K J M Varma
Beijing, Aug 31 (PTI) India and China are set to ratify a key pact on tiger conservation and combat poaching of the big cats as an Indian delegation today held talks here to deepen cooperation with Beijing in wild life management.
A five-member Indian delegation of Indian forest officials headed by A K Shrivastava, which is on a five-day visit here, today held talks with their Chinese counterparts in the department of import and export of endangered species.
The talks aims to ratify the 1995 protocol inked by the two countries for tiger conservation. The protocol, which is to be ratified every five years, would be discussed in the talks scheduled for September 2 between the two delegations, officials here told PTI today.
It calls for joint measures to crack down on poaching of tigers and body parts, education programmes to stop poaching, captive breeding and releasing them into the wild.
Indian officials regard the talks important as much of the poaching on tigers in India was blamed on the demand for tiger bones used in Chinese traditional medicine.
China has banned trading in tiger parts but its wide spread medical usage in traditional medicines spurs demand for the bones of the big cats. India has underlined the need for China not to yield to pressures from the owners of tiger farms to lift the ban.
Talks would also focus on promoting cooperation between the two countries in the field of wild life management and capacity building in critical areas of conservation. PTI KJV
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Pilibhit ‘tigers’ declared maneaters
Eight casualties later, the Uttar Pradesh forest department has declared the Pilibhit tigers as maneaters. The state forest department has sent a team of experts to the Deoria range of Pilibhit, to tranquilise the animals.
On Sunday, tiger attack claimed its eight victim since May this year. The incident occurred in the Khutani range of Shahjehanpur district.
According to Divisional Forest Officer, Pilibhit, VK Singh: “The incident now makes it clear that these tigers — it may be just one of them or more than one — have become maneaters. And the recent incident shows that they are now moving towards human habitat, although the earlier incidents were reported deep inside the forest areas.”
While six of the victims were killed in Deoria Kalan range in Pilibhit district, two have been killed in Khutar range in Shahjehanpur district on the borders of Pilibhit. Although the laser cameras have captured photographs of three adult tigers, the department will match pugmarks to determine whether it is just one tiger or more than that who have turned maneaters.
The forest officials have set up a big cage for the carnivores in Sarriayya village. A team of tranquilising experts, led by Conservator (Rohilkhand division) Sunil Chaudhary, is also camping in the area and two machans have been set up to keep track of the animal.
Talking to The Indian Express, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife, B K Patnaik, meanwhile, said: “In case there is a decline in human deaths or the tiger is not spotted in the human habitation, it will be considered that the animal has retreated towards the forest area.”
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Pilibhit--tigers--declared-maneaters/674829/
Veerappan lair turns tiger park
A dense Tamil Nadu forest that used to be the late notorious sandalwood smuggler Veerappan's favourite refuge will soon become the country's 39th tiger reserve. The Centre has asked the Tamil Nadu government to submit a proposal on how the Sath-yamangalam wildlife sanctuary
can be converted into a tiger park, after World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reported 10 tigers had been spotted there.
The move will also lead to a clampdown on illegal mining in the area.
Environment minister Jairam Ramesh also wants Tamil Nadu to conserve Segur plateau, adjoining the Sathyamangalam sanctuary, as a buffer for the Madumalai tiger reserve — which has the largest tiger population for a reserve in India.
"The Madumalai tiger reserve is an important tiger source area, which has a potential for populating the northern and eastern parts of the Western Ghats landscape complex," Ramesh wrote in a letter to Tamil Nadu chief minister Karunanidhi on August 26. In July, he had asked the state government to submit a proposal to declare Sathyamangalam forest as a tiger reserve.
As per the latest tiger census, four tiger reserves — Madumalai, Bandipur, Nagarhole and Wayanad — form a landscape, where big cat population has almost peaked.
"These tigers need more space," said Ravi Chellam, director of Bangalore-based NGO World Conservation Society, which has been working in Bandipur and Nagarhole tiger reserves in Karnataka.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Veerappan-lair-turns-tiger-park/Article1-593989.aspx
India to urge China to curb illegal trade in tigers
The fourth India-China financial dialogue to be held after a 3-year hiatus
Mechanism to share information on wildlife crime to be discussed
NEW DELHI/BEIJING: Defence ties between India and China may be strained in the wake of the visa denial row, but the two countries hope next week will see increased cooperation in both wildlife conservation and global financial issues as two delegations from New Delhi travel to Beijing.
On Monday evening, a delegation from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and the National Tiger Conservation Authority arrived in Beijing for a five-day visit, to urge Chinese counterparts to strengthen enforcement and curb illegal trade in tigers and other endangered big cats. Poaching in Indian forests is largely resorted to for meeting the raging demand for tiger parts in traditional Chinese medicine.
And, on Thursday, the fourth India-China financial dialogue will be held in Beijing after a three-year hiatus, during which the two countries will discuss coordinating their positions on the reforms of international financial institutions.
This week's dialogue, Indian officials said, would underscore the expanding breadth of bilateral relationship. The talks come even as Indian and Chinese officials looked to play down renewed tensions following China's decision to refuse a visa for the Army's Northern Command chief, Lt. Gen. B.S. Jaswal. Officials in both Defence Ministries said military exchanges would go ahead, despite specific disagreements, as would other areas of engagement.
During the first ever round of talks on wildlife conservation and management that will take place this week, India will urge China to continue its ban on any internal trade in tiger parts. Beijing was reportedly considering the lifting of the ban under pressure from “tiger farm” owners. Wildlife experts say China has fewer than 20 tigers left in the wild, but almost 5,000 on these farms, which cater for tourists and want to cater for the demand for tiger parts as well.
There is a fear that lifting the ban will allow the sale of parts of poached wild tigers under the guise of parts from the farms.
Another item on the agenda will be a recent controversial move by China to register the skins of all big cats. While some have warned that this could also allow the trade in illegally poached animals under cover of legal trade, India is merely seeking more details for now. The two countries will also discuss ways to set up a mechanism to share information on wildlife crime, and coordinate enforcement efforts.
This week will also see the fourth round of the bilateral financial dialogue being held in Beijing, when Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla, along with officials from the Reserve Bank of India, meets Chinese Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao. The dialogue was set up following Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India in 2005. The last round was held in December 2007.
The dialogue, officials said, would give both sides an important opportunity to exchange notes on the global financial situation, as well as their roles and objectives in reforming the international financial architecture.
On the agenda were coordination of tariff policies and macroeconomic policies, global financial regulatory reforms, as well as coordination of policies on multilateral fora such as the G20 and BRIC, they said.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/31/stories/2010083164781500.htm
Tiger panel seeks report on forest road
Guwahati, Aug. 30: The Delhi-based National Tiger Conservation Authority — the apex body for tiger conservation in the country — today asked the Assam forest department for a status report on the road-widening project on Balipara-Bhalukpong which cuts into the buffer area of the Nameri tiger reserve.
The tiger organisation was reacting to a report, “Road work threat to wildlife”, published in The Telegraph on August 21.
The member secretary of the tiger conservation authority, Rajesh Gopal, said a letter has been sent to the Assam forest department asking for information about the status of the project.
“We have received information in this office regarding a road-widening project in the buffer area of Nameri tiger reserve. It has been stated that the said area forms part of the Sonitpur elephant reserve and work is on without the mandatory clearance from the ministry of environment and forests,” Gopal said in his letter to the Assam forest department.
He said the forest department has replied that since today was a holiday in Assam, the information would be sent tomorrow.
Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, former member of the standing committee of the National Board of Wildlife and a member of Project Elephant Steering Committee, said: “What is important is to follow the procedure as mandated by existing laws with regards to forest clearance. The Forest Conservation Act 1980 clearly mentions that the state should get prior approval from the ministry of environment and forests if forestland is required to be used for non-forestry purpose.”
“Further, the area falls within the Sonitpur elephant reserve and also Nameri tiger reserve, stressing the fact that the area is of high importance for wildlife conservation. The ministry of environment and forests may kindly investigate the matter with the state government to uphold the sanctity of existing laws with regard to wildlife conservation,” Talukdar told The Telegraph.
Anwaruddin Choudhury, honorary chief executive of Rhino Foundation for Nature in Northeast India, said the proposed road should be of minimum width.
“The park authorities should ensure this as otherwise movement of animals would be affected. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has also constituted a committee to examine proposals of infrastructure development and other industries on projects falling in the buffer/corridor areas of tiger reserves.”
A source said the pressure on the forest department was immense from defence authorities to clear road projects such as this one, as they are of strategic importance.
The Balipara-Bhalukpong road is being widened for movement of heavy armoured vehicles to the Sino-Indian border in the wake of reported security threat.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100831/jsp/frontpage/story_12876396.jsp
Bhopal photo exhibition on tiger conservation
Wildlife activists organised a photo exhibition on tigers in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal city to make people aware of the importance of tigers in the eco system.
The exhibition sought to draw attention of people towards alleged carelessness of the State government to preserve tigers.
