Elusive tiger forces Shikari to change tactic

J. S. IFTHEKHAR The Hindu Hyderabadi shikari Nawab Shafat Ali Khan, tailing the tiger in the Rehmankheda CISH campus in Awadh Forest Division, Lucknow. The Hyderabadi ‘shikari' is back home after 10 days of nerve wracking time tailing the ferocious tiger in Awadh forest division – just 15 kms from Lucknow. Nawab Shafat Ali Khan has not succeeded in tranquilising the tiger which strayed in the CISH campus in Rehmankheda but the techniques adopted by him have brightened the chances of taming the feline. In the wee hours of Wednesday the tiger killed yet another bait, a buffalo calf, the sixth so far but escaped before it could be tranquilised. A nocturnal animal, the tiger is venturing out only in the night posing a challenge to the tranquilising team. “The thick bushes make it worse for precision shooting. Even a blade of grass can deflect the fired syringe”, says Mr. Khan who rushed back Tuesday night to see his ailing mother. In a change of tactic, he has introduced a plastic chair in place of a ‘machan' to keep a vigil. The chair can be placed atop a tree in just five minutes while a ‘machan' takes an hour to erect. “The chances of the tiger not getting disturbed and coming back to get the kill are bright now”, says Mr. Khan. Another new methodology adopted is to place the bait early in the morning to lure the tiger when it is relatively easy to fire the tranquilising gun. Till now the four member wildlife team used to set the bait in the afternoon and wait till evening in vain. An important breakthrough in the 40-day operation is zeroing in on the tiger's pugmark. Its study showed that it is a male tiger of 5 years with a weight roughly between 160 to 170 kg. “This is an important data to calculate the right dose of drug to tranquilise it. A greater dose might prove fatal and a lesser one ineffective”, says Mr. Khan who knows all about wildlife. He is aware of the objections being raised in wildlife circles about requisitioning the services of a hunter to tame the tiger. But he feels a professional huntsman is necessary as an ‘emergency backup'. Not necessary that the ‘shikari' will shoot the animal. “He can fire a shot in the air or on the ground just before a charging tiger to stop it”, says Mr. Khan. Importantly, the team has succeeded in keeping the tiger from straying into Lucknow and throwing the election process haywire. Election over, Mr. Khan plans to join the operation next week. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/article2922753.ece

Now, monkey-catcher on tiger trail in Rahmankhera

TNN | Feb 23, 2012, 09.42AM IST LUCKNOW: After repeated failures to trap the fugitive tiger in Rahmankhera, forest officers have now roped-in a monkey-catcher in the hope that he will accomplish the mission. The helplessness and desperation of the officials can be gauged from the fact that the man has been given the powers of an officer. This, however, has annoyed the staff who are already on the tiger trail, sources said. Surprisingly, chief wildlife warden Mohammad Ehsan feigned ignorance about the monkey-catcher. Perhaps the staff and officers from Awadh have engaged the monkey-catcher, who on several occasions has mounted the elephant to track the big cats. The man was also the part of the operation to track the maneating tigress in Faizabad in 2008. The tigress was finally shot at by a hunter whom the forest department had called then. "There is no role of a monkey-catcher in tiger-tracking at all," said GC Mishra, former director, Dudhwa. It's difficult for anybody to explain, what a monkey-catcher was doing at a place, where forest officers, have not even allowed the wildlife experts to venture. The officers maintain that presence of a 'commoner' might disturb the tiger, and it can change location. In what way is monkeycatcher, not a 'commoner', is hard to understand. It was on January 8 that presence of the tiger was reported and confirmed at Rahmankhera. It's been more than a month that officers are tracking the tiger at Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), in Rahmankhera, without any breakthrough. "The man is registered as a monkey-catcher with the department. He is also called in, when monkey menace is reported," said sources. While, the department has allowed him to be a part of the operation, there are several organizations from outside, which have expressed their desire to help forest department safely trap the tiger. "A wildlife organization from Australia has evinced interest in trapping the tiger, but that's not possible without the permission of the department," said Kaushlendra Singh, a wildlife enthusiast. However, the forest department might not be very keen on allowing the outsiders, to be a part of the operation. Nobody apart from the forest department officers and WTI team has the access to the premise of CISH, where enclosures and 'machan' have been set up to track and trap the tiger. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Now-monkey-catcher-on-tiger-trail-in-Rahmankhera/articleshow/12000130.cms

