Adani Power Ltd revives coal mine plan near Tadoba

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Jul 17, 2012, 02.32AM IST NAGPUR: Three years after Adani Power Ltd (APL) proposal for coal mining was rejected in Lohara west and Lohara extension near Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur, the power major is back in action. It is seeking environment clearance to its mining plan with slightly changed boundaries. It would still entail loss of over 1400 hectares of forests which is equivalent to 1300 football fields. Papers in possession of TOI show that on April 7, 2012, APL through Santosh Kumar Singh, general manager (corporate environment group), submitted a revised proposal to the state nodal officer proposing to reduce the area of Lohara coal blocks by removing compartment numbers 389 (379 hectares) and 390 (221 hectares) in Mamla under the FDCM. Both are in buffer zone of TATR. Earlier, Adani was allocated Lohara west and Lohara extension coal blocks in Wardha valley coalfield in November 2007 to meet fuel requirement of Tiroda power project in Gondia district about 160 kms from the site. In November 2009, a high-level panel of ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) backed by then in charge minister Jairam Ramesh had rejected the proposal saying the mining project was within the buffer zone of TATR and the area was part of the tiger corridor. A five-member committee has been set up to examine Adani's revised proposal. The panel is headed by CCF (territoral), Chandrapur, while CCF of TATR, general manager of FDCM (North Chandrapur), deputy conservators of Chandrapur and Brahmapuri are members. The committee has been asked to submit a report whether the revised proposal will affect wildlife, its corridors and TATR. Ramesh also suggested that MoEF and ministry of coal (MoC) must work in tandem to identify 'Go' and 'No-Go' zones. The proponents were asked to meet the deficit in coal requirement by importing coal or from other coal blocks. However, after change of guard in the MoEF, Adani again wants to enter area known for rich wildlife presence. Recently, coal minister Shriprakash Jaiswal had also said that environment clearances had become easier after Ramesh's exit. In an MoC meeting on January 11 & 12, 2012, 195 coal block allottees under 'Go' and 'No Go' zones were advised to pursue forest clearances afresh. Accordingly, APL has begun fresh bid for Lohara blocks. Work on company's 3300MW power project in Tiroda is in full swing. It is being implemented in two phases. The Phase I (1320MW) is planned to be commissioned in 2012 while Phase II (1980mw) is slated to be completed in 2012-2017. "The company has sent an urgent request to the MoC to convince the MoEF to grant environment and forest clearance with redefined boundary of Lohara west and Lohara extension," senior forest officials told TOI. The original proposal needed diversion of 1,750 hectares land of which 1,600 hectares was forest land. In revised plan, 1,550 hectare land is needed of which 1,402 hectares is forest land. However, deleting two compartments will not reduce threat to TATR and dispersing tigers. Vishwas Karanjgaokar, public relations officer (PRO) for corporate affairs, Adani Enterprises Ltd, said the company will submit an entirely new proposal by conducting a fresh survey of flora and fauna in the affected area. However, Bandu Dhotre, chief of Eco-Pro, Chandrapur, who had launched a 14-day hunger strike in 2009 against proposed coal mines in Lohara warned of a renewed struggle. "The Adani mines in Lohara will lead to loss of over 13 lakh trees, apart from losing tiger corridor towards south-east. What is need to re-allot these coal blocks which have already been rejected earlier by the MoEF to firms like ACC and Nippon in 1998 and again to Adani in 2009," Dhotre asked. On Sunday, state chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, appearing in a live TV programme to save the tigers, had said mining will not be allowed near the tiger reserves in the state. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Adani-Power-Ltd-revives-coal-mine-plan-near-Tadoba/articleshow/15011008.cms

