The Uttarakhand forest department today issued an order to shoot a tiger which has killed three women in the past month and a half in the Corbett Tiger Reserve area.
Chief wildlife warden Srikant Chandola said the order to shoot the 'man-eater', which is active in Sundarkhal, Garjia and Dhikuli ranges of the tiger reserve, have been issued.
A team of hunters has been sent to the jungles to kill the big cat.
Meanwhile, three forest teams have been pressed into service to look for the remains of a woman who was devoured by the tiger in the Garjia area when she was returning after fetching fodder for her cattle last evening, he said.
On November 12 and 18, the tiger killed two other women in the area in separate incidents.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tiger strays into village
KOLKATA: A tiger strayed into Mathurakhanda village on Bali island, Gosaba, in South 24-Parganas on Thursday evening.
The tiger had killed a goat and after finding its pugmark in the village, residents alarmed forest officials. The forest department sent a team to trap the tiger, but till late night, they had failed to spot the big cat. Forest officials said they would tranquilize the tiger, for which the team, equipped with tranquilizing guns and trap cages, was searching the village island.
This year, there have been more than 10 cases of tigers straying into Sunderbans villages, which are located close to the forests. This has triggered a major problem for villagers dwelling close to the woods as tigers often attack cattle and even them.
The tiger had killed a goat and after finding its pugmark in the village, residents alarmed forest officials. The forest department sent a team to trap the tiger, but till late night, they had failed to spot the big cat. Forest officials said they would tranquilize the tiger, for which the team, equipped with tranquilizing guns and trap cages, was searching the village island.
This year, there have been more than 10 cases of tigers straying into Sunderbans villages, which are located close to the forests. This has triggered a major problem for villagers dwelling close to the woods as tigers often attack cattle and even them.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tiger census by February: Ramesh
New Delhi, Dec 29 (IANS) The results of the tiger census now under way will be released by February 2011, Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh said Wednesday.
'We can expect the tiger census results by February, and it is for the first time that Sunderbans (in West Bengal) has been included in the census,' Ramesh told IANS.
Ramesh said this time the tiger census was being conducted in a more scientific manner. It was based on pugmarks earlier.
The ministry was earlier supposed to release the census results by November end.
The last census in 2005-06 showed a sharp fall in tiger numbers, showing India had only 1,411 tigers in the wild.
India was home to about 3,000 tigers around two decades ago.
'We can expect the tiger census results by February, and it is for the first time that Sunderbans (in West Bengal) has been included in the census,' Ramesh told IANS.
Ramesh said this time the tiger census was being conducted in a more scientific manner. It was based on pugmarks earlier.
The ministry was earlier supposed to release the census results by November end.
The last census in 2005-06 showed a sharp fall in tiger numbers, showing India had only 1,411 tigers in the wild.
India was home to about 3,000 tigers around two decades ago.
Panel to set tourism norms around tiger reserves
The environment ministry has formed a committee to lay down guidelines for regulating forest and wildlife eco-tourism in the country, especially around tiger reserves, officials said on Wednesday. The seven-member committee set up under the chairmanship of Sujit Banerjee, former secretary with the tourism ministry, will submit its final report within 45 days.
"The committee will make an appraisal of ecological issues, tourist visitation and suggest measures for carrying capacity of the reserves, and give recommendations for regulating tourism in ecologically sensitive non-forest areas in and around tiger reserves," said an official of the environment ministry.
It will firm up the guidelines for forest and wildlife eco-tourism in the context of advisories issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the Wildlife (Protection) Act and the Forest (Conservation) Act.
The committee will also see the studies conducted by the tourism ministry on lodges and resorts around the tiger reserves.
Environment minister Jairam Ramesh recently expressed concern over dangers posed by mushrooming tourist lodges around tiger reserves, especially the Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.
The ministry is working on guidelines for promoting eco-tourism - tourism that is ecologically sustainable and is in line with the carrying capacity of tourists in a particular reserve.
"The committee will make an appraisal of ecological issues, tourist visitation and suggest measures for carrying capacity of the reserves, and give recommendations for regulating tourism in ecologically sensitive non-forest areas in and around tiger reserves," said an official of the environment ministry.
It will firm up the guidelines for forest and wildlife eco-tourism in the context of advisories issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the Wildlife (Protection) Act and the Forest (Conservation) Act.
The committee will also see the studies conducted by the tourism ministry on lodges and resorts around the tiger reserves.
Environment minister Jairam Ramesh recently expressed concern over dangers posed by mushrooming tourist lodges around tiger reserves, especially the Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.
The ministry is working on guidelines for promoting eco-tourism - tourism that is ecologically sustainable and is in line with the carrying capacity of tourists in a particular reserve.
Two women arrested in Punjab for smuggling tiger skins
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Forest rangers have arrested two women for their alleged role in smuggling skins and other body parts of two tigers.
Apart from tigers, some body parts and teeth of deer were also recovered from them.
Sewa Singh, the Divisional Forest Officer, Amritsar Range said the women did not reveal anything apart from their identity.
The samples of tiger's skin are being sent to the Wildlife Institute at Dehradun for further investigations, he said.
"The two arrested women have been identified as Geeta and Taka who are residents of Karnataka. But during interrogation, the women said they are not residing in any particular place and they have not revealed much information about this smuggling," said Singh.
"They told us that these skins are fake and probably they are making stories about it. But our investigation is underway for which we would send the samples of these skins to Wildlife Institute of India at Dehradun," he added.
Singh further said the accused women would get tough punishment, if proven guilty.
"Under the Wildlife Protection 1972 Act, the women will be punished for smuggling tigers body parts. The women will get imprisonment of minimum three years and maximum seven years and would be imposed a fine of minimum ten thousand rupees," said Singh.
He also informed that the recovered skins were of a tiger and a cub that would have fetched the smugglers in the international market, at least rupees 65000 and 35000 respectively. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)
Forest rangers have arrested two women for their alleged role in smuggling skins and other body parts of two tigers.
Apart from tigers, some body parts and teeth of deer were also recovered from them.
Sewa Singh, the Divisional Forest Officer, Amritsar Range said the women did not reveal anything apart from their identity.
The samples of tiger's skin are being sent to the Wildlife Institute at Dehradun for further investigations, he said.
"The two arrested women have been identified as Geeta and Taka who are residents of Karnataka. But during interrogation, the women said they are not residing in any particular place and they have not revealed much information about this smuggling," said Singh.
"They told us that these skins are fake and probably they are making stories about it. But our investigation is underway for which we would send the samples of these skins to Wildlife Institute of India at Dehradun," he added.
Singh further said the accused women would get tough punishment, if proven guilty.
"Under the Wildlife Protection 1972 Act, the women will be punished for smuggling tigers body parts. The women will get imprisonment of minimum three years and maximum seven years and would be imposed a fine of minimum ten thousand rupees," said Singh.
He also informed that the recovered skins were of a tiger and a cub that would have fetched the smugglers in the international market, at least rupees 65000 and 35000 respectively. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)
Over 70% Sariska bookings cancelled
ALWAR: The ongoing Gujjar agitation has hit the tourist arrivals at the Sariska tiger reserve.
The efforts to revive the tiger population at Sariska, and the recent visit of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had brightened its prospects of attracting higher number of tourists this year. However, the road and rail blockade by the Gujjars has dealt a blow to the sanctuary's plans to cash in on the year-end festivities, with over 70% cancellations being reported in the past few days.
Hundreds of tourists have been left stranded and majority are not ready to take any chances. "Over 70% bookings have already been cancelled at my property," says Dinesh Durrani, owner of Sariska Tiger Heaven Hotel.
The hotel had put in a lot of effort and money to spruce up the property before the new year but the owner now fears it would be difficult to recover the investment.
Another hotel owner in Alwar Nagesh Kumar said as long as the New Delhi-Jaipur highway was not blocked, there were no major cancellations but after the Gujjar leaders decided to oppose new year celebrations, many bookings have been cancelled. "In today's age, people have access to information regarding remotest of areas. Tourists start for a trip only after taking all precautions," said Kumar.
Andy Crooks, a tourist from Australia who was at Sariska on Wednesday had to cut short his extensive Rajasthan trip due to the Gujjar agitation. "We had to face several difficulties as buses and trains were diverted," said Crooks.
Records show that the number of tourists coming to Sariska during the last week of December has decreased drastically this season. Last year, 25,501 tourists had come to Sariska on December 25. In comparison, this year only 229 tourists came to Sariska for Christmas. From December 26-29, over 2,100 tourists visited Sariska in 2009 but only about 900 tourists made it to the wildlife sanctuary this year.
"The road blockade at Nathni ka bara village on Alwar-Jaipur route on Wednesday has scared the tourists and several of them were stranded for hours. There is a possibility that tourists could stop coming to Sariska after Wednesday's blockade," chief forest officer at Sariska R S Shekhawat told TOI.
The efforts to revive the tiger population at Sariska, and the recent visit of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had brightened its prospects of attracting higher number of tourists this year. However, the road and rail blockade by the Gujjars has dealt a blow to the sanctuary's plans to cash in on the year-end festivities, with over 70% cancellations being reported in the past few days.
Hundreds of tourists have been left stranded and majority are not ready to take any chances. "Over 70% bookings have already been cancelled at my property," says Dinesh Durrani, owner of Sariska Tiger Heaven Hotel.
The hotel had put in a lot of effort and money to spruce up the property before the new year but the owner now fears it would be difficult to recover the investment.
Another hotel owner in Alwar Nagesh Kumar said as long as the New Delhi-Jaipur highway was not blocked, there were no major cancellations but after the Gujjar leaders decided to oppose new year celebrations, many bookings have been cancelled. "In today's age, people have access to information regarding remotest of areas. Tourists start for a trip only after taking all precautions," said Kumar.
Andy Crooks, a tourist from Australia who was at Sariska on Wednesday had to cut short his extensive Rajasthan trip due to the Gujjar agitation. "We had to face several difficulties as buses and trains were diverted," said Crooks.
Records show that the number of tourists coming to Sariska during the last week of December has decreased drastically this season. Last year, 25,501 tourists had come to Sariska on December 25. In comparison, this year only 229 tourists came to Sariska for Christmas. From December 26-29, over 2,100 tourists visited Sariska in 2009 but only about 900 tourists made it to the wildlife sanctuary this year.
"The road blockade at Nathni ka bara village on Alwar-Jaipur route on Wednesday has scared the tourists and several of them were stranded for hours. There is a possibility that tourists could stop coming to Sariska after Wednesday's blockade," chief forest officer at Sariska R S Shekhawat told TOI.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
No rise in tiger population in Palamu
DALTONGANJ: In the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR), the number of elephants has increased 10 times since 1974 whereas the number of tigers has gone down.
In 1974, when the PTR was set up here, there were as many as 32 elephants and 22 tigers. With the passage of time, the number of elephants went up to as many as 225 while tiger count came down to six only.
Wildlife experts opine that the tigers are more exposed to poisoning and poaching than elephants. Field director (Project Tiger) P Updahaya recently said that there were still many zones in the PTR where the tigers have not been counted and there could be a possibility of finding more tigers in the reserve.
However, according to the steering committee member of Project Elephant, D S Srivastava, "PTR is now more or less home to elephants without tusks basically female though some male elephants also do not have tusks.
Elephants in PTR are also exposed to life hazards like train tracks, over-head high-tension electric wires.
However, contrary to popular belief, elephants of the reserve never move out and go on rampage in Garhwa and other neighbouring areas. Srivastava said, "PTR's elephants do not move out but herds from Chhatisgarh stray into parts of Garhwa district. PTR's elephants do only intra-migration that is within the ambit of the reserve."
Explaining the intra-migration of the elephants, he said, "Elephants of Betla National Park move out from here to their summer resort Baresar and Kujrum within the reserve where there are perennial water bodies."
In 1974, when the PTR was set up here, there were as many as 32 elephants and 22 tigers. With the passage of time, the number of elephants went up to as many as 225 while tiger count came down to six only.
Wildlife experts opine that the tigers are more exposed to poisoning and poaching than elephants. Field director (Project Tiger) P Updahaya recently said that there were still many zones in the PTR where the tigers have not been counted and there could be a possibility of finding more tigers in the reserve.
However, according to the steering committee member of Project Elephant, D S Srivastava, "PTR is now more or less home to elephants without tusks basically female though some male elephants also do not have tusks.
Elephants in PTR are also exposed to life hazards like train tracks, over-head high-tension electric wires.
However, contrary to popular belief, elephants of the reserve never move out and go on rampage in Garhwa and other neighbouring areas. Srivastava said, "PTR's elephants do not move out but herds from Chhatisgarh stray into parts of Garhwa district. PTR's elephants do only intra-migration that is within the ambit of the reserve."
Explaining the intra-migration of the elephants, he said, "Elephants of Betla National Park move out from here to their summer resort Baresar and Kujrum within the reserve where there are perennial water bodies."
Leopard-human conflict: M'rashtra handles it better
SURAT: The neighbouring state of Maharashtra through a scientific approach and the help of a non-government organisation has been able to bring down the incidents of leopard-human conflict there. The leopard mortality was an issue of concern even for the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) though the subject was not in its domain. In contrast, for the past six years south Gujarat has been witnessing recurrent incidents of human and leopard conflict, but the state's forest department is yet to come out with a concrete plan to arrest the trend. It is still caught up in the age-old techniques either of caging or shooting the leopard.
About 15 people lost their lives since 2005 in leopard attacks in Maharashtra while six have died in the attacks by the big cats in Gujarat's Surat and Tapi districts in the past 40 days alone. Between January to December 2010, 35 leopards were killed in conflict with humans or became victims of poachers in Maharashtra which in the previous year had reported deaths of 48 leopards.
"The decrease in the number of conflicts and in the tally of deaths of leopards is due to the drive carried out by Maharashtra's forest department and our NGO. We requested the forest department to change the pattern to tackle the issue," said Vidya Athrey of Project Waghoba.
She said the need is to understand the big cat instead of just caging it randomly and then releasing it in the wild. Before 2008 about 40 leopards were caught and released in the wild every year in Maharashtra but now this number has come down to 10.
"Caging leopards and then releasing them in the wild make them dangerous for the humans. We have tried to provide a safe environment to the animal in the area where it lives and also worked to change human behaviour slightly," Athrey explained.
"Like in Maharashtra, leopards make their home in the sugarcane farms in Gujarat too. On being caught they come into direct conflict with humans. We are trying to convince Gujarat Government to look at our work in Maharashtra and hope to be involved in Gujarat in controlling the situation," she added. Ends
About 15 people lost their lives since 2005 in leopard attacks in Maharashtra while six have died in the attacks by the big cats in Gujarat's Surat and Tapi districts in the past 40 days alone. Between January to December 2010, 35 leopards were killed in conflict with humans or became victims of poachers in Maharashtra which in the previous year had reported deaths of 48 leopards.
"The decrease in the number of conflicts and in the tally of deaths of leopards is due to the drive carried out by Maharashtra's forest department and our NGO. We requested the forest department to change the pattern to tackle the issue," said Vidya Athrey of Project Waghoba.
She said the need is to understand the big cat instead of just caging it randomly and then releasing it in the wild. Before 2008 about 40 leopards were caught and released in the wild every year in Maharashtra but now this number has come down to 10.
"Caging leopards and then releasing them in the wild make them dangerous for the humans. We have tried to provide a safe environment to the animal in the area where it lives and also worked to change human behaviour slightly," Athrey explained.
"Like in Maharashtra, leopards make their home in the sugarcane farms in Gujarat too. On being caught they come into direct conflict with humans. We are trying to convince Gujarat Government to look at our work in Maharashtra and hope to be involved in Gujarat in controlling the situation," she added. Ends
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Poison stink in tiger death
Jorhat, Dec. 27: An alert has been sounded in Assam’s Orang National Park following the recovery of a Royal Bengal tiger carcass yesterday.
The post-mortem report indicates the tiger may have died of poisoning.
The viscera has been sent to the forensic laboratory in Guwahati for confirmation.
Park director S.K. Daila said the carcass of the five-year-old female tiger was recovered from a dense forest area near the Pachnoi river by forest guards.
“The carcass bore no injury marks and there was nothing unusual noticed at the location from where it was found,” he said.
The recovery of the carcass comes amid speculation that villagers residing near the periphery of the national park might have tried to poison the big cats in retaliation to the increasing tiger attacks on cattle.
Villages near Orang National Park have seen a rise in conflicts between Royal Bengal tigers and humans, with the big cats frequently straying out of the park and attacking cattle.
Tigers have killed more than 20 cattle heads in the past few months.
Daila said there has been an increase in tiger population at Orang and, therefore, big cats were frequently straying out of the park.
“The actual figure will be known only after a census but we have spotted two tiger cubs born a few months back,” he said.
The park official said, a week back, two tigers strayed out of the park and entered a human habitat and the forest staff had to fire in the air to chase the two tigers back inside the park.
The park authorities signed an MoU with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) recently to minimise the increasing incidents of conflicts between tigers and humans.
According to the MoU, to gain the confidence of the villagers, the WWF would pay interim relief to owners of cattle killed by tigers.
“We have also organised joint patrolling by villagers and forest guards in areas where there are frequent incidents of tigers killing cattle,” Daila said.
The post-mortem report indicates the tiger may have died of poisoning.
The viscera has been sent to the forensic laboratory in Guwahati for confirmation.
Park director S.K. Daila said the carcass of the five-year-old female tiger was recovered from a dense forest area near the Pachnoi river by forest guards.
“The carcass bore no injury marks and there was nothing unusual noticed at the location from where it was found,” he said.
The recovery of the carcass comes amid speculation that villagers residing near the periphery of the national park might have tried to poison the big cats in retaliation to the increasing tiger attacks on cattle.
Villages near Orang National Park have seen a rise in conflicts between Royal Bengal tigers and humans, with the big cats frequently straying out of the park and attacking cattle.
Tigers have killed more than 20 cattle heads in the past few months.
Daila said there has been an increase in tiger population at Orang and, therefore, big cats were frequently straying out of the park.
“The actual figure will be known only after a census but we have spotted two tiger cubs born a few months back,” he said.
The park official said, a week back, two tigers strayed out of the park and entered a human habitat and the forest staff had to fire in the air to chase the two tigers back inside the park.
The park authorities signed an MoU with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) recently to minimise the increasing incidents of conflicts between tigers and humans.
