| Wildlife group says radio-collars did not kill tigers | |
Thursday, July 30, 2009
BNHS rubbishes report of Radio Collars causing tiger deaths
In a stinging rebuke to so called State wildlife Intelligence reports citing Radio Collars some how being responsible for tiger deaths, Bombay Natural History Society has strongly come out in support of the practice.Citing figures and data, BNHS Director has defended the technique which has been used across the world for many decades to study wild animals. It has also blamed the state wildlife office for being callous in its approach and trying to shift blame to cover its own shortcomings.
MPs unite to oppose Tadoba Mining project
A day after local politicos cutting across party lines came out to support a bandh organised by local NGOs in chandrapur against the mining lease granted to Adani, Vidharba MPs from Congress, BJP & Shiv Sena have written a joint letter to the Prime Minister asking for the mining license to be revoked. A TOI report today spells out names of MPs who have signed the letter. If our Members of Parliament can get together in such fashion more often then a lot of problem that afllict our country can be solved. Recently the issue of widening of Nagpur-Jabalpur highway through Pench Tiger resrerve got highlighted when Rajya sabha MP from Maharashtra Mr Vijay Darda himself wrote to the PM and Congress President Sonia Gandhi. The plan was subsequently dropped. One hopes after the hue and cry raised by local citizes, NGOs and now law makers, the mining lease will be cancelled.
Vidarbha MPs join hands, write to PM on Adani mine issue
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Shot in the arm for Tadoba activists
As per a TOI report today, Minister MOEF Jairam Ramesh has made it clear that no further mining activity will be allowed around the Chandrapur forests. Local activists, NGOs and people from civil society have been running a campaign for months asking for the state govt to withdraw new mining licenses granted to corporate like Adani. As per the report, the minister made this assurance during the 2 day meet of Wildlife wardens that took place in Sarika over the last weekend.
No mining near Tadoba: Ramesh
Minister promises Wildlife Act Amendment
To deter poaching and illegal activties related to environment destruction Minister MOEF has proposed making laws under the Wildlife Act more stringent. Makes sense especially since so many cases have come to light recenltly where known poaches have been roaming out on bail on account of weak laws and even weaker enfrocement. Apart from making the law more stringent, the central ministry will also have to ensure application of laws in co rodination with local governments. The recent idea of NTCa to set up tiger protection force within every tiger reserve is again a welcome move but park rangers will have to be given more authority, training and equipment to firmly deal with gangs of poaching and timber mafia.
Wildlife Act to be amended: Jairam
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Nepal tiger population estimation done - Protection needed
As per newspaper reports, Nepal's four tiger breeding sancturies have been found to be home to some 121 tigers. The next step for the Nepalese govt will be to ensure these cats are protected for which they will need will at both centre and local level. Unfortunately india doesnt seem like a good example to learn from as our own record on tiger conservation has been appalling. But with the new Minister MOEF taking steps to undo the damage of teh last few decades, hopefully by the time his term ends we might have something to write home about on our tiger conservation efforts in the 21st Century.
121 breeding tigers in Nepal spells new ray of hope for the species
Finally politicians rally to save Todoba from mines
In a rare show of solidarity and coming togther, local politicos cutting across party lines have opposed granting of mining license to Adani in areas surroudning Todoba Tiger sanctuary. On Monday the police acted forcibly to end the fast by local activist Bandu Dhotre. All politial parties in the area have decided to support the bandh called by local NGOs. It is interesting to note that NCP ministers in the state have been pushing for the mines whereas Congress and Shiv Sena MPs have been against it. Given that Congress and NCP have a tie up at the state level it might not be surprising if one of the parties changes their stance on the issue post elections in the state in November.
Cong, Sena say no to Adani mines |
7 naxal affected Tiger reserves need help NOT denotification
According to news paper reports today, NTCA head Rajesh Gopal has suggested 7 tiger resrves which are seriously affected by naxalism and have very low tiger density to be denotified. Denotification of a park would then lift the responsbility of the park off NTCA shoulders. Given the serious nature of problems related to access and protection these parks face the NTCA's suggestion is undertandable but the need of the hour is to find a way of helping these areas rather than washing your hands off them. The Minister MOEF should personally meet with the Chief Ministers and concerned state officials regarding these reserves and find a way out of the problem. Given that the home ministry is planning to launch a full fledged assault againsts maoists post monsoon some of these areas might become accessible and hence could be protected. If we leave these areas are their mercy tehn sooner or later we will also loose the gene pool of tigers residing in these areas which will be in an incalculable loss to our wildlife heritage.
Reserves not clear on tiger numbers, one may be denotified
High court stays traffic ban withdrawl order in Bandipore sanctuary
Acting expediciously, the Karnataka High Court reversed the recent order of state officials to restire trarffic movement through Bandipore Wildlife sanctuary which was banned on account to increasing animal deaths due to accidents. According to a report in Deccan Herald, on Jue 3rd this year the Deputy Commission of Chamrajanagar had ordered ban on vehicular movement inside park after sunset but the order was withdrawn within a week owing to pressure from politicians and traders lobby. Given that the court has not stepped in chances are the ban will stay, atleast for the time being.
Night travel ban through Bandipur restored
Evidence of tigers found in two more forest areas
Accodring to forest officials in MP and Goa, tiger pug marks were found in Madhav national park in Shivpuri distt in MP and Mhadie Sanctuary in Goa. The need of the hour will be to ensure protection of these cats before they fal prey to poachers or wonder out of the protected habitats to be killed by other ferocious animals like Homo Sapiens settled around reserves.