Need to expand Corbett ‘buffer zone' in focus

TUESDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2012 23:29 PARITOSH KIMOTHI | DEHRADUN HITS: 125 The latest death of a tiger in a territorial fight has once again brought focus on the need for expanding the area under the purview of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The Ministry of Environment and Forests had recommended that parts of the Ramnagar and Lansdowne forest divisions should be included in the buffer zone of Corbett, but the State Government is adamant that this will be facilitated only after the Union Government facilitates construction of the Kandi road which passes through the Corbett and Sonanadi wildlife sanctuary and links Garhwal with Kumaon. The Corbett National Park covers about 521 sq km and together with Sonanadi wildlife sanctuary and reserve forest areas, forms the Corbett Tiger Reserve spread across 1288.31 sq km. As per the latest census, there are at least 214 tigers in this landscape and with officials counting at least 40 cubs last year, the population is expected to rise further if conditions remain conducive. At least two tigers have died in turf war since 2011 which has brought back the focus on the need for increasing the protected area. According to Corbett field director Ranjan Mishra expanding the buffer zone of Corbett will bring these areas under the purview of funds received from the National Tiger Conservation Authority. “There will be territorial fights between tigers, but increasing the buffer zone area will provide them more protected space to roam and to hunt in which will decrease the likelihood of turf wars among the stripped felines. This will also help in improving the protection of wildlife and environment in areas added to the buffer zone which will benefit not only the tiger, but all wildlife. Apart from this, the betterment of wildlife will directly benefit the people living in the region with increased tourism,” said Mishra. The State Forest and Environment Advisory Committee vice chairman Anil Baluni said that the State, too, is willing to expand the area of Corbett tiger reserve, but only if the Union Government also takes cognisance of the needs of the people of Uttarakhand. He alleged that the Union Government has claimed much and done little. “Last year, the then minister of Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, had announced that `65 crore was allocated for relocation of people living in Sunderkhal village in Corbett, but so far the State has not received a single rupee. We requested the NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal several times to inspect the area to be affected by construction of the Kandi road, but he has not done so. Tigers and wildlife has been conserved and their status is improving in Uttarakhand due to the efforts of the State authorities and people and not due to the policies made by officials in Delhi, so it is vital to ensure that the interests of people are also considered,” said Baluni. http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/dehradun/44511-need-to-expand-corbett-buffer-zone-in-focus.html

Tribals spot danger in tiger reserve plan

K A Shaji, TNN | Feb 22, 2012, 06.56AM IST COIMBATORE: While pressure is mounting on the state government to declare the Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve, there is mounting resentment among tribals living on the forest fringes, against attempts of the forest department to curb access to the jungles to collect forest produce and graze cattle. Forest officials have already directed them to sell their cattle and look for alternative means of livelihood. Irked by the move, over 10,000 tribal residents of Thalavadi, Thiganare, Thinkalur, Panakkalli, Naithalpuram, Igalur, Thalamalai, Bainapuram, Hassanur and Germalam village panchayats have rallied behind Pazhamkudi Makkal Sanghom, a tribal outfit supported by CPI, that plans to organize a series of agitations in this regard. "These tribals are the most neglected in the state. Their rights over the forests were curtailed long ago due to the Veerappan crisis. After the encounter death of Veerappan, the forest department had constituted several tribal forest protection committees and they functioned well, collecting and selling minor forest produce till now. Twenty seven such bodies had together made a profit of Rs 64 Lakh in the last few years. Now the committees are in crisis as the forest authorities have denied them access to the forests as it is a tiger reserve,'' says P L Sundaram, MLA of Bhavani Sagar Constituency. "We were the pride of the forest department till they mooted the tiger reserve project with the support of Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. We depend entirely on live stock and there is no land for us to graze them. The department is now forcing us to sell our goats and cows,'' says Pazhamkudi Makkal leader P Dorai. According to tribals, the forest department has told them to engage in lending of shamianas and crockery for marriage celebrations. The department has promised them funds to buy the infrastructure for the lending business. "Other than rearing cattle and collecting forest produce, we know no other means of livelihood. Some of us cultivate raggi, makkacholam and gingelly we are at the mercy of wild animals. As there is no irrigation water available, we are not able to cultivate the more profitable sugarcane, plantain and water melon,'' says M Mahadevan, a Soliga tribal of Alapurdoddi tribal hamlet. "We are not against tigers or any other wild animals. But denying tribals their right to depend on the forests is beyond logic. I will take it up with Chief Minister J Jayalalithaaa,'' says Sundaram. Traditionally, tribals collect honey and gooseberry from the forests. "Such decisions should not be made unilaterally and forest protection must not be at the expense of tribals. The move is a clear violation of forest rights act,'' says C R Bijoy, a Coimbatore-based activist. Erode Forest Conservator D Arun confirmed when contacted that there would be restrictions on entering the forests after they are declared a Tiger reserve. He said the department strongly recommends the tribal folk to take up alternative means of livelihood. We were the pride of the forest department till they mooted the tiger reserve project.We depend entirely on live stock and there is no land for us to graze them. The department is now forcing us to sell our goats and cows http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Tribals-spot-danger-in-tiger-reserve-plan/articleshow/11986263.cms

