The increasing human-animal conflict due to shrinking habitat for wildlife has led to killing of 16 people by tigers over the past 10 months in Uttar Pradesh, wildlife officials said on Thursday. Attributing the deaths to "unabated human infiltration in the core wildlife areas", chief wildlife
conservator B K Patnaik said: "Increase in the human population and their enhanced penetration into forests is largely responsible for the rise in this conflict that had also left 22 people wounded over the same period."
"The situation has become alarming in Katarniaghat wildlife park, where three killings had occurred over the past one week alone," he said.
With as many as 36 villages in and around Katarniaghat core forest area, human conflict had been on the rise there, Patnaik added. Katarniaghat is in Bahraich district, 130 km from Lucknow.
Ruling out the presence of any man-eater, Patnaik said: "What was worse that each of the three killings appeared to have been done by three different tigers, which speaks volumes about the rising menace."
However, other than setting up four special teams to monitor movement of the state's 110 tigers and 208 leopards in the state's three core tiger areas - Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat and Pilibhit Forest Reserve - there was precious little that the government was able to do so far.
"In addition to these four teams that were keeping a watch in each of the tiger areas, a special tranquilising team was also camping here to get into action wherever the need arises", Patnaik said.
"But let me tell you, this is much more than what we were able to do until three years back, when we were terribly short of resources as well as trained manpower," he added.
Patnaik was however of the view that much was still needed to counter the menace.
"Firstly there is need to expand the grasslands in the core forest areas so that we could enhance the availability of food for the herbivorous animals, which in turn form prey for the wild cats and secondly there is need to provide alternative sources of fuel as well as avenues of employment to tribals and other living in villages in and around the core wildlife areas," he stressed.
Claiming that measures taken by the wildlife department had brought down the incidence of poaching, Patnaik emphasised the need for better cooperation by other government departments, "who were totally indifferent to the cause of preservation of wildlife in the state".
He cited the case of the railways that had not paid any heed to repeated demand of the wildlife department for diverting some 70 km of railway track that was passing through core forest areas of the state.
"We have been writing to the rail authorities for the past 30 years but to no avail," the chief wildlife conservator lamented.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Govt approves IG posts for NTCA HQ, regional offices
NEW DELHI: Giving a boost to tiger conservation in the country, the government on Thursday approved the creation of four posts in the rank of Inspector General of Forests for the three regional offices and headquarters of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
This move, in conjunction with the recent decision to set up three regional offices of the NTCA in Nagpur, Guwahati and Bengaluru, is expected to give a major boost to India's tiger conservation efforts, ministry of environment and forests said in a statement here.
The decision approved by the Union Cabinet would benefit all 39 tiger reserves falling in 17 tiger range states. The decision is expected to lead to "close monitoring at the regional level resulting in strengthened tiger conservation."
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh welcomed the decision. "This is a great step forward. There was a crying need for decentralisation so that we can enhance the monitoring of our conservation efforts and improve the quality and timeliness of support we give the field directors of our 39 tiger reserves," the minister said.
"There is no doubt that today's decision will strengthen the capacity of NTCA to deliver on its mandate, and provide new teeth to our tiger conservation efforts," Ramesh added.
The government has revamped its tiger conservation efforts through setting up of NTCA by amending the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, in 2006, based on the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force constituted by the National Board for Wildlife under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
"The strengthening of the headquarter set-up and creation of three regional offices of the NTCA would facilitate guidance to states and monitoring in an ongoing manner at the regional level for addressing the ecological and administrative concerns relating to tiger conservation," said the release.
The implementation at the national level would be done by the NTCA headquarters, assisted by the three regional offices at Nagpur, Guwahati and Bengaluru, covering the 17 tiger states (39 tiger reserves), it said.
Project Tiger is an ongoing centrally-sponsored scheme of the ministry launched in 1973. Over the years, the project coverage has expanded from the initial nine reserves (1,400 sq km) to 39 reserves encompassing around 46,388.22 sq km.