Fresh tiger pug marks spotted in Goa reserve
Evidence of tigers' presence found in Madhav national park
Disaster in waiting - Similipal - exposed by local activists
In a damning report on the a local wildlife and environment activist forum has exposed the callous and conniving attitude of the local Orrsia govt towards protection the state's premier tiger reserve. The Chief Minister has himself on National television sometime back contested the low figures of tiger population released in the latest census and vowed to protect the reserve. Now in a startling relevation sure to embarass the government if any one cares, activists have released footage of rampant tree felling and poaching taking place inside the reserve. According to a report in The Statesman, local mafia has been threatening govt official after maoists drove them out after laying siege to large forest areas. With the government looking the other way, goons and thugs are having a free run inside the forest stripping it off all its valuable assets. Mr Patnaik needs to show similar resolve as he did while disputing tiger census numbers if he doesnt want to see this priceless jewel becoming the next Sariska.
Govt sleeps, crime grows in Similipal
Another tiger reserve crying out for help
An Indian express yesterday details out Tigers in Srsailam Tiger Reserve on the border of Andhra & Orrisa
facing poaching problems as local communities find it more and more difficult to just live off forest produce.
Involving local communities in protection and provinding livelyhood is the key to protecting forests and tigers habitats and
reserves such as these are perfect places for setting up centres for expriment.
Survived Maoists, but tigers could fall prey to tribals
37 tiger sancturies in the country, 25 dont classify as 'Good'
In an honest fact based admission, NTCA head Rajesh Gopal during a presentation over the weekend at Sariska admitted in front of the minister MOEF that only 12 out of 37 tiger santuries in the country classify to be in good condition. As per the report on The Hindu, 9 others we found to be satisfactory, what ever that means and another 9 were foudn to be in 'poor' condition. Given that only 30% of tiger habitats in the country are found to be in good condition it is imperative that centre spend more resources in protecting comparitievly unknown reserves before they too go the Panna/Sarika way. Before tourist and media spotlight reaches some of the reseves, tigers might completely disappear from some other santuries hence hte key is to protect them before it happnes. Simplipal is the perfect expample of what needs to be done and what should not be done. The centre needs to act now in the 25 cases.
Celebration at Sariska
Sunny SebastianCentre to have special protection force for tigers
In a welcome development the Minister MOEF Jairam Ramesh as per TOI report has announced setting up of a Special Protection force dedicated to the task of saving the big cats from doing a complete disappearing act. This initiative extends on from the recently annoucned setting up Tiger protection force at Corbett after the minister's recent visit to the park. Apparently he has decided to extend it to 13 other tiger parks across the coutry with salaries of personnel engaged in teh task being paid by the centre so that sancturies do not have to depend upon bankrupt state government for money.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City/Jaipur/Change-in-Tiger-Protection-Force-mooted/articleshow/4821208.cms
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Rajasthan inks tripartite pact with NTCA - Others should follow suit immediately
Taking the lead, Rajasthan has become the first state to sign the recently ratified tripartite agreement between the ressrve, state govt and NTCA. As we had mentioned in this blog on the subject recently (http://planettiger.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-ntca-guidelines-to-hold-field.html)
it is a well aimed move making the various stake holders more accountable. One hopes other states will follow suit sooner than later.
Rajasthan 1st state to ink tripartite pact on saving tigers
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Forbes says privatise forests - But will it help ?
The latest edition of Forbes india proposes privatising tiger sanctuaries to protect them from destruction. Though on the face of if the writer doespresent a cogent argument about how it might help raise the needed resources and will to tackle loss of tiger habitats and the tigers themselves. But one only has to look around in cities like Mumbai and in fact all over india where public land and areas given to private business for bulding, clubs, schools, hospitals,parks etc is being used only for private interests with public access being limited. One doesnt want tiger sancturies of the country to become elitist reserves where only people with money can visit. The need is for the govt to involve private business in contributing significantly towards the cause rather than turning them over into private hands.
A Wild Idea: Privatise the Jungles
Privatising India’s jungles may help in saving wildlife
MOEF realises need for action
A report on DNA today cites officials sitting in MOEF in Delhi to have realised the need for local intelligence units inside tiger sanctuaries to prevent poaching. After having lost more than 60% of the tiger population in the last few years perhaps the realisation has come a tad late. Apparently hitherto the intelligence teams have been sitting in Delhi and co ordinating work from their main offices passing on what ever information they used toget to the state wild life offices and vistingparks for surprise checks once in a while. State officers would in turn send memos to the forest warden. With an antiquated system like this given the time lag one wont be surpised if by time information reached ground level poachers would have make their kill and fled the area. The need of the hour is to completely overhaul the system and show a sense of urgency to correct the flaws. Incremental steps might not be enough if we have to keep from losing our forests.
