Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tigress poisoned in Bandhavgarh reserve, rescued
Bhopal, Oct 27 (PTI) A tigress in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was rescued after it was poisoned allegedly by some villagers, officials said. "The tigress is now fine and we are in the process of sending the samples of her vomiting for test," the Reserve Deputy Field Director Mridul Pathak told PTI today. The tigress was found unwell near Mala-Kathali villages close to park fencing yesterday morning, after it ate the remains of a prey it hunted down a day ago, Pathak said. The tigress had hunted a goat on October 25 in Mala village and devoured half of it, officials said. By the time it reached to eat its kill again, somebody had laced the prey with poison, a practise often used by the villagers to eliminate carnivores out of fear or by poachers, officials said. "Now the tigress is fine and at Chakradhara area," Pathak said. "We have collected the samples of the tigress vomiting from the spot where it killed the goat. Besides, we have collected the sample of what the tigress vomited after she was found in the park," the reserve deputy director, said. Forest officials have detained some villagers, including the owner of the goat for interrogation, sources said.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Is Sunderban tiger a different sub-species?
Sunderban tiger was perhaps separated about 500 to 1,000 years ago: Dr. Jhalla
‘The leaner frame and lesser body-mass is an advantage for the Sunderban tiger in its habitat'
KOLKATA: Scientists and officials of the Sunderban Tiger Reserve are investigating whether the Sunderban tiger is a different sub-species compared to those found in the sub-continent, officials told The Hindu on Sunday.
The Sunderban tiger exhibits certain distinctive morphological adaptations that make it particularly suited to the mangrove habitat of the Sunderban islands.
The average size of the adult tigers there is much smaller and it weighs about only 100 kilograms, compared to the heavier tigers elsewhere.
A six-year-old male tiger that strayed into the inhabited areas and captured by reserve officials over the weekend weighed only 98 kilograms.
Measurements of its body parts confirmed that the animal has a smaller frame than the tigers on the mainland, said Subrat Mukherjee, Sunderban Tiger Reserve Field Director.
Besides DNA analysis of the cat, Mr. Mukherjee will also study the skeletons of tigers as part of the research.
DNA analysis
“We will have to see whether these adaptations are only morphological or whether they are genetic adaptations that will qualify them to be listed as a separate sub-species. For this purpose, the mitochondrial and nuclear DNA of the tigers will have to be studied,” said Y. Jhalla, an expert at the Wildlife Institute of India.
Dr. Jhalla explained that considering the mutation rates that led to a genetic change, usually an animal that was isolated for a period of one million years was classified as a different species and one that was genetically isolated for between 20,000 and 50,000 years was a different sub-species.
“In the case of the Sunderban tiger, it was part of a contiguous region with others and was perhaps separated about 500 to 1,000 years ago,” he said.
Advantage
The leaner frame and lesser body-mass was an advantage for the Sunderban tiger in its habitat, he added.
A smaller animal needed lesser food.
Since the main prey of the Sunderban tiger (spotted deer) was a lean animal that weighed only about 50 kg, compared to much heavier sambar or gaur that were eaten by other tigers, the animal could make do with lesser food, he said.
Muddy terrain
“Secondly, less body weight makes it easier for the animal to move around in the muddy terrain of the Sunderbans. If the tiger is heavier, its feet will sink further into the soil as it walks and it will have to expend more energy,” Dr. Jhalla said.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/25/stories/2010102558242000.htm
Pench workshop to discuss role of PAs in climate change Read more: Pench workshop to discuss role of PAs in climate change - The Times of India http:
NAGPUR: Protected areas (PAs) like sanctuaries, national parks and reserves are not only homes for wildlife but they also contribute to reducing the risk of natural disasters by helping adapt to climate change.
Around 40 experts, including 20 field directors, will gather at Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Madhya Pradesh, on November 2 and 3, to evolve a strategy to enhance the role of PAs in climate change, mobilise resources set aside for conserving biodiversity and ecosystems through a worldwide network of national parks, and increase disaster resilience of local communities dependent on the ecosystem services of the parks.
The international workshop has been organised by Satpuda Foundation, a leading NGO in Central India, in collaboration with Global Tiger Forum (GTF), inter-governmental body International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).
The main target group of this global workshop are park managers, representing national parks in Asia, where indigenous and poor communities depend on natural resources for their livelihood, and national disaster planning agencies.
The objective of the workshop is to document good practices in biodiversity conservation, to reduce disaster risk and promote adaptation to extreme weather events. Also, the participants aim to find ways to align national and regional policies to address gaps in global policy as per the Global Platform 2011.
"We will also list future challenges from a changing climate, which could be addressed through an ecosystem-based approach and regional issues that need policy changes to achieve the objective," said Kishor Rithe, president of the foundation.
Developing countries show apathy towards PA network, almost always saying that poverty alleviation is a priority for them rather than managing and conserving Pas, which are homes of endangered species. "However, it is wrong. PAs actually help in poverty alleviation of locals and also provide great ecological services," says Rithe.
Satpuda Foundation, IUCN, UN`s ISDR and GTF have come forward to strengthen PAs in Asia for the benefits of locals in the international biodiversity year.
Field Directors from 20 tiger reserves in India will participate in the workshop along with PA managers from Asia and officers from disaster reduction cells from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Read more: Pench workshop to discuss role of PAs in climate change - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Pench-workshop-to-discuss-role-of-PAs-in-climate-change/articleshow/6812689.cms#ixzz13SGD6YKc
Around 40 experts, including 20 field directors, will gather at Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Madhya Pradesh, on November 2 and 3, to evolve a strategy to enhance the role of PAs in climate change, mobilise resources set aside for conserving biodiversity and ecosystems through a worldwide network of national parks, and increase disaster resilience of local communities dependent on the ecosystem services of the parks.
The international workshop has been organised by Satpuda Foundation, a leading NGO in Central India, in collaboration with Global Tiger Forum (GTF), inter-governmental body International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).
The main target group of this global workshop are park managers, representing national parks in Asia, where indigenous and poor communities depend on natural resources for their livelihood, and national disaster planning agencies.
The objective of the workshop is to document good practices in biodiversity conservation, to reduce disaster risk and promote adaptation to extreme weather events. Also, the participants aim to find ways to align national and regional policies to address gaps in global policy as per the Global Platform 2011.
"We will also list future challenges from a changing climate, which could be addressed through an ecosystem-based approach and regional issues that need policy changes to achieve the objective," said Kishor Rithe, president of the foundation.
Developing countries show apathy towards PA network, almost always saying that poverty alleviation is a priority for them rather than managing and conserving Pas, which are homes of endangered species. "However, it is wrong. PAs actually help in poverty alleviation of locals and also provide great ecological services," says Rithe.
Satpuda Foundation, IUCN, UN`s ISDR and GTF have come forward to strengthen PAs in Asia for the benefits of locals in the international biodiversity year.
Field Directors from 20 tiger reserves in India will participate in the workshop along with PA managers from Asia and officers from disaster reduction cells from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Read more: Pench workshop to discuss role of PAs in climate change - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Pench-workshop-to-discuss-role-of-PAs-in-climate-change/articleshow/6812689.cms#ixzz13SGD6YKc
Tiger gatecrashes Katy-Brand wedding
American singer Kate Perry and English comedian Russell Brand had an uninvited guest during their wedding celebrations here two days ago -- a tiger.
"A tiger known as T24 gate-crashed the wedding venue with a prey around midnight when the celebrations were on. The guards had a difficult time shooing it away," a security guard at the Aman-i-Khás resort told IANS on the condition of anonymity.
"The tiger was only 50-75 feet away from the party venue when my colleagues managed to frighten him away," the guard said.
The particular tiger has been spotted in the past near the resort, he said. A few days back he was seen with a prey - a "neel gai"
Though forest officials are tightlipped over the incident, the guard said that it seems that the tiger was attracted to the resort seeing the lights and smell of food.
"Variety of dishes, including traditional Rajasthani, continental and Chinese food, were cooked for the guests," he added.
