Tiger-Coordinator, WWF-India, “Tigers once had a wide distribution across the Nandhor valley. They have, however, been exterminated due to various causes driven by adverse human impacts. But with protection and connectivity in place, tigers will rebound and provide us with a wonderful opportunity to increase their numbers.” Occupancy surveys and camera trapping completed in parts of Chakata and Nandhor ranges of Haldwani forest division have revealed tigers in both the ranges with multiple captures of four tiger individuals being recorded. A large male tiger along with the trapping of a tigress with her two sub-adult cubs indicates the great potential of the area as a breeding ground for tigers. Among the other significant species caught on the cameras are the Himalayan black bear amongst others which are usually found at higher altitudes. “This landscape can house a breeding population of 40-50 tigers, but poaching by local communities of prey species and occasionally tigers is potentially a major cause of absence of tigers in this area”, Joseph added. http://dailypioneer.com/nation/40753-govt-sees-nandhor-valley-as-next-tiger-reserve.html

Tigress Spotted at Kudremukh National park: Will It Be Declared a Tiger Reserve ?

By: Rang7 Team February 6, 2012 Wildlife conservationists feared the re-introduction of mining in Kudremukh National Park in Karnataka. But the recent sighting of a tiger family at the park may help put these fears at rest. One of the forest staff on his regular patrol duty spotted a tigress with her three cubs at a pond in the Pandarmakki area of the Bhagavathi forest range of the National Park. This new sighting has only further strengthened the call for ban against mining in the park area. In fact wildlife conservationist and forest officers have noted that wildlife and fauna have been regenerating and flourishing after the mining activity had been stopped in the National Park. The cat family of four including mother and three cubs were spotted on January 26. The patrol officer followed the tigress and her family for almost 20 minutes. Kudremukh means horse face and Kudremukh National Park is named after a peak in the park forest range which is shaped like a horse face. Situated in a mountainous area and comprised of a thick forest range comprising of wide variety of fauna, the park is home to many a endangered animals and rare avian species including the Malabar giant squirrel, common langur, sloth bear, lion tailed macaque, barking deer and others. Now the sighting of a tigress and her cubs has added to the list of animals that can be sighted here and this has prompted the need to notify the area as Tiger Reserve which will further add security to the area while at the same time keeping a more vigilant eye on the poachers. “The sighting of a tiger is welcome and shows that the area has great potential to carry tiger population. Two months ago, during a routine visit, we had sighted close to 50 sambar deer in one herd, which is rare even in tiger reserves of the state," said B. K. Singh, Wildlife PCCF. After the incident was reported wildlife activist are increasing their tempo to declare Kudremukh National Park as a Tiger Reserve which will help keep illegal tourism activities in check. “The reported sighting of four tigers definitely brings some cheer. The process of natural recovery is slowly kicking in and it is vitally important to ensure that Kudremukh National Park is fully insulated from the pressures of tourism and allowed to recover. The current tourism policies adopted in deciduous forests like Bandipur and Nagarahole cannot be introduced in the sensitive rain forest ecosystem of Kudremukh," said Praveen Bhargav, Trustee, Wildlife First Organisation. However local political leaders who have a vested interest in mining are against the idea of the National Park being declared or notified as a Tiger Reserve. They are fighting on the basis that notifying the area as a Tiger Reserve will lead to it being a wildlife protected area and this means evicting forest dwellers in large numbers. However according to the forest department more than 100 families have already agreed for a re-settlement programme out of Kudremeukh National Park in a voluntary eviction programme sponsored by the centre. So all the other allegations are baseless. Kudremukh National Park is divided into four ranges Kudremukh, Kerekatte, Kalasa, Shimoga. The park is situated in the Western Ghats and spread over three districts of Karnataka; Dakshin Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur. Kudremukh National Park has many tourist attractions including waterfalls, pilgrimage shrines and is considered a trekker’s paradise. http://www.rang7.com/news/national-park/tigress-spotted-kudremukh-national-park:-will-declared-tiger-reserve-1011.htm