They claimed that a Jhurjhura tigress was found dead in the Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh in May. The reasons for her death are not yet clear.
"The main aim to organise this exhibition at this particular time is, that the killers of Jhurjhura, who was killed on May 18, are still free. The investigations are on since four months. When she died on May 18, she left three cubs behind with us," said Shahla Masood, Secretary of Uday organisation, which organised the exhibition.
"The administration, the forest officials said that they would take care of the three cubs. Ten days ago, even a cub died, and we do not know the reason for his death as well," she added.
The visitors said that this exhibition made them aware of the plight of tigers in India.
"The way humans have a right to live; tigers too have the full right to live.
They are a gift to us by nature. They are such a beautiful creatures. Their absence can misbalance our entire ecosystem, and we should understand that. They are a very important link in our ecosystem after us, and it is our duty to protect them," said Aruna Bandhavar, a visitor.
The activists claimed that there are around 254 tigers left in the state and the exhibition was also aimed at creating awareness among the wildlife officers.
As per a new survey there are just 1,411 tigers left in India, almost half the number since 2002 census. (ANI)
http://sify.com/news/bhopal-photo-exhibition-on-tiger-conservation-news-national-ki4quffjehd.html
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tiger injures man in Kheri village
LUCKNOW: A man was injured by a tiger in Mailani range of South Kheri forest division early on Sunday morning. Forest officials could not locate the pugmarks as area is flooded due to rains. It was also not confirmed whether it was the same tiger which has taken eight lives since May this year.
The injured was identified as Rambhajan, a resident of Kuriyani village of Mailani range. He had a chance encounter with the tiger when he was going to his fields in the morning. The man was admitted to the local hospital and given medical aid.
Kuriyani is a village in South kheri forest division. It is about 10 km from Saraiyan village of Khutar range in Shahjahanpur where tiger was spotted on Saturday night, around 9, by locals. The forest staff had reached the spot but could not locate the pugmarks due to flooding in the area. The search operation was carried out near Kuriyani on Sunday morning. In the evening, tracking team resumed operation in Saraiyan village. Pilibhit DFO VK Singh said that the animal could have shifted location.
There is doubt emerging if it is the wandering "charger-tiger" which left the man injured in Kuriyani village. "Man-mauling tiger will not run away so easily, it could have dragged the man inside forest," said VP Singh, a wildlife conservationist camping in the area. Mailani forest has sizeable tiger population and Kuriyani is a village bordering the forest. Chance encounter with big cats is not a rare occurrence in the area. Search operations will continue to tranquillise and capture the tiger.
Meanwhile, elephants which have been brought from Dudhwa for search operation are present in Bilandapur forest beat of Khutar range of Shahjahanpur. The villagers there had not been allowing the elephants to move from the spot. "They are demanding search team to go inside forest, search for tiger and assure that big cat has moved out of the place," said a local forest staff. The local political figures are working to allay the fears of villagers.
The terai area is reeling under tiger fear. Since May 3, eight humans have been killed and partially eaten by a sub-adult tiger. Officials are presuming the same tiger to have struck on all occasions. The last human kill was made on August 26 in Bilandapur forest beat. No human kill or attach was reported in the area till early Sunday morning when Rambhajan was attacked and injured. The senior forest officials along with experts from wildlife organisations are on watch.
Baits have been tied inside forest patches where tiger was reported to be moving. Enclosures have been set and villagers are told not to venture into forest's periphery. The rains and flood is making the search operation difficult.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Tiger-injures-man-in-Kheri-village/articleshow/6458468.cms
The injured was identified as Rambhajan, a resident of Kuriyani village of Mailani range. He had a chance encounter with the tiger when he was going to his fields in the morning. The man was admitted to the local hospital and given medical aid.
Kuriyani is a village in South kheri forest division. It is about 10 km from Saraiyan village of Khutar range in Shahjahanpur where tiger was spotted on Saturday night, around 9, by locals. The forest staff had reached the spot but could not locate the pugmarks due to flooding in the area. The search operation was carried out near Kuriyani on Sunday morning. In the evening, tracking team resumed operation in Saraiyan village. Pilibhit DFO VK Singh said that the animal could have shifted location.
There is doubt emerging if it is the wandering "charger-tiger" which left the man injured in Kuriyani village. "Man-mauling tiger will not run away so easily, it could have dragged the man inside forest," said VP Singh, a wildlife conservationist camping in the area. Mailani forest has sizeable tiger population and Kuriyani is a village bordering the forest. Chance encounter with big cats is not a rare occurrence in the area. Search operations will continue to tranquillise and capture the tiger.
Meanwhile, elephants which have been brought from Dudhwa for search operation are present in Bilandapur forest beat of Khutar range of Shahjahanpur. The villagers there had not been allowing the elephants to move from the spot. "They are demanding search team to go inside forest, search for tiger and assure that big cat has moved out of the place," said a local forest staff. The local political figures are working to allay the fears of villagers.
The terai area is reeling under tiger fear. Since May 3, eight humans have been killed and partially eaten by a sub-adult tiger. Officials are presuming the same tiger to have struck on all occasions. The last human kill was made on August 26 in Bilandapur forest beat. No human kill or attach was reported in the area till early Sunday morning when Rambhajan was attacked and injured. The senior forest officials along with experts from wildlife organisations are on watch.
Baits have been tied inside forest patches where tiger was reported to be moving. Enclosures have been set and villagers are told not to venture into forest's periphery. The rains and flood is making the search operation difficult.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Tiger-injures-man-in-Kheri-village/articleshow/6458468.cms
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Forest staff still hunts for man-killer tiger
LUCKNOW: Will the aberrant tiger claim another human life on Saturday evening? Though the question was warded off by forest officials, there was no denying that fear loomed large over the Shahjahanpur villagers and officers. The tiger had last killed and eaten a human on late Thursday evening. It had eaten about 9-10 kg human flesh. "We have not come across any other kill in the area after that and the bait which had been tied in Bilandapur for past three days was also not killed," said a local forest staff.
Forest department, however, is not ready to take any chances. After issuing an order in a "guarded language" to tranquillise and capture the tiger, UP chief wildlife warden BK Patnaik visited Bilandapur forest beat on Saturday. Elephants searched the forest area on Saturday but did not indicate tiger's presence. The officials shared that tiger could have shifted its location on Friday night. Bilandapur could not be its current hideout. Sihuwa forest beat in Khutar range of Shahjahanpur forest division could be the tiger's current location. Bilandapur and Sihuwa are separated by a distance of about 6-7 kms.
The tiger was last seen by villagers near Panauti village at around 10pm on Friday. Some villagers, on a tractor, had reportedly chased it away. Forest staff had confirmed the presence of the pugmarks at the spot. On Saturday morning, at around 5:30, the tiger was spotted by villagers outside Sihuwa forest beat near Saraiyan village. When chased away by villagers it retreated to the forest. "Since then no movement of tiger has been noticed," said a forest staff. The senior forest officials visited the place to identify the pugmarks. Rains and flooding in the forest area has the made identification of pugmarks somewhat difficult for forest staff. Experts, however, say it's probably a young tiger and perhaps the same which had struck in Pilibhit. As part of preparations, a bait has been tied in Sihuwa forest too.
The locals in the area could already be ganging up against the department. There have been eight human kills -- six in Deoria range of Pilibhit and two in Khutar range of Shahjahanpur between May 3 and August 26. "Biggest concern is that now the feline is getting closer to human settlements and is also turning aggressive in behaviour," said VP Singh, wildlife conservationist working in terai area. On Saturday, it was reported that when forest search team tried to move elephants from Bilandapur to Sihuwa, it had to face opposition from villagers who thought the team was leaving midway without finishing the task. Forest officials held a meeting late on Saturday evening to plan their next strategy.
Forest department, however, is not ready to take any chances. After issuing an order in a "guarded language" to tranquillise and capture the tiger, UP chief wildlife warden BK Patnaik visited Bilandapur forest beat on Saturday. Elephants searched the forest area on Saturday but did not indicate tiger's presence. The officials shared that tiger could have shifted its location on Friday night. Bilandapur could not be its current hideout. Sihuwa forest beat in Khutar range of Shahjahanpur forest division could be the tiger's current location. Bilandapur and Sihuwa are separated by a distance of about 6-7 kms.
The tiger was last seen by villagers near Panauti village at around 10pm on Friday. Some villagers, on a tractor, had reportedly chased it away. Forest staff had confirmed the presence of the pugmarks at the spot. On Saturday morning, at around 5:30, the tiger was spotted by villagers outside Sihuwa forest beat near Saraiyan village. When chased away by villagers it retreated to the forest. "Since then no movement of tiger has been noticed," said a forest staff. The senior forest officials visited the place to identify the pugmarks. Rains and flooding in the forest area has the made identification of pugmarks somewhat difficult for forest staff. Experts, however, say it's probably a young tiger and perhaps the same which had struck in Pilibhit. As part of preparations, a bait has been tied in Sihuwa forest too.
