Every tiger, leopard death will be presumed poaching: National Tiger Conservation Authority

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 31, 2012, 01.59AM IST NAGPUR: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has decided that henceforth every case of tiger and leopard death will be treated as poaching incident unless proved to be natural death. The latest directive by Rajesh Gopal, member-secretary of NTCA, follows after a recent spurt in tiger poaching cases, specially in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. The NTCA move is seen as an effort to make the states take every tiger death seriously and follow the protocol to ascertain the exact cause of death. In the six months since November 3, 2011, the state has lost 10 tigers, most of them to poaching. Several tigers have died under mysterious circumstances. "Maharashtra has been very casual in submitting reports about the deaths. Whenever a tiger dies, we just receive an SMS and that's all. In all 10 tiger deaths, detailed reports including forensic report establishing cause of death have still not been submitted to us," NTCA officials told TOI. SWH Naqvi, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Maharashtra, responded, "It is possible that detailed reports have not been sent. I will check-up. We will do what is necessary." "To ensure proper due diligence and topmost priority, every case of tiger and leopard death will be henceforth treated as a case of poaching, unless otherwise proved beyond reasonable doubt," Gopal's letter said. The letter written to all the chief wildlife wardens of states stated that if a tiger death was classified as occurring due to natural causes, the same should be substantiated by adequate supporting field evidences and factual details, while reporting to NTCA. Any incident of tiger death requires detailed field investigation vis-a-vis the advisories issued in this context from the authority. While natural mortality owing to density related stress and other causes do occur in a tiger habitat, there is a need to establish this based on categorical evidences. "There is a need to ensure adequate caution while classifying tiger deaths as occurring due to 'natural' cases," Gopal said. The NTCA has said the area where tiger death is reported should be thoroughly scanned to rule out metal trap and snares and evidence of unauthorized vehicular movement, use of fire arms, poisoning near water points, natural salt licks and poisoning of livestock kills by tigers and leopards. Besides, any history of recurring livestock depredation, human death and injury due to carnivores in the area should also be taken into account along with pendency, if any, relating to payment of compensation and ex-gratia in this regard. It has directed that the day-to-day patrolling by field staff and supervisory checks at senior level should ensure preventive actions as well as proactive detection, rather than retroactive actions. This would also facilitate retrieval of carcasses before their putrefaction, thereby facilitating, forensic examination in a laboratory. Two panels to protect big cats The NTCA has constituted two committees for tiger conservation. One panel is for district planning in tiger range while another for appraisal of centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) in 40 tiger reserves. The committee for tiger range districts includes V B Mathur, dean, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, M Firoz Ahmed, member, NTCA, Dr Biswajit Banerjee from Planning Commission, A K Shrivastava, director of ministry of tribal affairs, R Sundaraju and B K Patnaik, retired chief wildlife warden of Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh respectively, S Dhena and Thilagarajan U, both social workers, and S P Yadav, DIG of NTCA. NTCA sources said the team would suggest a process for factoring in tiger concerns in the district planning in tiger range districts. It will come out with generic prescriptions vis-a-vis the 2010 country level tiger estimation for district plan for mainstreaming tiger conservation in each district. "Four regional sensitization workshops for stakeholders and line departments will be organized. The panel will submit its report in six months," sources said. NTCA, which releases big sums of money for tiger conservation, has also constituted five appraisal teams for the CSS. The tiger reserves have been classified into five landscape complex. Of these, the Central Indian landscape (Tadoba, Pench, Melghat, Ranthambore, Sariska) will include ex-PCCF DNS Suman, NTCA member Prakash Amte, social worker D Krishnamurthy and AIG Sanjay Kumar. The team will verify whether the CSS money is being used properly and suggest improvements. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Every-tiger-leopard-death-will-be-presumed-poaching-National-Tiger-Conservation-Authority/articleshow/13679442.cms