Now, a wildlife intelligence unit to fight poachers
Forest linking plan ambitious but is it viable
Readers of this blog will remember a project envisaged and initiated by the NDA govt under PM A B Vajpayee to link all rivers in the country to remove chronic problems of flooding and drought at the same time in different areas of the country. The project never took off as there was never a scientific consensus on whether it was a good idea or that it was feasible. Linking up tiger sancturies in the country though is a more feasible plan. And as we can all imagine before the population explosion of the last century destroyed key wildlife habitats large parts of the country formed one contigous forest cover wherein animal could roam freely. Bringing agenda to the table is a noble cause and a TOI report today cites it to be on the agenda of an MOEF meet at Sariska where the minister Jairam ramesh is likely to spell our further steps on conservation of critical tiger habitats. Before we talk about linking of sanctuaries though the govt would be well advised to be reminded that tiger parks themselves are under serious pressure and strain from various lobbies and population expansion.Case in point the Tadoba tiger area in maharashtra where the state govt has allowed mining to be expanded on a mindless scale and to top it shuffled offers fromkey posts as if to invite pochers to come in a finish the remainin wild life so that it becomes easier for the minigng lobby to take over the forests. If there arent any animals left to protect within the so called protected areas then little will be achieved out of connecting forest areas. The focus as of now should be maknig security inside tiger areas in the country foolproof so that further loss of animal can be stopped immediately.
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Friday, July 24, 2009
Goa tiger killing case moving at a snails pace
A TOI report of yesterday cites a gun siezed in the case from near the field where some tiger parts were found in June. The tiger was apparently killed some time in February and the forest department was forced to investigate when pictures of the carcass appeared in a local newspaper. Even after that local politicos and goverment wildlife officails tried to cover up the incident by putting the onus of proving the killing on the person who clicked the pictures. If that wasnt bizzare enough there has been little headway made in the case in the last 6 months and the person who was arrested as an accused was let off on bail as per the newspaper report. It does seem like a systematic attempt to destory evidence and the central government officals which dont normally shy away from providing a media byte are completely tight lipped about it.
Rampant cases of tiger killings are being reported with disturbing regularity across the country but apart from ad hoc investigations being ordered by state government to fix accountability and investigate causes there is little being done to streamline the entire process top to bottom. Except for the NTCA guidelines released recently regarding postmortems to be carried out in cases of tiger caracasse being found in and around sanctuaries, the centreal government has been slow in formulating a comprehensive policy on forest and tiger conservation. A broad umbrella approach broken down into specific steps is the need of the hour rather than quick fixes.
Gun seized in Keri tiger casein Keri
More protests against Tadoba Mines
Conservationists gathered together yesterday at Chandrapur to lend solidarity to the ongoing protests by local activists against the granting of mining lease license to Adani and other companes around Chandrapur forests. The Hindi and TOI reported Magsaysay award recipient Rajendra Singh joining in the protests. Citizen voice might be the only means to now avoid a disaster from taking place as officials and politicians in connivance with big business have made up their mind to destroy the ecology of the area. With legal avenues in India too cumbersome, expensive and sometimes weak, large scale protests by concerned citizens seems to be the only way to force the government to revoke the decision.
Magsaysay winner joins protest against TATR mine allotment
Wildlife activists take out symbolic funeral procession
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Panel formed to conserve tigers - Indian Express
To conserve tigers in Uttar Pradesh, a state-level steering committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mayawati.
The 12-member committee will look into various aspects of tiger conservation including areas like prey base for the tiger and its habitat.
“The committee will be primarily for tiger conservation. It will look into its protection, conservation, monitoring, internal coordination and providing a better habitat,” said B K Patnaik, Chief Wildlife Warden, Uttar Pradesh.
Adhering to the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the notification for the committee was issued on July 15 under Section 38 U of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972. The Act was amended in 2006.
The committee includes the state forest minister as the vice-chairman, chief wildlife warden as
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sunderbans Prey base survey should be replicated across India
After a tiger was found dead in Sunderbands a few days ago with two cobras in its stomach, wildlife officials in Sunderbans have ordered a survey of prey numbres as per a TOI report today. Officials suspect dwindling prey base to be the reason for the tiger going on to swallow the cobras. Similar counts should be carried out across all forest areas in teh country and scientific mapping shoould be done to gauge populations of fauna to arrive a potential sustainable tiger numbers. It will help govt draw up plans for long terms distribution of tiger populations.
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Save Todoba !
Despite the statement made by Maharashatra State MInister for Forest Conservation in teh assembly last December not much has been done to reverse the decision granting mining license to Adani and other companies in and around Chandrapur forests. Our recent post on 8th Julycited had cited reports of forest officials ignoring reports related to the damage these mines will cause to the environment and trying to push through approvals. (
Now it turns out that our minister has not actioned a pledge he made to the law makers. A report in DNA today states Bandu Dhotre, president of Eco-Pro, a Chandrapur-based non governmental organisation (NGO) going on a hunger strike asking the government to recall the license granted the mines. It is a commendable effort on part of Dhotre to throw himself headlong into this fight to save the state forest cover. If only our lawmakers were as aware and sensitive.