Little talk, no action at tiger cell meet

TNN | Feb 22, 2012, 05.41AM IST NAGPUR: The 12th regional tiger cell meeting held in the city after a gap of nine months on Tuesday turned out to be another ritual and ended without taking any significant decision. Looking at the spurt in wildlife crime in the region, it was expected that the meeting would take some concrete steps. Sources said most of the time was spent on reading the minutes of the last meeting by member-secretary and deputy conservator of forests P K Mahajan. Thereafter, the meeting ended in five minutes. Mahajan was not available for comments. The members did not discuss strategy to tackle issues like illegal fishing in Pench, poaching, pending wildlife crime cases, protection etc. The special IGP, who is the chairman of the cell, assured all help to the forest department. This assurance had been given by earlier officers too. "The meeting was mere a formality," said forest officials who attended. The NGOs too were not happy. "It is really pathetic," they said. The regional tiger cell comprises Bhandara, Gondia, Gadchiroli, Wardha, Nagpur and Chandrapur districts. The superintendents of police (SPs) of these district are members but not one attended. This was true for forest officials too. Even the MSEDCL officials, who can play key role in tackling poaching through electrocution, were missing. Barring field directors of Pench and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) and chief conservator of forests (CCF) of vulnerable Chandrapur Circle, no senior officer was present. Divisional forest officer (DFO) for vigilance explained how the anti-poaching squad was active and booked several persons for selling parakeets. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Little-talk-no-action-at-tiger-cell-meet/articleshow/11985628.cms

Kelzar villagers live under fear of tiger

TNN | Feb 22, 2012, 05.05AM IST WARDHA: The villagers of Kelzar are a harried lot as their cattle are being killed by tigers. On Monday night a tiger killed two cows of Madhukar Sahare. These cows were tied to poles in the cowshed yet the tiger attacked them. Sahare's home is at the end of Kelzar village and just adjacent to the cow shed there is a nullah. In a desperate bid the two cows broke their chain and entered into the farm of Vasantrao Sontakke. However, the tiger overpowered the cows in the farm and during the act Sontakke's farm, wherein wheat and maize was sowed, was destroyed. Villagers said that tigers come to the nullah to drink water as there is shortage of water in nearby jungle. The forest department should make a water holes for the tigers in the forest. Ashish Goswami, the district president of people for animals organization, said that the forest department and villagers should make a committee to conserve the wild life; the earlier committees of the villagers are inactive. The problems can not be solved without the villagers help. Wardha DFO said, "Kelzar is near Bor sanctuary. When the tigers come out of it in search of water and prey they attack the villagers and their cattle." About the water scenario in forest, he said, "We are trying to make water available in the forest area. Recently we created some waterholes and hand pumps were installed. There are quite a few nullahs in the forest and those haven't dried up but still we are trying to fill these artificial waterholes so that the wild animals have plenty of water to drink in summer season." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Kelzar-villagers-live-under-fear-of-tiger/articleshow/11985346.cms

Madhya Pradesh government backs tourism in tiger reserves

By TBM Staff | Mumbai Making a pitch for tourism in tiger reserves, the Madhya Pradesh government has told the Supreme Court that people living in reserves pose more danger to the big cats since both compete for the same resources. The state told the court that tourism does not exploit resources on which wildlife depends for survival and propagation, and can’t be kept in the same category as other human activities. As the hearing on a PIL seeking a ban on tourism in core areas of tiger reserves enters a crucial phase, the state has stuck to its stand that runs contrary to the position of the NTCA and the Centre that says core areas are meant to be kept inviolate. The Wildlife Trust of India has also backed activist Ajay Dubey’s plea, saying there is no control over hotels and resorts around the reserves. The government argued that states have allowed tourism in core areas by developing necessary safeguards to regulate tourism and minimise the adverse impact on the habitat. It claimed that reserves where tourism has been allowed for the past 40 years continue to support highest wildlife densities, as per an Indian Express report by Milind Ghatwai. It also argued that buffer areas don’t get the same level of legal protection as core areas and will never be able to satisfy the visitors due to a lack of “high density of wild animals and pristine wilderness’’. Also, local communities are given the rights over forests in buffer areas. “The court’s decision is likely to have national and international implications on wildlife as well as people and businesses dependent on wildlife tourism,” the state’s affidavit said, requesting the court to hear all states and UTs before passing any order. Those opposed to tourism told the court that allowing it will further the sense of injustice among local people who will think that while they are being driven out, the rich are being let in. http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/madhya-pradesh-government-backs-tourism-in-tiger-reserves-15715

3 cubs spotted in Ranthambore tiger reserve

TNN | Feb 22, 2012, 03.40AM IST JAIPUR: Spotting of three cubs comes as good news for the Ranthambore tiger reserve. At least three cubs were reportedly seen in the Khandar range of the forest by one of the forest 'mitras'. "One of the forest guards spotted three cubs. The cubs, according to him, are of the tigress T-30 in the Khandar area. But we are yet to confirm it. Trap cameras have been set up in the area to captures pictures of the tigress and her cubs," chief wildlife warden A Choubey said. "The area has been cordoned off and we are hopeful of capturing pictures of the cub soon." Rajesh Gupta, additional director of the park, said. The park has been seeing a baby boom since the past year when 17 cubs were born. However, officials warned that all the cubs are not alive still. Out of the 17 cubs, two have not been spotted in the recent days. "The number of cubs in the past year was very good but we may soon see some migration when they become sub-adults," warned Choubey. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/3-cubs-spotted-in-Ranthambore-tiger-reserve/articleshow/11984573.cms

