PANAJI: Protection of the flagship species like tiger in Mhadei wildlife sanctuary is a golden opportunity for Goa not only to conserve the big cat but also halt the spreading tentacles of destruction, say environmental activists. Carving out a tiger reserve in the eco-sensitive region will lead to focused protection of the tiger as well as the entire ecology. "This is a great opportunity for Goa to protect the region's lifeline, River Mhadei from diversion," says Bicholim-based activist, Ramesh Gawas.
Concurring with him, Sujeet Dongre, co-ordinator, centre for environmental education (CEE) said, "The status of the project tiger site will certainly enhance the level of protection even as it enjoys a certain status as a wildlife sanctuary. And the state will receive more funding for focused protection of the tiger and consequently the surrounding environment," he added. Some environmentalists are satisfied that the status of the flagship species is no longer that of a visitor to the state.
Says Clinton Vaz, co-ordinator of wild Goa, an NGO. "It is now official that they are residents of Goa," he said. Jairam Ramesh, union minister of environment and forest had referred to the resident status of the Goa tiger in his letter to chief minister Digambar Kamat. But some are aware of the Goa government's lack of seriousness in mooting a proposal for a tiger reserve. "It is very reluctant about it only because of mining interests," Gawas said. The preliminary report that the samples of tiger bones found in the Keri poaching case did not belong to the big cat was an indication of it. "Secondly, it was the Centre that had to prod the state to submit a proposal on the tiger reserve," Gawas added. Agrees Vaz, "The people have been crying hoarse for a long time that the tiger is a resident of Goa," he said. Sawant said that on-field evidence gathered by wildlife lovers suggests that Goa may have more big cats than is assumed. "Tigers have existed in Goa since time immemorial," he said.
Environmentalists believe that the next step is to work together. "Both sides (people and the forest department) are now accepting the fact that tigers are residents of Goa," says Vaz. But Siddarth Karapurkar, a Margao-based social activist said that people's protection should be woven into habitat protection. "They have lived for centuries and are better forest protectors than the forest department," he said. Activists in Bicholim and Sattari are also satisfied about Tuesday's development. "The proposal should have come much earlier, but it should not be delayed to allow further destruction," Amrut Singh of the Animal Rescue Squad said. He and various other activists said that the Swami Vivekanand Paryawaran Sanghatana, Keri, headed by Rajendra Kerkar, and the Bombay Natural History Society had contributed in creating awareness about the issue. "The government has to respond immediately as there are several benefits to the state," Gawas concluded.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Greens-roar-with-delight-at-tigers-permanent-status/articleshow/9044148.cms
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Cat and mouse game over Rajasthan's tigers
Jaipur, June 29 (IANS) The Rajasthan government's failure to speed up relocation of villages inside the two tiger reserves in the state has once again raised doubts over its decisiveness to protect the majestic cats, experts say.
Since the relocation was announced in 2008, the forest department has been able to shift only three of the 92 villages falling inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar district and the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district.
In 2005, the forest department had planned to shift these villages after tigers in Sariska were completely wiped out on account of poaching.
The man-animal conflict inside the reserves pose a serious threat to the wild cat, as the villagers often poison the tigers to protect their livestock and families.
According to wildlife experts, Rajasthan has around 45 tigers left.
"One village - Bhagani - has been shifted from Sariska, while Indala and Machanki have been moved from Ranthambore since 2008. The process of relocating six villages from Sariska and seven from Ranthambore is underway," a forest department officer told IANS.
However, the department is yet to start relocation of the remaining villages.
"With this pace, the government might never be able to shift all villages and this poses a serious threat for the wildlife," said Babu Lal Jaju, state incharge of NGO People for Animals.
The state government had faced widespread protests in 2004-05 when it was reported that Sariska did not have any tigers left.
A report in March 2005 by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that poaching had wiped out the wild cat population.
Facing flak from different quarters, the state government decided to relocate tigers from Ranthambore to Sariska. From 2008, five tigers, including two males, have been relocated to the reserve.
However, in November 2010, the first relocated tiger died due to poisoning.
Experts say lopsided land acquisition too has slowed down the relocation process, but the state government disagrees.
"We give Rs.10 lakh and land as compensation to each relocated family, but the consent of the family is required. In many cases, we don't get it, so it becomes hard for us to convince the villagers to shift," said the forest officer.
"We are discussing steps to speed up the process and will soon implement them," he added.
Ranthambore National Park, which covers an area of around 400 sq km, is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country. The park's abandoned fortress, lakes and above all, around 40 majestic tigers, have made it one of the most filmed wildlife reserves in the world.
The park is also home to animals like the jackal, mongoose, sloth bear and leopard.
Sawai Madhopur is some 175 km from state capital Jaipur.
Sariska, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile princely state of Alwar, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955.
It was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. Spread over 866 sq. km, the area also has animals like leopards, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, sambars, langurs, wild boars, four-horned deer and many species of birds.
It is located some 110 km from Jaipur.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=248029
Since the relocation was announced in 2008, the forest department has been able to shift only three of the 92 villages falling inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar district and the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district.
In 2005, the forest department had planned to shift these villages after tigers in Sariska were completely wiped out on account of poaching.
The man-animal conflict inside the reserves pose a serious threat to the wild cat, as the villagers often poison the tigers to protect their livestock and families.
According to wildlife experts, Rajasthan has around 45 tigers left.
"One village - Bhagani - has been shifted from Sariska, while Indala and Machanki have been moved from Ranthambore since 2008. The process of relocating six villages from Sariska and seven from Ranthambore is underway," a forest department officer told IANS.
However, the department is yet to start relocation of the remaining villages.
"With this pace, the government might never be able to shift all villages and this poses a serious threat for the wildlife," said Babu Lal Jaju, state incharge of NGO People for Animals.
The state government had faced widespread protests in 2004-05 when it was reported that Sariska did not have any tigers left.
A report in March 2005 by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that poaching had wiped out the wild cat population.
Facing flak from different quarters, the state government decided to relocate tigers from Ranthambore to Sariska. From 2008, five tigers, including two males, have been relocated to the reserve.
However, in November 2010, the first relocated tiger died due to poisoning.
Experts say lopsided land acquisition too has slowed down the relocation process, but the state government disagrees.
"We give Rs.10 lakh and land as compensation to each relocated family, but the consent of the family is required. In many cases, we don't get it, so it becomes hard for us to convince the villagers to shift," said the forest officer.
"We are discussing steps to speed up the process and will soon implement them," he added.
Ranthambore National Park, which covers an area of around 400 sq km, is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country. The park's abandoned fortress, lakes and above all, around 40 majestic tigers, have made it one of the most filmed wildlife reserves in the world.
The park is also home to animals like the jackal, mongoose, sloth bear and leopard.
Sawai Madhopur is some 175 km from state capital Jaipur.
Sariska, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile princely state of Alwar, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955.
It was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. Spread over 866 sq. km, the area also has animals like leopards, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, sambars, langurs, wild boars, four-horned deer and many species of birds.
It is located some 110 km from Jaipur.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=248029
Cat and mouse game over Rajasthan's tigers
Jaipur, June 29 (IANS) The Rajasthan government's failure to speed up relocation of villages inside the two tiger reserves in the state has once again raised doubts over its decisiveness to protect the majestic cats, experts say.
Since the relocation was announced in 2008, the forest department has been able to shift only three of the 92 villages falling inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar district and the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district.
In 2005, the forest department had planned to shift these villages after tigers in Sariska were completely wiped out on account of poaching.
The man-animal conflict inside the reserves pose a serious threat to the wild cat, as the villagers often poison the tigers to protect their livestock and families.
According to wildlife experts, Rajasthan has around 45 tigers left.
"One village - Bhagani - has been shifted from Sariska, while Indala and Machanki have been moved from Ranthambore since 2008. The process of relocating six villages from Sariska and seven from Ranthambore is underway," a forest department officer told IANS.
However, the department is yet to start relocation of the remaining villages.
"With this pace, the government might never be able to shift all villages and this poses a serious threat for the wildlife," said Babu Lal Jaju, state incharge of NGO People for Animals.
The state government had faced widespread protests in 2004-05 when it was reported that Sariska did not have any tigers left.
A report in March 2005 by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that poaching had wiped out the wild cat population.
Facing flak from different quarters, the state government decided to relocate tigers from Ranthambore to Sariska. From 2008, five tigers, including two males, have been relocated to the reserve.
However, in November 2010, the first relocated tiger died due to poisoning.
Experts say lopsided land acquisition too has slowed down the relocation process, but the state government disagrees.
"We give Rs.10 lakh and land as compensation to each relocated family, but the consent of the family is required. In many cases, we don't get it, so it becomes hard for us to convince the villagers to shift," said the forest officer.
"We are discussing steps to speed up the process and will soon implement them," he added.
Ranthambore National Park, which covers an area of around 400 sq km, is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country. The park's abandoned fortress, lakes and above all, around 40 majestic tigers, have made it one of the most filmed wildlife reserves in the world.
The park is also home to animals like the jackal, mongoose, sloth bear and leopard.
Sawai Madhopur is some 175 km from state capital Jaipur.
Sariska, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile princely state of Alwar, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955.
It was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. Spread over 866 sq. km, the area also has animals like leopards, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, sambars, langurs, wild boars, four-horned deer and many species of birds.
It is located some 110 km from Jaipur.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=248029
Since the relocation was announced in 2008, the forest department has been able to shift only three of the 92 villages falling inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar district and the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district.
In 2005, the forest department had planned to shift these villages after tigers in Sariska were completely wiped out on account of poaching.
The man-animal conflict inside the reserves pose a serious threat to the wild cat, as the villagers often poison the tigers to protect their livestock and families.
According to wildlife experts, Rajasthan has around 45 tigers left.
"One village - Bhagani - has been shifted from Sariska, while Indala and Machanki have been moved from Ranthambore since 2008. The process of relocating six villages from Sariska and seven from Ranthambore is underway," a forest department officer told IANS.
However, the department is yet to start relocation of the remaining villages.
"With this pace, the government might never be able to shift all villages and this poses a serious threat for the wildlife," said Babu Lal Jaju, state incharge of NGO People for Animals.
The state government had faced widespread protests in 2004-05 when it was reported that Sariska did not have any tigers left.
A report in March 2005 by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that poaching had wiped out the wild cat population.
Facing flak from different quarters, the state government decided to relocate tigers from Ranthambore to Sariska. From 2008, five tigers, including two males, have been relocated to the reserve.
However, in November 2010, the first relocated tiger died due to poisoning.
Experts say lopsided land acquisition too has slowed down the relocation process, but the state government disagrees.
"We give Rs.10 lakh and land as compensation to each relocated family, but the consent of the family is required. In many cases, we don't get it, so it becomes hard for us to convince the villagers to shift," said the forest officer.
"We are discussing steps to speed up the process and will soon implement them," he added.
Ranthambore National Park, which covers an area of around 400 sq km, is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country. The park's abandoned fortress, lakes and above all, around 40 majestic tigers, have made it one of the most filmed wildlife reserves in the world.
The park is also home to animals like the jackal, mongoose, sloth bear and leopard.
Sawai Madhopur is some 175 km from state capital Jaipur.
Sariska, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile princely state of Alwar, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955.
It was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. Spread over 866 sq. km, the area also has animals like leopards, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, sambars, langurs, wild boars, four-horned deer and many species of birds.
It is located some 110 km from Jaipur.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=248029
Tiger population increases in Sathyamangalam forest
Erode (TN), Jun 29 (PTI) Population of tigers in the Sathyamangalam forest in the district has risen to 28 in 2011 as against 18 in 2009, a census by forest officials stated.
Forest officials said in 2007, there were only eight tigers. The number declined to seven in 2008 but increased to 10 in 2009 and at the end of that year there were 18 big cats in the area. In 2011, the number increased by 10.
"Camera trapping technique was followed in detecting the number of tigers," they said.
The number of elephants has increased from 815 in 2007 to a little over 900 in four years.
Officials said it was proposed to dig 75 km long trenches in Erode and Sathyamangalam forest divisions following complaints from farmers that elephants were entering their lands and damaging standing crops like banana, coconut and other fruits.
Strict vigil is being maintained to prevent poaching, they added.
Forest officials said in 2007, there were only eight tigers. The number declined to seven in 2008 but increased to 10 in 2009 and at the end of that year there were 18 big cats in the area. In 2011, the number increased by 10.
"Camera trapping technique was followed in detecting the number of tigers," they said.
The number of elephants has increased from 815 in 2007 to a little over 900 in four years.
Officials said it was proposed to dig 75 km long trenches in Erode and Sathyamangalam forest divisions following complaints from farmers that elephants were entering their lands and damaging standing crops like banana, coconut and other fruits.
Strict vigil is being maintained to prevent poaching, they added.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Goa may soon get its first tiger reserve PRISCILLA JEBARAJ
“The region is one of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats”
It's better known for its formula of “Sun, sea and sand,” but the State of Goa could soon get its first tiger reserve.
While the small coastal State may have only one resident tigress — who recently gave birth to cubs — it is located next to forests with larger tiger populations in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The Centre hopes that declaring this area as a protected reserve for the big cat will also stymie the rampant exploitation of mining resources.
In a letter to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh suggested that the State submit a proposal to have the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary declared as a tiger reserve.
“There is evidence to show that tigers in Goa are not merely transient animals but are a resident population as well,” said Mr. Ramesh.
Conservationists in the area have been advocating a tiger reserve in north Goa for years, and Mr. Ramesh noted that there is “considerable local community support” for the proposal.
He added that Mhadei is a contiguous tiger landscape to Karnataka’s Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve which has 35 tigers. A 2008 study by the Wildlife Institute of India pointed out that this interstate region is one of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats.
Mr. Ramesh suggested that the State government could even expand the proposed tiger reserve beyond the existing boundaries of the Mhadei sanctuary in a bid to “ensure the long term protection of biodiversity-rich areas”.
“The region is one of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats”
It's better known for its formula of “Sun, sea and sand,” but the State of Goa could soon get its first tiger reserve.
While the small coastal State may have only one resident tigress — who recently gave birth to cubs — it is located next to forests with larger tiger populations in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The Centre hopes that declaring this area as a protected reserve for the big cat will also stymie the rampant exploitation of mining resources.
In a letter to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh suggested that the State submit a proposal to have the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary declared as a tiger reserve.
“There is evidence to show that tigers in Goa are not merely transient animals but are a resident population as well,” said Mr. Ramesh.
Conservationists in the area have been advocating a tiger reserve in north Goa for years, and Mr. Ramesh noted that there is “considerable local community support” for the proposal.
He added that Mhadei is a contiguous tiger landscape to Karnataka’s Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve which has 35 tigers. A 2008 study by the Wildlife Institute of India pointed out that this interstate region is one of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats.
Mr. Ramesh suggested that the State government could even expand the proposed tiger reserve beyond the existing boundaries of the Mhadei sanctuary in a bid to “ensure the long term protection of biodiversity-rich areas”.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2142214.ece
It's better known for its formula of “Sun, sea and sand,” but the State of Goa could soon get its first tiger reserve.
While the small coastal State may have only one resident tigress — who recently gave birth to cubs — it is located next to forests with larger tiger populations in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The Centre hopes that declaring this area as a protected reserve for the big cat will also stymie the rampant exploitation of mining resources.
In a letter to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh suggested that the State submit a proposal to have the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary declared as a tiger reserve.
“There is evidence to show that tigers in Goa are not merely transient animals but are a resident population as well,” said Mr. Ramesh.