NGO raises pitch for ban on Lohara mining project
New NTCA guidelines to hold Field Directors more accountable
A TOI report today cites the new Tripartite agreement between Centre, State and the Park recently cleared by the cabinet making Field Directors of the reserves personally responsible for each tiger loss. The new guidelines also lay out strick monitoring and fund release instructions so that money is utislised in a timely and wise manner. Though it is a welcome move to bring in more accountablility system but only holding Field Directors responsible without any part of the responsibiity affixed on the mandarins in the state goverment will only be a quick fix at best. Field Directos in parks are shunted around at the whims of politial and bureaucratic machinaries and unless rampant politicisation of forest department in states is countered not much might come out of these new guidelines. A case in point Panna in MP where the field directors were changed repeatedly over the last few years and as per recent reports all tigers have vanished from teh sanctuary. Unless officials who take over the park are allowed to settle down and put a plan of action in place it would be unfair to blame them for losses. The centre should similarly fix a minimun tenure requirement for field directors and any shiftings before time should happen only in urgent cases and with the centre's approval. Though forest conservation is a state subject but given the urgent importance of the issue and that it affects the long terms sustainability of forest areas and wildlife habitats there is an urgent need for the centre to play increasingly larger roles in Forest conservation than leave them to the whims and fancies or sometimes corrupt and inept state officials. Like the Supreme court mandaded committee on Police reforms, the centre should set up a committee to review the working of state forest departments and release a detailed set of dont and donts vis a vis people, funds and processes so as that streamline the efforts of governments across states. Only then there is hope that we will be able to salvage what is left of our wildlife heritage. Else releasing new guidelines will only tackle parts of the problem and the larger issues will keep corroding the system
Field director to be punished for tiger loss
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Increase in compensation package
Minister MOEF has announced a recent policy decision in the Rajya sabha to increase compensation package for families to be relocated out of wildlife sancturies. The amount will now be Rs. 10 lacs as compared to Rs. 1 lac per family earlier. Though the increase is welcome and much needed, what is also needed urgently is to implement these packages in a fair, transparent and credible manner and ensure the money reaches the intended recepients. And for that the ministry should set up a committe of eminent people to oversee implementation else chances are that funds might be siphoned off and dislocate families will get very little of what they deserve.
Another dreaded poacher caught
The MP Forest officials caught a dreaded poacher in Katni couple of days back says a TOI report. What is interesting is that the history sheeter has been running amock killing lions, tigers and other wildlife for a few years now with the state officials busy protecting their own turn rather than doing their jobs. In fact this poachers father has also been a well known poacher who has been arrested a few times only to be let out on bail and carry on with his murky trade. The need of the hour is to have a central law enforcement agency with the powers of a CBI to investigate and prosecute wild life related criminals. Left it to state police and forest deprtements, wildlife will soon disppear in front of our eyes.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Now Similipal in Orrisa
One by one skeletons are tumbling out but our political class doesnt seem to care one bit. After Siriska, Panna and Sanjay National Park lost all their tigers Similipal in Orrisa seems to have lost almost half of its big cat population under the 'watchful eyes' of NTCA and state wild life officials. From a stated population of 101 a few years ago, the state govt census conducted recently put the population at 61. This when the reserve used upwards of Rs. 10 crores of grant provided to it by the NTCA. What is more intruiging is that the population of tigers could be much lower with WII last year claiming it to be only 21 after its own round of census. It is to provide a couter to the WII findings that the state instituted its own census and came out with thrice their figure. If the credibility of state governments in conducting Tiger Census over the years is taken into account then the real figure is more likely to be close to the WII number which is extremely disconcerting. Rather than fixing accountabilty for the loss, the state govt is deflecting the issue by floating new numbers and claiming the park to be in good health despite the 40% drop as per its own numbers. MOEF Minister Jairam Ramesh should step in such cases and institute central level enquries for fixing responsibility.
Orissa’s denial exposed, tiger numbers down by half
Another minister with blinkers on !
A report in TOI today cites Mahrashatra Forest Minister Baban Rao Panchpute transferring aruond 350 forest officials from across reserves at one stroke. With sanctuaries already understaffed such a massive movement of officials especially during monsoons which is the best time for pocahers will provides further reason for concern. As this blog has been saying, states and centre need to take joint responsbility for protection for parks but a subject as sensitive as protection of tiger sancturies can not be left to states who are the mercy of ill advised, ego driven officials and minsters conniving to destory India's wilflife heritage. The centre should step in to ensure laws are followed properly esp in Maharashtra where the Congress Govt is in power as in the centre. There should be a decree to have a replacement take over before any officials is transferred else it provides ample opportunity for poachers to strike when the park is unmanned at the top. State goverments themselves would do well to show some sensitivity towards the environement by appointing ministers who have not just knowledge of environment but empathise with the cause.
Pachpute ignores wildlife areas again
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Will there be justice in the Goa Tiger killing case
After much dilly dallying the forest department arreseted a person in connection with the killing as per a TOI report today. Given how the case has gone on so far it will not be surprising if the case dies a natural death since months have passed between the killing of the big cat and arrest of a suspect. One can safely assume that all material evidence linked to the killing would have been destroyed by now. If the miniter MOEF is serious about protection tiger populations across the country he should either ensure cases of suspect killing are handed over tothe CBI to uncover the mafias behind these deaths or should bring in a law in the parliament to give a CBI kind of status to Wildlife crime investigation bodies. Unless any of this is done it will be mightly tough for local law enforcement or Forest officials who are the mercy of local mafias to prevent further killings.