The locals in the area could already be ganging up against the department. There have been eight human kills -- six in Deoria range of Pilibhit and two in Khutar range of Shahjahanpur between May 3 and August 26. "Biggest concern is that now the feline is getting closer to human settlements and is also turning aggressive in behaviour," said VP Singh, wildlife conservationist working in terai area. On Saturday, it was reported that when forest search team tried to move elephants from Bilandapur to Sihuwa, it had to face opposition from villagers who thought the team was leaving midway without finishing the task. Forest officials held a meeting late on Saturday evening to plan their next strategy.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Forest-staff-still-hunts-for-man-killer-tiger/articleshow/6453549.cms
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Sanctuaries entice locals to become protectors instead of violators
RANTHAMBORE: Years ago Babulal would quietly sneak into forest land at the Sawai Madhopur sanctuary with his herd of cattle and graze them till sundown.
But three years back the equation changed. What used to be a forbidden territory is now his domain. The onus today lies on him to chase away the grazers as he guards the vegetation.
The state forest department here has gone on to recruit the local populace and put them on to more profitable ventures by becoming protectors rather than violators.
The change promises returns soon. From a barren patch of land to soon-to-be a critical tiger habitat, the forest department had added almost 300 sq km to the tiger reserve at Ranthambore.
"These used to be barren patches. But now they are some of the best green patches in the area. Prey has rushed in here and the predator will follow suit. Then we would have tigers living in one of the most closest proximity to humans," says director of the park, R S Shekhawat.
And Shekhawat's elation is reflected in the vast number of expecting antelopes that have chosen the new premises to give birth to their young.
"This is the fawning season and the mothers have separated from the males. They will soon give birth to the young ones and that is capital gain for us. For that will form the food for the predator in the years to come," he says
Cruel it may seem at first,but that is the story of conservation. Secially so, at a time when forests are being depleted everywhere the sanctuaries of Sawai Madhopur and Khandhar, near the Ranthambore tiger reserve, reflects a tale of what determination and grit can do.
"Look this is the sign of the where the peacock would have danced. And that, Sir, is where the hyena tread," exclaims Babulal's compatriot Laxman who too changed professions from a grazer to a conservator.
Both Babulal and Laxman spend their time these days in not only guarding the new found reserves of Kundal and Sawai Madhopur but double-up as guides during spare time. And the changes that has come over them are to be seen to be believed.
For no longer do theytalk about violation of the Forest Act but each call in the wild, each mark on the ground now makes sense to them more than before.
"This is where we spotted the tiger just two days ago. I was with a group of tourist and we spotted her here," exclaims Laxman at the site of a water body. The Sawai Madhopur and the Kundal sanctuaries are the only places at Ranthambore that still takes tourists for a safari even as the national park remains on its annual vacation.
"There are about 150 of them that we have recruited in similar way. There are 125 of them at the national park and other in similar ranges who are from the local populace here and are now working for conservation as part of the eco-development committee," says Shekhawat.
The move has not only helped conservation but has also got the locals a deeper purse to dig into.
"In fact, we want to replicate the system for the peripheral areas. And as a lesson for turning the violator into a conservationist it could be replicated elsewhere too," he adds.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Sanctuaries-entice-locals-to-become-protectors-instead-of-violators/articleshow/6448649.cms
But three years back the equation changed. What used to be a forbidden territory is now his domain. The onus today lies on him to chase away the grazers as he guards the vegetation.
The state forest department here has gone on to recruit the local populace and put them on to more profitable ventures by becoming protectors rather than violators.
The change promises returns soon. From a barren patch of land to soon-to-be a critical tiger habitat, the forest department had added almost 300 sq km to the tiger reserve at Ranthambore.
"These used to be barren patches. But now they are some of the best green patches in the area. Prey has rushed in here and the predator will follow suit. Then we would have tigers living in one of the most closest proximity to humans," says director of the park, R S Shekhawat.
And Shekhawat's elation is reflected in the vast number of expecting antelopes that have chosen the new premises to give birth to their young.
"This is the fawning season and the mothers have separated from the males. They will soon give birth to the young ones and that is capital gain for us. For that will form the food for the predator in the years to come," he says
Cruel it may seem at first,but that is the story of conservation. Secially so, at a time when forests are being depleted everywhere the sanctuaries of Sawai Madhopur and Khandhar, near the Ranthambore tiger reserve, reflects a tale of what determination and grit can do.
"Look this is the sign of the where the peacock would have danced. And that, Sir, is where the hyena tread," exclaims Babulal's compatriot Laxman who too changed professions from a grazer to a conservator.
Both Babulal and Laxman spend their time these days in not only guarding the new found reserves of Kundal and Sawai Madhopur but double-up as guides during spare time. And the changes that has come over them are to be seen to be believed.
For no longer do theytalk about violation of the Forest Act but each call in the wild, each mark on the ground now makes sense to them more than before.
"This is where we spotted the tiger just two days ago. I was with a group of tourist and we spotted her here," exclaims Laxman at the site of a water body. The Sawai Madhopur and the Kundal sanctuaries are the only places at Ranthambore that still takes tourists for a safari even as the national park remains on its annual vacation.
"There are about 150 of them that we have recruited in similar way. There are 125 of them at the national park and other in similar ranges who are from the local populace here and are now working for conservation as part of the eco-development committee," says Shekhawat.
The move has not only helped conservation but has also got the locals a deeper purse to dig into.
"In fact, we want to replicate the system for the peripheral areas. And as a lesson for turning the violator into a conservationist it could be replicated elsewhere too," he adds.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Sanctuaries-entice-locals-to-become-protectors-instead-of-violators/articleshow/6448649.cms
Friday, August 27, 2010
Tiger kills man in Uttar Pradesh
Feline fear continues to haunt villagers in Uttar Pradesh after a tiger killed a man near a forest in Shahjahanpur district - the eighth case of human-killing by the big cat in the state's terai area since May.
Gopal Singh, 30, was killed late Thursday by the tiger near the Khutar range of Shahjahanpur forest division.
Another youth, Pratap Singh, was killed in a tiger attack in the same forest area Monday.
The remaining six human-killings took place in the Deoria forest range in Pilibhit, some 250 km from here.
'Investigations reveal that Gopal and Pratap were killed by the same tiger. Pugmarks found at the sites indicate it's a male tiger,' Divisional Forest Officer P.P. Singh told IANS on phone from Shahjahanpur, some 150 km from here.
Officials in Shahjahanpur have now contacted their counterparts in Pilibhit as they believe it could be the same male tiger that has killed six people in Pilibhit's Deoria forest range since May.
In order to ascertain it scientifically, the hair of the tiger collected from the sites in Shahjahanpur have been sent to the officials in Pilibhit who would do a DNA analysis.
'There's a strong possibility that the tiger that had claimed six lives in the jungles of Pilibhit lost its way and has now reached the forest area of Shahjahanpur,' Pilibhit Divisional Forest Officer V.K. Singh said over phone.
'The Khutar forest range of Shahjahanpur and the Deoria forest range are in continuation. In both the ranges, presence of tiger is not normally reported,' he said.
'But it could be possible that the tiger moved into the Pilibhit jungles and then to the adjoining forest area in Shahjahanpur,' he added.
Asked why the tiger was not branded as a man-eater after it killed six people in Pilibhit, V.K. Singh said: 'In all such cases, humans went inside the forest areas and the feline did not attack by coming out of the forest.'
The forest officials in both Shahjahanpur and Pilibhit districts have issued an advisory to the villagers not to venture out alone late in the evening.
'Forest officials are camping in different villages of Shahjahanpur to allay the fear of the locals. We are making every effort to trap the tiger,' P.P. Singh said.
As many as 12 pairs of cameras have also been installed in the Khutar range in order to spot the tiger.
http://sify.com/news/tiger-kills-man-in-uttar-pradesh-news-national-ki1pkecehbh.html
Video nails Ranthambore foresters' lies: Expert
KOLKATA: Fateh Singh Rathore, India's pioneer tiger conservationist, has called the Ranthambore forest officials' conduct in Bhuripahadi utterly callous and cowardly. The former field director of the national park and now head of NGO Tiger Watch Foundation said the entire episode captured on film by Tiger Watch field biologist Dharmendra Khandal, helps expose the forest officers' lies. Incidentally, Khandal has been booked for blocking forest officials from doing their duty.
Rathore said the senior officers first buckled under pressure from angry villagers and ordered their junior, a forest ranger, to fire tranquillizer darts at the tiger even as he pleaded he was not authorized to do so. When the dart-hit tiger dug its canines into ranger Daulat Singh Shaktawat's face and plucked out his right eye, two officers just fled, said Rathore.
"By fleeing after issuing illegal orders, the officers not only displayed poor and cowardly leadership, they were callous to leave the tiger as it could have either been attacked or have attacked the villagers," he added
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Video-nails-foresters-lies-Expert-/articleshow/6442729.cms
Rathore said the senior officers first buckled under pressure from angry villagers and ordered their junior, a forest ranger, to fire tranquillizer darts at the tiger even as he pleaded he was not authorized to do so. When the dart-hit tiger dug its canines into ranger Daulat Singh Shaktawat's face and plucked out his right eye, two officers just fled, said Rathore.
