Expressing hope that the number of tigers in the country has increased, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh today said that the census of the big cats would be made public on March 28.
“Tiger census is being released to the people...to the nation on Monday, March 28. This was the most comprehensive and scientifically conducted census exercise,” the Minister told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
“I have no inside information. I can’t promise anything. I hope we will have good news,” the Minister said when asked about the nature of revelations that will be made.
He, however, expressed hope that the tiger population in the country turns out to be more than the existing figure of 1,411 after the results of the census exercise are out.
The census was carried out by installing cameras at strategic points like water bodies in the forests, as also in 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 wildlife sanctuaries - in 19 States across the country.
According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Locals in Bandipur spark off fires in tiger reserves: officials Published: Bosky Khanna, DNA
Several cases of forest fire have been reported in Bandipur and Nagarhole tiger reserves and, in most cases, it has been the locals — tribals and villagers —who have been behind this.
In a recent case at Bandipur’s Gopalaswamy Betta range, about two acres were gutted under ground fire.
According to Bandipur Tiger Reserve’s deputy conservator of forests (DCF), KT Hanumanthappa, it happened near a camp and the staffers were just in time to control it. He also revealed that two persons have been arrested in this connection, and search is on for four others.
Nagarhole Tiger Reserve also faces a similar situation. DCF Vijay Ranjan Singh said that there have been about seven cases of forest fire in Mettikuppe range and the last one occurred on March 19. He pointed out that the range is fire-prone as several tribals and locals are in the vicinity.
“Since the area is also dry, it is more vulnerable to fire, when compared to Nagarhole and DB Kuppe ranges,” he said. He also said thatseveral locals have been booked for setting forest fires, this year.
A forest official shared the reason for this mishap. “Last year, there was a dispute with respect to the fire-fighting wages. Since it was not in the favour of some locals, they try to seek vengeance by damaging the forest,” he said.
The other reason is the belief of locals that setting the forest on fire may give way to fresh blades of grass that is good for cattle-grazing.
Some ranges are targeted because of the effective setting up of trenches, to restrict elephant movements and also the movement of cattle inside the forest.
The department has been dousing fire by creating fire lines, undertaking controlled burning, beating the fire with bushes, and even throwing water. Locals are also being hired to ensure that they are employed and do not indulge in illegal practices.
There were several awareness camps to educate them. A helpline has also been set up for reporting fire incidents to the department.
Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) BK Singh said that the department has been taking all precautionary measures to ensure that there is no harm done to forests.
In all cases of forest fire, there have been no destruction of wildlife. The measures are also being strengthened to keep a tab on the locals.“We are now praying for early rains to help in making the work easy. However, patrolling has been intensified and additional staff has been deployed to manage the forests,” he said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_locals-in-bandipur-spark-off-fires-in-tiger-reserves-officials_1523138
In a recent case at Bandipur’s Gopalaswamy Betta range, about two acres were gutted under ground fire.
According to Bandipur Tiger Reserve’s deputy conservator of forests (DCF), KT Hanumanthappa, it happened near a camp and the staffers were just in time to control it. He also revealed that two persons have been arrested in this connection, and search is on for four others.
Nagarhole Tiger Reserve also faces a similar situation. DCF Vijay Ranjan Singh said that there have been about seven cases of forest fire in Mettikuppe range and the last one occurred on March 19. He pointed out that the range is fire-prone as several tribals and locals are in the vicinity.
“Since the area is also dry, it is more vulnerable to fire, when compared to Nagarhole and DB Kuppe ranges,” he said. He also said thatseveral locals have been booked for setting forest fires, this year.
A forest official shared the reason for this mishap. “Last year, there was a dispute with respect to the fire-fighting wages. Since it was not in the favour of some locals, they try to seek vengeance by damaging the forest,” he said.
The other reason is the belief of locals that setting the forest on fire may give way to fresh blades of grass that is good for cattle-grazing.
Some ranges are targeted because of the effective setting up of trenches, to restrict elephant movements and also the movement of cattle inside the forest.
The department has been dousing fire by creating fire lines, undertaking controlled burning, beating the fire with bushes, and even throwing water. Locals are also being hired to ensure that they are employed and do not indulge in illegal practices.
There were several awareness camps to educate them. A helpline has also been set up for reporting fire incidents to the department.
Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) BK Singh said that the department has been taking all precautionary measures to ensure that there is no harm done to forests.
In all cases of forest fire, there have been no destruction of wildlife. The measures are also being strengthened to keep a tab on the locals.“We are now praying for early rains to help in making the work easy. However, patrolling has been intensified and additional staff has been deployed to manage the forests,” he said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_locals-in-bandipur-spark-off-fires-in-tiger-reserves-officials_1523138
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