MP order violating forest laws: Jairam

NEW DELHI: Union environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh has told the Madhya Pradesh government that its recent order to open national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves to tourism are in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, the Forest Conservation Act and Supreme Courtorders.

In a letter written to state chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ramesh has also made a veiled threat pointing out that the tiger reserves are run by central funds and the recent orders by the state's chief wildlife warden would violate the rules under which such funding is provided.

The Union minister's letter comes a day after TOI highlighted that the MP government had decided to turn forest guards into guides and their beat offices in the core of tiger reserves and sanctuaries into tourist accommodation.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/MP-order-violating-forest-laws-Jairam/articleshow/6272299.cms

Killer Pilibhit tiger not alone

LUCKNOW: There is a twist in the tiger tale of Pilibhit now. The officials are of the opinion that it was not one but two tigers involved in human killings which have taken place in Deoria range of Pilibhit forest division. One of the predators, they say, is a tigress.

"We got to know of it after we studied the pugmarks around bodies," said VK Singh, DFO, Pilibhit. All the men have not been killed by a tiger but a stray tigress has also killed and partially eaten humans. On the other hand, last indication towards big cats still roaming in the area came on August 3 when a partially eaten carcass of blue bull was found at Pasgawan compartment of Deoria range. "However, there has been killing reported after we found the carcass of blue bull," added DFO.

The compartment where carcass was found lying is about 4 km away from the site where the partially eaten body of Jamuna Prasad, resident of Dilawarpur village, was found lying on July 27. His body was recovered by forest officials from Ghundchai forest beat in Deoria range. This indicates that tigers have not changed their location.

After the fact about two big cats roaming in the area came to light, forest officials have installed 40 digital cameras over 712 sq km of Deoria range. The entire range has been divided into 20 grids of 4 sq km each and a camera has been installed in every grid. The cameras will be in place for the next one month. "This will help us know how many tigers are there in the area who could be involved in man killings," added the DFO.

The camera trappings so far have shown the presence of one stray tiger only. The big cats have killed and partially eaten five men since May 3 till July 26 in Deoria range. The forest department is manning the area to keep any more human killings at bay. The villagers are not allowed to enter forest area and are being detained for trespassing.

However, what has made forest officials a little relaxed is the fact that killing of a blue bull shows that aberrant tiger could be going for its natural prey. The camera trappings for over a month-long period will help know more about the behaviour of other tigers in the area as well.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Killer-Pilibhit-tiger-not-alone/articleshow/6272661.cms

Runaway Rajasthan tiger has a whole army of men running after it

JAIPUR: A hide-and-seek game is on between a runaway male tiger and an array of men trailing it in the ravines of the Chambal river in Dholpur district of Rajasthan. The feline, aged around six years, belongs to Ranthambhore National Park but has been playing truant for the past three years. Now the task before the experts and the forest authorities is to get it back to the Rajasthan jungles because the animal has reached the boundary of the State and may walk over either to Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh any time.

Over 150 people are out now “stalking” the tiger, which the local people refer to as Mohan, to make it move homeward. The team, which includes Jaipur Zoo veterinarian Arvind Mathur and wildlife expert Sudarshan Sharma from Ranthambhore, is adopting “Haka” method to unsettle the tiger from the bushes and drive it in the opposite direction.

“ Haka is a terminology often used during the hunting expeditions of yore. In this technique men armed with sticks shout and beat the bush around them to disturb the animal from its location and make it move in the direction they want it to,” informs Rajpal Singh, author and member of the Rajasthan Board for Wildlife. The team is carrying tranquillizer guns with it so that in case sedation is needed that can be carried out, he says. “We need to do this as the animal stands the risk of exposure to human habitation. There can be accidents while it crosses the public roads or railway tracks in the process of continuing with its .onward journey,” says Mr. Singh. “My feeling is that the tiger must have reached the Van Vihar sanctuary in the district.”

When last spotted, the tiger was in Duria Kheda near Kathumari village, some 20 km from the district town of Dholpur. “We could not do much today as the animal could not be located during the day,” said R. K. Bhati, Divisional Forest Officer of Dholpur, on Saturday evening talking to The Hindu on phone. “We are on its trail and the mission continues. We have to get it back by whatever means,” he added.

The fugitive animal has already been to Bund Baretha sanctuary in Bharatpur district during his earlier wanderings. After getting out of Ranthambhore National Park at an early age, he had returned to it once before starting all over again. This time it had left the Kailadevi sanctuary, adjoining Ranthambhore, on July 21 and has been moving on a perilous style ever since.

Against all odds, including incessant rain, harsh terrain and the presence of dacoit gangs in the Chambal ravines, the Mission titled “Operation Reverse” continues. Once the tiger gets caught it also stands the chance of joining the newly-revived five-strong tiger family in Sariska Tiger Reserve.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/08/stories/2010080858980100.htm