Conservationists in the area have been advocating a tiger reserve in north Goa for years, and Mr. Ramesh noted that there is “considerable local community support” for the proposal.
He added that Mhadei is a contiguous tiger landscape to Karnataka’s Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve which has 35 tigers. A 2008 study by the Wildlife Institute of India pointed out that this interstate region is one of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats.
Mr. Ramesh suggested that the State government could even expand the proposed tiger reserve beyond the existing boundaries of the Mhadei sanctuary in a bid to “ensure the long term protection of biodiversity-rich areas”.
“The region is one of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats”
It's better known for its formula of “Sun, sea and sand,” but the State of Goa could soon get its first tiger reserve.
While the small coastal State may have only one resident tigress — who recently gave birth to cubs — it is located next to forests with larger tiger populations in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The Centre hopes that declaring this area as a protected reserve for the big cat will also stymie the rampant exploitation of mining resources.
In a letter to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh suggested that the State submit a proposal to have the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary declared as a tiger reserve.
“There is evidence to show that tigers in Goa are not merely transient animals but are a resident population as well,” said Mr. Ramesh.
Conservationists in the area have been advocating a tiger reserve in north Goa for years, and Mr. Ramesh noted that there is “considerable local community support” for the proposal.
He added that Mhadei is a contiguous tiger landscape to Karnataka’s Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve which has 35 tigers. A 2008 study by the Wildlife Institute of India pointed out that this interstate region is one of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats.
Mr. Ramesh suggested that the State government could even expand the proposed tiger reserve beyond the existing boundaries of the Mhadei sanctuary in a bid to “ensure the long term protection of biodiversity-rich areas”.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2142214.ece
Mohini smiles at forest officials' goof-up in trap camera picture -DNA
Jaipur: Serendipity can at times be embarrassing. At least it was with the forest officials when they got the first trap camera picture of the footloose tiger Mohan after months of efforts and it turned out to be a tigress's, or Mohini's, if the big cat allows us to christen her so!
After meticulously following the Ranthambhor tiger T47, nicknamed Mohan, for months, which kept wandering from as far as Dholpur, Baseri, Bari in Rajasthan to Bhind-Morena in Madhya Pradesh, and finally settling in Ghanteshwar valley in Keoladeo Sanctuary; the forest officials were in for a rude shock when the first trap camera picture of the big cat turned out to be a tigress's. The embarrassing turn of events not only puts in question the efficacy of officials but also draws a blank on what actually happened to T47, if this one is a tigress.
"We are still examining that this big cat is Mohan or not. It seems a tigress from the picture we got, so we are also examining whether this is the same big cat which has roamed as far as Bhind in MP," said YK Sahoo, field director at Ranthambhore National Park (RNP). Forest officials may not be sure of tiger being Mohan or Mohini, but experts who have seen the picture confirm that the big cat photographed is a tigress. "This big cat does not have any ruff on its face, the characteristic of a male tiger, and also her head is not as big as a male tiger's. So in all probability, this big cat is tigress for sure," said Divya Bhanu Singh Chawda, member, National Board of Wildlife, and cat specialist group of World Conservation Union (IUCN).
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/RAJ-JPR-mohini-smiles-at-forest-officials-goof-up-in-trap-camera-picture-2228912.html
After meticulously following the Ranthambhor tiger T47, nicknamed Mohan, for months, which kept wandering from as far as Dholpur, Baseri, Bari in Rajasthan to Bhind-Morena in Madhya Pradesh, and finally settling in Ghanteshwar valley in Keoladeo Sanctuary; the forest officials were in for a rude shock when the first trap camera picture of the big cat turned out to be a tigress's. The embarrassing turn of events not only puts in question the efficacy of officials but also draws a blank on what actually happened to T47, if this one is a tigress.
"We are still examining that this big cat is Mohan or not. It seems a tigress from the picture we got, so we are also examining whether this is the same big cat which has roamed as far as Bhind in MP," said YK Sahoo, field director at Ranthambhore National Park (RNP). Forest officials may not be sure of tiger being Mohan or Mohini, but experts who have seen the picture confirm that the big cat photographed is a tigress. "This big cat does not have any ruff on its face, the characteristic of a male tiger, and also her head is not as big as a male tiger's. So in all probability, this big cat is tigress for sure," said Divya Bhanu Singh Chawda, member, National Board of Wildlife, and cat specialist group of World Conservation Union (IUCN).
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/RAJ-JPR-mohini-smiles-at-forest-officials-goof-up-in-trap-camera-picture-2228912.html
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Kota tigress: Tardy relocation bid irks conservationists TNN
JAIPUR: While there is reason enough for the forest department to rejoice the increasing tiger population in the state, its inaction over bringing back big cats that have strayed out of the forest has irked conservationists. The rebuff comes in the wake of little efforts from the department in bringing back a five-year-old tigress that had strayed to Kota from the Ranthambore tiger reserve.
"That it's a tigress is a reason to worry. While it may be common for sub-adult males to stray into areas outside the park but this big cat is a female that can become a mother. Therefore it is not just a question of one tigress but also the litter of cubs she produces," a conservationist said. In January 2010, the tigress had moved out of the Ranthambore tiger reserve. A team of officials had been hot on its trail in January. But with the tiger settling down in the ravines of the Kalisind river on the border of Kota and Baran districts, there has been little effort in bringing it back.
Sub-adults, especially males stray out of the forest in search of a territory. They generally return but this tigress hasn't.
It may be natural for tigers to stray out but there is a fear of poaching, too.
"The Kota tigress is a potential mother and could have added to the baby boom that the park has seen this year," he added. The Ranthambore national park after a dry year when no cubs were born, this year had 17 cubs taking the estimated population of the big cat in the park to about 50. A census is on at the park.
There are at least five tigers that have been missing from the park and three tigers have migrated to other areas. The missing tigers are T-21 or the Chiroli male, T-27 or the Gilai Sagar female, T-29 of Berda, T-40 or the Berda male and T-43 the second Jhailkho male cub. And the strayed ones are T-35 a tigress which is in Kota, T-38 or the Sultanpur male that has migrated to Kuno in Madhya Pradesh while T-47 has made Dholpur its home.
Officials of the department while accepting that not much effort was being made in this regard, assured that the tigress was fine. "The tigress is being monitored and she is okay," the officials said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Kota-tigress-Tardy-relocation-bid-irks-conservationists/articleshow/9020952.cms
"That it's a tigress is a reason to worry. While it may be common for sub-adult males to stray into areas outside the park but this big cat is a female that can become a mother. Therefore it is not just a question of one tigress but also the litter of cubs she produces," a conservationist said. In January 2010, the tigress had moved out of the Ranthambore tiger reserve. A team of officials had been hot on its trail in January. But with the tiger settling down in the ravines of the Kalisind river on the border of Kota and Baran districts, there has been little effort in bringing it back.
Sub-adults, especially males stray out of the forest in search of a territory. They generally return but this tigress hasn't.
It may be natural for tigers to stray out but there is a fear of poaching, too.
"The Kota tigress is a potential mother and could have added to the baby boom that the park has seen this year," he added. The Ranthambore national park after a dry year when no cubs were born, this year had 17 cubs taking the estimated population of the big cat in the park to about 50. A census is on at the park.
There are at least five tigers that have been missing from the park and three tigers have migrated to other areas. The missing tigers are T-21 or the Chiroli male, T-27 or the Gilai Sagar female, T-29 of Berda, T-40 or the Berda male and T-43 the second Jhailkho male cub. And the strayed ones are T-35 a tigress which is in Kota, T-38 or the Sultanpur male that has migrated to Kuno in Madhya Pradesh while T-47 has made Dholpur its home.
Officials of the department while accepting that not much effort was being made in this regard, assured that the tigress was fine. "The tigress is being monitored and she is okay," the officials said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Kota-tigress-Tardy-relocation-bid-irks-conservationists/articleshow/9020952.cms
Sariska’s future tense
CONSERVATION
Sariska’s future tense
The Sariska National Park is facing a bleak future. Based on prey base and habitat, Sariska can easily accommodate more than 40 tigers. Plans are now on to relocate more tigers to Sariska, but tiger lovers are hoping that the government realises that given the dwindling tiger population in the country, this is not the best time to experiment. In the present conditions, tigers are still not safe, observes Navnith Krishnan
Aflurry of alarm calls reverberating through the valley alerted us. The setting sun gave it an eerie background. Sambhars started giving vent to their unmistakable dhunks.
Peacocks took to the trees with their hoarse cries. Higher up on the trees, langurs were ducking their heads up and down, and warning others with their sounds.
All indicated the presence of a predator on the move. The Aravalli Ranges stood like a mute spectator to this daily drama. We were in the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.
The tiger monitoring group had told us about the presence of the female tiger ST2 and the male ST4 in that area.
These are among the many tigers relocated here from Ranthambhore. We strained our necks looking for the elusive cat. Time stood still. Our driver, Jagdish, was the first to spot the tigress as she majestically strode on to the road, hardly 30 feet from us. She was ST2. She just looked back at us and walked straight to the water hole.
Nestled in one of the oldest mountain ranges, Aravallis, Sariska National Park, with a total area of more than 800 sq km, is a repository of serene dense forest, wide valleys and sprawling plateaus. With a natural grandeur, it was once the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Alwar where British royalty, viceroys and dignitaries vied with each other in shooting tigers. All shootings were banned in 1955 when Sariska was declared a wildlife reserve. In 1978, it was declared a tiger reserve and in 1982, a national park.
Vanishing tigers
It was just five years back that Sariska hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The state wildlife department was merrily giving out tiger figures every year, and when an intrepid journalist came out with the revelation that there are no tigers left in the Sariska Tiger Reserve, it attracted worldwide attention.
A subsequent CBI enquiry ordered by the Prime Minister and an investigation by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed the stark truth. How Sariska, with its valleys, forests, water holes, an enormous prey base and a habitat better than even Ranthambhore, lost its tigers is a long story. It was a case of ineptitude, inadequacy and shameful neglect.
To quote the Tiger Task Force, “While officials were busy misreporting the record of tiger numbers, poachers roamed about and cleaned the reserve out.”
Community-related issues
The one and only problem faced by Sariska is the hostile attitude of the villagers — 28 of their hamlets are strewn around the sanctuary; some even inside the core area. These villagers have stuck around the forest area’s main water holes, rearing their cattle. All efforts to relocate them have come to naught.
Closeness to cities like Alwar and easy transportation have made milk trade a roaring business. Added to this is the rearing of goats for meat. The villagers, mostly cattle grazers, have nothing to spend on feeding since these cattle and goats are driven into the sanctuary every day and occasionally tigers get attracted to it.
The government’s compensation of Rs 3,000 for every cattle killed by tigers, villagers say, is grossly inadequate compared to the actual value of more than Rs 20,000. They stick on to these villages in spite of all these disadvantages and carry out revenge killings and poaching. They also join together and scuttle any probe into the killing. For them, it is more profitable.
The bonanza of Rs 10 lakh per family offered as compensation for relocation has no effect on them. Adding to the woes of the villagers and the government is the activism of the so-called human rights NGOs, who advise villagers not to shift unless the compensation is raised to Rs 25 lakh. It is no surprise that out of 28 villages, only one village, Badhani, the smallest of them all, has been relocated completely since the process began.
Relocation from Ranthambore
In their efforts to save the tiger, the government carried out an ambitious programme — to relocate some tigers to Sariska from Ranthambhore. Five tigers, tagged ST1 to ST5, were released into the park in 2008. Skeptics were proved right when the male TS1 was poisoned on November 14, 2010 by villagers as a revenge killing. The government received much flak for this and the field director was shifted.
They have now posted R S Shekhawat as the field director, one of the ablest in the state. One more tiger has been now been relocated from Ranthambhore and has been tagged as ST6. All the tigers are radio collared, are tracked and logged in separate jeeps, round the clock, at high costs.
With hostile villagers located all around the park, forest officers are on tenter hooks. How long can they monitor tigers like this? In Rajesh Gopal, we have a dedicated and hard working Project Tiger Chief, but unless the state government takes more interest and gets these villagers shifted from the park, the future of relocated tigers in Sariska is bleak.
Based on prey base and habitat, Sariska can easily accommodate more than 40 tigers. Plans are now on to relocate more tigers to Sariska. But tiger lovers are hoping that the government realises that given the dwindling tiger population in the country, this is not the best time to experiment, for in the present conditions, tigers are still not safe.
Sariska still offers a bonanza for tourists and nature lovers. The sanctuary is teeming with wildlife. There are more than 7,000 sambhars, an equal number of nilgais, chital, wild boars, striped hyenas, caracals and leopards to quote a few.
It is also blessed with rich avifaunal diversity encompassing more than 211 species of domestic and migratory birds. It also houses 404 plant species. It is of interest to note that 50,000 visitors have visited this park last year alone.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/171934/sariskas-future-tense.html
Sariska’s future tense
The Sariska National Park is facing a bleak future. Based on prey base and habitat, Sariska can easily accommodate more than 40 tigers. Plans are now on to relocate more tigers to Sariska, but tiger lovers are hoping that the government realises that given the dwindling tiger population in the country, this is not the best time to experiment. In the present conditions, tigers are still not safe, observes Navnith Krishnan
Aflurry of alarm calls reverberating through the valley alerted us. The setting sun gave it an eerie background. Sambhars started giving vent to their unmistakable dhunks.
Peacocks took to the trees with their hoarse cries. Higher up on the trees, langurs were ducking their heads up and down, and warning others with their sounds.
All indicated the presence of a predator on the move. The Aravalli Ranges stood like a mute spectator to this daily drama. We were in the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.
The tiger monitoring group had told us about the presence of the female tiger ST2 and the male ST4 in that area.
These are among the many tigers relocated here from Ranthambhore. We strained our necks looking for the elusive cat. Time stood still. Our driver, Jagdish, was the first to spot the tigress as she majestically strode on to the road, hardly 30 feet from us. She was ST2. She just looked back at us and walked straight to the water hole.
Nestled in one of the oldest mountain ranges, Aravallis, Sariska National Park, with a total area of more than 800 sq km, is a repository of serene dense forest, wide valleys and sprawling plateaus. With a natural grandeur, it was once the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Alwar where British royalty, viceroys and dignitaries vied with each other in shooting tigers. All shootings were banned in 1955 when Sariska was declared a wildlife reserve. In 1978, it was declared a tiger reserve and in 1982, a national park.
Vanishing tigers
It was just five years back that Sariska hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The state wildlife department was merrily giving out tiger figures every year, and when an intrepid journalist came out with the revelation that there are no tigers left in the Sariska Tiger Reserve, it attracted worldwide attention.
A subsequent CBI enquiry ordered by the Prime Minister and an investigation by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed the stark truth. How Sariska, with its valleys, forests, water holes, an enormous prey base and a habitat better than even Ranthambhore, lost its tigers is a long story. It was a case of ineptitude, inadequacy and shameful neglect.
To quote the Tiger Task Force, “While officials were busy misreporting the record of tiger numbers, poachers roamed about and cleaned the reserve out.”
Community-related issues
The one and only problem faced by Sariska is the hostile attitude of the villagers — 28 of their hamlets are strewn around the sanctuary; some even inside the core area. These villagers have stuck around the forest area’s main water holes, rearing their cattle. All efforts to relocate them have come to naught.
Closeness to cities like Alwar and easy transportation have made milk trade a roaring business. Added to this is the rearing of goats for meat. The villagers, mostly cattle grazers, have nothing to spend on feeding since these cattle and goats are driven into the sanctuary every day and occasionally tigers get attracted to it.
