World tiger population lowest ever

Tigers are on the brink of extinction because only about 3,200 tigers are left in the world today, a report has said.

The still existing ones included six sub-species: Sumatran, Bengalese, Amurese, Indo-Chinese, South Chinese, and Malayan tigers, said the report released by the Indonesian Forestry Ministry yesterday, a day before delegates of 13 countries met for talks to save tigers here today.

The main threats facing the tigers around the world included damage of natural habitats, drastic decrease of natural predators, hunting and illegal trading, as well as conflicts between tigers and people living in the tigers’ habitat, the report said.

The Bali meeting, that would officially be opened by Minister of Forestry Zulkifli Hasan, was held before the World Tiger Summit in St Petersburg, Russia, from September 15 to 18, 2010.

In their a joint press statement, Chairman of the HarimauKita (Our Tiger) Forum Hariyo T Wibisono and Director of Bio-Diversity Conservation Harry Santoso said there are now only about 400 Sumatran tigers left.

These Sumatran tigers account for about 12 per cent of the world’s tiger population, making Indonesia a key country for tiger conservation in the world, they said.

“Ironically, the habitats of these Sumatran tigers have declined up to almost 50 per cent over the past 25 years.

About 70 per cent of their remaining habitats exist outside the conservation areas.”

Wibisono said the remaining habitats were located in 20 separated forests. This condition was vulnerable to the remaining tigers because they were not in good protection.

“To save these endangered Sumatran tigers, the entire stakeholders in Indonesia need to work together in taking concrete and effective conservation measures,” he said.

If not, the Sumatran tigers would follow the fates of Javanese and Balinese tigers, Wibisono said.

In paving the way for the Sumatran tiger conservation efforts, Executive Director of WWF-Indonesia Dr Efransjah said the remaining natural habitats should be saved.

The critical forest areas need also be restored and sustainable development-strategies should be put in place so that the tigers have enough habitats, he said.

“How to minimize potential conflicts between tigers and people should also be a common agenda for related parties,” he said.

Saving forests and Sumatran tiger habitats are relevant to the Indonesian government’s commitment to reduce carbon emission from deforestations and forest degradation, Efransjah said.

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article512278.ece

Similipal reserve under threat, panel to keep eye

Worried over Similipal Tiger Reserve turning into a second Sariska, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has pressed panic buttons to save the wildlife there facing extinction.

The fourth largest tiger reserve in the country reported a staggering 40 per cent decrease in its tiger population (from 101 to 61) in 2009 census. Now it is at the centre of a fresh controversy after 10 elephants were found poached, one of which was felled by gunshot.

A two-member team of NTCA, which toured the reserve between June 6 and 11 to probe the elephant deaths, found proof of seven deaths. A few days later, wildlife conservationists from Mayurbhanj district found three more elephant carcasses. The committee has already submitted its report to the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

With such a bleak scenario of the wildlife there, the NTCA last week formed a seven-member committee comprising experts, senior police officers and the chief wildlife warden to monitor the status/progress of the recommendations made by tiger reserve officials.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Similipal-reserve-under-threat--panel-to-keep-eye/645189

Sunderbans Lodge on hold, tiger haven safe for now

KOLKATA: Construction of the new tourist lodge at Sajnekhali in the Sunderbans has been stalled under instructions from the forest department after a TOI report highlighted how the structure would flout a number of environment and forest department norms.

Being built by the state tourism department inside the forest office complex, the two-storey, upcoming structure stands within ten feet of a sweet water pond frequented by wild animals, including tigers and experts fear it could endanger both animals and tourists.

A site survey was conducted by senior forest officials led by Sunderban Tiger Reserve (STR) director Subrat Mukherjee and a report is expected next week. On Friday, ToI had reported how the structure — claimed by the tourism department to be just an extension of the existing lodge — threatens to disrupt the movement of animals and the ecological stability of the mangrove forest.

"Our officials are now conducting a survey to check if there has been a violation of the rules. In case any breach of law is detected we will take corrective measures immediately," said Pradip Vyas, director, Sundarban Biosphere Reserve. Asked if the new structure could be demolished, Vyas said a decision will be taken on the basis of the report.

Environment activists and NGOs working in the forest hailed the decision. It would have been a disaster if the lodge was constructed in the heart of tiger territory, they said. "It is inexplicable how the forest department could allow the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) to go ahead with the construction. The Sajnekhali forest complex already has a two-storey structure which is bad enough. This lodge would have spelt doom for tigers and animals in the area," said Mrinal Chatterjee of the Institute of Climbers and Nature-lovers, an NGO. In the last fortnight, two tigers had sneaked into the forest office complex.