Tourism facilities near wildlife habitats to pay 10% of revenue soon

Nitin Sethi, TNN | Jul 13, 2012, 04.55AM IST Tourists stand on a jeep as they watching a tiger inside the Bandhavgarh national park. All tourism operations running in core areas of tiger reserves and other critical wildlife habitats will be phased out in five years. Tourism will also not be allowed in any core area of a tiger reserve, where forest dwellers have been relocated. NEW DELHI: All tourist operations within 5km of all 600 plus tiger reserves, national parks, sanctuaries and wildlife corridors in the country will soon have to fork out a minimum of 10% of their turnover as " local conservation fee", which will be used not only to protect wildlife areas but also provide financial assistance to communities and people living around these green patches. The Union environment and forests ministry has cleared ecotourism guidelines containing these provisions and submitted them to the Supreme Court in an ongoing case. All tourism operations running in core areas of tiger reserves and other critical wildlife habitats will also be phased out in five years. Tourism will also not be allowed in any core area of a tiger reserve, where forest dwellers have been relocated. The oustees will get priority in running tourism operations in these tiger reserves, the guidelines state. Now, the norms will be looked at by the apex court before which several tour operators have pleaded that they be allowed to run their operations in the breeding grounds of tigers demarcated as core zones under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. No green fee on home stay facilities run by locals The tiger-tourism business has been in the eye of the storm for earning crores out of 'public property' secured by ousting poor forest dwellers from the wildlife zones and in lieu ploughing back little. Some high-end hotels, located in and around tiger reserves, earn upwards of Rs 40,000 a room per night for providing the 'wild experience'. Questions have also been raised about conservationists running tourism operations adjacent to these parks and making a tidy profit, thanks to their domain expertise and access to these secure zones even as tribals and others are relocated for disturbing tranquility in these pristine areas. The green ministry had noted that the burgeoning high-end tourist facilities around these wildlife areas in recent years triggered exploitation, degradation, disturbance and misuse of fragile ecosystems, in turn ensuring "further alienation of local people". The norms were developed by a panel that included the member secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority Rajesh Gopal and director general of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Sunita Narain. However, the guidelines, accepted by the environment minister Jayanti Natarajan, suggest that small home-stay facilities run by local residents under approved ecotourism plans won't be required to share their revenues. The state governments would be required to set up local advisory committees that would oversee the implementation of state-level ecotourism strategy in each of the national parks and sanctuaries and monitor the tourist facilities within 5km of the wildlife areas for adhering to the norms. In the interim period of five years — even as tourism facilities are to be shifted out of the core areas of tiger reserves — the guidelines stipulate state governments to give special space to community-based tourism in certain parts. In large wildlife areas, which are over 500 square km, about 20% of its territory would be allowed to be used for community-based tourism. For smaller parks and sanctuaries, 10% of the area can be used for tourism for the interim five years. The pilgrimages inside national parks and sanctuaries too will be regulated, and the zones will remain open only on specific days — to be decided by an agreement between wildlife and temple authorities. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Tourism-facilities-near-wildlife-habitats-to-pay-10-of-revenue-soon/articleshow/14858774.cms

Ten tigers have died in six months, admits forest minister

Sandeep Ashar, TNN | Jul 13, 2012, 10.21AM IST MUMBAI: In a grim statistic, the state forest department on Thursday admitted that ten tigers have died in the past six months. Another tiger was reported to have suffered a serious injury. In a written reply to a query included in the starred questions list in the legislative council, forest minister Patangrao Kadam also admitted that deaths in at least "four" cases was due to poaching. The minister had submitted the reply in response to a query by NCP's Vijaysinh Mohite Patil on measures adopted for the safety of the big cats. Of the ten big cats, two were tiger cubs, the minister has informed. The state government, which has acknowledged the concern over the trend, has said that various steps including setting up of patrolling squads, reducing and regulating man-animal conflicts across tiger corridors, setting up chowkies at fixed distances and effective use of wireless sets for better communication in such areas have been taken up to reverse the trend. In response to a related question, Kadam also expressed concern over a rise in leopard deaths reported from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. In the past 30 months, fourteen leopards are believed to have died in the region. Kadam claimed the patrolling had been beefed up in the region. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Ten-tigers-have-died-in-six-months-admits-forest-minister/articleshow/14860839.cms

HC rejects MPSEB plea on irrigation colony in Pench

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Jul 13, 2012, 12.37AM IST NAGPUR: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court on Tuesday dismissed a writ petition filed by the Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board (MPSEB) seeking to quash an order to shift the irrigation colony in the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR). Justices Vasanti Naik and AB Choudhari dismissed the writ petition filed by MPSEB for setting aside or modify observation of the judgement passed on April 22, 2002 in an earlier petition filed in 2001 against no action for shifting of colony be taken. The colony is situated over 15 hectares. Earlier, MPSEB had filed the petition to continue occupying the area notified as reserved forest under Indian Forest Act read with Wildlife Protection Act. In 2003, Justice J N Patel and Justice P S Brahme at the high court had held that the petitioners have no right to remain in the reserved forest area. Of the 101 quarters inside Pench, a few are occupied by MPSEB staff and water resources department (WRD) for maintenance work on the Pench Hydroelectric Power Project. The court had ordered all occupants to vacate the reserved forest land and enter only for purposes of maintenance. The petitioners had also filed special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court. But, after a few hearings, they withdrew it. On April 22, 2009 Justices Sharad Bobade and FM Reis had also observed that the order does not make any exception for any category of persons and all of them have been directed to vacate the reserved forest land. They issued show cause notices to the superintending engineer, Pench project and chief engineer of MPSEB why action for breach of judgement of April 22, 2002 should not be initiated against them. During the contempt proceedings, MP Badar, special counsel for the forest department, submitted that the present writ petition is liable to be dismissed. Ashutosh Dharmadhikari appeared for MPSEB and Badar appeared for the forest department. There is an interstate agreement between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra on the Pench Hydroelectric Power Project that water will be shared by the state and power by MP. Hence, the expenses to shift both the colonies have to be borne by the WRD. The WRD is ready to give 0.81 hectare land to develop 79 quarters for MPSEB staff. Of this area, 0.40 hectare is vacant while rest is occupied by old buildings of the department, which are required to be dismantled. The too had agreed that the land offered is sufficient for 79 quarters. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/HC-rejects-MPSEB-plea-on-irrigation-colony-in-Pench/articleshow/14856610.cms