Criminal Investigation Department to probe tiger poaching cases: Patangrao Kadam

TNN | May 31, 2012, 01.03AM IST CHANDRAPUR: State forest minister Patangrao Kadam ordered of CID inquiry into two recent incidents of tiger poaching, while declaring adoption of uniform tiger protection strategy for tiger bearing areas in Chandrapur. He visited tiger poaching site near Gondmohadi and held joint meeting of forest, police and MSEDCL officials in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve on Wednesday. Several crucial decisions to strengthen protection and conservation of tigers in protected and non-protected forest areas in Chandrapur were taken in the meeting. "I have ordered a CID inquiry into Gondmohadi and Borda tiger poaching and asked the agency to give its status report in the next three months. Gondmohadi tiger poaching involves interstate poaching gangs. We have got some clues in Boarda tiger poaching case and investigators are working on it," said Kadam, interacting with reporters at the district collector's office. Forest minister informed that there have been six deaths of tiger and one other tiger was seriously injured in Chandrapur since January. "Off these one tiger in Jharan forest, two in Gondmohadi and one in Borda forest were poached," he said. Kadam said that the forest ministry has released secret funds to the department to raise intelligence network, on the lines of police department. "In light of poaching by electrocution, we have decided that the entire 350km electricity supply lines passing through forests in Chandrapur will be converted into underground cabling at the cost of Rs 72 crore. Similarly, all new supply lines passing through forest areas henceforth will also of underground type," he said. The minister also declared adopting uniform tiger protection strategy for tiger bearing areas in Chandrapur. "The existing 34 forest beats in TATR will be restructured to form 85 beats to enhance protection. We are providing 10 jeeps, 25 motorbikes and a large number of bicycles to the staffers for patrolling. Van patils, on the lines of police patils, will be recruited in villages falling in jungle areas. The number of water holes in buffer area will be increased, while each waterhole is being monitored by two staffers during day and night," he said. Kadam also said that additional fire arms are being provided to forest staffers in core and buffer area of TATR. He said that funds have been provided to the forest department for procurement of more metal detectors and GPS units to strengthen tiger protection. "We have also decided to form Special Tiger Protection Force and 112 posts for this force has been approved. Similarly, department has lifted the ban on new recruitment and approved 1,250 new posts for the department," he said. He claimed that management of TATR is being restructured for better protection and conservation of wildlife. "Core and buffer area of Tadoba would be now under separate DCFs headed by CCF and field director of TATR. As 1,100 sq km of buffer area, comprising maximum part of Chandrapur forest division, has been fully handed over to TATR, a new forest division clubbing remaining forest area of Chandrapur division and some part of Bramhapuri division will be formed," he said. Government has also decided to raise the compensation against human death in wildlife attack from the existing Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. He said that forest department has regularized 6,500 van majoors (forest labourers) in the state and they would be soon given uniforms. Replying to a query, he said that the red-alert related to threat from interstate poacher gangs will continue for some time. "PCCF (wildlife) would take regular review of the protection and decide over continuation of the alert," he said. On the high number of forest fires in TATR this year, he held that majority of fires in Tadoba were intentional human mischief and offences in this regard have been registered. Replying to a question on the rising number of resorts around TATR, Kadam said, "A committee for buffer management has been formed a year back. This committee would decide over go and no-go areas in buffer zone. Resort will be allowed in specified areas to ensure that wildlife have minimum disturbance," he said. Kadam was accompanied by MLA Jaikumar Bode, PCCF (wildlife) SWH Naqvi, PCCF (Head of Forest Force) AK Joshi, APCCF (wildlife) AK Saxena, APCCF Anmol Kumar, TATR CCF Virendra Tiwari, Chandrapur CCF BSK Reddy, district collector Vijay Waghmare and other officers. Thackeray visits poaching sites Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray began his three-day tour to Chandrapur focused on tiger poaching and forest fires on Wednesday. He visited tiger poaching site near Gondmohadi in Palasgaon range in the afternoon accompanied by MLA Bala Nandgaonkar and a huge posse of supporters. Thackeray inspected the waterhole where the tiger was poached and took information about the incident from wildlife activists and forest officers at the spot. A crowd of Thackeray's supporters spoiled the pugmarks of a tiger on the sand around waterhole, sources said. Thackeray later entered TATR from Kolara gate in the afternoon. He spotted two tigers at Pandharpaoni. Thackeray also stopped at Jamni village and talked to villagers about their rehabilitation. Wildlife activist Bandu Dhotre apprised Thackeray about the rehabilitation. He also inspected the spot near Kolara gate where forest fire had taken place. Strong measures * Additional firearms to forest guards * Special Tiger Protection Force to be formed * Metal detectors, GPS devices to be procured * Entire 350km electricity supply lines passing through forests in Chandrapur to be converted into underground cabling * Existing 34 forest beats in TATR to be restructured to form 85 beats to enhance protection * Van patils, on the lines of police patils, to be recruited in villages near forests * Additional vehicles to be provided for patrolling * Recruitment freeze lifted, on 1,250 new posts soon * Compensation for human death in wildlife attack raised from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Criminal-Investigation-Department-to-probe-tiger-poaching-cases-Patangrao-Kadam/articleshow/13678826.cms

Diversion of land from tiger, elephant reserves will continue to need clearance from top panel