"By fleeing after issuing illegal orders, the officers not only displayed poor and cowardly leadership, they were callous to leave the tiger as it could have either been attacked or have attacked the villagers," he added
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Video-nails-foresters-lies-Expert-/articleshow/6442729.cms
Ranthambore National Park: Turf war
Technically, there was always a crowd. But guided by a traditional respect for one another's domain, the occasional overlap of territory at the Ranthambore National Park was a given for the parties concerned - the tiger, the forester, the villager and the conservation brigade.
Years later, a new equation is fast emerging. The tiger, now under extreme care, has multiplied like never before, pushing the park to its seams by spreading out to peripheral areas. The forester, under global pressure, is attempting to lay down the law firmly. The villagers, pushed to the brink of the forest, are making a last-ditch bid to hold on to their land. And for conservation NGOs, grabbing the global limelight has never been easier.
The thin line of divide is fast fading, giving way to increasing instances of man-animal conflict. And tempers are running thin. Barely days after a tranquillizing bid went horribly wrong in the Bhuri Pahadi village in Khandar, with a tiger attacking a ranger amid shouts and alleged stone pelting by villagers, Ranthambore park director Raghubir Singh Shekhawat lost his cool on Wednesday as a herd of buffaloes made their way to the neighbouring sanctuary for grazing.
For years, he might have looked the other way at stray instances of grazing but not now, given the success story Ranthambore has to safeguard. The herd had moved into Sawai Madhopur sanctuary that is being developed as a satellite sanctuary to house spillover tigers. The herd and the grazer were shooed away.
Minutes after Shekhawat reached the outpost of Bodal, villagers, who are on the verge of relocation by next year, came forth with their petition. ''Most of us now have just two or three buffaloes, so what is wrong if we graze them there? Where else will we go?'' appealed 63-year-old Bajrang Lal.
After half an hour of haggling, an agreement was reached. Herders were given a little extra area to graze. ''Any further and I will fine Rs 10,000 per buffalo,'' warned Shekhawat.
The nuances of law-enforcing are not lost here. Besides helping forest authorities with eco-development work along the periphery, villagers will be required to cooperate with the voluntary relocation process that is on for securing the tiger habitat. For the villagers, bereft of grazing space, every inch negotiated is an inch won.
"The grazing land owned by the panchayat, which was once on the outskirts of the forest have been all occupied by musclemen either for mining or for cultivation, '' says Ranglal Choudhary, assistant conservator of forest at Sawai Mansingh sanctuary. "And once herders go into the forest, it is a matter of chance whether or not a tiger attacks.''
''Ranthambore had its fill way back in 2005 when the pugmark census revealed a count of 26. Now there are about 37 tigers," says Rajpal Singh, member of the state wildlife board. "Each male needs its separate territory and while the dominant ones take pride of place in the core area, the young ones look to the periphery for carving out a space for themselves. And it is when they roam here that most conflicts take place."
Records suggest in the last five years, while four people have died in tiger attacks, at least six were left injured. On the other hand, in Khandahar area alone, at least five tigers were killed in the past five years — the latest being March 7 at Talra, when two cubs strayed into a village and fell prey to a poisoned goat set up as a bait.
The concrete wall planned around the reserve is being seen as imperative to define forest and non-forest areas. ''The wall would not only prevent the villagers from getting inside the forest but also prevent tigers from straying out. We have already built 15.5km of a targeted 87km for last year and this year.,'' said Shekhawat.
That along with relocation of villages from the critical tiger habitat (CTH) area as well as the periphery of the reserve is being seen as the solution to the conflict. But of 73 villages in the CTH and 90 in the periphery, only two villages — Indala and Manchaki — have been moved out of the CTH. Relocation of five is in process in Sawai Madhopur. Until the space equation changes, and that is a long way away if at all, the line of divide is a live wire
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Ranthambore-National-Park-Turf-war/articleshow/6442888.cms
Years later, a new equation is fast emerging. The tiger, now under extreme care, has multiplied like never before, pushing the park to its seams by spreading out to peripheral areas. The forester, under global pressure, is attempting to lay down the law firmly. The villagers, pushed to the brink of the forest, are making a last-ditch bid to hold on to their land. And for conservation NGOs, grabbing the global limelight has never been easier.
The thin line of divide is fast fading, giving way to increasing instances of man-animal conflict. And tempers are running thin. Barely days after a tranquillizing bid went horribly wrong in the Bhuri Pahadi village in Khandar, with a tiger attacking a ranger amid shouts and alleged stone pelting by villagers, Ranthambore park director Raghubir Singh Shekhawat lost his cool on Wednesday as a herd of buffaloes made their way to the neighbouring sanctuary for grazing.
For years, he might have looked the other way at stray instances of grazing but not now, given the success story Ranthambore has to safeguard. The herd had moved into Sawai Madhopur sanctuary that is being developed as a satellite sanctuary to house spillover tigers. The herd and the grazer were shooed away.
Minutes after Shekhawat reached the outpost of Bodal, villagers, who are on the verge of relocation by next year, came forth with their petition. ''Most of us now have just two or three buffaloes, so what is wrong if we graze them there? Where else will we go?'' appealed 63-year-old Bajrang Lal.
After half an hour of haggling, an agreement was reached. Herders were given a little extra area to graze. ''Any further and I will fine Rs 10,000 per buffalo,'' warned Shekhawat.
The nuances of law-enforcing are not lost here. Besides helping forest authorities with eco-development work along the periphery, villagers will be required to cooperate with the voluntary relocation process that is on for securing the tiger habitat. For the villagers, bereft of grazing space, every inch negotiated is an inch won.
"The grazing land owned by the panchayat, which was once on the outskirts of the forest have been all occupied by musclemen either for mining or for cultivation, '' says Ranglal Choudhary, assistant conservator of forest at Sawai Mansingh sanctuary. "And once herders go into the forest, it is a matter of chance whether or not a tiger attacks.''
''Ranthambore had its fill way back in 2005 when the pugmark census revealed a count of 26. Now there are about 37 tigers," says Rajpal Singh, member of the state wildlife board. "Each male needs its separate territory and while the dominant ones take pride of place in the core area, the young ones look to the periphery for carving out a space for themselves. And it is when they roam here that most conflicts take place."
Records suggest in the last five years, while four people have died in tiger attacks, at least six were left injured. On the other hand, in Khandahar area alone, at least five tigers were killed in the past five years — the latest being March 7 at Talra, when two cubs strayed into a village and fell prey to a poisoned goat set up as a bait.
The concrete wall planned around the reserve is being seen as imperative to define forest and non-forest areas. ''The wall would not only prevent the villagers from getting inside the forest but also prevent tigers from straying out. We have already built 15.5km of a targeted 87km for last year and this year.,'' said Shekhawat.
That along with relocation of villages from the critical tiger habitat (CTH) area as well as the periphery of the reserve is being seen as the solution to the conflict. But of 73 villages in the CTH and 90 in the periphery, only two villages — Indala and Manchaki — have been moved out of the CTH. Relocation of five is in process in Sawai Madhopur. Until the space equation changes, and that is a long way away if at all, the line of divide is a live wire
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Ranthambore-National-Park-Turf-war/articleshow/6442888.cms
Veerappan's lair could soon be new sanctuary for tigers Read more: Veerappan's lair could soon be new sanctuary for tigers - Flora & Fauna - Environm
HENNAI: The Sathyamangalam wildlife sanctuary in western Tamil Nadu may soon be declared a tiger reserve. The move came after Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh wrote to chief minister M Karunanidhi in July suggesting that the area be converted into a tiger reserve since several tiger sightings have been reported from there.
"Since the area is contiguous with the forests of Chamrajanagar-Bandipur-Mudumalai, it has tremendous potential to hold a source population of tigers. The area can pick up readily with Central assistance under Project Tiger," Ramesh wrote.
The request, which has already been moved to the state environment and forests department, is being processed, confirmed state environment and forests secretary Debendranath Sarangi. "We are actively pursuing it right now," he said. "But the procedure is a long-drawn one and involves implementation of a host of restrictions. After all, a tiger reserve receives maximum security and protection. But, a census of the tiger population in that area has already been carried out by the Wildlife Institute of India," he added. Principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden R Sundarraju said the survey had been done, but the report was yet to be received.
Located in Erode district in the area where the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats, Sathymangalam was for a long time the haunt of slain brigand Veerappan. However, in recent years, as reported by TOI in 2009, at least 10 tigers were spotted in these forests, possibly because the area has remained largely undisturbed through the years.