Bandu Dhotre ends fast, wins battle for tigers

STAFF REPORTER Wildlife activist Bandu Dhotre on Wednesday evening ended his hunger strike that he began on July 2, demanding effective steps for protection of tigers in the Vidarbha region, after the Maharashtra government agreed to accept almost all his demands. “The government has accepted almost all the demands put forward by us. Only the merger of the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra [FDCM] with territorial forests could not be fulfilled due to some technical reasons,” Mr. Dhotre told The Hindu. “But the government is going to come up with a comprehensive wildlife management plan for the FDCM in the next eight days. We hope tiger protection in this area will get a boost,” he said. “Chandrapur will be declared as a ‘tiger district’ and tigers in the non- protected areas will also be protected on the lines of protected areas,” said Swanand Soni, who participated in the negotiations with the government. Forest Minister Patangrao Kadam had called a meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday to discuss Mr. Dhotre’s demands. Five Ministers from Vidarbha — Anil Deshmukh, Rajendra Mulak, Nitin Raut, Sanjay Deotale and Shivajirao Moghe — participated in the talks. Swanand Soni, Shyam Pandharipandhhe and Dhirendra Malakalkar represented Mr. Dhotre in the meeting. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3632583.ece

National tiger conservation authority for ban on tourism in core areas of tiger reserve

Deshdeep Saxena, TNN | Jul 12, 2012, 11.30AM IST BHOPAL: The national tiger conservation authority (NTCA) has recommended to ban tourism activities from the core areas of tiger reserves of the country and to limit them to buffer areas for the benefit of the local communities. The authority has filed its recommendation in the Supreme Court. The recommendations were submitted after the apex court's orders while hearing a petition filed by a Bhopal-based activist to ban tourism activities in the core areas of the parks. The petition pleaded the apex court to direct the governments to notify the buffer zones. In its recommendations, the NTCA has used the word "eco-tourism"- Guidelines for eco-tourism in and around protected areas". "There is a need to adhere with the amended provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act in terms of the core/critical tiger habitat or critical wildlife habitat that have defined the need to provide inviolate core and buffer areas (designed for co-existence) in tiger reserves", the recommendations stated. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/National-tiger-conservation-authority-for-ban-on-tourism-in-core-areas-of-tiger-reserve/articleshow/14841285.cms

Forest department steps up patrolling in tiger reserve

TNN | Jul 12, 2012, 12.22PM IST MYSORE: The recent arrest of a gang of poachers, who had laid jaw traps to catch tigers in BRT reserve forest, has come as a wake-up call for the department of forests to intensify patrolling in the tiger reserve areas in the state. Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Dipak Sarmah told TOI that they are conducting combing operations to spot any other traps, if any, in the forest to ensure safety to the animals, especially the big cats. He, however, claimed that they have removed all the jaw traps laid by the arrested poachers and they have not found any other so far. A six-member team of poachers from Haryana was arrested by the BRT forest officials before they could fell any tiger on Sunday. According to preliminary investigation, the gang had placed four jaw traps in the tiger reserve which have been recovered from the forest. Wildlife crime control bureau (WLCCB) officials do not rule out the possibility of more members of the gang involved in wildlife crimes in other parts of the state. WLCCB assistant director L Kuruvila said they do not have any definite clues on this score, but said the arrested belong to the Bavaria tribe who are good at laying jaw traps. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Forest-department-steps-up-patrolling-in-tiger-reserve/articleshow/14842555.cms