The couple had a Hindu ritualistic wedding Saturday amid chanting of Vedic mantras. They took seven rounds around a holy fire and tied their nuptial knots.
Aman-i-Khás, situated close to the Ranthmabore National Park, is a wilderness camp for travellers wishing to experience the natural beauty and rural life of Rajasthan.
The property sits on a gentle slope on the fringes of the park against a backdrop of hills.
Native vegetation of tall grasses, scrub and trees surrounds the camp. A watering hole is situated nearby.
The entrance to the camp is via a pathway that leads through high walls, opening onto breathtaking views of the rocky Aravalli hills that undulate through the Ranthambore National Park.
Ranthambore is known for its tigers and is one of the best places in India to see these majestic predators in the jungle.
The high-profile wedding ran into problems when paparazzi clashed with minders during a safari trip to Ranthambore.
The photographers claimed that a member of the actor's entourage came up to their vehicle and
punched the driver in the face. They also took away the keys of the photographers' vehicle.
But the offending security staff later visit a police station and offered apologies to the photographers.
Read more: Tiger gatecrashes Katy-Brand wedding - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-interviews/Tiger-gatecrashes-Katy-Brand-wedding/articleshow/6808882.cms#ixzz13SG5wjbQ
"A tiger known as T24 gate-crashed the wedding venue with a prey around midnight when the celebrations were on. The guards had a difficult time shooing it away," a security guard at the Aman-i-Khás resort told IANS on the condition of anonymity.
"The tiger was only 50-75 feet away from the party venue when my colleagues managed to frighten him away," the guard said.
The particular tiger has been spotted in the past near the resort, he said. A few days back he was seen with a prey - a "neel gai"
Though forest officials are tightlipped over the incident, the guard said that it seems that the tiger was attracted to the resort seeing the lights and smell of food.
"Variety of dishes, including traditional Rajasthani, continental and Chinese food, were cooked for the guests," he added.
The couple had a Hindu ritualistic wedding Saturday amid chanting of Vedic mantras. They took seven rounds around a holy fire and tied their nuptial knots.
Aman-i-Khás, situated close to the Ranthmabore National Park, is a wilderness camp for travellers wishing to experience the natural beauty and rural life of Rajasthan.
The property sits on a gentle slope on the fringes of the park against a backdrop of hills.
Native vegetation of tall grasses, scrub and trees surrounds the camp. A watering hole is situated nearby.
The entrance to the camp is via a pathway that leads through high walls, opening onto breathtaking views of the rocky Aravalli hills that undulate through the Ranthambore National Park.
Ranthambore is known for its tigers and is one of the best places in India to see these majestic predators in the jungle.
The high-profile wedding ran into problems when paparazzi clashed with minders during a safari trip to Ranthambore.
The photographers claimed that a member of the actor's entourage came up to their vehicle and
punched the driver in the face. They also took away the keys of the photographers' vehicle.
But the offending security staff later visit a police station and offered apologies to the photographers.
Read more: Tiger gatecrashes Katy-Brand wedding - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-interviews/Tiger-gatecrashes-Katy-Brand-wedding/articleshow/6808882.cms#ixzz13SG5wjbQ
Monday, October 25, 2010
Gehlot paves way for Ranthambore's expansion
JAIPUR: Amid growing concerns over straying away of tigers from the Ranthambore sanctuary, chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday visited the national park and ordered the removal of bottlenecks for the park's expansion so that a rising population of tigers can be accommodated.
Gehlot took a state plane to the airstrip at Ranthambore and was accompanied by forest minister Ramlal Jat, principal secretary, forests, V S Singh and principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) R N Mehrotra.
Gehlot's visit follows the death of tiger T-36 in a territorial war with another tiger T-42. With tiger population multiplying in the park, turf wars and big cats' straying away have become a routine.
Gehlot spotted a tiger, T-17, near the Mallik talab and christened it as Krishna. The T-17 tiger is the daughter of the most photographed tigress in the world Machli.'
"The chief minister has been visiting some of the sanctuaries in the state and this one was to review the situation in Ranthambore in view of the recent tiger death. He has ordered the removal of all obstacles in the expansion of Ranthambore so that more tigers can be accommodated," said PCCF R N Mehrotra.
As a first step, the chief minister ordered expansion of the airstrip on the Madhopur-Lalsot road. Gehlot also called for a time-bound programme for the completion of the boundary wall around the national park.
"There is a narrow airstrip at the Madhopur-Lalsot road. The CM ordered the expansion so that more planes could land there. There are many foreigners who use chartered planes. The expansion of the airstrip will give a fillip to tourism," said a forest official.
Gehlot also called for a time-bound programme for the completion of the boundary wall around the national park.
"He directed that the NREGS and CAMPA funds shall be utilised so that the circumference of the wall could be expanded to 400 kilometre instead of the existing 87 km," said an official.
The CM also announced speedier relocation of the villages on the outskirts the sanctuary. "Once these villages are relocated, the park can accommodate more tigers. The chief minister also directed that no encroachment shall be allowed in the area," said the official.
On the alleged noise pollution just outside the park during the marriage of British comedian Russell Brand and American pop singer Katy Perry, Gehlot formed a committee to be headed by the collector that will look into any violation.
Read more: Gehlot paves way for Ranthambore's expansion - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Gehlot-paves-way-for-Ranthambores-expansion/articleshow/6806044.cms#ixzz13LWA5MGw
Gehlot took a state plane to the airstrip at Ranthambore and was accompanied by forest minister Ramlal Jat, principal secretary, forests, V S Singh and principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) R N Mehrotra.
Gehlot's visit follows the death of tiger T-36 in a territorial war with another tiger T-42. With tiger population multiplying in the park, turf wars and big cats' straying away have become a routine.
Gehlot spotted a tiger, T-17, near the Mallik talab and christened it as Krishna. The T-17 tiger is the daughter of the most photographed tigress in the world Machli.'
"The chief minister has been visiting some of the sanctuaries in the state and this one was to review the situation in Ranthambore in view of the recent tiger death. He has ordered the removal of all obstacles in the expansion of Ranthambore so that more tigers can be accommodated," said PCCF R N Mehrotra.
As a first step, the chief minister ordered expansion of the airstrip on the Madhopur-Lalsot road. Gehlot also called for a time-bound programme for the completion of the boundary wall around the national park.
"There is a narrow airstrip at the Madhopur-Lalsot road. The CM ordered the expansion so that more planes could land there. There are many foreigners who use chartered planes. The expansion of the airstrip will give a fillip to tourism," said a forest official.
Gehlot also called for a time-bound programme for the completion of the boundary wall around the national park.
"He directed that the NREGS and CAMPA funds shall be utilised so that the circumference of the wall could be expanded to 400 kilometre instead of the existing 87 km," said an official.
The CM also announced speedier relocation of the villages on the outskirts the sanctuary. "Once these villages are relocated, the park can accommodate more tigers. The chief minister also directed that no encroachment shall be allowed in the area," said the official.
On the alleged noise pollution just outside the park during the marriage of British comedian Russell Brand and American pop singer Katy Perry, Gehlot formed a committee to be headed by the collector that will look into any violation.
Read more: Gehlot paves way for Ranthambore's expansion - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Gehlot-paves-way-for-Ranthambores-expansion/articleshow/6806044.cms#ixzz13LWA5MGw
Madhya Pradesh: No space for Panna tigers
Panna Tiger Reserve: Coming as a major setback to tiger conservation in Madhya Pradesh, the Panna tiger reserve will not have the glory of enjoying a buffer zone for the tigers.
Buffer zones are vital as they allow tigers more space to move freely. The decision by the Chief Minister has come as a shock for many and people are reading between the lines for its inherent meaning.
"Humans are more valuable than tigers. One cannot destroy Panna and let just tigers survive. What will they do with such a buffer zone? That is why there is no need for a buffer zone that can cause problems to Panna. No such buffer zones will be made,"said Shivraj Singh Chouhan the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
The decision has come just weeks after the Pench and Kanha reserves in Maharashtra were given its notified buffer zones.
