121 breeding tigers in Nepal spells new ray of hope for the species
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.
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
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