KOLKATA: Two fishermen fell victim to tiger attacks on two consecutive days after they had illegally sneaked into Netidhopani island, the core area of Sundarbans tiger habitat where fishing without permit is prohibited. One fisherman fell victim on Tuesday evening and the other on Wednesday morning, when a 15-member team had gone to the island in search of the body of the first victim.
A group of four from Gosaba's Satyanarayanpur village in Balli had gone fishing near Netidhopani. They were busy hanging their fishing nets on a tree when suddenly a tiger jumped on Subal Sardar. Sardar fell on the ground, thick with muck. The big cat then dragged Sardar away into the deep forest. The entire incident reportedly took place within a few seconds, before anybody could realise anything. Team members Monoranjan Jana, Srinath and Swarup carried out an abortive search for the next 45 minutes.
They then went back to their village to leave the next day for Netidhopani with renewed strength. Monoranjan, Srinath and Swarup left early on Wednesday with 12 more fishermen to look for the body. When they reached the island, it was dawn. They started looking for the blood-trail. They reached a spot where they thought the body of Subal could be found.
Suddenly they heard a scream and saw that a tiger had jumped on Monoranjan. The right paw had struck the head. Other fishermen raised an alarm. The noise startled the tiger. He loosened his grip over Monoranjan and jumped on another man.
Before anybody realised, he had been taken away by the tiger, said Swarup.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Tiger-attack-kills-two-in-Sunderbans/articleshow/7894507.cms
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Bijnore tigers left out of Census 2011? Neha Shukla, TNN
LUCKNOW: The latest edition of tiger census has started getting fingers raised at it. The UP forest department has conveyed its dis-satisfaction over the count of tigers in the state to the concerned authorities, as the 2011 census has missed out on Bijnore landscape that makes tigers in UP "under-assessed".
"It is surprising that Bijnore landscape has not found a mention," said BK Patnaik, Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW), UP. The last tiger census had shown Bijnore forests with an area of 221 sq km having a small population of tigers. The 2011 census, however, has said nothing about tigers present in Bijnore.
As per the 2008 census report, 3-4 tigers were present in Bijnore. This time around, 112 tigers are shown present in Dudhwa-Kheri-Pilibhit-Katarniaghat, 5 in Suhelwa and 1 in Sohagibarwa taking the total number of tigers in the state to 118 sans Bijnore.
When asked about the possibility of Bijnore having no tigers, CWW said, "The area has tiger signs and it was established in the first phase."
Besides, there have been cattle-lifting incidents reported from the area.
Bijnore, more or less has a dispersing population of tigers from Corbett Tiger Reserve. In UP, major population is constituted by Dudhwa tiger reserve, Kishenpur wildlife sanctuary, Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary, Pilibhit forests, North and South Kheri forest divisions.
The two smaller eastern populations are in Suhelwa wildlife sanctuary and Sohagibarwa wildlife sanctuary and a smaller population in west is in Bijnore. The fact that tiger occupancy area has increased in the state does not make it believable that Bijnore has no tigers. UP has a total forest area of 14341 sq km. In 2008 report, 2766 sq km was shown as tiger occupied area and in 2011 report, tiger occupied area increased to 2948 sq km. The trends of population growth have been shown stable.
When forest department brought up the issue with the census authorities, they said that they will include the landscape and tigers present in fourth phase, which will be for area-wise estimation. The tiger estimation exercise is being undertaken every four years since 2006. The 2010 exercise was carried out between December 2009 and December 2010.
The exercise was done in three phases, field data collected at the beat level (beat is a primary patrolling area), analysis of habitat status of tiger forests using satellite data and camera trapping where individual tigers were identified from photographs based on their unique stripe patterns. The data is collected for sampled (representative) sites and the information is extrapolated.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Bijnore-tigers-left-out-of-Census-2011/articleshow/7888473.cms
"It is surprising that Bijnore landscape has not found a mention," said BK Patnaik, Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW), UP. The last tiger census had shown Bijnore forests with an area of 221 sq km having a small population of tigers. The 2011 census, however, has said nothing about tigers present in Bijnore.
As per the 2008 census report, 3-4 tigers were present in Bijnore. This time around, 112 tigers are shown present in Dudhwa-Kheri-Pilibhit-Katarniaghat, 5 in Suhelwa and 1 in Sohagibarwa taking the total number of tigers in the state to 118 sans Bijnore.
When asked about the possibility of Bijnore having no tigers, CWW said, "The area has tiger signs and it was established in the first phase."
