JAIPUR: In a major boost to tiger conservation, chief minister Ashok Gehlot announced developing the area connecting Ranthambore National Park to Mukundra sanctuary as a corridor. The area is frequently used by straying tigers of Ranthambore and developing it would give the big cats a safer passage.
Even the Mukundra sanctuary, which already got an in-principle nod from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) as a tiger reserve during the recent visit of director Rajesh Gopal, will be developed during this year. The government will shortly be preparing a project report for the same.
"The United Nations is observing year 2011 as International Year of Forests and we are duty bound to follow the footsteps. Throughout the year, various projects will be undertaken for developing sanctuaries besides addressing issues of global warming," Gehlot said.
He also announced using grants to the tune of Rs 1,153 crore from the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) for implementing the Rajasthan Forestry and Bio-diversity Project (RFBP) in select areas of the state over a period of eight years between 2011 and 2019. The areas include 10 districts that have deserts in them, five districts without deserts and seven wildlife reserves.
Under the project, afforestation and bio-diversity conservation and soil and water conservation work will be done. Besides, poverty elimination and livelihood schemes will also be undertaken in 650 villages in these areas. Sundamata in Jhalore and Gura-Bishnoi in Jodhpur will also be developed as eco-tourism centres under the project.
Four treatment and rehabilitation centres for wild animals would also be established in Bikaner, Jodhpur and Nagaur. The centres will be developed using Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds.
After the recent incident at Ranthambore where tourism minister Bina Kak had to intervene to save tiger T-5 which had a deep wound on its body, the need for a mobile rescue van for the forest was being felt. Addressing the issue, Gehlot has made provisions in his budget for a mobile rescue van and two veterinarians in the park in case of any eventualities.
Besides, the state will also be giving Rs 1,000 to each of the 5,000 families staying inside the Ranthambore reserve for an LPG connection. The move is aimed at keeping away these families from felling trees for fire wood.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Ranthambore-Mukundra-corridor-in-the-offing/articleshow/7667203.cms
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Panel's Ranthambore directive silences roar of machines
Moushumi Basu | New Delhi
Construction activities have been temporarily stopped at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan following intervention by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
For several months now, the whine of excavators and pneumatic drills and the rumble of explosives had drowned out the roar of tigers at the reserve. With construction on the boom even in the core area, the chaos was a major source of stress for the wild cat.
The State irrigation department recently approved construction of 20 large dams, each costing in the range of Rs 35 lakh to Rs 75 lakh. Nearly 100 small anicuts and 20 telais (ponds) were constructed in the reserve in the past.
However, after the CEC’s directive to the State Chief Secretary, work has been stopped at the site. On being approached by the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) for intervention, the CEC pointed out that such non-forestry activities within protected areas were in violation of a Supreme Court order.
According to sources, the Chief Secretary is to set up an expert committee to decide on the issue. Till then, work in the protected area would stay stalled.
Ranthambore field director Anand Mohan, however, contended that this construction was part of a long-term water management plan and its ecological impact had been assessed by an expert panel. It is being carried out by the irrigation and forest departments, with MNREGA and Nabard funding.
A work order of Rs 40 crore has been earmarked jointly for Sariska and Ranthambore, Mohan said, of which Rs 2 crore has already been sanctioned by the irrigation department. “The very objective of this project is to improve availability of water within the park for wild animals,” he emphasised.
However, tiger expert and WPSI executive director Belinda Wright pointed to the gravity of the situation, saying the eco-system of Ranthambore was very fragile and any manipulation could cause irreversible damage. She felt there were many perennial natural waterholes in critical areas and that artificial cemented anicuts and uncalled-for human intervention could be destructive.
The proposed anicut, for instance, is at Adi Dagar, beyond Lakardah, on a nullah that runs from Lakardah to Bakola. The area has waterholes that are full during the critical summer months too. This was where tigress T-16 spent the summer of 2010, making kills around a waterhole.
It is feared that the proposed anicut may flood this natural waterhole, submerging the surrounding rock walls, which are home to a host of wildlife, including monitor lizards, mongooses and owls.
The construction of cement anicuts and earth dams around Galai Sagar, on the other hand, can affect the water-holding of this lake in an area where there are a number of resident big cats, including a tigress with cubs.
Many such rampant constructions close to natural water points will eventually lead to silting, which could choke water flow. Sooner or later, the natural water body would be finished, feel experts.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/323377/Panels-Ranthambore-directive-silences-roar-of-machines.html
Construction activities have been temporarily stopped at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan following intervention by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
For several months now, the whine of excavators and pneumatic drills and the rumble of explosives had drowned out the roar of tigers at the reserve. With construction on the boom even in the core area, the chaos was a major source of stress for the wild cat.
The State irrigation department recently approved construction of 20 large dams, each costing in the range of Rs 35 lakh to Rs 75 lakh. Nearly 100 small anicuts and 20 telais (ponds) were constructed in the reserve in the past.
However, after the CEC’s directive to the State Chief Secretary, work has been stopped at the site. On being approached by the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) for intervention, the CEC pointed out that such non-forestry activities within protected areas were in violation of a Supreme Court order.