Ranthambore, Sariska buffer zones notified

Rachna Singh, TNN | Jul 10, 2012, 04.22AM IST A tiger rests in a pond ahead of the Census of Wild Animals, at the Ranthambore National Park. JAIPUR: The forest department has finally notified the buffer zones of Sariska Tiger Reserve and Ranthambhore National Park. The notification of buffer zones would help regulate commercialization of revenue land and create a better habitat for the big cat. As per the notification issued under Wildlife (Protection) Act, a 298 sq km of buffer area has been added to the Ranthambore park which is spread over approximately 400 sq km. Similarly, 392 sq km buffer area has been added to the STR, which is spread over 800 sq km. "While the critical tiger habitat was notified earlier, the buffer zones had to be identified and notified for Project Tiger. The consent of villagers has been taken before earmarking the buffer zones as some land also happens to be revenue land. With this we would be able to focus on creating a congenial habitat for the tiger by adding the buffer zone, peripheral to the critical tiger habitat," said A C Choubey, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan. The tiger reserves are constituted on a 'core-buffer' strategy. The core area is kept free of biotic disturbances and forestry operations, where collection of minor forest produce, grazing, human disturbances are not allowed. "However, the buffer zone is managed as a 'multiple use area' with twin objectives of providing habitat supplement to the spillover population of wild animals from the core conservation unit and to provide site specific eco-developmental inputs to surrounding villages for relieving their impact on the core," said Choubey. The idea is to create a better tiger habitat with support from the Tiger Conservation Plan, without putting any riders on the villagers, he said. Except for the national parks portion if contained within, normally no relocation of villages is visualised in the buffer area, and forestry operations, non-timber forest products, NTFP collection and other rights and concessions to the local people are permitted in a regulated manner to complement the initiatives in the core unit. Besides, the notification of the buffer zones is very significant as it would also lead to protection of the reserves from intensive projects like mining. According to National Tiger Conservation Authority, "the buffer zone of a tiger reserve will not have the status of a national park or sanctuary. Buffer areas with forest connectivity are imperative for tiger dynamics, since such areas foster sub adults, young adults, transients and old members of the population. Habitat management and improvement activities will be carried out in the existing habitat of tiger and its prey species through active involvement of local communities." The existing silvicultural operations will be accordingly modified to promote conservation of the area and the management will be based on specific forest lands forming part of village-level micro plans. Community will be involved in the overall management of the buffer area, lists NTCA. What's a buffer zone? A buffer is a thin layer of protection on all sides of the reserve. Those living in this zone will be given alternative livelihood options to reduce dependence on core forest produce. These zones will be protected from major changes in land use. Unlike the core area, which is exclusive, the buffer zone will be inclusive but importance will be given to protection of wildlife. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Ranthambore-Sariska-buffer-zones-notified/articleshow/14790588.cms

Formation of proposed Tiger Reserve justified

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 10, 2012, 09:58 0 Erode: Justifying formation of a 'Tiger Reserve Project' in Sathyamangalam forest, Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K.T. Pachamal has said if such a reserve was formed, the area will get more funds which can be used for the welfare of the tribal people. After inspecting the Vellode Birds Sanctuary near here yesterday, he said "The rights of the forest dwelling people provided under Forest Rights Act 2006 would not be affected." Tribals would be allowed to collect the forest produce in 25000 hectares in the proposed Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve Project area, he added. More than 4000 tribals of Sathyamangalam forest had staged a demonstration demonstration yesterday opposing government's proposal to form a Tiger Reserve project in the area. The Minister also said that the state Government would plant over 680 crore saplings on private lands in the next eight years with an intention to increase the green cover in the state. PTI

Poaching fears return to Sunderbans

Krishnendu Mukherjee, TNN | Jul 10, 2012, 03.59AM IST KOLKATA: The beast of poaching may have reared its ugly head after four years in the Sunderbans, a reserve much feted for its conservation programmes. The death of a tiger cub in the Sunderbans last month and the capture of three cubs a few days later on the Bangladeshi sides of the mangroves have triggered suspicion that the dead cub might have been from the same litter that was being smuggled top Malaysia and may have been killed by poachers. The National Tiger Conservation Authority of India ( NTCA) - which has made a poaching probe mandatory for all unnatural tiger deaths - is yet to give its verdict on the death of the two-month-old cub on June 5. But tiger conservationists in India and Bangladesh are sniffing a link between the two incidents as the three cubs - two females and a male and about two months old - were rescued on June 10, just five days after the body of the dead cub was found floating on the Raimangal river. The narrow river acts as the border between India and Bangladesh. The cubs being smuggled to Malaysia were captured in Halde Bunia forests, just across the river in Bangladesh, less than 2km from the forests on the Indian side. The two Bangladeshi poachers who captured the cubs had managed to make their way to Dhaka before being arrested. The twin incidents come nearly a year after India signed two MoUs with Bangladesh on the conservation of the Sunderbans and the Royal Bengal Tiger. The pledge, however, seems confined to papers. Experts now believe a joint Indo-Bangla joint poaching racket is operating in the thick mangroves. Sudipto Dutt, member of the state wildlife board, said it was possible that the poachers were attacked by a tiger and couldn't capture all the cubs. "One cub might have got separated from its mother and died later. Since the place is very close to the Indian border, the body might have floated to the Indian side. A simple DNA analysis of the cubs can solve the riddle. And this will also open new avenues of international cooperation between two countries," Dutt said. Echoing his view, another member of the state wildlife board, Biswajit Roy Chowdhury, said they would soon approach the forest minister to take up the matter with the Centre. "We will raise the issue in the next meeting of the board. There should be proper probe before dubbing any tiger death natural," he said. Monirul Khan, associate professor of zoology at Jahangirnagar University in Dhaka, called for a joint probe into the death of the cub. "Halde Bunia forests, from where the cubs were captured in Bangladesh, as confessed by one of the arrested poachers, is very close to the Indian border. It's hardly a kilometre or two from the Indian forests of Arbesi and separated only by the Raimangal. With poachers striking so close to the border, there should be joint probe to track the origin of the crime," he said. Yusuf Ali, chief conservator of forests, Bangladesh, added, "They have also confessed that one of their members were killed after a tigress attacked him while trying to protect the cubs. However, the kingpins of the poaching racket are still on the run and we are yet to know what happened to the mother." Though there has been no official case of tiger poaching in Indian Sunderbans since 2008, reports of tiger body parts seizure is nothing new in the state. In 2010-11 alone, five tiger skulls and four tiger skins were seized in Bengal. However, the Indian foresters are in dark over the Bangladesh incident. "It's true that there are two MoUs between the countries, but field level implementation is yet to be done. Unless that's done, we cannot approach our Bangladeshi counterparts officially. Our hands are tied," said Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve director Pradeep Vyas, adding that there have been reports, of late, that cases of poaching are on the rise in the Bangladesh Sunderbans. Bangladesh CCF Ali said that they are ready to help India in probing the cub death. "For that, the Indian officials should approach us," he added. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Poaching-fears-return-to-Sunderbans/articleshow/14790178.cms

