With two Union Ministers Kamal Nath and Jairam Ramesh on warpath over a contentious highway expansion project through Madhya Pradesh's Pench tiger reserve, the Centre on Friday bought time from the Supreme Court to resolve differences.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had opposed the Surface Transport Ministry's proposal to widen the road linking Nagpur to Jabalpur through Pench forest reserve from existing 18 m to 30 m, but the fight does not seem to be over just environmental concerns. The Centre dropped sufficient hints during the proceedings in court to indicate something was amiss between the two Union Ministers, who do not see eye to eye on this issue.
This comes a week after the court had asked the Government to make up its mind on whether its effort was to save tigers or to save costs involved in the project. “You can't have both. If you want to save the animals, you cannot save money,” the Bench observed on the previous occasion.
Appearing for the Centre, Attorney-General Goolam E Vahanvati on Friday told a Special Bench, comprising Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan, Justices SH Kapadia and Aftab Alam, that a solution was underway as Additional Solicitor-General (ASG) Vivek Tankha representing Surface Transport Ministry in the court had met Environment Minister Ramesh. Seeking time to take fresh instructions, the matter was posted for hearing on February 19.
In a related development, senior advocate Harish Salve appearing as amicus curiae was granted permission by the court to withdraw his note in favour of the road expansion.
The 8.7 km-road running through the forest reserve forms part of a 250-km national highway expansion project, which the National Highways Authority of India is keen to undertake. But since the matter involved forests, the Special Apex Bench referred the project plan to its expert body, the Central Empowered Committee. In its report submitted in July 2009, the CEC favoured an elevated corridor along the stretch, giving the Environment Ministry a handle to oppose the proposal.
With Salve's opinion coming in the way of implementing CEC recommendation, even the Attorney-General supported his offer to withdraw. “It is unfortunate that the amicus is being personally attacked over his opinion,” Vahanvati said, referring to the criticism over Salve being an interested party in the expansion of road.
Finding the criticism against him in bad taste, Salve asked the court to consider the matter independent of his view. Having opposed the elevated corridor, Salve had supported an alternative plan of fencing and construction of 13 bridges and underpasses to facilitate smooth movement of animals. This would cost the Government Rs 600 crore, as against the elevated corridor project that would have cost beyond Rs 900 crore.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
In Corbett, tiger & elephant deaths remain whodunits - TOI
CORBETT TIGER RESERVE (RAMGAGAR): The Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) authorities have made no serious attempt to find out the causes for the deathsof 13 tigers, six leopards and 17 elephants that perished in the Corbett landscape in the last three years.
Four of the tigers were found dead in CTR in less than two months, since December 13 last. The carcass of yet another leopard was found in the Ramgagar forest division, bordering the CTR, early on Wednesday morning.
Yet, no autopsy has been carried out on the dead leopard till this report was filed, late Friday evening. CTR director R K Mishra said, "We are not responsible for anything in the neighbouring forest divisions."
He could not comment on the possibility of the cats that died in forest divisions neighboring the CTR having strayed from the reserve.
Mishra did say that the Bareilly-based Indian Veterinary Research Institute, to which viscera of all 33 dead animals have been sent for forensic examination, "has not sent reports of a single viscera examination, despite reminders". He said, "Now, we will send a team to IVRI to make inquiries."
CTR warden, Umesh Chand Tiwari, however, said that two reports had been received. "Reports of two viscera had arrived. One said the concerned tiger did not die of any disease while the other said the viscera was not fit for examination."
The problem, according to a senior official of the Central government-run IVRI, is not that the reports are not being delivered. "We have sent to CTR reports of all the viscera sent to us. These have been sent either by registered post or by hand," he said. But the nub was that the viscera were too decomposed for any meaningful examination.
"The trouble is that they have sent us only viscera that are too decomposed or otherwise unfit for examination. We have repeatedly been advising Corbett that we can train their officials on how to collect and preserve viscera. But, they have never bothered to respond," said the IVRI official.
"While Uttar Pradesh forest divisions send us entire carcasses of wild animals, Corbett has not bothered to do so," IVRI sources said.
D Swarup, head of the veterinary medicine division at IVRI, said, "If the CTR were serious, they would have formed a panel, including government and private facilities and NGOs, to carry out the autopsies and viscera tests."
Swarup said IVRI also often carried out examinations in the presence of NGO representatives. CTR warden Tiwari, however, did not respond to these statements.
Four of the tigers were found dead in CTR in less than two months, since December 13 last. The carcass of yet another leopard was found in the Ramgagar forest division, bordering the CTR, early on Wednesday morning.
Yet, no autopsy has been carried out on the dead leopard till this report was filed, late Friday evening. CTR director R K Mishra said, "We are not responsible for anything in the neighbouring forest divisions."
He could not comment on the possibility of the cats that died in forest divisions neighboring the CTR having strayed from the reserve.
Mishra did say that the Bareilly-based Indian Veterinary Research Institute, to which viscera of all 33 dead animals have been sent for forensic examination, "has not sent reports of a single viscera examination, despite reminders". He said, "Now, we will send a team to IVRI to make inquiries."
CTR warden, Umesh Chand Tiwari, however, said that two reports had been received. "Reports of two viscera had arrived. One said the concerned tiger did not die of any disease while the other said the viscera was not fit for examination."
The problem, according to a senior official of the Central government-run IVRI, is not that the reports are not being delivered. "We have sent to CTR reports of all the viscera sent to us. These have been sent either by registered post or by hand," he said. But the nub was that the viscera were too decomposed for any meaningful examination.
"The trouble is that they have sent us only viscera that are too decomposed or otherwise unfit for examination. We have repeatedly been advising Corbett that we can train their officials on how to collect and preserve viscera. But, they have never bothered to respond," said the IVRI official.
"While Uttar Pradesh forest divisions send us entire carcasses of wild animals, Corbett has not bothered to do so," IVRI sources said.
D Swarup, head of the veterinary medicine division at IVRI, said, "If the CTR were serious, they would have formed a panel, including government and private facilities and NGOs, to carry out the autopsies and viscera tests."
Swarup said IVRI also often carried out examinations in the presence of NGO representatives. CTR warden Tiwari, however, did not respond to these statements.
Tiger poachers' village sealed - Mid Day
After MiD DAY's report on the tiger poaching case, the police and forest department of Arunachal Pradesh (AP) have sealed Namuk village. Tribals of Namuk allegedly killed the tiger and brought it to the village.
"We have deployed a team of cops at Namuk village that is investigating the case and recording every movement of people coming to the village.
Strict information has been given to the cops to not allow any unknown people in the village for the time being," said Tusar Taba, superintendent of police, Along district, AP.
A forest official from AP said, "We have got some initial leads that confirm the incident's authenticity and we are keeping an eye on every movement in the area."