This move, in conjunction with the recent decision to set up three regional offices of the NTCA in Nagpur, Guwahati and Bengaluru, is expected to give a major boost to India's tiger conservation efforts, ministry of environment and forests said in a statement here.
The decision approved by the Union Cabinet would benefit all 39 tiger reserves falling in 17 tiger range states. The decision is expected to lead to "close monitoring at the regional level resulting in strengthened tiger conservation."
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh welcomed the decision. "This is a great step forward. There was a crying need for decentralisation so that we can enhance the monitoring of our conservation efforts and improve the quality and timeliness of support we give the field directors of our 39 tiger reserves," the minister said.
"There is no doubt that today's decision will strengthen the capacity of NTCA to deliver on its mandate, and provide new teeth to our tiger conservation efforts," Ramesh added.
The government has revamped its tiger conservation efforts through setting up of NTCA by amending the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, in 2006, based on the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force constituted by the National Board for Wildlife under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
"The strengthening of the headquarter set-up and creation of three regional offices of the NTCA would facilitate guidance to states and monitoring in an ongoing manner at the regional level for addressing the ecological and administrative concerns relating to tiger conservation," said the release.
The implementation at the national level would be done by the NTCA headquarters, assisted by the three regional offices at Nagpur, Guwahati and Bengaluru, covering the 17 tiger states (39 tiger reserves), it said.
Project Tiger is an ongoing centrally-sponsored scheme of the ministry launched in 1973. Over the years, the project coverage has expanded from the initial nine reserves (1,400 sq km) to 39 reserves encompassing around 46,388.22 sq km.
Cameras for tiger study capture poachers at Orang
Caught on camera: A poacher sneaks into Orang
Guwahati, Jan. 13: Camera traps, which up to now have clicked pictures of wildlife in Assam, have now for the first time taken pictures showing poachers at Orang National Park.
Revealing this at a news conference today, Assam principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Suresh Chand, said pictures taken by camera traps hung on trees have been able to take pictures of a group of poachers who had killed a rhino on January 9. “Cameras which were placed in the trees got the pictures of poachers who were moving in the area. The poachers had come with an intent to kill a rhino,” Chand said.
The poachers were carrying .303 rifles.
Camera trapping is being done by Aaranyak, a wildlife NGO, at Orang National Park for tiger estimation. Around 70 cameras have been put up at strategic locations in the park.
Chand said the poachers, who are believed to be the same, came on January 5. They, however, succeeded in killing a rhino on January 9.
Chand said on January 9, the poachers had changed their route and were successful in killing the rhino.
Divisional forest officer of Orang National Park S.K. Daila said the poachers had adopted a new strategy of shooting the rhino at night. “We have seen poachers striking at dusk or in the wee hours. However, these poachers shot the rhino around 1.30am. They fired from very close range,” he said.
The staff on duty on January 9, N. Chamua, will be put under suspension. “We suspect that he was conniving with the poachers,” Chand said.
The official said the poachers were from outside the area and the pictures have been sent to nearby police stations.
“The forest department has announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for identifying the poachers,” he said.
Chand said the killing of a rhino in Orang took place after a year.
In the entire state in 2010, there were seven instances of rhino poaching while in 2009 there were 14 cases.
In 2009, the number of rhinos in Orang was 64 rhinos while in 2006, 68 rhinos were recorded.
Firoz Ahmed of Aaranyak, who has been looking after the tiger trapping exercise through cameras in Orang, said the poachers came in coincidentally when the cameras were on. “The cameras are placed strategically so that pictures can be taken and are not meant to take pictures of poachers specifically,” Ahmed said.
In the 2009 tiger camera trapping report of Aaranyak in collaboration with forest department, seven tigers, including two males and five females,were recorded in Orang National Park.
Two poachers were killed in an encounter with forestguards in July last year and several arms and ammunition were recovered from them. Another poacher was killed in March last year.
Chand said an elephant census would be held simultaneously with neighbouring states like Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and West Bengal. The dates have been fixed for February 21-26.