According to state chief conservator of forests Dr V N Singh, the census was only a preliminary survey to justify the establishment of a tiger reserve. "The results are very promising. The population here seems quite healthy too." The reserve's core area is likely to be in the Moyar valley
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Veerappans-lair-could-soon-be-new-sanctuary-for-tigers/articleshow/6442751.cms
"Since the area is contiguous with the forests of Chamrajanagar-Bandipur-Mudumalai, it has tremendous potential to hold a source population of tigers. The area can pick up readily with Central assistance under Project Tiger," Ramesh wrote.
The request, which has already been moved to the state environment and forests department, is being processed, confirmed state environment and forests secretary Debendranath Sarangi. "We are actively pursuing it right now," he said. "But the procedure is a long-drawn one and involves implementation of a host of restrictions. After all, a tiger reserve receives maximum security and protection. But, a census of the tiger population in that area has already been carried out by the Wildlife Institute of India," he added. Principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden R Sundarraju said the survey had been done, but the report was yet to be received.
Located in Erode district in the area where the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats, Sathymangalam was for a long time the haunt of slain brigand Veerappan. However, in recent years, as reported by TOI in 2009, at least 10 tigers were spotted in these forests, possibly because the area has remained largely undisturbed through the years.
According to state chief conservator of forests Dr V N Singh, the census was only a preliminary survey to justify the establishment of a tiger reserve. "The results are very promising. The population here seems quite healthy too." The reserve's core area is likely to be in the Moyar valley
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Veerappans-lair-could-soon-be-new-sanctuary-for-tigers/articleshow/6442751.cms
More tigers to be radio collared
KOLKATA: Four to eight Bengal tigers will be fitted with radio collars and released in a small patch of the Sunderbans by this year-end to study the behaviour of big cats that inhabit the mangrove forests.
It will also aid in a more accurate estimation of the tiger count as the current figure of 275 tigers is widely disputed. Speaking to TOI on the sidelines of a symposium on the future of Bengal tiger, Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve director Pradeep Vyas admitted that the figure was a guesstimate. "Radio collar tracking and camera trapping are scientific means that allow a more accurate estimation than pug mark readings," Vyas said
The programme is also crucial to determine if the mangrove tigers protect territorial rights as fiercely as tigers elsewhere or have diffused and overlapping territories due to the peculiar nature of their habitation. "Precious little is known about the behaviour of Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans and wildlife researchers from all over the country are eagerly looking forward to the project," said wildlife activist Bittu Sahgal.
While tiger experts believe big cats in the Sunderbans behave no differently than those elsewhere, field officers in the Sunderbans have long held that inundation of the forest floors by tides twice a day has led to diffused territories shared by tigers.
"Tigers are aggressively territorial solitary animals. A dominant male constantly patrols his territory to ward off rivals. Tigers mark their territory by spraying urine on trees, bushes and rocks in their area and also leave scratch marks on trees and on the ground. However, there is a belief that in the Sunderbans, tides wash away such markings and hence territorial dominance may not be as fierce. Whether it is true can be determined once the movement of radio collared tigers are analyzed," said legendary tiger man Fateh Singh Rathore.
Two tigers that were fitted with radio collars in the Sunderbans earlier this year are already being tracked via satellite at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The territory of 35 sq km covered by one of these collared tigers has left foresters stunned as they expected tigers in the Sunderbans to remain restricted to a much smaller area. "It moved into Bangladesh. We do not know if it had originally strayed into Indian territory from Bangladesh or it has now strayed across the border. The tiger crossed its command area despite the presence of enough prey. Whether this is an aberration or general behaviour can be ascertained when more tigers are radio-collared," Vyas said.
The German radio collars that cost around Rs 4 lakh will be funded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, formerly Project Tiger.
The official said male and female tigers will be trapped beginning October to fit them with radio collars. "Usually, male and female territories overlap in the breeding season. But at other times, both guard their territory zealously with the male tiger being more assertive. The year-long project will reveal whether the tigers here behave in a similar manner," said Bangladeshi tiger researcher Monirul H Khan.
A caption to the photograph accompanying the story "Call for stricter poaching laws" erroneously mentions Pradip Vyas, director of Sunderban Biosphere Reserve, as S S Bisht. The error is regretted.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/More-tigers-to-be-radio-collared/articleshow/6442547.cms
It will also aid in a more accurate estimation of the tiger count as the current figure of 275 tigers is widely disputed. Speaking to TOI on the sidelines of a symposium on the future of Bengal tiger, Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve director Pradeep Vyas admitted that the figure was a guesstimate. "Radio collar tracking and camera trapping are scientific means that allow a more accurate estimation than pug mark readings," Vyas said
The programme is also crucial to determine if the mangrove tigers protect territorial rights as fiercely as tigers elsewhere or have diffused and overlapping territories due to the peculiar nature of their habitation. "Precious little is known about the behaviour of Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans and wildlife researchers from all over the country are eagerly looking forward to the project," said wildlife activist Bittu Sahgal.
While tiger experts believe big cats in the Sunderbans behave no differently than those elsewhere, field officers in the Sunderbans have long held that inundation of the forest floors by tides twice a day has led to diffused territories shared by tigers.
"Tigers are aggressively territorial solitary animals. A dominant male constantly patrols his territory to ward off rivals. Tigers mark their territory by spraying urine on trees, bushes and rocks in their area and also leave scratch marks on trees and on the ground. However, there is a belief that in the Sunderbans, tides wash away such markings and hence territorial dominance may not be as fierce. Whether it is true can be determined once the movement of radio collared tigers are analyzed," said legendary tiger man Fateh Singh Rathore.
Two tigers that were fitted with radio collars in the Sunderbans earlier this year are already being tracked via satellite at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The territory of 35 sq km covered by one of these collared tigers has left foresters stunned as they expected tigers in the Sunderbans to remain restricted to a much smaller area. "It moved into Bangladesh. We do not know if it had originally strayed into Indian territory from Bangladesh or it has now strayed across the border. The tiger crossed its command area despite the presence of enough prey. Whether this is an aberration or general behaviour can be ascertained when more tigers are radio-collared," Vyas said.
The German radio collars that cost around Rs 4 lakh will be funded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, formerly Project Tiger.
The official said male and female tigers will be trapped beginning October to fit them with radio collars. "Usually, male and female territories overlap in the breeding season. But at other times, both guard their territory zealously with the male tiger being more assertive. The year-long project will reveal whether the tigers here behave in a similar manner," said Bangladeshi tiger researcher Monirul H Khan.
A caption to the photograph accompanying the story "Call for stricter poaching laws" erroneously mentions Pradip Vyas, director of Sunderban Biosphere Reserve, as S S Bisht. The error is regretted.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/More-tigers-to-be-radio-collared/articleshow/6442547.cms
Thursday, August 26, 2010
A tiger whodunit: Which one is the man-killer? Read more: A tiger whodunit: Which one is the man-killer?
LUCKNOW: The task of identifying the "charger tiger" in Pilibhit is getting tougher. The camera trappings have recorded at least three big cats -- two tigers and a tigress roaming in Deoria range. "But only one of them could be the man-killing tiger," said V K Singh, DFO, Pilibhit.
Six of the tiger's victims were partially eaten and it was not more than 8 kg to 10 kg of human flesh which was eaten by tiger in each case. Officials are of the opinion that had all tigers been into man-eating, they would have eaten away the bodies almost completely.
The camera trappings have recorded tigers moving in core area. None of the tigers are showing any deformity. Web cameras have been installed all over Deoria range. Last camera recording on August 22 had shown the tiger's presence in Deoria. The forest officials are continuing with precautionary and enforcement measures. Villagers are not allowed inside forest and they are being informed about presence of tigers in the area. Pilibhit is spread across 712 sq km area. It has five ranges -- Deoria, Mala, Mahof, Haripur and Barahi. Deoria spreads over 69 sq km. In census of February, 2008, 36 tigers were reported in Pilibhit division.
The man-killing tiger has not been branded a man-eater, since it has not come out of forest to kill men. Pilibhit officials have requested headquarters to provide for radio-collaring of the man-killing tiger, once it is identified. According to officials, it is a young tiger which is trying to establish its territory in Deoria. The range, so far, was not a territory to tigers though it has dense forest patches but poor grasslands. The range also has a poor prey base. It has wild boars and blue bulls but is devoid of cheetals and sambars.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/A-tiger-whodunit-Which-one-is-the-man-killer-/articleshow/6435546.cms
Six of the tiger's victims were partially eaten and it was not more than 8 kg to 10 kg of human flesh which was eaten by tiger in each case. Officials are of the opinion that had all tigers been into man-eating, they would have eaten away the bodies almost completely.
The camera trappings have recorded tigers moving in core area. None of the tigers are showing any deformity. Web cameras have been installed all over Deoria range. Last camera recording on August 22 had shown the tiger's presence in Deoria. The forest officials are continuing with precautionary and enforcement measures. Villagers are not allowed inside forest and they are being informed about presence of tigers in the area. Pilibhit is spread across 712 sq km area. It has five ranges -- Deoria, Mala, Mahof, Haripur and Barahi. Deoria spreads over 69 sq km. In census of February, 2008, 36 tigers were reported in Pilibhit division.