Besides, there have been cattle-lifting incidents reported from the area.
Bijnore, more or less has a dispersing population of tigers from Corbett Tiger Reserve. In UP, major population is constituted by Dudhwa tiger reserve, Kishenpur wildlife sanctuary, Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary, Pilibhit forests, North and South Kheri forest divisions.
The two smaller eastern populations are in Suhelwa wildlife sanctuary and Sohagibarwa wildlife sanctuary and a smaller population in west is in Bijnore. The fact that tiger occupancy area has increased in the state does not make it believable that Bijnore has no tigers. UP has a total forest area of 14341 sq km. In 2008 report, 2766 sq km was shown as tiger occupied area and in 2011 report, tiger occupied area increased to 2948 sq km. The trends of population growth have been shown stable.
When forest department brought up the issue with the census authorities, they said that they will include the landscape and tigers present in fourth phase, which will be for area-wise estimation. The tiger estimation exercise is being undertaken every four years since 2006. The 2010 exercise was carried out between December 2009 and December 2010.
The exercise was done in three phases, field data collected at the beat level (beat is a primary patrolling area), analysis of habitat status of tiger forests using satellite data and camera trapping where individual tigers were identified from photographs based on their unique stripe patterns. The data is collected for sampled (representative) sites and the information is extrapolated.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Bijnore-tigers-left-out-of-Census-2011/articleshow/7888473.cms
Fire engulfs Tadoba tiger reserve
A devastating forest fire is raging in the famous Tadoba tiger project in Chandrapur district (eastern Maharashtra), some 180 kms from Nagpur and has engulfed vast areas threatening the rich flora and fauna in the sprawling forest. According to reports reaching Nagpur on Tuesday, the fire broke out
in Moharli forest area, adjacent to Tadoba tiger reserve on Monday evening and spread 10 kms across the reserve. Over 200 forest personnel are battling to extinguish the fire, reports added.
Ravikiran Gohekar, acting in-charge of the project, said that there was no need to be alarmed.
"The forest fire in Tadoba during summer is an annual phenomenon," he added.
In fact, the fire broke out in Tadoba’s border areas and now the wildlife wing is monitoring it, Gohekar said. The forest areas affected are Sitarampeth and Mudholi forest region of the area.
Spread over 625.40 sq kms, Tadoba-Andhari is one of the oldest national parks in the country that was upgraded as tiger reserve in 1995.
It has some of the best of forest tracks endowed with rich biodiversity.
Apart from approximately 69 tigers, it is home to rare Indian wildlife animals like leopards (28), wild dogs (1758), wild boars (195), sloth bears (165), bisons (1052), deer (2039) and others.
Moreover, Tadoba is also an ornithologist’s paradise with a varied diversity of aquatic birdlife and raptors.
Tadoba tiger reserve is renowned for its rich natural habitat and is one of the oldest national parks of the country. The reserve is also credited of being one of the best-managed wildlife projects in the country that led to an increase the tiger population from 42 to 69 as per the latest tiger census. It was said that as many as 28 tiger cubs were born in Tadoba-Andheri tiger reserve in 2010.
However, sources said that the fire is man-made and triggered by people within the reserve, with ulterior motives -- illegal collection of forest produce like tendu leaf, mahua, firewood, timber and even poaching. The fire then spreads across the forest.
While wild animals including big cats, bison, deer and sambar escape the fire by moving to new areas, reptiles die and many valuable trees and medicinal plants are destroyed. The loss could not be ascertained as the forest officials were busy in controlling the fire.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Fire-engulfs-Tadoba-tiger-reserve/Article1-681574.aspx
in Moharli forest area, adjacent to Tadoba tiger reserve on Monday evening and spread 10 kms across the reserve. Over 200 forest personnel are battling to extinguish the fire, reports added.
Ravikiran Gohekar, acting in-charge of the project, said that there was no need to be alarmed.
"The forest fire in Tadoba during summer is an annual phenomenon," he added.
In fact, the fire broke out in Tadoba’s border areas and now the wildlife wing is monitoring it, Gohekar said. The forest areas affected are Sitarampeth and Mudholi forest region of the area.
Spread over 625.40 sq kms, Tadoba-Andhari is one of the oldest national parks in the country that was upgraded as tiger reserve in 1995.
It has some of the best of forest tracks endowed with rich biodiversity.
Apart from approximately 69 tigers, it is home to rare Indian wildlife animals like leopards (28), wild dogs (1758), wild boars (195), sloth bears (165), bisons (1052), deer (2039) and others.