Guwahati, Jan. 13: Camera traps, which up to now have clicked pictures of wildlife in Assam, have now for the first time taken pictures showing poachers at Orang National Park.
Revealing this at a news conference today, Assam principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Suresh Chand, said pictures taken by camera traps hung on trees have been able to take pictures of a group of poachers who had killed a rhino on January 9. “Cameras which were placed in the trees got the pictures of poachers who were moving in the area. The poachers had come with an intent to kill a rhino,” Chand said.
The poachers were carrying .303 rifles.
Camera trapping is being done by Aaranyak, a wildlife NGO, at Orang National Park for tiger estimation. Around 70 cameras have been put up at strategic locations in the park.
Chand said the poachers, who are believed to be the same, came on January 5. They, however, succeeded in killing a rhino on January 9.
Chand said on January 9, the poachers had changed their route and were successful in killing the rhino.
Divisional forest officer of Orang National Park S.K. Daila said the poachers had adopted a new strategy of shooting the rhino at night. “We have seen poachers striking at dusk or in the wee hours. However, these poachers shot the rhino around 1.30am. They fired from very close range,” he said.
The staff on duty on January 9, N. Chamua, will be put under suspension. “We suspect that he was conniving with the poachers,” Chand said.
The official said the poachers were from outside the area and the pictures have been sent to nearby police stations.
“The forest department has announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for identifying the poachers,” he said.
Chand said the killing of a rhino in Orang took place after a year.
In the entire state in 2010, there were seven instances of rhino poaching while in 2009 there were 14 cases.
In 2009, the number of rhinos in Orang was 64 rhinos while in 2006, 68 rhinos were recorded.
Firoz Ahmed of Aaranyak, who has been looking after the tiger trapping exercise through cameras in Orang, said the poachers came in coincidentally when the cameras were on. “The cameras are placed strategically so that pictures can be taken and are not meant to take pictures of poachers specifically,” Ahmed said.
In the 2009 tiger camera trapping report of Aaranyak in collaboration with forest department, seven tigers, including two males and five females,were recorded in Orang National Park.
Two poachers were killed in an encounter with forestguards in July last year and several arms and ammunition were recovered from them. Another poacher was killed in March last year.
Chand said an elephant census would be held simultaneously with neighbouring states like Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and West Bengal. The dates have been fixed for February 21-26.
Bahraich killings not by one tiger, say officials
The state forest department has said the three attacks on humans over the last week in Bahraich were not made by a single tiger. So it was wrong to assume that a tiger had turned man-killer.
B K Patnaik, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife, said the attacks took place in the mating season, when tigers turn unusually aggressive. The increase in the human population around the forests and their dependence on forests for fuel and livelihood had added to the man-animal conflict.
“There are around 36 villages in the core tiger habitat area in Katarniya Ghat alone,” Patnaik said. “We are trying to reduce these incidents but a long-term plan, supported by the Centre, is needed.”
Over the last ten months, 16 people have died and 22 injured in Uttar Pradesh ¿ the increasing instances of man-animal conflict. The department has formed four special teams to track the movement of 110 tigers and 208 leopards in the three core tiger areas of the state ¿ Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat and Pilibhit Forest Reserve.
“We are doing our best to manage the problem with the limited resources we have ¿ getting trenches dug manually on the boundaries of these national parks and will be planting cactus to ensure that the animals don’t move out of the forest area,” said Patnaik.
He said there is a need for cooperation between various departments. Citing an example, he said the Railways had not paid heed to the Forest Department’s demands for diverting about 70 km of tracks that pass through core forest areas.
... contd.
B K Patnaik, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife, said the attacks took place in the mating season, when tigers turn unusually aggressive. The increase in the human population around the forests and their dependence on forests for fuel and livelihood had added to the man-animal conflict.
“There are around 36 villages in the core tiger habitat area in Katarniya Ghat alone,” Patnaik said. “We are trying to reduce these incidents but a long-term plan, supported by the Centre, is needed.”