Tiger found dead

PTI | 08:02 PM,Feb 21,2012 Kotdwara, Feb 21 (PTI) A five-year-old male tiger, apparently killed by another wild cat, was found dead in the Corbett Tiger Reserve, forest officials said here today. The half-eaten carcass was found yesterday in Sona river in Dhaulkhand range by a patrol party, they said. Deep wounds caused by nails and canine teeth were found on the carcass indicating the animal was killed in a fierce fight with another tiger, the officials said. Pug marks of another tiger were also found, they said. Some hair of a tiger were also found in the paws of the dead animal indicating a fight. PTI CORR DPT PMS http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/tiger-found-dead/966338.html

Hurdles galore for central funds to reach PTR

TNN | Feb 22, 2012, 06.23AM IST DALTONGANJ: Cash-starved Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) has taken a loan of Rs 49.66 lakh from the authorities of Birsa Biological Park and the State Forest Development Corporation. Principal chief conservator of forest-cum-chief wildlife warden A K Malhotra said, "I am in favour of setting up a Tiger Foundation in the state where funds will be received directly from the National Tiger Conservation Authority of Delhi. However, there are some obstacles like lack of notification of the buffer area spreading over more than 700 sq km of the 1,026-sq km of PTR and sanctioning of the tiger conservation plan." Malhotra hoped these would be sorted out soon and there would be no dearth of funds in the future. The DFO (buffer) said the loans will have to be returned by the end of this financial year as soon as funds arrive from the NTCA. Sources said NTCA has sent more than Rs 1 crore for PTR to the state government but it has not been released yet. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Hurdles-galore-for-central-funds-to-reach-PTR/articleshow/11985994.cms

Experiment explains how tiger stripes are formed

London: Validating a theory famous code-breaker and mathematician Alan Turing put forth in 1950s, researchers at King's College London have provided the first experimental evidence to show how tiger stripes or leopard spots are formed. Turing had proposed that regular repeating patterns in biological systems are generated by a pair of morphogens that work together as an 'activator' and 'inhibitor,' the journal 'Nature Genetics' reports. To test the theory, researchers studied the development of the regularly-spaced ridges found in the roof of the mouth in mice, according to a King's College statement. Experimentation with mouse embryos helped the team identify the pair of specific morphogens working together to influence where each ridge will be formed. They showed that the increasing or decreasing activity of morphogens affects the pattern of the ridges in the mouth palate, in ways predicted by Turing's equations. Jeremy Green, craniofacial surgeon from King's Dental Institute said: "Regularly spaced structures, from vertebrae and hair follicles to the stripes on a tiger or zebrafish, are a fundamental motif in biology. Our study provides the first experimental identification of an activator-inhibitor system at work in the generation of stripes - in this case, in the ridges of the mouth palate." "As this year marks Turing's centenary, it is a fitting tribute to this great mathematician and computer scientist that we should now be able to prove that his theory was right all along!" concluded Green. http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=11075736&tabId=1&channelId=-1073865032&programId=1080127257

Tuli's construction work stalled near TATR

TNN | Feb 22, 2012, 04.51AM IST CHANDRAPUR: Forest department has started investigation into the construction started by hotelier Prince Tuli near Moharli village close to core area of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. Notice has been served to Tuli, through his caretaker of the land in Moharli, asking him to present the documents related to necessary permission for construction in buffer area. The issue had come to fore after conservationists crying foul over the construction lodged complaint with TATR authorities last week. Complainant Green Planet Society had demanded not to allow any resort close to core area as it could threaten the wildlife and environment. A visit to the place revealed that the land in question is indeed adjacent to compartment no.150 and 151 of TATR. Vast patch of this land gets water lodged in rainy season with the spill over water of Moharli pond. Dense grass on the land was cut and burned recently. Scats of tiger, spotted deer, sambar, neelgai and wild boar were found in the area, suggesting that these animals keep moving from the particular patch of land. Sarpanch of Moharli Vilas Shende confirmed that Nagpur businessman Tuli had purchased over 17 acres of agricultural land from group of farmers adjacent to TATR boundary. "Tuli has indeed purchased land from handful of farmers of the village. But he has sought no permission from gram panchayat for construction. Panchayat would issue notice and seek explanation in this regard," he said. RFO, Moharli range (territorial), DS Rautkar informed that they have started inquiry into the matter. "Already a notice has been forwarded to Tuli asking him to present necessary documents related to permission of construction before CCF of tiger reserve. As per our information owner has not acquired any permission for non-agriculture use of the land. Records of land purchased by Tuli are being sought from gram panchayat and other revenue authorities," he said. He however maintained that construction in the particular land has been stalled since intervention of forest authorities. Partial construction carried out on the land owned by Prince Tuli near in buffer area of TATR http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tulis-construction-work-stalled-near-TATR/articleshow/11985216.cms