Wildlife filmmaker and John Abraham's colleague in the campaign, Mike Pandey while talking to MiD DAY said, "May be we should think about the strict law that has protected the rhino in Kenya.
There is a serious and urgent need at all community levels especially political to come forward to protect the tiger. It's a shame for us 1 billion Indians that we are unable to protect 1,000 tigers."
"We have deployed a team of cops at Namuk village that is investigating the case and recording every movement of people coming to the village.
Strict information has been given to the cops to not allow any unknown people in the village for the time being," said Tusar Taba, superintendent of police, Along district, AP.
A forest official from AP said, "We have got some initial leads that confirm the incident's authenticity and we are keeping an eye on every movement in the area."
Wildlife filmmaker and John Abraham's colleague in the campaign, Mike Pandey while talking to MiD DAY said, "May be we should think about the strict law that has protected the rhino in Kenya.
There is a serious and urgent need at all community levels especially political to come forward to protect the tiger. It's a shame for us 1 billion Indians that we are unable to protect 1,000 tigers."
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Another Tiger dies in MP taking toll to 19 in 13 months
Bhopal: With the death of a tiger in Pench Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, known as the 'Tiger State', has lost 19 big cats in the last 13 months."A seven-year-old radio-collared big cat was found dead in a lake at Karmajhiri range of Pench Reserve yesterday," the park director K Nayak said, adding that "the possibility of the tiger being poisoned can't be ruled out."The tiger was spotted on January 25 and was healthy, he said, adding that its viscera has been sent to a Sagar district-based labortary for tests.The animal's body was dispossed of after post-mortem report which found its kidney enlarged, Nayak told PTI today.Two tiger cubs had died in the Pench reserve last month, and the officials claimed it was due to severe cold.Last year, Madhya Pradesh lost 18 big cats, including four tigers each in Kanha Tiger Reserve and Pench, as also three in Bandhavgarh tiger reserve.With the last death of the tiger in Pench, the state has lost 17 tigers in different reserves, besides two in the wild in last 13 months, officials said.Forest department officials claim that the deaths were largely "due to territorial fights among tigers and old age-related problems."
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Jairam Ramesh denies permission to Tadoba mines as another tiger dies in Corbett
Chandrapur (Maharashtra), Jan 27 (PTI) The Ministry of Environment and Forests has denied permission to Adani Group for coal mining at Lohara near Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), for setting up a 1980 MW power plant in Gondia district of Maharashtra.
Adani Power is setting up the project at Tiroda (Gondia) and had planned to source the coal from Lohara.
"Our Ministry issued a letter on January 7, to Adani Group stating that the permission (for coal mining) has been denied to them since it would destroy rich forests and tiger habitat," Union Minister Jairam Ramesh, told reporters after his visit to Lohara.
Ramesh who met several environmental activists here yesterday assured them that "there will be no review and no reconsideration" in this matter.
Adani Power is setting up the project at Tiroda (Gondia) and had planned to source the coal from Lohara.
"Our Ministry issued a letter on January 7, to Adani Group stating that the permission (for coal mining) has been denied to them since it would destroy rich forests and tiger habitat," Union Minister Jairam Ramesh, told reporters after his visit to Lohara.
Ramesh who met several environmental activists here yesterday assured them that "there will be no review and no reconsideration" in this matter.
Fifth tiger found dead in Corbett this month
The carcass of a male tiger was spotted on Tuesday night in the Dhikala zone of the forest.
India's tigers are under threat with just about 1400 left in the wild. Uttarakhand's famous Corbett National Park has lost its fifth tiger in a month.
Four tigers have been reported dead from Jim Corbett National Park and surrounding areas over the past month, the last one having been reported on the twelfth of this month. The post mortem will be conducted on the tiger to find out cause of death.
India's tigers are under threat with just about 1400 left in the wild. Uttarakhand's famous Corbett National Park has lost its fifth tiger in a month.
Four tigers have been reported dead from Jim Corbett National Park and surrounding areas over the past month, the last one having been reported on the twelfth of this month. The post mortem will be conducted on the tiger to find out cause of death.
Bandipur National Park to get 216 forest guards
BANGALORE: The Bandipur National Park will soon receive 216 forest guards. Presently, the national park is short-staffed— it has only 30 forest guards as against the sanctioned strength of 103.
As part of a new rule, the guards will now have to compulsorily serve for five years in a particular location after posting, informed officials of the Bandipur Tiger reserve.“This had been a longpending need of the reserve and we are glad that, it is finally happening,” says Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Bandipur, K T Hanumanthappa.There are 103 beats (basic unit of administration in a forest division) in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and the existing lot of 30 guards had to guard it.There was a vacancy of more than 60 forest guards, which has currently been filled with temporary staff.Tiger farming, the answer?After tiger farming—the raising of tigers for commercial trade— has been debunked the world over, a former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests has suggested that it should be used as a conservation strategy.“We should allow tiger farming on a mass scale and there should licenses issued for shooting tigers,’’ said Parameshwarappa, ex-PCCF at a book launch.He said that it is high time conservationists realise that conservation needs to be turned into an enterprise. Whatever income is generated from the sale of elephant tusks or commercial farming of tigers, needs to be put back into conservation, he said. With government budget it is impossible to conserve anything in this country, he added.Sunderbans tiger census next month
Kolkata, Jan 27 (PTI) The much-awaited tiger census in the Sunderbans forest will begin next month and preparations are underway to conduct the exercise with DNA sampling method for the first time.
Pradeep Vyas, director of the Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve (SBR) told PTI here that the census would be conducted in February. The exact dates would, however, be decided after the field training of staff was over.
"Training of the staff is now underway and their field training will begin by the end of this month," Vyas said, adding 200 tiger guards will assist the census staff.
For the first time DNA sampling method would be tried for the tiger head counting in the famous mangrove forest, he said.
Pradeep Vyas, director of the Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve (SBR) told PTI here that the census would be conducted in February. The exact dates would, however, be decided after the field training of staff was over.
"Training of the staff is now underway and their field training will begin by the end of this month," Vyas said, adding 200 tiger guards will assist the census staff.
For the first time DNA sampling method would be tried for the tiger head counting in the famous mangrove forest, he said.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Jairam, Kamal Nath clash lover Pench Tiger Reserve highway - TOI
NEW DELHI: It was a virtually a clash between two of UPA government's high-profile ministers Kamal Nath and Jairam Ramesh in the Supreme Courtover a road -- whether there should be an elevated corridor of national highway through the Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh or the existing road should be widened.
In the midst of a clash of views between the ministries of transport and environment, amicus curiae Harish Salve introduced an emotional twist by telling the Forest Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices S H Kapadia and Aftab Alam that he wanted to withdraw his suggestions since he had been maligned for making them.