Tribals protest to scrap tiger reserve project

TNN | Jul 10, 2012, 03.31AM IST COIMBATORE: Hundreds of people from 19 tribal dominated village panchayats under Bhavani Sagar constituency, took to the streets of Sathyamangalam on Monday, demanding the closure of the proposed tiger reserve project in what used to be Veerappan's lair. The protest was organized by CPI's tribal wing Pazhamkudi Makkal Sanghom., had turned remarkable due to the larger turn out of tribals, who normally remain an elusive community. Traffic in the entire region was disrupted till late in the evening. as the protestors moved around urging The protesters want the state government to withdraw its letter of recommendation to the Union government branding the wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve.Thenkasi MP P Lingam inaugurated the protest near the Sathyamangalam bus stand. saying the party would stand solidly behind the tribals in their fight to live with dignity. Bhavani Sagar MLA P L Sundaram, Valparai MLA V Arumugam, campaign for Survival and Dignity leader C R Bijoy, CPI Erode district secretary K R Thirunavukarasu, Mudumalai farmers' leader P T Varghese and Nilgiri-based human rights activist M S Selvaraj also addressed the gathering. According to Bhavani Sagar MLA Sundaram, around 5,000 tribals from Thalavadi, Thiganare, Thinkalur, Panakkalli, Naithalpuram, Igalur, Thalamalai, Bainapuram, Hassanur and Germalam village panchayats thronged the venue since morning. The protestors wanted immediate implementation of Forest Rights Act of 2006 and sought permission to collect minor forest produce. They also wanted freedom to transport agricultural products through forest roads and permission to kill wild boars which destroy their farm lands. They also demanded proper compensation for those who suffered losses due to the destruction of crops by wild animals. "These tribals are the most neglected in the state. Their rights were curtailed a long time ago due to the Veerappan threat. After Veerappan's demise, 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,'' pointed out Sundaram. "We are not against tiger conservation. But it should not be at the expense of traditional forest dwellers. Denying tribals their right is beyond logic,'' he said. According to him, there would be more severe agitations in the coming days. "Other than rearing cattle and collecting forest produce, we have no other means of livelihood. Now the department has curtailed all our livelihood means in the name of tiger. It is high time the government scraps the project,'' said Pazhangudi leader P Dorai, one of the organizers of the protest. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Tribals-protest-to-scrap-tiger-reserve-project/articleshow/14789670.cms

Centre sends team to review Kaziranga floods

TNN | Jul 10, 2012, 02.29AM IST NEW DELHI: The environment and forests ministry has decided to send a team of officials from Delhi to review the situation in Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary in wake of flash floods that have inundated Assam. The announcement to send the member secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority for a spot inspection and review comes a day after TOI reported on the high mortality of animals in the tiger reserve falling in the floodplains of Brahmaputra river. In a release the ministry said, "During normal floods, which are recurring feature, there is less mortality of wild animals. However, flash floods do occur due to breaches in the upper areas of Brahmaputra, which result in increased deaths of wild animals." The ministry said, "The state (Assam) has been requested to declare the adjoining Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve to enable adequate protection with Project Tiger assistance. This would be reiterated for expediting the same. The member secretary, NTCA would be visiting the reserve along with his team for spot appraisal/review, to strengthen the efforts by assisting the state." It noted that, "Being located in the Brahmaputra flood plains, the reserve is prone to annual floods. However, the normal flood inundation is inherent and important aspect of the Kaziranga ecosystem to maintain the large number of water bodies (around175) and the floral/faunal biodiversity of the area." An assessment by the Assam-based member of the National Tiger Conservation Authority M Firoz Ahmed, which TOI had reported on, said that most of the rhino deaths were from the older age group, besides calves. However, three of them have been poached. The hog deer mortality, in particular had been reported to be very high. The report had highlighted the need for relieving the corridor areas from human pressure and avoiding change in land use pattern in the area around the park. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Centre-sends-team-to-review-Kaziranga-floods/articleshow/14788577.cms