According to the MoU, to gain the confidence of the villagers, the WWF would pay interim relief to owners of cattle killed by tigers.
“We have also organised joint patrolling by villagers and forest guards in areas where there are frequent incidents of tigers killing cattle,” Daila said.
Leopard''s carcass found; poaching attempt suspected
Lakhimpur, Dec 27 (PTI) In a suspected case of poaching, the carcass of a young leopard was recovered from Kishunpur sanctuary in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, a forest department official said here today.
The carcass of a four-year-old young male leopard was recovered late last evening in Ambargarh beat of the sanctuary, field director Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) Shailesh Prasad said.
As the carcass was found entangled in dense shrubs and there were creepers all over it, initially it was presumed that the big cat died after getting caught in the shrubs.
However, the recovery of a metal wire from inside the creepers made the park authorities suspicious, Prasad said.
After the recovery of metal wires, which could not be sensed with metal detectors, the authorities are carrying out a probe from all angles, Prasad said after visiting the spot.
Deputy director of the park Sanjay Kumar Pathak said all vital organs of the body such as skin, jaw, paws, nails, etc.
were found intact and the carcass has been sent to Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, for an autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Authorities fear that the leopard died due to a poaching attempt, as on July 31 poachers had attempted to kill a leopard with an iron trap.
However, the patrolling staff managed to prevent the endangered animal from being killed though it sustained some injuries in its foreleg, Pathak said.
He said some persons have been apprehended and raids were being carried on to nab the culprits.
The field staff in entire Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has been alerted to keep a close vigil on the movements of protected animals, Pathak said.
The carcass of a four-year-old young male leopard was recovered late last evening in Ambargarh beat of the sanctuary, field director Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) Shailesh Prasad said.
As the carcass was found entangled in dense shrubs and there were creepers all over it, initially it was presumed that the big cat died after getting caught in the shrubs.
However, the recovery of a metal wire from inside the creepers made the park authorities suspicious, Prasad said.
After the recovery of metal wires, which could not be sensed with metal detectors, the authorities are carrying out a probe from all angles, Prasad said after visiting the spot.
Deputy director of the park Sanjay Kumar Pathak said all vital organs of the body such as skin, jaw, paws, nails, etc.
were found intact and the carcass has been sent to Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, for an autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Authorities fear that the leopard died due to a poaching attempt, as on July 31 poachers had attempted to kill a leopard with an iron trap.
However, the patrolling staff managed to prevent the endangered animal from being killed though it sustained some injuries in its foreleg, Pathak said.
He said some persons have been apprehended and raids were being carried on to nab the culprits.
The field staff in entire Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has been alerted to keep a close vigil on the movements of protected animals, Pathak said.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Three held with tiger skin in Tamil Nadu
Three persons were arrested on charges of possessing tiger skin near the Sathyamangalam forest area by officials of the Special Task Force (STF), police said today. STF personnel arrested them after noticing that the three were carrying a gunny bag with the skin during a routine patrol along the Bannari-Dhimbam ghat road on Saturday.
Palamu graded poor' by tiger watch body
DALTONGANJ: It's official. Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) has been categorized "poor" by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) responsible for categorizing tiger reserves under Project Tiger. Set up in 1974, PTA is battling hard for its existence and survival.
According to a member of the Management Effective Evaluation (EM) of NOTCH, D S Srivastava, the conclusion was reached after two evaluations of the tiger reserve. Consequently, a report was sent to NTCA in Delhi for placement before the Prime Minister. NTCA was set up in 2005 on the recommendations of Tiger Task Force, constituted by the Prime Minister.
Srivastava elaborated, "A preliminary evaluation was done by a team of experts, including Sameer Sinha of Wildlife Trust of India, Rashin Burman of Assam, Rajinder Mishra of Chhatisgarh and R K Singh of Delhi. Another evaluation was done this November by Prerna Bhendra and R L Singh among other wildlife experts."
A total of 120 parameters decide on the grade. "PTR scored the lowest in all from funding, its usage, habitat management, grassland management, anti-fire measures and anti-poaching measures," he said.
But he added that there are reasons why Palamu has fared so poorly. He felt that for starters, the government should fill up all vacant posts of ground staff. "There are only 39 forest guards in PTR as against the sanctioned strength of 179," he revealed.
The other task before the government is to prioritize wildlife management. "It is not on the agenda of the government it appears. No government fund has come to PTA since nine months," he rued.
The challenge, he said, is to revive and restore its glory. In 1974, there were 22 tigers and 32 elephants. Today the number of tigers has dwindled whereas the number of elephants has shot up to 225. "The other task is to strike a balance between human and wildlife population as the man-animal conflict has taken a toll on PTA," he said.
Srivastava favoured people's participation in the management of wildlife. There should be smaller monitoring units entrusted with the maintenance of PTR.
When asked if it is possible for PTR to regain its old position, he said, "First, people living in and outside PTR must feel that every tiger, every elephant is theirs and that protecting them is their responsibility. Only then will the situation improve in PTR."
According to a member of the Management Effective Evaluation (EM) of NOTCH, D S Srivastava, the conclusion was reached after two evaluations of the tiger reserve. Consequently, a report was sent to NTCA in Delhi for placement before the Prime Minister. NTCA was set up in 2005 on the recommendations of Tiger Task Force, constituted by the Prime Minister.
Srivastava elaborated, "A preliminary evaluation was done by a team of experts, including Sameer Sinha of Wildlife Trust of India, Rashin Burman of Assam, Rajinder Mishra of Chhatisgarh and R K Singh of Delhi. Another evaluation was done this November by Prerna Bhendra and R L Singh among other wildlife experts."
A total of 120 parameters decide on the grade. "PTR scored the lowest in all from funding, its usage, habitat management, grassland management, anti-fire measures and anti-poaching measures," he said.
But he added that there are reasons why Palamu has fared so poorly. He felt that for starters, the government should fill up all vacant posts of ground staff. "There are only 39 forest guards in PTR as against the sanctioned strength of 179," he revealed.
The other task before the government is to prioritize wildlife management. "It is not on the agenda of the government it appears. No government fund has come to PTA since nine months," he rued.
The challenge, he said, is to revive and restore its glory. In 1974, there were 22 tigers and 32 elephants. Today the number of tigers has dwindled whereas the number of elephants has shot up to 225. "The other task is to strike a balance between human and wildlife population as the man-animal conflict has taken a toll on PTA," he said.
Srivastava favoured people's participation in the management of wildlife. There should be smaller monitoring units entrusted with the maintenance of PTR.
When asked if it is possible for PTR to regain its old position, he said, "First, people living in and outside PTR must feel that every tiger, every elephant is theirs and that protecting them is their responsibility. Only then will the situation improve in PTR."
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Govt apathy hinders Sariska tigers’ safety
December 26, 2010 10:50:05 AM
Moushumi Basu | New Delhi
Close on the heels of a controversy over relocation of villages from Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan and the death of a translocated tiger there recently, the Centre has allotted Rs 18.60 crore to the tiger reserve.
Against a demand of Rs 38.13 crore from the State Government, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has approved Rs 37.20 crore to the reserve for shifting of villages. According to figures obtained from MoEF sources, no fund allocation was made in 2009-10 and till the end of the current fiscal for the relocation of villages in Sariska.
Former chief conservator of forests (Sariska) KK Garg, who was transferred out during the last week of November after the tiger’s death, said, “Nearly Rs 8 crore were left unspent from the earlier funds, and the amount was fully spent by June-July 2010.” After that, the relocation process was affected due to paucity of funds, he pointed out. The next lot of funds arrived after Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh visited the reserve following the death of the tiger.
Following the complete extinction of tigers in Sariska, a major recommendation of Tiger Task Force in 2005 was the relocation of villages from within the reserve. There are 28 villages within the tiger reserve and the task force had listed certain villages that were to be relocated on priority.
The MoEF sources pointed out that the State had not been successful in following the task force’s recommendations, particularly the one about making the core/critical areas of the tiger habitat inviolate by expediting village relocation.
There has been only token relocation in Sariska. “Only one village, Badhani, the smallest of them all, has been relocated completely since the process began in the 1980s,” the sources said. The remaining six-seven villages, though claimed by the State forest department as partial, are actually only nominal and are inhabited by only a handful of families.
Former field director of Ranthambhore and tiger expert Fateh Singh Rathore contended that village relocation should have been completed before the tiger translocation process started. “The reserve is obviously not safe for big cats and one cannot blame the local villagers solely for the recent incident of tiger poisoning,” he said.
Tigers often stray to the villages and the State Government has failed to keep track of the damage caused to the villagers and compensation to be paid.
Meanwhile, five tigers were translocated from Ranthambhore National Park in the State to Sariska between 2008 and 2010. One of the two males — ST-1 — went missing on November 11 this year. The other male — ST-4 — was already missing since October 30, though it has since been found. On November 14, reserve officials discovered the decomposed body of ST-1 near Kalakhet village on the reserve’s
Moushumi Basu | New Delhi
Close on the heels of a controversy over relocation of villages from Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan and the death of a translocated tiger there recently, the Centre has allotted Rs 18.60 crore to the tiger reserve.
Against a demand of Rs 38.13 crore from the State Government, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has approved Rs 37.20 crore to the reserve for shifting of villages. According to figures obtained from MoEF sources, no fund allocation was made in 2009-10 and till the end of the current fiscal for the relocation of villages in Sariska.
Former chief conservator of forests (Sariska) KK Garg, who was transferred out during the last week of November after the tiger’s death, said, “Nearly Rs 8 crore were left unspent from the earlier funds, and the amount was fully spent by June-July 2010.” After that, the relocation process was affected due to paucity of funds, he pointed out. The next lot of funds arrived after Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh visited the reserve following the death of the tiger.
Following the complete extinction of tigers in Sariska, a major recommendation of Tiger Task Force in 2005 was the relocation of villages from within the reserve. There are 28 villages within the tiger reserve and the task force had listed certain villages that were to be relocated on priority.
The MoEF sources pointed out that the State had not been successful in following the task force’s recommendations, particularly the one about making the core/critical areas of the tiger habitat inviolate by expediting village relocation.
There has been only token relocation in Sariska. “Only one village, Badhani, the smallest of them all, has been relocated completely since the process began in the 1980s,” the sources said. The remaining six-seven villages, though claimed by the State forest department as partial, are actually only nominal and are inhabited by only a handful of families.
Former field director of Ranthambhore and tiger expert Fateh Singh Rathore contended that village relocation should have been completed before the tiger translocation process started. “The reserve is obviously not safe for big cats and one cannot blame the local villagers solely for the recent incident of tiger poisoning,” he said.
Tigers often stray to the villages and the State Government has failed to keep track of the damage caused to the villagers and compensation to be paid.
Meanwhile, five tigers were translocated from Ranthambhore National Park in the State to Sariska between 2008 and 2010. One of the two males — ST-1 — went missing on November 11 this year. The other male — ST-4 — was already missing since October 30, though it has since been found. On November 14, reserve officials discovered the decomposed body of ST-1 near Kalakhet village on the reserve’s
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Lesser tiger deaths in 2010; need for a safer new year
LUCKNOW: Only two tiger mortalities reported from the state in 2010 show it has been a good year for the tigers. The big cats remain the most critically endangered of all the wildlife species, though there are other species as well which have been clubbed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, as critically endangered. There is no denying that providing a safer haven to big cats is the fulcrum of all conservation talk.
The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), an agency that has a database of wildlife crime and also works with forest departments in some of the states, has compiled tiger mortalities for the ongoing year. The tiger mortalities have been lesser in 2010 as compared to the previous year. In 2009, 85 tiger deaths were reported in the country. In 2010, 53 tigers have died so far. The mortalities include natural deaths, poaching and also seizures. While 27 big cats were found dead, as many as 26 mortalities were found to be due to poaching and seizures. (As per assumption, 10 kgs of tiger bones seized are taken to be as one adult tiger killed).
"It is difficult to say how many tigers died natural deaths out of 27," said Tito Joseph, from WPSI. When contacted, deputy director, Dudhwa, Sanjay Pathak said, "Security mechanisms have been effectively put into place in Dudhwa." The lesser number of deaths is also a reason to rejoice for Dudhwa security staff. Out of the two tiger deaths reported from UP, one has been a case of poaching. Recently, an adult tiger was killed by another during an infighting in Pilibhit and a tiger was found dead in north Kheri in January in which poaching was the cause of death.
Even if the tigers are poisoned to death it is difficult to establish so, if the carcasses are found after a gap of few days. The poisoning is mostly not established in autopsy report. It is only within a few hours of the death that poisoning, as a cause of death, can be established in the report. It is because of this that in a lot of cases, cause of death could not be established. Even the post-mortem reports remain inconclusive.
The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), an agency that has a database of wildlife crime and also works with forest departments in some of the states, has compiled tiger mortalities for the ongoing year. The tiger mortalities have been lesser in 2010 as compared to the previous year. In 2009, 85 tiger deaths were reported in the country. In 2010, 53 tigers have died so far. The mortalities include natural deaths, poaching and also seizures. While 27 big cats were found dead, as many as 26 mortalities were found to be due to poaching and seizures. (As per assumption, 10 kgs of tiger bones seized are taken to be as one adult tiger killed).
"It is difficult to say how many tigers died natural deaths out of 27," said Tito Joseph, from WPSI. When contacted, deputy director, Dudhwa, Sanjay Pathak said, "Security mechanisms have been effectively put into place in Dudhwa." The lesser number of deaths is also a reason to rejoice for Dudhwa security staff. Out of the two tiger deaths reported from UP, one has been a case of poaching. Recently, an adult tiger was killed by another during an infighting in Pilibhit and a tiger was found dead in north Kheri in January in which poaching was the cause of death.
Even if the tigers are poisoned to death it is difficult to establish so, if the carcasses are found after a gap of few days. The poisoning is mostly not established in autopsy report. It is only within a few hours of the death that poisoning, as a cause of death, can be established in the report. It is because of this that in a lot of cases, cause of death could not be established. Even the post-mortem reports remain inconclusive.
Tiger death: Suspect took away whiskers
ALWAR: The polygraph test on Parsadi Lal Gujjar in Sariska tiger death case is out. The suspect reportedly confessed that he cut the whiskers from the carcass of the tiger. However, he did not throw any light on the killer. Meanwhile, Rajgarh court refused to give permission to forest department for a brain mapping test of the suspect.
According to a Supreme Court order, the consent of the accused is a must in polygraph, narco analysis and brain mapping tests. However, none of these tests are admissible in the court as evidence and may only be used for further investigation.
"But we will appeal against the decision at the district judge's court," forest officials said.
The officials said, "The results of the polygraph tests arrived on Thursday. In the test, the suspect has confirmed that he along with his brother and son had taken the whiskers of the tiger but did not say anything on who killed it. However, his body language is suspicious and CBI officers therefore advised us to go for the brain mapping."
Gujjar said he, along with his brother Bhagwan and son Mithu, were returning after cutting wood when they found the tiger. "He confessed that they cut off the whiskers and took it but when asked whether he was involved in killing the tiger, he said no," said officials.
The state forest department had earlier planned to take Gujjar to Ahmedabad for a brain mapping test between December 27 to 31.
According to a Supreme Court order, the consent of the accused is a must in polygraph, narco analysis and brain mapping tests. However, none of these tests are admissible in the court as evidence and may only be used for further investigation.
"But we will appeal against the decision at the district judge's court," forest officials said.
The officials said, "The results of the polygraph tests arrived on Thursday. In the test, the suspect has confirmed that he along with his brother and son had taken the whiskers of the tiger but did not say anything on who killed it. However, his body language is suspicious and CBI officers therefore advised us to go for the brain mapping."
Gujjar said he, along with his brother Bhagwan and son Mithu, were returning after cutting wood when they found the tiger. "He confessed that they cut off the whiskers and took it but when asked whether he was involved in killing the tiger, he said no," said officials.
The state forest department had earlier planned to take Gujjar to Ahmedabad for a brain mapping test between December 27 to 31.
Chhattisgarh Police arrest nine tribals for killing a tiger
Chhattisgarh Police has arrested nine tribals for killing a tiger of the famous Kanha Rashtriya Udyan in Chhattisgarh's Kabirdham District.
R. K. Tiwari, sub-divisional officer, Pandariya Forest Range, disclosed this to the media persons at Kawardha on Friday.
The police swung into action after a forest ranger complained to his officials about foul smell of some dead animal.
A thorough probe resulted after authorities learnt that some local tribals had poisoned and killed a tiger for monetary gains.
"They have told us this only that they used a cow on which they sprayed indosulphan an insecticide. By this they were sure that by eating this the tiger would be killed. Till now we have arrested nine persons," said Tiwari.
Tiwari informed that they have seized many body parts of the dead tiger, which the tribals had buried in a field.
"We seized tiger's skull, which was not found at the site, we along with all the police officials seized its skull, teeth and then hair of moustache, nails, jaw bones and along with all this we have seized fat of tiger, we have succeeded in seizing all this from last night till the morning," he said. (ANI)
All About: Kabirdham (Chhattisgarh), Chhattisgarh Police
R. K. Tiwari, sub-divisional officer, Pandariya Forest Range, disclosed this to the media persons at Kawardha on Friday.
The police swung into action after a forest ranger complained to his officials about foul smell of some dead animal.
A thorough probe resulted after authorities learnt that some local tribals had poisoned and killed a tiger for monetary gains.
"They have told us this only that they used a cow on which they sprayed indosulphan an insecticide. By this they were sure that by eating this the tiger would be killed. Till now we have arrested nine persons," said Tiwari.
Tiwari informed that they have seized many body parts of the dead tiger, which the tribals had buried in a field.
"We seized tiger's skull, which was not found at the site, we along with all the police officials seized its skull, teeth and then hair of moustache, nails, jaw bones and along with all this we have seized fat of tiger, we have succeeded in seizing all this from last night till the morning," he said. (ANI)
All About: Kabirdham (Chhattisgarh), Chhattisgarh Police
Madhya Pradesh loses 10 tigers this year
Bhopal, Dec 24, PTI:
Although Madhya Pradesh is popularly known as a ''tiger state'', it has lost as many as ten striped animals including cubs this year.
However, what is more satisfying for the wildlife lovers is that it is four less than the big cats' total casualties reported last year.
"We have lost 10 tigers including cubs this year so far while last year, 14 big cats' death were reported," Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF), Wildlife, T R Sharma told PTI.