Nitin Sethi, TNN | May 31, 2012, 03.11AM IST NEW DELHI: The environment and forests ministry on Tuesday decided to correct the internal guidelines on wildlife clearances for using forest patches in tiger and elephant reserves which will have to be approved by the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL). Media reports had said that the environment ministry amended the existing regulations to take projects requiring elephant and tiger reserves and wildlife corridors out of the purview of the NBWL. Under court orders and ministry rules, all projects that require land in protected areas, or in a 10-km radius around them, tiger reserves or elephant reserves need to be cleared by the standing committee of NBWL, which comprises wildlife experts and government officials and is chaired by the environment minister. An internal discussion began in 2009 within the ministry on taking elephant and tiger reserves out of the domain of the NBWL standing committee with some senior officials suggesting that the internal guidelines had gone beyond the purview of what the apex court had ordered. It was also pointed out that wildlife corridors or elephant reserves did not hold any legal sanctity. Wildlife corridors remain within the realm of scientific debate and elephant reserves are management demarcations done to boost money for conservation under Project Elephant but do not have any special legal treatment. Some officials within the ministry pointed out that the clearance from the wildlife board to use tiger reserve lands, unlike in the case of elephant reserves, was mandatory under the Wildlife Protection Act. In December 2011, the decision was taken to maintain status quo on this count. In another decision, the ministry had decided in 2009 that environmental clearances - a separate process - can run parallel to the forestry and wildlife clearances and can be made conditional upon project developers eventually securing both where required. While the environmental clearance process reflected this decision, the wildlife clearance side of the ministry did not fix its rules in consonance. In February 2012, it was decided to bring the wildlife clearance rules in alignment with the environmental regulations but the changed rules also removed reference to tiger, elephant reserves and corridors. Sources said the ministry had corrected this and brought tiger and forest areas of elephant reserves back under the NBWL purview. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Diversion-of-land-from-tiger-elephant-reserves-will-continue-to-need-clearance-from-top-panel/articleshow/13680127.cms

Initial probe rules out foul play in tiger's death

PTI | 12:05 PM,May 30,2012 Lakhimpur (UP), May 30 (PTI) Initial investigation into the death of a tiger at the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has found that the animal died due to infighting and ruled out any foul play. Relying on the observation of the body, a team of doctors has described the probable cause of death of the male tiger found dead in Kishanpur range in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) on May 27 as infighting. They have referred the case for final diagnosis to Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly. Prior to this, two carcasses of tigers had been recovered in neighbouring Haripur range of Pilibhit forest division on May 24 and May 25 respectively. UP Chief wildlife warden Rupak Dey, field director DTR Shailesh Prasad and deputy director Ganesh Bhat have rushed to Kishanpur to investigate the matter. The authorities conducted a thorough examination of the tiger carcass and inspected the surroundings, where the carcass was recovered. The evidences on the spot ruled out any poaching attempts. "Sniffers from the Sashastra Sima Bal (SSB) were deployed to detect any human presence. However, no human interference on the body was detected," field director Shailesh Prasad said. In their findings, the veterinary doctors found ‘rigor mortis absent’ while the ‘vertebra found broken at two places.’ Deep canine bite injuries were detected on the spots where vertebra was found broken. Right and hind limbs were also found broken. Based on these findings, the doctors suspected fighting with some other tiger to be the cause of death. "No foot-prints of human movement were noticed on the spot," Jaswant Singh Kaler, wildlife activist and office-bearer of NGO Katarnia Ghat Foundation, said after visiting the spot. http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/initial-probe-rules-out-foul-play-in-tigers-death/1005104.html

Thackeray's Tadoba visit will give political fillip to tiger issue

TNN | May 30, 2012, 03.44AM IST Chandrapur: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray would be on a three-day tour of Chandrapur from Wednesday. His tour is focused on tiger deaths, forest fires and rehabilitation of villages out of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). He will visit tiger poaching sites in Gondmohadi and Borda jungle, inspect the jungle burned in fire and meet the villagers rehabilitated out of tiger reserve. MNS district chief Dilip Ramedwar informed that Thakre will arrive in Nagpur by train on Wednesday morning and reach Gondmohadi in Palasgaon range via Chimur by noon. He will visit the spot in the jungle were two tigers were poached near waterhole last month. Later in the afternoon he would visit TATR and inspect the forest burned in fire in Kolsa range. "He would enter from Kolara gate of tiger reserve after taking lunch. He will go to Kolsa range where massive fire had burned hundreds of hectare of jungle. Later he would exit the tiger reserve from Jhari gate to visit the spot in Borda jungle where chopped carcass of tiger was found a few days back," he said. Ramedwar further informed that Thackeray would halt in Chandrapur on Wednesday night. He would take up tour of jungles burned in buffer zone and other forest areas on Thursday and interact with forest officials over the problem. He would stay in Chandrapur on Thursday night. MNS chief would visit Bhagwanpur, the rehabilitation site of Tadoba villages, on Friday morning and interact with the villagers. He is also likely to visit rehabilitation site of TATR villages in Chimur tehsil, before leaving for Mumbai. DCF, Chandrapur forest division, P Kalyankumar however held that he has not received any official intimation about Thackeray's visit to the areas under his jurisdiction. Wildlife activist have welcomed Thackeray's move to take up the issue of tiger poaching and forest fires on political platform. "Tiger and jungle are national property. But, the politicians are rarely concerned over such issues. Raj Thackeray's initiative would definitely help in speeding-up the investigations in poaching and putting pressure on forest department to strengthen safety and conservation of tigers and forest," said president of Green Planet Society Suresh Chopne. He however held that Thackeray should keep politics out of these issues. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Thackerays-Tadoba-visit-will-give-political-fillip-to-tiger-issue/articleshow/13652150.cms