Moreover, Tadoba is also an ornithologist’s paradise with a varied diversity of aquatic birdlife and raptors.
Tadoba tiger reserve is renowned for its rich natural habitat and is one of the oldest national parks of the country. The reserve is also credited of being one of the best-managed wildlife projects in the country that led to an increase the tiger population from 42 to 69 as per the latest tiger census. It was said that as many as 28 tiger cubs were born in Tadoba-Andheri tiger reserve in 2010.
However, sources said that the fire is man-made and triggered by people within the reserve, with ulterior motives -- illegal collection of forest produce like tendu leaf, mahua, firewood, timber and even poaching. The fire then spreads across the forest.
While wild animals including big cats, bison, deer and sambar escape the fire by moving to new areas, reptiles die and many valuable trees and medicinal plants are destroyed. The loss could not be ascertained as the forest officials were busy in controlling the fire.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Fire-engulfs-Tadoba-tiger-reserve/Article1-681574.aspx
Expert against Nagzira curtailment Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: The state wildlife department's move to curtail proposed Nagzira-Navegaon tiger reserve area by confining it to its present core has been opposed by leading conservationist and chairman of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) M K Ranjitsinh.
Based on the TOI report on the issue on March 15, Ranjitsinh has written to minister for environment and forest Jairam Ramesh about the government's plan. "I personally feel the present alignment of the proposed tiger reserve and especially the core areas, will not enhance conservation status of this very fine habitat. One should not accept such truncated and unviable areas as tiger reserves," said Ranjitsinh.
Just giving the title of a tiger reserve while doing nothing on the field to enhance viability and the conservation capacity of the existing areas is tantamount to self-deception and will create apprehensions and opposition amongst the neighbouring communities without achieving conservation goals, Ranjitsinh said.
He pointed out that in case of Nagzira-Navegaon, the situation is further compounded by the fact that there will be two small, separate existing protected areas, separated by almost 40 km of forest whose status will only be 'buffer', which has no real legal stature.
The WTI chief has urged Ramesh to settle for nothing less than 400 sq km reserve proposal. It should include original Nagzira area of 153 sq km, plus the previously proposed 155 sq km comprising reserve forests of Umarzari with Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), Bhandara, and the area with Gondia Forest Division, besides existing Navegaon National Park of 133 sq km.
"You will recall that I had drawn your attention to the proposed exclusion of certain crucial forests in the declaration of the long overdue Mansingdeo sanctuary. Your very prompt intervention saved the situation and the conservation community is grateful for it," Ranjitsinh reminded Ramesh. He added that a similar situation seemed to have emerged again in Maharashtra. The state was going back on an earlier understanding on its part.
In September 2009, Ramesh had written to chief minister asking him to declare Navegaon-Nagzira a tiger reserve. On this basis, a proposal was prepared. It would have included 153 sq km of existing Nagzira sanctuary, plus an additional 155 sq km comprising 126 sq km area of FDCM, 27 sq km of Gondia forest division and 133 sq km of existing Navegaon Park. "I've been trying to upgrade Navegaon and Nagzira and corridor between these two PAs since 1985," Ranjitsinh said.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) norms state that an inviolate space of 800-1000 sq km was needed to ensure viable populations of tigers and other wild animals (co-predators, prey and forest), thereby ensuring ecological viability of the entire habitat.
Wildlife wing officials admitted that Section 38V of the amended Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972 stated that core area of the sanctuary could be a tiger reserve and hence the adjoining areas of both the PAs would be in tiger reserve's buffer.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Expert-against-Nagzira-curtailment/articleshow/7890106.cms
Based on the TOI report on the issue on March 15, Ranjitsinh has written to minister for environment and forest Jairam Ramesh about the government's plan. "I personally feel the present alignment of the proposed tiger reserve and especially the core areas, will not enhance conservation status of this very fine habitat. One should not accept such truncated and unviable areas as tiger reserves," said Ranjitsinh.
Just giving the title of a tiger reserve while doing nothing on the field to enhance viability and the conservation capacity of the existing areas is tantamount to self-deception and will create apprehensions and opposition amongst the neighbouring communities without achieving conservation goals, Ranjitsinh said.
He pointed out that in case of Nagzira-Navegaon, the situation is further compounded by the fact that there will be two small, separate existing protected areas, separated by almost 40 km of forest whose status will only be 'buffer', which has no real legal stature.