He said that another satisfying aspect in this is that no tiger had been poached in Madhya Pradesh this year so far, while last year, two tigers were killed due to poisoning in Seoni and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves, he added.
"This year seven tigers were lost in the wilds of different tiger reserves while three striped animals died of diseases in Van Vihar Animal Rescue Centre where old and sick animals are brought for keeping in protected environment," the APCCF said.
Last year 13 big cats died in the wilds and one at Van Vihar Animal Rescue Centre, Sharma said.
The first tiger death was reported from drowning as the animal was trapped in a pit inside a water body in the Pench Tiger Reserve on January 27, officials said adding that this striped animal was around seven-years-old.
After this, a nine-month old tigress died due to suspected cannibalism in Kanha Tiger Reserve on April 20. Thereafter, a 10-year-old tigress died after being hit by a jeep in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve on May 19. This incident was being probed by the state's CID.
In a separate incident, a one-month old cub died after being attacked by other animal in Kanha Tiger Reserve on June six, officials said.
In Pench Tiger Reserve, nails of around six-month-old cub were recovered from some people on June 20 and during interrogation the accused said that they found the striped animal dead in the protected area.
The four people arrested and sent to jail in this connection during quizzing, told investigators that they were practising black magic with the cub's nails, officials said.
A 10-year-old tiger died in territorial fight in the buffer zone of Kanha on October six and the seven-year-old tiger was lost for the same reason in Pench Tiger Reserve on October 20, officials said.
Two tigresses in June and one tiger in October died due to diseases in Van Vihar Animal Rescue Centre this year so far, he added.
The mortality rate among tigers was very high, and it was around 50 per cent, Sharma said adding that the mortality rate was high among the animal having short gestation period. The tigress gestation period was three and a half months, the APCCF said.
Besides, old age related deaths amount to 20 to 25 per cent in the wild, he added.
"Tiger protection was the top agenda of our department," Sharma said adding "a slew of measures have been taken in this regard."
Tiger protection force has been constituted to protect the big cat, he said adding that night patrolling was being carried out in and around the reserves and forest areas.
The forest ground duty staff have been equipped with wireless and guns and chowkies have been erected to protect big cats, Sharma said.
Ex-servicemen have been recruited and were manning the protected areas in Madhya Pradesh, he added.
Although Madhya Pradesh is popularly known as a ''tiger state'', it has lost as many as ten striped animals including cubs this year.
However, what is more satisfying for the wildlife lovers is that it is four less than the big cats' total casualties reported last year.
"We have lost 10 tigers including cubs this year so far while last year, 14 big cats' death were reported," Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF), Wildlife, T R Sharma told PTI.
He said that another satisfying aspect in this is that no tiger had been poached in Madhya Pradesh this year so far, while last year, two tigers were killed due to poisoning in Seoni and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves, he added.
"This year seven tigers were lost in the wilds of different tiger reserves while three striped animals died of diseases in Van Vihar Animal Rescue Centre where old and sick animals are brought for keeping in protected environment," the APCCF said.
Last year 13 big cats died in the wilds and one at Van Vihar Animal Rescue Centre, Sharma said.
The first tiger death was reported from drowning as the animal was trapped in a pit inside a water body in the Pench Tiger Reserve on January 27, officials said adding that this striped animal was around seven-years-old.
After this, a nine-month old tigress died due to suspected cannibalism in Kanha Tiger Reserve on April 20. Thereafter, a 10-year-old tigress died after being hit by a jeep in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve on May 19. This incident was being probed by the state's CID.
In a separate incident, a one-month old cub died after being attacked by other animal in Kanha Tiger Reserve on June six, officials said.
In Pench Tiger Reserve, nails of around six-month-old cub were recovered from some people on June 20 and during interrogation the accused said that they found the striped animal dead in the protected area.
The four people arrested and sent to jail in this connection during quizzing, told investigators that they were practising black magic with the cub's nails, officials said.
A 10-year-old tiger died in territorial fight in the buffer zone of Kanha on October six and the seven-year-old tiger was lost for the same reason in Pench Tiger Reserve on October 20, officials said.
Two tigresses in June and one tiger in October died due to diseases in Van Vihar Animal Rescue Centre this year so far, he added.
The mortality rate among tigers was very high, and it was around 50 per cent, Sharma said adding that the mortality rate was high among the animal having short gestation period. The tigress gestation period was three and a half months, the APCCF said.
Besides, old age related deaths amount to 20 to 25 per cent in the wild, he added.
"Tiger protection was the top agenda of our department," Sharma said adding "a slew of measures have been taken in this regard."
Tiger protection force has been constituted to protect the big cat, he said adding that night patrolling was being carried out in and around the reserves and forest areas.
The forest ground duty staff have been equipped with wireless and guns and chowkies have been erected to protect big cats, Sharma said.
Ex-servicemen have been recruited and were manning the protected areas in Madhya Pradesh, he added.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tiger conservation project promoted by Rashtrapati Bhawan
A public art project that aims to raise funds for the conservation of tigers in India, Artiger, began in Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
Christy L. Fernandez, a secretary to President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, said the exhibition sports 56 life-sized fiberglass tiger sculptures created by various well-known artists.
It is an attempt to promote the cause of tiger conservation, and also to create awareness about the falling numbers of the national animal.
"We in Rashtrapati Bhawan personally felt that the Rashtrapati Bhawan should have its own share in promoting the cause of tiger conservation. That is the reason why we have welcomed them and this exhibition would be open for next one week," said Fernandez.
Aprajita Jain, Nandita Baig and Swapan Seth, the brains behind the project, said they drew inspiration from London's Elephant Parade that took place earlier this year and raised four million pounds by placing elephant sculptures all around the city.
Organisers further stated that the money from this special exhibition of tiger sculptures would go to the Ranthambore Foundation.
"We have given this money to Ranthambore Foundation to use it in different manners. It would be decided on how we would allocate the funds, after which we are hoping to do the next project. We are thinking of certain ideas and as soon as we know what it is, we definitely will announce it," said Jain.
From December 27, the tiger sculptures would be displayed at over 50 locations across Delhi.
The exhibition would continue to go on for next six weeks. (ANI)
Christy L. Fernandez, a secretary to President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, said the exhibition sports 56 life-sized fiberglass tiger sculptures created by various well-known artists.
It is an attempt to promote the cause of tiger conservation, and also to create awareness about the falling numbers of the national animal.
"We in Rashtrapati Bhawan personally felt that the Rashtrapati Bhawan should have its own share in promoting the cause of tiger conservation. That is the reason why we have welcomed them and this exhibition would be open for next one week," said Fernandez.
Aprajita Jain, Nandita Baig and Swapan Seth, the brains behind the project, said they drew inspiration from London's Elephant Parade that took place earlier this year and raised four million pounds by placing elephant sculptures all around the city.
Organisers further stated that the money from this special exhibition of tiger sculptures would go to the Ranthambore Foundation.
"We have given this money to Ranthambore Foundation to use it in different manners. It would be decided on how we would allocate the funds, after which we are hoping to do the next project. We are thinking of certain ideas and as soon as we know what it is, we definitely will announce it," said Jain.
From December 27, the tiger sculptures would be displayed at over 50 locations across Delhi.
The exhibition would continue to go on for next six weeks. (ANI)
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Five held for killing tiger
Raipur, Dec 22 (IANS) A day after the decomposed body of a tiger was found with its head and claws missing, five villagers in Chhattisgarh were Wednesday arrested with the big cat's claws, police said.
The arrests were made from a remote village Amnia, a forested zone under Kawardha district, some 300 km from here. 'The main accused Govind was arrested along with his four associates in a raid,' a police officer said.
The arrests were made from a remote village Amnia, a forested zone under Kawardha district, some 300 km from here. 'The main accused Govind was arrested along with his four associates in a raid,' a police officer said.
REHABILITATION is a complex issue
A wildlife enthusiast, Mausam Noor has been a regular at various tiger reserves across the country. A first-time MP (from Malda, West Bengal), Noor is never without her Nikon N-67 during her numerous forest escapades. Mesmerised with the beauty of the tiger, she has been a tiger lover since her young days. Hardnews spoke to Noor on tiger conservation and what has gone wrong with it
How important is tiger conservation for India?
No doubt it is of utmost importance. In fact, it is one of the foremost priorities of the government as we have the largest population of this magnificent wild cat. The government is trying out every possible means to save the tiger.
What are the deterrents to tiger conservation?
I have visited more than 16 tiger reserves across the country. What I have understood is that if people are not shifted out from the tiger reserves across the country and rehabilitated elsewhere, we would not have any tigers left in the forests. I recently visited a national park and was told that people settled inside the park are not ready to move out of it. Activists, who supposedly work for the rights of these people, are actually misguiding them - they have political ends on their mind. Therefore, although the people are offered ample compensation, they always demand more.
Rehabilitation is a complex issue. The process followed by the government is slow and is in a complete mess. To resolve this, the government should consult wildlife experts and implement their suggestions.
The government should try to educate the people still living inside tiger reserves. They must be made to understand the importance of tigers and their natural habitats. Moreover, it is a fact that some of these villagers also indulge in poaching. The government should try to wean them away from this criminal way of life by offering them jobs. The forest department can take the lead in recruiting them.
You have visited many tiger reserves. Your views on the tourism around these reserves?
Tourism should be allowed, but only to a certain extent. It should not exploit nature or disturb the animals. However, if tourism is coupled with an ecological perspective, it could help generate awareness among the masses. Tourism also helps in curbing poaching as guards are more vigilant when the tourists come. Also, I have noticed that although some of the forest guards are sincere and honest, most are there only because of the commercial interests arising out of tourism.
Recently, a tiger relocated to Sariska was killed. Your comments.
There were no tigers in Sariska, anyway, and the ones that have been shifted there are being killed. Tigers have no sense of boundaries and once they move out of the park limits, they are always under the risk of being poached or killed. To address this, forest guards should be given more incentives and their working conditions must be improved.
Mining is threatening the tiger habitat. Your views.
This, indeed, is a major threat. If this continues unabated, a time would come when mining would still be going on but the tigers would have vanished. If this great predator goes extinct, it would be a big burden to live with. Our conscience would not let us live with the fact that we had the largest population of tigers, but we let them go extinct.
How important is tiger conservation for India?
No doubt it is of utmost importance. In fact, it is one of the foremost priorities of the government as we have the largest population of this magnificent wild cat. The government is trying out every possible means to save the tiger.
What are the deterrents to tiger conservation?
I have visited more than 16 tiger reserves across the country. What I have understood is that if people are not shifted out from the tiger reserves across the country and rehabilitated elsewhere, we would not have any tigers left in the forests. I recently visited a national park and was told that people settled inside the park are not ready to move out of it. Activists, who supposedly work for the rights of these people, are actually misguiding them - they have political ends on their mind. Therefore, although the people are offered ample compensation, they always demand more.
Rehabilitation is a complex issue. The process followed by the government is slow and is in a complete mess. To resolve this, the government should consult wildlife experts and implement their suggestions.
The government should try to educate the people still living inside tiger reserves. They must be made to understand the importance of tigers and their natural habitats. Moreover, it is a fact that some of these villagers also indulge in poaching. The government should try to wean them away from this criminal way of life by offering them jobs. The forest department can take the lead in recruiting them.
You have visited many tiger reserves. Your views on the tourism around these reserves?
Tourism should be allowed, but only to a certain extent. It should not exploit nature or disturb the animals. However, if tourism is coupled with an ecological perspective, it could help generate awareness among the masses. Tourism also helps in curbing poaching as guards are more vigilant when the tourists come. Also, I have noticed that although some of the forest guards are sincere and honest, most are there only because of the commercial interests arising out of tourism.
Recently, a tiger relocated to Sariska was killed. Your comments.
There were no tigers in Sariska, anyway, and the ones that have been shifted there are being killed. Tigers have no sense of boundaries and once they move out of the park limits, they are always under the risk of being poached or killed. To address this, forest guards should be given more incentives and their working conditions must be improved.
Mining is threatening the tiger habitat. Your views.
This, indeed, is a major threat. If this continues unabated, a time would come when mining would still be going on but the tigers would have vanished. If this great predator goes extinct, it would be a big burden to live with. Our conscience would not let us live with the fact that we had the largest population of tigers, but we let them go extinct.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
TATR abolishes zone system
CHANDRAPUR: In some good news for tourists of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), the forest authorities have abolished the one-year-old zone system inside the park. Visitors are now free to roam in entire reserve. However TATR management has laid down some regulations to avoid congregation of tourists on one particular spot.
The zone system had come into the force early this year to regulate the traffic of tourists inside the tiger reserve. Likewise TATR was divided into three zones - Moharli, Tadoba and Kolsa - and the tourists were allowed to move in only one zone at a time. But, authorities have now come up with new plans under which zone restriction will be abolished but tourist movement will be regulated.
Confirming the abolishment of zone system field director and CF of TATR Vinay Sinha said, "The new regulation will come into force from Wednesday. Tourists will be allowed to move in the entire reserve, but they will have to follow some rules. There will be defined routes for every vehicle entering into the tiger reserve and one-way route pattern would be followed. Sinha said that the new plan is according to the NTCA guidelines.
Sources claimed that few other regulations such as restriction on use of mobile phones inside TATR, keeping a distance of at least 30 metres between two vehicles would be observed to ensure that place of tiger sighting is not crowded disturbing the tranquility of the wildlife.
Officials have also defined the carrying capacity in the tiger reserve. Only 60 vehicles would be allowed inside the tiger reserve during morning hours, while 57 vehicles would be allowed during evening shift. TATR management plans to decrease the number of entry gates gradually in coming months. At present tourists enter TATR through Moharli, Pangdi, Kolara, Jhari, Khutwanda and Navegaon gates, however three of these - Jhari, Khutwanda and Navegaon gates - will be closed in phases.
As per NTCA guidelines, park management needs to ensure maximum inviolate zones for the wildlife inside the tiger reserve. Authorities are chalking out two new tourists zones in buffer area. Once circuit routes and infrastructural development is accomplished in buffer, tourism would be gradually shifted to buffer zone.
The zone system had come into the force early this year to regulate the traffic of tourists inside the tiger reserve. Likewise TATR was divided into three zones - Moharli, Tadoba and Kolsa - and the tourists were allowed to move in only one zone at a time. But, authorities have now come up with new plans under which zone restriction will be abolished but tourist movement will be regulated.
Confirming the abolishment of zone system field director and CF of TATR Vinay Sinha said, "The new regulation will come into force from Wednesday. Tourists will be allowed to move in the entire reserve, but they will have to follow some rules. There will be defined routes for every vehicle entering into the tiger reserve and one-way route pattern would be followed. Sinha said that the new plan is according to the NTCA guidelines.
Sources claimed that few other regulations such as restriction on use of mobile phones inside TATR, keeping a distance of at least 30 metres between two vehicles would be observed to ensure that place of tiger sighting is not crowded disturbing the tranquility of the wildlife.
Officials have also defined the carrying capacity in the tiger reserve. Only 60 vehicles would be allowed inside the tiger reserve during morning hours, while 57 vehicles would be allowed during evening shift. TATR management plans to decrease the number of entry gates gradually in coming months. At present tourists enter TATR through Moharli, Pangdi, Kolara, Jhari, Khutwanda and Navegaon gates, however three of these - Jhari, Khutwanda and Navegaon gates - will be closed in phases.
As per NTCA guidelines, park management needs to ensure maximum inviolate zones for the wildlife inside the tiger reserve. Authorities are chalking out two new tourists zones in buffer area. Once circuit routes and infrastructural development is accomplished in buffer, tourism would be gradually shifted to buffer zone.
Jim Corbett Special tiger force to become reality
Shishir Prashant / New Delhi/ Dehra Dun December 22, 2010, 0:06 IST
When the Jim Corbett National Park, one of the world’s most popular wildlife reserves, celebrates its platinum jubilee next year, it will get a gift that it absolutely needed — a special tiger protection force.
With the Uttarakhand cabinet headed by Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today giving its approval to the new force, the forest department is now hoping that the force will become a reality when the Corbett park, famous for its healthy tiger density, turns 75. Special functions will be organised in the first few months of 2011 to mark the 75th birth anniversary of the Corbett park.
After the cabinet meeting, top officials said the new tiger force will have one company comprising three platoons which will be headed by a forest officer of the rank of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF). Each platoon will have one ranger, six foresters and 30 special guards. The hallmark of the new force will be the 30 per cent of the forest guards will be from the local communities living in the vicinity of the park like Van Gujjars, the nomadic tribes.
The main task of the force will be to protect the tigers from poachers and will be given similar role like police and will enjoy power under 197 section of the criminal procedure code (CrPC) where a case is only registered after proper magisterial inquiry. With the mounting concern over the dwindling tiger population, the Centre approved the plan for such a force last year and would spend Rs 4 crore every year on it.
There are only about 1,400 tigers left in the country, as a result of poaching, shrinking habitats and a decline in the prey base. The Jim Corbett National Park — named after the celebrated hunter-writer who shot dead many a maneater in both Kumaon and Garhwal regions of the hill state — has nearly 160 tigers. This is one of the highest populations of tigers anywhere in the country. The government, animal lovers and even some corporations are working overtime to save the animal.
When the Jim Corbett National Park, one of the world’s most popular wildlife reserves, celebrates its platinum jubilee next year, it will get a gift that it absolutely needed — a special tiger protection force.
With the Uttarakhand cabinet headed by Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today giving its approval to the new force, the forest department is now hoping that the force will become a reality when the Corbett park, famous for its healthy tiger density, turns 75. Special functions will be organised in the first few months of 2011 to mark the 75th birth anniversary of the Corbett park.
After the cabinet meeting, top officials said the new tiger force will have one company comprising three platoons which will be headed by a forest officer of the rank of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF). Each platoon will have one ranger, six foresters and 30 special guards. The hallmark of the new force will be the 30 per cent of the forest guards will be from the local communities living in the vicinity of the park like Van Gujjars, the nomadic tribes.
The main task of the force will be to protect the tigers from poachers and will be given similar role like police and will enjoy power under 197 section of the criminal procedure code (CrPC) where a case is only registered after proper magisterial inquiry. With the mounting concern over the dwindling tiger population, the Centre approved the plan for such a force last year and would spend Rs 4 crore every year on it.