Over the last ten months, 16 people have died and 22 injured in Uttar Pradesh ¿ the increasing instances of man-animal conflict. The department has formed four special teams to track the movement of 110 tigers and 208 leopards in the three core tiger areas of the state ¿ Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat and Pilibhit Forest Reserve.
“We are doing our best to manage the problem with the limited resources we have ¿ getting trenches dug manually on the boundaries of these national parks and will be planting cactus to ensure that the animals don’t move out of the forest area,” said Patnaik.
He said there is a need for cooperation between various departments. Citing an example, he said the Railways had not paid heed to the Forest Department’s demands for diverting about 70 km of tracks that pass through core forest areas.
... contd.
Cabinet overrules Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister on new tiger reserve
New Delhi: Ignoring Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's strong opposition, the Union Cabinet today gave "in-principle" go ahead to convert the state's Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary into a tiger reserve along with four other sanctuaries in the country.
"In-principle approval has been accorded for creation of five more tiger reserves," said Ministry of Environment and Forests in a release.
Ratapani in Madhya Pradesh, Sunabeda in Orissa, Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, Biligiri Ranganatha Temple in Karnataka and Mukundara Hills in Rajasthan are the wildlife sancturies which would be converted as new tiger reserves.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's plan to convert Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary into a tiger reserve, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister had said that it would call for shifting many villages.
While addressing the 15th national conference of Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad in Bhopal, Chouhan had said "Madhya Pradesh is a tiger state. We are not averse to tiger and its protection. But we do not want it at the cost of the poor, especially tribals. Many villages will need to be shifted for turning Ratapani into a tiger reserve."
The land of tribals cannot be taken away in Madhya Pradesh which has tough laws to check it, the Chief Minister had stated.
Meanwhile, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has suggested the states create tiger reserves in Satyamangalam forests in Tamil Nadu, Nagzira-Navegaon and Bor in Maharashtra and Suhelwa in Uttar Pradesh.
"In-principle approval has been accorded for creation of five more tiger reserves," said Ministry of Environment and Forests in a release.
Ratapani in Madhya Pradesh, Sunabeda in Orissa, Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, Biligiri Ranganatha Temple in Karnataka and Mukundara Hills in Rajasthan are the wildlife sancturies which would be converted as new tiger reserves.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's plan to convert Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary into a tiger reserve, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister had said that it would call for shifting many villages.
While addressing the 15th national conference of Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad in Bhopal, Chouhan had said "Madhya Pradesh is a tiger state. We are not averse to tiger and its protection. But we do not want it at the cost of the poor, especially tribals. Many villages will need to be shifted for turning Ratapani into a tiger reserve."
The land of tribals cannot be taken away in Madhya Pradesh which has tough laws to check it, the Chief Minister had stated.
Meanwhile, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has suggested the states create tiger reserves in Satyamangalam forests in Tamil Nadu, Nagzira-Navegaon and Bor in Maharashtra and Suhelwa in Uttar Pradesh.
Do Not Tame the Tiger, Your Compensation is Doubled
The livestock of villagers living close to the borders of Ranthambore National Park have often become a meal to the roaming tiger of the National Park. In retaliation villagers have avenged the death of their livestock by killing the big cat either by poisoning or setting up a trap and killing it.
About a month ago a male tiger called ST-1 from Sariska National Park also in Rajasthan had killed a buffalo. The villagers took revenge of their loss by smearing the half eaten carcass of the buffalo with poison when the tiger was away.
This vengeful attitude of the villagers is greatly worrying the forest officials. When a villager’s animal is killed by any of the wild animals of a National Park, they are given compensation for the same. At present the compensation rates is Rs. 300 for a goat and Rs. 3000 for a cow or buffalo.
However now to further pacify the villagers over the loss of their livestock, the Rajasthan government is thinking of giving double or even more compensation then the present amount. "We had given such a proposal some time ago. The proposal is under consideration," confirmed H M Bhatia, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan. The proposal is under the consideration of the state finance department and may soon be approved.