Centre to fund 90% of Project Tiger in Northeast

Last Updated: Tuesday, May 29, 2012, 08:58 0 Guwahati: The Central government has increased its share of funding from the existing 50 percent to 90 percent for northeastern states under the Project Tiger scheme. This was recently conveyed by Union Minister of State for Environment & Forests Jayanthi Natarajan to Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. According to the communication, the northeastern states will now have to spend only 10 percent share under the scheme for tiger conservation. Project Tiger aims at ensuring a viable population of tigers in their natural habitat. There are six tiger reserves in the northeast - three in Assam (Kaziranga tiger reserve, Manas tiger reserve and Nameri tiger reserve), two in Arunachal Pradesh (Namdapha tiger reserve and Pakhui tiger reserve) and one in Mizoram (Dampa tiger reserve). Although the exact number of the big cats in the region is not known, the 2010 tiger census - which was conducted countrywide - estimated the presence of 130-150 big cats in the six tiger reserves. The Assam chief minister had earlier submitted a memorandum to the prime minister, which contained a proposal for reducing the state's share to 10 per cent in the Centrally-sponsored scheme. IANS http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/centre-to-fund-90-of-project-tiger-in-northeast_778309.html

Botched tiger death register rings alarm

TAGS: Tiger deaths | Tiger poaching | Tiger conservation | National animal | Rajesh Gopal | Wildlife activists | Ministry of Forest The nation's tigers could soon vanish from the jungles and remain only on the record books because of unprecedented bungling in the death register. A typical police phenomenon whereby crimes are often not reported or passed off as minor offences to keep the logbook clean, this trend has been noticed in tiger conservation and is leading to devastating consequences. The nation has 1,706 tigers according to the 2010 census. But the number could be different in the 40-odd forests reserved for the majestic national animal because 32 deaths have already been reported this year - 14 of them to poaching. To buck this trend, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has ruled that tiger deaths be treated as cases of poaching, unless proved otherwise. "To ensure due diligence and topmost priority, every case of tiger and leopard death would be henceforth treated as a case of poaching, unless proved otherwise beyond reasonable doubt. If a tiger death is classified as death because of natural causes, it should be substantiated by adequate supporting field evidence and factual details," the conservation authority said in its advisory issued last week. Officials said this would ensure that no incident of poaching was termed as natural death. Rajesh Gopal, secretary in the conservation authority, asked chief wildlife wardens of the states where tigers are found to follow a series of "adequate caution while classifying tiger deaths as death due to natural causes". Wildlife activists and tiger conservationists have welcomed the move. "It's a good because many poaching deaths have been covered up as natural deaths," conservationist Belinda Wright said. "If one was to look at statistics (of tiger mortalities) from 2008 onwards, the figure of natural deaths and deaths due to infighting has trebled. On the other hand, poaching deaths, evident from confiscation and recovery of tiger parts, have halved. This is not possible. There was something seriously wrong somewhere," she pointed out. "So now, every time there is a tiger death, the wildlife officials posted at the tiger reserves have been asked to check for equipment used in poaching like metal traps, snares, any evidence of unauthorised vehicular movement, any sign of use of firearms, poisoning near water bodies and even poisoning of livestock killed by tigers. These tell-tale signs will help investigators establish the cause of death," she added. The guidelines have been issued almost a month after the conservation authority pressed the panic button following credible inputs that several wandering gangs of poachers were seen near tiger reserves. Calling the situation serious, it asked forest guards to conduct combing operations. Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/botched-tiger-death-tiger-poaching-tiger-conservation/1/197874.html http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/botched-tiger-death-tiger-poaching-tiger-conservation/1/197874.html