In the last decade, Panna has lost 34 tigers, most of them being poached. Under such circumstances ignoring the desperate need of a buffer zone for the tiger reserve has shocked all.
Surprisingly, Chouhan's remarks have come at a time when the forest department has got the consent of 45 of the 69 villages in the proposed buffer zone. Sources say, several local political heavyweights and their associates have a stake in mines in the area under the buffer zone and a notification may stop all that.
Could the Chief Minister's decision have more to do with the mining stakes involved?
"The people who are exposing it is because of lack of understanding or they have rights in ways of illegal mining or extracting wood or maybe some other sources," said Shamendra Singh a Former member of the Madhya Pardesh Wildlife Advisory Committee.
Even as the Wildlife Act makes a buffer zone mandatory for every tiger reserve, the Chief Minister vetoing it in Panna has raised several questions. The concern now is that who will prevail finally? Until then, the fate of Panna remains hanging.
Buffer zones are vital as they allow tigers more space to move freely. The decision by the Chief Minister has come as a shock for many and people are reading between the lines for its inherent meaning.
"Humans are more valuable than tigers. One cannot destroy Panna and let just tigers survive. What will they do with such a buffer zone? That is why there is no need for a buffer zone that can cause problems to Panna. No such buffer zones will be made,"said Shivraj Singh Chouhan the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
The decision has come just weeks after the Pench and Kanha reserves in Maharashtra were given its notified buffer zones.
In the last decade, Panna has lost 34 tigers, most of them being poached. Under such circumstances ignoring the desperate need of a buffer zone for the tiger reserve has shocked all.
Surprisingly, Chouhan's remarks have come at a time when the forest department has got the consent of 45 of the 69 villages in the proposed buffer zone. Sources say, several local political heavyweights and their associates have a stake in mines in the area under the buffer zone and a notification may stop all that.
Could the Chief Minister's decision have more to do with the mining stakes involved?
"The people who are exposing it is because of lack of understanding or they have rights in ways of illegal mining or extracting wood or maybe some other sources," said Shamendra Singh a Former member of the Madhya Pardesh Wildlife Advisory Committee.
Even as the Wildlife Act makes a buffer zone mandatory for every tiger reserve, the Chief Minister vetoing it in Panna has raised several questions. The concern now is that who will prevail finally? Until then, the fate of Panna remains hanging.
Focus on tiger prey base in Sunderbans
KOLKATA: The prey base in Sunderbans has always been under scanner. But a study by Wildlife Institute of India (WII) may actually blow the lid off the issue. If an estimation by the WII is to be believed, about 15 spotted deer per square kilometre (sq km) are surviving in Sunderbans currently. "We have initiated a study on tiger density and prey base in Sunderbans and will come out with the final report in a couple of months. But according to initial investigations, we fear there are not more than 15 deer per sq km," says Y V Jhala of WII.
A recent study by Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) says a full-grown wild tiger needs to eat 50 cheetals a year to survive. "A herd of 500 cheetals is required to provide a sustainable outcome of 50 cheetals per tiger. In other words, 500 cheetals can provide a single tiger 50 cheetals a year for food," says Belinda Wright, executive director, WPSI.
Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (STR) is spread over almost 2,580 sq km, of which nearly 35% is water. Taking into account the rest of forest land, not more than 25,000 deer are reportedly there in Sunderbans.
According to Wright, a prey base of 25,000 cheetals is only enough for 50 tigers. Is the present number of big cats in Sunderbans around 50? The question remains unanswered. And where are the cheetals vanishing and why? The mystery only intensifies.
According to Jhala, herbivores cannot take salinity after a point and that is the main reason behind the shrinking prey base.
Director of Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve, Pradeep Vyas, said: "Once we receive an official intimation, we will definitely look into the matter. No study has yet been done on Sunderbans' prey base and we are waiting for the WII report." According to him, not only deer, tigers depend on wild boars and monitor lizards too for food.
Going by Biswajit Roy Chowdhury of Nature Environment and Wildlife Society, salinity is not only a problem for the deer but it's dangerous for tigers as well. "Salinity has increased by almost 15 times in last 10 years, which is dangerous for both deer and tigers," he says.
Quoting a study by scientists Dr Ullas Karanth and George Schaller, Bangladesh-based tiger expert Monirul H Khan says: "There is always a natural balance between the prey and number of tigers. And 500 deer can provide sufficient food base to only one tiger, keeping in mind the fact that the breeding rate of deer is always balanced by the killing rate of tigers."
Bangladesh forest department recently said there are 70,000 to 80,000 cheetals in their part of Sunderbans, which according to Khan is not capable of providing sufficient food base to 419 tigers there.
The numbers game in Sunderbans still remains a million dollar question. Is the 2004 census figure, that says the mangrove forest has 274 tigers, believable? The figure, which has been contested fiercely, offers a case study. In the 2008 tiger census, the number of Sunderbans tigers could not be included as authentic figures were missing. Though WII is also set to come out with a preliminary report on tiger census in other parts of the country by November-end, Sunderbans will not be included in this. On being asked why, Jhala offered no comment.
Tushar Kanjilal, well-known social worker who spent long years in Sundarbans, has his take. "Prey base is definitely shrinking, but no concrete study has ever been done. But more and more tigers are moving towards the north from south, resulting in frequent incidents of straying," he says.
Former Project Tiger director, P K Sen, says: "We have been repeatedly saying that there is a shortage of prey base in Sunderbans. When WII comes out with the final report, I believe the actual number of cheetals per sq km will be even lesser than 15."
Wright says that poaching of deer should also be taken into account.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Focus-on-tiger-prey-base-in-Sunderbans/articleshow/6806096.cms
A recent study by Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) says a full-grown wild tiger needs to eat 50 cheetals a year to survive. "A herd of 500 cheetals is required to provide a sustainable outcome of 50 cheetals per tiger. In other words, 500 cheetals can provide a single tiger 50 cheetals a year for food," says Belinda Wright, executive director, WPSI.
Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (STR) is spread over almost 2,580 sq km, of which nearly 35% is water. Taking into account the rest of forest land, not more than 25,000 deer are reportedly there in Sunderbans.
According to Wright, a prey base of 25,000 cheetals is only enough for 50 tigers. Is the present number of big cats in Sunderbans around 50? The question remains unanswered. And where are the cheetals vanishing and why? The mystery only intensifies.
According to Jhala, herbivores cannot take salinity after a point and that is the main reason behind the shrinking prey base.
Director of Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve, Pradeep Vyas, said: "Once we receive an official intimation, we will definitely look into the matter. No study has yet been done on Sunderbans' prey base and we are waiting for the WII report." According to him, not only deer, tigers depend on wild boars and monitor lizards too for food.
Going by Biswajit Roy Chowdhury of Nature Environment and Wildlife Society, salinity is not only a problem for the deer but it's dangerous for tigers as well. "Salinity has increased by almost 15 times in last 10 years, which is dangerous for both deer and tigers," he says.
Quoting a study by scientists Dr Ullas Karanth and George Schaller, Bangladesh-based tiger expert Monirul H Khan says: "There is always a natural balance between the prey and number of tigers. And 500 deer can provide sufficient food base to only one tiger, keeping in mind the fact that the breeding rate of deer is always balanced by the killing rate of tigers."
Bangladesh forest department recently said there are 70,000 to 80,000 cheetals in their part of Sunderbans, which according to Khan is not capable of providing sufficient food base to 419 tigers there.
The numbers game in Sunderbans still remains a million dollar question. Is the 2004 census figure, that says the mangrove forest has 274 tigers, believable? The figure, which has been contested fiercely, offers a case study. In the 2008 tiger census, the number of Sunderbans tigers could not be included as authentic figures were missing. Though WII is also set to come out with a preliminary report on tiger census in other parts of the country by November-end, Sunderbans will not be included in this. On being asked why, Jhala offered no comment.
Tushar Kanjilal, well-known social worker who spent long years in Sundarbans, has his take. "Prey base is definitely shrinking, but no concrete study has ever been done. But more and more tigers are moving towards the north from south, resulting in frequent incidents of straying," he says.