But by the time he had appealed to the Bench to treat his suggestion to widen the 18-metre-wide road to 30 metres as withdrawn, the Bench had moved ahead to ask the two ministers to thrash out the differences.
The apex court appointed high-powered environment panel Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had suggested an elevated corridor be built for the prupose of a proper highway through Pench Reserve, but taking into account the enormous expenditure of Rs 900 crore required for it had favourted widening of the existing road.
Appearing for the ministry of transport, additional solicitor general Vivek Tankha said that all parties -- Madhya Pradesh government, National Highway Authority of India and transport ministry -- were agreeable to Salve's suggestion and that the court could put its stamp of approval.
However, counsel for the Jairam Ramesh-headed ministry of forest and environment, advocate Harish Beeran put a spoke into the transport ministry's suggestion and said MoEF had serious objection to widening of the road.
Beeran said that widening of road to 30 metres would destroy a large number of trees in the dense forest in Pench Reserve, one of the well-protected habitat for tigers. He said MoEF was agreeable to CEC's suggestion for constructing an elevated corridor that would involve least cutting of trees and also not obstruct the elephant corridors.
The Bench told the ministry of transport that the government cannot have it both ways -- protection of tigers and environment and not spending money. It asked officials of the two ministries to hold a meeting and thrash out the differences and present a composite plan, if possible, to the court on January 29 when the matter would be taken up for hearing again
In the midst of a clash of views between the ministries of transport and environment, amicus curiae Harish Salve introduced an emotional twist by telling the Forest Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices S H Kapadia and Aftab Alam that he wanted to withdraw his suggestions since he had been maligned for making them.
But by the time he had appealed to the Bench to treat his suggestion to widen the 18-metre-wide road to 30 metres as withdrawn, the Bench had moved ahead to ask the two ministers to thrash out the differences.
The apex court appointed high-powered environment panel Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had suggested an elevated corridor be built for the prupose of a proper highway through Pench Reserve, but taking into account the enormous expenditure of Rs 900 crore required for it had favourted widening of the existing road.
Appearing for the ministry of transport, additional solicitor general Vivek Tankha said that all parties -- Madhya Pradesh government, National Highway Authority of India and transport ministry -- were agreeable to Salve's suggestion and that the court could put its stamp of approval.
However, counsel for the Jairam Ramesh-headed ministry of forest and environment, advocate Harish Beeran put a spoke into the transport ministry's suggestion and said MoEF had serious objection to widening of the road.
Beeran said that widening of road to 30 metres would destroy a large number of trees in the dense forest in Pench Reserve, one of the well-protected habitat for tigers. He said MoEF was agreeable to CEC's suggestion for constructing an elevated corridor that would involve least cutting of trees and also not obstruct the elephant corridors.
The Bench told the ministry of transport that the government cannot have it both ways -- protection of tigers and environment and not spending money. It asked officials of the two ministries to hold a meeting and thrash out the differences and present a composite plan, if possible, to the court on January 29 when the matter would be taken up for hearing again
Ramesh under pressure to clear Lohara - TOI
NAGPUR: Under pressure from his cabinet colleagues to give go-ahead to coal blocks of Adani group in Lohara close to Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve union minister of environment & forests Jairam Ramesh will visit Lohara and Tadoba on January 26 to ascertain the facts. He will be accompanied by top MoEF officials.
According to highly-placed sources, Ramesh is arriving in the city on Monday night and will leave for Tadoba by road on Tuesday morning. After the expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the MoEF rejected Adani's proposal to clear 1750 hectares of dense forests in Lohara for coal mining, Ramesh is under pressure to reconsider the proposal.
Sources say as coal blocks suitable for Adani power plant in Tiroda near Gondia, home town of Praful Patel, are not available, the company is again vying for Lohara. The MoEF in November 2009 has already rejected the proposal on the grounds that mining project is in the buffer of TATR and the corridor is a rich forest and forms fringe of tiger reserve. The panel has also asked Adani to meet the coal requirement by importing coal from other blocks.
Sources said Adani was planning to seek coal from Madanpur and Parsakete blocks in Korba but these blocks too have been denied by the MoEF on the ground that these form part of elephant corridor. Left with no option, now Adani group is once again seeking Patel's help to get Lohara blocks cleared.
Earlier, Patel had told TOI it was the responsibility of the UPA government to provide an alternate coal block to Adani. "A new site for coal mining will be allotted to the company. if there was a delay in allotment of alternate site for coal mining, then efforts will be made to provide coal for the project from an alternate coal linkage. We will ensure that there was no delay in the commissioning of the thermal power plant," he had said.
In view of this, sources close to Ramesh said it's true that the minister is under pressure to clear Lohara blocks. When contacted, Ramesh told TOI, "Yes, there is pressure, but I am not going to buckle. I'm visiting Tadoba and Pench tiger reserves on January 26 and will be having Bt-brinjal consultations on January 27 in Nagpur and also visit Neeri."
The move by Adani is likely to foment fresh trouble with anti-mining activists and conservationists planning huge protests in Chandrapur during Ramesh's visit to protest against mining near TATR. "We praise Ramesh for his bold decision to reject mining near Tadoba. However, renewed attempts by Adani to grab Lohara will be foiled," warned Bandu Dhotre and others, who have taken the matter to high court through a PIL. Many activists plan to meet Ramesh in Chanda
According to highly-placed sources, Ramesh is arriving in the city on Monday night and will leave for Tadoba by road on Tuesday morning. After the expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the MoEF rejected Adani's proposal to clear 1750 hectares of dense forests in Lohara for coal mining, Ramesh is under pressure to reconsider the proposal.
Sources say as coal blocks suitable for Adani power plant in Tiroda near Gondia, home town of Praful Patel, are not available, the company is again vying for Lohara. The MoEF in November 2009 has already rejected the proposal on the grounds that mining project is in the buffer of TATR and the corridor is a rich forest and forms fringe of tiger reserve. The panel has also asked Adani to meet the coal requirement by importing coal from other blocks.
Sources said Adani was planning to seek coal from Madanpur and Parsakete blocks in Korba but these blocks too have been denied by the MoEF on the ground that these form part of elephant corridor. Left with no option, now Adani group is once again seeking Patel's help to get Lohara blocks cleared.
Earlier, Patel had told TOI it was the responsibility of the UPA government to provide an alternate coal block to Adani. "A new site for coal mining will be allotted to the company. if there was a delay in allotment of alternate site for coal mining, then efforts will be made to provide coal for the project from an alternate coal linkage. We will ensure that there was no delay in the commissioning of the thermal power plant," he had said.