According to sources, the Chief Secretary is to set up an expert committee to decide on the issue. Till then, work in the protected area would stay stalled.
Ranthambore field director Anand Mohan, however, contended that this construction was part of a long-term water management plan and its ecological impact had been assessed by an expert panel. It is being carried out by the irrigation and forest departments, with MNREGA and Nabard funding.
A work order of Rs 40 crore has been earmarked jointly for Sariska and Ranthambore, Mohan said, of which Rs 2 crore has already been sanctioned by the irrigation department. “The very objective of this project is to improve availability of water within the park for wild animals,” he emphasised.
However, tiger expert and WPSI executive director Belinda Wright pointed to the gravity of the situation, saying the eco-system of Ranthambore was very fragile and any manipulation could cause irreversible damage. She felt there were many perennial natural waterholes in critical areas and that artificial cemented anicuts and uncalled-for human intervention could be destructive.
The proposed anicut, for instance, is at Adi Dagar, beyond Lakardah, on a nullah that runs from Lakardah to Bakola. The area has waterholes that are full during the critical summer months too. This was where tigress T-16 spent the summer of 2010, making kills around a waterhole.
It is feared that the proposed anicut may flood this natural waterhole, submerging the surrounding rock walls, which are home to a host of wildlife, including monitor lizards, mongooses and owls.
The construction of cement anicuts and earth dams around Galai Sagar, on the other hand, can affect the water-holding of this lake in an area where there are a number of resident big cats, including a tigress with cubs.
Many such rampant constructions close to natural water points will eventually lead to silting, which could choke water flow. Sooner or later, the natural water body would be finished, feel experts.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/323377/Panels-Ranthambore-directive-silences-roar-of-machines.html
Ramesh expects ''good news'' in tiger census
PTI | 08:03 PM,Mar 09,2011
New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) Tiger census will be out this month end amidst expectations that there will be "good news", government said today."We are releasing our latest tiger census on 28th of this month. We hope that we will have good news. I haven't seen the report yet," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh told reporters here. The census was carried out by installing cameras at strategic points, like water bodies in the forests, as also in the respective territories of the big cats and a computer analysis was done to collate the data. The 2007 census had shown a sharp fall in the number of tigers in 'protected areas'--reserves, national parks and widelife sanctuaries-in 19 states across the country.According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.
New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) Tiger census will be out this month end amidst expectations that there will be "good news", government said today."We are releasing our latest tiger census on 28th of this month. We hope that we will have good news. I haven't seen the report yet," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh told reporters here. The census was carried out by installing cameras at strategic points, like water bodies in the forests, as also in the respective territories of the big cats and a computer analysis was done to collate the data. The 2007 census had shown a sharp fall in the number of tigers in 'protected areas'--reserves, national parks and widelife sanctuaries-in 19 states across the country.According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.
Bad news for tiger conservation Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
Nagpur: In a setback to process of creating inviolate spaces for highly endangered tigers, the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has withdrawn the revised guidelines for determination of critical wildlife habitats (CWHs) thus stalling the entire process.
The MoEF on February 7 had circulated the revised guidelines about determination of CWH. However, members of some NGOs made representations to the ministry against some of the points in it. The organizations were of the view that the relocation of people from CWH needed to be fine-tuned to be compliant with provisions of Forest Rights Act 2006. Taking note of the concerns at a meeting held in Delhi on March 4, the guidelines were withdrawn. "Process to issue fresh guidelines has been initiated," NTCA officials said.
CWH are areas of national parks and sanctuaries that are required to be kept inviolate for the purposes of wildlife conservation as determined and notified by the MoEF, after open process of consultations by an expert committee. After notifying critical tiger habitats (CTHs) three years ago, the state initiated process to declare CWHs. A minimum inviolate space of 800-1000 sq km should be maintained to support a viable population of tigers in tiger landscapes, based on tiger parameters, territory sizes and populations viability analysis.
In Maharashtra, a state-level committee headed by chief wildlife warden has already given a go-ahead to 19 national parks and sanctuaries to complete consultations with stakeholders. In August last, to speed up the process of relocation of villages in CWHs, subcommittees with respective chief conservators (CCFs) and deputy conservators (DyCFs) were also constituted. These officials had initiated consultation process and even completed them in Navegaon National Park and Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.
V K Mohan, chief conservator of forests (CCF) for wildlife administration, said the process would now be stalled until fresh guidelines were issued. Dilip Gode of the Vidarbha Nature Conservation Society (VNCS), who was part of the MoEF meeting on March 4, said: "We want the consultations to be held properly with involvement of all stakeholders. Entire process should be video recorded and there should be scope for scientific avenues. Not all CWH are needed to be declared inviolate."
Conservationists decried move. Already, there are many villages in tiger reserves that are needed to be relocated. Villagers living in parks and reserves are also keen to move out. The delay will further escalate cost of relocation and tigers, that are crying for space, will also have to wait, they said.
