LUCKNOW: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) might release the report on effective management of the tiger reserves in the second week of May. The committees, which were set up to evaluate the five cluster of reserves have submitted their report to the ministry.
All 39 reserves of the country were clubbed according to region and state into five clusters. Dudhwa reserve along with Corbett (Uttarakhand), Ranthambhore, Sariska (Rajasthan) and Melghat, Pench, Tadoba-Andhari, Sahyadri (Maharashtra) were the cluster I reserves. Similarly, Bandhavgarh, Satpura, Kanha, Pench and Sanjay-Dubri (MP) formed the cluster II reserves.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in May 2010, had come up with "Management Effectiveness Evaluation" project. It had roped in wildlife experts, researchers, conservationists and activists to field visit all 39 reserves in the country and evaluate the effectiveness of their management plans.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-01/lucknow/29492942_1_tiger-reserves-national-tiger-conservation-authority-ntca
Monday, May 2, 2011
Tourist gypsies defy law, enter Tadoba tiger reserve TNN
CHANDRAPUR: Blatant violation of Motor Vehicle Act continued in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) as the forest authorities remained mute spectators to the entry of illegally plying tourist gypsies on Sunday morning. The extended deadline for gypsy operators to regularise their vehicles and seek tourist permit expired on Saturday. Despite this, they adamantly took gypsies into the tiger reserve.
The RTO squad made a surprise inspection at Moharli gate late in the morning but failed to catch any defaulting gypsies.
The role of TATR and RTO authorities here is under the scanner since January last after it came to fore that all the tourist gypsies are plying in violation of rules in Tadoba. All the 43 gypsies plying in TATR have no tourist permit. A bunch of them are registered in other states in violation of laws. After this entire malpractice was exposed by TOI in January, the TATR authorities issued warning to the gypsy operators and asked them to seek permit and regularise vehicles by February end. When they failed to comply with Road Traffic Department's norms in stipulated time, the compliance deadline was extended for two months which ended on Saturday. Meanwhile MP Hansraj Ahir too raised objections over this serious violation which puts the tigers and tourists both at the risk. He summoned a meeting with RTO and TATR officials and asked them to take action against the defaulter gypsy operators. Still the two departments remained lenient and took no action, but issued fresh warning and notices asking all the vehicle entering into tiger reserve to abide with MV Act were hanged at TATR entrance gates. Gypsy operators however remained adamant and did not obtain any tourist permit for their vehicles as the deadline expired on Saturday (April 30).
On Sunday, the gypsy operators took the tourists into the park defying the law, but TATR staffers posted at the gates made no attempt to check permits or other documents despite requests from RTO officials. TATR authorities have washed their hands off the affair and taken a stand that they have no authority to check documents or take action under Motor Vehicles Act on violating vehicles. A flying squad of RTO led by inspector TA Sapkal made a surprise inspection at Moharli gate of TATR, but by the time it reached the gate all the gypsies had returned park and moved away from the premises.
"None of the defaulter vehicle in TATR would be spared. We have issued challans to three private vehicles for carrying tourists without necessary permit enroute to Moharli, but none of the gypsy was seen when our squad reached Moharli gate. A formal letter has been issued to TATR head office, asking it to not allow any tourist vehicles without necessary permit from their gates," said Sapkal. He said that they have obtained records from gate office which said that 17 gypsies had entered the park from Moharli gate on Sunday morning. He held the owner of all 17 gypsies would be sent notices to produce valid documents and tourist permits at deputy RTO office's here. Sapkal claimed that RTO can cancel registration of the vehicle, suspend the driving licence of the driver of defaulter vehicle and impose a fine if found guilty of violating rules. He said that the flying squad of the department would frequently conduct surprise inspection at different gates of TATR to check the violation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tourist-gypsies-defy-law-enter-Tadoba-tiger-reserve/articleshow/8135258.cms
The RTO squad made a surprise inspection at Moharli gate late in the morning but failed to catch any defaulting gypsies.
The role of TATR and RTO authorities here is under the scanner since January last after it came to fore that all the tourist gypsies are plying in violation of rules in Tadoba. All the 43 gypsies plying in TATR have no tourist permit. A bunch of them are registered in other states in violation of laws. After this entire malpractice was exposed by TOI in January, the TATR authorities issued warning to the gypsy operators and asked them to seek permit and regularise vehicles by February end. When they failed to comply with Road Traffic Department's norms in stipulated time, the compliance deadline was extended for two months which ended on Saturday. Meanwhile MP Hansraj Ahir too raised objections over this serious violation which puts the tigers and tourists both at the risk. He summoned a meeting with RTO and TATR officials and asked them to take action against the defaulter gypsy operators. Still the two departments remained lenient and took no action, but issued fresh warning and notices asking all the vehicle entering into tiger reserve to abide with MV Act were hanged at TATR entrance gates. Gypsy operators however remained adamant and did not obtain any tourist permit for their vehicles as the deadline expired on Saturday (April 30).
On Sunday, the gypsy operators took the tourists into the park defying the law, but TATR staffers posted at the gates made no attempt to check permits or other documents despite requests from RTO officials. TATR authorities have washed their hands off the affair and taken a stand that they have no authority to check documents or take action under Motor Vehicles Act on violating vehicles. A flying squad of RTO led by inspector TA Sapkal made a surprise inspection at Moharli gate of TATR, but by the time it reached the gate all the gypsies had returned park and moved away from the premises.