In view of this, sources close to Ramesh said it's true that the minister is under pressure to clear Lohara blocks. When contacted, Ramesh told TOI, "Yes, there is pressure, but I am not going to buckle. I'm visiting Tadoba and Pench tiger reserves on January 26 and will be having Bt-brinjal consultations on January 27 in Nagpur and also visit Neeri."
The move by Adani is likely to foment fresh trouble with anti-mining activists and conservationists planning huge protests in Chandrapur during Ramesh's visit to protest against mining near TATR. "We praise Ramesh for his bold decision to reject mining near Tadoba. However, renewed attempts by Adani to grab Lohara will be foiled," warned Bandu Dhotre and others, who have taken the matter to high court through a PIL. Many activists plan to meet Ramesh in Chanda
Tigers' pug marks spotted across Karnataka
er census in Bhadra wildlife sanctuary is going on without any impediment. Footprints of tigers have been spotted by thevolunteers while walking in the forest.
A team has found the big cat's pug marks and another team has collected its scats. The 37 teams led by the Bhadra wildlife deputy conservator of forest, Vijayamohanraj, are making efforts to find signs of the big cat and other predators like leopards, sloth bears and doles.
Each team has been provided with a forest front line staff in all the four ranges of Bhadra wildlife sanctuary. Monday onwards they will begin walking on transact lines and enumerating herbivores and also assessing the status of the flora. The tiger assessment will come to an end on January 27.
A team has found the big cat's pug marks and another team has collected its scats. The 37 teams led by the Bhadra wildlife deputy conservator of forest, Vijayamohanraj, are making efforts to find signs of the big cat and other predators like leopards, sloth bears and doles.
Each team has been provided with a forest front line staff in all the four ranges of Bhadra wildlife sanctuary. Monday onwards they will begin walking on transact lines and enumerating herbivores and also assessing the status of the flora. The tiger assessment will come to an end on January 27.
Tiger with travelling itch finds home from home
A tiger travelled 270 km from its homestead to establish a new home, baffling experts who are speculating about its migratory route which is dotted by human habitat.
The finding, supported by photographs taken by hidden camera traps, established that the tiger from the Bhadra tiger reserve moved out of its home range and formed a new territory at Dandeli-Anshi reserve.
Scientists and tiger experts in the State are as excited as they are baffled, as the discovery may go to render the camera trap a reliable method to monitor tigers. The finding, resulting from three years of study, began with the camera trapping a four-month-old cub that was photographed along with his sister and mother for the first time at Bhadra in April 2006.In October 2006, a wildlife photographer captured it on camera while it was trying to corner a gaur in the company of another tiger.
The bombshell came in May 2008, when the cub, now a two-year-old, was first pictured at the Dandeli tiger reserve. Yet again in 2009, a camera trap in Dandeli photographed it. The picture was sufficient proof of the migrant tiger having set up its territory over there – 270 km from its native home range.
How did the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) establish that the tiger was from Bhadra?
It is well established that the stripes of the tiger, like human fingerprints, are unique to each animal.
Tigers photographed by camera traps are classified by their stripes for monitoring purposes. The cameras are placed at crucial places where the animal movement is frequent. The traveller-tiger is among 11 individuals trapped by camera at Bhadra, and after it was photographed again at Dandeli, was identified by its stripes. The WCS has created a database of individual photographed tigers.
Scientists say that Indian tigers, governed by the availability of prey, do not migrate for a long distance, unlike the Siberian tiger which tend to travel up 500 kilometres in search of prey.
WCS India director Dr Ravi Chellam said the home range of tiger was believed to be 60 sq km. “This has opened avenues of study, because there is human habitat en route, and it (tiger) could not have travelled as the crow flies,” he said.
Scientists and tiger experts in the State are as excited as they are baffled, as the discovery may go to render the camera trap a reliable method to monitor tigers. The finding, resulting from three years of study, began with the camera trapping a four-month-old cub that was photographed along with his sister and mother for the first time at Bhadra in April 2006.In October 2006, a wildlife photographer captured it on camera while it was trying to corner a gaur in the company of another tiger.
The bombshell came in May 2008, when the cub, now a two-year-old, was first pictured at the Dandeli tiger reserve. Yet again in 2009, a camera trap in Dandeli photographed it. The picture was sufficient proof of the migrant tiger having set up its territory over there – 270 km from its native home range.
How did the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) establish that the tiger was from Bhadra?
It is well established that the stripes of the tiger, like human fingerprints, are unique to each animal.
Tigers photographed by camera traps are classified by their stripes for monitoring purposes. The cameras are placed at crucial places where the animal movement is frequent. The traveller-tiger is among 11 individuals trapped by camera at Bhadra, and after it was photographed again at Dandeli, was identified by its stripes. The WCS has created a database of individual photographed tigers.
Scientists say that Indian tigers, governed by the availability of prey, do not migrate for a long distance, unlike the Siberian tiger which tend to travel up 500 kilometres in search of prey.
WCS India director Dr Ravi Chellam said the home range of tiger was believed to be 60 sq km. “This has opened avenues of study, because there is human habitat en route, and it (tiger) could not have travelled as the crow flies,” he said.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Hunt on as tigress leaves Ranthambore
A worried team of 35 forest officials and experts are on the trail of a two-year-old old tigress which ran away from the Ranthambore National Park last week. The young tigress seems to have retraced the path of another tiger, which strayed out of the park and was mowed down by a train in Darrah, in Jhalawar, in 2003.
Forest officials said in the last year alone at least five tigers have walked out of the national park. “There have been such incidents in the past, primarily because of over population in the park. There are around 40 tigers in the park now and it not possible for them all to exist in this space,” said Rajasthan Chief Conservator of Forests P S Somshekhar.
Stating that the tiger faces threat from poachers or even a scared, desperate populace, Rajasthan Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) R N Mehrotra said: “Every effort is being made to track her down and lead her back to the park. The entire forest machinery in that area, covering five districts have been put on alert,” he said.
Ranthambore Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) R S Shekhawat confirmed that the tigress made a kill three days ago in Kota district’s Itawa region. “We have found some pug marks and are following all leads possible,” he said. “She was spotted in Itawa two days ago and is moving in a south easterly direction. Another 85 km and she will be inside the Darrah Sanctuary in Jhalawar district,” Shekhwat said.
The officials said that though the male-female ratio in Ranthambore was almost equal, stronger males drive out weaker ones. “But in this case it is a female, which makes the issue more serious,” Somshekhar said. Mehrotra asserted that the park could handle only about 35 tigers. “Though it is an excellent sign that the population is increasing, overpopulation is detrimental to the animal’s survival. Even as we expect another six mothers in the next four months, more cats will stray away from the park and the situation could get dangerous,” he said.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/hunt-on-as-tigress-leaves-ranthambore/569440/2
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
India launches TigerNet.nic.in to simplify tiger death reporting system
India’s National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in association with the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC, has launched TigerNet.nic.in, a national tiger conservation website that will allow tiger reserve directors and chief wildlife wardens in the country to key-in crucial information about tiger deaths, poaching and seizures.