Probe on to trap kingpin

TNN | Jul 10, 2012, 04.53AM IST MYSORE: Forest department officials have recovered five knives bought to de-skin the big cats and Rs 5,000 from the six-member gang arrested in Chamarajanagar recently. They have also seized a booklet containing telephone numbers which might lead the authorities to the kingpin who had sent the poachers here. Jagadish, an accused, is well aware of the tiger pelt trade outside the country, a Wildlife Crime Control Bureau ( WLCCB) officer said. BRT reserve director Vijaymohan Raj told TOI that the gang had help to gain entry into the forest . Preliminary investigation has revealed that the gang had been told to reach the reserved forest through Kollegal. The officials conducted a thorough search in the forest areas to check whether any traps have been laid to catch the tigers. The officer claimed that they have searched the sensitive places in the tiger reserve. The accused have been booked under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Probe-on-to-trap-kingpin/articleshow/14791130.cms

Intensify foot patrolling in tiger reserves, say wildlife activists

R. KRISHNA KUMAR ‘Arrest of six poachers is only the tip of the iceberg’ The arrest of an inter-State gang of poachers operating in the vicinity of BRT Tiger Reserve on Friday has underlined the perennial threat to national parks and tiger landscapes from dealers in wildlife derivatives. Conservation activists believe the arrest of the six persons — hailing from Haryana — is only the tip of the iceberg as they are nomadic and travel in large numbers with specific instructions from key persons who remote control their operations but remain incognito. K.S. Sudheer, trustee, Voice for Wildlife Trust, told The Hindu that the gang had specific instructions to reach the BRT site and hence they had established temporary camp outside the tiger reserve. While three jaw traps had already been laid inside the forests, it is only providence that they were caught. The gang members had to venture out of the forests to get a steel spring repaired and were caught when sighted by Forest Department guards. These traps had been removed and the entire BRT Tiger Reserve, Kollegal Wildlife Range, and the periphery forests have been combed, once by the Forest Department staff and again by the members of the Special Tiger Force, Mr. Sudheer said. Incidentally, one of the accused, Jagadish, was wanted in connection with a poaching case in Himachal Pradesh and he had come to Karnataka after securing bail, Mr. Sudheer said. Meanwhile, inquiries with the gang have revealed that they would set the trap during evening and go into hiding during day time to evade detection by forest guards. D. Rajkumar of Wildlife Conservation Foundation, Mysore, said the modus operandi of the Forest Department’s anti-poaching cell was well-known among poachers and they made efforts to hoodwink them. “Foot patrolling generally takes place during day time and hence the poachers go into hiding and emerge only at night when the patrolling by jeep along the safari route is the norm,” Mr. Sudheer pointed out. “Poachers know well that the response time will be slow during night — especially during rainy season and hence will be working overtime. Hence it is important that foot patrolling is intensified,” Mr. Rajkumar said. Both Bandipur and Nagarahole have been targeted by poachers in the past and it is now clear that the network of poachers is trying to spread its tentacles into other tiger reserves in south India. BRT Tiger Reserve along with Bandipur, Nagarahole in Karnataka, Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Wayanad in Kerala constitutes a contiguous habitat for predators like tigers. It has been identified as one of the high-density tiger landscapes harbouring about 214 to 239 tigers in the Karnataka side while the tiger population range spread over the three States in these contiguous jungles is said to be in the range of 354 to 411 as per the National Tiger Conservation Authority statistics. While such statistics about tiger population augurs well for the long-term conservation of the species, it also emboldens the poachers to spread their dragnet in view of the demand for tiger parts in the illegal market. http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3616919.ece

6 inter-state poachers held at Gundal forests

H M Aravind, TNN Jul 8, 2012, 04.22AM IST National Tiger Conservation Authority|inter-state poachers|Gundal forests MYSORE: For some time now, the forest department was continuously watching the movement of outsiders on the fringes of the BRT wildlife sanctuary bordering Tamil Nadu. Hindi-speaking outsiders were under the scanner following alerts that a gang could be trying to strike in the tiger reserve. The efforts have paid off as the forest department busted a team of inter-state poachers that was active in the Karnataka. Luckily, the team has been nabbed before any big cat has fallen prey to them. What's alarming is that the gang has a past record: They are wanted in wildlife crimes in other states and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WLCCB) is now scanning the accused. At least one of the six arrested is facing a wildlife offence at Arunachal Pradesh, sources told The Sunday Times of India. "There were regular alerts and we took them seriously beefing up security at the field level. We nabbed them at Gundal forests," they added. Though the security was put on alert, the gang had managed to infiltrate inside the tiger reserve spread over 539.52 square kilometers bordering Tamil Nadu. This comes barely four weeks after a six months old tiger cub was poached in the area. But the poachers were localities who were arrested on June 13. The gang is busted based on alerts from National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The operation was assisted by the Chennai-based WLCCB. According to BRT tiger reserve director Vijay Mohan Raj, the inter-state poachers hail from Haryana and were sent to Karnataka to poach tigers. All the arrested are from Panchkula district. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-08/mysore/32588477_1_tiger-reserve-poachers-national-tiger-conservation-authority