Former Project Tiger director, P K Sen, says: "We have been repeatedly saying that there is a shortage of prey base in Sunderbans. When WII comes out with the final report, I believe the actual number of cheetals per sq km will be even lesser than 15."
Wright says that poaching of deer should also be taken into account.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Focus-on-tiger-prey-base-in-Sunderbans/articleshow/6806096.cms
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Over 100 tigers spotted in three tiger reserves, says forest minister Read more: Over 100 tigers spotted in three tiger reserves, says forest ministe
UDHAGAMANDALAM: Over 100 tigers have been spotted in the three Tigers reserves of Kalakkad Mundanthurai in Tirunelveli district, Anamalai in Coimbatore district and Mudumalai in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu forest minister, N Selvaraj said on Saturday. While their numbers were dwindling nationwide, the big cats are thriving in Tamil Nadu, according to Selvaraj.
In a recent survey, 46 tigers have been sighted directly in Sathyamangalam forest area, Selvaraj said. According to a 2007 survey, the population of tigers in Tamil Nadu was between 62 and 76. Stating that the reason for their growing numbers is the healthy prey base, the forest minister said, "I happened to see a lot of bison and several herds of spotted deer in the Mudumalai reserve and its surroundings". Also, poaching activities are completely under control, he added.
Asked about the long-pending proposal for merging the Sigur reserve forest area with the adjacent Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in the Nilgiris, he said, "The proposal is under consideration." Many wild animals including tigers are being sighted in the Sigur forests. Recently, Union forest and environment minister Jairam Ramesh had written to the Tamil Nadu government urging it to declare the Sigur forest as a tiger reserve. The proposal for merging the reserve forest with the Mudumalai tiger reserve is pending with the government.
On several illegal resorts operating in the hill district in identified elephant corridors in the Sigur Plateau, Selvaraj said cases in this regard were pending in the courts. However, no fresh construction would be allowed in these areas, he said, adding that protecting wildlife would be the first consideration in any kind of development projects in the hill district, including laying of new roads. The penalty fee against cutting trees illegally in private lands, presently a very nominal amount, would be revised soon, said the minister.
The forest department will ensure there are no encroachments on the traditional elephant paths in the forests. The elephants move in herds and on a particular trajectory. When this is disturbed they stray into unknown zones and end up entering human habitats, affecting residents, he said. To a question regarding monitoring of the neutrino project to be set up in Theni, the minister said, "Once the project is set up, arrangements will be made to monitor the project".
Read more: Over 100 tigers spotted in three tiger reserves, says forest minister - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Over-100-tigers-spotted-in-three-tiger-reserves-says-forest-minister/articleshow/6800770.cms#ixzz13GT9mrU8
In a recent survey, 46 tigers have been sighted directly in Sathyamangalam forest area, Selvaraj said. According to a 2007 survey, the population of tigers in Tamil Nadu was between 62 and 76. Stating that the reason for their growing numbers is the healthy prey base, the forest minister said, "I happened to see a lot of bison and several herds of spotted deer in the Mudumalai reserve and its surroundings". Also, poaching activities are completely under control, he added.
Asked about the long-pending proposal for merging the Sigur reserve forest area with the adjacent Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in the Nilgiris, he said, "The proposal is under consideration." Many wild animals including tigers are being sighted in the Sigur forests. Recently, Union forest and environment minister Jairam Ramesh had written to the Tamil Nadu government urging it to declare the Sigur forest as a tiger reserve. The proposal for merging the reserve forest with the Mudumalai tiger reserve is pending with the government.
On several illegal resorts operating in the hill district in identified elephant corridors in the Sigur Plateau, Selvaraj said cases in this regard were pending in the courts. However, no fresh construction would be allowed in these areas, he said, adding that protecting wildlife would be the first consideration in any kind of development projects in the hill district, including laying of new roads. The penalty fee against cutting trees illegally in private lands, presently a very nominal amount, would be revised soon, said the minister.
The forest department will ensure there are no encroachments on the traditional elephant paths in the forests. The elephants move in herds and on a particular trajectory. When this is disturbed they stray into unknown zones and end up entering human habitats, affecting residents, he said. To a question regarding monitoring of the neutrino project to be set up in Theni, the minister said, "Once the project is set up, arrangements will be made to monitor the project".
Read more: Over 100 tigers spotted in three tiger reserves, says forest minister - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Over-100-tigers-spotted-in-three-tiger-reserves-says-forest-minister/articleshow/6800770.cms#ixzz13GT9mrU8
Experts to study causes of tiger sightings in Pilibhit
After tigers have been sighted for over six months in the forests of Pilibhit district, wildlife experts are trying to determine the reasons and conditions, which have allowed the big cats to extend their territory in the area.
For the next three months, a team of experts from the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) will camp in the Deoria range of Pilibhit district and Khutar range in Shahjehanpur. Along with officials from the state Forest department, they will conduct a survey and submit a report to the National Tiger Conservation Authority of India. At present, a two-member WTI team is already camping in Deoria range.
For the first time, a tiger were sighted in this range in May. It attacked a man, who had entered the jungle in search of drift wood. The camera trap method confirmed the presence of a cub and three adult tigers in the area.
Between May and July, the maneater tiger attacked eight persons and travelled from Deoria Kalan in Pilibhit to Bilandapur in Shahjehanpur, Mohammadi in South Kheri and Shahbad range in Hardoi. It was finally tranquilised and caught from Hirasing Nangla in Farukkhabad district on October 14.
“The WTI is collaborating with us for the Uttar Pradesh Tiger Conservation Project. Their experts had also helped us in catching the maneater. As part of the tiger status monitoring exercise, they will now conduct a survey,” said Pilibhit Divisional Forest Officer V K Singh.
The WTI team members, along with with Forest officials, will not only study the movement of tigers, but also the increase in population of smaller animals in the area. “There must be an increase in the population of smaller animals, as a tiger needs sufficient prey to make an area its territory,” added Singh.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/experts-to-study-causes-of-tiger-sightings-in-pilibhit/701428/
3-yr-old tiger found dead in Ranthambore
JAIPUR: Days after four tigers strayed away from the Ranthambore tiger reserve, there's more bad news for the forest department: the body of a young tiger was recovered from the Kwaldi forest area on Friday.
According to forest officials, the three-year-old male, T-36, most probably died in a territorial fight with another tiger in the region. Officials said the neck of the animal and its fore limbs were broken. "Most probably the tiger died on Wednesday,'' said R S Shekhawat, DFO, Ranthambore park.
"The tiger and his sister, T-37, were occupying the Kamleshwar Mahadev forest area of the park. The two had recently lost their mother, T-15. Another tiger, T-42, also aged three years, had strayed into the area of T-36 from Khandar and in the ensuing fight the latter was killed,'' said Shekhawat.
Villagers had informed forest officials about T-42's intrusion. "We have been maintaining a close watch. Since T-36 had a radio collar, it was easy to track him even as we wondered what steps we should take. The signal became static in an area on Thursday and on Friday morning we came across its body,'' Shekhawat said.
"This is definitely a territorial fight,'' said Rajpal Singh, member state wildlife board. "The neck, ribs and the fore limbs of T-36 were broken. Officials have also spotted T-42, which has scratch marks on its face and is limping. This points to a fight,'' said Singh.
Read more: 3-yr-old tiger found dead in Ranthambore - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/3-yr-old-tiger-found-dead-in-Ranthambore/articleshow/6796536.cms#ixzz13GSlFlbW
According to forest officials, the three-year-old male, T-36, most probably died in a territorial fight with another tiger in the region. Officials said the neck of the animal and its fore limbs were broken. "Most probably the tiger died on Wednesday,'' said R S Shekhawat, DFO, Ranthambore park.
"The tiger and his sister, T-37, were occupying the Kamleshwar Mahadev forest area of the park. The two had recently lost their mother, T-15. Another tiger, T-42, also aged three years, had strayed into the area of T-36 from Khandar and in the ensuing fight the latter was killed,'' said Shekhawat.