The TigerNet website will enable enforcement officers to record information on tiger mortalities, to monitor patterns of where poaching incidents are occurring and use this information to strengthen anti-poaching efforts.
It is anticipated that the new website will simplify the whole tiger death reporting system and allow a more accurate and transparent picture to be generated of the poaching and other threats facing the nation's tiger population.
The accurate reporting of tiger deaths and the circumstances surrounding them has been a contentious issue in India, with conflicting information from official sources and NGOs, and accusations of secrecy over some findings.
The TigerNet website will enable enforcement officers to record information on tiger mortalities, to monitor patterns of where poaching incidents are occurring and use this information to strengthen anti-poaching efforts.
It is anticipated that the new website will simplify the whole tiger death reporting system and allow a more accurate and transparent picture to be generated of the poaching and other threats facing the nation's tiger population.
The accurate reporting of tiger deaths and the circumstances surrounding them has been a contentious issue in India, with conflicting information from official sources and NGOs, and accusations of secrecy over some findings.
Karnakat tiger census draws large number of enthusiasts
BANGALORE: This Friday begins the search for the big cats in Karnataka. The census of tigers, co-predators, prey and their habitats will be carried out in forest areas across the state from January 22 to 27. However, this year the census will be different with very high interface between general public or enthusiasts and the forest department. Two to three enthusiasts will accompany forest guards in each of their trails.
They would not just sight the wild animals like sambars and elephants but may even get a glimpse of the tiger, for which people wait for a lifetime.
There are 2,819 beats (tracks which are monitored by forest watchers) in Karnataka. There is already huge excitement among the enthusiasts who have flooded the forest department office with application forms.
The demand for applications, according to additional principal chief conservator of forests B K Singh, is very high for Nagarahole, Bandipur, Bhadra and Biligiriranga Swamy Temple (BRT) Wildlife Sanctuary.
"I am going to Bhadra for the census. I am keen to go because I wanted to experience the forests, more than just a tourist experience. I am realistic enough to understand that I might not sight a tiger. But in my small way I want to contribute something to wildlife," said a software engineer Vijay Singh who is also a member of the wildlife enthusiasts group, Vanya.
On January 22, 23 and 24, the Carnivore Sign Encounter Rate will be surveyed. It is to quantify the abundance of tigers, leopards, sloth bears and other carnivores. The signs to look out for will be pugmark trails, scats, scrapes, rake marks on trunks, vocalization and actual sighting. It is the most important survey, so two volunteers have been allotted with one forest guard.
On January 25, 26, 27, the sampling for ungulate (animals with hooves) encounter rates will be done along a transect line. A record would be made of all herbivores seen during this process, the time of sighting, the species (sambar, chital, wild pig others), the size of the herd and the forest or terrain type. On all three days, the volunteers on their way back, will document the pellets of these ungulates.
They will also do a vegetation and a grass survey because the space occupied by the grass is directly proportionate to the presence of ungulates or prey species.
"We have tried to make the system more transparent this year, and there has been overwhelming response from enthusiasts and youngsters. Though we got too many applications, we tried not to decline anyone's application," added Singh.
* After the surveys are completed, results will be sent to Wildlife Institute of India whose officials will then inspect and verify data again
* Census results will be out after four to five months
* Volunteers don't have to be wildlife experts. They should be able to write and count
They would not just sight the wild animals like sambars and elephants but may even get a glimpse of the tiger, for which people wait for a lifetime.
There are 2,819 beats (tracks which are monitored by forest watchers) in Karnataka. There is already huge excitement among the enthusiasts who have flooded the forest department office with application forms.
The demand for applications, according to additional principal chief conservator of forests B K Singh, is very high for Nagarahole, Bandipur, Bhadra and Biligiriranga Swamy Temple (BRT) Wildlife Sanctuary.
"I am going to Bhadra for the census. I am keen to go because I wanted to experience the forests, more than just a tourist experience. I am realistic enough to understand that I might not sight a tiger. But in my small way I want to contribute something to wildlife," said a software engineer Vijay Singh who is also a member of the wildlife enthusiasts group, Vanya.
On January 22, 23 and 24, the Carnivore Sign Encounter Rate will be surveyed. It is to quantify the abundance of tigers, leopards, sloth bears and other carnivores. The signs to look out for will be pugmark trails, scats, scrapes, rake marks on trunks, vocalization and actual sighting. It is the most important survey, so two volunteers have been allotted with one forest guard.
On January 25, 26, 27, the sampling for ungulate (animals with hooves) encounter rates will be done along a transect line. A record would be made of all herbivores seen during this process, the time of sighting, the species (sambar, chital, wild pig others), the size of the herd and the forest or terrain type. On all three days, the volunteers on their way back, will document the pellets of these ungulates.
They will also do a vegetation and a grass survey because the space occupied by the grass is directly proportionate to the presence of ungulates or prey species.
"We have tried to make the system more transparent this year, and there has been overwhelming response from enthusiasts and youngsters. Though we got too many applications, we tried not to decline anyone's application," added Singh.
* After the surveys are completed, results will be sent to Wildlife Institute of India whose officials will then inspect and verify data again
* Census results will be out after four to five months
* Volunteers don't have to be wildlife experts. They should be able to write and count
Monday, January 18, 2010
Two poachers arrested in Bahraich
Two poachers were arrested and leopard skin recovered from their possession in the Risia area of Bahraich district on Saturday. The police suspect that the accused have links with the notorious Bawariya gang.
Those arrested have been identified as Salim, a resident of Shravasti, and Poi Devi — belonging to Chittor in Rajasthan.
“The accused were arrested in Bahraich for a similar offence in 2006. After being granted bail, they have been residing in the area from the last six months. They claimed the leopard was poached in Nepal. However, we believe that it happened in the local jungle area,” said Risia Station Officer K D Singh. The accused will be sent on custody remand, he added.
“Poi Devi’s husband Varmal was also earlier arrested in Bahraich for a similar offence and is in jail,” said Singh.
In 2006, a 10-member Bawariya gang, which operated in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, was arrested. While six members were from Bawariya, the remaining were locals. Tiger skin, bones and iron traps were recovered from their possession.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Two-poachers-arrested-in-Bahraich/568559
Thursday, January 14, 2010
India to spend Rs 200 crore for tiger conservation: Jairam Ramesh
Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said that India will spend around Rs 200 crore over the next five years for the development of Sundarbans biosphere in West Bengal.
Sunderbans is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a home to more than 400 Royal Bengal Tigers.