Corbett officials turn tigress into jackal

Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times New Delhi, July 06, 2012 Circumstantial evidence of a tiger sacrifice was not enough. It took a forensic examination to indicate that a tigress was killed deep inside the Corbett National Park more than a month ago - not a jackal as forest officials claimed. On May 24, Corbett staff found the innards of an animal in the core area of the tiger reserve. Wildlife activists claimed it was a tiger's. But Ranjan Mishra, director of Corbett's tiger reserve, insisted the parts were those of a porcupine or jackal. Wildlife activists' suspicions of tiger poaching were aroused by the fact that forest officials found clothes, an empty box of sweets and ash at the Bijrani range deep inside the reserve. Activists said the material was evidence of a puja having been conducted. Tribes such as Bawarias usually conduct pujas before sacrificing wild animals, especially tigers. Anil Baluni, former vice-chairperson of the Uttarakhand environment and forest advisory committee, said the tigress was skinned and most of its body parts were taken away. Another Dehradun-based wildlife expert said entire body parts are taken away only in the case of big cats as they fetch high prices. Mishra, however, said, "There is a huge difference in the small intestine of tigers and other animals. We are sure this animal was not a tiger or tigress. We have sent the body parts for further analysis." The Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) was asked to conduct a forensic examination of the intestines and initial reports point to the animal having been a tigress, sources told HT. "We have not received any report from WII so far," the state's chief wildlife warden SA Sharma said. "We are trying our best to save the tigers but patrolling round the clock is not possible. One or two poaching incidents should not be construed as tigers being unsafe in the big open jungle of Corbett," he said. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Corbett-officials-turn-tigress-into-jackal/Article1-883939.aspx

Ecotourism at Western Ghats sites may be streamlined

K. S. SUDHI The Hindu EXPLORING NATURE: In this file photo, Foreign tourists make most of the opportunities available for trekking in Thekkady, a big draw for wild life enthusiasts. Photo: H.Vibhu Ecotourism activities are permitted in 60 forest destinations including 12 of the nominated sites in the State. Ecotourism activities in the World Heritage Sites of the Western Ghats may be streamlined after assessing the carrying capacity of the individual sites. While inscribing the 39 serial sites of the Ghats, the World Heritage Committee has asked India to initiate “proactive responsible tourism management in anticipation of increased future visitation, and to ensure that visitation remains within the capacity of the property.” The world heritage tag is expected to increase the global attention and visitation to these sites. The inscribed sites from Kerala include the Silent Valley and Eravikulam national parks and the Periyar Tiger Reserve, which are some of the preferred ecotourism destinations in the State. Similar activities are there in the Shendurney, Neyyar, Peppara, Chinnar, and Aralam wildlife sanctuaries, the forest ranges of Kulathupuzha and Palode, and the forest divisions of Ranni, Konni, and Achencoil. Ecotourism activities are permitted in 60 forest destinations including 12 of the nominated sites in the State. The visitor attraction to Eravikulam is the vast expanses of Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), which flowers gregariously once in 12 years, and the possibility of watching Nilgiri tahr, an endangered mountain ungulate, in close quarters. During the last mass flowering of the plants in 2006, over 5 lakh visitors reached there in three months. The maximum turnout for a single day was around 8,000 persons. The heavy turnout did not have much ecological impacts, thanks to the vigil and strict enforcement of visitor management measures, said Roy P. Thomas, who was the then wildlife warden. Visitors were not permitted to pluck flowers and overstay in the area. They were provided vehicles for accessing the park, Mr. Thomas said. In the tiger reserve, a boat ride along the Thekkadi lake and high chances of watching wildlife including elephants and deer in action are the key attractions. The average annual tourist turnout is around 7 lakh. Of this, around 3 lakh opt for boating, said Sanjayankumar, deputy director of the reserve. Ecotourism activities such as bamboo rafting, boating, and trekking are allowed in a limited scale, based on the findings of the carrying capacity, he said. The Silent Valley had 23,241 visitors including 5,000 students during the last financial year. The ecotourism activities are restricted to around one sq km of the 89 sq km park. The maximum turnout was around 200 persons during the peak season, the park authorities said. N.V. Trivedi Babu, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Eco Development and Tribal Welfare), said that the Kerala Forest Department was planning to asses the carrying capacity of the ecotourism sites in the State. All divisional forest officers of the State were directed to carry out the assessment. The support of agencies such as the Kerala Forest Research Institute will be sought wherever required. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article3608974.ece

