Tiger kills man

PTI | 03:12 PM,Dec 12,2011 Bahraich (UP), Dec 12 (PTI) A 50-year-old man was killed when he was attacked by a tiger at Bagulahia farm in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary here, officials said today. Mahant Yadav went to the forest area yesterday to get some fodder when he was attacked by the animal, they said adding he died instantly. According to figures provided by the Forest department, 12 people have been killed in attacks by leopards and tigers in the region. PTI CORR ABN SG

‘Rajaji National Park should be made a tiger park'

SUNDAY, 11 DECEMBER 2011 22:45 PARITOSH KIMOTHI | DEHRADUN HITS: 105 The Rajaji National Park should be made a tiger park considering the rising big cat population and the fact that a thriving prey base and healthy environment makes it an ideal habitat for both predators and herbivores. The World Bank programme director for the Global Tiger Initiative (GTI), Keshav Varma said this while talking to The Pioneer on the sidelines of the international conference on eco-engineering for connecting wildlife corridors. Though the Corbett National Park is famous for its high density of tiger population, the population of big cats has also been rising in Rajaji which is known for elephants. According to Varma, the tiger population in Rajaji has increased from about 3.2 per 100 sq km to 6 per 100 sq km. In addition to tigers, there are more than 200 leopards in this national park which is due to the rich prey base here. “There are 72 ungulate species per sq km in Rajaji which can sustain a healthy population of predators. The tiger is also a politically important animal in India so it is easier to elicit focus and efforts for tiger conservation, which in turn will benefit all wildlife. The biotic pressure faced here will increase further in the future considering which it is important to make Rajaji a tiger park”, stressed Varma. He further said that the GTI could talk to the National Tiger Conservation Authority in this regard and also assist in facilitation of capacity building and training if the national park is made a tiger park. Focus on this issue will also facilitate the movement of tigers and elephants between Corbett and Rajaji, he added. http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/dehradun/27105-rajaji-national-park-should-be-made-a-tiger-park.html

Magisterial probe ordered into Bandhavgarh row

TNN | Dec 13, 2011, 05.29AM IST BHOPAL: A magisterial inquiry has been ordered on Monday into the causes of commotion at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Umaria two days ago during a religious gathering. The park field director has been booked on criminal charges and for allegedly hurting the sentiments of dalits. Additional district magistrate Ashkrit Tiwari told The TOI that Manpur area sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Mangal Singh Marabi has been entrusted with the probe and he has been asked to complete the inquiry within a month. A case has been registered against field director C K Patil on the charge of obscene acts, disturbing religious gathering and defamation and relevant sections of scheduled castes and tribes (prevention of atrocities) act 1989 on the complaint of former MP Public Works Department Minister Babulal Malviya, police said. "We are investigating the matter. Arrest of Patil is possible only after a detailed probe, superintendent of police Manohar Singh Jhamara said. According to complaint lodged with Police, Patil allegedly misbehaved with Kabir Panthi sect's renowned Seer Prakash Muni Naam Saheb and made casteist remarks against him on December 10. The seer was the state guest and had come to take part in the religious programme of faithfuls at Bandhavgarh where there is a "Kabir cave" near a fort. Patil asked the members of the congregation not to photograph the area and also avoid using the pond in the reserve. After the field director had a spat with Kabir Panth Seer, more than 14,000 faithful lost their cool but swift action by police and revenue officials calmed their tempers. On behalf of Patil, the officials reportedly apologized to the member of Kabir sect so as to ensure no untoward incident take place. When contacted over phone, Patil denied having misbehaved or passed any caste based remarks. "I only requested the seer to descend from the fort on the hilltop so that his 7000-odd disciples follow him before 5 pm," he added. He said that timing for them to be inside the park was upto 5 pm. "I made the request around 2.30 pm", he added. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Magisterial-probe-ordered-into-Bandhavgarh-row/articleshow/11089140.cms

Who is to be blamed for the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary not being declared a tiger reserve?

TNN | Dec 12, 2011, 05.42AM IST PANAJI: The Goa government is to be blamed for not taking necessary and timely steps for declaring the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve. The forest department for more than a decade has failed miserably in generating awareness to garner support for transforming this tiger habitat, known for the rich and varied biodiversity, into the Mhadei tiger reserve. The proposed tiger reserve will not only protect the big cat but will help in safeguarding the water resources for posterity in our land. It is some one with a mining interest that is trying to stop the department from declaring the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary it as a tiger reserve. They want to convert the place into a mining area. I have been to Vagheri for a trek and have taken photos of tiger pugmarks. Obviously, the state government and the forest department must be blamed for the Mhadei sanctuary not being declared as a tiger reserve in Goa. The present politicians are mining tycoons and sick politicians. The known fact is that maximum number of tigers are in Mhadei area and everybody knows it. However its surprising that the government is still unaware about the fact. I am all for declaring the Mhadei sanctuary as a tiger reserve. It is our duty to protect the tigers to prevent their extinction. The mining lobby is probably influencing the delay in declaring the sanctuary as a tiger reserve. Fr Alfred Vaz director, Diocesan catechetical centre, Old Goa http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Who-is-to-be-blamed-for-the-Mhadei-wildlife-sanctuary-not-being-declared-a-tiger-reserve/articleshow/11076917.cms

Rs 3.59Cr central aid for Bihar Tiger Reserve

The only tiger reserve of the state would be developed as tourists’ spot with this central funding Submitted on 12/12/2011 - 12:13:27 PM Patna: The Bihar government has chalked out a detailed plan to develop Valmikinagar Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district. Tourism Minister Sunil Kumar Pintoo said the central government has sanctioned Rs 3.59 crore for the development of the VTR, the only tiger reserve in the state. The first installment was received by the state government recently. The Minister said the Building Construction Department has been entrusted the task of sanitation, landscaping, approach road, signage, electric work and wall. The VTR would be developed in such a manner that it would attract a large number of tourists not only from the country but also from the globe. As per the plan, a mini auditorium and illustrated museum would be constructed at an estimated const of Rs 45 lakh. Twelve-room tourist lounge would be renovated at a cost of Rs 23 lakh. In addition, an amount of Rs 13.70 lakh would be used for construction of bridges and roads. In a view to increase the number of animals, grass land management would be developed as per the eco tourism. http://www.igovernment.in/site/rs-3.59cr-central-aid-bihar-tiger-reserve

Reconstitution of NTCA

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has been reconstituted vide Notification No. 15-25/09NTCA dated 4th September, 2009, since the term of the said Authority as constituted earlier expired on 3.9.2009. The Powers and Functions of the National Tiger Conservation Authority are provided under section 38O (1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as indicated at Annexure-I. The composition of the reconstituted National Tiger Conservation Authority is at Annexure-II. There are 40 tiger reserves in the country which come under the purview of the said Authority. As per the findings of the recent All India tiger estimation in 2010 using the refined methodology, the total country-level population of tiger is 1706 (mid value); the lower and upper limits being 1520 and 1909 respectively. The State-wise tiger population and area of tiger occupied landscapes are indicated in Annexure-III. http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=78501