Supari killing: Poacher sold tiger for `7,000

Source: P Naveen, DNA | Last Updated 05:50(29/05/12) Bhopal: The tiger allegedly poached in Shivpuri district was sold for Rs 7000 by Sanjesh, the poacher arrested along with seven others from buffer zone of Pench National Park, told interrogators. He revealed that the tiger was trapped in a steel-jaw leg hold trap laid in forest near Shivpuri district. To ensure that the skin is not damaged, the accused along other trappers killed the tiger by breaking its neck and spines; besides hitting them hard on its head, said sources. After collecting the skin, claws and bones, the remains (flesh), accused said, were dumped at a deserted place on Gwalior road in Shivpuri. A team has been dispatched to Shivpuri along with the accused to recover the dump from the said location, said Ashok Kumar, Chindwara divisional forest officer (DFO). Meanwhile, the forest officials in Shivpuri assume that, the animal he killed must have been a leopard. “We are not sure about whether the animal he killed was a tiger or a leopard. We are trying to assertion the facts in coordination with different teams” DFO Shivpuri RD Mahela said. For further identification of the species, sample of hairs recovered from the jaw-trap recovered form poachers have been sent to wild life forensic laboratory in Hyderabad. The reports are awaited. Sanjesh, the officer said, was a hard nut to crack. He tried to mislead the interrogators that the jaw-trap recovered from his possession was a toy. Later, he changed claiming that he brought it to cope with troubles of rat on his Gypsy. The officials also had detained three persons in Shivpuri, to whom he had allegedly sold the tiger skin and bones. They were later released as no recovery was made. Officials claim that they would be arrested, once evidence is collected. Officials of the Tadoba-Andheri Tiger Reserve (TATR), Maharashtra also interrogated Sanjesh, but failed to get significant information related to poaching attempts made in their area in April this year. Sanjesh’s cell phone number was matched with a list of mobile numbers that had the TATR officials had brought along, but to no avail. “They had a long list of mobile numbers that was serviced by mobile towers around the TATR area between April and May - when the tigers were trapped - but his number didn't match,” said an officer. The forest officials have sought the call details record (CDR) of Sanjesh to ascertain his contacts, if any, with the interstate or international poaching syndicate. Besides, a tiger, the accused have confessed to have killed four leopards in the same region. Officials are also looking forward to subject him to a narco analysis test for more information following his contradictory and misleading statements. Sanjesh was arrested along with seven other by the officials of Pench tiger reserve and local forest department on Friday night. Other accused, Zilendar Giri of Sarguja and Rai Singh, Dharma, Dhara, Ishwar, Jorawar and Kismat, all from Rajasthan are in judicial custody. http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MP-BHO-supari-killing-poacher-sold-tiger-for-%607000-3334259.html

38 assistant conservators of forests shifted, Vashisht moves to Tadoba

TNN | May 29, 2012, 02.27AM IST NAGPUR: In a major reshuffle, the state government on Monday transferred 38 assistant conservators of forests (ACFs). Among those who have been shifted are GK Vashisht, A M Pillarishet, Kishore Mishrikotkar, GC Yede, AS Khune and others. Vashisht, who had worked in TATR for over a decade and played a key role in changing the face of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), has again been posted in TATR. His posting is seen as an attempt to improve things, specially in the backdrop of recent poaching cases in the buffer of Tadoba. Vashisht will replace an equally good officer Pillarishet, who has been posted to Pench. Similarly, Mishrikotkar, who was with the additional PCCF (wildlife) office and headed several wildlife rescue operations, will look after the anti-poaching squad with wildlife. Ashok Khune, who was posted in New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, has been shifted to Navegaon National Park while GC Yede has been brought to PCCF (wildlife) office. Khune will be replaced by NV Kale. S K Thapdiyal, who was with budget, has now been posted to planning department. He will replace KN Kuduple. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/38-assistant-conservators-of-forests-shifted-Vashisht-moves-to-Tadoba/articleshow/13615733.cms

Tiger found dead near Dudhwa Park

TNN | May 28, 2012, 02.11AM IST LUCKNOW: A tiger was found dead in Kishenpur wildlife sanctuary near Dudhwa in Lakhimpur district on Sunday. A decomposed carcass was found lying in Kishenpur range of the sanctuary during the combing operation in the area. Locals suspect "poisoning" to be the cause of the death. "The carcass seems to be about three-day old. It was swollen, severely infected with maggots and its rump region was scratched," said Jaswant Singh Kalair, a wildlife activist. The dead tiger was around 4 years old. Dudhwa officers, however, could not be reached for a comment. In a similar incident, two tigers were found dead in Pilibhit, on Friday. The tigers were found dead in Haripur range of the district on UP-Uttarakhand border. "The presence of the tiger in the area was reported by locals for quite some time now," said Sanjay Narain, secretary, Tiger and Terrain. The forest officers in Pilibhit said they are yet to find out the cause of the death. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Tiger-found-dead-near-Dudhwa-Park/articleshow/13578328.cms