During his maiden visit to the world's largest delta, Ramesh said that the Centre will infuse Rs 200 crore for integrated coastal zone management from World Bank by June end.
The grant will be used for plantation, wildlife protection and anti-trafficking activities under the Project Tiger scheme of the federal government.
Ramesh also informed that the government has plans for the locals residing in the adjacent areas to reduce their dependence on forests.
"We will spend Rs 200 crore on the conservation of Sunderbans...we also have plans for locals residing in adjacent areas, we will have to do something for them we will provide assistance for rain water harvesting and employment security of locals," Ramesh said.
"We will join hands with the provincial government for the development of Sunderbans Eco-system. We will provide every possible support to the provincial government, whatever the government demanded we will provide," he added.
Project Tiger, a Union Government scheme has been under implementation since 1973.
The main objective of the project is to ensure a viable tiger population in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values and to preserve for all time, areas of biological importance as a natural heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people.
Initially, the Project started with nine tiger reserves, covering an area of 16,339 square kilometers, with a population of 268 tigers. At present there are 27 tiger reserves covering an area of 37761 square kilometers with a population of 1498 tigers. (ANI)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Six-year-old Tiger found dead in Corbett Park
Dehradun, Jan 12 (PTI) Jim Corbett National Park has lost its second tiger this month with the carcass of a feline found in the reserve.
The carcass of the six-year-old tiger was found last night.
Park Director Ranjan Mishra today said the tiger died a natural death.
"There was no involvement of poachers as all the organs of the tiger were found intact," he said.
Earlier, a tigress was found dead in the park on January four.
The carcass of the six-year-old tiger was found last night.
Park Director Ranjan Mishra today said the tiger died a natural death.
"There was no involvement of poachers as all the organs of the tiger were found intact," he said.
Earlier, a tigress was found dead in the park on January four.
Sariska tiger relocation halted for now - TOI
JAIPUR: Once lauded as a landmark effort in tiger conservation in the country, the relocation of wild cats to the Sariska tiger reserve might just become a footnote in wildlife history.
Sources in the ministry of forest and environment said the relocation bid has been stalled. “It will take some time and cannot happen overnight. Concerns were raised by some people over the inbreeding of tigers in Sariska and so we have sought a study on it. The relocation will resume after the findings,” said Rajesh Gopal, director of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Interestingly, Gopal had himself written a letter to an English daily on July 9 last year trashing reports the paper had carried highlighting problems of inbreeding at Sariska.
“The very fact that Ranthambore tiger population has a comparatively high heterozygosity of 0.52 highlights the fact that the ill effects of inbreeding depression has not manifested in the population owing to adaptation,” he had written.
Sources in the ministry of forest and environment said the relocation bid has been stalled. “It will take some time and cannot happen overnight. Concerns were raised by some people over the inbreeding of tigers in Sariska and so we have sought a study on it. The relocation will resume after the findings,” said Rajesh Gopal, director of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Interestingly, Gopal had himself written a letter to an English daily on July 9 last year trashing reports the paper had carried highlighting problems of inbreeding at Sariska.
“The very fact that Ranthambore tiger population has a comparatively high heterozygosity of 0.52 highlights the fact that the ill effects of inbreeding depression has not manifested in the population owing to adaptation,” he had written.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Sariska-tiger-relocation-halted-for-now/articleshow/5434951.cms
The relocation of wild cats was a joint bid by the Union government, the NTCA, the Wildlife Trust of India and the state government to re-establish tigers in Sariska after poachers killed all the big cats in the reserve forest.
The relocation of wild cats was a joint bid by the Union government, the NTCA, the Wildlife Trust of India and the state government to re-establish tigers in Sariska after poachers killed all the big cats in the reserve forest.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Maharashtra tiger reserve likely to be expanded
STAFF WRITER 11:11 HRS IST
Sunil K Mukhopadhyay
Chandrapur (Maha), Jan 3 (PTI) Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is proposed to be expanded by an additional 1,100 sq km from the current 625.40 sq km for making it an ideal habitat for tigers and to reduce the threat of poaching.
"We have proposed to the government to include another 1,100 sq km to TATR which has about 45 big cats and at least 12 to 14 cubs. Once the new area is added, TATR will become an ideal habitat for tigers," S P Thakre, Conservator of Forest and field director, TATR told PTI here.
"We must have inviolate areas if we want the tiger to survive for long. From that point, we feel that the area of TATR should be extended," he said.
http://www.ptinews.com/news/450618_Maharashtra-tiger-reserve-likely-to-be-expanded
Tiger tops list of most endangered species in world
Tiger
New studies indicate that there may be as few as 3,200 tigers (Panthera tigris) left in the wild. Tigers occupy less than seven per cent of their original range, which has decreased by 40 per cent over the past 10 years. Continuing deforestation and rampant poaching could push some tiger populations to the same fate as its now-extinct Javan and Balinese relatives in other parts of Asia.
Tigers are poached for their body parts, which are used in traditional Asian medicine, while skins are also highly prized.
Additionally, sea level rise, because of climate change, threatens the mangrove habitat of a key tiger population in Bangladesh’s and India’s Sunderbans.
The upcoming Chinese Year of the Tiger, starting in February 2010, will mark an important year for conservation efforts to save tigers, with the WWF continuing to play a vital role in implementing bold new strategies to save this magnificent Asian big cat.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100105/jsp/frontpage/story_11944319.jsp
Proposal to widen NH-17 rejected
Mumbai: The ministry of environment and forest has rejected the state government’s proposal to widen the national highway 17 (NH-17) which connects Mumbai and Goa. The ministry said that widening the highway to four lanes will eat up space in the Karnala bird sanctuary.
The sanctuary is already under pressure due to illegal grazing and encroachments.
The state wildlife advisory board had approved the proposal on February 20 last year despite strong protests.
Sources said that they were not surprised that the proposal was shot down. “It wasn’t easy to get the approval for the project,” said an official from the forest department. “The National Tiger Conservation Authority is strongly opposing a similar proposal about the widening of national highway 7 that cuts through Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.”
The sate forest department had already made it clear that they did not support the proposal. However, despite the strong opposition, the state government had forwarded the proposal to the ministry.
“This is a good decision taken by the ministry. There is already heavy traffic on the Mumbai-Goa highway and the widening would have increased it further,” said environmentalist Debi Goenka.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_proposal-to-widen-nh-17-rejected_1330986
Maaharashtra gets its fourth tiger reserve
Mumbai: The state government has finally issued a notification of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Western Maharashtra. It is now the fourth tiger reserve in the state after Melghat, Tadoba-Andhari and Pench and the 40th in the country.
The efforts to form a new tiger reserve began two years back when Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation, an NGO working for forest and wildlife conservation in central India, mooted the idea.