The man-killing tiger has not been branded a man-eater, since it has not come out of forest to kill men. Pilibhit officials have requested headquarters to provide for radio-collaring of the man-killing tiger, once it is identified. According to officials, it is a young tiger which is trying to establish its territory in Deoria. The range, so far, was not a territory to tigers though it has dense forest patches but poor grasslands. The range also has a poor prey base. It has wild boars and blue bulls but is devoid of cheetals and sambars.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/A-tiger-whodunit-Which-one-is-the-man-killer-/articleshow/6435546.cms
Tiger kills one more, now in Shahjahanpur
LUCKNOW: A man was dragged inside the forest and killed by a tiger in Khutar range of Shahjahanpur forest division on Monday afternoon. The incident took place inside the periphery of the forest. This was the seventh case of human-killing by tiger in the terai area of the state.
A group of men had gone inside the forest in Bilandapur (I) forest block of Khutar range on Monday afternoon. At around 4 pm, the tiger charged at men and dragged one of them inside the forest alongside Jhukna river. Though others in the group tried to rescue him but to no avail. The partially eaten body of the man was recovered from the forest later. "Tiger had eaten about 2 kg of flesh from his waist part," said PP Singh, DFO, Shahjahanpur.
The Shahjahanpur division officials informed their counterparts in Pilibhit forest division about the incident. Deoria range of Pilibhit is reeling under feline fear these days. Since May, six humans have been killed by an aberrant tiger in Deoria range. Incidents have taken place within a distance of 3 to 4 km each time. The Bilandapur forest block, however, is about 22 km from compartment No 7 of Deoria range where 55-year old Redavati was killed and partially eaten by tiger on August 10. This, however, does not stop officials from probing if it is the same tiger which has shifted from Pilibhit to Shahjahanpur. The distance of 20 km is what nocturnal beings like tigers can cover in a single night.
"We can neither confirm nor deny it as of now," said VK Singh, DFO, Pilibhit. The hair of tiger collected from Bilandapur have been sent to Pilibhit. The hair sample will be matched with those collected from the spots of killing in Deoria to find out "scientifically" if it is the same tiger. The officials are going in for DNA analysis of hair. Shahjahanpur officials shared that the presence of tiger in Bilandapur forest block during this season is an annual feature. "This time around it has killed a man and created a scare," said DFO, Shahjahanpur. As many as 17 web cameras have been installed over 6 sq km area in Bilandapur. The officials studied the pugmarks in the area on Wednesday morning. The rains and flooding have, however, made the task a little difficult.
According to Shahjahanpur officials, a half-eaten carcass of blue bull was found about 6 km from Pilibhit, between Deoria and Bilandapur on August 14.
The officials are therefore strongly believing that it could be the same tiger which has shifted locations.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Tiger-kills-one-more-now-in-Shahjahanpur-/articleshow/6435545.cms
A group of men had gone inside the forest in Bilandapur (I) forest block of Khutar range on Monday afternoon. At around 4 pm, the tiger charged at men and dragged one of them inside the forest alongside Jhukna river. Though others in the group tried to rescue him but to no avail. The partially eaten body of the man was recovered from the forest later. "Tiger had eaten about 2 kg of flesh from his waist part," said PP Singh, DFO, Shahjahanpur.
The Shahjahanpur division officials informed their counterparts in Pilibhit forest division about the incident. Deoria range of Pilibhit is reeling under feline fear these days. Since May, six humans have been killed by an aberrant tiger in Deoria range. Incidents have taken place within a distance of 3 to 4 km each time. The Bilandapur forest block, however, is about 22 km from compartment No 7 of Deoria range where 55-year old Redavati was killed and partially eaten by tiger on August 10. This, however, does not stop officials from probing if it is the same tiger which has shifted from Pilibhit to Shahjahanpur. The distance of 20 km is what nocturnal beings like tigers can cover in a single night.
"We can neither confirm nor deny it as of now," said VK Singh, DFO, Pilibhit. The hair of tiger collected from Bilandapur have been sent to Pilibhit. The hair sample will be matched with those collected from the spots of killing in Deoria to find out "scientifically" if it is the same tiger. The officials are going in for DNA analysis of hair. Shahjahanpur officials shared that the presence of tiger in Bilandapur forest block during this season is an annual feature. "This time around it has killed a man and created a scare," said DFO, Shahjahanpur. As many as 17 web cameras have been installed over 6 sq km area in Bilandapur. The officials studied the pugmarks in the area on Wednesday morning. The rains and flooding have, however, made the task a little difficult.
According to Shahjahanpur officials, a half-eaten carcass of blue bull was found about 6 km from Pilibhit, between Deoria and Bilandapur on August 14.
The officials are therefore strongly believing that it could be the same tiger which has shifted locations.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Tiger-kills-one-more-now-in-Shahjahanpur-/articleshow/6435545.cms
Call for stricter poaching laws
KOLKATA: Notorious poacher Sansar Chand's six-year jail term order by a Delhi court on Wednesday has raised hopes of tiger conservationists across the country. But there is also a feeling that the law should be stronger in dealing with such criminals. The call has come not just from experts but villagers dotting Sunderbans, the habitat of the Bengal Tiger.
On the first day of a two-day symposium beginning Wednesday, on the Future of the Bengal Tiger', villagers and activists working in Sunderbans called for more stringent laws to battle poachers and those helping them. Tiger conservationists and wildlife activists are trying to pressure the government for a compact policy on Sunderbans. Efforts are on to get a unified policy on Sunderbans involving India and Bangladesh. A summit meet is scheduled in the last week of September or early October to discuss the modalities.
"Man-animal conflict has been there for ages. Poaching is now receiving political patronage. Those who are arrested for poaching are released on bail within a fortnight. These people become even more dangerous after coming out. Exemplary punishment should be given to them," said Tushar Kanti Dhali from Canning.
Sansar Chand was sentenced to six years' imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000 under the Wildlife Protection Act. Chand, known as the Veerappan of north India, had been caught in a leopard skin seizure case in 1995.
"Under the Wildlife Act, this is the maximum punishment that can be given. There has been a beginning," said Bittu Sahgal, tiger conservationist and wildlife writer.
"Not a single poacher has been convicted in a case related to Sunderbans. The law has to be more stringent," pointed out Banamali Mandal, a resident of Sunderbans.
Neighbouring Bangladesh which shares Sunderbans with India has a maximum penalty of five years for poaching. But Bangladesh is also considering making the punishment stricter.
"The Bangladesh Wildlife Act 1973 gives a maximum imprisonment of five years. This has been reviewed and is going to be amended. The maximum punishment can be up to 25 years in jail," said Monirul H Khan, tiger researcher from Bangladesh.
Talks are on the anvil for a joint programme between India and Bangladesh for conservation of Sunderbans. Sahgal said tigers can be protected if Sunderbans are saved.
"People in Sunderbans have to be made aware of the risks involved in climate change. They also have to be made aware of the risks involved in entering tiger habitat. The planning commission has to understand that Sunderbans plays a major role in climate change infrastructure. Unless protective measures are not taken now, we are staring at a disaster. Inappropriate development is as dangerous as poachers," Sahgal said.
A recent report by UNDP states that 15% of Sunderbans will disappear by 2020. "Mangrove swamps contain carbon. If these are lost, we will be contributing to the factors behind climate change. Incentive has to be given to people who move out of Sunderbans. There has to be a uniform relocation policy. If these steps are not taken then the option left is a chaotic migration worse than the partition," Sahgal said.
The director of Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve, Pradeep Vyas, said there were other problems as well. "One of the tigers fitted with a radio collar has moved into Bangladesh. We need to come together for tiger conservation," Vyas said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Call-for-stricter-poaching-laws-/articleshow/6435504.cms
On the first day of a two-day symposium beginning Wednesday, on the Future of the Bengal Tiger', villagers and activists working in Sunderbans called for more stringent laws to battle poachers and those helping them. Tiger conservationists and wildlife activists are trying to pressure the government for a compact policy on Sunderbans. Efforts are on to get a unified policy on Sunderbans involving India and Bangladesh. A summit meet is scheduled in the last week of September or early October to discuss the modalities.
"Man-animal conflict has been there for ages. Poaching is now receiving political patronage. Those who are arrested for poaching are released on bail within a fortnight. These people become even more dangerous after coming out. Exemplary punishment should be given to them," said Tushar Kanti Dhali from Canning.
Sansar Chand was sentenced to six years' imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000 under the Wildlife Protection Act. Chand, known as the Veerappan of north India, had been caught in a leopard skin seizure case in 1995.
"Under the Wildlife Act, this is the maximum punishment that can be given. There has been a beginning," said Bittu Sahgal, tiger conservationist and wildlife writer.
"Not a single poacher has been convicted in a case related to Sunderbans. The law has to be more stringent," pointed out Banamali Mandal, a resident of Sunderbans.