India to help replicate Project Tiger in Russia, China

IANS | May 27, 2012, 06.49PM IST NEW DELHI: Six countries, including Russia and China, have sought India's help to replicate Project Tiger, one of the most successful conservation programmes running in the country to protect the big cats from extinction. During the first stock-taking conference held in the capital in mid-May to review implementation of the Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP), tiger range countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Russia, Vietnam, Myanmar and China approached India to help them in conserving tigers. Leaving Nepal, none of the countries has done any tiger census and has no idea about the number of tigers present in the wild. "India has been running one of the most successful tiger conservation programnes since 1973 and most of the tiger range countries want us to help them replicate it there," Rajesh Gopal, member secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), told IANS. He said India would support future programme of action and conservation of tigers in other countries. "Such cooperation will give India an opportunity to come to the centrestage of tiger conservation and come out with a tiger atlas of the world," said Gopal. India has 1,706 tigers in the wild -- the highest numbers in the world. The credit for saving tigers in the country goes to the central government's Project Tiger, launched in 1973. Considering the urgency of the situation, Project Tiger was converted into NTCA, a statutory authority, in 2006 with more power and separate funding for the conservation of tigers. India took a lead in tiger conservation by forming the Global Tiger Forum (GTF), an international body established with members from willing countries to embark on a global campaign to protect the animal. India's Environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan currently chairs the forum. Other members include Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar. India and Russia have recently come up with a joint resolution of agreed action to protect tigers. Collaboration on tiger conservation is already going on with Nepal, while Bangladesh, Vietnam and Myanmar want India's help in assessment and capacity building. India's success story in reintroducing tigers from wild to wild has generated keen interest, says Gopal. "India has a good experience in the re-introduction of tigers from wild to wild, which is a success story in terms of planning, execution and monitoring. Considering the interest evinced by the Russian side in leopard and tiger re-introduction, India may share these experiences with Russia for mutual benefit," he said. Besides, India can help in monitoring and electronic surveillance of tiger reserves, training and capacity building of field officers/specialists, landscape planning, cooperation on anti-poaching strategy and planning and exchange programmes to share experiences of best practices in tiger conservation. The main achievements of Project Tiger are excellent recovery of the habitat and consequent increase in the tiger population in the reserve areas, from a mere 268 in nine reserves in 1972 to 1,706 in 39 tiger reserves in 2011. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/India-to-help-replicate-Project-Tiger-in-Russia-China/articleshow/13569798.cms

Poacher admits to killing tiger 45 days ago TNN | May 28, 2012, 02.33AM IST BHOPAL: A tiger was killed in Shivpuri district some 45 days ago by one of the eight poachers, who were arrested in Chhindwara district on the charge of planning to lay trap for electrocuting a big cat in Pench Tiger Reserve. The eight accused were detained on Friday and produced in a court on Sunday after forest department officials registered cases against them at Chhindwara. Except Sanjesh who admitted to killing the striped animal in Shivpuri, all others Zilendar Giri of Sarguja in Chhattisgarh and Rai Singh, Dharma, Dhara, Ishwar, Jorawar and Kismat hailing from Chhitorgarh in Rajasthan have been sent to jail. The court sent Sanjesh in forest department remand for five days, Chhindwara divisional forest officer Ashok Kumar told TOI. "We are going to grill Sanjesh, who hails from Shivpuri, and that is why we sought his remand. He might spill some more vital beans regarding poaching given he had been in Hoshangabad housing Satpura tiger reserve some days ago, " Kumar said. After Sanjesh confessed of having killed a tiger in Shivpuri, the officials are now planning to carry out searches at some places to recover the body parts of big cat. Two days back, the accused were detained with a metal trap, a knife and others implements used to electrocute big cat, at Linga village of Chhindwara district, close to MP's Pench tiger reserve, which spreads over to Maharashtra. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Poacher-admits-to-killing-tiger-45-days-ago/articleshow/13578572.cms

Eight suspected tiger poachers held near Pench Tiger Reserve

Lemuel Lall, TNN | May 27, 2012, 01.37AM IST BHOPAL: Eight suspected poachers were detained with a metal trap, a knife and others implements allegedly used to electrocute big cats at Linga village of Chhindwara district late on Friday night, close to MP's Pench Tiger Reserve, which spreads over to Maharashtra. In Maharashtra's Chandrapur district, a striped-animal was electrocuted and chopped to 11 pieces for costly body parts a week ago. The detention of the group assumes significance as it comes some 22 days after a warning issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) that a big gang has paid advance to Katni district-based local poachers' gang to kill tiger for body parts for big bucks in international market. In the wake of the NTCA warning, a high alert has been sounded in 42 tiger reserves across the country, including five in the state. "We have recovered a metal trap, a knife, sharp iron rods, hammers, wires and wooden rods among other things used to kill tiger from their possession. After trapping the big cat, the modus operandi of poachers is that they put the sharp iron rod inside striped animal's mouth to kill him," Chhindwara divisional forest officer Ashok Kumar told TOI. After killing the tiger, the poachers beat it up with wooden rod to loosen its skin and thereafter remove the hide with specially-designed knife, which they have recovered, he said. Ashok said that the group was also owned one Gypsy jeep and eight motorbikes. "We believe that they had done a recee to kill tiger," he added. The arrested have been identified as Sanjesh of Shivpuri district and Zilendar Giri of Sarguja in Chhattisgarh while Rai Singh, Dharma, Dhara, Ishwar, Jorawar and Kismat, all hail from Chhitorgarh in Rajasthan. "We carried out searches at three places in Shivpuri," Ashok said. He said that right now it was difficult for them to say that if the gang were members belonged to nomadic Pardhi tribe. Pardhi tribe, especially hailing from Katni district was infamous for killing wild animals for an easy living. The big poaching gangs allegedly use this tribe that is believed to have mastered the illegal art of killing wild animals across the country. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Eight-suspected-tiger-poachers-held-near-Pench-Tiger-Reserve/articleshow/13537758.cms