Bail plea of alleged tiger killer rejected
Field Directors meet at Sariska - Release of timely funds major issue
According to a TOI report, the field directors meet called for on 25/26th July in Sariska is likely to see presentations being made by directors pf parks in the presence of MOEF Minister Jairam Ramesh. As per the report, 'Sources said the meet will focus on tripartite memorandum of understandings (MoUs), enforcement, intelligence gathering, progress on special tiger protection force (STPF) deployment and protection, disturbance due to Naxal and extremists' presence in the reserves. ' The centre needs to play an aggressive role in tiger conservation and not wait for states to address tricky issues before it is too late. Couple of prominent reasons cited for lack of security in parks has been non appointment of senior officials in time and lack of timely release of funds by centre for security related activities. Without adequate funds, parks are unable generally to hire locals to work on daily patraolling related jobs which hinders protection programmes. Since the minister has been showing increasing concern about vanishing forests and tigers he might well be advised to take immediate action to address these two points with urgency.
Will mining issue be raised at Sariska meet?
Friday, July 17, 2009
Is Radio Collaring behind tiger deaths ?
According to a report carried by Zee News online a wildlfe intelligence report has blamed Radio Collars for tiger death. Citing carelessness on part of forest officials in collaring the tigers and the susequent strain it created on the beast it says collars restricted movements of tigers due to their weight and caused infections in the neck in some cases leading to fatalities. Though there isnt any conclusive evidence to prove it but the report also suggests that some poachers might have got hold of the radio frequency of the collars hence making it very easy for them to track down the cats. Radio Collars have been widely used in wildlife projects to understand animal behaviour but as this case shows lack of understanding coupled with official apathy can lead to significant damage though apparently rules might have been followed.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Contributing our bit !
A report in DNA today cites an investgitation by a central team into tiger deaths which concluded that there was evidence of tiger deaths taking place in Panna due to tranquilising. After all the hue and cry raised by centre and state and the buck passing that has taken place over the last few months it seems we are no where near to ascretaining the real cause of tiger deaths. And unless we get a definitive fix on the reasons it is impossible to afix responsibility and take preventive steps for future preventition. Apart from other actions the MOEF shoould make it mandatory for the WWF and NTCA to investigate disappearance of every single tiger and for that to happen each animal in the country needs to be identified and tracked. Without this is going to be very tough to know how many tigers existed in a particular sanctuary and whether the numbers are headed up or down.
Did tranquillisers kill Panna tigers?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
More distressing news - Another reserve looses its tigers
According to today's newspaper reports another reserve, this time a lesser known Sanjay Tiger Reserve in MP has also lost all its big cats. The reports cite the ex director of the park saying during a recently concluded census no tiger was spotted. Even more shockingly the MP govt tabled a report in the state assembly two days back on the status of tigers. Curiously the report doesnt even mention the name of the reserve although it used to be apremier reserve in the once undivided Madhya Pradesh with upto 36 tigers in 1992.
No tiger in Sanjay Tiger Reserve also, says official
Living in denial
Yesterday during a debate in the MP assemby the minister of Forests squarely passed the blame of Panna Fiasco on the centre. Citing NTCA guidelines for tiger protection and that many other reserves in the country were faring no better, the minister proudly claimed that MP govt has done there was needed to and if there was a lapse it was on part of the NTCA and the rules framed by the body. Why else, he questioned, would other states too loose tigers as all ofthem have been followig NTCA protocols. Though there is some merit int he argument but to stretch it to absolve its own officials borders on apathy and criminal conspiracy. Tiger consrvation clearly has been a state subject with forest areas under the jurisdiction of state govt. NTCA has so far been drawing out guidelines for states to follow but that doesnt mean the state govts themselves shut their eyes to what is needed beyond the stated guidelines. It is akin to saying The centre told us to set up hospitals but didnt inform us that patients need to be treated to save lives hence state government cant be blamed. The longer this buck passing goes on lesser the chances that anything worthwhile will be done soon to repair the immense damage that has been caused to wildlife in the country in recent years. Madhya Pradesh is not just the heart of the country as their campaign claims, it is also the torch bearer of wildlife prjects in the country and if the premier state doesnt take lead in protecting tigers the hopes of saving big cats from extinction dont brighten up considerably. Rather than indulging in a blame game with the centre, the state government should rather focus their energies on what they can do to aviod Panna like fiascos in teh future. The need of the hour is to streamline the system and strengthen political will. For a senior govt functionary to make such a statement in the assembly doesnt just show callousness on this part but also displays a total lack of sensitivity to what is expected of him as the state's supreme guardian of wildlife. One can only hope that the state government learns from its mistakes and takes corrective steps soon to prevent further loss of tigers in the state.
MP refuses to take Panna blame, tells tiger authority to change policy
Monday, July 13, 2009
Shocking case of money power being used to twist rules
A piece carried in The Organiser by Sangeet Verma exposes the mis deeds of private resort owners in Satpura national park. According to the story resort owners have been appaently promoting acvities that are not allowed within the boudaries of the park. Obvisouly it has been going on with the connivance of local forest officials who have been looking the other way and worse still have benefitted illegally from such activities. With rampant politicisation of forest departments in states, it it hardly difficult to lure guards and officials who are already low on morale into either looking the other way to getting them to conspire into breaking rules of the jungle. The incident comes on the heels of a report owner cruching a tiger cub under the wheels of his jeep inside bandhavgarh forest a few months back ostensibly to provide a better dekho to his foreign clients. State governments need to de politicise forest departments to allow them function in the interests of convervation rather than for private ones. Increasing cases of laws being broken with impunity by people who can afford to buy them are making a mockery of forest conservation efforts. The centre could also pitch in by instituting a central body which closely investigates every incident within national parks. If it means changing the laws to make forest conservation and joint State and centre subject then it should be done at the earliest. Leaving this important issue under the domain of state goverments alone is clrealy causing immense damage.