The government’s compensation of Rs 3,000 for every cattle killed by tigers, villagers say, is grossly inadequate compared to the actual value of more than Rs 20,000. They stick on to these villages in spite of all these disadvantages and carry out revenge killings and poaching. They also join together and scuttle any probe into the killing. For them, it is more profitable.
The bonanza of Rs 10 lakh per family offered as compensation for relocation has no effect on them. Adding to the woes of the villagers and the government is the activism of the so-called human rights NGOs, who advise villagers not to shift unless the compensation is raised to Rs 25 lakh. It is no surprise that out of 28 villages, only one village, Badhani, the smallest of them all, has been relocated completely since the process began.
Relocation from Ranthambore
In their efforts to save the tiger, the government carried out an ambitious programme — to relocate some tigers to Sariska from Ranthambhore. Five tigers, tagged ST1 to ST5, were released into the park in 2008. Skeptics were proved right when the male TS1 was poisoned on November 14, 2010 by villagers as a revenge killing. The government received much flak for this and the field director was shifted.
They have now posted R S Shekhawat as the field director, one of the ablest in the state. One more tiger has been now been relocated from Ranthambhore and has been tagged as ST6. All the tigers are radio collared, are tracked and logged in separate jeeps, round the clock, at high costs.
With hostile villagers located all around the park, forest officers are on tenter hooks. How long can they monitor tigers like this? In Rajesh Gopal, we have a dedicated and hard working Project Tiger Chief, but unless the state government takes more interest and gets these villagers shifted from the park, the future of relocated tigers in Sariska is bleak.
Based on prey base and habitat, Sariska can easily accommodate more than 40 tigers. Plans are now on to relocate more tigers to Sariska. But tiger lovers are hoping that the government realises that given the dwindling tiger population in the country, this is not the best time to experiment, for in the present conditions, tigers are still not safe.
Sariska still offers a bonanza for tourists and nature lovers. The sanctuary is teeming with wildlife. There are more than 7,000 sambhars, an equal number of nilgais, chital, wild boars, striped hyenas, caracals and leopards to quote a few.
It is also blessed with rich avifaunal diversity encompassing more than 211 species of domestic and migratory birds. It also houses 404 plant species. It is of interest to note that 50,000 visitors have visited this park last year alone.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/171934/sariskas-future-tense.html
Pench's bid to win locals' trust -TNN
NAGPUR: The Pench national park and tiger reserve has geared up to win trust of stakeholders in a bid to boost forest and tiger conservation.
On Sunday, the park management and a group of doctors named 'Doctors of Wildlife' organized a health check-up camp at Sillari for nine villages in the periphery of the reserve. Conservator of forest and Pench field director A Ashraf informed that 264 villagers were benefited from the camp. Free medicines were also distributed to the villagers.
"It was a small effort but could go a long way in tiger and forest protection. There are 40 villages in Pench buffer and similar camps will be organized post-monsoon for other villages," said Ashraf.
The camp was inaugurated by AK Saxena, additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF) for wildlife, East. Dr Ravi Waikar and Dr Anil Pimplapure were also present.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/developmental-issues/Penchs-bid-to-win-locals-trust/articleshow/9019608.cms
On Sunday, the park management and a group of doctors named 'Doctors of Wildlife' organized a health check-up camp at Sillari for nine villages in the periphery of the reserve. Conservator of forest and Pench field director A Ashraf informed that 264 villagers were benefited from the camp. Free medicines were also distributed to the villagers.
"It was a small effort but could go a long way in tiger and forest protection. There are 40 villages in Pench buffer and similar camps will be organized post-monsoon for other villages," said Ashraf.
The camp was inaugurated by AK Saxena, additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF) for wildlife, East. Dr Ravi Waikar and Dr Anil Pimplapure were also present.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/developmental-issues/Penchs-bid-to-win-locals-trust/articleshow/9019608.cms
Simlipal launches foundation to boost tiger conservation - AMARENDRA BOSE,TNN
BARIPADA: The Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR), on the lines of the Corbett, Ranthambhore and Bandipur tiger reserves, has launched the Simlipal Tiger Conservation Foundation (STCF) in a bid to give a boost to tiger conservation and define a niche for the rare animal in the reserve, HS Upadhaya, STR field director said.
The foundation shall be an autonomous body that will facilitate and support tiger conservation and protect the biodiversity of its habitat in Simlipal. It will also take initiatives in eco-development with the active involvement of forest fringe dwellers in the development process, Upadhaya added.
The STCF has been registered under the Registration of Societies Act, 1860 and was approved by the additional registrar of societies on Wednesday. It shall have operational jurisdiction over the STR, which encompasses a total area of 2,750 sq km, and its adjoining landscape with possible corridor value for dispersal of wild animals from the tiger reserve, sources at STR said.
The foundation will use funds from income generated by levying entry fee on tourists besides contributions from other sources in terms of specific projects from national as well as international agencies as permitted by law. It will also use grants received from internal agencies, grants-in-aid, donations or assistance of any kind from any individual or organization, including foreign governments and other external agencies as permitted by law, sources added.
The governing body of the foundation has been constituted with the state's forest and environment minister, Debi Prasad Mishra, as president, the principal secretary of forests and environment, Aurobindo Behera, as vice-president, and the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) who is also the CWLW (chief wildlife warden), Orissa as member-secretary.
Other members of the governing body include the principal chief conservator of forests (general) Orissa, the field director and deputy director of the STR, two prominent scientists or experts in the field to be nominated by the government, the Jashipur (Mayurbhanj) MLA and the chairperson of zilla parishad, Mayurbhanj and two members of the executive committee of the foundation.
Tigers, elephants, bisons and the unique four-horned chowsinghas are among the larger denizens of Simlipal, while the toothless long-tongued scaly ant-eater, the pangolin, is among the smaller ones. The black Royal Bengal Tiger is yet another important attraction for the visitors as well as researchers visiting the reserve, sources said.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/developmental-issues/simlipal-launches-foundation-to-boost-tiger-conservation/articleshow/9017280.cms
The foundation shall be an autonomous body that will facilitate and support tiger conservation and protect the biodiversity of its habitat in Simlipal. It will also take initiatives in eco-development with the active involvement of forest fringe dwellers in the development process, Upadhaya added.
The STCF has been registered under the Registration of Societies Act, 1860 and was approved by the additional registrar of societies on Wednesday. It shall have operational jurisdiction over the STR, which encompasses a total area of 2,750 sq km, and its adjoining landscape with possible corridor value for dispersal of wild animals from the tiger reserve, sources at STR said.
The foundation will use funds from income generated by levying entry fee on tourists besides contributions from other sources in terms of specific projects from national as well as international agencies as permitted by law. It will also use grants received from internal agencies, grants-in-aid, donations or assistance of any kind from any individual or organization, including foreign governments and other external agencies as permitted by law, sources added.
The governing body of the foundation has been constituted with the state's forest and environment minister, Debi Prasad Mishra, as president, the principal secretary of forests and environment, Aurobindo Behera, as vice-president, and the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) who is also the CWLW (chief wildlife warden), Orissa as member-secretary.
Other members of the governing body include the principal chief conservator of forests (general) Orissa, the field director and deputy director of the STR, two prominent scientists or experts in the field to be nominated by the government, the Jashipur (Mayurbhanj) MLA and the chairperson of zilla parishad, Mayurbhanj and two members of the executive committee of the foundation.
Tigers, elephants, bisons and the unique four-horned chowsinghas are among the larger denizens of Simlipal, while the toothless long-tongued scaly ant-eater, the pangolin, is among the smaller ones. The black Royal Bengal Tiger is yet another important attraction for the visitors as well as researchers visiting the reserve, sources said.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/developmental-issues/simlipal-launches-foundation-to-boost-tiger-conservation/articleshow/9017280.cms
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sariska to get 3 more tigresses Rajender Sharma, TNN
ALWAR: The Sariska tiger reserve will soon host atleast three more tigeress from Ranthambore. Currently, the reserve has two tigers and three tigeress.
This was stated by Union forest minister Jairam Ramesh during his visit to the reserve. The minister spotted a tiger at the reserve for the first time in his life. "I have been visiting reserves in the country since 1984 but this is for the first time that I have spotted a tiger," the minister said.
Sources revealed that the minister spotted the tiger ST-6. This is the same tiger that had attacked ranger Daulat Singh Shaktawat and had fled to Bharatpur from where it was eventually brought to Sariska.
"In the next two or three months, we will be shifting three more females from Ranthambore," he said. However, Ramesh made it clear that the next male to set foot in the reserve would be from Madhya Pradesh. The minister was worried as no cubs were being born in Sariska for the past four years since the first tiger was relocated.
"It is just not Sariska but there are 13 tigresses out of a total 20 females in Ranthambore which, too, have not littered since the past five to six years. We are worried and have sent scat samples of these tigresses and from some in Sariska to Hyderabad for a hormonal test," he said. .
The ministry has recently sanctioned Rs 2 crore for the purchase of ten 35-seater buses for ferrying passengers from the gates of the sanctuary to Pandupole. A research centre, Kailash Sankhla research centre, would also be set up. The Centre will give various information on wildlife and will serve as a museum too.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Sariska-to-get-3-more-tigresses/articleshow/9006923.cms
This was stated by Union forest minister Jairam Ramesh during his visit to the reserve. The minister spotted a tiger at the reserve for the first time in his life. "I have been visiting reserves in the country since 1984 but this is for the first time that I have spotted a tiger," the minister said.
Sources revealed that the minister spotted the tiger ST-6. This is the same tiger that had attacked ranger Daulat Singh Shaktawat and had fled to Bharatpur from where it was eventually brought to Sariska.
"In the next two or three months, we will be shifting three more females from Ranthambore," he said. However, Ramesh made it clear that the next male to set foot in the reserve would be from Madhya Pradesh. The minister was worried as no cubs were being born in Sariska for the past four years since the first tiger was relocated.
"It is just not Sariska but there are 13 tigresses out of a total 20 females in Ranthambore which, too, have not littered since the past five to six years. We are worried and have sent scat samples of these tigresses and from some in Sariska to Hyderabad for a hormonal test," he said. .
The ministry has recently sanctioned Rs 2 crore for the purchase of ten 35-seater buses for ferrying passengers from the gates of the sanctuary to Pandupole. A research centre, Kailash Sankhla research centre, would also be set up. The Centre will give various information on wildlife and will serve as a museum too.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Sariska-to-get-3-more-tigresses/articleshow/9006923.cms
Eight sentenced to jail for tiger poaching-PTI
Alwar (Rajasthan), Jun 17 (PTI) A local court has awarded seven poachers seven years of imprisonment and another poacher five years in jail for killing a tiger in Sariska reserve in 2002.Additional chief judicial magistrate Himankani Gaud sentenced Zahuru, Ramjan, Hazari, Darra, Fazru, Umardin and Sukka to seven years in jail and Heera Lal was awarded five years of imprisonment.The magistrate also slapped a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh each on Zuhru and Ramjan, Rs 30,000 on Lal and Rs 85,000 on others.The hunters killed the tiger in Sariska and had sold its skin in 2002.
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/eight-sentenced-to-jail-for-tiger-poaching/739286.html
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/eight-sentenced-to-jail-for-tiger-poaching/739286.html
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Another tiger enters Sundarban village
Sundarbans (WB), Jun 26 (PTI) A full-grown tiger from the mangrove forest today entered a village in Gosaba area of the Sundarban delta and killed six sheep.
Officials said the tiger came from Pirkhali jungle of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve and swam the Bidya river to prey on livestock at Sonargaon village.
It killed six sheep at a villager''s house.
Forest department officials from Sajnekhali office of the tiger reserve encircled the area with nylon nets and laid a trap to catch the tiger. The animal will be released deep in the jungle after being caught in the trap, forest officials said.
Another tigress that entered Satjelia area of Gosaba delta yesterday to prey on livestock will be released into the jungle today. It was tranquilised by the forest department officials last afternoon.
http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5236380
Officials said the tiger came from Pirkhali jungle of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve and swam the Bidya river to prey on livestock at Sonargaon village.
It killed six sheep at a villager''s house.
Forest department officials from Sajnekhali office of the tiger reserve encircled the area with nylon nets and laid a trap to catch the tiger. The animal will be released deep in the jungle after being caught in the trap, forest officials said.
Another tigress that entered Satjelia area of Gosaba delta yesterday to prey on livestock will be released into the jungle today. It was tranquilised by the forest department officials last afternoon.
http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5236380
Bandhavgarh fencing usurps tiger turf
Moushumi Basu | New Delhi
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is slowly getting converted into a zoo. The 108 sq km area covering the twin ranges of Tala and Kallwah in the reserve is being enclosed by chain links or iron mesh fencing.
The purpose, according to the Forest Department, is to minimise man-animal conflict. However, wildlife experts question its rationale. They point out that restricted territories are leading to infighting among the big cats, resulting in deaths of sub-adults. Such a situation can also lead to more and more in-breeding in the long run.
Experts also point out that while fences are able to prevent movement of other wildlife, tigers just jump over them in search of prey, bringing them in conflict with humans more often than not. Prior to fencing, the tigers were free to go out of the reserve area and hunt. Now, the prey base within the reserve, like deer, is fast disappearing.
On May 23, two persons — one man and a woman — were killed near Damna village in Tala range. They were attacked by a tiger while collecting tendu leaves. Local sources said three cubs are often seen moving out of the Mirchaini area of the reserve and venturing into nearby villages.
On June 11, an 18-20 month-old female cub was found dead in the Sukhi Pathiya area. Her death had been caused due to infighting.
“In the above circumstances, what purpose is the chain link fence serving?” asked Saptarishi Saigal, assistant conservator of NGO Save The Stripes.
According to him, the chain link is certainly not controlling man-animal conflict, but is affecting the big cats in two ways. First, confining the boundary of the reserve has put tremendous pressure on them. Battling against shrinking habitat, sub-adults or cubs are being pushed out of protected areas, which is worsening the conflict with humans. “Second, when the tiger is going out of the protected area, then there is also a threat of its getting poached,” Saigal added.
Wildlife experts further contended that such fencing blocks the corridor for tigers and other wildlife. Due to restricted space, it compels sub-adult tigers to stay in their mother’s territory for longer than they should, which, in turn, diminishes the prey base.
“The long-term impact of putting up chain-linking needs to be looked as there have been cases of ungulates not being able to save themselves when chased by predators once they are pushed to the fence,” said tiger expert Belinda Wright.
To add to it, local sources said the fence is also hurting the big cats. Tigress Laxmi injured her leg while another male tiger was also seen with a wire stuck in his paw pad.
However, according to Field Director Bandhavgarh, CK Patil, the chain link fencing has reduced the intrusion of the local villagers into the reserve and it would be further extended.
“It has also checked the entry of cattle into the forest”, he noted.
This was the very purpose for which the fence was erected. The human pressure was increasing every day and there had to be some way out to keep them at bay, he said. According to him the success of the chain link lies in the fact that that today agricultural fields have extended right up to the fencing area. Earlier, it would be at least 400-500 metres away.
Acknowledging the fact that the tigers are moving out, he said it was inevitable. Pointing to the shrinking habitat, he added that the reserve can accommodate about 15 male tigers, an average area of territory being 30 sq kms-40 sq kms. “It is but natural that the tigers would move out. The fence is barely 2 metres in height, which can not anyway stop tigers,” he said.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/348563/Bandhavgarh-fencing-usurps-tiger-turf.html
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is slowly getting converted into a zoo. The 108 sq km area covering the twin ranges of Tala and Kallwah in the reserve is being enclosed by chain links or iron mesh fencing.