Villagers had informed forest officials about T-42's intrusion. "We have been maintaining a close watch. Since T-36 had a radio collar, it was easy to track him even as we wondered what steps we should take. The signal became static in an area on Thursday and on Friday morning we came across its body,'' Shekhawat said.
"This is definitely a territorial fight,'' said Rajpal Singh, member state wildlife board. "The neck, ribs and the fore limbs of T-36 were broken. Officials have also spotted T-42, which has scratch marks on its face and is limping. This points to a fight,'' said Singh.
Read more: 3-yr-old tiger found dead in Ranthambore - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/3-yr-old-tiger-found-dead-in-Ranthambore/articleshow/6796536.cms#ixzz13GSlFlbW
Bengal tiger which killed three goats trapped
Kolkata, Oct 23 (IANS) A Royal Bengal tiger, which strayed away from a protected area and killed three goats, was trapped Saturday in West Bengal's Sunderbans area, a forest official said.
'The tiger, which strayed into Sahibghata and Jamespur area of South 24 Parganas district Oct 19 and killed three goats, was trapped in Sajnekhali,' said field director of Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (STR) Subrat Mukherjee.
He said it was an adult male tiger. Its health was good and it would be released Sunday in the core area of the STR.
'The tiger weighs 98 kg and its body measurement is smaller than the tigers found in other parts of the country,' Mukherjee said.
'After conducting a detailed study we can conclude that the tigers found in the mangrove forest of Sunderbans are nearly half the weight of other wild Bengal tigers (the largest subspecies) which weight 140 kg on an average,' he said.
'The study also suggests that the tigers found in the mangrove forest, which runs from Bangladesh to India, are the smallest tigers in the world,' said the field director.
'The study repeatedly concludes that Sunderbans tigers are smaller in size because of adaptation to its unique mangrove habitat. I have undertaken extensive osteological studies, with available skeletons, which also prove it is a smaller species,' he said.
'We need to find out whether it is 'Panthera tigris tigris' or a separate species altogether. We have collected blood, hair and samples for DNA tests,' said Mukherjee.
Tigers from the mangrove forest of the Sunderbans in Bangladesh and India are currently classified under the Bengal tiger subspecies (Panthera tigris tigris) along with tigers across India, Nepal and Bhutan.
http://sify.com/news/bengal-tiger-which-killed-three-goats-trapped-news-national-kkxsEgcgbfg.html
Tigers could be extinct in 12 yrs: WWF Read more: Tigers could be extinct in 12 yrs: WWF - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/worl
STOCKHOLM: Tigers could become extinct within 12 years but a top level meeting in Russia next month could help reverse the decline, nature conservation body WWF said.
"The worse scenario is that the tiger could be gone when the next year of the tiger comes along, in 12 years," said Ola Jennersten, head of the international nature conservation programme at WWF Sweden. WWF is leading a global campaign to attempt to double the number of tigers by 2022, when the next Chinese calendar year of the tiger comes around.
Read more: Tigers could be extinct in 12 yrs: WWF - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Tigers-could-be-extinct-in-12-yrs-WWF/articleshow/6796656.cms#ixzz13GSWH4Vd
"The worse scenario is that the tiger could be gone when the next year of the tiger comes along, in 12 years," said Ola Jennersten, head of the international nature conservation programme at WWF Sweden. WWF is leading a global campaign to attempt to double the number of tigers by 2022, when the next Chinese calendar year of the tiger comes around.
Read more: Tigers could be extinct in 12 yrs: WWF - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Tigers-could-be-extinct-in-12-yrs-WWF/articleshow/6796656.cms#ixzz13GSWH4Vd
Soon, Rs 1 cr fine for killing tiger
Wildlife poachers can soon be jailed for a minimum of seven years and fined at least Rs 30 lakh for killing endangered species, and the country will have two bodies to regulate international wildlife trade. The law ministry on Tuesday approved over 100 amendments in the Wildlife Protection Act,
1972, bringing it in tune with wildlife protection laws across the world by including regulation of species not native to India, a requirement under a global convention on wildlife.
Environment minister Jairam Ramesh said the bill, which strengthens the powers of forest and enforcement agencies, will be introduced in the winter session of Parliament after getting the cabinet's approval.
One of the biggest changes in the law is constitution of two bodies — scientific and management — to implement its provisions and regulate trade.
The management authority will be responsible for issuance of permits for trade of scheduled species on advice of the scientific body.
The two bodies will also be to enlist the exotic species found in India, which are not covered by global wildlife convention, and ways to regulate them.
"Protecting the country's indigenous species would be another role of the authority," an official said.
The proposed law for the first time speaks of using other laws such as Forest Rights Act, 2006, and Biological Diversity Act, 2003, for conservation of wildlife habitats.
"It has been done to make wildlife laws compatible with each other," the official said.
To provide the highest degree of legal protection to the most vulnerable animals against poaching, the amendments have put tigers, whose population is said to be less than 1,411, in Category 1. Other endangered animals in this category include lions, elephants, rhinos, crocodiles and antelopes.
Killing an animal in Category 1 could attract a minimum jail term of five years and maximum of seven. The fine prescribed ranges from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
For species under Category 2, including endangered birds, the jail term suggested is between three to five years and fine of up to Rs 3 lakh.
Teasing an animal will also be an offence.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Soon-Rs-1-cr-fine-for-killing-tiger/Article1-615590.aspx
India refuses to let WB play big brother in Project Tiger Read more: India refuses to let WB play big brother in Project Tiger - The Times of India h
NEW DELHI: In a snub to the World Bank (WB), the government has informed the latter that it won`t allow the lending institution to play big brother and manage and monitor its efforts to conserve the Indian tiger under the Global Tiger Initiative (GTI), a recently floated project that is highly favoured by bank president Robert B Zoellick.
The GTI has organised a summit of heads of state of countries having tiger population in Russia in November. But India will only be sending a ministerial-level delegation to the meeting. The Prime Minister would not be attending the summit, where the WB along with some foreign conservation NGOS are expected to hold fort.
WB has been keen to get India on board, as it would be odd to sell a global project to save the tigers when the country with the largest population of the big cat in the wild is unwilling to be a part of it. Earlier, the bank had lobbied hard that India borrow money from it to conserve and protect tigers. But the government has recently made it clear that it neither required money nor expertise from other countries.
However, not intending to outright reject a proposal from the multilateral funding agency it decided to participate in the GTI to enhance global cooperation on issues that did not involve direct conservation work in the tiger reserves.
The Indian government has informed the GTI that conservation of tiger is a sovereign issue, and it would not accept that the WB dictate terms to it. Having learnt its lesson earlier when a WB-funded project on Tiger led to displacement and agitation by tribals and increased corruption in some tiger reserves, the government has told the GTI that its interference would only lead to alienation among the local population. Though most conservationists had backed the government, some high profile `tiger-wallahs` were keen to get WB involved in it.
Read more: India refuses to let WB play big brother in Project Tiger - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-refuses-to-let-WB-play-big-brother-in-Project-Tiger/articleshow/6783528.cms#ixzz13GSK928z
The GTI has organised a summit of heads of state of countries having tiger population in Russia in November. But India will only be sending a ministerial-level delegation to the meeting. The Prime Minister would not be attending the summit, where the WB along with some foreign conservation NGOS are expected to hold fort.
WB has been keen to get India on board, as it would be odd to sell a global project to save the tigers when the country with the largest population of the big cat in the wild is unwilling to be a part of it. Earlier, the bank had lobbied hard that India borrow money from it to conserve and protect tigers. But the government has recently made it clear that it neither required money nor expertise from other countries.
However, not intending to outright reject a proposal from the multilateral funding agency it decided to participate in the GTI to enhance global cooperation on issues that did not involve direct conservation work in the tiger reserves.
The Indian government has informed the GTI that conservation of tiger is a sovereign issue, and it would not accept that the WB dictate terms to it. Having learnt its lesson earlier when a WB-funded project on Tiger led to displacement and agitation by tribals and increased corruption in some tiger reserves, the government has told the GTI that its interference would only lead to alienation among the local population. Though most conservationists had backed the government, some high profile `tiger-wallahs` were keen to get WB involved in it.