Plunder of biodiversity
Bio-smugglers target MP forests
By Sangeet Verma
Bio-smugglers target MP forests
By Sangeet Verma
Can we have some real action now !
The minister MOEF Jairam Ramesh has today spoken about making laws related to wildlife esp Tiger poaching much more stringent. Though no one can deny the need for such a step the key is to convert this talk into action urgently. A report in The Hindu today quotes P K Sen, former director of NTCA saying greens have been pushing for a such a provision for over two decades now without much result. As the case two days back of the female poacher in UP having been finally sent behind bars after comitting two decades of wildlife crimes shows, the need to push for reform in wildlife law is desperate. For every day we delay wildlife across the country falls prey to poaching mafia and with no one to ensure speedy justice, criminals are having a free run in India's supposedly well protected sanctuaries.
The Hindi report also states the minister having disussed the matter with Harish Salve Amicus Curae for Supreme Court on environment matters and one hopes the process of converting talk into action doesnt take too long.
Centre planning legislation for speedy conviction of poachers
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Better security infrastructure in parks key to tiger protection
Today's DNA carries an on ground report about a recently recruited ex army forest guard going through the grinds of protecting the Ranthambore Tigers against poachers on foot and with a stick in his hands. Though the report exposes nothing new about the pathetic state of reqources available to forest officials to fight well armed gangs of poches but it does highlight the continuing gap between lip serive being paidby the state and central governments and action on ground. Till such time we donot equip and pay our forces better it is unfair for us toexpect them to be able to do a good job. We cant imagine stick carrying ex army officers worried about their next meal to be fully committed to fighting well armed gangs of international poachers. This incident also goes on to hightlight in some ways the deep rooted corruption in the government departments entrusted with forest consevation. Despite ever increasin budgets being allocated for tiger conservation if this is the best we can gie to out forest guards in one of the best known reserves of the country close tothe National capital and one can well imagine the complete apathy that pervades efforts across other lesser know forest areas.
Armed with a stick, Pappu protects the tigers
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Speedy justice is important for Prevention of future crime
It is shocking how in our country criminals are able to find so many loopholes in the system to be able to evade any meaningful punishment for prolonged periods of time. Justice dealyed is justide denied and how well are we at denying that to the main focus of conservation efforts in india ; the tiger. In a shocking case of miscarriage of justice a poacher in was convicted by a Pilibhit court apparently after having run a poaching racket for well over 2 decades. According to the report in Indian Express an officials associated with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau “The gang, operating as poachers, carriers and traders of tiger skin, bones, has been active for at least 30 years before it caught our attention in 2005,” .
30 years for a criminal to operate without being caught can not happen with out official complicity & apathy, a fact that still is not under any sort of
investigation. This poacher and her gang has been under the lens of wild life officials numerous times in the last decade or so and still managed to run her operations with impunity, killing tigers under the noses of forest officials. No wonder we have become masters at paying lip service to tiger conservation and our efforts are falling way short of what is required of us. Though the WCCB officials are hopeful that this conviction will help bring poaching of tigers under some control in UP but going by the amount of time it has taken to achieve it one feels poachers in the state will be emboldened to increase their illegal activities since law might not catch with them for a very long time.
If there is an area the state government and MOEF need to fix apart from saving tiger habitats from encroachment they dont need to look beyond this story. Strengthening of wildlife crime bureaux, arming forest officials with better equipment and giving them more power, setting up fast track courts for wild life crimes and making bail provisions more stringent for suspected poachers will go a long way in acting as detterants for wild life related crimes.
Forest dept relieved as master poacher is behind the bars
Tiger farming might be the last resort to save tigers
There have been arguments galore about whether this will work or not but for all we know there might be no other option left for us if we want to see the big cat alive in real flesh in its natural habitat. Though conservationists across the board have consistently argued about how it is an unworkable idea and how it will not bring in the expected drop in demand for wild tiger parts. In fact to the contrary people belive it might actually stimulate further demand for tiger parts and hence be detrimental to the conservation efforts but one can not ignoare the fact that the pace at which countries like India are loosing tiger to loss of habitat and poaching we might not have any tigers left out side of zoos anyway in another decade's time. Despite the intense pressure being brought about by the green lobby in the past few years and the PMs sporadic efforts at tiger conservation and the role played by the media, some fundamental problems facing tiger conservation in India are not being addressed. As some media reports have suggested, India lost some 45 odd tigers in the last 6months and possiblly more unaccounted ones too. At such a rate of loss once you also factor in loss of habitat to iundustrialisation and farming the future of saving the tiger from extinction in India doesnt look very bright. At most we might be able to have smaller areas inside so called reserves with tigers being allowed to roam inside fenced boundaries. A glorified Zoo is what will be left of the sanctuaries with very few number of tigers and considerably weakened gene pool to sustain future populations. Given all of this it might not be a bad idea for the the MOEF to constitute a committe of scientists and experts from the field of tiger conservation to study the topic in detail and evaluate whether we should look at such a possiblity in the future if not now and how do we prepare for it.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Adani mines in Chandrapur get another lease of life
After the recent annoucement by the Cabinet Minister Jai Ram Ramesh about getting tough with environmental clearances for industrial proects here comes the shocking news of Maharashtra Forest officials trying to push through a highly controversial mining projects in the forests adjoining Tadoba Tiger Reserve. The project has been in news for the last years for the immense potential damage it can cause to the forests around the area and the tiger reserve. But the lure of quick big money is too much to resist for some and despite all the obvious dangers the project just keeps getting a fresh lease of life every now and then. If there was a time to convert words in deeds for the new MOEF this is the best opportunity to ensure tiger habitats are not lost to industry and land mafia. The minister should immediately step in a put the project on hold untill a comprehensive study is carried out to access the impact of the project on the surroinding areas by a well know independent team of researchers and scientists.