Members of the state Wild Life Advisory Board, too, welcomed the decision to halt the construction work. They have called upon the forest and tourism departments to lay down the plan for the lodge and hold a discussion on the necessity of a lodge in the Sajnekhali forest area.

"As it is, the area is in a mess due to the multiple structures that already exist there. It is surprising how the authorities could permit a tourist lodge in the midst of a biosphere reserve that also happens to be a heritage site. The structure should be pulled down immediately," Purnima Dutta, a member.

Fellow member A K Ghosh alleged that even though several suggestions have been put forward to the forest department, none have been considered or even taken up for discussion. "They have held just one meeting in the last one year which is a joke. It makes no sense to have the advisory board if they are not going to let us function. This construction violates the rules. We were kept in the dark about it and came to know only from media reports. The forest department must lay down the plan for the construction and explain why they planned it there," said Ghosh.
Others like Chatterjee pointed out that the lodge could easily have been constructed across the river at Pakhiralaya. "There are several private lodges there and the tourism department could have built one. It is a mystery why this particular area — which is frequented by tigers — was chosen," said Chatterjee.

Objections have also been raised against the way mud and earth were scooped up for the construction work from an adjoining plot. It loosened the roots of scores of mangrove trees and left many more uprooted. "Excavation is strictly prohibited in forest areas so this is a serious violation of rules. The forest department should own up responsibility for this," said Chatterjee.

Vyas, on the other hand, said his department was not aware of the excavation. "The site has been inspected by our officers and we are waiting to hear from them. Based on their report, we shall take corrective measures," he said.
Two weeks ago, a tiger had climbed on to a mound of earth at the construction site and jumped over the fencing into the forest office complex. Last Wednesday, a tigress, that had been lurking around menacingly in the area, was trapped on the bank of the pond. Both were released elsewhere in the mangrove forest.

Experts felt the construction should have been preceded by a proper survey. "Even if we assume that the lodge was built legally and does not endanger humans and animals, a study was necessary," said P K Sen, former director, Project Tiger.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Lodge-on-hold-tiger-haven-safe-for-now/articleshow/6156957.cms

White tigers to be brought to Rewa: CM

United News Of India
Rewa, MP, July 11
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that a Breeding Centre for white tigers would be established at Govindgarh in the district.
''The erstwhile royals of Rewa had first located the White tiger in the region and since then Rewa's name became synonymous with white tigers across the world,'' he told reporters here on Saturday.
He said that white tigers would be brought to Rewa for breeding purposes.

http://www.centralchronicle.com/viewnews.asp?articleID=41138

Steps needed to save tigers: NGO

PUNE: An exhibition of around 150 photographs showcasing India's rich heritage of biodiversity was organised by NGO Tiger Action Force at the Balgandharva Art Gallery on Sunday.

The idea was to create awareness about the International Year of Bio-Diversity being celebrated this year.

A section of photographs focused on the decline in wildlife population because of poaching and road accidents. Screening of the documentary Truth about Tigers' and lectures on wildlife conservation were also a part of the exhibition.

An attraction of the exhibition was the display of handicraft items made by tribals Mogya Handicrafts by Tiger Watch', and T-shirts made by SPROUTS, an NGO.

Gaurav Mahajan, a member of Tiger Action Force, told TOI that the photographs were taken by 17 wildlife photographers across the country.

"Immediate steps need to be taken to save the dwindling number of tigers. Through our NGO, we call upon the youth to come forward voluntarily to help protect our pride, the tiger," he said.

Members of Tiger Action Force are from all walks of life. Their interest in environment brought them together to start this NGO last year. They organise awareness programmes in educational institutes.

Mridula Vijairaghavan, a first year B Com student of Symbiosis and a member, says that incidents of wild animals killed in tiger reserves are reported all over the country. "Big animals like nil gai, tigers, leopards and even elephants are hit by running vehicles. It is all because of internal fragmentation of forests by roads and highways."

The NGO is also working to make tribals residing in forest areas self-reliant. Another member, Utpal Tongo says, "Efforts are made to help tribals be less dependent on forest produce. We are encouraging them in bamboo art and see that they get a market to sell their produce. All these tribals are from Melghat area."

Closer home, Tiger Action Force is working towards conservation and protection of the Pashan lake. Members Siddharth Pai, an engineer, and Bhagyesh Pidyar, an insurance consultant, say that they are preparing a draft on the water quality, bird count and plantation to be taken up in Pashan lake.

"With the guidance of Professor Sanjeev Nalavade, faculty at Fergusson College, we are preparing this draft, which will be submitted to the Pune Municipal Corporation. The bird count of the lake has drastically gone down because of the habitat modification in the lake," they said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Pune/Steps-needed-to-save-tigers-NGO/articleshow/6156327.cms