MoEF diluting rules to boost industry?

Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times The ministry of environment and forests is on an industrial overdrive with rules being changed to speed-up clearance of projects at the cost of environment. The standing committee of National Board for Wildlife will loose its power to examine projects in tiger and elephant corridors, instead, there would be sectoral forest advisory committee to decide on diversion of forest land and projects even in dense forests will be allowed. These are some of the changes the ministry has brought in to dispel its image of being a roadblock to industrial development and to ensure easier approvals to the industry. The ministry has silently excluded projects coming up in tiger and elephants corridors from the purview of the standing committee, which has not meet for almost six months apparently because the non-official members refuse to adhere to the government line. "The views of National Tiger Conservation Authority and Project Elephant are taken before deciding on projects in these areas," said a ministry official, explaining that the standing committee causes a lot of delay in deciding in these projects. Incidentally, a large number of projects in India are in or around tiger and elephant corridors. This is not the only step. The ministry is likely to agree to a suggestion of a Group of Ministers headed by Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee to set up several forest advisory committee (FAC) to speed up project approval rate. The GoM had wanted the FAC to work on the lines of about 10 sectoral level Expert Appraisal Committees (EAC). The move is, however, being opposed by non-official members of FAC which believe that it will dilute the mandate of single FAC, constituted under the Forest Conservation Act, to ensure protection of forests. The law provides for one advisory body whose recommendations are not must for the government to follow. On Wednesday, the environment ministry will brief the GoM about the key changes. In light of these fast moving changes, the ministry is expected to inform the GoM that it will approve two key mining projects in dense forests - Chhatrasal and Mahan - with strict environmental conditions. Civil society bodies had opposed these projects saying they will destroy rich biodiversity of the area. The ministry is also expected to inform the GoM regarding its proposal to inviolate areas from mining in dense forests. A survey has been done by Forest Survey of India in this regard but the actual demarcation of forest areas, where no mining will be allowed, has not been done. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/MoEF-diluting-rules-to-boost-industry/Article1-861942.aspx

Tiger supari case: Poachers hunted down, 18 arrested

Source: DNA | Last Updated 05:20(27/05/12) Bhopal: Following intelligence input about poachers’ prowl to kill 25 tigers across India as contract killing, the state forest officials detained 18 nomads hailing from Bihar, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh in last 24 hours. The detentions were made in Panna, Chindwara, Katni and Shivpuri districts. Intelligence sources have gathered information that an international poaching racket has given `40 lakh to poachers—mostly Pardhis, and Baheliyas—to kill 25 tigers in India. Since then, governments in the states where tigers exist are on high alert. One of the detainees, arrested from buffer zone of Pench tiger reserve, confessed to having killed a tiger - possibly the one that had strayed from Ranthambore National Park to Shivpuri district. While eight of the suspects were detained in Chindwara late on Friday night, 10 more were arrested from near the Panna tiger reserve. Metal traps, nets and sharp edged weapons, eight motor bikes and a Gypsy jeep were recovered from their possession. The officials also recovered some samples of hair from the metal traps which have been sent for scientific examination for identification of the species to the forensic laboratory in Hyderabad. The arrests in Chindwara district were made by officials of Pench tiger reserve and local forest department. The accused have been identified as Sanjesh of Shivpuri, Zilendar Giri of Sarguja in Chhattisgarh and Rai Singh, Dharma, Dhara, Ishwar, Jorawar and Kismat , all from Chhitorgarh in Rajasthan. Senior officials including principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) wildlife P K Shukla rushed to Chhindwara. The suspects are being interrogated for more details. During interrogation, Sanjesh reportedly confessed to killing an adult tiger at Shivpuri and having sold its skin to three persons in the district. The forest officials also raided some places in Shivpuri “All of them are nomads from different states. How they ganged up is yet to be ascertained,” PCCF Shukla told. Their role in poaching activities in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Charndrapur district in Maharashtra is yet to be ascertained. The officials of TATR have reached Chindwara to interrogate the accused. Officials of Panna tiger reserve (PTR) arrested eight persons belonging to the Kirodi community of Bihar. Park director R Srinavasa Murty told that they were arrested from beat 228 during routine patrolling on Friday.