At present Ranthambore forest officials are worried about the fate of a tigress T-13, who has ventured out of the National Park along the route of the Chambal River with her two cubs. The tigress had killed a bull a few days ago. The forest officials settled the matter when they visited the owner of the bull and the village sarpanch, to ensure the provision of compensation for the loss and also asked them not to graze cattle in that area for some time now. However till date the only compensation the owner received was Rs. 5000 from an NGO.
However the fate of T- 13 and her cubs is still in danger as she is still lurking in that area, which is about two kms from human habitation and forest officials are afraid she may possibly add another livestock kill to her victim portfolio. The forest officials are afraid that if this happens, T-13 and her cubs may soon meet the same fate, they meted out to others.
It is with this intention in mind to save the majestic tiger that forest officials are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the tiger’s safety.
"It is high time for the forest department to revise compensation rates for villagers whose livestock is eaten by tigers. The sum can hardly be compared with market rates of animals which is somewhere around 10 times the amount. Also, the process for giving this sum needs to be simplified. Currently, the department takes a very long time to hand over the cheque to the villager," said Rajpal Singh, member, state wildlife board. It is due to this paltry sum that tigers are often poisoned by villagers. However in spite of all the straight forwardness of the situation, there are complications underneath. Villagers who stay within the boundaries of the sanctuaries are allocated compensation for relocation outside the National Parks. But the livestock of the villagers is not allowed to graze within the confines of the sanctuary. If the livestock is killed within the sanctuary area, no compensation is given. Only if a tiger strays out of the National Park and kills the livestock outside the sanctuary area or in the periphery of the forest area, is compensation granted.
This complexity which is defined by boundaries may thus continue to danger the lives of wild animals in Ranthambore and Sariska National Park.
Already Sariska National Park suffers from a haunted past, where it lost all its tigers due to poaching and other reasons. Since the past few years, the state forest department has been trying to introduce tigers in Sariska by relocating a few tigers and tigresses from Ranthambore National Park. Forest officials are hopeful that the transferred animals will breed a new generation and thus populate Sariska with the majestic tigers again.
About a month ago a male tiger called ST-1 from Sariska National Park also in Rajasthan had killed a buffalo. The villagers took revenge of their loss by smearing the half eaten carcass of the buffalo with poison when the tiger was away.
This vengeful attitude of the villagers is greatly worrying the forest officials. When a villager’s animal is killed by any of the wild animals of a National Park, they are given compensation for the same. At present the compensation rates is Rs. 300 for a goat and Rs. 3000 for a cow or buffalo.
However now to further pacify the villagers over the loss of their livestock, the Rajasthan government is thinking of giving double or even more compensation then the present amount. "We had given such a proposal some time ago. The proposal is under consideration," confirmed H M Bhatia, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan. The proposal is under the consideration of the state finance department and may soon be approved.
At present Ranthambore forest officials are worried about the fate of a tigress T-13, who has ventured out of the National Park along the route of the Chambal River with her two cubs. The tigress had killed a bull a few days ago. The forest officials settled the matter when they visited the owner of the bull and the village sarpanch, to ensure the provision of compensation for the loss and also asked them not to graze cattle in that area for some time now. However till date the only compensation the owner received was Rs. 5000 from an NGO.
However the fate of T- 13 and her cubs is still in danger as she is still lurking in that area, which is about two kms from human habitation and forest officials are afraid she may possibly add another livestock kill to her victim portfolio. The forest officials are afraid that if this happens, T-13 and her cubs may soon meet the same fate, they meted out to others.
It is with this intention in mind to save the majestic tiger that forest officials are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the tiger’s safety.
"It is high time for the forest department to revise compensation rates for villagers whose livestock is eaten by tigers. The sum can hardly be compared with market rates of animals which is somewhere around 10 times the amount. Also, the process for giving this sum needs to be simplified. Currently, the department takes a very long time to hand over the cheque to the villager," said Rajpal Singh, member, state wildlife board. It is due to this paltry sum that tigers are often poisoned by villagers. However in spite of all the straight forwardness of the situation, there are complications underneath. Villagers who stay within the boundaries of the sanctuaries are allocated compensation for relocation outside the National Parks. But the livestock of the villagers is not allowed to graze within the confines of the sanctuary. If the livestock is killed within the sanctuary area, no compensation is given. Only if a tiger strays out of the National Park and kills the livestock outside the sanctuary area or in the periphery of the forest area, is compensation granted.