The purpose, according to the Forest Department, is to minimise man-animal conflict. However, wildlife experts question its rationale. They point out that restricted territories are leading to infighting among the big cats, resulting in deaths of sub-adults. Such a situation can also lead to more and more in-breeding in the long run.
Experts also point out that while fences are able to prevent movement of other wildlife, tigers just jump over them in search of prey, bringing them in conflict with humans more often than not. Prior to fencing, the tigers were free to go out of the reserve area and hunt. Now, the prey base within the reserve, like deer, is fast disappearing.
On May 23, two persons — one man and a woman — were killed near Damna village in Tala range. They were attacked by a tiger while collecting tendu leaves. Local sources said three cubs are often seen moving out of the Mirchaini area of the reserve and venturing into nearby villages.
On June 11, an 18-20 month-old female cub was found dead in the Sukhi Pathiya area. Her death had been caused due to infighting.
“In the above circumstances, what purpose is the chain link fence serving?” asked Saptarishi Saigal, assistant conservator of NGO Save The Stripes.
According to him, the chain link is certainly not controlling man-animal conflict, but is affecting the big cats in two ways. First, confining the boundary of the reserve has put tremendous pressure on them. Battling against shrinking habitat, sub-adults or cubs are being pushed out of protected areas, which is worsening the conflict with humans. “Second, when the tiger is going out of the protected area, then there is also a threat of its getting poached,” Saigal added.
Wildlife experts further contended that such fencing blocks the corridor for tigers and other wildlife. Due to restricted space, it compels sub-adult tigers to stay in their mother’s territory for longer than they should, which, in turn, diminishes the prey base.
“The long-term impact of putting up chain-linking needs to be looked as there have been cases of ungulates not being able to save themselves when chased by predators once they are pushed to the fence,” said tiger expert Belinda Wright.
To add to it, local sources said the fence is also hurting the big cats. Tigress Laxmi injured her leg while another male tiger was also seen with a wire stuck in his paw pad.
However, according to Field Director Bandhavgarh, CK Patil, the chain link fencing has reduced the intrusion of the local villagers into the reserve and it would be further extended.
“It has also checked the entry of cattle into the forest”, he noted.
This was the very purpose for which the fence was erected. The human pressure was increasing every day and there had to be some way out to keep them at bay, he said. According to him the success of the chain link lies in the fact that that today agricultural fields have extended right up to the fencing area. Earlier, it would be at least 400-500 metres away.
Acknowledging the fact that the tigers are moving out, he said it was inevitable. Pointing to the shrinking habitat, he added that the reserve can accommodate about 15 male tigers, an average area of territory being 30 sq kms-40 sq kms. “It is but natural that the tigers would move out. The fence is barely 2 metres in height, which can not anyway stop tigers,” he said.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/348563/Bandhavgarh-fencing-usurps-tiger-turf.html
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Rise in tiger attacks on cattle in B R Hills - Indian Express
MYSORE: The increase in tiger attacks on cattle in residential areas has worried public in Biligiriranaga Betta (B R Hills). Tigers that entered PWD guest house premises, Sericulture department offices, Raghavendra Mutt and bus stand have injured cows, forcing people to stay doors.The movements of an aged tiger hunting cattle for its survival is frequently seen in the last 15 days. A tiger has attacked two cows grazing in sericulture office premises on Tuesday. However, the cattle were rescued from the public and its owner who raised an alarm scare the tiger.An increase in the attacks on cattle and people has created panic among the public. The felling of trees in revenue land to construct resorts destroying vegetation has forced wild animals to enter residential areas. The Forest Department has not restricted the development activities or construction of resorts as it falls under revenue land.Meanwhile, reports say that about 80 cows and calves have been attacked and killed by tigers and leopards in the fringe of the forest in recent months. The residents have not shown interest in claiming compensation accusing that the Forest Department pays `3,000 as against the actual value of `12,000 on the death of a cow. The cattle owners are forced to run from pillar to post to get their compensation. Meanwhile, RFO Nagraj said that they have received complaints of tigers sighted in residential areas. He said that they have taken initiatives to chase away tigers into the forest and ensure safety of the public.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/rise-in-tiger-attacks-on-cattle-in-b-r-hills/161945-60-115.html
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/rise-in-tiger-attacks-on-cattle-in-b-r-hills/161945-60-115.html
Tiger's death due to ‘strangulation'
The tiger that was found dead at the Metikuppe range of Nagarahole National Park is suspected to have been caught in a snare.
The four-year-old tiger, which was found on Monday, reportedly had strangulation marks on its neck. Its injuries suggested that it had tried to wriggle out of the trap.
Sources said Forest Department officials agreed that death could be due to strangulation, but were unconvinced that it was a case of poaching. They said snares were laid for wild boars.
Meanwhile, wildlife activists allege that this line of argument would only suppress the figures on tiger deaths. It was well known that a metal snare could trap any wild animal, they pointed out. Besides, the carcass was found far from agricultural fields, near the forest, indicating that it was a trap set by poachers, they said.
The sources said the snares believed to have trapped the animal could not be found.
The incident has raised fresh concern about the presence of poachers in the Bandipur and Nagarahole national parks.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article2126600.ece
The four-year-old tiger, which was found on Monday, reportedly had strangulation marks on its neck. Its injuries suggested that it had tried to wriggle out of the trap.
Sources said Forest Department officials agreed that death could be due to strangulation, but were unconvinced that it was a case of poaching. They said snares were laid for wild boars.
Meanwhile, wildlife activists allege that this line of argument would only suppress the figures on tiger deaths. It was well known that a metal snare could trap any wild animal, they pointed out. Besides, the carcass was found far from agricultural fields, near the forest, indicating that it was a trap set by poachers, they said.
The sources said the snares believed to have trapped the animal could not be found.
The incident has raised fresh concern about the presence of poachers in the Bandipur and Nagarahole national parks.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article2126600.ece
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tiger reserve tag likely for Kawwal wildlife sanctuary TNN
Read More:Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar|Adilabad District
HYDERABAD: Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar on Monday said that the Centre had in principle agreed to accord tiger reserve status for Kawwal wildlife sanctuary in Adilabad district.
Kawwal wildlife sanctuary, situated 260 km from here, was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1965 and is the oldest one in the state. This would be the second tiger reserve in the state after the Nagarjunasagar tiger reserve.
The Speaker, who is the chairman of AP legislature committee on wildlife and forests, said the central and state governments had promptly responded to their pleas on this issue. He said a request to develop the santuary at a cost of Rs 25 crore has been forwarded to the Centre.
The Speaker said nearly 62 families that would be affected will be relocated with proper relief and rehabilitation measures.
Couple of months back, animal rights activist Amala Akkineni called on Manohar urging him to take steps to ensure that the tiger habitat in Kawwal wildlife sanctuary was protected.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Tiger-reserve-tag-likely-for-Kawwal-wildlife-sanctuary/articleshow/8930413.cms
HYDERABAD: Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar on Monday said that the Centre had in principle agreed to accord tiger reserve status for Kawwal wildlife sanctuary in Adilabad district.
Kawwal wildlife sanctuary, situated 260 km from here, was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1965 and is the oldest one in the state. This would be the second tiger reserve in the state after the Nagarjunasagar tiger reserve.
The Speaker, who is the chairman of AP legislature committee on wildlife and forests, said the central and state governments had promptly responded to their pleas on this issue. He said a request to develop the santuary at a cost of Rs 25 crore has been forwarded to the Centre.
The Speaker said nearly 62 families that would be affected will be relocated with proper relief and rehabilitation measures.
Couple of months back, animal rights activist Amala Akkineni called on Manohar urging him to take steps to ensure that the tiger habitat in Kawwal wildlife sanctuary was protected.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Tiger-reserve-tag-likely-for-Kawwal-wildlife-sanctuary/articleshow/8930413.cms
Tadoba to remain closed partially Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: The meeting called on Monday to discuss the closure of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) during the rainy season seems to have ended up without any final decision being taken by the chief wildlife warden S K Khetarpal. Repeated attempts to contact Khetarpal proved futile.
However, it is learnt that Tadoba would not remain completely closed. The PCCF (wildlife) seems to have made up his mind to keep the 15-km tar road patch from Moharli to Tadoba open for tourists.
Field director VK Sinha has been asked to provide data of vehicles of private and tour operators to know whether stakeholders stand to lose anything. He will be submitting the carrying capacity in this patch and only that many vehicles will then be allowed.
It could not be ascertained if vehicles from other Kolara and Kolsa gates would be allowed.
Forest, NHAI officials to visit site again: The talks between the wildlife wing officials and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday came to naught with no solution on saving the tiger corridor between Navegaon and Nagzira due to four-laning.
While forest officials stuck to their demand of constructing open span bridges (flyovers) in five vulnerable patches on NH6, the NHAI consultant and retired chief wildlife warden RN Indurkar was firm that the design suggested by him for underpasses for wildlife was suitable.
Khetarpal is learnt to have asked forest officials to make another site visit to the vulnerable patches and submit a report. Accordingly, a team will now visit the spots on June 30. Based on its report, Khetarpal will send his comments to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Monday's meeting was attended by additional PCCFs AK Saxena, Nand Kishore, NHAI project director Naresh Wadetwar, chief conservator (CCF) for Nagpur Circle C R Gajbhiye and deputy conservator (DyCF) Mukesh Ganatra, ACF Kishore Mishrikotkar and Prafulla Bhamburkar, manager of WTI.
The patches where flyovers or underpasses need to be constructed constitute most important corridor vital for the movement of wild animals. "It is back to square one now as the process will be started from zero. The mitigation measures (culvert boxes) proposed by the NHAI do not at all satisfy the needs of the wild animals," said Bhamburkar.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tadoba-to-remain-closed-partially/articleshow/8930910.cms
However, it is learnt that Tadoba would not remain completely closed. The PCCF (wildlife) seems to have made up his mind to keep the 15-km tar road patch from Moharli to Tadoba open for tourists.
Field director VK Sinha has been asked to provide data of vehicles of private and tour operators to know whether stakeholders stand to lose anything. He will be submitting the carrying capacity in this patch and only that many vehicles will then be allowed.
It could not be ascertained if vehicles from other Kolara and Kolsa gates would be allowed.
Forest, NHAI officials to visit site again: The talks between the wildlife wing officials and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday came to naught with no solution on saving the tiger corridor between Navegaon and Nagzira due to four-laning.
While forest officials stuck to their demand of constructing open span bridges (flyovers) in five vulnerable patches on NH6, the NHAI consultant and retired chief wildlife warden RN Indurkar was firm that the design suggested by him for underpasses for wildlife was suitable.
Khetarpal is learnt to have asked forest officials to make another site visit to the vulnerable patches and submit a report. Accordingly, a team will now visit the spots on June 30. Based on its report, Khetarpal will send his comments to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Monday's meeting was attended by additional PCCFs AK Saxena, Nand Kishore, NHAI project director Naresh Wadetwar, chief conservator (CCF) for Nagpur Circle C R Gajbhiye and deputy conservator (DyCF) Mukesh Ganatra, ACF Kishore Mishrikotkar and Prafulla Bhamburkar, manager of WTI.
The patches where flyovers or underpasses need to be constructed constitute most important corridor vital for the movement of wild animals. "It is back to square one now as the process will be started from zero. The mitigation measures (culvert boxes) proposed by the NHAI do not at all satisfy the needs of the wild animals," said Bhamburkar.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tadoba-to-remain-closed-partially/articleshow/8930910.cms
Fire incidents dip in the Melghat tiger reserve TNN
AMRAVATI: Due to the efforts of the officials and employees, incidents of fire have dropped considerably in the Melghat tiger reserve.
Every year, the flora and fauna of the reserve gets damaged because of summer fires. In 2007, around 15,159 hectares (7.5%) was destroyed. This year, the figure has come down to 6485.5 hectares (3.2%).
Generally, the high temperature in summer leads to forest fires but human interference too plays a part. Taking note of the alarming rise in fire incidents, the PCCF of Nagpur had in 2005 constituted a committee to curb the menace. The committee had given certain suggestions which were implemented.
Since the last two years, director of the Melghat Tiger Project, AK Mishra too has been working hard. Fire control squads comprising labourers and regional employees were formed. The department also provided equipment to fight the fires.
When the officials learnt that tribals were setting parts of the jungle afire to extract gum from trees, the department imposed a ban on the practice in the Ambarawa sanctuary. The department also came down on employees remaining absent during the fire season.
Talking to ToI, Mishra said that incidents of fire in Melghat was a matter of concern as animals and plants were getting destroyed.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Fire-incidents-dip-in-the-Melghat-tiger-reserve/articleshow/8917877.cms
Every year, the flora and fauna of the reserve gets damaged because of summer fires. In 2007, around 15,159 hectares (7.5%) was destroyed. This year, the figure has come down to 6485.5 hectares (3.2%).
Generally, the high temperature in summer leads to forest fires but human interference too plays a part. Taking note of the alarming rise in fire incidents, the PCCF of Nagpur had in 2005 constituted a committee to curb the menace. The committee had given certain suggestions which were implemented.
Since the last two years, director of the Melghat Tiger Project, AK Mishra too has been working hard. Fire control squads comprising labourers and regional employees were formed. The department also provided equipment to fight the fires.
When the officials learnt that tribals were setting parts of the jungle afire to extract gum from trees, the department imposed a ban on the practice in the Ambarawa sanctuary. The department also came down on employees remaining absent during the fire season.
Talking to ToI, Mishra said that incidents of fire in Melghat was a matter of concern as animals and plants were getting destroyed.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Fire-incidents-dip-in-the-Melghat-tiger-reserve/articleshow/8917877.cms
Tourism takes a plunge in Red-hit Simlipal reserve, TNN
BARIPADA: Tourist flow to the famous tiger abode in Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR) has nosedived from 20,743 in 2008-09 to 9,712 in 2010-11.
A series of Maoist attacks in Simlipal on March 28, 2009 kept the tiger reserve off tourist bounds from March 29, 2009 to December 21, 2010. The forest department, however, decided to keep the reserve open for day tourism only from December 16, 2010 with strict instructions to the visitor to leave the area before evening.
The park was closed to visitors on June 16 due to monsoon, thus allowing only 181 days for the visitors to enjoy the vibrant nature in its pristine glory in Simlipal from December 16, 2010 to June 15, 2011.
The collection of revenue from wildlife tourism in Simlipal from a record Rs.26,98,952 collected in 2008-09 dropped to Rs 6,84,020 too during 2010-11, as disclosed at the sixth general body meeting of the Simlipal Eco- tourism Society (SES) held at Baripada on Saturday afternoon under the presidentship of H S Upadhyay, field director of the STR-cum-president of the society.
The revenue from wildlife tourism dropped by nearly rupees twenty lakhs, as there was a decline in the number of foreign tourists too fom 182 in 2008-09 to only 49 during the 2010-2011 tourism season.
http://m.timesofindia.com/city/bhubaneswar/Tourism-takes-a-plunge-in-Red-hit-Simlipal-reserve/articleshow/8918091.cms
A series of Maoist attacks in Simlipal on March 28, 2009 kept the tiger reserve off tourist bounds from March 29, 2009 to December 21, 2010. The forest department, however, decided to keep the reserve open for day tourism only from December 16, 2010 with strict instructions to the visitor to leave the area before evening.
The park was closed to visitors on June 16 due to monsoon, thus allowing only 181 days for the visitors to enjoy the vibrant nature in its pristine glory in Simlipal from December 16, 2010 to June 15, 2011.