A report in DNA today states that despite objections from the green brigade and their own officals the state government esp the Forest Minister seems keen on pushing the project through without proper impact assessment.
Officials in hurry to pass mining project?
Still living in denial - MP govt says only 4 tigers in Panna lost to poaching !!
If things werent bad enough already, the minister of forests for MP made a statement in the assembly citing age, rivalry and poisoning as the main causes for tigers disappering from Panna. Read between the lines and the message is that the goverment doesnt think there is a serious problem which means there isnt any need for forceful corrective measures to be taken. Imagine all the rucus of the last few years and we still have law makers either turning a blind eye to the problem or worse still acting in concert with the land/poaching/industry mafia to rid the states of forest cover.
Its taken years to accept, how many more for action
The MOEF minister in the Rajya sabha yesterday finally accepted that the tiger is in serious trouble in the country. Imagine all the media hype and pressure from the green brigade being brought on the govt has taken 3 years after the Sarika disaster coming to light to accept this. If this is the pace of things to come then one wonders how many years before the government takes credible action to sustain tiger population in the country and whether the big cat will survive in the wild till then. It is all fine to make statements in the parliament accepting there is a problem but what we have not seen being tabled by the minister or his predecessor are steps being taken by the govt to put an end to poaching and loss of tiger habitats. Apart from shfting the blame on state governments and tiger reserves there is need for the centre to get more actively involved in the protecting the national treasure. It is like saving the Taj Mahal. If the monument was in danger, the centre would not wait for the UP govt to act. MOEF needs to show similar leadership in saving the tiger before it is too late.
Ramesh expresses concern over tiger population
Sujay MehdudiaMonday, July 6, 2009
Great news in Budget for Tiger conservation
As per the budget plans announced by FM today allocation for Tiger Conservation has beenmore than doubled to Rs. 184 Crs. and overall funding tot eh MOEF has been increased by almost 25% to Rs. 2129 Crs. Great news for the green brigade.
Govt. doubles allocation for tiger conservation
Another desperate attempt at protecting tigers
Today's TOI reports a letter sent by teh NTCA to 11 Tiger reserves arcoss the country to create a cordoned off core area for breeding of tigers. With the big cat disappearing at an alarming rate despite all the hype and subsequent efforts the NTCA is trying to come up with desperate measures to protect sustanable tiger populations. This move though has been slammed by Conservationists as ill conceived. According to experts quoted in the report, tigers cant be bred in a zoo type environment and the goverment (read NTCA) would be better of spending their resources in protecting tiger habitats and prevent poaching.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Bid-to-cordon-off-big-cats-sparks-row/articleshow/4742282.cms#
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Good news confirmed
The Supreme Court appointed CEC has firmly said NO to the widening of Nagpur-Jabalpur National Highway that passes through Pench reserve. Recently, Rajya sabha MP My. Vijay Darda had also taken up the cause of environment protection and written letters to teh Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson to intervence in the matter. Looks like all the efforts have finally paid of.
SC panel against NH-7 widening along Pench
6 Jul 2009, 0512 hrs IST, Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
The upshot of media hype
A TOI report today states increased interest in an obscure post in a wildlife posting based out of Nagpur. With concerns about wildlife and forest protection increasing wildlife officials are a sought after lot these days.
Four in race for wildlife warden's post
6 Jul 2009, 0444 hrs IST, Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
Friday, July 3, 2009
Finally the Cabinet acts
In line with the announcement made by the Minister the Union cabinet passed a resolution maknig tri partite agreements betweeen the Centre, state govt and tiger parks mandatory before funds flow through to the parks. As news reports say this is an important step towards making all stake holders more accountable. Lets hope this is just the first step towards bringing more accountability in the entire system.
Cabinet approves MoU on tiger conservation
NEW DELHI: In fresh move to strengthen tiger conservation efforts, the Union cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal for implementing the agreement among the environment ministry, state governments and tiger reservesThe MoU seeks to ensure effective tiger conservation by laying out respective responsibilities and reciprocal commitments linked to fund flow to foster public accountability.
The MoU aims at strengthening tiger conservation initiatives and developing approaches to strengthen efforts for conserving tigers in the identified reserves and other tiger-bearing forests of the country.
"It will address the growing concern among the public for saving the tiger," I&B minister Ambika Soni said after cabinet meeting.
Funds are now being disbursed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under a pact with states for protecting the animal under Project Tiger.
However, under the new agreement, tiger reserves will also be made accountable for fund utilisation given that many states had failed to fully spend money provided by the Centre.
The MoU aims at strengthening tiger conservation initiatives and developing approaches to strengthen efforts for conserving tigers in the identified reserves and other tiger-bearing forests of the country.
"It will address the growing concern among the public for saving the tiger," I&B minister Ambika Soni said after cabinet meeting.