TATR to establish baseline water quality system

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Feb 7, 2012, 02.32AM IST NAGPUR: The Tadoda-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is fast adapting to environment-friendly water technology. After portable instant water purifiers Neeri-Zars and 'Phytorid' wastewater treatment technology, the park has decided to establish baseline water quality by collecting samples from artificial and natural water holes. VK Sinha, chief conservator of forests ( CCF) & field director of TATR, confirmed that water samples will be collected from water holes and Tadoba lake in TATR by scientists from National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). "The idea is to have descriptive water quality information in a format usable for park planning and management. It will ensure the integrity of park water quality, due to its importance in sustaining natural and park ecosystems," Sinha told TOI. The project will be implemented with the help of water technology and management division (WTMD) of NEERI. Principal scientist and head of WTMD Pawankumar Labshetwar said NEERI has already collected water samples of Tadoba lake. The samples from artificial water holes will be collected in April when they are filled. "We will establish a baseline of water quality. Although wild animals have good resistance power, we will find out whether such water can affect health of animals. No such studies have been done in the past," said Labshetwar. The TATR is surrounded by many industrial units, power plant and coal mines. Besides, there is pressure from tourists. How pollution from all these elements affect TATR water is not known. The project includes retrieve water quality and related data and develop a complete inventory of all retrieved data park-based water quality data management system, it seems. The TATR has already installed portable instant water purification system Neeri-Zars developed by NEERI at its protection huts. Besides, it is working on installing environment-friendly 'Phytorid' treatment technology system for disposal of waste water for rest houses and staff quarters. Sewage water entering the forests spoils its virginity and puts pressure on the eco-system, Sinha says. Labshetwar said NEERI has also collected water from villages inside TATR. "We are compiling report on the samples taken," he added. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/TATR-to-establish-baseline-water-quality-system/articleshow/11785317.cms

Pugmarks confirm tiger’s presence in Choral forest

Bagish K Jha, TNN | Feb 6, 2012, 01.15AM IST INDORE: A day after confirming the presence of tiger in Choral forest area, the forest department says that the analysis of the pugmark found from the forests indicates that they belong to a tiger. The department will now be initiating a programme to create awareness among the villagers to save tigers and to keep themselves safe from the animal. Chief conservator of forest P C Dubey said, "Experts suggested that the pugmark found on Saturday belonged to a tiger which is likely to be around 10 years old. The pugmark is of five inch by five inch in square shape". Dubey said that local villagers have been talking about the presence of tiger in the region for long, but this is the first time the department has got proof about its presence. They believe the tiger has not migrated from any other forest. "Forest belt of Indore, Dewas, Brwah, Choral and Udainagar is very dense and rich with herbivore population, besides, there is plenty of water resources. All these are ideal habitat for tiger," said Dubey adding that Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradoon has indicated about presence of seven tigers in this area in their recent survey. The forest department has convened a meeting of the Deputy Forest Conservators to monitor the situation. The department has also convened a meeting of DFOs of Indore, Dewas and Barwaha, forest guards and rangers, Van Samitis and villagers at Naniya village where the tiger's pugmark was found on February 4 to brief the forest officials and villagers about the landscape management strategy for the protection of tiger. Department has also alerted the forest officials and Van Samitis to keep an eye on movement of strangers in the forest area. "Villagers have been asked to inform forest official instantly in case they see any stranger in the area," said Dubey adding that conservation and protection of tiger is now priority of the department. Besides, for the conservation of tiger in the area, the department has chalk out multi-prong strategy under landscape management. Wherein Indore, Dewas and Badwani will work together and share information about tiger movement. "It is important to adopt an integrated approach as a tiger moves in area of 1500 square kilometers," said Dubey. To avoid man and animal conflict and engage maximum people in conservation and protection of tiger forest department is also relaxing its compensation rule. The department has instructed its officials to make instant payment and take considerate view in case of any damage to crop and cattle of villagers due to wildlife. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/Pugmarks-confirm-tigers-presence-in-Choral-forest/articleshow/11771353.cms