The collection of revenue from wildlife tourism in Simlipal from a record Rs.26,98,952 collected in 2008-09 dropped to Rs 6,84,020 too during 2010-11, as disclosed at the sixth general body meeting of the Simlipal Eco- tourism Society (SES) held at Baripada on Saturday afternoon under the presidentship of H S Upadhyay, field director of the STR-cum-president of the society.
The revenue from wildlife tourism dropped by nearly rupees twenty lakhs, as there was a decline in the number of foreign tourists too fom 182 in 2008-09 to only 49 during the 2010-2011 tourism season.
http://m.timesofindia.com/city/bhubaneswar/Tourism-takes-a-plunge-in-Red-hit-Simlipal-reserve/articleshow/8918091.cms
Monday, June 20, 2011
'Relocation of people from tiger reserves in process'
PUNE: The process of relocating local people from notified core or critical tiger habitats of tiger reserves is currently underway in the state, said forest minister Patangrao Kadam .
Kadam said rehabilitating locals from Melghat Tiger Reserve is in the process and an amount of Rs 10 lakh per family is given for voluntary rehabilitation.
Speaking at Vanmahotsav, organised by the Pune forest department, at the Bharatiya Vidyapeeth Gramin Hospital, Lavale village, Mulshi taluka, on Sunday,
Kadam said the tiger population in the state has increased to 66, and the overall increase in the country is 218 .
The regional office of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) will soon be operational in Nagpur and it will ensure that the NTCA guidelines are implemented effectively and there is better cooperation between the tiger states, he said.
Kadam said his department aims to plant 13 crore saplings across the state this year. This will be carried out by all departments concerned . The steps are in tune with the National Environment Policy's target of achieving 33 per cent forest cover. At present, the state has a 22 per cent land under forests. On tree felling, the minister said the ban on felling trees has helped maintain existing tree density and increase the forest cover.
M K Rao, conservator of forest (wildlife), said the demarcation of core and buffer zones of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is going on. It will follow a proposal for notification of core and buffer areas. It will take another six months to finalise the core areas. The rehabilitation of local people is in process in Satara, he said.
A S K Sinha, conservator of forest (territorial), Pune, said rampant tree felling is reported from private lands in Konkan region and Marathwada districts. Committees have been formed to look into this matter.
Last year, 3.53 crore saplings were planted in the state, which was beyond the target of 2.90 crore. This year, the forest department's target is to plant 3.70 crore saplings and the social forestry has set a target of 80 ,000, said Sinha. He said Vanmohatsav is celebrated to create awareness on conservation of forests. A total of 25,000 trees will be planted in Lavale village by the department , he said.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/relocation-of-people-from-tiger-reserves-in-process/articleshow/8920539.cms
Kadam said rehabilitating locals from Melghat Tiger Reserve is in the process and an amount of Rs 10 lakh per family is given for voluntary rehabilitation.
Speaking at Vanmahotsav, organised by the Pune forest department, at the Bharatiya Vidyapeeth Gramin Hospital, Lavale village, Mulshi taluka, on Sunday,
Kadam said the tiger population in the state has increased to 66, and the overall increase in the country is 218 .
The regional office of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) will soon be operational in Nagpur and it will ensure that the NTCA guidelines are implemented effectively and there is better cooperation between the tiger states, he said.
Kadam said his department aims to plant 13 crore saplings across the state this year. This will be carried out by all departments concerned . The steps are in tune with the National Environment Policy's target of achieving 33 per cent forest cover. At present, the state has a 22 per cent land under forests. On tree felling, the minister said the ban on felling trees has helped maintain existing tree density and increase the forest cover.
M K Rao, conservator of forest (wildlife), said the demarcation of core and buffer zones of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is going on. It will follow a proposal for notification of core and buffer areas. It will take another six months to finalise the core areas. The rehabilitation of local people is in process in Satara, he said.
A S K Sinha, conservator of forest (territorial), Pune, said rampant tree felling is reported from private lands in Konkan region and Marathwada districts. Committees have been formed to look into this matter.
Last year, 3.53 crore saplings were planted in the state, which was beyond the target of 2.90 crore. This year, the forest department's target is to plant 3.70 crore saplings and the social forestry has set a target of 80 ,000, said Sinha. He said Vanmohatsav is celebrated to create awareness on conservation of forests. A total of 25,000 trees will be planted in Lavale village by the department , he said.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/relocation-of-people-from-tiger-reserves-in-process/articleshow/8920539.cms
'Protect wildlife interest in NH6 widening' Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: Ahead of Monday's meeting to discuss mitigation measures for wildlife on National Highway 6 between Deori and Sakoli, Kishor Rithe, member, National Board for Wild Life (NBWL), has called for more scientific and technically advanced approach to deal with the road widening issue in view of tiger crisis.
In a letter to S K Khetarpal, PCCF (wildlife), Rithe said the issue was serious and needed to be resolved for ensuring tiger landscape connectivity in Central India. Looking at the corridor value of the patches between Sakoli and Deori which would be cut by widening work, on October 8, 2010, an expert committee had made certain recommendations.
However, NHAI seems to be underestimating the seriousness of the threat to wildlife, specially the tiger. Wildlife and NHAI officials will discuss the issue on Monday. Khetarpal has to send his comments to the NTCA on the NHAI report.
Rithe said large and wide-ranging carnivores faced huge threat and more constant declines than most other mammals. One of the reasons is linear intrusion like canals, roads and highways constructed without consideration of biological aspects.
Tiger scientist like Dr Alan Rabinowitz suggests GIS based models for identifying corridors and later designing site-specific plans to deal with the linear intrusion issues. "When National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) are working on such policies, states also need to take such issues more seriously. Hence, I really appreciate the efforts put by your office to ensure this," said Rithe.
In the US, the government departments have adopted an integrated approach to reduce the negative impact of projects on wildlife. "I expect that NHAI consultant should focus on target species in the area and using GIS and biological inputs, should produce more practical and site specific mitigation report," urged Rithe. "If it is not so, your office should not allow such project to come up," he demanded.
The Wildilife Trust of India (WTI) was first to raise the issue and has taken up the matter with the Supreme Court's centrally empowered committee (CEC). An affidavit filed by the Chhattisgarh government recently demanded construction of flyovers in the affected patch on their side.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Protect-wildlife-interest-in-NH6-widening/articleshow/8918216.cms
In a letter to S K Khetarpal, PCCF (wildlife), Rithe said the issue was serious and needed to be resolved for ensuring tiger landscape connectivity in Central India. Looking at the corridor value of the patches between Sakoli and Deori which would be cut by widening work, on October 8, 2010, an expert committee had made certain recommendations.
However, NHAI seems to be underestimating the seriousness of the threat to wildlife, specially the tiger. Wildlife and NHAI officials will discuss the issue on Monday. Khetarpal has to send his comments to the NTCA on the NHAI report.
Rithe said large and wide-ranging carnivores faced huge threat and more constant declines than most other mammals. One of the reasons is linear intrusion like canals, roads and highways constructed without consideration of biological aspects.
Tiger scientist like Dr Alan Rabinowitz suggests GIS based models for identifying corridors and later designing site-specific plans to deal with the linear intrusion issues. "When National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) are working on such policies, states also need to take such issues more seriously. Hence, I really appreciate the efforts put by your office to ensure this," said Rithe.
In the US, the government departments have adopted an integrated approach to reduce the negative impact of projects on wildlife. "I expect that NHAI consultant should focus on target species in the area and using GIS and biological inputs, should produce more practical and site specific mitigation report," urged Rithe. "If it is not so, your office should not allow such project to come up," he demanded.
The Wildilife Trust of India (WTI) was first to raise the issue and has taken up the matter with the Supreme Court's centrally empowered committee (CEC). An affidavit filed by the Chhattisgarh government recently demanded construction of flyovers in the affected patch on their side.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Protect-wildlife-interest-in-NH6-widening/articleshow/8918216.cms
Should TATR be shut during rains? Vijay Pinjarkar /, TNN
The 625 sq km Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), the only tiger reserve in India to remain open even during the rainy season, may be closed for tourists during monsoon. In the past 35 years, this will be for the first time that the park will be closed for tourists.
Although a decision in this regard is expected to be taken by the chief wildlife warden SK Khetarpal in a day or two, the forest officials' perspective of closing the park is scientific and based on tiger conservation.
They feel that the park closure will help them divert attention from tourism activity to better management and protection. Khetarpal has already said that he favoured the closure of the park for a shorter period when there are heavy rains.
On the contrary, tour operators and stakeholders feel the park's closure will hamper protection and will mean vacation for the field staff which doesn't move even during the routine course. It shouldn't end up with nothing happening - tourism nor conservation and protection.
As there are many pros and cons, the debate rages. TOI's Vijay Pinjarkar presents the views of the stakeholders, officials and experts.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Should-TATR-be-shut-during-rains/articleshow/8918243.cms
Although a decision in this regard is expected to be taken by the chief wildlife warden SK Khetarpal in a day or two, the forest officials' perspective of closing the park is scientific and based on tiger conservation.
They feel that the park closure will help them divert attention from tourism activity to better management and protection. Khetarpal has already said that he favoured the closure of the park for a shorter period when there are heavy rains.
On the contrary, tour operators and stakeholders feel the park's closure will hamper protection and will mean vacation for the field staff which doesn't move even during the routine course. It shouldn't end up with nothing happening - tourism nor conservation and protection.
As there are many pros and cons, the debate rages. TOI's Vijay Pinjarkar presents the views of the stakeholders, officials and experts.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Should-TATR-be-shut-during-rains/articleshow/8918243.cms
Centre gives nod to Kudremukh tiger reserve Ajith Athrady, DHNS
There has been no reply from Karnataka government: Jairam
Amid stiff opposition from the State government against including ten sites of Western Ghats for natural heritage property tag from Unesco, the Centre has given in-principle approval to declare Kudremukh National Park (KNP) as the fifth tiger reserve in Karnataka.
The KNP, is one among the 10 sties in Western Ghats in Karnataka, which was recommended to the world body seeking heritage status. Kudremukh, spread across Chikmagalur (110 sq km), Hassan (130 sq km), Dakshina Kannada (70 sq km) and Udupi (50 sq km) districts, will be the 41st tiger reserve in the country.
Disclosing the government decision, Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh told Deccan Herald that “though since last one and half months I have been asking the Karnataka government to submit a detailed report to enable the ministry to release required financial assistance, I have not received any reply from other end. I hope the state government will not oppose the tiger reserve status and submit a detailed project report to take advantage of the scheme to protect wildlife treasure,” he said.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), an organisation working under the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), had decided to give in-principle approval for tiger reserve to a total of six national parks, including KNP and the same has been communicated to the states. After getting a detailed report about the areas and required infrastructure, the ministry will issue a formal notification to this effect.
According to the minister, the declaration of Kudremukh as a tiger reserve would help the state get Central aid under the Project Tiger to facilitate relocation of families. Nearly 450 families in the vicinity have requested the state government to relocate them and 12 families were shifted last year, the minister said.
Earlier while seeking the tiger reserve tag, the Karnataka Forest Department had informed the MoEF that an area of around 600.32 sq km can be brought under the ambit of the project. The MoEF has already declared Bandipur, Bhadra, Dandeli-Anasi, Nagarhole and Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary as tiger reserves in the State.
Kudremukh reserve has unique tropical evergreen forests and high altitude grasslands with highly endangered and wildlife species, including tigers, leopards and wild dogs. This apart, the park is home for more than 169 species of birds of which eight are endemic to the Western Ghats. It also houses around 50 species of reptiles and 34 species of amphibians.
According to the last all-India tiger census, the Kudremukh-Bhadra landscape has one of the three distinct tiger populations existing in Karnataka which extends up to the Bhimsankar area of Maharashtra, the minister said.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/170087/centre-gives-nod-kudremukh-tiger.html
Amid stiff opposition from the State government against including ten sites of Western Ghats for natural heritage property tag from Unesco, the Centre has given in-principle approval to declare Kudremukh National Park (KNP) as the fifth tiger reserve in Karnataka.
The KNP, is one among the 10 sties in Western Ghats in Karnataka, which was recommended to the world body seeking heritage status. Kudremukh, spread across Chikmagalur (110 sq km), Hassan (130 sq km), Dakshina Kannada (70 sq km) and Udupi (50 sq km) districts, will be the 41st tiger reserve in the country.
Disclosing the government decision, Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh told Deccan Herald that “though since last one and half months I have been asking the Karnataka government to submit a detailed report to enable the ministry to release required financial assistance, I have not received any reply from other end. I hope the state government will not oppose the tiger reserve status and submit a detailed project report to take advantage of the scheme to protect wildlife treasure,” he said.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), an organisation working under the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), had decided to give in-principle approval for tiger reserve to a total of six national parks, including KNP and the same has been communicated to the states. After getting a detailed report about the areas and required infrastructure, the ministry will issue a formal notification to this effect.
According to the minister, the declaration of Kudremukh as a tiger reserve would help the state get Central aid under the Project Tiger to facilitate relocation of families. Nearly 450 families in the vicinity have requested the state government to relocate them and 12 families were shifted last year, the minister said.
Earlier while seeking the tiger reserve tag, the Karnataka Forest Department had informed the MoEF that an area of around 600.32 sq km can be brought under the ambit of the project. The MoEF has already declared Bandipur, Bhadra, Dandeli-Anasi, Nagarhole and Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary as tiger reserves in the State.
Kudremukh reserve has unique tropical evergreen forests and high altitude grasslands with highly endangered and wildlife species, including tigers, leopards and wild dogs. This apart, the park is home for more than 169 species of birds of which eight are endemic to the Western Ghats. It also houses around 50 species of reptiles and 34 species of amphibians.
According to the last all-India tiger census, the Kudremukh-Bhadra landscape has one of the three distinct tiger populations existing in Karnataka which extends up to the Bhimsankar area of Maharashtra, the minister said.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/170087/centre-gives-nod-kudremukh-tiger.html
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tiger not tracked daily following ex-DFO's letter-TNN Rajender Sharma
ALWAR: The death of ST-1, the first relocated tiger to the Sariska reserve, may have been the result of a fallout of negligence of higher officials of the reserve and not just that of the lower rank staff or that of the team from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) that had been given the task of monitoring the tiger’s movements.
The new twist to the death of the big cat comes with the surfacing of a letter written by the then DFO of Sariska tiger reserve S Sharma. In the letter written by him on January 29, 2009, Sharma had asked all range officers to keep track of the tiger’s movements with help of its VHF collar only once in two days. The letter states that the monitoring of the movement should be done just once in two days and that too during the day time only.
The condition, however, violates earlier agreement by the state forest department of monitoring the movement of the tigers 24x7. In fact, it was with this in mind that all the relocated tigers were fitted with a radio collar. A special team from the WII was also assigned the task of tracking the tigers for not only to study their behaviour, but also to ensure that they don’t fall prey to poachers or to the whims of villagers living in the reserve.
However, after the letter, most range officers and the tiger tracking team dropped guards and eventually the tiger was poisoned by villagers in reserve. The body was recovered by the forest department days after being poisoned. The government, as a punitive measure, had suspended some officers and staffers of the reserve. However, S Sharma eventually retired.
"When senior officers had ordered to monitor tigers just once in two days, where is the question of lower rung officers dropping guards. They were doing what they had been ordered. The mistake was committed by the senior officer," said an official.
Sharma is against 24-hour monitoring of tigers and he had even spoken his mind in a recently held seminar on ‘Challenges Ahead for Sariska’ in Jaipur. In the seminar, Sharma had pointed out the uselessness of radio collars and said, "My experience as the DFO in Sariska has been that these radio collars are more of a bane than a boon for tigers. They add to the stress of the animal. Whenever any tiger meets a tigress, four vehicles of different officials would instantly surround them and the duo were not able to mingle properly. I had asked the department not to keep track of these animals through this means once they had settled down in a territory for sometime."
