New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) At least 11 tigers have died across the country in the last two months due to various reasons including poaching and poisoning, Government said today.
In reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said that two tigers each died due to infighting inside Corbett in Uttarakhand and Kaziranga in Assam while one was found poisoned in Pench tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
"Six tiger deaths were reported from outside the tiger reserves in Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Arunanchal Pradesh, Bandipur, Assam and Karnataka/ Tamilnadu border in January and February this year," the minister said quoting data made available by the states.
According to government statistics, last year a total 66 tigers died including 46 inside the tiger reserves across the country.
The Minister said the government has released Rs 197.24 crore in 2009-2010 against Rs 154.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Camera-trapping of tiger starts, partial census results by December
NEW DELHI: The number of tigers in three major landscapes - Terrai, Central India and the Western Ghats - home to 80 percent of India's tigers, will be known by December, but a countrywide total would be available only by March next year, an official involved in the ongoing census of big cats said.
will be known by December, but a countrywide total would be available only by March next year, an official involved in the ongoing census of big cats said.
He said: "not only tiger reserves, but all forest areas in the country will be covered."
The last census in 2005-06 showed a sharp fall in tiger numbers. The census then conducted with an improved method revealed India had just 1,411 tigers left in the wild, raising serious concern about their survival.
Jhala said a new phase involving camera-trapping of tigers has begun. "Researchers have started this exercise, as the ground work involving the forest staff is almost completed."
Each camera costs about Rs. 10,000 and is especially designed for deployment in forests. It has censors that trigger the camera to take pictures automatically whenever animals come within range in front of its lens. They are usually attached to a tree. Batteries and the film of the camera are replaced manually when they run out.
The last census in 2005-06 showed a sharp fall in tiger numbers. The census then conducted with an improved method revealed India had just 1,411 tigers left in the wild, raising serious concern about their survival.
Jhala said a new phase involving camera-trapping of tigers has begun. "Researchers have started this exercise, as the ground work involving the forest staff is almost completed."
Each camera costs about Rs. 10,000 and is especially designed for deployment in forests. It has censors that trigger the camera to take pictures automatically whenever animals come within range in front of its lens. They are usually attached to a tree. Batteries and the film of the camera are replaced manually when they run out.
Sanctuaries remain vulnerable as staff prefer cushy postings
JAIPUR: If the endangered species in Rajasthan's forests often become the target of poachers or villagers, then not only the shortage of manpower, even the uneven deployment of the staff are to be blamed.
According to officials of forest department, nearly two-thirds of the existing manpower have been deployed in areas where there are no forests or just to lookafter social forestry while just a one-third are guarding forest areas, leaving wildlife in them vulnerable.
Take the case of the Ranthambore National Park. Out of a sanctioned post of 132 ex-armymen, only 50 are posted there currently while out of a sanctioned strength of 92 forest guards, the park has just 40. On the other hand, places like Sikar and Jaipur, which have nil or minuscule forest areas, have a number of people posted there.
According to officials of forest department, nearly two-thirds of the existing manpower have been deployed in areas where there are no forests or just to lookafter social forestry while just a one-third are guarding forest areas, leaving wildlife in them vulnerable.
Take the case of the Ranthambore National Park. Out of a sanctioned post of 132 ex-armymen, only 50 are posted there currently while out of a sanctioned strength of 92 forest guards, the park has just 40. On the other hand, places like Sikar and Jaipur, which have nil or minuscule forest areas, have a number of people posted there.
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