“The forest is an ideal tiger habitat and a fit case to be declared a critical tiger habitat. We decided to form a reserve combining Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary,” said Rithe.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) nod came at a meeting held on May 21, 2008, along with the creation of three other tiger reserves in the country — Sunabeda in Orissa, Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh and Ratapani in Madhya Pradesh. Also, the authority decided to treat Nagarahole National Park in Karnataka as a tiger reserve.
A three-member expert committee comprising the then principal chief conservator of forests, wildlife, B Majumdar, chief conservator of forests Nand Kishore and Kishor Rithe was formed for identification and delineation of critical tiger habitat under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The committee proposed to declare four areas — Sahyadri, Tadoba, Pench and Melghat as critical tiger habitats on December 30, 2007.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_maaharashtra-gets-its-fourth-tiger-reserve_1331393
Tiger reserves to upload data on deaths, seizures
The most contentious issue between the Centre and the state on tiger conservation — the accurate reporting of tiger deaths and details of tiger poaching — is going to become live public information.
Tiger reserve directors and chief wildlife wardens will now have to key in crucial, instantaneous information on tiger deaths, seizure or recovery of poached tiger parts, and post-mortem results on a National software system. The goal is to lift the veil of secrecy on tiger deaths, initiate investigations and take quick action at the central level.
The national website, tigernet.nic.in, to be launched on Wednesday, will also be the first consolidated database on wildlife crime related to tiger and other protected species within the tiger reserve.
Tiger deaths and honesty in reporting them to the Centre by state tiger reserves has been a sticky issue. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has in the past found carcasses of tigers, either found poached or dead due to natural circumstances, disposed of hastily without postmortems or investigations of poaching links. Consider this: NGO Wildlife Protection Society of India reported 84 tiger deaths, by both natural and poaching causes, in 2009-10. States however have reported deaths of 59 tigers up to November 2009. On Tuesday, a tigress was found dead in Corbett, the third in a series of deaths.
“We were at a situation when field reports, official information, and reports by NGOs were at odds with each other. Whether a tiger has indeed died or if it has died due to poisoning or poaching needs to be known to us. There was a great level of secrecy. This system will institutionalize reporting on a national level,” said a senior NTCA official.
The software has been developed with NGO TRAFFIC India. “The software will also send automatic reminders to official staff to upload details like post-mortem reports after they have reported tiger deaths. The other details will be things like location of tiger carcass, visible marks of injury, etc,” he said. “The idea is also to do away with the system of sending letters and faxes on tiger deaths which is archaic. We also will be able to spot a problem on a landscape level, and not just on a tiger reserve level.”
The NTCA has also recently released money to tiger reserves for buying freezers in order to keep tiger bodies in cold storage to do proper post-mortems.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tiger-reserves-to-upload-data-on-deaths-seizures/564022/2
Centre to come up with plan to save Sunderbans
New Delhi The Centre is likely to chalk out a detailed action plan to save the Sunderbans, one of the most threatened deltas and the largest mangrove forests in the world, from the impact of climate change.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh will visit the Sunderbans on January 12 to look into its protection and long-term ecological sustainability. “It is a unique challenge as far as the Sunderbans are concerned because of their vulnerability to climate change and Alia-like hurricanes. I will visit there on January 12 to see what we can do to combat the situation,” Ramesh said on the sidelines of a function on Monday.
The visit is in response to a constant reminder from the West Bengal government to the Centre on increased cyclonic activities and tidal amplitude, besides accelerated erosion leading to disappearance of certainislands like Ghoramara, which threatens the existence of Sunderbans.
Ramesh said a national institute for mangrove research was being established in the Sunderban area to provide a scientific approach in preserving the country’s mangroves.
He also said the vulnerability of sea-facing inhabited islands in the mangrove needed to be evaluated, besides construction of bridges to provide for evacuation in case of a sea-rise situation or Alia-like hurricanes in the future.
Sunderbans are home to 43 lakh people, who inhabit 52 non-forest islands.
It is also the biggest mangrove tiger habitat, comprising 104-odd islands and covering an area of 3,500 square kms.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/centre-to-come-up-with-plan-to-save-sunderbans/564001/
NGOs will be allowed during tiger census
NAGPUR: The forest department has geared up for the exercise (2009-10) to collect data to estimate tigers, co-predators, prey and their habitat.
In one of the biggest training and sensitisation programmes on the revised methodology of line transect method which started on Tuesday, at least 90 officials including IFS officials, divisional forest officers (DFOs), assistant conservators (ACFs), range forest officers (RFOs), foresters and guards were sensitised. Most of the field staff was from Nagpur Territorial Circle comprising Wardha, Gondia, Bhandara and Nagpur Divisions.
The presentation on new tiger estimation technique was made by Mohan Jha, field director of Pench National Park and Tiger Reserve, while how to lay transects, identification of grass, biotic interference, collection of data and other aspects were explained by assistant conservator forests (ACFs) Kishore Mishrikotkar and G K Vashisht. On January 6, practical training of field staff on how to collect data will be held in Hingna Forest Range, near Nagpur.
Meanwhile, the department has decided to seek help of wildlife buffs and physically fit volunteers and NGOs. Only interested individuals will be allowed to take part in the exercise to assist the forest staff. This aspect was missing from the scheduled programme announced earlier. Now the confusion has been cleared. The department will also take support from botanists who can be helpful in identifying plant and tree species.
Alok Kumar Joshi, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Maharashtra, has already issued a programme on December 31 to all the territorial and wildlife circles in the state.
According to the programme released by the PCCF, two-day training and sensitisation of deputy conservators (DyCFs) and assistant conservators (ACFs) has to be done by January 8 and for range forest officers (RFOs), round officers and forest guards it is January 15. Drawing of line transects in every beat will be taken up from January 15 to 20, and actual exercise will start from January 27.
The presentation on new tiger estimation technique was made by Mohan Jha, field director of Pench National Park and Tiger Reserve, while how to lay transects, identification of grass, biotic interference, collection of data and other aspects were explained by assistant conservator forests (ACFs) Kishore Mishrikotkar and G K Vashisht. On January 6, practical training of field staff on how to collect data will be held in Hingna Forest Range, near Nagpur.
Meanwhile, the department has decided to seek help of wildlife buffs and physically fit volunteers and NGOs. Only interested individuals will be allowed to take part in the exercise to assist the forest staff. This aspect was missing from the scheduled programme announced earlier. Now the confusion has been cleared. The department will also take support from botanists who can be helpful in identifying plant and tree species.
Alok Kumar Joshi, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Maharashtra, has already issued a programme on December 31 to all the territorial and wildlife circles in the state.