"None of the defaulter vehicle in TATR would be spared. We have issued challans to three private vehicles for carrying tourists without necessary permit enroute to Moharli, but none of the gypsy was seen when our squad reached Moharli gate. A formal letter has been issued to TATR head office, asking it to not allow any tourist vehicles without necessary permit from their gates," said Sapkal. He said that they have obtained records from gate office which said that 17 gypsies had entered the park from Moharli gate on Sunday morning. He held the owner of all 17 gypsies would be sent notices to produce valid documents and tourist permits at deputy RTO office's here. Sapkal claimed that RTO can cancel registration of the vehicle, suspend the driving licence of the driver of defaulter vehicle and impose a fine if found guilty of violating rules. He said that the flying squad of the department would frequently conduct surprise inspection at different gates of TATR to check the violation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tourist-gypsies-defy-law-enter-Tadoba-tiger-reserve/articleshow/8135258.cms
Villagers claim sighting of three tigers in Tipeshwar
YAVATMAL: Though not officially confirmed, the villagers in the vicinity of Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal district have claimed to have sighted at least three tigers in the forest during the last one year. They have justified their claim on the basis of the 'kill case' parameters.
The recently concluded tiger census across the country has shown an appreciable increase in the tiger population. Though there was confirmation of one tiger in Yavatmal forest in the previous census report, this time it was found missing. The reason for the disappearance of tiger was stated as regular migration from one region to another.
Yavatmal district has two wildlife sanctuaries, namely, Tipeshwar and Painganga. Tipeshwar sanctuary is spread over 1,300 square kilometre area of which 1,000 sq km come under Pattan range while the remaining 300 sq km is in Parwa range.
Though no tiger was spotted during the last one year, the forest officials have claimed to have kept a close watch on the wildlife and their movement in the region.
As per norms, the survey is conducted every year in the sanctuary while once in four years in the adjoining jungles. In the recent past, the movement of wildlife was seen through latest cameras. However, this arrangement is not made available in Tipeshwar sanctuary and the forest officials adopt traditional methods such as pug marks and excreta. They also take into account the 'kill cases' to conclude the nature and size of animals.
In Painganga sanctuary, there are panthers and other comparatively less fierce animals but nobody claimed to have spotted tigers there. The presence of these wild animals is also identified with their preys/hunts.
Villagers in the vicinity of Tipeshwar claimed to have sighted tiger in the forest. Pavan Patil saw a tiger drinking water near a hand pump in his village.
When contacted, deputy conservator of forest Sudhakar Dhole said that Tipeshwar sanctuary comes under the jurisdiction of the wildlife department. He has claimed to have undergone special training for identification of tigers a couple of years ago and said the presence of tigers can easily be determined by way of analysing the method of 'kill case' and the claim of three tigers in Tipeshwar cannot be ruled out as the villagers have confirmed having seen the tigers.
"It is the need of the hour to go for a thorough survey in Tipeshwar and Painganga wildlife sanctuaries to find out the veracity of the claim of sighting three tigers," chief conservator of forest Devendra Kumar said, adding that wild animals like tigers and panthers frequently change their habitat.
However, both Dhole and Devendra Kumar did not deny the claim of the presence of three tigers in Tipeshwar.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-30/nagpur/29490471_1_tiger-census-tiger-population-three-tigers
The recently concluded tiger census across the country has shown an appreciable increase in the tiger population. Though there was confirmation of one tiger in Yavatmal forest in the previous census report, this time it was found missing. The reason for the disappearance of tiger was stated as regular migration from one region to another.
Yavatmal district has two wildlife sanctuaries, namely, Tipeshwar and Painganga. Tipeshwar sanctuary is spread over 1,300 square kilometre area of which 1,000 sq km come under Pattan range while the remaining 300 sq km is in Parwa range.
Though no tiger was spotted during the last one year, the forest officials have claimed to have kept a close watch on the wildlife and their movement in the region.
As per norms, the survey is conducted every year in the sanctuary while once in four years in the adjoining jungles. In the recent past, the movement of wildlife was seen through latest cameras. However, this arrangement is not made available in Tipeshwar sanctuary and the forest officials adopt traditional methods such as pug marks and excreta. They also take into account the 'kill cases' to conclude the nature and size of animals.
In Painganga sanctuary, there are panthers and other comparatively less fierce animals but nobody claimed to have spotted tigers there. The presence of these wild animals is also identified with their preys/hunts.
Villagers in the vicinity of Tipeshwar claimed to have sighted tiger in the forest. Pavan Patil saw a tiger drinking water near a hand pump in his village.
When contacted, deputy conservator of forest Sudhakar Dhole said that Tipeshwar sanctuary comes under the jurisdiction of the wildlife department. He has claimed to have undergone special training for identification of tigers a couple of years ago and said the presence of tigers can easily be determined by way of analysing the method of 'kill case' and the claim of three tigers in Tipeshwar cannot be ruled out as the villagers have confirmed having seen the tigers.
"It is the need of the hour to go for a thorough survey in Tipeshwar and Painganga wildlife sanctuaries to find out the veracity of the claim of sighting three tigers," chief conservator of forest Devendra Kumar said, adding that wild animals like tigers and panthers frequently change their habitat.
However, both Dhole and Devendra Kumar did not deny the claim of the presence of three tigers in Tipeshwar.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-30/nagpur/29490471_1_tiger-census-tiger-population-three-tigers
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