Two direct tiger sightings in Melghat during census

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Feb 21, 2012, 06.27AM IST NAGPUR: Tigers are always elusive in Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR), fondly called 'Kipling Country'. But two direct sightings during the nine-day Phase IV tiger estimation exercise has thrilled field staff and officials. This may be perhaps the first time such sightings have been recorded during the census. The exercise on distance sampling to know density of ungulates through line transects concluded on Sunday. It started on February 10 and was conducted in over 6,250 beats in protected as well as non-protected areas in state, including tiger-bearing patches in Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM). Now, exercise to know 'proportions of animals captured' with the help of camera traps will start in March and will continue for 45-60 days. Melghat, known for its mystifying landscape with high hills and deep valleys, revealed clinching evidence of carnivores like pugmarks, scrapes and scent marks, scats etc. Field staff sighted a tiger on February 13 while walking on the transect line in Somthana range of Wan sanctuary (part of Melghat) and another tiger was seen near Semadoh on February 16. One direct tiger sighting has also been recorded in FDCM area of Chandrapur. VK Sinha, chief conservator (CCF) & field director of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), says there could be more such records from TATR once data is compiled. The analysis of data will be done by researchers at the regional level. "Based on this data, camera traps will be installed," he added. AK Mishra, CCF & field director of MTR, was overjoyed by the direct tiger sightings. He too admits that due to complex landscape and dense forest cover, sightings are rare. However, he said that tigers have occupied territories in all the three villages relocated a year ago. "The exercise was done in 275 beats. With two pairs of cameras in each beat, we'll need 450 cameras from March 1. It will help us find the individual tiger numbers of the reserve," Mishra said. The MTR documentation at different levels and data collected shows presence of around 50 tigers. However, in 2010, the monitoring of tigers, co-predators and prey as per the instructions of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India ( WII), Dehradun, revealed that MTR supports population of 39 tigers in 1,800 sq km. In MTR's 230 sq km Dhargad range, comprising Gurgipati, Koktu, Kelpani, Bori, Boripati and Gullarghat, huge evidence of carnivore and herbivore presence was recorded. These dense forest patches are said to have half of MTR's tiger population. Regular sightings of bisons, chitals, sambars, and sloth bears were reported around transect lines here. Field director AK Mishra, Akot deputy conservator of forests (DyCF) Vijay Godbole and ACF Pramod Panchabhai closely monitored the drive by walking on transect lines. Godbole says it is important to note that more animals in an area may not result in enhanced detection probability, since the latter is governed by terrain features, cover, visibility etc. The 2010 tiger assessment involved three phases. This will be for the first time fourth phase will be added to the three phases. Across 41 tiger reserves, the 2010 assessment estimated 1,706 tigers (range between 1,571 and 1,875). The Way Ahead Camera traps at density of one pair per 4-5 sq km Minimum trap nights of a 1,000 per 100 sq km (i.e. 25 pairs of cameras in 100 sq km for 40 days) Minimum area coverage of 400 sq km Closure period of 40 to 60 days Entire reserve needs to be sampled In case of larger reserves like MTR, the area will be covered by dividing into blocks for camera trapping Two transects of 2-km length for each beat to be walked three times during each season. This protocol should be done for two seasons (summer and winter) http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Two-direct-tiger-sightings-in-Melghat-during-census/articleshow/11971552.cms

'Toothless' regional tiger cell meets today

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Feb 21, 2012, 06.11AM IST NAGPUR: With time running out for tigers and wildlife in particular due to poaching and the shrinking habitat, the regional tiger cell will meet on Tuesday after a gap of nine months to address various issues. PK Mahajan, deputy conservator of forests (DyCF) for Nagpur division and member-secretary of the cell, said this is the 12th meeting and will be held at 4.30 pm at Van Sabhagruha, Seminary Hills. The meet will be chaired by special IGP Rajinder Singh. It will be attended by divisional forest officers (DFOs), MSEDCL officials and superintendents of police from Gondia, Nagpur, Gadchiroli, Wardha, Chandrapur and Bhandara districts. Member-NGOs including Prafulla Bhamburkar of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Nitin Desai of Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), Harshawardhan Dhanwatey of Tiger Research and Conservation Trust (TRACT) and Kundan Hate have also been invited. The regional tiger cell meeting should be held every three months but it's not been happening. The cell was formed in 2000. The last meeting was held on April 11, 2011. Mahajan said the meeting could not be called early as the officials concerned were busy with recruitment of forest guards and later with the winter session of the state legislature followed by the zilla parishad, municipal council and corporation elections. "We will approve the minutes of the last meeting and discuss strategy on wildlife protection and better coordination," Mahajan added. Meanwhile, conservationists have expressed grave concern over lack of action on a host of decisions taken by the cell in the past. They want the cell to take issues seriously. "Such meets should not end up as mere tea sessions," a member felt. The cell has failed to act on many decisions taken for wildlife protection including curbing and nailing culprits in illegal fishing in Pench, forming a special committee to look into skin seizure cases, preventive action against habitual offenders, operations against Baheliyas and checking 'musafir registers' with police patils. In the last meeting it was decided that police station diaries will have a special column for wildlife crime and police personnel will take part in the tiger estimation exercise, but the decision remains only on paper. "As the cell meetings are not held at regular intervals, every time a new Special IGP chairs the meet. This leads to a fresh discussion on issues," said one of the members. They added that many wild animals continue to be poached for meat and body parts. The meat is openly sold in weekly markets in rural area but officials' action is not forthcoming. "These illegal activities only go to show that due to lack of coordination between the forest department, the police and NGOs, the results are nil. These cells have become clawless," moaned conservationists. Decisions Only On Paper * FDCM, which has a large forest area under its jurisdiction, not invited to meetings * Decision on expert group of police and forest officials in vulnerable Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Gondia, Wardha, Amravati, Nagpur, Bhandara, Thane and Mumbai not taken * Decision on secret funds hanging by fire * No special cell for handling wildlife crime cases. Joint forest and MSEDCL teams too not formed * Several tiger poaching cases in Chandrapur not reopened as promised by the then Spl IGP SB Sawarkar * Police station diaries with special columns for wildlife crime pending. Cops too not part of the census exercise as decided http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Toothless-regional-tiger-cell-meets-today/articleshow/11971424.cms