Read more: India refuses to let WB play big brother in Project Tiger - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-refuses-to-let-WB-play-big-brother-in-Project-Tiger/articleshow/6783528.cms#ixzz13GSK928z
SC blames Chinese demand for poaching of tigers in India Read more: SC blames Chinese demand for poaching of tigers in India
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday blamed the huge demand for tiger parts in China as the major reason for the thriving poaching syndicates run by "very wealthy and influential people" in India leading to near extinction of the big cat.
While upholding the conviction of notorious poacher Sansar Chand for two leopard skins seized from one of his accomplices, a Bench comprising Justices Markandey Katju and T S Thakur expressed concern over the largely free run that poachers have had in India and requested the Centre and state governments to tighten their belts.
Asking them to take stringent action against poachers and the illegal trade in wildlife items if they wanted to save the small number of tigers and other big cats in the country, the Bench went on to cite the "food chain" illustration given in school textbooks to drive home the importance of big cats to maintain balance in the ecology.
Justice Katju, writing the judgment for the Bench, noted that areas which decades back were teeming with wildlife had become devoid of it. He said many sanctuaries and national parks were almost empty and Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan and Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh had no tigers.
"Poaching of tigers for traditional Chinese medicine industry has been going on in India for several decades... This illegal trade is organised and widespread and is in the hands of ruthless and sophisticated operators, some of whom have top level patronage," the Bench said.
Condemning Sansar Chand and his family for indulging in mindless killing of wild animals, including tigers, for profit and having a trail of cases under the Wildlife Protection Act, the Bench said Chand and his gang had set up a complex, interlinking smuggling network to satisfy the demand for tiger and leopard parts and skins outside India's border, particularly in China.
Accepting Rajasthan standing counsel Manish Singhvi's argument, the Bench dismissed Chand's appeal against conviction and said the accused always remained behind the scene and it was difficult to procure direct evidence against him and the trial court was right in sentencing him on the basis of confessional statement of his accomplice.
Before closing the case, the Bench requested the governments and their agencies "to make all efforts to preserve the wildlife of the country and take stringent action against those who are violating the provisions of the Act as this is necessary for maintaining the ecological balance in our country".
Read more: SC blames Chinese demand for poaching of tigers in India - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/SC-blames-Chinese-demand-for-poaching-of-tigers-in-India/articleshow/6781860.cms#ixzz13GSBzN00
While upholding the conviction of notorious poacher Sansar Chand for two leopard skins seized from one of his accomplices, a Bench comprising Justices Markandey Katju and T S Thakur expressed concern over the largely free run that poachers have had in India and requested the Centre and state governments to tighten their belts.
Asking them to take stringent action against poachers and the illegal trade in wildlife items if they wanted to save the small number of tigers and other big cats in the country, the Bench went on to cite the "food chain" illustration given in school textbooks to drive home the importance of big cats to maintain balance in the ecology.
Justice Katju, writing the judgment for the Bench, noted that areas which decades back were teeming with wildlife had become devoid of it. He said many sanctuaries and national parks were almost empty and Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan and Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh had no tigers.
"Poaching of tigers for traditional Chinese medicine industry has been going on in India for several decades... This illegal trade is organised and widespread and is in the hands of ruthless and sophisticated operators, some of whom have top level patronage," the Bench said.
Condemning Sansar Chand and his family for indulging in mindless killing of wild animals, including tigers, for profit and having a trail of cases under the Wildlife Protection Act, the Bench said Chand and his gang had set up a complex, interlinking smuggling network to satisfy the demand for tiger and leopard parts and skins outside India's border, particularly in China.
Accepting Rajasthan standing counsel Manish Singhvi's argument, the Bench dismissed Chand's appeal against conviction and said the accused always remained behind the scene and it was difficult to procure direct evidence against him and the trial court was right in sentencing him on the basis of confessional statement of his accomplice.
Before closing the case, the Bench requested the governments and their agencies "to make all efforts to preserve the wildlife of the country and take stringent action against those who are violating the provisions of the Act as this is necessary for maintaining the ecological balance in our country".
Read more: SC blames Chinese demand for poaching of tigers in India - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/SC-blames-Chinese-demand-for-poaching-of-tigers-in-India/articleshow/6781860.cms#ixzz13GSBzN00
Artists, corporates join hands for tiger conservation
New Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) Contemporary Indian art is conveying powerful messages. One of them is concern for environment and tigers.
A unique public art initiative, Artiger, is bringing 57 renowned artists, 50 corporate houses, 52 public spaces and the Ranthambore Foundation, the non-profit development groups and the common men under one umbrella to work for the cause for conserving tigers.
Conceived by curator and gallerist Aparajita Jain, art collector and promoter Swapan Seth and Delhi-based youth activist Nandita Kathpalia Baig, the project will facilitate dialogue between the common people and the stakeholders about tiger conservation with display of tiger art in public spaces.
The four-month project will be launched early December with the unveiling of '57 life-size fibre glass tigers' at locations across the capital.
Billed by the team as one of the largest public art displays in the country, it will feature prominent artists like Anjolie Ela Menon, Arpita Singh, Chittrovanu Mazumdar, G.R. Iranna, Jayasri Burman, Manu Parekh, Satish Gujral and several more.
Some of the corporate sponsors on the list include Abhishek Dalmia and Deepali Dalmia, Ambuja Realty, Apollo Tyres, Apolloindia (Raaja Kanwar), Artemis Hospital (Dr. Katariya), DLF and Borosil.
Announcing the project Friday, co-organiser Aprajita Jain said: 'Art in public spaces is a highly potent awareness tool in a diverse country like India as it transcends boundaries. The overwhelming response that we have received proves we will make a difference.'
The project will be implemented by Saath Saath Arts, an NGO that uses art to generate funds and awareness about public issues.
Commenting on the initiative, Swapan Seth, managing partner of art house Henry S. Clark, said: 'Artiger was a remarkable testimony to the coming together of artists, corporates and government to leave behind an imprint on public spaces. It is often felt that Indian art has never received a collective corporate or governmental blessing.'
The 57 fibre glass sculptures have been booked by corporate organisations. The funds raised from the corporates will be donated to Ranthambore Foundation, one of India's oldest and most well-known organisations working in the field of tiger conservation.
Countries plan to restore tiger population
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| All About: National,New Delhi, Environment Ministry, World Bank http://sify.com/news/countries-plan-to-restore-tiger-population-news-national-kkwtkkgiace.html | |||
Mining threat looms over Sariska tigers
Jaipur: Putting a question mark on the ambitious Tiger conservation project in the Sariska Tiger reserve, the Rajasthan government has approved 40 new mining leases in the Aravallis.
The fate of big cats, about which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had expressed concern, hangs in balance following the controversial move by the Congress government in the state. Sariska has a total of five tigers – relocated from the Ranthambore national park.
The fate of big cats, about which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had expressed concern, hangs in balance following the controversial move by the Congress government in the state. Sariska has a total of five tigers – relocated from the Ranthambore national park.
As per a report published in a newspaper Thursday, the government has given its green signal to mining in the sensitive zone on the premise that the Aravalli range is less than 100m in height, which is not considered a hill as per state government norms.
Importantly, the Supreme Court had banned all sorts of mining/quarrying activities in the Arvallis in neighboring Haryana.
The news report, quoting Y K Singh Chauhan, conservator of forests, ministry of environment and forests, further says that approval of the licenses is indicative of the extent of the reach of the mining lobby and is a gross violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980.
If corrective actions are not taken soon, the national animal roaming freely in the beautiful Sariska Reserve may soon become a rare site.
Importantly, the Supreme Court had banned all sorts of mining/quarrying activities in the Arvallis in neighboring Haryana.
The news report, quoting Y K Singh Chauhan, conservator of forests, ministry of environment and forests, further says that approval of the licenses is indicative of the extent of the reach of the mining lobby and is a gross violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980.