According to the programme released by the PCCF, two-day training and sensitisation of deputy conservators (DyCFs) and assistant conservators (ACFs) has to be done by January 8 and for range forest officers (RFOs), round officers and forest guards it is January 15. Drawing of line transects in every beat will be taken up from January 15 to 20, and actual exercise will start from January 27.
New plan to protect wildlife along Nepal border
BAHRAICH: Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most sensitive protected areas in the state. The main reason is the porous Indo-Nepal
The DFO said that recently the Union government and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) decided to deploy Tiger Protection Force (TPF) in all tiger reserves of the country. In the initial phase, it had been decided that ex-armymen and local villagers will be deployed for this purpose. "In Katarniaghat, we deployed the Tiger Protection Force in February of 2008 and the results are encouraging," he added.
He said, "We have got extra manpower which is available round-the-clock for patrolling and other preventive works. The guns, guards, vehicle and local youth have given an edge to the protection strategy in the division. Recently, in an encounter with Nepalese poachers, we could arrest four persons with a loaded gun. The forest guards and the Tiger Protection Force were patrolling in the border area and got information from a `mukhbir' that some poachers are planning to enter the forest area. The `gadabandi' was done and in an encounter, the poachers were apprehended."
He said that guns and guards matter a lot when it comes to protecting the dwindling wildlife. The deployment of TPF is helpful for the field staff, the DFO added.
There is no forest left on the Nepalese side. They have cut the forests a few decades back. It was always difficult for the forest staff to tackle the pressure mounted from Nepalese side in the past. Illicit felling and poaching use to be a great problem in these areas.
Divisional forest officer (Wildlife) RK Singh told TOI that deployment of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on the border has certainly reduced the pressure but still there is a need of more manpower support to the forest department in order to face such problems effectively.
Divisional forest officer (Wildlife) RK Singh told TOI that deployment of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on the border has certainly reduced the pressure but still there is a need of more manpower support to the forest department in order to face such problems effectively.
The DFO said that recently the Union government and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) decided to deploy Tiger Protection Force (TPF) in all tiger reserves of the country. In the initial phase, it had been decided that ex-armymen and local villagers will be deployed for this purpose. "In Katarniaghat, we deployed the Tiger Protection Force in February of 2008 and the results are encouraging," he added.
He said, "We have got extra manpower which is available round-the-clock for patrolling and other preventive works. The guns, guards, vehicle and local youth have given an edge to the protection strategy in the division. Recently, in an encounter with Nepalese poachers, we could arrest four persons with a loaded gun. The forest guards and the Tiger Protection Force were patrolling in the border area and got information from a `mukhbir' that some poachers are planning to enter the forest area. The `gadabandi' was done and in an encounter, the poachers were apprehended."
He said that guns and guards matter a lot when it comes to protecting the dwindling wildlife. The deployment of TPF is helpful for the field staff, the DFO added.
Rajasthan to set up tiger conservation foundation
Jaipur, Jan 6 (PTI) The Rajasthan Government will set up a Tiger Conservation Foundation (TCF) for preserving Sariska Wild Life Sanctuary near Alwar and the Ranthambhore National Park (RNP) in Sawaimadhopur.
The state cabinet today decided that the foundation would be represented by the government, forest department, NGOs and wildlife experts, an official spokesman said here.
The TCF would lay emphasis on conservation of biodiversity and strengthening of infrastructure and supply of water to acquatic flora.
The cabinet also approved amendment to the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
For introducing mediclaim policy-2009 for accredited journalists, the Rajasthan Patrakar and Sahityakar Kalyan Kosh Act 2001, and Rajasthan Advertisement Act, 2001 would be amended.
Later, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the government respected the judgement of the High Court declaring the Mathur Commission probing previous BJP government's alleged financial corruption and other bungling as "illegal".
The state cabinet today decided that the foundation would be represented by the government, forest department, NGOs and wildlife experts, an official spokesman said here.
The TCF would lay emphasis on conservation of biodiversity and strengthening of infrastructure and supply of water to acquatic flora.
The cabinet also approved amendment to the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
For introducing mediclaim policy-2009 for accredited journalists, the Rajasthan Patrakar and Sahityakar Kalyan Kosh Act 2001, and Rajasthan Advertisement Act, 2001 would be amended.
Later, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the government respected the judgement of the High Court declaring the Mathur Commission probing previous BJP government's alleged financial corruption and other bungling as "illegal".
Tiger, tigress found dead in National Parks
| United News of India Lakhimpur Kheri/Bijnor, Jan 6: A tiger and a tigress were found dead under mysterious circumstances near Dudhwa National Park in Lakhimpur Kheri district and Jim Corbett National Park situated near Bijnore district of Uttar Pradesh today. The carcass of the tiger was recovered from Sampoornanand locality at Paraspur village in Lakhimpur Kheri, police said. The wildlife officials are suspecting it to be a killing by unidentified hunters as the carcass sustained wound marks. Meanwhile, the carcass has been sent to Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar in Bareilly, for the post-mortem. In a similar incident, a tigress was found dead at Phulichand range. The wildlife experts said the tigress must have died in a clash with another tigers for their food. Since 1999, 31 tigers have died due to various reasons at Jim Corbett National Park. |
17 states launch year-long tiger census
Seventeen tiger states have, for the first time, simultaneously launched a massive year-long wildlife census to come up with an accurate estimate of the tiger population in the country. The exercise christened “Monitoring tigers, co-predators, prey and their habitats” is being conducted employing the line-transact and camera-trapping method as opposed to the earlier pugmark and waterhole census.
Since the tiger fiasco in Sariska and Ranthambore in 2005, the government has decided to come out with more precise figures using the more accurate and scientific line transact method. The forest beat in each territory would be considered as the sampling unit and areas within the beat having maximum potential of tiger occupancy would be searched.
Trainings of senior officials from various states was completed in November-December 2009 and the recording of data is scheduled to begin this month and end by the first week of February. It will then be sent to NTCA where compilation of data will be done followed by analysis and interpretation. “The whole process is likely to be over by November when we are hoping to declare the results, including the number of animals, at the international seminar on tigers planned at Ranthambore,” Y V Jhala, senior scientist at Dehradun’s Wildlife Institute of India (WII), which is co-ordinating the massive effort, said.
Inaccuracy was known to creep in into the pugmark and waterhole census with alleged fudging of figures by state Forest Departments. “In the new method, our beat guards will be covering their beat along with two aides for about eight days. For the first three days, they will take round of the beat covering five km and registering GPS records of calls, feaces, pugmarks, hair, bones, kills and such other signs or actual intercepts of animals. The next two days will be for laying line transacts passing through different parts of the beat with maximum possibilities of encountering animals. It will be followed by fresh recordings along the transacts,” said Maharashtra Chief Conservator of Forest , A K Saxena.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/17-states-launch-year-long-tiger-census/564422
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