There are only about 1,400 tigers left in the country, as a result of poaching, shrinking habitats and a decline in the prey base. The Jim Corbett National Park — named after the celebrated hunter-writer who shot dead many a maneater in both Kumaon and Garhwal regions of the hill state — has nearly 160 tigers. This is one of the highest populations of tigers anywhere in the country. The government, animal lovers and even some corporations are working overtime to save the animal.
Manhunt launched after tiger killing in Chhattisgarh
After a headless tiger carcass was found in Kawardha district of Chhattisgarh, state police have formed several squads to arrest the poachers, an official said on Tuesday. The killing was reported from Amnia village, a forested zone under Kawardha, the home district of Chief Minister Raman Singh.
The forest department has suspended two local forest officers and ordered an enquiry.
The forest department has also asked its senior officer Rakesh Chaturvedi to rush to the site, about 300 km from Raipur, to investigate the tiger kiling.
"Yes, a decomposed body of a tiger was found in Amnia village in Kawardha's Pandaria block. Prima facie it looks the tiger was killed by a poacher several days or may be weeks earlier," Chaturvedi told IANS on phone.
The forest department has lodged a complaint of tiger's killing with police in Kawardha district. "We are dealing the case with utmost seriousness and urgency, we are interrogating a few villagers to apprehend the poachers or anyone who hunted down the tiger," said HS Rathore, Kawardha district police chief.
An official source here at the forest department headquarters said that a few officials tried to cover up the tiger's killing by projecting it as a case of death. But when enough evidences emerged about the tiger's death, they suspended the two local forest staff - a deputy ranger and a forest beat guard - and decided to order an enquiry.
The source added that poachers have easy access to the state's vast forested areas, including all the three Project Tiger reserves of Indravati, Udanti-Sitanadi and Achanakmar. A total of 219 posts of the sanctioned 420 lie vacant at the reserves.
The forest department has suspended two local forest officers and ordered an enquiry.
The forest department has also asked its senior officer Rakesh Chaturvedi to rush to the site, about 300 km from Raipur, to investigate the tiger kiling.
"Yes, a decomposed body of a tiger was found in Amnia village in Kawardha's Pandaria block. Prima facie it looks the tiger was killed by a poacher several days or may be weeks earlier," Chaturvedi told IANS on phone.
The forest department has lodged a complaint of tiger's killing with police in Kawardha district. "We are dealing the case with utmost seriousness and urgency, we are interrogating a few villagers to apprehend the poachers or anyone who hunted down the tiger," said HS Rathore, Kawardha district police chief.
An official source here at the forest department headquarters said that a few officials tried to cover up the tiger's killing by projecting it as a case of death. But when enough evidences emerged about the tiger's death, they suspended the two local forest staff - a deputy ranger and a forest beat guard - and decided to order an enquiry.
The source added that poachers have easy access to the state's vast forested areas, including all the three Project Tiger reserves of Indravati, Udanti-Sitanadi and Achanakmar. A total of 219 posts of the sanctioned 420 lie vacant at the reserves.
Sariska Tiger killing: Suspect to undergo brain mapping test on Dec 27
ALWAR: The brain mapping test of Parsadilal Gujjar, suspected in the killing of the tiger, ST-1, will be held on December 27. He will be in Ahmedabad till December 31.
Officials of the forest department said that the department will be seeking production warrant of the suspect on Wednesday when he will appear at a court in Rajgarh. They will be seeking his custody from December 26 to January 1. The brain-mapping test will be done at Gujarat Rajya Vidhi Science laboratory. Assistant conservator of forests, Bhagvan Singh Nathawat, is in touch with the laboratory for the same.
"However, narco analysis test will not be done now. For that we will have to seek separate permission," said an official.
Meanwhile, test report of the polygrah test done on Parsadi is expected on Wednesday. "Prima facie it seems that the test report is in favour of the forest department. Officials have hinted that the suspect may be hiding facts in his confession," said a source.
Officials of the forest department said that the department will be seeking production warrant of the suspect on Wednesday when he will appear at a court in Rajgarh. They will be seeking his custody from December 26 to January 1. The brain-mapping test will be done at Gujarat Rajya Vidhi Science laboratory. Assistant conservator of forests, Bhagvan Singh Nathawat, is in touch with the laboratory for the same.
"However, narco analysis test will not be done now. For that we will have to seek separate permission," said an official.
Meanwhile, test report of the polygrah test done on Parsadi is expected on Wednesday. "Prima facie it seems that the test report is in favour of the forest department. Officials have hinted that the suspect may be hiding facts in his confession," said a source.
NTCA panel to study leopard mortality in state
NAGPUR: There have been several studies and projects to look into the man-tiger conflict, but the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which monitors tiger reserves in the country, has for the first time set up a five-member panel for an appraisal of leopard mortality due to conflict with humans.
Sources said the committee, constituted on December 15, besides looking into the mortality of leopard arising out of conflict will suggest mitigation measures. The panel consists of NTCA members Brijendra Singh and Valmik Thapar, experts Vidya Atherya of Pune, Raghu Chundawat, Kartick Satyanarayan and NTCA member-secretary Rajesh Gopal.
S P Yadav, deputy inspector general (NTCA), told TOI that the scope of the committee is to look into causes of high leopard mortality and suggesting mitigating measures. "The study also includes Maharashtra and other vulnerable states. A meeting will be called soon in which chief wildlife wardens of problem states will also be invited," he added.
Although inclusion of noted experts in the committee will make a difference, in Maharashtra, man-leopard conflict has gone down while man-tiger problem continues to be more severe than leopards. Two-three years ago, around 40-50 leopards were trapped but now it has come down to 8-10 animals.
Chandrapur district in Vidarbha is the worst-affected. If the official figures for last five years from April 2005 to December 2010 are considered, then only five villagers have been killed by leopards and around 10 have been killed owing to conflict in leopard-dominated areas like Junnar, Nashik and Borivali. On the other side, 62 persons have been mauled by tigers during the same period in the region.
If not by conflict, leopard deaths due to poaching are increasing in the state. In 2010, from January to December, 35 leopards have died in the state. Of this, 18 deaths were from Vidarbha while other deaths were reported in villages near Ratnagiri, Sinnar, Junnar, Jalgaon, Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SNGP), Borivali, Pune and Hingoli.
Last year (2009), 48 leopards had died in the state. Despite the crisis, the entire focus has been on tigers by the authorities. This is for the first time that leopard mortality reasons will be studied. Both tigers and leopards are listed under the Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
Wildlife biologist Vidya Atherya says she is delighted to be included in the panel. She has studied the problem of leopards in Junnar for three years and measures suggested by her have come handy to curb leopard-human conflict in the state.
Atherya said, "My experience in Maharashtra will help in getting solutions in states like Uttrakhand and Gujarat where problem of leopard conflict is severe."
"We've found that leopard attacks on people are an aberration governed by complex factors which require us to increase our level of understanding. Leopards have always lived outside forests, be it tea gardens, fringes of forests, in croplands, and have also been reported from urban areas," Atherya said.
She added that people have not yet accepted that non-wilderness areas can support wildlife. Hence, they expect all leopards be confined in forests. So, leopards found outside forested areas are often trapped and moved to nearby forests.
"However, our work also found that leopards which had been living in village areas without attacking people started attacking them when they were released away from their territory. This was likely due to the stress they face during capture, release in an unknown area, and as we also found many instances, of translocated leopards homing back from where they were originally caught," Atherya stressed.
Sources said the committee, constituted on December 15, besides looking into the mortality of leopard arising out of conflict will suggest mitigation measures. The panel consists of NTCA members Brijendra Singh and Valmik Thapar, experts Vidya Atherya of Pune, Raghu Chundawat, Kartick Satyanarayan and NTCA member-secretary Rajesh Gopal.
S P Yadav, deputy inspector general (NTCA), told TOI that the scope of the committee is to look into causes of high leopard mortality and suggesting mitigating measures. "The study also includes Maharashtra and other vulnerable states. A meeting will be called soon in which chief wildlife wardens of problem states will also be invited," he added.
Although inclusion of noted experts in the committee will make a difference, in Maharashtra, man-leopard conflict has gone down while man-tiger problem continues to be more severe than leopards. Two-three years ago, around 40-50 leopards were trapped but now it has come down to 8-10 animals.
Chandrapur district in Vidarbha is the worst-affected. If the official figures for last five years from April 2005 to December 2010 are considered, then only five villagers have been killed by leopards and around 10 have been killed owing to conflict in leopard-dominated areas like Junnar, Nashik and Borivali. On the other side, 62 persons have been mauled by tigers during the same period in the region.
If not by conflict, leopard deaths due to poaching are increasing in the state. In 2010, from January to December, 35 leopards have died in the state. Of this, 18 deaths were from Vidarbha while other deaths were reported in villages near Ratnagiri, Sinnar, Junnar, Jalgaon, Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SNGP), Borivali, Pune and Hingoli.
Last year (2009), 48 leopards had died in the state. Despite the crisis, the entire focus has been on tigers by the authorities. This is for the first time that leopard mortality reasons will be studied. Both tigers and leopards are listed under the Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
Wildlife biologist Vidya Atherya says she is delighted to be included in the panel. She has studied the problem of leopards in Junnar for three years and measures suggested by her have come handy to curb leopard-human conflict in the state.
Atherya said, "My experience in Maharashtra will help in getting solutions in states like Uttrakhand and Gujarat where problem of leopard conflict is severe."
"We've found that leopard attacks on people are an aberration governed by complex factors which require us to increase our level of understanding. Leopards have always lived outside forests, be it tea gardens, fringes of forests, in croplands, and have also been reported from urban areas," Atherya said.
She added that people have not yet accepted that non-wilderness areas can support wildlife. Hence, they expect all leopards be confined in forests. So, leopards found outside forested areas are often trapped and moved to nearby forests.
"However, our work also found that leopards which had been living in village areas without attacking people started attacking them when they were released away from their territory. This was likely due to the stress they face during capture, release in an unknown area, and as we also found many instances, of translocated leopards homing back from where they were originally caught," Atherya stressed.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tiger census gets under way at Kaziranga
KOHORA, Dec 20 – The first phase of Tiger Census 2010, has been inaugurated by the Director of Kaziranga National Park Surajit Dutta today at Mihimukh.
The first phase of census is going to determine the basic factors such as availability of tiger habitat in all the ranges of Kaziranga National Park, any presence of co-predators, prey base, vegetation cover for scientific analysis for final phase of tiger census.
The first phase will continue till December 26. Altogether the Park is categorised into 38 blocks where the enumerators will survey the sign viz. pugmarks and rake marks of the tigers during the first initial three days followed by the determination of vegetation cover, transit mark.
The first phase of census is going to determine the basic factors such as availability of tiger habitat in all the ranges of Kaziranga National Park, any presence of co-predators, prey base, vegetation cover for scientific analysis for final phase of tiger census.
The first phase will continue till December 26. Altogether the Park is categorised into 38 blocks where the enumerators will survey the sign viz. pugmarks and rake marks of the tigers during the first initial three days followed by the determination of vegetation cover, transit mark.
MP CM opposes converting Ratapani sanctuary into tiger reserve
Bhopal, Dec 19 (PTI) Opposing the Centre''s plan to convert Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary into a tiger reserve, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said he is not against protection of tigers but would not do it "at the cost of the poor".
"Madhya Pradesh is a tiger state. We are not averse to tiger and its protection. But we do not want it at the cost of the poor, especially tribals. Many villages will need to be shifted for turning Ratapani into a tiger reserve," Chouhan said at the 15th national conference of Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad here.
Chouhan said that Union Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh has been talking about turning Ratapani into Tiger Reserve but that would call for shifting large numbers of villages.
The land of tribals can not be taken away in Madhya Pradesh, which has tough laws to check it, he added.
Listing several steps taken for the tribals, he said that 21 per cent of the state budget was earmarked for tribal development.
"Madhya Pradesh is a tiger state. We are not averse to tiger and its protection. But we do not want it at the cost of the poor, especially tribals. Many villages will need to be shifted for turning Ratapani into a tiger reserve," Chouhan said at the 15th national conference of Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad here.
Chouhan said that Union Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh has been talking about turning Ratapani into Tiger Reserve but that would call for shifting large numbers of villages.
The land of tribals can not be taken away in Madhya Pradesh, which has tough laws to check it, he added.
Listing several steps taken for the tribals, he said that 21 per cent of the state budget was earmarked for tribal development.
Monday, December 20, 2010
'Tigers attack livestock due to poor prey base in Molem'
PANAJI: Goa's wildlife sanctuaries, especially Molem and Mhadei, are part of a corridor for tigers, but a poor prey base makes it attack livestock, says A J T Johnsingh, wildlife advisor, wildlife institute of India (WII).
"They come here occassionally because there is good forest cover, but rampant poaching forces them to go for livestock, and people come to know about it," says Johnsingh, eminent wildlife biologist.
Last week, a sambar was killed near Anjunem dam and forest officials were shown the carcass and pug marks of the tiger. A buffalo and a cow had been killed in February and September this year in ghat areas of Chorla. A tiger had been shot dead after being trapped near a stream in Keri last year.
"Tigers come occasionally and they are reported in Mhadei and Molem. They are looking for a home and keep migrating," he said.
But Johnsingh is concerned about the weakened prey base due to rampant poaching in Goa and Karnataka.
"The condition of sambar, the largest deer in Asia ,is very dismal and the barking deer and bison (Gaur) are affected by lot of poaching over the years," he said.
The wildlife biologist is conducting a study through Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore, which has been funded by the Union ministry of environment and forests.
"The effort is aimed at looking at the landscape and corridor for large mammals, focussing on sambars, tiger, elephant, gaur among others, from Kanyakumari to Sahyadris," he said.
Johnsingh visited four wildlife sanctuaries of Mhadei, Bhagwan Mahaveer in Molem, Neturlim and Cotigao for his rapid survey. "There are a lot of settlements inside sanctuaries, and the residents wield political influence," he added.
The forest department census in 2004 had enumerated five tigers in Goa. But wildlife enthusiasts have been critical of forest department's denial mode of the tiger's existence in Goa in the past.
Human intervention in the form of mining, deforestation and growing settlement areas are seen as the biggest threats to this global bio-diversity hotspot. "For this reason, environmental bodies from three states had proposed to MOEF the creation of Sahyadri Ecologically Sensitive Area (SESA) in three states," Claude Alvares, an environmentalist said.
Nitin Sawant, director world wide fund for nature (WWF) Goa said the stress should be on saving the tiger habitat instead of saving the big cat. "Mining activities should not be allowed in and around the vicinity of the tiger corridor," he said.
Johnsingh said he had conveyed to Goa's chief wildlife warden Shashi Kumar his observation about the poor prey base. "We could see the bison only in Molem and not any other sanctuaries," he said.
Johnsingh, who will submit his report shortly, said the state has a good forest cover with the state's wildlife sanctuaries spanning a protective cover of 755 sq km. Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary and other forest areas in Karnataka form a contiguous passage for wildlife. Tigers from nearby Anshi tiger reserve are known to stray into Goa.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has recognised the Goa corridor as Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) mark 2, whereas major tiger habitats (Bandipur, Madamalai, Nagarhole) are graded on a higher scale."Goa is an important buffer zone if Anshi comes under some threat ," sources said.
Additional principal chief conservator, Shashi Kumar confirmed he had discussions with Johnsingh.
"We are waiting for assessment of preliminary data from WII," he said, and added. "A camera trap method as part of second phase of wildlife census will help clear a few aspects regarding tiger's movement in Goa."
But the WII advisor called for curbs on poaching. "Not much attention is given to it," he said, recalling Keri tiger poaching case. Further, he said any effort to increase the wild life will need lot of conservation.
"If the habitat is given good protection, it will take several years for the population to increase."
"They come here occassionally because there is good forest cover, but rampant poaching forces them to go for livestock, and people come to know about it," says Johnsingh, eminent wildlife biologist.
Last week, a sambar was killed near Anjunem dam and forest officials were shown the carcass and pug marks of the tiger. A buffalo and a cow had been killed in February and September this year in ghat areas of Chorla. A tiger had been shot dead after being trapped near a stream in Keri last year.
"Tigers come occasionally and they are reported in Mhadei and Molem. They are looking for a home and keep migrating," he said.
But Johnsingh is concerned about the weakened prey base due to rampant poaching in Goa and Karnataka.
"The condition of sambar, the largest deer in Asia ,is very dismal and the barking deer and bison (Gaur) are affected by lot of poaching over the years," he said.
The wildlife biologist is conducting a study through Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore, which has been funded by the Union ministry of environment and forests.
"The effort is aimed at looking at the landscape and corridor for large mammals, focussing on sambars, tiger, elephant, gaur among others, from Kanyakumari to Sahyadris," he said.
Johnsingh visited four wildlife sanctuaries of Mhadei, Bhagwan Mahaveer in Molem, Neturlim and Cotigao for his rapid survey. "There are a lot of settlements inside sanctuaries, and the residents wield political influence," he added.
The forest department census in 2004 had enumerated five tigers in Goa. But wildlife enthusiasts have been critical of forest department's denial mode of the tiger's existence in Goa in the past.
Human intervention in the form of mining, deforestation and growing settlement areas are seen as the biggest threats to this global bio-diversity hotspot. "For this reason, environmental bodies from three states had proposed to MOEF the creation of Sahyadri Ecologically Sensitive Area (SESA) in three states," Claude Alvares, an environmentalist said.
Nitin Sawant, director world wide fund for nature (WWF) Goa said the stress should be on saving the tiger habitat instead of saving the big cat. "Mining activities should not be allowed in and around the vicinity of the tiger corridor," he said.
Johnsingh said he had conveyed to Goa's chief wildlife warden Shashi Kumar his observation about the poor prey base. "We could see the bison only in Molem and not any other sanctuaries," he said.
Johnsingh, who will submit his report shortly, said the state has a good forest cover with the state's wildlife sanctuaries spanning a protective cover of 755 sq km. Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary and other forest areas in Karnataka form a contiguous passage for wildlife. Tigers from nearby Anshi tiger reserve are known to stray into Goa.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has recognised the Goa corridor as Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) mark 2, whereas major tiger habitats (Bandipur, Madamalai, Nagarhole) are graded on a higher scale."Goa is an important buffer zone if Anshi comes under some threat ," sources said.