Tiger trackers get their due

- Relief for cash-strapped Palamau park A.S.R.P. MUKESH Palamau Tiger Reserve Ranchi, Feb. 20: The weekend has proved lucky for striking trackers at Palamau Tiger Reserve currently in a no-pay-no-work mode, with the forest headquarters releasing partial funds in a bid to grant wages pending for seven months and the state deciding to gift cycles to each. The 150 trackers at PTR had been on strike since February 9 to protest against the non-payment of their wages — Rs 125 a day for each — for all these months, which The Telegraph highlighted on Saturday in its report on the funds tangle that crippled the reserve. In an overnight development, yesterday, the forest headquarters at Doranda released partial funds of around Rs 31 lakh to pay the wages. However, the core issue — why the state doesn’t bother to send the Centre a letter of utilisation of funds, which is why the tiger reserve is cash-strapped for years on end — has been left hanging. The cheque, addressed to Palamau Tiger Reserve divisional forest officer Premjit Anand, could not be encashed today as banks were closed on Shivratri. Officials said that emergency funds were managed from other sources. Chief conservator of forests (wildlife) A.K. Gupta confirmed the development. “Yes, funds have been released. It is a little over Rs 31 lakh. The cheque has been given to the divisional forest officer (Anand) and payments will take place once the bank reopens on Tuesday,” he said. The strike is, therefore, expected to end in a couple of days. Once it does, trackers — who walk more than 10km a day — can also expect cycles, thanks to the first-of-its-kind largesse of the state forest department, which earlier only doled out biscuits and canvas shoes. This maiden experiment to increase the mobility of trackers and tiger protection force members has already started rolling with Saturday’s launch of a tendering process for branded cycle companies. “We have decided to give them cycles with the twin objectives of boosting their morale and increasing their mobility,” Gupta told The Telegraph. The cycles will be a more-than-welcome bonus in the coming summer months, giving the trackers the motivation to cover the reserve more thoroughly, even alternating between treks and pedals. GPS devices and CCTV cameras will complement fieldwork for better monitoring. However, what needs to be done is to get cracking on the bigger picture — ensuring that the Centre’s funds are not locked by state’s bureaucratic apathy — for smooth operations of the tiger abode that faces countless problems, animal and human. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120221/jsp/frontpage/story_15160297.jsp