The WTI chief has urged Ramesh to settle for nothing less than 400 sq km reserve proposal. It should include original Nagzira area of 153 sq km, plus the previously proposed 155 sq km comprising reserve forests of Umarzari with Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), Bhandara, and the area with Gondia Forest Division, besides existing Navegaon National Park of 133 sq km.
"You will recall that I had drawn your attention to the proposed exclusion of certain crucial forests in the declaration of the long overdue Mansingdeo sanctuary. Your very prompt intervention saved the situation and the conservation community is grateful for it," Ranjitsinh reminded Ramesh. He added that a similar situation seemed to have emerged again in Maharashtra. The state was going back on an earlier understanding on its part.
In September 2009, Ramesh had written to chief minister asking him to declare Navegaon-Nagzira a tiger reserve. On this basis, a proposal was prepared. It would have included 153 sq km of existing Nagzira sanctuary, plus an additional 155 sq km comprising 126 sq km area of FDCM, 27 sq km of Gondia forest division and 133 sq km of existing Navegaon Park. "I've been trying to upgrade Navegaon and Nagzira and corridor between these two PAs since 1985," Ranjitsinh said.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) norms state that an inviolate space of 800-1000 sq km was needed to ensure viable populations of tigers and other wild animals (co-predators, prey and forest), thereby ensuring ecological viability of the entire habitat.
Wildlife wing officials admitted that Section 38V of the amended Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972 stated that core area of the sanctuary could be a tiger reserve and hence the adjoining areas of both the PAs would be in tiger reserve's buffer.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Expert-against-Nagzira-curtailment/articleshow/7890106.cms
SC refuses to grant relief in NH7 four-laning along Pench Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
Tags:Pench Tiger Reserve|Four-Laning Of NH7
NAGPUR: The Supreme Court has refused to grant any relief in the four-laning of NH7 along the Pench Tiger Reserve but has granted liberty to the petitioner to approach authorities under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972 and put fresh proposals for their consideration.
The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), a NGO working for tiger and wildlife conservation, in 2008 had moved the centrally empowered committee (CEC) of the apex court seeking a ban on National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) move to upgrade NH7 from two-lane to four-six lane on the periphery of Pench-Mowgli Sanctuary in Seoni district. The NGO has alleged that the project will take toll on wildlife and reverse efforts to save big cats and its ecosphere.
In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court failed to give relief on CEC recommendation for intervention. "For the present, we are not inclined to consider and grant any relief. However, we grant liberty to the applicant as well as to the government to approach the authorities under the WPA, and put fresh proposals. These proposals should be considered by the authorities on own merits," the court said. It ruled further that the proposals, if any, to be submitted may be considered as expeditiously as possible in view of the importance of the issue involved.
The fate of highway widening from Seoni in Madhya Pradesh to Mansar near Ramtek in Maharashtra hangs in balance as it cuts tiger corridor between Pench-Kanha-Nagzira-Indravati-Tadoba.
On Maharashtra side, the proposed four-laning in the 39-km patch from Deolapar to Mansar will cut through newly declared Mansinghdeo Sanctuary compartment No. 591 (Chorbahuli) and 495 and 496 between Paoni and Manegaon on the left side from Nagpur to Jabalpur. The existing width of the road is 17 metres and NHAI plans to widen it to 60 metres. Besides, the four-laning will break the corridor contiguity with compartment number 581, 582, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591 and 592 and also affect continuity of compartments 480, 481 and 485 in Block 'B' and 'C' of Mansinghdeo.
Experts feel that after the Supreme Court orders, the NHAI will have to revise the proposal and now seek permission from the National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) headed by prime minister Manmohan Singh. "When the court has said that the issue should be decided on merit, it will not be easy for the NHAI to push for the four-laning," said conservationists.
"Proposal for diversion of sanctuary land for any developmental project can be considered only by the NBWL. Nagpur-Seoni is 125 kms, of which 65km is forest area with rich wildlife," they stressed.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has already submitted that under no circumstances should the road be widened. It will lead to destruction of 22,482 trees in the area proposed for diversion on Maharashtra side alone. If implemented, it will damage tiger habitat and its corridors, the NTCA stated.
Experts suggested alternative route from Nagpur-Saoner-Chhindwara-Seoni to save two tiger reserves but this is not acceptable to the NHAI.