Additional principal chief conservator, Shashi Kumar confirmed he had discussions with Johnsingh.
"We are waiting for assessment of preliminary data from WII," he said, and added. "A camera trap method as part of second phase of wildlife census will help clear a few aspects regarding tiger's movement in Goa."
But the WII advisor called for curbs on poaching. "Not much attention is given to it," he said, recalling Keri tiger poaching case. Further, he said any effort to increase the wild life will need lot of conservation.
"If the habitat is given good protection, it will take several years for the population to increase."
Naxal threat affects tigers too
The national tiger reserve which is situated in this backward district has been affected by the activities of the Maoists. And now nobody knows whether there are any tigers left in the reserve.
Nationwide drive
Established in 1973 and spread across 1,014 sq.km., the reserve had 22 tigers. In spite of a nationwide drive to conserve tigers, the big cat's population in this district has been dwindling. The 2007 census put the Palamu tiger population at 17. This has further reduced to 13, according to a forest guard. However the actual figures are not known as the Maoist presence impeded survey.
Increased naxal activities are also affecting routine forest management. A senior official says more than 70 per cent of the reserve remains unprotected as the officials and staff have come under attack from the Maoists.
According to him, in May 1999 a ranger was abducted and robbed, in August 2003 a forest tracker was killed and in September 2004 a forester and driver were killed in a landmine blast. Last year the rebels killed a forest ranger and robbed him. A forest guard says: “Earlier the reserve used to be open till late at night but as the animal's eyes were being affected by the torch used by the guide to point at the animals, we close the reserve early.”
Water scarcity
Scarcity of water is also affecting the reserve. It is one of the poorest districts in India and classified by the State government as “food insecure.”
Keywords: Palamu tiger reserve, naxal threat
Nationwide drive
Established in 1973 and spread across 1,014 sq.km., the reserve had 22 tigers. In spite of a nationwide drive to conserve tigers, the big cat's population in this district has been dwindling. The 2007 census put the Palamu tiger population at 17. This has further reduced to 13, according to a forest guard. However the actual figures are not known as the Maoist presence impeded survey.
Increased naxal activities are also affecting routine forest management. A senior official says more than 70 per cent of the reserve remains unprotected as the officials and staff have come under attack from the Maoists.
According to him, in May 1999 a ranger was abducted and robbed, in August 2003 a forest tracker was killed and in September 2004 a forester and driver were killed in a landmine blast. Last year the rebels killed a forest ranger and robbed him. A forest guard says: “Earlier the reserve used to be open till late at night but as the animal's eyes were being affected by the torch used by the guide to point at the animals, we close the reserve early.”
Water scarcity
Scarcity of water is also affecting the reserve. It is one of the poorest districts in India and classified by the State government as “food insecure.”
Keywords: Palamu tiger reserve, naxal threat
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Jairam writes to Orissa on low-flying chopper over tiger reserve
Union Minister for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh has written two separate letters to Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel, requesting their intervention in the matter of a chopper flying low inside a tiger reserve of the state.
In December 2009, National Board for Wildlife member Biswajit Mohanty had sent a letter to member-secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority, complaining about a low-flying helicopter inside Satkosia tiger reserve.
In his reminder to the NTCA sent this month, the NBW member referred to a video aired by a local TV channel that showed the videos of the low-flying helicopter inside the tiger reserve. The report alleged that the chopper was being flown by an MP of the ruling BJD.
“The complaint regarding low-flying helicopters is a very serious one, since this causes considerable disturbance to wild animals and is an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act,” Jairam’s letter to Naveen said.
Taking objection to the reports that a tourist resort was operating inside the core area of the tiger reserve, Ramesh said that the core area of the tiger reserve needs to remain inviolate for tigers and its co-predators under Wildlife Protection Amendment Act, 2006. “Therefore it may please be ensured that the said Act may be implemented in letter and spirit by fostering eco-tourism ventures in the fringe/buffer area of Satkoisa as per the guidelines of Project Tiger,” he wrote.
In the letter to the Civil Aviation Minister, Ramesh said that low flight over wildlife habitats amount to hunting under the WP Act since it causes disturbance to wild animals. Referring to a complaint of the Orissa government lodged with Civil Aviation Ministry’s Calcutta-based Air Traffic Management Unit, he urged him for his intervention.
In December 2009, National Board for Wildlife member Biswajit Mohanty had sent a letter to member-secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority, complaining about a low-flying helicopter inside Satkosia tiger reserve.
In his reminder to the NTCA sent this month, the NBW member referred to a video aired by a local TV channel that showed the videos of the low-flying helicopter inside the tiger reserve. The report alleged that the chopper was being flown by an MP of the ruling BJD.
“The complaint regarding low-flying helicopters is a very serious one, since this causes considerable disturbance to wild animals and is an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act,” Jairam’s letter to Naveen said.
Taking objection to the reports that a tourist resort was operating inside the core area of the tiger reserve, Ramesh said that the core area of the tiger reserve needs to remain inviolate for tigers and its co-predators under Wildlife Protection Amendment Act, 2006. “Therefore it may please be ensured that the said Act may be implemented in letter and spirit by fostering eco-tourism ventures in the fringe/buffer area of Satkoisa as per the guidelines of Project Tiger,” he wrote.
In the letter to the Civil Aviation Minister, Ramesh said that low flight over wildlife habitats amount to hunting under the WP Act since it causes disturbance to wild animals. Referring to a complaint of the Orissa government lodged with Civil Aviation Ministry’s Calcutta-based Air Traffic Management Unit, he urged him for his intervention.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Tiger pugmarks sighted at Anjunem
KERI: Despite the government so far refusing to admit it, there is once again evidence that Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary on the eastern border of Goa, is a tiger habitat. Pugmarks of the big cat were discovered by the remains of a fully grown sambhar at Anjunem last week. A forest department survey team on a visit to Anjunem noticed the sambhar carcass and the pugmarks on the hilly areas of Anjunem. Local guide Vithoba Gawas of Shiroli who accompanied the survey team said, "A carcass of a sambhar was lying on the ground and pugmarks of the big cat were near it."
When contacted Keri range forest officer Deepak Betkikar said, "I will inform the officials of the department and immediately visit the site in Anjunem where the sambhar's carcass is lying." Forest dept is likely to survey the area on Saturday. Earlier in Charavane village, situated within the Mhadei Sanctuary, a buffalo belonging to shepherd Babu Mano Phale was killed by a tiger on February 4, 2009.
Also on September 27, 2009 a cow belonging to Sai Pingle of Bamanwada-Vagheri was killed by a tiger at Ponsule. Findings of both incidents were documented by forest officials. Assistant conservator of forests Subhash Henrique had last year recorded pugmarks of a tigress and a cub in Anjunem dam area and the tiger census last summer had recorded pugmarks of the big cat. People travelling through Chorla Ghat area of the sanctuary at night have reported sighting a tiger several times.
When contacted Keri range forest officer Deepak Betkikar said, "I will inform the officials of the department and immediately visit the site in Anjunem where the sambhar's carcass is lying." Forest dept is likely to survey the area on Saturday. Earlier in Charavane village, situated within the Mhadei Sanctuary, a buffalo belonging to shepherd Babu Mano Phale was killed by a tiger on February 4, 2009.
Also on September 27, 2009 a cow belonging to Sai Pingle of Bamanwada-Vagheri was killed by a tiger at Ponsule. Findings of both incidents were documented by forest officials. Assistant conservator of forests Subhash Henrique had last year recorded pugmarks of a tigress and a cub in Anjunem dam area and the tiger census last summer had recorded pugmarks of the big cat. People travelling through Chorla Ghat area of the sanctuary at night have reported sighting a tiger several times.
Tiger pugmarks sighted at Anjunem
KERI: Despite the government so far refusing to admit it, there is once again evidence that Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary on the eastern border of Goa, is a tiger habitat. Pugmarks of the big cat were discovered by the remains of a fully grown sambhar at Anjunem last week. A forest department survey team on a visit to Anjunem noticed the sambhar carcass and the pugmarks on the hilly areas of Anjunem. Local guide Vithoba Gawas of Shiroli who accompanied the survey team said, "A carcass of a sambhar was lying on the ground and pugmarks of the big cat were near it."
When contacted Keri range forest officer Deepak Betkikar said, "I will inform the officials of the department and immediately visit the site in Anjunem where the sambhar's carcass is lying." Forest dept is likely to survey the area on Saturday. Earlier in Charavane village, situated within the Mhadei Sanctuary, a buffalo belonging to shepherd Babu Mano Phale was killed by a tiger on February 4, 2009.
Also on September 27, 2009 a cow belonging to Sai Pingle of Bamanwada-Vagheri was killed by a tiger at Ponsule. Findings of both incidents were documented by forest officials. Assistant conservator of forests Subhash Henrique had last year recorded pugmarks of a tigress and a cub in Anjunem dam area and the tiger census last summer had recorded pugmarks of the big cat. People travelling through Chorla Ghat area of the sanctuary at night have reported sighting a tiger several times.
When contacted Keri range forest officer Deepak Betkikar said, "I will inform the officials of the department and immediately visit the site in Anjunem where the sambhar's carcass is lying." Forest dept is likely to survey the area on Saturday. Earlier in Charavane village, situated within the Mhadei Sanctuary, a buffalo belonging to shepherd Babu Mano Phale was killed by a tiger on February 4, 2009.
Also on September 27, 2009 a cow belonging to Sai Pingle of Bamanwada-Vagheri was killed by a tiger at Ponsule. Findings of both incidents were documented by forest officials. Assistant conservator of forests Subhash Henrique had last year recorded pugmarks of a tigress and a cub in Anjunem dam area and the tiger census last summer had recorded pugmarks of the big cat. People travelling through Chorla Ghat area of the sanctuary at night have reported sighting a tiger several times.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Bid to relocate sambhars from Sarika goes awry
JAIPUR/ALWAR: It was another relocation bid that went awry. The animal in question this time was the meek sambhar.
Planned on the lines of the tiger relocation from Ranthambore tiger reserve to Sariska, it entailed relocating 70 sambhars from Sariska to Sajjangarh, Kumbhalgarh sanctuaries in Udaipur district and to Rajgarh in Alwar to help establish a bigger population of the animal there.
But having relocated some sambhars on Wednesday, the brakes came with the ministry of forest and environment taking a strong exception to the relocation without the assistance of a technical person. Objections were also raised as this would destroy the prey base of tigers at Sariska where the ministry has already spent crores for reestablishing a tiger population.
While the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, located 5 km from Udaipur, the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is 65 km from City of Lakes. Rajgarh is 35 km from Alwar, spread amid lovely wooded valleys.
"We had relocated two sambhars on Wednesday from Sariska to Udaipur. But after objections from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) we have stopped," forest department officials said. However, sources added at least six Sambhars, two females and four males, may have already been relocated.
"The issue is all of them may not have reached there alive," the source added.
Similar attempts had been made twice earlier but the project had to be cancelled after strong objections from certain quarters due to the death of many of these animals.
"In case of sambhars, all animals tranquillised are not in the best of health. They may be suffering from disease and when tranquillised many fail to regain consciousness," said a forest official.
"Moreover, in the absence of a technical person what was happening was sambhars were being taken from the Kalighati area in Sariska which is the core area for tigers. This would not only disturb the prey base for tigers but the remaining sambhars may flee to the periphery leaving little food for the tiger," an expert said.
He suggested instead sambhars should have been caught from the outskirts of the forest. "Too many sambhars can be seen roaming in the periphery and are often hit by vehicles plying on the the nearby highway," he said.
Contacted, officials of the forest department said, "We were not for the project but often one has to act under pressure." In fact, sources revealed that Union minister for forest and environment Jairam Ramesh has written to chief minister Ashok Gehlot seeking his personal intervention to stop the project.
But reports are that the project is not shelved completely and officials from Udaipur were still in Sariska and might resume relocation of sambhars any time.
Forest officials refused to comment as the project was initiated at the behest of a senior state bureaucrat.
Read more: Bid to relocate sambhars from Sarika goes awry - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Bid-to-relocate-sambhars-from-Sarika-goes-awry/articleshow/7114435.cms#ixzz18LbdYZLM
Planned on the lines of the tiger relocation from Ranthambore tiger reserve to Sariska, it entailed relocating 70 sambhars from Sariska to Sajjangarh, Kumbhalgarh sanctuaries in Udaipur district and to Rajgarh in Alwar to help establish a bigger population of the animal there.
But having relocated some sambhars on Wednesday, the brakes came with the ministry of forest and environment taking a strong exception to the relocation without the assistance of a technical person. Objections were also raised as this would destroy the prey base of tigers at Sariska where the ministry has already spent crores for reestablishing a tiger population.
While the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, located 5 km from Udaipur, the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is 65 km from City of Lakes. Rajgarh is 35 km from Alwar, spread amid lovely wooded valleys.
"We had relocated two sambhars on Wednesday from Sariska to Udaipur. But after objections from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) we have stopped," forest department officials said. However, sources added at least six Sambhars, two females and four males, may have already been relocated.
"The issue is all of them may not have reached there alive," the source added.
Similar attempts had been made twice earlier but the project had to be cancelled after strong objections from certain quarters due to the death of many of these animals.
"In case of sambhars, all animals tranquillised are not in the best of health. They may be suffering from disease and when tranquillised many fail to regain consciousness," said a forest official.
"Moreover, in the absence of a technical person what was happening was sambhars were being taken from the Kalighati area in Sariska which is the core area for tigers. This would not only disturb the prey base for tigers but the remaining sambhars may flee to the periphery leaving little food for the tiger," an expert said.
He suggested instead sambhars should have been caught from the outskirts of the forest. "Too many sambhars can be seen roaming in the periphery and are often hit by vehicles plying on the the nearby highway," he said.
Contacted, officials of the forest department said, "We were not for the project but often one has to act under pressure." In fact, sources revealed that Union minister for forest and environment Jairam Ramesh has written to chief minister Ashok Gehlot seeking his personal intervention to stop the project.
But reports are that the project is not shelved completely and officials from Udaipur were still in Sariska and might resume relocation of sambhars any time.
Forest officials refused to comment as the project was initiated at the behest of a senior state bureaucrat.
Read more: Bid to relocate sambhars from Sarika goes awry - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Bid-to-relocate-sambhars-from-Sarika-goes-awry/articleshow/7114435.cms#ixzz18LbdYZLM
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Protection force for Pench, Tadoba ayed
NAGPUR: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday took top forest officials by surprise when he green signalled setting up of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) for two tiger reserves in Maharashtra. At a meeting held at Van Sabhagruha, Pawar agreed to set up STPF by creating 224 posts.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body under the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) monitoring the tiger reserves in the country, has mandated setting up of STPFs in tiger reserves with 100% central assistance. The STPF is to be set up in Pench & Tadoba-Andhari in Maharashtra, Dudhwa-Katerniaghat & Corbett in Uttar Pradesh, Ranthambhore in Rajasthan, Kanha, Bandhavgarh & Pench in Madhya Pradesh, Pakke in Arunachal Pradesh, Bandipur in Karnataka, Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu, Kaziranga in Assam and Similipal in Orissa.
The issue was hanging fire for over two years, with the state government taking no steps to set up STPF. The STPF will be on the lines of India Reserve Battalion. The guidelines were issued on February 5, 2009. Later, these norms were revised on May 11, 2009, with the condition of inducting policemen relaxed.
On Wednesday, top forest officials managed to convince Pawar, who issued orders to the finance department to create 224 posts for the STPF. Initially, a company of 112 in each reserve, headed by an assistant commandant and having three PSIs, six head constables and 90 constables is to be formed. Now the same battalion can be headed by forest officials.
Top forest officials told Pawar that the money towards salaries of the staff would come from the Centre. They also told the him that if, after 10 years, the Centre stops grants for STPF, many employees in the department would have retired and hence there will be no extra financial burden on the state.
Officials told Pawar that considering the danger to tiger and the need for urgently stepping up protection in sensitive areas having source populations of tiger with the active involvement of forest dwelling communities, the matter has been reviewed. The STPF would comprise of only forest personnel like ACF, RFOs, foresters and forest guards. However, 30% of the STPF guards would comprise local forest people. They will be entitled to same salary and emoluments through the service provider, as regular guards.
Among the other decisions, Pawar also agreed to set up a secret fund after he was told that Central Government was ready to give Rs 25 lakh for the purpose. He also directed the finance department officials to expedite release of money towards cattle and human kill compensation to save wildlife.
Officials also raised the issue of relocation of villages from tiger reserves in the state. Pawar was told that Rs 700 crore were needed to relocate all villages from the PAs in the state. Pawar managed to get Rs 80 crore to relocate villages in Koyna but relocation of villages in reserves in Vidarbha is completely stalled.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body under the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) monitoring the tiger reserves in the country, has mandated setting up of STPFs in tiger reserves with 100% central assistance. The STPF is to be set up in Pench & Tadoba-Andhari in Maharashtra, Dudhwa-Katerniaghat & Corbett in Uttar Pradesh, Ranthambhore in Rajasthan, Kanha, Bandhavgarh & Pench in Madhya Pradesh, Pakke in Arunachal Pradesh, Bandipur in Karnataka, Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu, Kaziranga in Assam and Similipal in Orissa.
The issue was hanging fire for over two years, with the state government taking no steps to set up STPF. The STPF will be on the lines of India Reserve Battalion. The guidelines were issued on February 5, 2009. Later, these norms were revised on May 11, 2009, with the condition of inducting policemen relaxed.
On Wednesday, top forest officials managed to convince Pawar, who issued orders to the finance department to create 224 posts for the STPF. Initially, a company of 112 in each reserve, headed by an assistant commandant and having three PSIs, six head constables and 90 constables is to be formed. Now the same battalion can be headed by forest officials.
Top forest officials told Pawar that the money towards salaries of the staff would come from the Centre. They also told the him that if, after 10 years, the Centre stops grants for STPF, many employees in the department would have retired and hence there will be no extra financial burden on the state.
Officials told Pawar that considering the danger to tiger and the need for urgently stepping up protection in sensitive areas having source populations of tiger with the active involvement of forest dwelling communities, the matter has been reviewed. The STPF would comprise of only forest personnel like ACF, RFOs, foresters and forest guards. However, 30% of the STPF guards would comprise local forest people. They will be entitled to same salary and emoluments through the service provider, as regular guards.