Be that as it may, most wildlife experts had thwarted Sharma’s claims that radio collars were the reason for the tigresses not giving birth at Sariska. As of now, it is the letter by him that is being pointed to as the reason behind the death of ST-1.
http://m.timesofindia.com/city/jaipur/Tiger-not-tracked-daily-following-ex-DFOs-letter/articleshow/8848013.cms
The new twist to the death of the big cat comes with the surfacing of a letter written by the then DFO of Sariska tiger reserve S Sharma. In the letter written by him on January 29, 2009, Sharma had asked all range officers to keep track of the tiger’s movements with help of its VHF collar only once in two days. The letter states that the monitoring of the movement should be done just once in two days and that too during the day time only.
The condition, however, violates earlier agreement by the state forest department of monitoring the movement of the tigers 24x7. In fact, it was with this in mind that all the relocated tigers were fitted with a radio collar. A special team from the WII was also assigned the task of tracking the tigers for not only to study their behaviour, but also to ensure that they don’t fall prey to poachers or to the whims of villagers living in the reserve.
However, after the letter, most range officers and the tiger tracking team dropped guards and eventually the tiger was poisoned by villagers in reserve. The body was recovered by the forest department days after being poisoned. The government, as a punitive measure, had suspended some officers and staffers of the reserve. However, S Sharma eventually retired.
"When senior officers had ordered to monitor tigers just once in two days, where is the question of lower rung officers dropping guards. They were doing what they had been ordered. The mistake was committed by the senior officer," said an official.
Sharma is against 24-hour monitoring of tigers and he had even spoken his mind in a recently held seminar on ‘Challenges Ahead for Sariska’ in Jaipur. In the seminar, Sharma had pointed out the uselessness of radio collars and said, "My experience as the DFO in Sariska has been that these radio collars are more of a bane than a boon for tigers. They add to the stress of the animal. Whenever any tiger meets a tigress, four vehicles of different officials would instantly surround them and the duo were not able to mingle properly. I had asked the department not to keep track of these animals through this means once they had settled down in a territory for sometime."
Be that as it may, most wildlife experts had thwarted Sharma’s claims that radio collars were the reason for the tigresses not giving birth at Sariska. As of now, it is the letter by him that is being pointed to as the reason behind the death of ST-1.
http://m.timesofindia.com/city/jaipur/Tiger-not-tracked-daily-following-ex-DFOs-letter/articleshow/8848013.cms
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Katarniaghat, Dudhwa to remain close from today TNN
BAHRAICH: With the arrival of monsoon season Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhwa National Park would remain closed for tourists from June 15th.
The Park would reopen for tourists on November 15 after the end of the monsoons, said officials of the Park on Tuesday.
Dudhwa National Park, established in 1958, is situated on the Indo-Nepal border. In 1988, the park was declared as a tiger reserve. It forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve together with the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary.
Some rare species inhabit the park. Hispid Hare, earlier thought to have become extinct, was rediscovered in 1984.
In the mid 1980s, Indian Rhinoceros was reintroduced into Dudhwa from Assam and Nepal. The other animals to be seen here include Swamp Deer, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer, Hog Deer, Tiger, Rhinoceros, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Jackal, Civet, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat.
The major attractions of Dudhwa National Park are the Tigers and Swamp Deer.
A strip of dense jungle adjoining the Indo-Nepal international border in District Bahraich which once comprised the West Bahraich Forest Division, was declared as Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in May 1975. Four hundred forty sq km in area, this sanctuary is now being managed along with the Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, as part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger of the Government of India. The Katerniaghat Forests provide strategic connectivity between tiger habitats of Dudhwa and Kishanpur in India and the Bardia National Park in Nepal. Its fragile Terai ecosystem comprises a mesmerizing mosaic of Sal and Teak forests, lush grasslands, steaming swamps and wetlands. Unfortunately, the sanctuary is in most places just 10 km or less in width, making it increasingly vulnerable to intense human pressures along both its northern and southern boundaries. In spite of this, it is still quite unique for the number of endangered and critically endangered species which occur here and include the gharial, the tiger, the rhino, the Gangetic dolphin, the Swamp Deer, the Hispid hare, the Bengal florican and the White-backed and Long-billed vultures.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Katarniaghat-Dudhwa-to-remain-close-from-today/articleshow/8852738.cms
The Park would reopen for tourists on November 15 after the end of the monsoons, said officials of the Park on Tuesday.
Dudhwa National Park, established in 1958, is situated on the Indo-Nepal border. In 1988, the park was declared as a tiger reserve. It forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve together with the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary.
Some rare species inhabit the park. Hispid Hare, earlier thought to have become extinct, was rediscovered in 1984.
In the mid 1980s, Indian Rhinoceros was reintroduced into Dudhwa from Assam and Nepal. The other animals to be seen here include Swamp Deer, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer, Hog Deer, Tiger, Rhinoceros, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Jackal, Civet, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat.
The major attractions of Dudhwa National Park are the Tigers and Swamp Deer.
A strip of dense jungle adjoining the Indo-Nepal international border in District Bahraich which once comprised the West Bahraich Forest Division, was declared as Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in May 1975. Four hundred forty sq km in area, this sanctuary is now being managed along with the Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, as part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger of the Government of India. The Katerniaghat Forests provide strategic connectivity between tiger habitats of Dudhwa and Kishanpur in India and the Bardia National Park in Nepal. Its fragile Terai ecosystem comprises a mesmerizing mosaic of Sal and Teak forests, lush grasslands, steaming swamps and wetlands. Unfortunately, the sanctuary is in most places just 10 km or less in width, making it increasingly vulnerable to intense human pressures along both its northern and southern boundaries. In spite of this, it is still quite unique for the number of endangered and critically endangered species which occur here and include the gharial, the tiger, the rhino, the Gangetic dolphin, the Swamp Deer, the Hispid hare, the Bengal florican and the White-backed and Long-billed vultures.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Katarniaghat-Dudhwa-to-remain-close-from-today/articleshow/8852738.cms
On the tiger trail
In Ranthambhore, tigers surprise visitors with their ability to survive in harsh habitats such as thorn forests and barren land of scrub and rocks.
THE oppressive summer heat touched 43°C, and the only good that came of it was a chance that we would find a tiger cooling itself at one of the waterholes along the roads in the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Tigers living in hot climes are known for their propensity to lie about in water, and the Ranthambhore tigers, habituated to vehicle-bound visitors, even allow themselves to be photographed at their pools.
On the evening of May 6, 2010, we came upon a young male approaching the Kachida waterhole, a rock pool made beautiful by its bluish-green water. By the time we managed a vantage point for photography, it was already neck-deep in the water, panting and lapping vigorously to satiate its thirst. It snarled repeatedly to demonstrate its displeasure at our intrusion. Before long, it got up and ambled off into the forest, back possibly to where it had hidden a kill.
The Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, made famous by the tiger expert Valmik Thapar in several of his books, gets its name from the Ranthambhore fort. The Chauhan Rajputs are thought to have begun construction of this fort nearly a thousand years ago. Rao Hammir (1283-1301) is reported to have been the most successful of the many kings who ruled Ranthambhore. Over the centuries the fort changed hands between the Mughals and the Rajputs, until, eventually, it came under the rule of the Kachwaha Maharajas of Jaipur. Under the Kachwahas, the forests around the fort became royal hunting grounds. Jaipur State acceded to the Indian Union in 1949 and became a part of the State of Rajasthan in 1950. The forests around the fort were declared the Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary in 1955. In effect, though, it remained a hunting reserve until 1970.
With the start of Project Tiger in 1973, 392 km2 of forests in and around the Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary were declared the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. In 1980, as much as 282 km2 of the tiger reserve was notified as a national park. Protection was further strengthened in 1984 with the declaration of the adjoining forests as the Sawai Mansingh Wildlife Sanctuary (113 km2) and the Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary (673 km2). In 1991, the tiger reserve was extended to 1,394 km2 to include all the above wildlife sanctuaries and key areas such as the Kualji Game Reserve (38 km2).
The remains of the fort, which are imposing in most places even now, bear witness to Ranthambhore's varied and fascinating history. There is one abiding problem, however, that tarnishes the glory of the fort – the accumulation of garbage brought in by the hundreds of pilgrims to the numerous temples (including the most famous one, a Ganesha temple) and a mosque inside the fort. The Forest Department regularly removes the garbage outside the fort, but that inside the fort is an eyesore. It would be most appropriate if the Archaeology Department were to put in place a functional mechanism to secure both the fort and its wild inhabitants from this hazard
My visit to Ranthambhore with Dr Aparajita Datta, Member, National Tiger Conservation Authority, was to help the Rajasthan Forest Department decide the suitability of two tigers for translocation to the Sariska Tiger Reserve, to augment the reintroduced population of three tigers there. It is well known that the small population of four or five tigers of Sariska had been wiped out by poachers in 2004.
In June-July 2008 and February 2009, the government reintroduced three tigers (a male and two females) into Sariska from the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Regretfully, these reintroductions were done without addressing suitably the enormous problems caused by the presence of numerous villages and increasing traffic and pilgrimage within the Sariska Tiger Reserve, which were steadily and gradually contributing to the decline of the tiger population in the reserve.
There were serious worries that the Ranthambhore tigers translocated to Sariska were too closely related, and there was no sign of breeding even after 18-24 months of the reintroduction. This is, however, a moot point because the Ranthambhore tigers are in any case all descendants of a small population of possibly 10 tigers from the time when Project Tiger was initiated. The population is also likely to have been further inbred because the population was isolated within a small area (c. 300 km2) with little possibility for tigers from other landscapes to immigrate there.
The positive outlook is that problems of inbreeding in tigers and in most other species can often be mitigated by the introduction of new animals, preferably males, from far-off habitats. Therefore, the best way to address the potential problem of inbreeding among Sariska's tigers would be to remove the male, reported to be very closely related to the females, and introduce a suitable, unrelated new male possibly from a far-off place such as the Tadoba Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra).
Our primary task was to explore the feasibility of capturing two tigers that had dispersed from the reserve. The prevalent belief is that such animals may only be related distantly to the animals in the core (national park area) and therefore more suitable for translocation. One of the tigers that had dispersed was reported to be a male and, according to the Forest Department, was living primarily in the Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary and ranging over a vast area of about 700 km2. The other was reported to be a female, which had its home on the banks of the Kalisindh river, a tributary of the Chambal, about 90 km from the Sawai Mansingh Wildlife Sanctuary from which it was supposed to have dispersed.
At the time of our visit, the female largely confined its activities to the right bank of the river along a distance of about 20 km. The river bank had a dense growth of mesquite, Prosopis juliflora, bordered by agricultural fields. Ten small villages with a sizable livestock population dot the length of the riverbank. The tigress survived on the sparse population of chital, nilgai and wild pigs that inhabit the Prosopis forests while also killing livestock.
Prosopis is an exotic species from Central America that has become an aggressive weed in India. People generally avoid Prosopis woodlands because of the plant's sharp and powerful thorns. The tigress was evidently left undisturbed in its thorny kingdom; an additional attraction for it, undoubtedly, was the presence of the river where it cooled itself at night
http://www.frontline.in/stories/20110701281306400.htm
THE oppressive summer heat touched 43°C, and the only good that came of it was a chance that we would find a tiger cooling itself at one of the waterholes along the roads in the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Tigers living in hot climes are known for their propensity to lie about in water, and the Ranthambhore tigers, habituated to vehicle-bound visitors, even allow themselves to be photographed at their pools.
On the evening of May 6, 2010, we came upon a young male approaching the Kachida waterhole, a rock pool made beautiful by its bluish-green water. By the time we managed a vantage point for photography, it was already neck-deep in the water, panting and lapping vigorously to satiate its thirst. It snarled repeatedly to demonstrate its displeasure at our intrusion. Before long, it got up and ambled off into the forest, back possibly to where it had hidden a kill.
The Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, made famous by the tiger expert Valmik Thapar in several of his books, gets its name from the Ranthambhore fort. The Chauhan Rajputs are thought to have begun construction of this fort nearly a thousand years ago. Rao Hammir (1283-1301) is reported to have been the most successful of the many kings who ruled Ranthambhore. Over the centuries the fort changed hands between the Mughals and the Rajputs, until, eventually, it came under the rule of the Kachwaha Maharajas of Jaipur. Under the Kachwahas, the forests around the fort became royal hunting grounds. Jaipur State acceded to the Indian Union in 1949 and became a part of the State of Rajasthan in 1950. The forests around the fort were declared the Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary in 1955. In effect, though, it remained a hunting reserve until 1970.
With the start of Project Tiger in 1973, 392 km2 of forests in and around the Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary were declared the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. In 1980, as much as 282 km2 of the tiger reserve was notified as a national park. Protection was further strengthened in 1984 with the declaration of the adjoining forests as the Sawai Mansingh Wildlife Sanctuary (113 km2) and the Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary (673 km2). In 1991, the tiger reserve was extended to 1,394 km2 to include all the above wildlife sanctuaries and key areas such as the Kualji Game Reserve (38 km2).
The remains of the fort, which are imposing in most places even now, bear witness to Ranthambhore's varied and fascinating history. There is one abiding problem, however, that tarnishes the glory of the fort – the accumulation of garbage brought in by the hundreds of pilgrims to the numerous temples (including the most famous one, a Ganesha temple) and a mosque inside the fort. The Forest Department regularly removes the garbage outside the fort, but that inside the fort is an eyesore. It would be most appropriate if the Archaeology Department were to put in place a functional mechanism to secure both the fort and its wild inhabitants from this hazard
My visit to Ranthambhore with Dr Aparajita Datta, Member, National Tiger Conservation Authority, was to help the Rajasthan Forest Department decide the suitability of two tigers for translocation to the Sariska Tiger Reserve, to augment the reintroduced population of three tigers there. It is well known that the small population of four or five tigers of Sariska had been wiped out by poachers in 2004.
In June-July 2008 and February 2009, the government reintroduced three tigers (a male and two females) into Sariska from the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Regretfully, these reintroductions were done without addressing suitably the enormous problems caused by the presence of numerous villages and increasing traffic and pilgrimage within the Sariska Tiger Reserve, which were steadily and gradually contributing to the decline of the tiger population in the reserve.
There were serious worries that the Ranthambhore tigers translocated to Sariska were too closely related, and there was no sign of breeding even after 18-24 months of the reintroduction. This is, however, a moot point because the Ranthambhore tigers are in any case all descendants of a small population of possibly 10 tigers from the time when Project Tiger was initiated. The population is also likely to have been further inbred because the population was isolated within a small area (c. 300 km2) with little possibility for tigers from other landscapes to immigrate there.
The positive outlook is that problems of inbreeding in tigers and in most other species can often be mitigated by the introduction of new animals, preferably males, from far-off habitats. Therefore, the best way to address the potential problem of inbreeding among Sariska's tigers would be to remove the male, reported to be very closely related to the females, and introduce a suitable, unrelated new male possibly from a far-off place such as the Tadoba Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra).
Our primary task was to explore the feasibility of capturing two tigers that had dispersed from the reserve. The prevalent belief is that such animals may only be related distantly to the animals in the core (national park area) and therefore more suitable for translocation. One of the tigers that had dispersed was reported to be a male and, according to the Forest Department, was living primarily in the Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary and ranging over a vast area of about 700 km2. The other was reported to be a female, which had its home on the banks of the Kalisindh river, a tributary of the Chambal, about 90 km from the Sawai Mansingh Wildlife Sanctuary from which it was supposed to have dispersed.