Loss to Maharashtra:
As far as four-laning of 39-km patch from Deolapar-Mansar in Nagpur district is concerned, the then chief conservator of forests (CCF) of Nagpur circle, SWH Naqvi, on September 29, 2007 in his site inspection report had submitted that road expansion will prove detrimental to wildlife as there is presence of animals like tiger, leopards, chitals, sambars, barking deer in the patch. The proposed patch from 652km to 689km, will destroy 112.620 hectare reserved (102.1594ha), protected (7.2739ha), zudpi (3.2069ha) forest area and also part of Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM). The road widening would also destroy 22,482 trees.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/SC-refuses-to-grant-relief-in-NH7-four-laning-along-Pench/articleshow/7875954.cms
NAGPUR: The Supreme Court has refused to grant any relief in the four-laning of NH7 along the Pench Tiger Reserve but has granted liberty to the petitioner to approach authorities under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972 and put fresh proposals for their consideration.
The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), a NGO working for tiger and wildlife conservation, in 2008 had moved the centrally empowered committee (CEC) of the apex court seeking a ban on National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) move to upgrade NH7 from two-lane to four-six lane on the periphery of Pench-Mowgli Sanctuary in Seoni district. The NGO has alleged that the project will take toll on wildlife and reverse efforts to save big cats and its ecosphere.
In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court failed to give relief on CEC recommendation for intervention. "For the present, we are not inclined to consider and grant any relief. However, we grant liberty to the applicant as well as to the government to approach the authorities under the WPA, and put fresh proposals. These proposals should be considered by the authorities on own merits," the court said. It ruled further that the proposals, if any, to be submitted may be considered as expeditiously as possible in view of the importance of the issue involved.
The fate of highway widening from Seoni in Madhya Pradesh to Mansar near Ramtek in Maharashtra hangs in balance as it cuts tiger corridor between Pench-Kanha-Nagzira-Indravati-Tadoba.
On Maharashtra side, the proposed four-laning in the 39-km patch from Deolapar to Mansar will cut through newly declared Mansinghdeo Sanctuary compartment No. 591 (Chorbahuli) and 495 and 496 between Paoni and Manegaon on the left side from Nagpur to Jabalpur. The existing width of the road is 17 metres and NHAI plans to widen it to 60 metres. Besides, the four-laning will break the corridor contiguity with compartment number 581, 582, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591 and 592 and also affect continuity of compartments 480, 481 and 485 in Block 'B' and 'C' of Mansinghdeo.
Experts feel that after the Supreme Court orders, the NHAI will have to revise the proposal and now seek permission from the National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) headed by prime minister Manmohan Singh. "When the court has said that the issue should be decided on merit, it will not be easy for the NHAI to push for the four-laning," said conservationists.
"Proposal for diversion of sanctuary land for any developmental project can be considered only by the NBWL. Nagpur-Seoni is 125 kms, of which 65km is forest area with rich wildlife," they stressed.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has already submitted that under no circumstances should the road be widened. It will lead to destruction of 22,482 trees in the area proposed for diversion on Maharashtra side alone. If implemented, it will damage tiger habitat and its corridors, the NTCA stated.
Experts suggested alternative route from Nagpur-Saoner-Chhindwara-Seoni to save two tiger reserves but this is not acceptable to the NHAI.
Loss to Maharashtra:
As far as four-laning of 39-km patch from Deolapar-Mansar in Nagpur district is concerned, the then chief conservator of forests (CCF) of Nagpur circle, SWH Naqvi, on September 29, 2007 in his site inspection report had submitted that road expansion will prove detrimental to wildlife as there is presence of animals like tiger, leopards, chitals, sambars, barking deer in the patch. The proposed patch from 652km to 689km, will destroy 112.620 hectare reserved (102.1594ha), protected (7.2739ha), zudpi (3.2069ha) forest area and also part of Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM). The road widening would also destroy 22,482 trees.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/SC-refuses-to-grant-relief-in-NH7-four-laning-along-Pench/articleshow/7875954.cms
JCB near Bor sanctuary raises eyebrows Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: At a time when the 62 sq km Bor Wildlife Sanctuary, some 60km from Nagpur in Wardha district, is on the verge of becoming a tiger reserve, disturbance to wildlife due to the movement of heavy construction machinery close to the sanctuary has raised eyebrows.
On Sunday, Nagpur-based NK Nagpal, owner of private land outside the sanctuary, had deployed a JCB to level the land. Nagpal's seven-acre plot is situated in khasra number 52 and is a few metres away from the Bor entry gate. It is surrounded by rich forest on all sides and there is good presence of wildlife.
There is tiger movement in this area all round the year. Besides, three sub-adult tiger cubs, captured from Dhaba in Chandrapur district, have also been kept at Bor. The place where the cubs have been kept is close to the said land, said forest officials, adding that deployment of JCB is disturbing wildlife.