BOX
CWH process stalled?
* The first guidelines for CWH were issued on October 25, 2007. On February 7, 2011, MoEF issued revised ones. These too have been withdrawn on March 4, 2011
* CWHs can be declared only with voluntary consent of affected people. It involves secure livelihoods to persons to be relocated
* A state-level committee has given go-ahead to 19 national parks and sanctuaries in Maharashtra to complete consultations with stakeholders for CWH. Consultations in Navegaon and Tipeshwar have been completed. Of the remaining 17 parks, most of them are in second stage of consultation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Bad-news-for-tiger-conservation/articleshow/7666523.cms
The MoEF on February 7 had circulated the revised guidelines about determination of CWH. However, members of some NGOs made representations to the ministry against some of the points in it. The organizations were of the view that the relocation of people from CWH needed to be fine-tuned to be compliant with provisions of Forest Rights Act 2006. Taking note of the concerns at a meeting held in Delhi on March 4, the guidelines were withdrawn. "Process to issue fresh guidelines has been initiated," NTCA officials said.
CWH are areas of national parks and sanctuaries that are required to be kept inviolate for the purposes of wildlife conservation as determined and notified by the MoEF, after open process of consultations by an expert committee. After notifying critical tiger habitats (CTHs) three years ago, the state initiated process to declare CWHs. A minimum inviolate space of 800-1000 sq km should be maintained to support a viable population of tigers in tiger landscapes, based on tiger parameters, territory sizes and populations viability analysis.
In Maharashtra, a state-level committee headed by chief wildlife warden has already given a go-ahead to 19 national parks and sanctuaries to complete consultations with stakeholders. In August last, to speed up the process of relocation of villages in CWHs, subcommittees with respective chief conservators (CCFs) and deputy conservators (DyCFs) were also constituted. These officials had initiated consultation process and even completed them in Navegaon National Park and Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.
V K Mohan, chief conservator of forests (CCF) for wildlife administration, said the process would now be stalled until fresh guidelines were issued. Dilip Gode of the Vidarbha Nature Conservation Society (VNCS), who was part of the MoEF meeting on March 4, said: "We want the consultations to be held properly with involvement of all stakeholders. Entire process should be video recorded and there should be scope for scientific avenues. Not all CWH are needed to be declared inviolate."
Conservationists decried move. Already, there are many villages in tiger reserves that are needed to be relocated. Villagers living in parks and reserves are also keen to move out. The delay will further escalate cost of relocation and tigers, that are crying for space, will also have to wait, they said.
BOX
CWH process stalled?
* The first guidelines for CWH were issued on October 25, 2007. On February 7, 2011, MoEF issued revised ones. These too have been withdrawn on March 4, 2011
* CWHs can be declared only with voluntary consent of affected people. It involves secure livelihoods to persons to be relocated
* A state-level committee has given go-ahead to 19 national parks and sanctuaries in Maharashtra to complete consultations with stakeholders for CWH. Consultations in Navegaon and Tipeshwar have been completed. Of the remaining 17 parks, most of them are in second stage of consultation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Bad-news-for-tiger-conservation/articleshow/7666523.cms
Two more watch towers at Mudumalai reserve TNN
UDHAGAMANDALAM: In a bid to improve vigilance inside the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in the Nilgiris, two more watch towers are being erected in the area.
"Works for the two new watch towers are nearing completion. One is being erected near a water body at Mavanallah and the other at Nir Hallah, adjacent to Karnataka border," Rajiv K Srivastava, Field Director, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, told TOI.
The watch tower at Mavanallah will also serve the purpose of watching migratory birds which visit the dam near Mavanallah during season, according to Srivastava. Another tower near the Karnataka border will be used to observe the migration of carnivores and other animals.
Already, there are 5 towers inside the reserve. "Together, the towers will help keep vigil over a larger area and help detect the movements of wild animals," said the official.
According to the official the new towers, built at the cost of `10 lakh, will be completed by end of March.
The 312 sq km Mudumalai tiger reserve is home to at least 40 tigers and nearly 900 Asian elephants besides a wide variety of wild life and vegetation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Two-more-watch-towers-at-Mudumalai-reserve/articleshow/7668190.cms
"Works for the two new watch towers are nearing completion. One is being erected near a water body at Mavanallah and the other at Nir Hallah, adjacent to Karnataka border," Rajiv K Srivastava, Field Director, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, told TOI.
The watch tower at Mavanallah will also serve the purpose of watching migratory birds which visit the dam near Mavanallah during season, according to Srivastava. Another tower near the Karnataka border will be used to observe the migration of carnivores and other animals.
Already, there are 5 towers inside the reserve. "Together, the towers will help keep vigil over a larger area and help detect the movements of wild animals," said the official.
According to the official the new towers, built at the cost of `10 lakh, will be completed by end of March.
The 312 sq km Mudumalai tiger reserve is home to at least 40 tigers and nearly 900 Asian elephants besides a wide variety of wild life and vegetation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Two-more-watch-towers-at-Mudumalai-reserve/articleshow/7668190.cms
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