At the time of our visit, the female largely confined its activities to the right bank of the river along a distance of about 20 km. The river bank had a dense growth of mesquite, Prosopis juliflora, bordered by agricultural fields. Ten small villages with a sizable livestock population dot the length of the riverbank. The tigress survived on the sparse population of chital, nilgai and wild pigs that inhabit the Prosopis forests while also killing livestock.
Prosopis is an exotic species from Central America that has become an aggressive weed in India. People generally avoid Prosopis woodlands because of the plant's sharp and powerful thorns. The tigress was evidently left undisturbed in its thorny kingdom; an additional attraction for it, undoubtedly, was the presence of the river where it cooled itself at night
http://www.frontline.in/stories/20110701281306400.htm
Monday, June 13, 2011
Two arrested with tiger skins in Varanasi
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), June 11 (IANS) Two people, allegedly involved in illegal wildlife trade, were arrested here with tiger skins, police said Saturday.
The accused, identified as Sartaj and Dilip, both in their mid-40s, were nabbed Friday from Bhelupur locality following a joint operation by district police and forest officials.
"Three tiger skins were recovered from the duo's possession. Acting on a tip-off, we intercepted the two men while they were on their way to hand over the skins to some of their clients," police inspector R.M. Yadav told reporters Saturday in Varanasi, some 300-km from Lucknow.
"We are yet to ascertain where the tigers were killed. According to the two men, their gang members in the state's Lakhimpur district had handed over the hides to them for selling," he added.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the two have been involved in the trade of wild animal skins, antlers and other body parts for the last over five years.
"The two are natives of Uttar Pradesh. We are trying to nab other members of their gang based on the information provided by the two men," added Yadav.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=244302
The accused, identified as Sartaj and Dilip, both in their mid-40s, were nabbed Friday from Bhelupur locality following a joint operation by district police and forest officials.
"Three tiger skins were recovered from the duo's possession. Acting on a tip-off, we intercepted the two men while they were on their way to hand over the skins to some of their clients," police inspector R.M. Yadav told reporters Saturday in Varanasi, some 300-km from Lucknow.
"We are yet to ascertain where the tigers were killed. According to the two men, their gang members in the state's Lakhimpur district had handed over the hides to them for selling," he added.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the two have been involved in the trade of wild animal skins, antlers and other body parts for the last over five years.
"The two are natives of Uttar Pradesh. We are trying to nab other members of their gang based on the information provided by the two men," added Yadav.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=244302
Ranthambore tiger plays 'doting dad' to orphaned cubs-PTI
NEW DELHI: In an extremely rare display of parenting, a male tiger seems to be palying a "doting dad" to two orphaned cubs in Ranthambore tiger reserve in Rajasthan.
Forest officials in the tiger reserve said the behaviour of the tiger, named T25, reflects a "complete role reversal" as male tigers are known not to be protecting their offspring.
"It's an extremely rare case where a male tiger seems to be playing the role of a doting dad to the motherless cubs," U M Sahai, Rajasthan's chief wildlife warden, said.
"Normally, the mother takes care of the cubs till they are at least two years old, while the father is a visitor. The male is seen off and on, especially when he comes to mate with the tigress," he said.
The cubs, which are about eight months old now, lost their mother in February this year. And T25 is believed to be their father, officials at the tiger reserve said.
The tiger's behaviour has been recorded by hidden cameras fitted in the reserve. The most recent images show that T25 is walking just a metre behind one of the cubs, said Rajesh Gupta, field director of Ranthambore.
Since the death of their mother, he said, the cubs are being raised in the wild by forest department staff.
As they are too young to make a kill, they are being provided food -- usually goat meat -- with a bait by the staff, he said.
"I have recently noticed one of the cubs eating the kill provided by our staff," Gupta said.
"They are seen in good health and it appears that the male tiger is allowing them to eat and not taking it for himself," he added.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/ranthambore-tiger-plays-doting-dad-to-orphaned-cubs/articleshow/8827671.cms
Forest officials in the tiger reserve said the behaviour of the tiger, named T25, reflects a "complete role reversal" as male tigers are known not to be protecting their offspring.
"It's an extremely rare case where a male tiger seems to be playing the role of a doting dad to the motherless cubs," U M Sahai, Rajasthan's chief wildlife warden, said.
"Normally, the mother takes care of the cubs till they are at least two years old, while the father is a visitor. The male is seen off and on, especially when he comes to mate with the tigress," he said.
The cubs, which are about eight months old now, lost their mother in February this year. And T25 is believed to be their father, officials at the tiger reserve said.
The tiger's behaviour has been recorded by hidden cameras fitted in the reserve. The most recent images show that T25 is walking just a metre behind one of the cubs, said Rajesh Gupta, field director of Ranthambore.
Since the death of their mother, he said, the cubs are being raised in the wild by forest department staff.
As they are too young to make a kill, they are being provided food -- usually goat meat -- with a bait by the staff, he said.
"I have recently noticed one of the cubs eating the kill provided by our staff," Gupta said.
"They are seen in good health and it appears that the male tiger is allowing them to eat and not taking it for himself," he added.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/ranthambore-tiger-plays-doting-dad-to-orphaned-cubs/articleshow/8827671.cms
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Two-fold increase in tiger population at KMTR
TIRUNELVELI: The Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) has witnessed two-fold increase in tiger population in 2010-11, when compared to the last estimate in 2006-07.
Speaking exclusively to Express, H Malleshappa, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, said the tiger population was around 15 to 18 as per the tiger estimate taken in 2010-11. “This is a two-fold increase when compared to the 2006-07 estimate of six to eight tigers,” he informed. Tigers that migrate from Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) might also be part of the new count as both tiger reserves were lying adjacent.
He said the steps initiated by Union Minister of Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh to boost community involvement in tiger conservation have paid rich dividends. “Unlike the earlier estimates where pugmarks were the mainstay, modern technologies like camera traps have been used this time,” Malleshappa said.
These cameras were sent to the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun for stripe identification. “The stripes of each tiger differ from another and hence this technology has proved extremely helpful,” he detailed.
The forest conservator said World Bank had earlier announced KMTR as a role model, taking into account the community involvement in tiger conservation. “People and tribals have extended excellent co-operation in tiger conservation and it is a win-win situation for both the KMTR and its stakeholders,” he noted.
“We have around 110 anti-poaching watchers. Almost everyone in the area are informers for us,” Malleshappa said. Also due to community involvement, felling of trees for firewood and grazing of animals in KMTR has almost stopped.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/twofold-increase-in-tiger-population-at-kmtr/157070-60-118.html
Speaking exclusively to Express, H Malleshappa, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, said the tiger population was around 15 to 18 as per the tiger estimate taken in 2010-11. “This is a two-fold increase when compared to the 2006-07 estimate of six to eight tigers,” he informed. Tigers that migrate from Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) might also be part of the new count as both tiger reserves were lying adjacent.
He said the steps initiated by Union Minister of Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh to boost community involvement in tiger conservation have paid rich dividends. “Unlike the earlier estimates where pugmarks were the mainstay, modern technologies like camera traps have been used this time,” Malleshappa said.
These cameras were sent to the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun for stripe identification. “The stripes of each tiger differ from another and hence this technology has proved extremely helpful,” he detailed.
The forest conservator said World Bank had earlier announced KMTR as a role model, taking into account the community involvement in tiger conservation. “People and tribals have extended excellent co-operation in tiger conservation and it is a win-win situation for both the KMTR and its stakeholders,” he noted.
“We have around 110 anti-poaching watchers. Almost everyone in the area are informers for us,” Malleshappa said. Also due to community involvement, felling of trees for firewood and grazing of animals in KMTR has almost stopped.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/twofold-increase-in-tiger-population-at-kmtr/157070-60-118.html
Monday, June 6, 2011
Endangered tiger killed by poachers TNN
BAHRAICH: A rare wild tiger has been killed by poachers, on Indo-Nepal border a wildlife official said on Saturday.
The adult male tiger, which had been fitted with a collar carrying a GPS tracking system that allowed scientists to monitor its adaptation back into the wild, was killed two weeks ago, the official said.
Tikaram Adhikari, a warden at Bardia National Park in Nepal's southern plains where the endangered animal was released said, the tiger was last traced by the tracking system on May 9.
"Next two days, we could not locate it. Then, early this week, we found that it had been killed by poachers," he said.
"The tiger was moving towards human settlements. After seeing the tiger, the poachers offered him poisoned beef. It died after consuming the food," Adhikari said.
The tiger was named Namobuddha by park authorities. Four locals have been arrested on suspicion of poaching, Adhikari said.
The injured tiger was captured by wildlife officials when wandering into a tourist resort in southern Nepal.
Tiger was released into Bardia national park as it as an ideal home for the animal because it of its vast size, available prey and relatively low levels of poaching, authorities said.
"Using the tracking system we were hoping to gain valuable insights into its movement and habitat.But after this incident we feel that saving wild tigers will be more challenging," Adhikari said.
The project was part of Nepal's efforts to double its population of Royal Bengal tigers, which once roamed the country's southern plains in large numbers but have been depleted due to poaching. A WWF survey carried out in 2008 found just 121 adult tigers of breeding age in Nepal.
Experts say poverty and political instability in Nepal have created ideal conditions for poachers who kill animals for their skin, meat and bones, which are highly valued in Chinese traditional medicine.
The WWF says tigers worldwide are in serious danger of becoming extinct in the wild.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Endangered-tiger-killed-by-poachers/articleshow/8729681.cms
The adult male tiger, which had been fitted with a collar carrying a GPS tracking system that allowed scientists to monitor its adaptation back into the wild, was killed two weeks ago, the official said.
Tikaram Adhikari, a warden at Bardia National Park in Nepal's southern plains where the endangered animal was released said, the tiger was last traced by the tracking system on May 9.
"Next two days, we could not locate it. Then, early this week, we found that it had been killed by poachers," he said.
"The tiger was moving towards human settlements. After seeing the tiger, the poachers offered him poisoned beef. It died after consuming the food," Adhikari said.
The tiger was named Namobuddha by park authorities. Four locals have been arrested on suspicion of poaching, Adhikari said.
The injured tiger was captured by wildlife officials when wandering into a tourist resort in southern Nepal.
Tiger was released into Bardia national park as it as an ideal home for the animal because it of its vast size, available prey and relatively low levels of poaching, authorities said.
"Using the tracking system we were hoping to gain valuable insights into its movement and habitat.But after this incident we feel that saving wild tigers will be more challenging," Adhikari said.
The project was part of Nepal's efforts to double its population of Royal Bengal tigers, which once roamed the country's southern plains in large numbers but have been depleted due to poaching. A WWF survey carried out in 2008 found just 121 adult tigers of breeding age in Nepal.
Experts say poverty and political instability in Nepal have created ideal conditions for poachers who kill animals for their skin, meat and bones, which are highly valued in Chinese traditional medicine.
The WWF says tigers worldwide are in serious danger of becoming extinct in the wild.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Endangered-tiger-killed-by-poachers/articleshow/8729681.cms
Nearly 200 tigers fell prey to poaching in last 12 years -PTI
Nearly 200 tigers were killed by poachers in and around various forest reserves in the country, in the last 12 years, news that points out the danger that the national animal faces in its habitat.
Besides, 250 wild cats died of natural causes including old age, in fighting, starvation, road and rail accidents, electrocution and weakness during this period.
According to an RTI reply from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, 447 wild cats were reportedly found dead between 1999 and March 2011 in and around a number of natural habitats for tigers, of which 197 were poached.
The ministry also noted that poaching was the major cause behind disappearance of tigers from Sariska and Panna reserves.
“The cases of local extinction of tigers were reported in Sariska, Rajasthan (2005) and Panna, Madhya Pradesh (2008). As reported, poaching of tigers was the major cause of their extinction,” National Tiger Conservation Authority under the MoEF said in reply to an RTI query filed by PTI.
A highest of 36 each tigers were poached in 2001 and 2002, followed by 24 each in 1999 and in 2010, it said. Two tigers were found to be killed in poaching between January and March 17 this year, the reply said.
Whereas 20 wild cats were killed in 2003, 17 in 2009, 10 in 2007, nine each in 2000 and 2008, and five fell prey to hunters in 2006, it said.
The ministry, however, did not give details of action taken reports in the cases of poaching, saying that concerned state governments were the custodian of information.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article2079069.ece
Besides, 250 wild cats died of natural causes including old age, in fighting, starvation, road and rail accidents, electrocution and weakness during this period.
According to an RTI reply from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, 447 wild cats were reportedly found dead between 1999 and March 2011 in and around a number of natural habitats for tigers, of which 197 were poached.
The ministry also noted that poaching was the major cause behind disappearance of tigers from Sariska and Panna reserves.
“The cases of local extinction of tigers were reported in Sariska, Rajasthan (2005) and Panna, Madhya Pradesh (2008). As reported, poaching of tigers was the major cause of their extinction,” National Tiger Conservation Authority under the MoEF said in reply to an RTI query filed by PTI.
A highest of 36 each tigers were poached in 2001 and 2002, followed by 24 each in 1999 and in 2010, it said. Two tigers were found to be killed in poaching between January and March 17 this year, the reply said.
Whereas 20 wild cats were killed in 2003, 17 in 2009, 10 in 2007, nine each in 2000 and 2008, and five fell prey to hunters in 2006, it said.
The ministry, however, did not give details of action taken reports in the cases of poaching, saying that concerned state governments were the custodian of information.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article2079069.ece
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Bengaluru to be south hub for tiger protection
Picture for representational purposes only - AP
RELATED ARTICLES
Our ignorant war on animals
The tiger population may have gone up in Karnataka and elsewhere as a result of conservation efforts, but fortunately, the authorities have not become smug and are continuing to do more to save the big cat.
The Southern Regional Cell of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) will soon set up base in Bengaluru to work closely with all southern states with tiger populations and coordinate their efforts to protect the animal under constant threat from poachers.
The NTCA which is headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will now have three centres around the country, at Gawhathi, Nagpur and Bengaluru.
The Nagpur unit which is expected to oversee tiger protection efforts in Central India was inaugurated recently and the Bengaluru unit is also likely to be operational soon. It will be headed by an officer of the rank of Chief Conservator of Forests.”Once the centre is operational all wildlife wings in southern states which have tigers will work in coordination with it,” says an NCTA officer.
NTCA member secretary Dr Rajesh Gopal explains that such coordination is important to deal with poaching and tribal relocation from critical wildlife habitats and tiger reserves.
Tiger biologist Dr K Ullas Karanth welcomes the fact that the regional centre will involve qualified tiger experts and non-governmental groups working for tiger conservation. “Presently the tiger habitat management is more government centered,”he points out.
Praveen Bhargav, trustee, Wildlife First Organisation, hopes the authorities concerned will now reconsider the current guidelines issued for critical wildlife habitats, which in his view , encourage diversion of forest land for non- forestry activities even while talking of saving the tiger and other endangered wildlife.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/bengaluru-be-south-hub-tiger-protection-210
RELATED ARTICLES
Our ignorant war on animals
The tiger population may have gone up in Karnataka and elsewhere as a result of conservation efforts, but fortunately, the authorities have not become smug and are continuing to do more to save the big cat.
The Southern Regional Cell of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) will soon set up base in Bengaluru to work closely with all southern states with tiger populations and coordinate their efforts to protect the animal under constant threat from poachers.