Neighbouring Bangladesh which shares Sunderbans with India has a maximum penalty of five years for poaching. But Bangladesh is also considering making the punishment stricter.
"The Bangladesh Wildlife Act 1973 gives a maximum imprisonment of five years. This has been reviewed and is going to be amended. The maximum punishment can be up to 25 years in jail," said Monirul H Khan, tiger researcher from Bangladesh.
Talks are on the anvil for a joint programme between India and Bangladesh for conservation of Sunderbans. Sahgal said tigers can be protected if Sunderbans are saved.
"People in Sunderbans have to be made aware of the risks involved in climate change. They also have to be made aware of the risks involved in entering tiger habitat. The planning commission has to understand that Sunderbans plays a major role in climate change infrastructure. Unless protective measures are not taken now, we are staring at a disaster. Inappropriate development is as dangerous as poachers," Sahgal said.
A recent report by UNDP states that 15% of Sunderbans will disappear by 2020. "Mangrove swamps contain carbon. If these are lost, we will be contributing to the factors behind climate change. Incentive has to be given to people who move out of Sunderbans. There has to be a uniform relocation policy. If these steps are not taken then the option left is a chaotic migration worse than the partition," Sahgal said.
The director of Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve, Pradeep Vyas, said there were other problems as well. "One of the tigers fitted with a radio collar has moved into Bangladesh. We need to come together for tiger conservation," Vyas said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Call-for-stricter-poaching-laws-/articleshow/6435504.cms
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sansar Chand: India's deadliest poacher gets 6-year jail term
Notorious poacher Sansar Chand was sentenced to six years jail term by a Delhi court on Wednesday, in a case relating to seizure of a leopard skin in 1995, saying such offence should be dealt with "iron hands".
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Digvinay Singh also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on him while awarding the maximum jail term prescribed under the Wildlife Protection Act. The court said the offences relating to wildlife must be dealt with strict punishment to bring down poaching incidents across the country. The court also raised concern over the rising menace of poaching.
"Despite various steps taken by governments across the globe, offences relating to wildlife are refusing to come down. In the Act, stringent punishment is provided which is awarded time and again to contain the offence, but still the situation does not seem to be improving," the court said.
"In my considered view, such repeated offenders need to be dealt with iron hands, more particularly when there have been previous convictions and involvement in other similar offences," the judge noted.
Buffer marked, money flows in for Tadoba
NAGPUR: At a time when man-animal conflict is raging around Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), the villagers around the reserve may soon see some respite. The tigers have now started bringing money to be spent in buffer zone for alleviating the conflict.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the statutory body under ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) monitoring tiger reserves, has sanctioned Rs 3.63 crore for Tadoba and its buffer under the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) during 2010-11. Of this amount, Rs 1.87 crore is the recurring cost of the scheme and will be shared on 50:50 basis by the state and the central government. The remaining will be treated as 100% central assistance.
During the last three years, TATR never got more than Rs 2.15 crore. This is for the first time that such a big amount has been sanctioned for tigers and habitat improvement. Not only this, Pench National Park and Tadoba are among the six reserves in India to get early sanctions from NTCA.
Interestingly, an amount of Rs 74 lakh has also been sanctioned for newly-formed Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Western Maharashtra. SP Yadav, joint director NTCA, said Chandrapur district was worstaffected by man-animal conflict as there was high density of tigers in the Tadoba landscape. At least 62 villagers have been killed by the carnivores in the last five years here. "Another reason to increase grants is because now the reserve has a notified buffer. Habitat improvement works like developing water holes and meadows can now be undertaken.
Besides, staff training and protection will also be priority," Yadav told TOI. The wildlife wing had proposed Rs 17.12 crore for four tiger reserves and 30 sanctuaries and national parks. However, NTCA has till now sanctioned Rs 8.25 crore. Of this, Rs 1.74 crore is to be shared by the state. It has already released Rs 1 crore — Rs 50 lakh in July and Rs 50 lakh in August. Official sources said that of the Rs 8.25 crore, Rs 5.43 crore was earmarked for Pench, Tadoba and Sahyadri reserves. Pench was sanctioned Rs 1.68 crore in July. Melghat is to yet to receive any grant. The NTCA has also not released the proposed Rs 75.50 crore for rehabilitation of villages in Melghat
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Buffer-marked-money-flows-in-for-Tadoba/articleshow/6429913.cms
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the statutory body under ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) monitoring tiger reserves, has sanctioned Rs 3.63 crore for Tadoba and its buffer under the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) during 2010-11. Of this amount, Rs 1.87 crore is the recurring cost of the scheme and will be shared on 50:50 basis by the state and the central government. The remaining will be treated as 100% central assistance.
During the last three years, TATR never got more than Rs 2.15 crore. This is for the first time that such a big amount has been sanctioned for tigers and habitat improvement. Not only this, Pench National Park and Tadoba are among the six reserves in India to get early sanctions from NTCA.
Interestingly, an amount of Rs 74 lakh has also been sanctioned for newly-formed Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Western Maharashtra. SP Yadav, joint director NTCA, said Chandrapur district was worstaffected by man-animal conflict as there was high density of tigers in the Tadoba landscape. At least 62 villagers have been killed by the carnivores in the last five years here. "Another reason to increase grants is because now the reserve has a notified buffer. Habitat improvement works like developing water holes and meadows can now be undertaken.
Besides, staff training and protection will also be priority," Yadav told TOI. The wildlife wing had proposed Rs 17.12 crore for four tiger reserves and 30 sanctuaries and national parks. However, NTCA has till now sanctioned Rs 8.25 crore. Of this, Rs 1.74 crore is to be shared by the state. It has already released Rs 1 crore — Rs 50 lakh in July and Rs 50 lakh in August. Official sources said that of the Rs 8.25 crore, Rs 5.43 crore was earmarked for Pench, Tadoba and Sahyadri reserves. Pench was sanctioned Rs 1.68 crore in July. Melghat is to yet to receive any grant. The NTCA has also not released the proposed Rs 75.50 crore for rehabilitation of villages in Melghat
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Buffer-marked-money-flows-in-for-Tadoba/articleshow/6429913.cms
Pilibhit Tigers kill one more, dept not ready for maneater tag
Lucknow Pilibhit: Sightings of big cats will strengthen case for tiger reserve
After the recovery of one more body from Bilandapur forest range, bordering Pilibhit district, on late Monday night, the total number of deaths by tigers in the area has gone up to seven since May.
The forest department officials found the half-eaten body of Pratap Singh, a resident of Chhatia village. The postmortem report has confirmed that Singh was killed in a tiger attack.
B K Patnaik, principal chief conservator of forests, however, refused to declare the tigers in the area as maneaters saying: “The incidents have been taking place inside the forest, and the tigers are attacking individuals.”
“We will be getting elephants from West Bengal to search the entire area. Our teams from Dudhwa will soon be camping in the area,” added Patnaik,who visited Pilibhit on Monday.
The department has been directed to send tranquiliser guns, big cages, and other equipment to officials for catching tigers, if need arises.
Meanwhile, the forest department, has found evidence of three adult tigers, including a female, in the area. “The laser cameras have captured images of the tigers,” said V K Singh, Divisional Forest Officer, Pilibhit. Till date, no such sightings had been recorded.
Officials of the department said the sightings will help them push forward the case of creating a tiger reserve in Pilibhit. The proposal for a tiger reserve in Pilibhit, which has been approved by Union forest ministry and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2008, is still pending with the state government.
According to the proposal, the reserve will spread over 1,000 square kilometres, and will help in monitoring the tiger movement as well as the conservation of big cats.
“It is clear that the tiger is expanding its territory and there is not one, but a group of adult tigers in this area. The proposal is pending, as some local politicians have expressed their concerns over the rehabilitation of people in the 15 villages, which may come under the demarcated core zone,” said a forest official, on condition of anonymity.
The official added that the department has changed the maps twice, but nothing has happened so far. “But now, we can push for the case. It is important to declare this region as a tiger reserve for the safety of both the animals and the inhabitants of the villages,” added the official.
The new reserve will bring in all the five ranges of Pilibhit — Barahi, Mala, Deoria, Mahof and Haripur — under a consolidated area. The proposed reserve will spread across Pilibhit, Mala Range, Barahi Range and Nepalsukla Fanta Range. Pilibhit, Khutar and Kakraha will be converted into protected areas.
Rajasthan looks for more tiger habitats
RANTHAMBORE: With instructions from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the state forest department has begun search for alternative tiger habitats in the state for a Sariska repeat. The instructions came during the recent visit of the director NTCA Rajesh Gopal following four instances of man-animal conflict in and around Ranthambore in the past four months.
The strategy is to disperse an ever growing tiger population on the overburdened national park so as to stop instances of man-animal conflicts mostly along the periphery of the park.
The Darrah (Kota) and Ramgarh Bishdoi (Bundi) sanctuaries have already been earmarked as potential places to house transient tigers from Ranthambore
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Rajasthan-looks-for-more-tiger-habitats/articleshow/6429462.cms
The strategy is to disperse an ever growing tiger population on the overburdened national park so as to stop instances of man-animal conflicts mostly along the periphery of the park.