Funds are now being disbursed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under a pact with states for protecting the animal under Project Tiger.
However, under the new agreement, tiger reserves will also be made accountable for fund utilisation given that many states had failed to fully spend money provided by the Centre.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Excellent piece on Tiger Conservation by Deebie Banks on BBC website
Earning their stripes
Next week in Geneva, a prime issue for a UN endangered species committee called Cites will be illegal trade in wild tigers. In this week's Green Room, Debbie Banks argues that a handful of businessmen want to reduce the tigers to nothing more than a luxury commodity.
 |   Business interests have continued to breed tigers speculating that the ban would one day be lifted and that they would be sitting on a valuable stockpile of body parts  |
"Bagh Bachao, Jungle Bachao, Bharat Bachao" is the rallying cry of NGOs and activists across India, and they're right: Save the Tiger, Save the Forest, Save India.
The future of the tiger and its jungle home are inextricably linked to the survival of all of us, not just the people who live in tiger country.
The forests that are protected in the name of the tiger are vital to mitigate climate change and to secure water resources.
The tiger is an indicator of the health of the ecosystem and thus a symbol of good governance and political commitment to an equitable and sustainable future.
It is also a cultural and religious icon, venerated, feared and revered by communities across Asia and the world.
The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has been investigating and exposing the illegal trade in tigers and other Asian big cats for over 10 years. We have documented the changes in the markets and the increasing role of organised criminal networks.
We have campaigned for more effective enforcement initiatives to disrupt their operations, and know there is so much more that governments could do if they wanted to.
Hijacked conservation
Looking to the future, it is essential to plug some of the gaps in conservation strategies.
Many people living alongside tigers have yet to benefit from the millions of tourist dollars that the "world's favourite animal" generates; but in India, home to the largest remaining population of wild tigers, investment, policy and practice are at least moving in the right direction.
The same cannot be said for other countries, where business interests are hijacking the tiger conservation agenda, calling for the relaxation of trade bans so they can flood the market with farmed tiger parts.
The logic behind such a move is that since tigers breed well in captivity, farming them is an economical solution to satisfying demand whilst alleviating pressure on wild populations.
It's a simplistic logic that rests on critical assumptions about the complex nature and dynamics of the illegal trade in tigers and other Asian big cats.
 Can farming tigers reduce pressure on their cousins in the wild? |
Assumptions about the motivations of those involved in the trade, the costs of the trade, the scale and type of consumer demand: all plugged in to economic models and squirted out the other side as gospel.
What the followers of this faith have failed to acknowledge is that their version of events does not hold true in the real world. The risk of proceeding with this as an experiment is enormous, and the stake is no less than the extinction of the wild tiger.
So who are these disciples and what is their motivation? There are tiger farms in Thailand but by far the biggest ones are in China, where there are reportedly around 5,000 animals in captivity.
Despite a 1993 ban prohibiting the sale and use of tigers in China, business interests have continued to breed them, speculating that the ban would one day be lifted and that they would be sitting on a valuable stockpile of body parts.
'Conflict of interest'
Some argue that they want to sell tiger bone to save lives. Yet the Chinese medicinal community has long since promoted alternatives to tiger bone, which was never considered a life-saving ingredient in the first place.
Others just want to sell tiger bone wine. In fact, some businessmen are so keen they have already been found in breach of Chinese law, illegally selling the wine in tiger-shaped bottles and in one case, selling tiger meat.
EIA and others have found tiger bone wine being marketed as a general tonic and packaged as the gift that wins promotions and seals deals. Call it a conflict of interest, but there has been no meaningful enforcement action by the relevant authorities to stop this trade.
The very existence of these farms, and the persistent lobbying of the business community, is a distraction which deflates and undermines real tiger conservation efforts.
We're being asked to believe that those who have already dabbled in illegal trade have a real interest in limiting their market, and that the enforcement authorities who have failed to stop them so far will be able to regulate a legal trade to prevent the laundering of poached tiger parts.
 A tiger- and bear-themed park in China is used for farming the animals |
In June 2007, the international community spoke with one voice; it declared that tigers should not be bred for any trade in their parts and derivatives.
Delegates at the 14th meeting of the Conference of Parties to Cites voted by consensus on a decision to phase out commercial tiger farms.
The move was championed by the governments of tiger range states such as India, Nepal, Russia and Bhutan, all desperately appealing to the international community to remove the farm threat once and for all.
Two years on however, those countries with tiger farms have failed to provide any evidence of progress.
In fact, China's response to a notification from Cites seeking information on what steps they have taken to fulfil the agreed decision was met with a curt and derisive response that told us nothing. All eyes will be on China once again during the Cites meeting in Geneva next week.
EIA firmly believes that if China is truly committed to saving the wild tiger, it should close down the tiger farms and invest in more effective and meaningful enforcement co-operation with range states.
Changes in attitudes and markets show that consumers are responsive to targeted education and outreach, and indeed several markets in China have declined dramatically in the last few years.
Now is not the time to abandon efforts but to reinvest, financially and politically, in their continued success.
In so doing, we bring far greater benefits - not just to the survival of the wild tiger, but also to other endangered species, to the fight against corruption and organised crime and to a better world for all of us. Who doesn't want that?
Debbie Banks is a senior tiger investigator with the EIA.
The Green Room is a series of opinion articles on environmental topics running weekly on the BBC News website.
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