CHANDRAPUR: There were some anxious moments in Hindustan Lalpeth colliery no. 2 locality here, on the fringes of the forest area of Ballarpur range after repeated intrusions by a tiger. The tiger was seen in the front yard of a residence on Thursday morning, while it had killed a bull near the residential area on Wednesday. Forest officials have warned people to avoid venturing into the jungles nearby.
According to reports, one Prem Tore saw a tiger moving in the front yard of his neighbour Ramlu Munjum in Samruddhi Nagar area in Lalpeth locality at around 5am. When he raised an alarm, the tiger jumped over the compound wall and fled into the jungle.
Apparently the same tiger was seen near the WCL bunkers adjoining the locality. It had killed a bull in the area and was seen by a couple of WCL workers on Wednesday.
After the residents informed forest officials on Thursday afternoon, a team of forest department staffers was sent to the area. RFO Chandrapur Abhay Bedkelwar confirmed that there was presence of tiger in the adjoining forest under Ballarpur forest range.
"We have received complaints about the intrusion of tiger into residential areas. The locality is situated adjacent to the jungle and our men found tiger pugmarks in the nullah flowing into the fringe forests," said Badkelwar.
Forest department staffers have warned people against venturing into the jungle. People should avoid going close to the jungle during evening and morning hours, and in case of extreme necessity people should go in groups into the forests, he added.
The man-animal conflict in the fringe forest areas around the town is on the rise. A tiger had killed a person in Chandrapur forest range on the outskirts of the town on Saturday last. So far, 11 people have been killed in tiger attacks in the district.
Read more: Tiger spotted in Chanda residential area - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-spotted-in-Chanda-residential-area/articleshow/7031629.cms#ixzz171RPIdOY
Friday, December 3, 2010
Doubling tiger count by 2022 realistic goal'
The World Bank is keen on funding a tiger recovery programme in the countries where the big cats still roam free today – including Russia, China and India – with the motive of doubling the count. India has so far turned down World Bank's money and expertise for conservation, but 13 countries came on board, at a recent "tiger summit" in St Petersburg hosted by Russian premier Vladimir Putin. Dr Y V Jhala, senior wildlife biologist at Wildlife Institute of India, who was part of India's delegation, tells Sudeshna Chatterjee that the Russian forum may mark a significant turn.
At the Global Tiger Recovery Program, it was pledged to double the number of wild tigers from around 3,200 to 7,000 by 2022, the next year of the tiger according to the Chinese lunar calendar. How hopeful are you of that target?
The Tx2 goal is a catchy phrase to attract global attention of funders and leaders. However, for tiger conservation, it is more important to consolidate existing source populations through strict protection. Once this is achieved, we should strive to enhance the quality of the habitat that connects several breeding tiger populations. Yes, the tiger numbers can be doubled within the stipulated timeframe. The goal is realistic. In India, we have more than 300,000 sq km of tiger habitat, of which only 93,000 sq km have tigers.
Some tiger reserves like Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), Simlipal (Orissa), Palamau (Jharkhand), Sanjay and Panna (Madhya Pradesh) and Achanakmar (Chhattisgarh) are below their carrying capacity. Good management, protection and increase of prey can easily double or treble the number of tigers in these reserves.
What is the outcome of the Russian forum?
The national leaders of the Tiger Range Countries adopted the Global Tiger Recovery Program by endorsing it. The GTRP consists of National Tiger Recovery Plan of each range country, which spells out the details of how each country will achieve its committed goal of tiger conservation along with the financial requirements to implement it. There is a pledge to raise funds to the tune of $350 million to be paid by rich countries such as Germany and US and agencies like World Bank, Global Environment Facility and World Wide Fund for Nature. The figure is very encouraging, though there will still be a significant amount of deficit.
How important is this forum for tiger conservation?
For the first time ever, commitment at the highest national level was convened to discuss the saving of one species other than humans.
Has there been any change of attitude in countries like China which is a major market for tiger body parts?
China and South East Asian countries are the major consumers of tiger body parts - this is the primary reason for the endangerment of the tiger. Initially, when the Global Tiger Initiative consultations began in early 2009, Chinese delegates were quite unwilling to even consider that China was a problem for tiger conservation. Gradually, I believe the Chinese attitude has become more positive and their government is now taking stringent steps to curb poaching and illegal trade in tiger parts.
Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina has called for international support to declare Sunderbans one of the new seven wonders of the world. Do you think it can help in increasing the tiger population in the Sunderbans of both India and Bangladesh?
The increased tourism may bring in more revenue to the region. If this money becomes available to the conservation agencies, then it could assist tiger conservation in the region.
What is the state of funding in India?
The Centre spends about Rs 300 crore a year for tiger conservation that includes a lucrative incentive of Rs 10 lakh per family for voluntary relocation out of core areas of tiger reserves. This is over and above the state funding for staff salary, infrastructure and other costs. I believe India invests the maximum in tiger conservation, compared to any other country in the world. The Planning Commission of India has assured a sum of over $1 billion over the next 5 years to meet this expenditure. This is a significant commitment towards conservation since the tiger serves as the umbrella species for conservation and it can only survive in a forest if the entire ecosystem is intact and functioning naturally.
Read more: 'Doubling tiger count by 2022 realistic goal' - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Doubling-tiger-count-by-2022-realistic-goal/articleshow/7032489.cms#ixzz171RIywAM
At the Global Tiger Recovery Program, it was pledged to double the number of wild tigers from around 3,200 to 7,000 by 2022, the next year of the tiger according to the Chinese lunar calendar. How hopeful are you of that target?