Among the other decisions, Pawar also agreed to set up a secret fund after he was told that Central Government was ready to give Rs 25 lakh for the purpose. He also directed the finance department officials to expedite release of money towards cattle and human kill compensation to save wildlife.
Officials also raised the issue of relocation of villages from tiger reserves in the state. Pawar was told that Rs 700 crore were needed to relocate all villages from the PAs in the state. Pawar managed to get Rs 80 crore to relocate villages in Koyna but relocation of villages in reserves in Vidarbha is completely stalled.
Tiger killing: Suspect undergoes polygraph test
ALWAR/JAIPUR: The man suspected in the killing of male tiger ST-1 at the Sariska tiger reserve, Parsadilal Gujjar, was on Wednesday taken to the CBI's Centre for Forensic laboratory for a polygraphy test. The test will ascertain the extent to which the suspect is involved in the poisoning of the tiger.
"Parsadilal left for Delhi from Sariska in the wee hours this morning. On reaching Delhi, he was taken to the forensic laboratory at about 10.30. The tests will be done on him and in about two days we will get to know whether he was involved in he killing of the tiger," said an official.
While the state forest department has been suspecting Parsadilal of poisoning the tiger, the suspect has so far just accepted that he had chanced upon the carcass of the big cat after which he cut off the whiskers from the body in the hope of selling it later a high price. But the fact that Parsadilal had the whiskers with him has made the forest department suspect him of having killed it too.
However, the department's breakthrough in the investigation met a road block when local MLA Hem Singh Bhadana warned the officials not to harass the villagers of Kalakhet in Sariska merely on suspicion. It was at this point that the forest department decided to bring things to light with the help of a polygraphy test.
The needle of suspicion rested on Parsadilal when the forest department during initial investigation saw him behaving uncomfortably when quizzed on the killing of the tiger. Thereafter the department has been keeping a tab on him and made him yield eventually.
"Parsadilal left for Delhi from Sariska in the wee hours this morning. On reaching Delhi, he was taken to the forensic laboratory at about 10.30. The tests will be done on him and in about two days we will get to know whether he was involved in he killing of the tiger," said an official.
While the state forest department has been suspecting Parsadilal of poisoning the tiger, the suspect has so far just accepted that he had chanced upon the carcass of the big cat after which he cut off the whiskers from the body in the hope of selling it later a high price. But the fact that Parsadilal had the whiskers with him has made the forest department suspect him of having killed it too.
However, the department's breakthrough in the investigation met a road block when local MLA Hem Singh Bhadana warned the officials not to harass the villagers of Kalakhet in Sariska merely on suspicion. It was at this point that the forest department decided to bring things to light with the help of a polygraphy test.
The needle of suspicion rested on Parsadilal when the forest department during initial investigation saw him behaving uncomfortably when quizzed on the killing of the tiger. Thereafter the department has been keeping a tab on him and made him yield eventually.
Fire threatens Sariska reserve
Alwar: As a forest fire approached the Kyara village, situated in vicinity of Sariska Tiger Reserve, officials of state forest department and district administration of Alwar locked horns, each shirking responsibility.
According to villagers, the forest fire started in the bushes near Thanagazi on Sunday but the authorities were clueless even after 48 hours as the fire kept raging in more than 15 square kilometres within miles of the Sariska reserve until shepherds going into the hilly terrain reported it.
"We were informed about the fire on Tuesday morning but it did not fall within our jurisdiction. However, we informed the local administration about it as it's their responsibility," Jai Kishan, assistant conservator of forest (ACF), Alwar said.
On the other hand, the local administration said that they were busy in a camp organised under Prashsahn Gaon ke Sang campaign in the nearby Kishori village, which is 2 km away from the site.
"We received the information about the fire today [Tuesday] but could not reach the spot as we were busy in the camp. I don't know if the fire is still raging," Vinay Nagayach, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Thanagazi said.
Allegedly the fire started from a pyre ignited by woodcutters to get rid of the chilly winds.
When DNA reached the spot late on Tuesday evening the fire was still simmering at many places near the Golradi area.
"The villagers had spotted the fire on Sunday evening but forest officials did not come until Tuesday. And even when the forest official did arrive on Tuesday they refused to act as the area did not fall under their jurisdiction. Later, the villagers doused the fire," Laxmikant Meena, a village
According to villagers, the forest fire started in the bushes near Thanagazi on Sunday but the authorities were clueless even after 48 hours as the fire kept raging in more than 15 square kilometres within miles of the Sariska reserve until shepherds going into the hilly terrain reported it.
"We were informed about the fire on Tuesday morning but it did not fall within our jurisdiction. However, we informed the local administration about it as it's their responsibility," Jai Kishan, assistant conservator of forest (ACF), Alwar said.
On the other hand, the local administration said that they were busy in a camp organised under Prashsahn Gaon ke Sang campaign in the nearby Kishori village, which is 2 km away from the site.
"We received the information about the fire today [Tuesday] but could not reach the spot as we were busy in the camp. I don't know if the fire is still raging," Vinay Nagayach, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Thanagazi said.
Allegedly the fire started from a pyre ignited by woodcutters to get rid of the chilly winds.
When DNA reached the spot late on Tuesday evening the fire was still simmering at many places near the Golradi area.
"The villagers had spotted the fire on Sunday evening but forest officials did not come until Tuesday. And even when the forest official did arrive on Tuesday they refused to act as the area did not fall under their jurisdiction. Later, the villagers doused the fire," Laxmikant Meena, a village
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Another tiger birth in Ranthambore?
JAIPUR: Close on the heels of the birth of two new cubs at the Ranthambore tiger reserve in the recent past, there could be some more good news in store. Indications are that another big cat may have given birth to some cubs. Though officials did not confirm it, pugmarks of cubs are said to have been seen in the area.
"The tigress was recently sighted in the Kachida area and it seems she has given birth to some cubs. The inference gained credence after pugmarks of some cubs were also sighted in the area."
The tigress may be the T-5, said to be the mother of male tigers T-6 and T-7. The area also houses the T-8 tigress. But sources say that all the three big cats are out of the area currently and so there will not be any threat to the new born cubs.
Officials of the forest department, however, refuted the claims on the grounds that there were no scientific evidences suggesting the birth of the cubs. But what officials have done is to fit camera traps in a large portion of the reserve to take pictures of the cubs and tigers.
"We have about 30 camera traps and we have borrowed some from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun. These have been fixed at the park. But this is not for taking pictures of the cubs. This is an annual thing that scientists of the WII are doing. It would take about 20 days to cover the entire park," said RP Gupta, DFO Ranthambore.
Sources also said that the T-5 tigress was seen mating during the monsoon and the forest department has been expecting the birth of these cubs. "Tiger cubs come out in the open only after about four months of their birth. And till there is actual sighting or a picture, we cannot say that cubs have been born, and in this case we have neither," officials added.
The birth of the cubs would be a big respite for officials of the state forest department that has been fighting hard to explain numerous tigers straying away from the Ranthambore tiger reserve. Added to that, the death of the first relocated tiger ST-1 to Sariska has been a big jolt.
Moreover, there has been a lull at Ranthambore after 2008 that saw the birth of some cubs. The next two years failed to see any new born allegedly due to a skewed sex ratio at the park.
"The tigress was recently sighted in the Kachida area and it seems she has given birth to some cubs. The inference gained credence after pugmarks of some cubs were also sighted in the area."
The tigress may be the T-5, said to be the mother of male tigers T-6 and T-7. The area also houses the T-8 tigress. But sources say that all the three big cats are out of the area currently and so there will not be any threat to the new born cubs.
Officials of the forest department, however, refuted the claims on the grounds that there were no scientific evidences suggesting the birth of the cubs. But what officials have done is to fit camera traps in a large portion of the reserve to take pictures of the cubs and tigers.
"We have about 30 camera traps and we have borrowed some from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun. These have been fixed at the park. But this is not for taking pictures of the cubs. This is an annual thing that scientists of the WII are doing. It would take about 20 days to cover the entire park," said RP Gupta, DFO Ranthambore.
Sources also said that the T-5 tigress was seen mating during the monsoon and the forest department has been expecting the birth of these cubs. "Tiger cubs come out in the open only after about four months of their birth. And till there is actual sighting or a picture, we cannot say that cubs have been born, and in this case we have neither," officials added.
The birth of the cubs would be a big respite for officials of the state forest department that has been fighting hard to explain numerous tigers straying away from the Ranthambore tiger reserve. Added to that, the death of the first relocated tiger ST-1 to Sariska has been a big jolt.
Moreover, there has been a lull at Ranthambore after 2008 that saw the birth of some cubs. The next two years failed to see any new born allegedly due to a skewed sex ratio at the park.
Tourism in Madhya Pradesh at the cost of the tigers?
While the "warning" to tiger conservationists against the PIL might seem puzzling, it has long been an open secret that many conservationists run highly profitable tourism enterprises.
A recent email written by the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) of Madhya Pradesh, asking tour operators to “take whatever steps you think will be appropriate to protect your interests” in the core areas of the tiger reserves of the State, has brought the forest department's conservation efforts under scrutiny.
The email was written by CWLW H.S. Pabla on November 14, five days after a public interest litigation (PIL), filed in the Madhya Pradesh High Court by Ajay Dube of Prayatna, an environment group, sought, among other things, a complete ban on tourism in core areas of tiger reserves.
The email asks international wildlife tour organisations to make sure the PIL “does not succeed” by impleading themselves as affected parties. Subsequently, a number of intervention applications have been filed in the High Court by the tour operators “concerned” as affected parties.
The addressees who have been asked to protect their interests include representatives of the Taj Hotels and those of Travel Operators For Tigers (TOFT), an international wildlife tour organisation, among others.
TOFT was reportedly instrumental in getting the State forest department to push a proposal in the Ministry of Environment and Forests to allow for patches of forest reserves to be handed over to them to be run as South African-style safaris where rich tourists could be catered to. The Ministry rejected the proposal.
CONSERVATIONISTS' ROLE
The list includes renowned tiger experts and conservationists Dhruv Singh and Hashim Tyabji, with one of them holding top positions at TOFT and being owner-partners of Baghvan, a tourist resort in the Pench Tiger Reserve, the scenic backdrop of Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book.
While the “warning” to tiger conservationists against the PIL might seem puzzling, it has long been an open secret that many conservationists run highly profitable tourism enterprises.
Tourist activities in core areas have been clearly stated as inimical to tiger conservation under Section 38V (4) (i) of the Wild Life Protection Act, and under the revised guidelines (2008, para 4.17) of Project Tiger, the Centrally sponsored tiger conservation scheme launched in 1972.
The NTCA's response to the PIL maintains this stand while defining the word inviolate to mean “any disturbance by humans” and emphasising that the word needs to be read in toto following the 2006 amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) response also states that the amendment has “strengthened the hands of the Chief Wildlife Warden to achieve the same.”
While sources in the NTCA maintain that the CWLW's actions are in direct conflict with his role as the chief conservationist of the State, Mr. Pabla clarified to The Hindu that as a professional, he had to maintain correspondence with all stakeholders in such matters, but refused to comment further since the matter was sub judice.
The sources told The Hindu that senior officials of the Madhya Pradesh forest department and several other retired and serving senior bureaucrats had interests in tourism activities in and around the Panna, Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves.
When asked, Mr. Pabla refuted such allegations. “Neither I, nor any relative of mine anywhere in the world, have any interests in tourism activities in core areas, and to the best of my knowledge, none of the forest officials in M.P. does,” he said.
‘We like tourism'
“We like tourism — it gets us revenue and supports conservation. The State government will be opposing the PIL officially,” a senior forest official told The Hindu.
The Madhya Pradesh government has consistently maintained a pro-tourism stand for the core areas of tiger reserves. It recently gave the ‘Tourism Friendly Forester' award to Mr. Pabla, who was instrumental in launching the ‘Patrolling the Tiger land' initiative, allowing tourists to visit core areas of tiger reserves from October.
Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh had expressed shock at the initiative and requested the State government to stop it. However, forest officials maintain that the initiative is “suspended temporarily.”
“We don't want to throttle tourism, but it needs to be regulated and gradually phased out of core areas in keeping with the Wildlife Protection Act,” NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal told The Hindu.
Keywords: tiger reserves, National Tiger Conservation Authority, Madhya Pradesh tourism
A recent email written by the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) of Madhya Pradesh, asking tour operators to “take whatever steps you think will be appropriate to protect your interests” in the core areas of the tiger reserves of the State, has brought the forest department's conservation efforts under scrutiny.
The email was written by CWLW H.S. Pabla on November 14, five days after a public interest litigation (PIL), filed in the Madhya Pradesh High Court by Ajay Dube of Prayatna, an environment group, sought, among other things, a complete ban on tourism in core areas of tiger reserves.
The email asks international wildlife tour organisations to make sure the PIL “does not succeed” by impleading themselves as affected parties. Subsequently, a number of intervention applications have been filed in the High Court by the tour operators “concerned” as affected parties.
The addressees who have been asked to protect their interests include representatives of the Taj Hotels and those of Travel Operators For Tigers (TOFT), an international wildlife tour organisation, among others.
TOFT was reportedly instrumental in getting the State forest department to push a proposal in the Ministry of Environment and Forests to allow for patches of forest reserves to be handed over to them to be run as South African-style safaris where rich tourists could be catered to. The Ministry rejected the proposal.
CONSERVATIONISTS' ROLE
The list includes renowned tiger experts and conservationists Dhruv Singh and Hashim Tyabji, with one of them holding top positions at TOFT and being owner-partners of Baghvan, a tourist resort in the Pench Tiger Reserve, the scenic backdrop of Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book.
While the “warning” to tiger conservationists against the PIL might seem puzzling, it has long been an open secret that many conservationists run highly profitable tourism enterprises.
Tourist activities in core areas have been clearly stated as inimical to tiger conservation under Section 38V (4) (i) of the Wild Life Protection Act, and under the revised guidelines (2008, para 4.17) of Project Tiger, the Centrally sponsored tiger conservation scheme launched in 1972.
The NTCA's response to the PIL maintains this stand while defining the word inviolate to mean “any disturbance by humans” and emphasising that the word needs to be read in toto following the 2006 amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) response also states that the amendment has “strengthened the hands of the Chief Wildlife Warden to achieve the same.”
While sources in the NTCA maintain that the CWLW's actions are in direct conflict with his role as the chief conservationist of the State, Mr. Pabla clarified to The Hindu that as a professional, he had to maintain correspondence with all stakeholders in such matters, but refused to comment further since the matter was sub judice.
The sources told The Hindu that senior officials of the Madhya Pradesh forest department and several other retired and serving senior bureaucrats had interests in tourism activities in and around the Panna, Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves.
When asked, Mr. Pabla refuted such allegations. “Neither I, nor any relative of mine anywhere in the world, have any interests in tourism activities in core areas, and to the best of my knowledge, none of the forest officials in M.P. does,” he said.
‘We like tourism'
“We like tourism — it gets us revenue and supports conservation. The State government will be opposing the PIL officially,” a senior forest official told The Hindu.
The Madhya Pradesh government has consistently maintained a pro-tourism stand for the core areas of tiger reserves. It recently gave the ‘Tourism Friendly Forester' award to Mr. Pabla, who was instrumental in launching the ‘Patrolling the Tiger land' initiative, allowing tourists to visit core areas of tiger reserves from October.
Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh had expressed shock at the initiative and requested the State government to stop it. However, forest officials maintain that the initiative is “suspended temporarily.”
“We don't want to throttle tourism, but it needs to be regulated and gradually phased out of core areas in keeping with the Wildlife Protection Act,” NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal told The Hindu.
Keywords: tiger reserves, National Tiger Conservation Authority, Madhya Pradesh tourism
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Panna Tiger Reserve welcomes two more cubs
BHOPAL: A translocated tigress gave birth to two cubs in Panna Tiger Reserve upping the big cat population there, forest officials said.
A tigress brought to Panna from the Kanha Tiger Reserve gave birth to the cubs and the new guests are around two months old and appeared to be healthy, a top official of forest department told PTI today.
This tigress airlifted from Kanha was put in the wild in March 2009 but was not responding to the advances of the lone translocated big cat in the reserve initially, spread over an area of 543 sq km in Panna and Chhattarpur districts of eastern Madhya Pradesh, he said.
Now, with the birth of two cubs, the number of it has gone upto four in the Panna.
A tigress brought from Bandhavgarh and put in the wild of Panna on March 6, 2009 gave birth to four felines some months back. Out of four, two cubs died after they were attacked by the tiger, forest officials claimed.
There is one tiger in Panna and this big cat was brought from Pench Tiger Reserve was put in the wild on November 14 last year.
Two more tigresses from Kanha will be brought to Panna shortly. Thereafter, another tiger will be translocated in the park.
Panna Tiger Reserve, which once had more than 35 tigers, had become devoid of the big cat allegedly due to poaching last year. After this efforts are on to revive big cat population in Panna.
A tigress brought to Panna from the Kanha Tiger Reserve gave birth to the cubs and the new guests are around two months old and appeared to be healthy, a top official of forest department told PTI today.
This tigress airlifted from Kanha was put in the wild in March 2009 but was not responding to the advances of the lone translocated big cat in the reserve initially, spread over an area of 543 sq km in Panna and Chhattarpur districts of eastern Madhya Pradesh, he said.
Now, with the birth of two cubs, the number of it has gone upto four in the Panna.
A tigress brought from Bandhavgarh and put in the wild of Panna on March 6, 2009 gave birth to four felines some months back. Out of four, two cubs died after they were attacked by the tiger, forest officials claimed.
There is one tiger in Panna and this big cat was brought from Pench Tiger Reserve was put in the wild on November 14 last year.
Two more tigresses from Kanha will be brought to Panna shortly. Thereafter, another tiger will be translocated in the park.
Panna Tiger Reserve, which once had more than 35 tigers, had become devoid of the big cat allegedly due to poaching last year. After this efforts are on to revive big cat population in Panna.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Tiger kills man in wildlife park
Lucknow, Dec 12 (IANS) A 40-year-old man was Sunday killed by a tiger in the Katarniya Ghat Tiger reserve in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district.
Identified as Data Ram, Sunday's victim was a resident of Karikot village near the India-Nepal border. The incident took place about 140 km from here.
This is stated to be the seventh human kill by a tiger in the region this year. The victims include two young boys. As many as 15 people were wounded.