If corrective actions are not taken soon, the national animal roaming freely in the beautiful Sariska Reserve may soon become a rare site.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
SC dismisses poacher Sansar Chand's appeal
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed an appeal by notorious poacher Sansar Chand who had challenged his conviction and five-year sentence for selling leopard and tiger skins.
This judgment was pronounced by the apex court bench of Justice Markandey Katju and Justice TS Thakur.
Chand, who is undergoing a five-year jail term, moved the apex court challenging his conviction in a case involving the smuggling of parts of tiger and leopard bodies in Rajasthan in 2003.
This judgment was pronounced by the apex court bench of Justice Markandey Katju and Justice TS Thakur.
Chand, who is undergoing a five-year jail term, moved the apex court challenging his conviction in a case involving the smuggling of parts of tiger and leopard bodies in Rajasthan in 2003.
In 2006, Chand had admitted to selling 470 tiger skins and 130 leopard skins to customers in Nepal and Tibet. He made this confession before the Central Bureau of Investigation.
On October 4, the Supreme Court slammed Chand for killing tigers, leopards and other endangered species for commercial gains and said the day was not far when human skin would also be traded.
In a strong indictment of Chand's poaching activities, the court had said: "The population of tigers and leopards was declining because you (Chand) are trading in skins of tigers and leopards. There is no tiger left in Sariska (Tiger Reserve)."
"For your appetite for more money, tomorrow you will even sell human skins," the court had chided the petitioner.
On October 4, the Supreme Court slammed Chand for killing tigers, leopards and other endangered species for commercial gains and said the day was not far when human skin would also be traded.
In a strong indictment of Chand's poaching activities, the court had said: "The population of tigers and leopards was declining because you (Chand) are trading in skins of tigers and leopards. There is no tiger left in Sariska (Tiger Reserve)."
"For your appetite for more money, tomorrow you will even sell human skins," the court had chided the petitioner.
Evaluation team to visit Pench, Tadoba, Melghat
NAGPUR: A four-member National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) team of experts, constituted for an independent management effectiveness evaluation (MEE) of tiger reserves has arrived in city. It will visit Pench, Tadoba-Andhari and Melghat tiger reserves from October 20-25.
On August 27, NTCA had reconstituted the MEE committee under the chairmanship of P C Kotwal, with Ajay Desai and J A Khan as members. They will be in Pench on Wednesday. The team will head for Tadoba-Andhari in Chandrapur district on October 21 and later Melghat. Earlier, the panel was headed by Arin Ghosh and Belinda Wright of Wildlife Protection Society of India ( WPSI) was its member.
All 39 tiger reserves in the country have been divided into five clusters. Kotwal will evaluate cluster I which includes Dudhwa (Uttar Pradesh) and Corbett (Uttarakhand), Ranthambhore and Sariska (Rajasthan), Melghat, Pench, Tadoba-Andhari and Sahyadri (Maharashtra) reserves.
The cluster II includes all six tiger reserves viz. Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, Satpura-Bori, Panna and Sanjay-Dubri in Madhya Pradesh. The committee for these is headed by ex-director of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) V B Sawarkar. Dr Erach Bharucha and Rajeev Sharma are members.
This evaluation of the reserves is being done after four years. The last independent management effectiveness evaluation was conducted in 2006. Interestingly, 740 sq km Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Western Maharashtra, which was notified on January 5 this year, will also be evaluated. The evaluation will include array of parameters including biotic pressure, human presence, villages, and protection among other things.
The evaluation of tiger reserves in 2006 had rated Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district and Pench Tiger Reserve as satisfactory while Melghat Tiger Reserve was rated as poor. However, Melghat has since improved significantly with better sightings record.
Talking to TOI, S P Yadav, joint director of NTCA, said the committee would check if the chosen approaches in tiger reserve management were sound, adequate and appropriate. It would also see whether funds allocated were being used effectively for meeting the objectives of management. Yadav said the evaluation would be done on the basis of parameters set by Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a global NGO.
The WII has provided a pre-assessment orientation to the experts for using the new matrix, apart from collation/publication of the results with financial support from the NTCA. The report of each committee will be submitted to the WII in six months. The panels will evaluate plans to see process and outcomes of long-term monitoring of the biological and socio-cultural resources of reserves.
Read more: Evaluation team to visit Pench, Tadoba, Melghat - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Evaluation-team-to-visit-Pench-Tadoba-Melghat/articleshow/6778138.cms#ixzz12s70iHQL
On August 27, NTCA had reconstituted the MEE committee under the chairmanship of P C Kotwal, with Ajay Desai and J A Khan as members. They will be in Pench on Wednesday. The team will head for Tadoba-Andhari in Chandrapur district on October 21 and later Melghat. Earlier, the panel was headed by Arin Ghosh and Belinda Wright of Wildlife Protection Society of India ( WPSI) was its member.
All 39 tiger reserves in the country have been divided into five clusters. Kotwal will evaluate cluster I which includes Dudhwa (Uttar Pradesh) and Corbett (Uttarakhand), Ranthambhore and Sariska (Rajasthan), Melghat, Pench, Tadoba-Andhari and Sahyadri (Maharashtra) reserves.
The cluster II includes all six tiger reserves viz. Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, Satpura-Bori, Panna and Sanjay-Dubri in Madhya Pradesh. The committee for these is headed by ex-director of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) V B Sawarkar. Dr Erach Bharucha and Rajeev Sharma are members.
This evaluation of the reserves is being done after four years. The last independent management effectiveness evaluation was conducted in 2006. Interestingly, 740 sq km Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Western Maharashtra, which was notified on January 5 this year, will also be evaluated. The evaluation will include array of parameters including biotic pressure, human presence, villages, and protection among other things.
The evaluation of tiger reserves in 2006 had rated Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district and Pench Tiger Reserve as satisfactory while Melghat Tiger Reserve was rated as poor. However, Melghat has since improved significantly with better sightings record.
Talking to TOI, S P Yadav, joint director of NTCA, said the committee would check if the chosen approaches in tiger reserve management were sound, adequate and appropriate. It would also see whether funds allocated were being used effectively for meeting the objectives of management. Yadav said the evaluation would be done on the basis of parameters set by Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a global NGO.
The WII has provided a pre-assessment orientation to the experts for using the new matrix, apart from collation/publication of the results with financial support from the NTCA. The report of each committee will be submitted to the WII in six months. The panels will evaluate plans to see process and outcomes of long-term monitoring of the biological and socio-cultural resources of reserves.
Read more: Evaluation team to visit Pench, Tadoba, Melghat - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Evaluation-team-to-visit-Pench-Tadoba-Melghat/articleshow/6778138.cms#ixzz12s70iHQL
Tiger attacks rise in Orang
Guwahati, Oct. 19: The increasing tiger population at Orang National Park has become a cause of concern for the park authorities, with incidents of big cats attacking cattle belonging to the villagers located on the periphery of the park, on the rise.
Tigers have killed at least 10 heads of cattle last week.
“We fear that the villagers will try to poison the tigers if the attacks on cattle continue,” the Orang divisional forest officer, Sushil Daila, said.
The park has witnessed the deaths of at least 15 tigers since 2005.
While six of them were killed because of poisoning, the rest died of infighting.
The last incident of poisoning took place on August 18 when an adult male tiger was found ill and later died at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation near Kaziranga where it was shifted for treatment.
Altogether 14 tigers were counted in the national park during a census conducted last year.
Unofficial figures, however, put the figures at 18.
“There is no doubt about an increase in tiger population in recent times. We spotted two cubs two months ago,” he said.
Daila said the recent attacks on cattle were being carried out by a particular tiger on villages outside the southern boundary of the park.
“We have learnt after studying the pug marks that the particular tiger is a full grown male,” the official said.
Park authorities have erected 10 camera traps to study the movement of the tiger. “The tiger could be an old one or may be injured as such it is targeting easy prey — cattle,” Daila said.
The forest official said a cage had also been erected to trap the tiger. “We will know the exact reason for the tiger straying out of the park frequently if we manage to trap it. We will have to release the tiger in another habitat if we do not detect any abnormality,” the official said.