The Darrah (Kota) and Ramgarh Bishdoi (Bundi) sanctuaries have already been earmarked as potential places to house transient tigers from Ranthambore
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Rajasthan-looks-for-more-tiger-habitats/articleshow/6429462.cms
1 in 10 Sunderbans tigers man-eater
KOLKATA: Bangladeshi tiger researcher Monirul H Khan believes the hostile terrain of the Sunderbans is breeding man-eaters and fears the ratio may increase as it becomes a part of the Royal Bengal's genes.
"One in every 10 tigers that inhabit the Sunderbans is a man-eater. That is the estimation on the Bangladeshi side where 50 people are mauled and eaten by tigers every year. As people fall prey and young cubs, too, feed on human carcass, more tigers will become man-eaters in the future. The only way out is to stop entry of villagers into tiger territory in the core of the forest," Khan said.
The official figure of deaths is much lower as the government only takes into account casualties against the number of entry passes.
While the forest department in Bangladesh claims there are around 400 tigers in the eastern section of the Sunderbans covering 5,770 sq km, Khan says the real figure is half as much. If one goes by his count, based on camera-trapping, relative density and pray density rather than pug marks), there are at least 20 man-eaters in the Bangladeshi section of the Sunderbans.
In the western part that lies in West Bengal, the number of man-eaters would be similar since as many people die each year when villagers enter the forest to collect honey and cut wood. "The man-tiger conflict happens only when people enter the core area. The tiger kills to protect its territory. Unlike in other forests where only tigers that are incapacitated by age or injury turn to prey on man, in the mangrove forests, even healthy tigers turn man-eaters," he said.
Unlike the Sunderbans in West Bengal, across the border tigers get killed by men when they stray into human habitation.
"Every year, around two-three tigers die when they stray into villages. There is no system of tranquilizing and capturing tigers for release in the wilderness unlike the practice here," Khan said, adding that awareness on tiger conservation was low and forest department resources poor.
Khan has through research devised a means to discourage tiger straying by forming vigil teams comprising 15 men and five dogs that receive intensive training to ward off tigers.
In the city to attend a symposium organized by Bengal Tiger Bachaao on man-tiger conflict, Khan felt forest officials on both sides could liaison better to exchange learning and ideas.
"There is a need for greater cooperation to stop poachers and smugglers because they tend to slink away to the other side after the crime. If foresters on both sides act in unison, poaching can be curbed to a great extent," Khan reasoned.
"One in every 10 tigers that inhabit the Sunderbans is a man-eater. That is the estimation on the Bangladeshi side where 50 people are mauled and eaten by tigers every year. As people fall prey and young cubs, too, feed on human carcass, more tigers will become man-eaters in the future. The only way out is to stop entry of villagers into tiger territory in the core of the forest," Khan said.
The official figure of deaths is much lower as the government only takes into account casualties against the number of entry passes.
While the forest department in Bangladesh claims there are around 400 tigers in the eastern section of the Sunderbans covering 5,770 sq km, Khan says the real figure is half as much. If one goes by his count, based on camera-trapping, relative density and pray density rather than pug marks), there are at least 20 man-eaters in the Bangladeshi section of the Sunderbans.
In the western part that lies in West Bengal, the number of man-eaters would be similar since as many people die each year when villagers enter the forest to collect honey and cut wood. "The man-tiger conflict happens only when people enter the core area. The tiger kills to protect its territory. Unlike in other forests where only tigers that are incapacitated by age or injury turn to prey on man, in the mangrove forests, even healthy tigers turn man-eaters," he said.
Unlike the Sunderbans in West Bengal, across the border tigers get killed by men when they stray into human habitation.
"Every year, around two-three tigers die when they stray into villages. There is no system of tranquilizing and capturing tigers for release in the wilderness unlike the practice here," Khan said, adding that awareness on tiger conservation was low and forest department resources poor.
Khan has through research devised a means to discourage tiger straying by forming vigil teams comprising 15 men and five dogs that receive intensive training to ward off tigers.
In the city to attend a symposium organized by Bengal Tiger Bachaao on man-tiger conflict, Khan felt forest officials on both sides could liaison better to exchange learning and ideas.
"There is a need for greater cooperation to stop poachers and smugglers because they tend to slink away to the other side after the crime. If foresters on both sides act in unison, poaching can be curbed to a great extent," Khan reasoned.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/1-in-10-Sunderbans-tigers-man-eater/articleshow/6429072.cms
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
SOME EASY STEPS TO KILL TIGERS
How does a tiger become a good candidate for a new breeding programme? Forget science and genetics. JAY MAZOOMDAAR says the first tiger spotted is the first tiger shipped out
JOURNALISTS WHO cover ‘sensitive’ sectors such as the Ministry of Defence or External Affairs are used to restricted access. These ministries often cite national interest to make it difficult to question some of the “stories” they dish out. One would not imagine the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to be so secretive. But the green ministry plays the same power game in protected forests off limits for the masses and the media.
No one would grudge the ministry its clout to quietly and quickly secure ecological interests in a squabbling, dithering democracy. But these secret machinations can be a dangerous game. Last month, one such move went horribly wrong, rubbishing credible science, betraying public trust and wasting crores of rupees in public money.
In a joint exercise, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the Rajasthan Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) shifted a fourth tiger to Sariska on 20 July. There has been a 17-month moratorium since the last tiger was shifted in February 2009. The media was told that the delay was due to a thorough scientific exercise that was necessary to ascertain genetic compatibility after the first three tigers shifted to Sariska turned out to be siblings and also failed to breed. When the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) finally cleared two tigers for relocation after matching the DNA of the Ranthambore tigers with the ones shifted to Sariska, the officials claimed, the operation was resumed.
A triumph for science and conservation, the media was told. Well, almost. If only the officials shifted the right tigers, the ones cleared by the NCBS.
DNA analysis is done either from blood or scat (droppings) samples. WII scientists have been involved in a radiocollaring exercise in Ranthambore for more than three years. Though it is mandatory to collect blood when a tiger is tranquilised for radio-collaring, and they have collared many, no blood sample was sent to NCBS. So the DNA tests were done with scats and two samples were found suitable.
The next logical step was to find the two tigers whose scats were cleared. Since nobody saw any tiger defecating while collecting the samples, this was the tricky part. One collection point near Kamaldhar was frequented by five tigers — three males (T12, T28 and T38) and two females (T17 and T19). The other collection point was at the edge of the park, visited by a young male (T24) and also by T12.
The two females (T17 and T19) are known to be closely related to the females already in Sariska. So the officials knew that these DNA results would not come handy for identifying a suitable female and any selection would be random without further studies. For a male, they had four possibilities (T24, T12, T28 and T38) to check.
But within 48 hours of receiving the NCBS report, without even trying to ascertain which individual was actually cleared by the DNA test, the officials picked up the T12 male. Why? Because T12 had hunted a cow on 18 July and was the easiest target when the darting team arrived on 19 July.
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It did not matter that T12 was six years old, had an established territory and was one of the four dominant males of Ranthambore. It did not matter that a 2008 NTCA directive prohibited shifting settled, territorial tigers and allowed relocation of young floaters still on the lookout for territories. It did not matter that a similar mature, settled tiger shifted from Pench to Panna started walking back home, risking its life and triggering panic among people. It did not matter that all the other three candidates were younger than T12 and two of them were floaters ideal for shifting.
On 28 July, days after shifting T12, officials sent a tigress to Sariska (T44) who was recently photographed while mating by many Ranthambore regulars. If she is indeed pregnant, her cubs will be doomed in Sariska in the absence of their father. So will be the cubs of the tigress that paired with T12 days before he was removed from Ranthambore.
ASOURCE IN WII revealed that the tiger reintroduction project was initially conceived as part of the ongoing WII research at Ranthambore. As the researchers kept collaring tigers, they were supposed to keep checking their blood samples for genetic compatibility and shift suitable candidates that met other criteria like age to Sariska as and when possible. Then, a sudden populist rush, he rued, hijacked the project.
But it is shocking that our officials would brazenly repeat the same mistakes that they were forced to own up to only recently. What was the point of the 17-month moratorium, sundry committees, repeated field surveys and DNA analyses if they were to again pick up whichever tiger they found easy to dart?
It may appear a fait accompli but the WII must make public how they identified the right tigers from the scat samples cleared by NCBS. The NTCA must spell out who is responsible for shifting resident and breeding tigers from the core population, violating its own guideline. The MoEF must send blood samples of the new Sariska tigers, collected in the presence of independent observers, to NCBS to confirm if the right individuals were selected.
Unfortunately, the only heads that ever roll in our forests belong to tigers. The writer is an independent journalist and a filmmaker
ILLUSTRATION: NAOREM ASHISH
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main46.asp?filename=hub280810SomeEasy.asp
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