The NTCA which is headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will now have three centres around the country, at Gawhathi, Nagpur and Bengaluru.
The Nagpur unit which is expected to oversee tiger protection efforts in Central India was inaugurated recently and the Bengaluru unit is also likely to be operational soon. It will be headed by an officer of the rank of Chief Conservator of Forests.”Once the centre is operational all wildlife wings in southern states which have tigers will work in coordination with it,” says an NCTA officer.
NTCA member secretary Dr Rajesh Gopal explains that such coordination is important to deal with poaching and tribal relocation from critical wildlife habitats and tiger reserves.
Tiger biologist Dr K Ullas Karanth welcomes the fact that the regional centre will involve qualified tiger experts and non-governmental groups working for tiger conservation. “Presently the tiger habitat management is more government centered,”he points out.
Praveen Bhargav, trustee, Wildlife First Organisation, hopes the authorities concerned will now reconsider the current guidelines issued for critical wildlife habitats, which in his view , encourage diversion of forest land for non- forestry activities even while talking of saving the tiger and other endangered wildlife.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/bengaluru-be-south-hub-tiger-protection-210
Friday, June 3, 2011
Cess on wildlife tourism on cards -HT
If the environment ministry have its way, tourist facilities around 600 protected areas including tiger reserves will have to pay an unspecified cess on their turnover to sustain conservation and local livelihood development from January 2012. The new draft eco-tourism guidelines are based on recomm
endations of a seven member government committee, whose member Bittu Sahgal, editor of Sanctuary magazine has questioned its implementability in a letter to environment minister Jairam Ramesh.
“Basically what was finally put into the draft was at variance from my perception of the discussions and understanding we had. Also the guidelines are un-implementable in their current form,” Sahgal told HT in an email response.
The guidelines said that the state governments should levy “local conservation cess” as a percentage of the turnover on all privately run tourist facilities within five kms of the protected areas and the money should be deposited in a special protected area management fund.
The fund can be used only for conservation and local livelihood development with an aim of ensuring local community participation in protecting wildlife and sharing of monetary benefits.
Once the guidelines are notified, all major hotel chains having tourist facilities around popular tiger reserves such as Corbett National Park, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Kanha Tiger Reserve will have to pay a cess.
“Adequate provisions must be made to ensure that ecotourism does not get relegated to purely high-end exclusive tourism leaving out local communities,” the guidelines state, adding that the first beneficiaries should be local people.
The guidelines also say that half of the energy requirement should come from renewable source and the vehicles used by tour operators should run on eco friendly fuel. It also imposes a ban on construction of tourism facilities on forestland and says financial incentive should be provided to convert revenue land outside the protected areas as forestland.
Such a move may impact number of private resorts that have come up in the green buffer zone of the Corbett, which as per government record is revenue land. Revenue land is under administrative control district collector whereas forestland is managed by district forest officer. It also gives powers to the state governments to impose restrictions on infrastructure in close proximity of tiger reserves or national parks.
For regulating tourism, the ministry has recommended a two tier structure --- a state level steering committee under Chief Minister and a district level advisory body with district collector as chairperson.
The ministry has given time till December 31, 2011 to the state governments to constitute various committees and create the fund so that the guidelines become applicable from January 2012.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Cess-on-wildlife-tourism-on-cards/Article1-704940.aspx
endations of a seven member government committee, whose member Bittu Sahgal, editor of Sanctuary magazine has questioned its implementability in a letter to environment minister Jairam Ramesh.
“Basically what was finally put into the draft was at variance from my perception of the discussions and understanding we had. Also the guidelines are un-implementable in their current form,” Sahgal told HT in an email response.
The guidelines said that the state governments should levy “local conservation cess” as a percentage of the turnover on all privately run tourist facilities within five kms of the protected areas and the money should be deposited in a special protected area management fund.
The fund can be used only for conservation and local livelihood development with an aim of ensuring local community participation in protecting wildlife and sharing of monetary benefits.
Once the guidelines are notified, all major hotel chains having tourist facilities around popular tiger reserves such as Corbett National Park, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Kanha Tiger Reserve will have to pay a cess.
“Adequate provisions must be made to ensure that ecotourism does not get relegated to purely high-end exclusive tourism leaving out local communities,” the guidelines state, adding that the first beneficiaries should be local people.
The guidelines also say that half of the energy requirement should come from renewable source and the vehicles used by tour operators should run on eco friendly fuel. It also imposes a ban on construction of tourism facilities on forestland and says financial incentive should be provided to convert revenue land outside the protected areas as forestland.
Such a move may impact number of private resorts that have come up in the green buffer zone of the Corbett, which as per government record is revenue land. Revenue land is under administrative control district collector whereas forestland is managed by district forest officer. It also gives powers to the state governments to impose restrictions on infrastructure in close proximity of tiger reserves or national parks.
For regulating tourism, the ministry has recommended a two tier structure --- a state level steering committee under Chief Minister and a district level advisory body with district collector as chairperson.
The ministry has given time till December 31, 2011 to the state governments to constitute various committees and create the fund so that the guidelines become applicable from January 2012.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Cess-on-wildlife-tourism-on-cards/Article1-704940.aspx
Experts want MP tigers for Sariska reserve forests -DNA
Jaipur: Six tigers have been relocated to the Sariska Tiger Reserve in last five years and four remain to be shifted to revitalize the eco system in Jaipur. Though Ranthambhore National Park is state government's most convenient option, wildlife experts are beginning to demand "careful" translocation to save the species.
Though authorities are keeping their cards close to the chest, tiger conservation experts are insisting that Rajasthan should try to get tigers from Kanha and Bandhavgarh reserves of Madhya Pradesh. This, they say, is important for ensuring that tigers have good genes.
"For genetically stronger progeny, it is important that tigers from the same family do not mate with each other. To ensure this, we must translocate tigers from MP. The state can send a few tigers from Ranthambhore to their tiger reserves, like Panna and Pench, and, in turn, get tigers from Kanha and Bandhavgarh reserves," said Senior Vice-President of Sariska Tiger Foundation Sunayan Sharma.
According to the translocation plan for Sariska, which has been approved by the Wildlife Institute of India, 10 tigers were supposed to be relocated to Sariska over a span of 10 years. However, tiger conservationist said that exchanging tigers is a temporary solution to a graver problem. They are of the opinion that corridors should be developed from Ranthambhore to Sariska via Keoladeo sanctuary for tigers to be able to naturally move from one reserve to another and maintain genetic variety.
"There are natural routes which facilitate movement of tigers from MP's Palpur-Kuno sanctuary to Ranthambhore via Keoladeo sanctuary. The tiger which strayed up to Mathura and finally reached Keoladeo was following the same centuries old route. The aim of tiger conservation should be to create a natural and sustainable habitat for tigers and not breed them in jungles by translocation and relocation," said Shatrunjai Singh Khandela, tiger conservationist.
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/RAJ-JPR-experts-want-mp-tigers-for-sariska-reserve-forests-2157619.html?D3-JAI=
Though authorities are keeping their cards close to the chest, tiger conservation experts are insisting that Rajasthan should try to get tigers from Kanha and Bandhavgarh reserves of Madhya Pradesh. This, they say, is important for ensuring that tigers have good genes.
"For genetically stronger progeny, it is important that tigers from the same family do not mate with each other. To ensure this, we must translocate tigers from MP. The state can send a few tigers from Ranthambhore to their tiger reserves, like Panna and Pench, and, in turn, get tigers from Kanha and Bandhavgarh reserves," said Senior Vice-President of Sariska Tiger Foundation Sunayan Sharma.
According to the translocation plan for Sariska, which has been approved by the Wildlife Institute of India, 10 tigers were supposed to be relocated to Sariska over a span of 10 years. However, tiger conservationist said that exchanging tigers is a temporary solution to a graver problem. They are of the opinion that corridors should be developed from Ranthambhore to Sariska via Keoladeo sanctuary for tigers to be able to naturally move from one reserve to another and maintain genetic variety.
"There are natural routes which facilitate movement of tigers from MP's Palpur-Kuno sanctuary to Ranthambhore via Keoladeo sanctuary. The tiger which strayed up to Mathura and finally reached Keoladeo was following the same centuries old route. The aim of tiger conservation should be to create a natural and sustainable habitat for tigers and not breed them in jungles by translocation and relocation," said Shatrunjai Singh Khandela, tiger conservationist.
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/RAJ-JPR-experts-want-mp-tigers-for-sariska-reserve-forests-2157619.html?D3-JAI=
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Tiger population gives birth to sister sanctuary, Rahul Karmakar
The success of the Kaziranga National Park in preserving rhinos and tigers has begotten more success — the development of a sister wildlife sanctuary. The idea is to take tourism pressure off Kaziranga. For 101 years, the one-horned rhino had been Kaziranga’s superstar. The focus began shifting to a
carnivore when it was made a Tiger Reserve in 2006, entailing stricter wildlife regulations. Last year’s animal census saw the rhino population rise to 2,200 (almost 60% of the world’s rhinoceros unicornis). But officials were more elated by the tiger estimate — the 860 square km Kaziranga recorded the striped cat’s density at 32 per 100 square km, the highest on earth.
The tiger count put pressure on the forest department to shift tourism activities from Kaziranga’s core area to provide “breathing space” to the animals. Officials were also asked to check “mushrooming” hotels around Kaziranga.
A major beneficiary of this shift of attention has been the 38 square km Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, 50 km east of Guwahati.
“Though Pobitora has been around for ages... It has really come up to be referred to as Kaziranga’s showroom, and more and more tourists are finding out why,” chief Assam wildlife warden Suresh Chand said.
Pobitora in essence is a microcosm of Kaziranga; the terrain, flora and the setting — kissing the southern bank of the river Brahm
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tiger-population-gives-birth-to-sister-sanctuary/Article1-704634.aspx
carnivore when it was made a Tiger Reserve in 2006, entailing stricter wildlife regulations. Last year’s animal census saw the rhino population rise to 2,200 (almost 60% of the world’s rhinoceros unicornis). But officials were more elated by the tiger estimate — the 860 square km Kaziranga recorded the striped cat’s density at 32 per 100 square km, the highest on earth.
The tiger count put pressure on the forest department to shift tourism activities from Kaziranga’s core area to provide “breathing space” to the animals. Officials were also asked to check “mushrooming” hotels around Kaziranga.
A major beneficiary of this shift of attention has been the 38 square km Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, 50 km east of Guwahati.
“Though Pobitora has been around for ages... It has really come up to be referred to as Kaziranga’s showroom, and more and more tourists are finding out why,” chief Assam wildlife warden Suresh Chand said.
Pobitora in essence is a microcosm of Kaziranga; the terrain, flora and the setting — kissing the southern bank of the river Brahm
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tiger-population-gives-birth-to-sister-sanctuary/Article1-704634.aspx
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Tiger found dead near Corbett park
In yet another death of a big cat in Ramnagar Forest Division near Corbett Tiger Reserve, a male tiger died on Tuesday while under observation, after it was rescued on Monday evening by local foresters. Cause of death was not known till late evening as postmortem was yet to take place. The tiger wa
s rescued in serious condition on Monday from Kota forest range of Ramnagar division.
According to officials, the big cat had serious injuries on neck and other parts indicating that he was engaged in some severe territorial fight with another tiger.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tiger-found-dead-near-Corbett-park/Article1-704243.aspx
s rescued in serious condition on Monday from Kota forest range of Ramnagar division.
According to officials, the big cat had serious injuries on neck and other parts indicating that he was engaged in some severe territorial fight with another tiger.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tiger-found-dead-near-Corbett-park/Article1-704243.aspx
Man-animal conflict intensifies in Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal, June 1 (IANS) Man-animal conflict is intensifying in Madhya Pradesh with regular incidents of attacks on humans as big cats stray into inhabited areas because they are forced to move out of their shrinking reserves for food, say wildlife officials.
‘It is a well-known fact that habitat of wild animals is shrinking and this is resulting in man-animal conflict. In Madhya Pradesh, on an average, at least 35 people are killed and 1,000 are injured every year in the attack by wild animals,’ H.S. Pabla, the state’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), told IANS.
The state has six tiger reserves, nine national parks and 23 wildlife sanctuaries.
A tiger had killed two people, including a woman, outside the boundary of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in the state’s Umaria district May 23.
In late April a panther had strayed into the Boat Club area of Bhopal.
It was captured and released in the Ratapani sanctuary, but another panther in Vidisha district was not so lucky. The animal was killed by angry villagers as it strayed into a human settlement and attacked some people.
‘When any wild animal strays into human habitat, we think it is encroaching upon our land. But actually the situation is just opposite,’ says Pabla.
The view is shared by other officials.
‘If you ask any historian of Bhopal, they will tell you that till the 1970s, the heart of the town used to be forest area and tigers roamed freely there but since then, things have changed completely leading to man-animal conflict,’ J.S.Chouhan, the director of Van Vihar in the heart of Bhopal, told IANS.
Wildlife officials also cite increasing development activities as being responsible for the shrinking wildlife habitat.
‘Developmental activities are leaving an adverse impact on the wildlife and jungles, which are under immense pressure,’ said C.K. Patil, director of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
R.S. Murthy, director of the Panna Tiger Reserve, also noted the habitat quality of wild animals, including panthers and tigers, is gradually declining, leading to the attacks.
‘Tigers stay in deep forest and attack only when humans confront them,’ he added.
The officials are concerned over the state government’s decision to give land tenure deeds to forest dwellers. ‘This will only increase human activities in the jungles and will add pressure on the wildlife,’ said a forest officer.
(Shahnawaz Akhtar can be contacted at shahnawaz.a@ians.in)
http://www.inewsone.com/2011/06/01/man-animal-conflict-intensifies-in-madhya-pradesh/54425
‘It is a well-known fact that habitat of wild animals is shrinking and this is resulting in man-animal conflict. In Madhya Pradesh, on an average, at least 35 people are killed and 1,000 are injured every year in the attack by wild animals,’ H.S. Pabla, the state’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), told IANS.
The state has six tiger reserves, nine national parks and 23 wildlife sanctuaries.
A tiger had killed two people, including a woman, outside the boundary of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in the state’s Umaria district May 23.
In late April a panther had strayed into the Boat Club area of Bhopal.
It was captured and released in the Ratapani sanctuary, but another panther in Vidisha district was not so lucky. The animal was killed by angry villagers as it strayed into a human settlement and attacked some people.
‘When any wild animal strays into human habitat, we think it is encroaching upon our land. But actually the situation is just opposite,’ says Pabla.
The view is shared by other officials.
‘If you ask any historian of Bhopal, they will tell you that till the 1970s, the heart of the town used to be forest area and tigers roamed freely there but since then, things have changed completely leading to man-animal conflict,’ J.S.Chouhan, the director of Van Vihar in the heart of Bhopal, told IANS.
Wildlife officials also cite increasing development activities as being responsible for the shrinking wildlife habitat.
‘Developmental activities are leaving an adverse impact on the wildlife and jungles, which are under immense pressure,’ said C.K. Patil, director of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
R.S. Murthy, director of the Panna Tiger Reserve, also noted the habitat quality of wild animals, including panthers and tigers, is gradually declining, leading to the attacks.
‘Tigers stay in deep forest and attack only when humans confront them,’ he added.
The officials are concerned over the state government’s decision to give land tenure deeds to forest dwellers. ‘This will only increase human activities in the jungles and will add pressure on the wildlife,’ said a forest officer.
(Shahnawaz Akhtar can be contacted at shahnawaz.a@ians.in)
http://www.inewsone.com/2011/06/01/man-animal-conflict-intensifies-in-madhya-pradesh/54425
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)