The Ranthambhore story

G. ANANTHAKRISHNAN One of India's iconic tiger reserves is emblematic of its efforts to save the big cat Preserving India's wild tigers has become a popular cause today. Most people might never see a wild tiger, but they fully support measures to save it. They are aware that, in spite of several challenges, tigers do persist and need help. Poaching, mining, indifferent forest bureaucracies, highways in sanctuaries, and unrestrained consumerism — all pose a threat. It is undoubtedly a gloomy picture. And this sense of despair once again pervades Valmik Thapar's writing, relieved only by an occasional glimmer of hope. The Ranthambhore National Park, the tiger haven near Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, is among Thapar's favourite haunts. The very name evokes images of vast forested lands, the ruins of a massive fort, and lakes with emerald vegetation attracting the big cats and their prey. The author's tryst with tigers here began in his twenties, and grew into a magnificent obsession over three-and-a-half decades. This comprehensive book, the 21st by the crusading conservationist-author, is essentially made up of two parts. The first is a lavish spread of images, many of them by Fateh Singh Rathore, a passionate forester, which makes it worth collecting. The second is a critique of tiger conservation in the three decades since hunting was outlawed, major forest laws were introduced, and the protection of the environment became a policy imperative. Enlightening Even if the reader has no particular interest in Thapar's anecdote-laced analysis of what is wrong with India's forest and conservation policies, he will find the book quite absorbing and enlightening, thanks to the pictures that are supremely delightful and offer a lot of insight into the ecology, biology, behaviour, prey preferences, and habitat of the tiger. The Government of India has spent enormous money since the launch of Project Tiger (which later became the National Tiger Conservation Authority). Yet, reading through the chapters of this book, one is left with the feeling that New Delhi was not really serious about the goal. Environmental governance under the supervision of Indira Gandhi yielded splendid gains and helped wildlife recover. But after her departure from the scene, it has been a systematic reversal, with Nature being looked upon only as a resource to be managed and extracted from. This is the economics that, in Thapar's view, grossly tilts the scales against the survival of the tiger. Two things stand out in his analysis: policy confusion about protected areas that has resulted in mounting pressures on habitat and the generally hostile attitude of the forest bureaucracy to independent research, which prevents the growth of scholarship on conservation. Disaster project Thapar describes his interaction with several Ministers for Environment and, mostly, they do not cover themselves in glory, with the exception of Jairam Ramesh. They appear vague, vain or inept, while dealing with forest protection. The Environment Ministry comes across as a “funny place”, and the World Bank's $ 70 million eco-development project under the Global Environment Facility, a disaster for forests. One Environment Minister, Thapar says, surprised him by declaring that he had been presented a fresh tiger skin during an election meeting in his constituency. Things were not good for the other folk working to save tigers. Independent researchers such as Raghu Chundawat, who worked with the author, faced unrelenting pressure to establish his bona fide intent and had to endure smear campaigns for the simple reason that they recorded the decline of tigers — as in Panna. The shocking story of Sariska's local extinction and clumsy attempts at re-introduction of tigers is told with a lot of personal insight. These are not new stories, of course, but form part of the long journey that Thapar has undertaken in Ranthambhore and elsewhere. The book affirms the superiority of scientific research and gives credit to scientist Ullas Karanth and his camera-trap-based capture-recapture sampling technique to arrive at credible tiger counts. The reader is also treated to hilarious anecdotes, including one on the discredited pugmark method, which produced exaggerated tiger population figures. In one instance, a forest guard claimed that he had made a trace of a pugmark from the wet foot of a tiger on a rock, before it dried up. On policy, if there is one issue for which a doughty fighter like the author is yet to come up with a solution, that is the perceived conflict between electoral politics and conservation imperatives. Thus, the Forest Rights Act in its present form — empowering tribals and traditional forest dwellers — is seen as divisive and harmful to conservation, and politicians focussed solely on votes as men of poor mettle. He calls it the “ignorant buzzword.” That debate is set to go on. Ultimately, it is the tigers that elevate the book. They are everywhere in glorious colour, hunting in the lakes of Ranthambhore, walking, frolicking, snarling, leaping, sparring, mating or simply relaxing. Valmik Thapar and Fateh Singh Rathore spent many dreamy days in this idyll, watching a fascinating creature in its home. The book is a tribute as much to Fateh, who was Valmik's mentor from the beginning, as to the big cats. Keywords: Ranthambhore National Park, Valmik Thapar, Fateh Singh Rathore, Ullas Karanth, Project Tiger, National Tiger Conservation Authority, Forest Rights Act http://www.thehindu.com/arts/books/article2913306.ece

Predator, prey base has increased at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve: WTI

PTI | Feb 20, 2012, 04.45PM IST LAKHIMPUR KHERI (UP): Apprehensions about depletion of prey base in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR), generated after reports of tigers hunting rhinos surfaced, were dispelled by a recent survey conducted in three areas of the wildlife sanctuary. The survey was conducted in Dudhwa National Park (DNP), Kishunpur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KGWS) by Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). Based on scat (droppings) analysis of the big cats and their prey species including spotted deer, wild boars, swamp deer, hog deer, barking deer, langoors, among others, it was concluded that prey and predators have increased. "WTI survey has highlighted the fact that numbers of both prey as well as predators have increased which can be attributed to adept habitat management and wildlife protection," Field director and chief conservator of forest Parasada said. The CCF said the density of tigers has increased, as reported by the survey, hence this would be reflected in the numbers as well. During camera trapping under Phase three in DTR, the density of tigers in Dudhwa National Park came around 7.88 per km, he said. As per the report, the number of tigers comes to around 72 in DNP, 32 in KWS and 23 in Kishunpur. Total number of tigers in DTR tallies at around 127. According to the WTI report, DNP has the highest density of big cats and prey species, followed by Kishunpur and Katarniaghat sanctuaries. The WTI teams scanned 149.2 sq km area of DNP including Sathiyana, Dudhwa, South Sonaripur and Belrayan from December 2011 and January 2012 and found a total of 80 scats of big cats, which tallied at 53%. Similarly, in 91.77 sq km area of Nishangada and Katarniaghat areas of KWS, the ratio of scat collection of big cats tallied around 32 per cent while in 201.81 sq km area of Mailani and Kishunpur areas in KWS, it was around 26.5%. The WTI survey corroborates the report of the last tiger census which described density of the big cat in Dudhwa as 7.9 per km as compared to 4.9 of 2007. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Predator-prey-base-has-increased-at-Dudhwa-Tiger-Reserve-WTI/articleshow/11963374.cms