The park authorities have formed eco-development committees, involving the villagers, recently in a bid to gain the confidence of the villagers.
Spread over 78.8 square km on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, Orang National Park is a rich wild habitat with several species of wild animals.Daila said apart from these two cubs, the park has also witnessed the birth of at least 10 rhino calves in the past few months.
“This is a positive development,” he said.
Sixty-four rhinos were detected at Orang during the census conducted last year.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101020/jsp/northeast/story_13075943.jsp
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Sighting tigers in MP to cost more
NAGPUR: With holiday season approaching, those planning a vacation in tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh's tiger reserves will have to pay through their noses as gate fee has been doubled by the state government.
From October 16, the day when parks reopened for tourists, the entry fee to the most visited Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh tiger reserves and other MP parks have gone up.
Earlier, for a one-time entry, tourists had to pay 680. It included 500 towards entry fee; 150 for guide and 30 as booking (computer/Internet) charge. Visitors will now have to pay 1,230, which includes 1,000 towards gate fee; 200 for guide and 30 as booking fee. For foreigners, entry fee is 2,230, up from the earlier 1,230.
The elephant ride has also been increased from 100 to 200 per person.
This is the second biggest hike since 2008 when the gate fee was increased by 50%. Almost 70% visitors to Pench and Kanha are from Nagpur.
Tourists will have to pay extra for cameras and vehicles. Hiring a Gypsy costs 1,500 (morning) and 1,000 (evening) in these parks. In the increased fee structure, while the government stands to gain, guides will get a marginal rise of 50.
Chief wildlife warden of MP HS Pabla was not available for comment. Senior officials justified the hike saying, "It was not basically to generate revenue but to discourage tourists who have been flooding the tiger reserves putting huge pressure."
An MP (Pench) official added, "Last year the park generated a revenue of 1.3 crore, but this is meagre. The resort owners earn more than that in a short period. Most of the benefits are being reaped by them."
Last year, Pench saw 53,000 tourists including many foreigners. The number was three times more in Kanha and Bandhavgarh. After the parks have reopened, around 40-50 vehicles are visiting these parks daily.
On the carrying capacity in the new set up, Kanha officials said earlier it was 7+1 excluding guide. Now it will be 6+1+1 including guide and driver. In Pench, while the relaxation for five-year-old diesel vehicles still continues, in Kanha and Bandhavgarh, diesel vehicles have been completely banned.
In Kanha, tourists' entry has been made more stringent from this year. Now tourists entering from a particular gate will have to check out from the same gate. There are three gates viz. Sarhi, Mukki and Khatia from where tourists are allowed, but as there are no facilities at Sarhi, tourists don't prefer this gate.
An official said, the carrying capacity for Pench has been fixed at 65 vehicles per entry. It will include 50 vehicles from Turia, 10 from Karmazari and 5 from Satosha. In Kanha, it has been kept at 150 vehicles — 70 from Khatia, 50 from Mukki and 30 from Sarhi.
"We will strictly follow the carrying capacity norm. Entry of less number of vehicles from gates not popular will not be compensated from most-visited entry points," said an official.
He added that few vehicles enter Kanha from Sarhi gate but that will not mean allowing more vehicles from popular gates like Mukki and Khatia.
President of Guide Sangh in Kanha, R S Pandey, said that tourists had to return on Sunday as vehicles had gone up at Khatia gate. Sighting tigers in MP to cost more
Vijay Pinjarkar
Read more: Sighting tigers in MP to cost more - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Sighting-tigers-in-MP-to-cost-more/articleshow/6772296.cms#ixzz12lzPEDS0
From October 16, the day when parks reopened for tourists, the entry fee to the most visited Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh tiger reserves and other MP parks have gone up.
Earlier, for a one-time entry, tourists had to pay 680. It included 500 towards entry fee; 150 for guide and 30 as booking (computer/Internet) charge. Visitors will now have to pay 1,230, which includes 1,000 towards gate fee; 200 for guide and 30 as booking fee. For foreigners, entry fee is 2,230, up from the earlier 1,230.
The elephant ride has also been increased from 100 to 200 per person.
This is the second biggest hike since 2008 when the gate fee was increased by 50%. Almost 70% visitors to Pench and Kanha are from Nagpur.
Tourists will have to pay extra for cameras and vehicles. Hiring a Gypsy costs 1,500 (morning) and 1,000 (evening) in these parks. In the increased fee structure, while the government stands to gain, guides will get a marginal rise of 50.
Chief wildlife warden of MP HS Pabla was not available for comment. Senior officials justified the hike saying, "It was not basically to generate revenue but to discourage tourists who have been flooding the tiger reserves putting huge pressure."
An MP (Pench) official added, "Last year the park generated a revenue of 1.3 crore, but this is meagre. The resort owners earn more than that in a short period. Most of the benefits are being reaped by them."
Last year, Pench saw 53,000 tourists including many foreigners. The number was three times more in Kanha and Bandhavgarh. After the parks have reopened, around 40-50 vehicles are visiting these parks daily.
On the carrying capacity in the new set up, Kanha officials said earlier it was 7+1 excluding guide. Now it will be 6+1+1 including guide and driver. In Pench, while the relaxation for five-year-old diesel vehicles still continues, in Kanha and Bandhavgarh, diesel vehicles have been completely banned.
In Kanha, tourists' entry has been made more stringent from this year. Now tourists entering from a particular gate will have to check out from the same gate. There are three gates viz. Sarhi, Mukki and Khatia from where tourists are allowed, but as there are no facilities at Sarhi, tourists don't prefer this gate.
An official said, the carrying capacity for Pench has been fixed at 65 vehicles per entry. It will include 50 vehicles from Turia, 10 from Karmazari and 5 from Satosha. In Kanha, it has been kept at 150 vehicles — 70 from Khatia, 50 from Mukki and 30 from Sarhi.
"We will strictly follow the carrying capacity norm. Entry of less number of vehicles from gates not popular will not be compensated from most-visited entry points," said an official.
He added that few vehicles enter Kanha from Sarhi gate but that will not mean allowing more vehicles from popular gates like Mukki and Khatia.
President of Guide Sangh in Kanha, R S Pandey, said that tourists had to return on Sunday as vehicles had gone up at Khatia gate. Sighting tigers in MP to cost more
Vijay Pinjarkar
Read more: Sighting tigers in MP to cost more - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Sighting-tigers-in-MP-to-cost-more/articleshow/6772296.cms#ixzz12lzPEDS0
Monday, October 18, 2010
Fugitive tiger returns to Rajasthan
Agra, Oct 17 (IANS) A male tiger which attacked dozens of villagers in Uttar Pradesh after straying from Rajasthan's Ranthambore National Park has returned to its home state and is reportedly taking shelter near a bird sanctuary, a forest official said Sunday.
It was a nightmare for the wildlife trackers in Mathura and Agra after the figer, now named Mohan, stepped out of its natural habitat in Sawai Madhopur district about two months ago and entered Uttar Pradesh. The big cat was also spotted in the Chambal region of Morena district in Madhya Pradesh.
Bharatpur Forest department officials in Rajasthan said they had seen footprints of the tiger on the fringes of the Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary.
Divisional forest officer and chief of the bird sanctuary Anoop K.R. told IANS over the phone that pugmarks were noticed in Ram Nagar and Malah areas.
'Cameras have been installed on trees to take pictures of its movements,' he said.
The forest official said the tiger had taken a liking for the Koladahar area on the periphery of the bird sanctuary which had enough feed for the animal.
'Last Wednesday a calf was devoured by the tiger and the next day a wild boar. The officials at the Ranthambore sanctuary who were sent the picture of the tiger have now confirmed that the tiger, T-7, was missing for long,' he added.
Forest officials from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, the Ranthambore National Park, Dehradun's Wild Life Institute and Wild Life SOS were camping on the Agra-Mathura border to trap the tiger.
India is home to one of the largest tiger populations in the world but its numbers have declined sharply - now believed to be less that 1,500.
http://sify.com/news/fugitive-tiger-returns-to-rajasthan-news-national-kkrwuegcebd.html
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