The Tx2 goal is a catchy phrase to attract global attention of funders and leaders. However, for tiger conservation, it is more important to consolidate existing source populations through strict protection. Once this is achieved, we should strive to enhance the quality of the habitat that connects several breeding tiger populations. Yes, the tiger numbers can be doubled within the stipulated timeframe. The goal is realistic. In India, we have more than 300,000 sq km of tiger habitat, of which only 93,000 sq km have tigers.
Some tiger reserves like Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), Simlipal (Orissa), Palamau (Jharkhand), Sanjay and Panna (Madhya Pradesh) and Achanakmar (Chhattisgarh) are below their carrying capacity. Good management, protection and increase of prey can easily double or treble the number of tigers in these reserves.
What is the outcome of the Russian forum?
The national leaders of the Tiger Range Countries adopted the Global Tiger Recovery Program by endorsing it. The GTRP consists of National Tiger Recovery Plan of each range country, which spells out the details of how each country will achieve its committed goal of tiger conservation along with the financial requirements to implement it. There is a pledge to raise funds to the tune of $350 million to be paid by rich countries such as Germany and US and agencies like World Bank, Global Environment Facility and World Wide Fund for Nature. The figure is very encouraging, though there will still be a significant amount of deficit.
How important is this forum for tiger conservation?
For the first time ever, commitment at the highest national level was convened to discuss the saving of one species other than humans.
Has there been any change of attitude in countries like China which is a major market for tiger body parts?
China and South East Asian countries are the major consumers of tiger body parts - this is the primary reason for the endangerment of the tiger. Initially, when the Global Tiger Initiative consultations began in early 2009, Chinese delegates were quite unwilling to even consider that China was a problem for tiger conservation. Gradually, I believe the Chinese attitude has become more positive and their government is now taking stringent steps to curb poaching and illegal trade in tiger parts.
Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina has called for international support to declare Sunderbans one of the new seven wonders of the world. Do you think it can help in increasing the tiger population in the Sunderbans of both India and Bangladesh?
The increased tourism may bring in more revenue to the region. If this money becomes available to the conservation agencies, then it could assist tiger conservation in the region.
What is the state of funding in India?
The Centre spends about Rs 300 crore a year for tiger conservation that includes a lucrative incentive of Rs 10 lakh per family for voluntary relocation out of core areas of tiger reserves. This is over and above the state funding for staff salary, infrastructure and other costs. I believe India invests the maximum in tiger conservation, compared to any other country in the world. The Planning Commission of India has assured a sum of over $1 billion over the next 5 years to meet this expenditure. This is a significant commitment towards conservation since the tiger serves as the umbrella species for conservation and it can only survive in a forest if the entire ecosystem is intact and functioning naturally.
Read more: 'Doubling tiger count by 2022 realistic goal' - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Doubling-tiger-count-by-2022-realistic-goal/articleshow/7032489.cms#ixzz171RIywAM
Plan to shift male tiger to Sariska reserve put on hold
Rajasthan government has put off plans to shift one more male tiger to Sariska reserve for now to ensure disturbance-free habitat to a tiger couple which has mated.
"I have been told by the state wildlife officials that the tiger couple have met. We are hoping for some good news (birth of cubs). The relocation of another male tiger at this moment can be risky as it might disturb the couple. Hence no new male tiger in Sariska for now," environment minister Jairam Ramesh said.
The news of mating of the tigers had brought some cheer to Sariska which last month lost one of its five translocated big cats. The reserve in Rajasthan had lost all its native tigers by 2004-05, mostly to widespread poaching, after which the five tigers, two of them males, were translocated there since 2008 to revive their population.
After the male tiger was found dead in mysterious circumstances, with strong possibility of being poisoned, the Centre had approved the state government's proposal to bring a stray tiger to Sariska reserve which had moved from Ranthambore park to Bharatpur sanctuary.
But it has been put on hold now.
"We are monitoring the movement of the radio-collared tiger couple and we have got signals that they are in contact with each other. Their mating might result in birth of the cubs, we are hopeful," an expert from Dehradun- based Wildlife institute of India (WII) said.
"Introduction of a new tiger in the habitat presently may lead to a fight between the two male big cats," he said.
Both of them were spotted together in Kalighatti area of Sariska reserve. Also, this time the tigress is different and not from same gene pool as that the male as was feared earlier, he added.
While Sriska waits to get its first litter, translocation of felines in Panna sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh has yielded results with two tigress giving birth to cubs, much to the delight of wildlife enthusiasts.
"I have been told by the state wildlife officials that the tiger couple have met. We are hoping for some good news (birth of cubs). The relocation of another male tiger at this moment can be risky as it might disturb the couple. Hence no new male tiger in Sariska for now," environment minister Jairam Ramesh said.
The news of mating of the tigers had brought some cheer to Sariska which last month lost one of its five translocated big cats. The reserve in Rajasthan had lost all its native tigers by 2004-05, mostly to widespread poaching, after which the five tigers, two of them males, were translocated there since 2008 to revive their population.
After the male tiger was found dead in mysterious circumstances, with strong possibility of being poisoned, the Centre had approved the state government's proposal to bring a stray tiger to Sariska reserve which had moved from Ranthambore park to Bharatpur sanctuary.
But it has been put on hold now.
"We are monitoring the movement of the radio-collared tiger couple and we have got signals that they are in contact with each other. Their mating might result in birth of the cubs, we are hopeful," an expert from Dehradun- based Wildlife institute of India (WII) said.
"Introduction of a new tiger in the habitat presently may lead to a fight between the two male big cats," he said.
Both of them were spotted together in Kalighatti area of Sariska reserve. Also, this time the tigress is different and not from same gene pool as that the male as was feared earlier, he added.
While Sriska waits to get its first litter, translocation of felines in Panna sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh has yielded results with two tigress giving birth to cubs, much to the delight of wildlife enthusiasts.
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