Anil Deshmukh to pursue Bandu Dhotre's demands

TNN | Jul 6, 2012, 01.29AM IST NAGPUR: With wildlife activist Bandu Dhotre's indefinite fast entering the fourth day, support is pouring in. On Thursday, state food and civil supplies minister Anil Deshmukh visited the fasting activist and said he would pursue the demands raised by Dhotre with government. Deshmukh was with Dhotre for over 25 minutes. He showed keen interest in the presentation by Dhotre on how tigers were being left to die outside Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) owing to poor protection. Dhotre pointed out that areas around Tadoba were the only living corridor in the country from where tigers disperse but as there was no wildlife management in these areas, tigers were being poached easily. The same situation persists in areas outside other sanctuaries. He also drew attention of Deshmukh towards a government order of 2003 that area under protection of a forest guard should be between 500-750 hectares. However, forest guards are routinely looking after over 1,500 hectares and also performing multiple other assignments. Deshmukh, who is aware of wildlife issues grappling Vidarbha, agreed with Dhotre demands of secret funds for intelligence gathering, a forensic lab for wildlife in Nagpur, rescue centre in Chandrapur, forest fire protection etc. He promised to take up the demands with forest minister Patangrao Kadam and secretary Praveen Pardeshi. Deshmukh even called up Kadam from the venue and talked to him over phone. Kadam also talked to Dhotre. Deshmukh appealed to Dhotre to call off the fast. However, Pardeshi has called a meeting at Mumbai to discuss the demands raised by Dhotre on Friday. A four-member team has left for Mumbai to meet Pardeshi. Meanwhile, chief wildlife warden SWH Naqvi on Thursday wrote to Dhotre on status of various demands raised by him. The outcome of the fast will depend on the talks with Pardeshi, sources in Dhotre camp said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Anil-Deshmukh-to-pursue-Bandu-Dhotres-demands/articleshow/14698276.cms

Poachers thrash forest guard in Ranthambore, kill deer

TNN | Jul 5, 2012, 01.11AM IST JAIPUR: At least 10 poachers, armed with guns and knifes, thrashed a forest guard in Indala area in Ranthambore National Park on Tuesday night after he tried to nab them. The poachers escaped after killing a spotted deer. According to sources, a guard, Hanuman, who was on duty in the park at night, heard some noises nearby. Suddenly he saw a few persons armed with guns and knifes. "No sooner he stepped forward, the poachers attacked him. At this the guard raised an alarm and soon his colleagues reached for help. But even they were attacked by the poachers who then escaped," said an official. Later senior officials too arrived on the spot and started a search but by then the poachers had escaped. "We have identified the poachers and are confident of catching them. The guard was immediately taken to the hospital on an ambulance but the poachers had already killed a deer by then," said the official. Conservation biologist Dharmendra Khandal of Tiger Watch said, "The poachers entered the park with eight guns and killed a Cheetal or Sambhar. But vital information has been collected by intelligence gathering team. Even the forest, police and administration are active and necessary steps have been taken by forest department. The gang leader is already wanted in some leopard poaching case since 2006.'' An FIR has been filed in this regard under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 against poachers by the police. Monsoon is the season when poachers get active in parks. The parks are closed for tourists during this time as many animals breed and the entry of tourist is a hindrance for them. However, tigers and other animals climb on higher grounds or even go towards the periphery and are often poached. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Poachers-thrash-forest-guard-in-Ranthambore-kill-deer/articleshow/14681334.cms

Reddy new forest department of Pench tiger reserve

TNN | Jul 5, 2012, 02.14AM IST NAGPUR: In a minor reshuffle in the state forest department which took place on Wednesday, seven IFS officials were shifted including the field director of the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR). The orders were issued on Tuesday. Among those who have been transferred include chief conservator of forests (CCF) A Ashraf. He will be replaced by MS Reddy, who is conservator for Gondia wildlife division. Reddy will be replaced by deputy conservator VV Gurme, who too has been promoted as CF. Reddy, who looked after the Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and Navegaon National Park, has been promoted as CCF. Ashraf has been posted as CCF (budget) at Van Bhavan. He will replace SS Mahajan, who retired on June 30. Deputy conservator of forest (Dy CF) BS Thengdi, who was with evaluation and had almost lost hopes due to victimization, got a double promotion after 16 years. Thengdi was facing departmental inquiry but was given a clean chit by the court in 2006. Even then, he was deprived of a promotion. Thengdi has now been posted as CCF (vigilance & employees welfare). He will replace MN Gawli, who retired on June 30. Thengdi's batchmates have already become additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCFs). http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Reddy-new-forest-department-of-Pench-tiger-reserve/articleshow/14681996.cms