This complexity which is defined by boundaries may thus continue to danger the lives of wild animals in Ranthambore and Sariska National Park.
Already Sariska National Park suffers from a haunted past, where it lost all its tigers due to poaching and other reasons. Since the past few years, the state forest department has been trying to introduce tigers in Sariska by relocating a few tigers and tigresses from Ranthambore National Park. Forest officials are hopeful that the transferred animals will breed a new generation and thus populate Sariska with the majestic tigers again.
Big cat leaves forest officials confused
LUCKNOW: Even after three lives were lost in the man-animal conflict in the killing fields of Katarniaghat and Nishangadha, the forest department is yet to wake up from its slumber.
The department is yet to identify the big cat, which made the killings. On one hand, department's preliminary findings indicate it to be a "tigress with a cub". On the other hand, pugmarks show them to be three different big cats behind three killings made over a week-long period. "We are trying to identify, because prima facie it appears to be three different tigers," said BK Patnaik, chief wildlife warden, UP on Thursday.
The pugmarks were found only in the first and last killing. In the case of second killing there were no pugmarks. The killings have been made in two ranges -- Nishangadha and Katarniaghat. The department is making Pugmark Impression Pads (PIPs) along tracks and water holes. This is being done to track the movement of the tigers in the area and also to identify the real man-eater.
The mobile veterinary unit has been stationed in the area, so that it could be called in for rescue as and when required. The tranquillising team from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has also been called in along with a tiger biologist to watch the behaviour of the tigers.
Three teams comprising forest officers have been put on the job to patrol the area for tracking the big cats. "This is a mating season for tigers and they are known to be aggressive during this period," said Patnaik. The locals in the area are being informed about the same. They are being told not to go to forest to collect firewood or grass.
But has the department made any arrangements to meet such requirements of villagers? The department has no clear cut answers on this. Meanwhile, gram pradhans in the area have been given the phone numbers of forest officers, so that they can immediately inform officers in case they spot a big cat in vicinity.
The department has not branded any of the three killings to be a man-eating incident. In the last incident, however, the tiger was spotted around the body of its victim, though villagers tried to chase it away. But forest officers said that it was a natural behaviour of tiger that it does not leave its kill.
The department is yet to identify the big cat, which made the killings. On one hand, department's preliminary findings indicate it to be a "tigress with a cub". On the other hand, pugmarks show them to be three different big cats behind three killings made over a week-long period. "We are trying to identify, because prima facie it appears to be three different tigers," said BK Patnaik, chief wildlife warden, UP on Thursday.
The pugmarks were found only in the first and last killing. In the case of second killing there were no pugmarks. The killings have been made in two ranges -- Nishangadha and Katarniaghat. The department is making Pugmark Impression Pads (PIPs) along tracks and water holes. This is being done to track the movement of the tigers in the area and also to identify the real man-eater.
The mobile veterinary unit has been stationed in the area, so that it could be called in for rescue as and when required. The tranquillising team from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has also been called in along with a tiger biologist to watch the behaviour of the tigers.
Three teams comprising forest officers have been put on the job to patrol the area for tracking the big cats. "This is a mating season for tigers and they are known to be aggressive during this period," said Patnaik. The locals in the area are being informed about the same. They are being told not to go to forest to collect firewood or grass.
But has the department made any arrangements to meet such requirements of villagers? The department has no clear cut answers on this. Meanwhile, gram pradhans in the area have been given the phone numbers of forest officers, so that they can immediately inform officers in case they spot a big cat in vicinity.
The department has not branded any of the three killings to be a man-eating incident. In the last incident, however, the tiger was spotted around the body of its victim, though villagers tried to chase it away. But forest officers said that it was a natural behaviour of tiger that it does not leave its kill.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)