Nagpal also plans to dig a bore-well in the future, which may again create disturbance.
Bor officials apprehend that Nagpal is planning to come up with a resort under the guise of cultivation. Similar attempt to take up construction activity on the same land was opposed by the then chief conservator of forest (CCF), Nagpur Wildlife Circle, Nandkishore, two years ago. He had stopped the activity at that time.
However, Nagpal denies any plans to develop a resort in the area. "Even if I plan to construct a resort in future, prior permission of the wildlife department will be taken. It's a farm land since 1895 and I want to cultivate it. Wildlife officials are not allowing me to use the main road connecting the sanctuary," Nagpal complains.
He claims to have sought permission from Praveen Chouhan, deputy conservator of forests (DyCF), Wardha division, who says that the road belongs to the government and anyone can use it.
Chouhan told TOI, "It's true that I've issued a letter to Nagpal, but nowhere does it mention that he can take up any construction activity. No activity other than agriculture will be allowed. If the land owner wants, he can move the court or seek police help in case of a dispute."
Bor range forest officer (RFO) CS Reddy is reluctant to stop the work since it is on private land. "I'm looking into the ruling in the TN Godavarman vs Union of India case, which states that any area covered by forests and wildlife from all sides is a deemed forest," said Reddy.
The controversial land is virtually a forest, considering its wildlife richness. In 1997, original owner Shankararao Kirde had written to the forest department to acquire the land and pay him compensation. As the department failed to acquire the said land, it was sold.
Conservationists say even if it is private land any construction activity in future will prove disastrous for wildlife. The land was lying abandoned for long as there is hardly any crop yield due to damage by wild animals.
"We have asked Nagpal to sell the land as no construction will be permitted on the land," Reddy says.
In the latest estimation of tigers by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), there are 12 tigers in Bor and its landscape of 560 sq km. Any activity near the sanctuary will be detrimental for wildlife.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/JCB-near-Bor-sanctuary-raises-eyebrows/articleshow/7875964.cms
On Sunday, Nagpur-based NK Nagpal, owner of private land outside the sanctuary, had deployed a JCB to level the land. Nagpal's seven-acre plot is situated in khasra number 52 and is a few metres away from the Bor entry gate. It is surrounded by rich forest on all sides and there is good presence of wildlife.
There is tiger movement in this area all round the year. Besides, three sub-adult tiger cubs, captured from Dhaba in Chandrapur district, have also been kept at Bor. The place where the cubs have been kept is close to the said land, said forest officials, adding that deployment of JCB is disturbing wildlife.
Nagpal also plans to dig a bore-well in the future, which may again create disturbance.
Bor officials apprehend that Nagpal is planning to come up with a resort under the guise of cultivation. Similar attempt to take up construction activity on the same land was opposed by the then chief conservator of forest (CCF), Nagpur Wildlife Circle, Nandkishore, two years ago. He had stopped the activity at that time.
However, Nagpal denies any plans to develop a resort in the area. "Even if I plan to construct a resort in future, prior permission of the wildlife department will be taken. It's a farm land since 1895 and I want to cultivate it. Wildlife officials are not allowing me to use the main road connecting the sanctuary," Nagpal complains.
He claims to have sought permission from Praveen Chouhan, deputy conservator of forests (DyCF), Wardha division, who says that the road belongs to the government and anyone can use it.
Chouhan told TOI, "It's true that I've issued a letter to Nagpal, but nowhere does it mention that he can take up any construction activity. No activity other than agriculture will be allowed. If the land owner wants, he can move the court or seek police help in case of a dispute."
Bor range forest officer (RFO) CS Reddy is reluctant to stop the work since it is on private land. "I'm looking into the ruling in the TN Godavarman vs Union of India case, which states that any area covered by forests and wildlife from all sides is a deemed forest," said Reddy.
The controversial land is virtually a forest, considering its wildlife richness. In 1997, original owner Shankararao Kirde had written to the forest department to acquire the land and pay him compensation. As the department failed to acquire the said land, it was sold.
Conservationists say even if it is private land any construction activity in future will prove disastrous for wildlife. The land was lying abandoned for long as there is hardly any crop yield due to damage by wild animals.
"We have asked Nagpal to sell the land as no construction will be permitted on the land," Reddy says.
In the latest estimation of tigers by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), there are 12 tigers in Bor and its landscape of 560 sq km. Any activity near the sanctuary will be detrimental for wildlife.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/JCB-near-Bor-sanctuary-raises-eyebrows/articleshow/7875964.cms
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