Tanveer Hasan, the World Wildlife Fund observer in Katarniya Ghat, said the man had gone deep into the forest to collect firewood when the tiger pounced on him.
Identified as Data Ram, Sunday's victim was a resident of Karikot village near the India-Nepal border. The incident took place about 140 km from here.
This is stated to be the seventh human kill by a tiger in the region this year. The victims include two young boys. As many as 15 people were wounded.
Tanveer Hasan, the World Wildlife Fund observer in Katarniya Ghat, said the man had gone deep into the forest to collect firewood when the tiger pounced on him.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Tourists banned in core areas of Madhya Pradesh tiger reserves
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) said that there shall be no tourism within the core area of tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh, according to documents filed in the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The NTCA direction has been spelt out in an an affidavit filed before a Madhya Pradesh High
Court bench headed by Justice KK Lahoti.
The directive effectively back an NGO's demand for a ban on tourists in the core areas of tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh. The NGO has been supported by the union environment and forests ministry.
The authority's reply, in a case related to tiger conservation, was filed Friday after receiving the approval of Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh.
"We had put three major issues before the court - notification of buffer zone in tiger conservation projects, prohibition of tourism in core areas of reserves, and implementation of tiger conservation plan," Ajay Dubey of Prayatna NGO told IANS.
"The reply of the central government is satisfactory," said Dubey, adding that the state government was allowing tourists access to Kanha National Park's core areas.
Dubey filed a petition against the authority, the central government and the Madhya Pradesh government for the court's direction to them to notify the core and buffer areas in and around the tiger reserves.
The petitioner also sought a direction to ensure that the core areas so notified were maintained as "inviolate" zones.
The court, after having taken serious note of the matter, had directed the authority and the government to file an affidavit as regards the status of core areas in the tiger reserves.
Court bench headed by Justice KK Lahoti.
The directive effectively back an NGO's demand for a ban on tourists in the core areas of tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh. The NGO has been supported by the union environment and forests ministry.
The authority's reply, in a case related to tiger conservation, was filed Friday after receiving the approval of Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh.
"We had put three major issues before the court - notification of buffer zone in tiger conservation projects, prohibition of tourism in core areas of reserves, and implementation of tiger conservation plan," Ajay Dubey of Prayatna NGO told IANS.
"The reply of the central government is satisfactory," said Dubey, adding that the state government was allowing tourists access to Kanha National Park's core areas.
Dubey filed a petition against the authority, the central government and the Madhya Pradesh government for the court's direction to them to notify the core and buffer areas in and around the tiger reserves.
The petitioner also sought a direction to ensure that the core areas so notified were maintained as "inviolate" zones.
The court, after having taken serious note of the matter, had directed the authority and the government to file an affidavit as regards the status of core areas in the tiger reserves.
Big B to auction personal belongings for tiger conservation
Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan has decided to sell some of his personal belongings to raise funds for conservation of tiger, the numbers of which have dwindled in recent years. "Shall be auctioning some of my personal belongings to generate funds for this noble cause - Save the Tigers!,"
tweeted Bachchan.
He also asked people to donate for protection of big cats.
"Donate generously!!" he wrote.
He will take part in a special campaign for tiger conservation in Pench National Reserve tomorrow.
tweeted Bachchan.
He also asked people to donate for protection of big cats.
"Donate generously!!" he wrote.
He will take part in a special campaign for tiger conservation in Pench National Reserve tomorrow.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
No tourists in core tiger habitats: Centre
In a stand that will have far-reaching consequences for tourism in tiger reserves in India, the Centre has said the core areas of national parks and sanctuaries should be kept inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation.
The government spelled its stand in an affidavit filed by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which is hearing a PIL that seeks to ban tourism, development or activity in core/critical habitat areas.
The court had insisted on an affidavit after the counsel for the authority took this stand in a previous hearing. The affidavit quotes Section 38 (V) 4(i) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 that says that core or critical tiger habitat areas of national parks and sanctuaries are “required to be kept as inviolate for the purposes of tiger conservation, without affecting the rights of the STs or such other forest dwellers, and notified as such by the state government in consultation with an expert committee constituted for the purpose”.
From time to time the NTCA had issued several directions/advisories to the state government for protection of tigers, the affidavit said and again quoted revised guidelines issued in 2008. Summing up, the affidavit that was filed two days ago said it is clear from the guidelines that the core/critical tiger habitats have to be kept as inviolate and only management interventions can be allowed by the state government. In such areas if tourism activities are taking place they are required to be phased out in the fringe/buffer area.
The government spelled its stand in an affidavit filed by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which is hearing a PIL that seeks to ban tourism, development or activity in core/critical habitat areas.
The court had insisted on an affidavit after the counsel for the authority took this stand in a previous hearing. The affidavit quotes Section 38 (V) 4(i) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 that says that core or critical tiger habitat areas of national parks and sanctuaries are “required to be kept as inviolate for the purposes of tiger conservation, without affecting the rights of the STs or such other forest dwellers, and notified as such by the state government in consultation with an expert committee constituted for the purpose”.
From time to time the NTCA had issued several directions/advisories to the state government for protection of tigers, the affidavit said and again quoted revised guidelines issued in 2008. Summing up, the affidavit that was filed two days ago said it is clear from the guidelines that the core/critical tiger habitats have to be kept as inviolate and only management interventions can be allowed by the state government. In such areas if tourism activities are taking place they are required to be phased out in the fringe/buffer area.
Tiger strays into village in Sunderbans
KOLKATA: A tiger strayed into a village at Kultali in the Sunderbans, leading to a daylong drama on Friday.
The adult male was spotted hiding in a paddy field early in the morning. Panic-stricken villagers of Kishorimohanpur saw the big cat darting around the field, but couldn't track it down in the morning mist. Later, the field was surrounded by nets and villagers kept vigil.
A forest department team reached the spot and managed to tranquillize the tiger. It has been taken to Bonnie Camp for observation and could be released on Saturday morning.
The paddy field had to be cordoned off after the tiger started growling and attempted to sneak out. Hundreds had gathered at the spot with sticks, rods and fishing nets. The foresters had a trying time keeping them out. It took them nearly four hours to corner the animal and fire the tranquillizer dart.
"It seems to have worked perfectly, for the tiger fell senseless almost immediately. It might have sneaked out of the nearby Herobhanga forest, swum across the river and entered the village last night. The animal is now being observed by our team of veterinarians. It would be released on Saturday if the animal is found to be in perfect health," said Subhendu Bandyopadhyay, DFO, South 24-Parganas.
Around a dozen tigers have strayed into Sunderbans villages in the last three months. Straying is expected to continue and could happen more frequently now. "Straying traditionally goes up between November and February. It has happened relentlessly throughout the year this time. We are keeping our fingers crossed," said a senior forest official.
The adult male was spotted hiding in a paddy field early in the morning. Panic-stricken villagers of Kishorimohanpur saw the big cat darting around the field, but couldn't track it down in the morning mist. Later, the field was surrounded by nets and villagers kept vigil.
A forest department team reached the spot and managed to tranquillize the tiger. It has been taken to Bonnie Camp for observation and could be released on Saturday morning.
The paddy field had to be cordoned off after the tiger started growling and attempted to sneak out. Hundreds had gathered at the spot with sticks, rods and fishing nets. The foresters had a trying time keeping them out. It took them nearly four hours to corner the animal and fire the tranquillizer dart.
"It seems to have worked perfectly, for the tiger fell senseless almost immediately. It might have sneaked out of the nearby Herobhanga forest, swum across the river and entered the village last night. The animal is now being observed by our team of veterinarians. It would be released on Saturday if the animal is found to be in perfect health," said Subhendu Bandyopadhyay, DFO, South 24-Parganas.
Around a dozen tigers have strayed into Sunderbans villages in the last three months. Straying is expected to continue and could happen more frequently now. "Straying traditionally goes up between November and February. It has happened relentlessly throughout the year this time. We are keeping our fingers crossed," said a senior forest official.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Over thousand wild animals killed in Madhya Pradesh
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Bhopal, Dec 9 (IANS) Over a thousand wild animals, including seven tigers and 22 leopards, died in Madhya Pradesh in the last four years even while Rs.100 crore were spent to conserve the wild cat, according to the 2010 tiger census report.
A staggering 1,017 wildlife animals lost their lives from October 2007 to October 2010. These animals were tigers, leopards, bears, deer and Neelgai (blue bulls).
The government said all the killed animals were poached and cases against 604 people have been lodged for their slaughter.
Madhya Pradesh has nine national parks and 25 wildlife sanctuaries spread over a total of 10,862 sq km, constituting 3.52 percent of the state's total area.
The central government launched 'Project Tiger' in 1973. Kanha National Park was one of the first nine protected areas selected under the project in the country.
At present, the state has six Project Tiger areas. These are - Kanha, Panna, Bandhavgarh, Satpura, Pench and Sanjay Dhubri.
Madhya Pradesh contains 19 percent of India's total tigers and ten percent of the world's tiger numbers.
Every year, the central government allots over Rs.25 crore to Madhya Pradesh in the name of wildlife animal conservation.
According to the 2006 tiger census, there were around 300 tigers and 3,000 leopards in Madhya Pradesh.
'There is fall in the poaching of wildlife animals but the small animals are an easy target of villagers. It is not easy to stop them but still we are trying hard to control them,' said Forest Minister Sartaj Singh.
Bhopal, Dec 9 (IANS) Over a thousand wild animals, including seven tigers and 22 leopards, died in Madhya Pradesh in the last four years even while Rs.100 crore were spent to conserve the wild cat, according to the 2010 tiger census report.
A staggering 1,017 wildlife animals lost their lives from October 2007 to October 2010. These animals were tigers, leopards, bears, deer and Neelgai (blue bulls).
The government said all the killed animals were poached and cases against 604 people have been lodged for their slaughter.
Madhya Pradesh has nine national parks and 25 wildlife sanctuaries spread over a total of 10,862 sq km, constituting 3.52 percent of the state's total area.
The central government launched 'Project Tiger' in 1973. Kanha National Park was one of the first nine protected areas selected under the project in the country.
At present, the state has six Project Tiger areas. These are - Kanha, Panna, Bandhavgarh, Satpura, Pench and Sanjay Dhubri.
Madhya Pradesh contains 19 percent of India's total tigers and ten percent of the world's tiger numbers.
Every year, the central government allots over Rs.25 crore to Madhya Pradesh in the name of wildlife animal conservation.
According to the 2006 tiger census, there were around 300 tigers and 3,000 leopards in Madhya Pradesh.
'There is fall in the poaching of wildlife animals but the small animals are an easy target of villagers. It is not easy to stop them but still we are trying hard to control them,' said Forest Minister Sartaj Singh.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Chanda loses 28 tigers in two years
CHANDRAPUR: While Chandrapur boasts of being the tiger capital of Central India, little is talked about the loss of 28 tigers from the jungles here in a span of last two years.
While 21 tigers have been either poached, killed in accidents, died natural death or have 'disappeared', seven have been moved from the wild and put into zoos after being rescued since November 2008. The death of two tigers within the span of a week has again raised a question mark over the measures implemented for protection and conservation of tigers in the district.
In November 2008, two cubs were rescued from the forests of Mendki under South Bramhapuri forest range. Their mother had gone missing and was never traced. One of these cubs died during treatment. Year 2009 witnessed deaths, disappearance and poaching of 15 tigers in the district. On January 23, 2009, three cubs from FDCM Junona range were rescued after their mother went missing. On February 21, wildlife activist found tiger bones near Devada village in TATR. Later, a raid was carried out on the residence of one Ragho Kulmethe in Devada on the basis of intelligence given by NGO Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) and tiger bones were recovered. The DNA testing of bones recovered from Kulmethe and those recovered from the jungle near Devada did not match, suggesting death of two different tigers. Later, on February 26, another tiger from Bhanuskhindi area in TATR was found dead. On March 18, foresters seized 10 tiger nails from poachers near Bhadrawati and investigations revealed that it was poached at the boundary of TATR in the winter of 2008.
Between March 24 and 28, 2009, three tiger cubs were found dead near Adyalmendha under Balapur FDCM. However, official figures say only two cubs had died. Their mother had disappeared and was never traced. On April 6, a tiger cub was found dead near Chiroli village in Mul range. It had died after being allegedly hit by a vehicle. On May 13, the carcass of a tiger was found near Ubha Gota water tank in Palasgaon range. On August 1, a tiger drowned in a well while chasing prey. Between September 17 and 23, three tiger cubs were rescued from the jungles of Dhaba range, after their mother disappeared. On November 5, 2009, CBI sleuths arrested five persons with two tiger skins and 90kg of tiger bones from a train in Nagpur. Subsequent investigations revealed that they had boarded from Ballarpur railway station near here with the skins and bones, and the tigers was poached in jungles of Chandrapur. Also in November 2009, Chandrapur police, again on the basis of intelligence given by WPSI, arrested hard-core tiger poachers involved in this poaching.
On April 2010, a tiger was found dead near Navargaon in Palasgaon range. On May 10, Chimur forest officials arrested an accused with tiger nails and subsequent investigations revealed that it was tigress poached in Hirdi nullah in TATR in June 2009. Its three cubs, which went missing, were never traced.
Later, ailing tigress 'Jharina' of TATR died during treatment on August 18. On November 28, a carcass of a tiger killed in territorial fight was recovered in FDCM Junona range. A semi-adult tiger died in a fight with another tiger was recovered on December 6 in Moharli (territorial) forest range.
Despite rigorous implementation of measures to mitigate man-animal conflict, forest officers seem to have failed to curb the loss of tigers. Failure of relocation of villages located within TATR too has put tremendous poaching pressure in the protected areas.
Central India Director, WPSI, Nitin Desai, said, "These are the reported cases on record. What about the unreported cases of poaching by poaching gangs? The gangs of Baheliya and Bawariyas have been seen till last May in Chandrapur district." He stressed upon strong intelligence-based enforcement in rural areas to control the poaching of tiger and other animals. "Considering the phenomenal pressure of poaching in tiger habitats, only strong intelligence based enforcement at ground level could help in controlling the wildlife related crimes. However, so far forest department had done no monetary provision for raising of intelligence network of its own," said Desai.
While 21 tigers have been either poached, killed in accidents, died natural death or have 'disappeared', seven have been moved from the wild and put into zoos after being rescued since November 2008. The death of two tigers within the span of a week has again raised a question mark over the measures implemented for protection and conservation of tigers in the district.
In November 2008, two cubs were rescued from the forests of Mendki under South Bramhapuri forest range. Their mother had gone missing and was never traced. One of these cubs died during treatment. Year 2009 witnessed deaths, disappearance and poaching of 15 tigers in the district. On January 23, 2009, three cubs from FDCM Junona range were rescued after their mother went missing. On February 21, wildlife activist found tiger bones near Devada village in TATR. Later, a raid was carried out on the residence of one Ragho Kulmethe in Devada on the basis of intelligence given by NGO Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) and tiger bones were recovered. The DNA testing of bones recovered from Kulmethe and those recovered from the jungle near Devada did not match, suggesting death of two different tigers. Later, on February 26, another tiger from Bhanuskhindi area in TATR was found dead. On March 18, foresters seized 10 tiger nails from poachers near Bhadrawati and investigations revealed that it was poached at the boundary of TATR in the winter of 2008.
Between March 24 and 28, 2009, three tiger cubs were found dead near Adyalmendha under Balapur FDCM. However, official figures say only two cubs had died. Their mother had disappeared and was never traced. On April 6, a tiger cub was found dead near Chiroli village in Mul range. It had died after being allegedly hit by a vehicle. On May 13, the carcass of a tiger was found near Ubha Gota water tank in Palasgaon range. On August 1, a tiger drowned in a well while chasing prey. Between September 17 and 23, three tiger cubs were rescued from the jungles of Dhaba range, after their mother disappeared. On November 5, 2009, CBI sleuths arrested five persons with two tiger skins and 90kg of tiger bones from a train in Nagpur. Subsequent investigations revealed that they had boarded from Ballarpur railway station near here with the skins and bones, and the tigers was poached in jungles of Chandrapur. Also in November 2009, Chandrapur police, again on the basis of intelligence given by WPSI, arrested hard-core tiger poachers involved in this poaching.
On April 2010, a tiger was found dead near Navargaon in Palasgaon range. On May 10, Chimur forest officials arrested an accused with tiger nails and subsequent investigations revealed that it was tigress poached in Hirdi nullah in TATR in June 2009. Its three cubs, which went missing, were never traced.
Later, ailing tigress 'Jharina' of TATR died during treatment on August 18. On November 28, a carcass of a tiger killed in territorial fight was recovered in FDCM Junona range. A semi-adult tiger died in a fight with another tiger was recovered on December 6 in Moharli (territorial) forest range.
Despite rigorous implementation of measures to mitigate man-animal conflict, forest officers seem to have failed to curb the loss of tigers. Failure of relocation of villages located within TATR too has put tremendous poaching pressure in the protected areas.
Central India Director, WPSI, Nitin Desai, said, "These are the reported cases on record. What about the unreported cases of poaching by poaching gangs? The gangs of Baheliya and Bawariyas have been seen till last May in Chandrapur district." He stressed upon strong intelligence-based enforcement in rural areas to control the poaching of tiger and other animals. "Considering the phenomenal pressure of poaching in tiger habitats, only strong intelligence based enforcement at ground level could help in controlling the wildlife related crimes. However, so far forest department had done no monetary provision for raising of intelligence network of its own," said Desai.
Tiger death hits Sariska conservation bid
The poisoning to death of a relocated tiger in Rajasthan's Sariska reserve has dealt a body blow to efforts being made to save the endangered animal.
The male tiger poisoned was one of the five shifted to Sariska in 2008. As part of the project, two males and three females had been brought in from Ranthambore.
"Reports have come that it's a case of poisoning through insecticides commonly available and used in agricultural practices. It appears to be a case of revenge killing where somebody's cattle may have been lifted (by tigers)," said Y.K. Sahu, DFO, Sariska reserve.
The reserve also faces problems because of poaching and unavailability of skilled staff. "There's an acute shortage of protection staff. This area is 881 sq km and 210 personnel are involved in its protection," said Sahu.
To reduce man-animal conflict, the government had proposed to relocate the villagers but they are in no mood to leave.