Pug marks confirm tiger in Saranda

B Sridhar, TNN | Feb 21, 2012, 07.28AM IST JAMSHEDPUR: Speculation over the presence of the big cat in the Saranda forest was put to rest,when the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, confirmed the presence of the tiger here recently. The divisional forest officer,K K Tiwary, however, clarified that the institute has not suggested the specific number of tigers. In its preliminary report, the institute confirmed the pug marks that were sent by the forest officials for examination last year. "The preliminary report has confirmed the presence of a tiger in the Gua area of the forest cover but for further confirmation we need to have visual evidence," said Tiwary. In November last year, the forest department traced pug marks beside the carcass of a bison suggesting an attack by a tiger. Thereafter, the pug marks were collected using tracing paper and plaster of Paris and were sent to the Betla Project Tiger office for examination. "Betla officials sent the pug marks to Dehradun, which examined the evidences and confirmed the pug marks," said Tiwary. Since then, the department has been on the lookout for evidence. "The possibility of tigers straying into the West Singhbhum area from Simplipal cannot be ruled out. So we need visual evidence before we confirm their resident status," said Tiwary. He also said since November last there has been no report of animal casualty involving an attack by a tiger or tigress. Saranda, spread over 850 sq km, has about 1,000 cheetals, 300 sambars and 25 bisons, according to the last census. "Till a few decades ago, there were tigers in Saranda but over the years their number has declined," said a forest conservator, adding, "Saranda was home to wild boars, barking deer and antelope which suggest their predator's (tiger) presence nearby." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Pug-marks-confirm-tiger-in-Saranda/articleshow/11972056.cms

Tigress dies in road accident, cub in shock

TNN | Feb 20, 2012, 02.23AM IST CHANDRAPUR/NAGPUR: A tigress was found dead and its sub-adult cub has been traced close by on the premises of Lohara teak research centre, 3km from Chandrapur, on Sunday. This is the second tiger death in a month in the district. On January 23, a full-grown tiger was electrocuted in Zaran in FDCM area near Chandrapur. The tigress seems to have died after being hit by an unidentified vehicle while crossing the road. Experts say the spot seems to be a favourite crossing as a tigress had met the same fate in February 2006. Senior officials confirmed presence of a cub nearby, who is unable to stand on its legs after the accident. "The cub, suspected to be sub-adult, is in a state of shock. We are closely monitoring movement of the cub and have installed camera traps. A bait has also been tied near the cub. A search of the area has revealed that there is only one cub," they said. However, experts suspect that there might be another cub which must have moved ahead. On Sunday, patrolling staff of the teak centre noticed carcass of the tigress in compartment no. 397 close to the Chandrapur-Mul road. It took more than five hours for the senior officers of Chandrapur circle to reach the spot after the carcass was noticed. A visit to the spot revealed that the carcass was fresh and blood was oozing out from the nose and the right hind limb was slashed. The 8-year-old beast may have died early in the morning. "All the body parts of the tigress are intact and hence possibility of poaching is ruled out," officials said. The big cat was 2.40 metres in length and 94cm in height. Sources claimed that the tigress had its location in the teak research nursery and forest around. The tigress had a 20-cm-long gash in the right hind limb. A deep cut ripped the skin revealing bone close to the claw. "The animal's joint at the place of fresh injury has also been dislocated. There is also a 4-cm-long injury on the right forelimb which appears a bit old. The tigress might have died due to excessive internal bleeding," officials said, quoting veterinary doctors. They ruled out the possibility of electrocution as no burn marks were found on the body. Veterinary doctors who performed autopsy later deduced the internal haemorrhage as a cause of death. Deputy conservator of forests (DyCF) P Kalyankumar informed that the tigress might have been hit by some vehicle while crossing the road. The carcass was burned in the presence of forest officials and NGOs in the evening. Nitin Desai, Central India director of Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), said, "It's a big loss as a tigress delivers at least 16 cubs during her life circle. It is high time vehicular traffic is regulated on Chandrapur-Mul road." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tigress-dies-in-road-accident-cub-in-shock/articleshow/11955987.cms

Woman mauled by tiger in Ranthambore

TNN Feb 18, 2012, 03.10AM IST woman|Ranthambore Tiger Reserve|mauled|death JAIPUR: Morpali Meena, a 50-year-old woman, was mauled to death by a tiger at Bera Ki Qui between the Darrah and Berro areas of the Ranthambore tiger reserve on Thursday. Morpali, mother of a nature guide of the park Jagdish Meena, was missing since Thursday evening but it was only after the recovery of her body on Friday morning that her death was confirmed by forest officials. Meena had gone to collect firewood from the area in the afternoon but when she did not return home till late evening her family members began searching for her. "Late in the evening, we had come across some clothes belonging to her but there was no trace of her body. Officials of the department tried to scan the area but due to darkness the search proved futile," a forest department official said. The search was resumed in the morning and the woman's body was traced atop a hillock in the Bera Ki Qui area. The hill lies on the periphery of the reserve and is home to a tiger of the park. The body of Morpali Meena bore bite marks on the left thigh and waist. A post-mortem was conducted on the body that confirmed that she died due to animal bite. Later her body was handed over to her family along with a compensation sum of Rs 2 lakh. "But we cannot confirm if she was attacked and killed by a tiger as the hill where the body was traced is rocky and therefore had no pug marks. She could have been killed by any wild animal, including a tiger or a panther," said A Choubey, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan. Sources though revealed that tiger pugmarks were traced to the bottom of the hill. The last that Ranthambore witnessed a death due to tiger attack was on August 17, 2010 when a 22-year-old youth was mauled to death at Indala Dang area.http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-18/jaipur/31074788_1_pug-marks-tiger-pugmarks-tiger-attack