Tigers in Sariska are also under threat from illegal mining. Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had written to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot about this, copies of which are with Headlines Today. But no action has been taken so far.
The male tiger poisoned was one of the five shifted to Sariska in 2008. As part of the project, two males and three females had been brought in from Ranthambore.
"Reports have come that it's a case of poisoning through insecticides commonly available and used in agricultural practices. It appears to be a case of revenge killing where somebody's cattle may have been lifted (by tigers)," said Y.K. Sahu, DFO, Sariska reserve.
The reserve also faces problems because of poaching and unavailability of skilled staff. "There's an acute shortage of protection staff. This area is 881 sq km and 210 personnel are involved in its protection," said Sahu.
To reduce man-animal conflict, the government had proposed to relocate the villagers but they are in no mood to leave.
Tigers in Sariska are also under threat from illegal mining. Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had written to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot about this, copies of which are with Headlines Today. But no action has been taken so far.
Gir lions lose all central funds to tigers this year
The tigers have got the lion’s share of central government funds this financial year - literally.
Absolutely no funds have been allocated for the conservation of the Asiatic Lions in Gir in the financial year 2010-11. This, according to the Union minister of state, finance, Namo Narain Meena, is because of the paucity of funds under the centrally-sponsored ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’ (IDWH) scheme.
Significantly, the Gujarat government has sought Rs262.36 crore for a plethora of conservation initiatives in the past two years.
Though the grant was ‘in principal’ approved more than a year ago, the time and method of actual allocation, as also the release of funds for lions is not happening.
This, combined with the state government’s difference of opinion with the Centre over the translocation of Gir lions to MP, has become a standoff point between the two establishments.
“We are unable to understand why the central government is being so tightfisted with lions when the tigers are being allocated huge amounts regularly. Though the state government has enough allocated funds for now under the Lion Conservation Society of India, several mega projects are on hold,” a senior forest official said requesting anonymity.
While the tiger population is declining steadily, the population of the Asiatic Lions in their last abode in Gir has been steadily increasing. At the last count in May 2010, their population was 411.
In response to a question by Mehsana MP Jayshree Patel in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Meena replied, “Gujarat has submitted a proposal for consolidating long term conservation of Asiatic Lions at the total cost of Rs.262.36 crore for a period of five years, which has been approved ‘in principle’ by the Planning Commission.
However, the planning commission has suggested that financial assistance under the project may be met out of the ongoing scheme of IDWH. Due to paucity of funds in the scheme for the current financial year, no amount has been released so far.”
Sources in the know of developments in New Delhi claim that the highest priority there is to halt the diminishing tiger population in the country and all the funds are being directed into that effort.
“The lions are safe in Gujarat and multiplying. We were impressed by the way Gujarat dealt with the poaching problem. The forest dwellers in Gir are tolerant towards the big cat, while the tiger is being killed in other states. That is a burning problem,” a source said.
Absolutely no funds have been allocated for the conservation of the Asiatic Lions in Gir in the financial year 2010-11. This, according to the Union minister of state, finance, Namo Narain Meena, is because of the paucity of funds under the centrally-sponsored ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’ (IDWH) scheme.
Significantly, the Gujarat government has sought Rs262.36 crore for a plethora of conservation initiatives in the past two years.
Though the grant was ‘in principal’ approved more than a year ago, the time and method of actual allocation, as also the release of funds for lions is not happening.
This, combined with the state government’s difference of opinion with the Centre over the translocation of Gir lions to MP, has become a standoff point between the two establishments.
“We are unable to understand why the central government is being so tightfisted with lions when the tigers are being allocated huge amounts regularly. Though the state government has enough allocated funds for now under the Lion Conservation Society of India, several mega projects are on hold,” a senior forest official said requesting anonymity.
While the tiger population is declining steadily, the population of the Asiatic Lions in their last abode in Gir has been steadily increasing. At the last count in May 2010, their population was 411.
In response to a question by Mehsana MP Jayshree Patel in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Meena replied, “Gujarat has submitted a proposal for consolidating long term conservation of Asiatic Lions at the total cost of Rs.262.36 crore for a period of five years, which has been approved ‘in principle’ by the Planning Commission.
However, the planning commission has suggested that financial assistance under the project may be met out of the ongoing scheme of IDWH. Due to paucity of funds in the scheme for the current financial year, no amount has been released so far.”
Sources in the know of developments in New Delhi claim that the highest priority there is to halt the diminishing tiger population in the country and all the funds are being directed into that effort.
“The lions are safe in Gujarat and multiplying. We were impressed by the way Gujarat dealt with the poaching problem. The forest dwellers in Gir are tolerant towards the big cat, while the tiger is being killed in other states. That is a burning problem,” a source said.
Chhattisgarh tiger reserves have half the posts vacant
2010-12-08 15:40:00
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Raipur, Dec 8 (IANS) Over 50 percent posts have been lying vacant in the three Project Tiger reserves in Chhattisgarh, Forest Minister Vikram Usendi said Wednesday.
'As many as 219 posts of the total 420 posts sanctioned for Project Tiger reserves - Indravati, Udanti-Sitanadi and Achanakmar - are lying vacant till date,' the minister said in a written reply to Bahujan Samaj Party's Saurabh Singh.
Usendi said it was not possible for him to set a deadline by when the vacant posts would be filled up.
The forest officials do not have access to the Indravati tiger reserve in Bijapur district of restive Bastar region as the Maoists do not allow them to enter the reserve. 'The tiger count at the Indravati reserve was not undertaken for several years,' an official said.
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Raipur, Dec 8 (IANS) Over 50 percent posts have been lying vacant in the three Project Tiger reserves in Chhattisgarh, Forest Minister Vikram Usendi said Wednesday.
'As many as 219 posts of the total 420 posts sanctioned for Project Tiger reserves - Indravati, Udanti-Sitanadi and Achanakmar - are lying vacant till date,' the minister said in a written reply to Bahujan Samaj Party's Saurabh Singh.
Usendi said it was not possible for him to set a deadline by when the vacant posts would be filled up.
The forest officials do not have access to the Indravati tiger reserve in Bijapur district of restive Bastar region as the Maoists do not allow them to enter the reserve. 'The tiger count at the Indravati reserve was not undertaken for several years,' an official said.
Bengal tigers shrinking in numbers and size
Endangered Bengal tigers are dwindling not only in numbers, but also in stature, according to a recent survey that suggests the famed big cats are getting physically smaller. Experts say the Bengal tigers are losing weight because of "stress" associated with environmental changes impacting their
natural habitat in the Sunderban mangrove swamps on the India-Bangladesh border.
A survey conducted by Indian wildlife officials showed that tigers in the Sunderbans were lighter and their body parts smaller compared to a decade ago.
"We were surprised that animals, which otherwise look healthy, weighed only 98 kilos (215 pounds)," Subrata Mukherjee, director of the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, told AFP on Thursday.
"The average weight of an adult tiger should not be less than 140 kilos," he added.
As well as human encroachment, experts point to rising sea levels which are increasing the salinity of the Sunderban swamp waters surrounding the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers in the Bay of Bengal.
This has reduced the number of fresh water ponds which attract the tigers' main prey.
"Spotted deer have become their main source of food, but the deer numbers are going down because of rising sea levels which is causing more flooding in the forest," said Pranabesh Sanyal, a tiger expert with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
"So the tigers are physically stressed and, being under-fed and malnourished, they are straying into human habitats in search of goats and cows," Sanyal said.
The last census done in Sunderbans in 2001-02 put the tiger numbers in Indian section of the mangrove forest at just 274.
natural habitat in the Sunderban mangrove swamps on the India-Bangladesh border.
A survey conducted by Indian wildlife officials showed that tigers in the Sunderbans were lighter and their body parts smaller compared to a decade ago.
"We were surprised that animals, which otherwise look healthy, weighed only 98 kilos (215 pounds)," Subrata Mukherjee, director of the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, told AFP on Thursday.
"The average weight of an adult tiger should not be less than 140 kilos," he added.
As well as human encroachment, experts point to rising sea levels which are increasing the salinity of the Sunderban swamp waters surrounding the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers in the Bay of Bengal.
This has reduced the number of fresh water ponds which attract the tigers' main prey.
"Spotted deer have become their main source of food, but the deer numbers are going down because of rising sea levels which is causing more flooding in the forest," said Pranabesh Sanyal, a tiger expert with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
"So the tigers are physically stressed and, being under-fed and malnourished, they are straying into human habitats in search of goats and cows," Sanyal said.
The last census done in Sunderbans in 2001-02 put the tiger numbers in Indian section of the mangrove forest at just 274.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
5 suspected poachers held from Ranthambore
: At least five persons were arrested from in and around the Ranthambore tiger reserve on charges of illegally entering the forest, carrying arms, poaching and a host of other charges. Officials say that at least three tractors, a gun, a wild boar an ATM card, a PAN card and gunpowder were recovered from them.
The raids were carried out by a joint team of the forest department, police and members of the Tiger Watch group. Officials said the raids were carried out after a tip off.
"The raids were carried out in Lakheri area of the Sawai Man Singh sanctuary adjoining Ranthambore National Park. Those arrested hailed from Ganganagar, Gwalior and parts of Mumbai. There were children and women in the group. Some children said they had hunted at least 10 wild boars," officials from the team said.
Reports about the group of persons doing the rounds of the sanctuary had been pouring in from quite some time. In fact, the forest officials were also tipped off about it. "Currency notes worth Rs 87,000 were also recovered from them," officials said.
Officials said that the illegal gun was recovered from the house of a Mongiya. "Mongiyas are often employed by farmers to keep wild animals off their agri," officials said.
Confirming the raids, RP Gupta, DFO, Ranthambore said, "We have arrested some persons from the Sawai Man Singh sanctuary. They were in possession of wild boar meat."
The raids were carried out by a joint team of the forest department, police and members of the Tiger Watch group. Officials said the raids were carried out after a tip off.
"The raids were carried out in Lakheri area of the Sawai Man Singh sanctuary adjoining Ranthambore National Park. Those arrested hailed from Ganganagar, Gwalior and parts of Mumbai. There were children and women in the group. Some children said they had hunted at least 10 wild boars," officials from the team said.
Reports about the group of persons doing the rounds of the sanctuary had been pouring in from quite some time. In fact, the forest officials were also tipped off about it. "Currency notes worth Rs 87,000 were also recovered from them," officials said.
Officials said that the illegal gun was recovered from the house of a Mongiya. "Mongiyas are often employed by farmers to keep wild animals off their agri," officials said.
Confirming the raids, RP Gupta, DFO, Ranthambore said, "We have arrested some persons from the Sawai Man Singh sanctuary. They were in possession of wild boar meat."
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Tiger cub found dead
Chandrapur (Maha), Dec 6 (PTI) A tiger cub was today found dead just outside the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) here in Eastern Maharashtra, Forest Department officials said. The body of the cub, said to be around 16-month-old, was found near a village pond under Moharli Forest Range this morning, they stated. The officials claimed another tiger killed the cub during a fight. Vinay Kumar Sinha, Field Director of TATR and Conservator of Forests, said guards found pugmarks of an adult tiger and also signs of a fight near the spot where the cub was found dead. The officials ruled out the possibility of poaching. The carcass of a full-grown tiger, reportedly killed by another tiger in a territorial fight, was found near the reserve on November 28.
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/tiger-cub-found-dead/520506.html
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/tiger-cub-found-dead/520506.html
Mining in Goa tiger territory?
Panaji, Dec 7 (IANS) The forest department has initiated a probe into rampant mining near the Netravali wildlife sanctuary in eastern Goa, which is part of a tiger corridor.
Principle chief wildlife warden Shashi Kumar told reporters Tuesday that the forest officials had been told to verify the extent of mining carried out in the area.
'We will immediately act against the mine owner if they are still extracting iron ore,' he said.
The Netravali sanctuary is part of the tiger corridor which runs between Karnataka and Goa. More than two dozen mining leases ring the sanctuary area.
Principle chief wildlife warden Shashi Kumar told reporters Tuesday that the forest officials had been told to verify the extent of mining carried out in the area.
'We will immediately act against the mine owner if they are still extracting iron ore,' he said.
The Netravali sanctuary is part of the tiger corridor which runs between Karnataka and Goa. More than two dozen mining leases ring the sanctuary area.
Interventions by politicians affecting tiger death probe
JAIPUR/ALWAR: With the state forest department intensifying probe into the death of male tiger ST-1, political interventions have started increasing, threatening to derail investigations.
According to sources, "Certain political persons have allegedly urged members probing into the incident to take the matter leniently. The interference was intentional and with a bid to halt the process. People from Kalakhet village have reportedly approached this politician pleading their innocence in the incident."
Meanwhile, sources revealed that forest department officials have been constantly visiting Kalakhet village for interrogation. The body of ST-1 was recovered near the village. The intense interrogation of villagers follow after the recovery of carcass from a pit in the area.
The forest department had recovered the carcass of a buffalo soon after the post-mortem of the tiger was done. "They had taken some samples from it and send it for a forensic report to check if the animal was smeared with any poison. The report is still awaited," the sources said.
However, the villagers claimed that they had killed the buffalo and put her body in the pit as she had become mad.
However, now with the forensic report of body parts of the tiger confirming the presence of traces of organophosphate in it, officials of the forest department have once again collected separate body parts of the buffalo and sent it for another forensic report to the laboratory at Alwar. "It could be that the buffalo was smeared with poison and used as a bait for the tiger," the sources added.
On the other hand, with constant visit of officials from the forest and police departments to Kalakhet, most male members of the village have fled. The village is now only occupied with women and children.
According to sources, "Certain political persons have allegedly urged members probing into the incident to take the matter leniently. The interference was intentional and with a bid to halt the process. People from Kalakhet village have reportedly approached this politician pleading their innocence in the incident."
Meanwhile, sources revealed that forest department officials have been constantly visiting Kalakhet village for interrogation. The body of ST-1 was recovered near the village. The intense interrogation of villagers follow after the recovery of carcass from a pit in the area.
The forest department had recovered the carcass of a buffalo soon after the post-mortem of the tiger was done. "They had taken some samples from it and send it for a forensic report to check if the animal was smeared with any poison. The report is still awaited," the sources said.
However, the villagers claimed that they had killed the buffalo and put her body in the pit as she had become mad.
However, now with the forensic report of body parts of the tiger confirming the presence of traces of organophosphate in it, officials of the forest department have once again collected separate body parts of the buffalo and sent it for another forensic report to the laboratory at Alwar. "It could be that the buffalo was smeared with poison and used as a bait for the tiger," the sources added.
On the other hand, with constant visit of officials from the forest and police departments to Kalakhet, most male members of the village have fled. The village is now only occupied with women and children.
To save straying tigers, NTCA chief for enforcing Sec 144 CrPC
NEW DELHI: In view of increasing cases of tigers straying from protected areas, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) chief Rajesh Gopal has suggested restricting the movement of people by imposing Section 144 CrPC on such tracts to avoid lethal man-animal encounters.
Lawyers handling wildlife cases have given a thumbs-up to the "pro-conservation advisory" but doubted if it could be smoothly implemented as the Section, which also allows for preventive detention, is usually enforced as a precautionary measure against untoward incidents like riots or protests.
The suggestion came in the wake of increasing cases of tiger straying particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra where due to a mob frenzy either the locals get killed by the straying animal or vice-versa, threatening the conservation efforts.
Lamenting that such moving tigers get "branded" as "man-eaters" and eventually land in 'zoos' or get eliminated, Gopal stressed on a need to address the issue actively at the ground level with enforcement of Section 144 CrPc being one of the solution.
With only 1,411 big cats left in the forests, NTCA member secretary said every tiger is precious to us.
"An instance of a straying big cat or leopard should be treated on a par with any other situation involving violence, and adequate deployment of local police and state armed force needs to be done, besides sensitising the local people," he said.
He said, perhaps, to avoid lethal encounters, it is advisable to impose Section 144 of the CrPC in such areas.
Saurabh Sharma, a lawyer with Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), was all for the implementation of the Section but had a word of caution. "Administratively it is a difficult proposition. At times straying of the animal becomes a major incident especially when a mob is involved.
"Nevertheless, it can be experimented with to ascertain its success. Its a good pro-conservation advisory." he added.
Advocate Avinash Baskar from Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) led by tiger expert Belinda Wright too echoed similar views saying the Section is an enabling provision for the state in such cases.
"But at the ground level due to practical reasons it has to be looked into if there is sufficient time for machinery to move in to execute the measure," Baskar said.
Besides advising enforcement of Section 144 CrPc, Gopal also underlined the need for mapping the traditional movement path of tigers for restoration inputs and encouraging the people to make the areas inviolate by offering them incentives. P
Lawyers handling wildlife cases have given a thumbs-up to the "pro-conservation advisory" but doubted if it could be smoothly implemented as the Section, which also allows for preventive detention, is usually enforced as a precautionary measure against untoward incidents like riots or protests.
The suggestion came in the wake of increasing cases of tiger straying particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra where due to a mob frenzy either the locals get killed by the straying animal or vice-versa, threatening the conservation efforts.
Lamenting that such moving tigers get "branded" as "man-eaters" and eventually land in 'zoos' or get eliminated, Gopal stressed on a need to address the issue actively at the ground level with enforcement of Section 144 CrPc being one of the solution.
With only 1,411 big cats left in the forests, NTCA member secretary said every tiger is precious to us.
"An instance of a straying big cat or leopard should be treated on a par with any other situation involving violence, and adequate deployment of local police and state armed force needs to be done, besides sensitising the local people," he said.
He said, perhaps, to avoid lethal encounters, it is advisable to impose Section 144 of the CrPC in such areas.
Saurabh Sharma, a lawyer with Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), was all for the implementation of the Section but had a word of caution. "Administratively it is a difficult proposition. At times straying of the animal becomes a major incident especially when a mob is involved.
"Nevertheless, it can be experimented with to ascertain its success. Its a good pro-conservation advisory." he added.
Advocate Avinash Baskar from Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) led by tiger expert Belinda Wright too echoed similar views saying the Section is an enabling provision for the state in such cases.
"But at the ground level due to practical reasons it has to be looked into if there is sufficient time for machinery to move in to execute the measure," Baskar said.
Besides advising enforcement of Section 144 CrPc, Gopal also underlined the need for mapping the traditional movement path of tigers for restoration inputs and encouraging the people to make the areas inviolate by offering them incentives. P
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