Tiger found dead in Pilibhit

PTI | May 24, 2012, 07.52PM IST PILIBHIT (UP): The carcass of a tiger was recovered from a drain in Haripur forest range here this afternoon, a forest official said. The tiger was found dead near Dhanaraghat area in the district, Regional forest officer V K Singh said, adding, it appeared to be a natural death. "The body is being sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly for postmortem," he said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Tiger-found-dead-in-Pilibhit/articleshow/13453792.cms

Maharashtra: 'Shoot tiger poachers on sight'

Mumbai: In the backdrop of tragic killing of eight tigers in the state this year, Maharashtra government has ordered its forest guards to shoot poachers on sight in a bid to prevent hunting and killing of big cats and other wildlife animals. Maharashtra Forest Minister Patangrao Kadam was quoted as telling reporters, “Forest guards should not be booked for human rights violations when they have taken action against poachers”. “The state will also send more rangers and jeeps into forests, and will offer secret payments to informers who give tips about poachers and animal smugglers,” he was quoted as saying. Maharashtra reportedly has 169 tigers and most of them inhabit three tiger reserves in Vidarbha region Illegal poaching remains a serious threat, with tiger parts sought in traditional Chinese medicine fetching high prices in the black market. However, it isn’t very certain if this measure will put a check on the monstrous activity. According to the Wildlife Protection Society of India, 14 tigers have been killed by poachers in India so far this year – one more than the total number of tigers killed in 2011. http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/shoot-tiger-poachers-on-sight-maha-govt-to-forest_777369.html

Treat doubtful deaths as poaching: NTCA

FRIDAY, 25 MAY 2012 00:22 PNS | NEW DELHI Close on the heels of rising poaching of big cats, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in a strong advisory addressed to all the Chief Wildlife Wardens (CWW) has stated “every case of tiger and leopard death should henceforth be treated as case of poaching unless otherwise proved beyond reasonable doubt”. Hence, if a tiger death is classified as occurring due to natural causes, this should be substantiated by adequate field evidence and factual details while reporting to NTCA, states the advisory. Hence, the CWW’s while reporting tiger deaths can not simply get away while reporting a tiger death by giving pretexts of territorial in-fighting, natural deaths etc. This comes in the wake of four recent poaching incidents of tiger and three of leopards in Maharashtra. Earlier, Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan had set alarm bells ringing after she informed the house in the just concluded Budget Session that there have been 14 cases of poaching of tigers reported this year so far. Throwing light on the “water-shed advisory”, SP Yadav, joint director, NTCA said: “any incident of tiger death would now call for more detailed field investigation. While natural mortality owing to density related stress does occur in a tiger habitat but from henceforth, it would have to be established based on categorical evidence.” Tiger source areas are targeted by poachers and tigers also become victims of non-targeted killings due to man-tiger conflicts. There is need to ensure adequate caution while classifying tiger deaths due to “natural” causes. As per the advisory note, the area from where tiger death has been reported has to be thoroughly combed to ensure that there are no metal traps or snares in the area. Evidence related to unauthorized vehicular movement, use of fire arms, poisoning near water points, natural salt licks and poisoning of livestock kills made by tiger or leopard needs to be explored in details. Not only this any history of recurring livestock depredation , human deaths or injuries due to wild carnivores in the area should also be taken into account along with cases related to compensation/ ex-gratia payment The day to day patrolling by field staffs and supervisory checks at senior levels should ensure prevention actions as well as proactive detection rather than retroactive actions. This would also facilitate retrieval of carcasses before purification thereby facilitating forensic examination in laboratory. http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/67999-treat-doubtful-deaths-as-poaching-ntca.html

Karnataka govt finally approves a bypass for killer road in tiger reserve

Scores of endangered animals have been killed by speeding vehicles on the Mysore-Mananthavadi road, which passes through one of India's best protected tiger reserves -- Nagarahole -- in the last three decades. But now, the situation is likely to improve. In an effort to protect the remaining tigers and elephants, the Karnataka government has decided to develop a new road as a bypass for the Nagarahole tiger reserve. The Mysore-Mananthavadi road was known as the 'killer highway' among conservationists as a large number of animals, including elephants and tigers, had been mowed down by reckless drivers on the stretch. Elephants and tigers crossing the road, even during daytime in peak hour traffic, was a common sight in the area. The road is the major link for transportation of goods between Mysore and Mananthavadi. Efforts were made to regulate traffic on the road, but it brought little relief for the animals. However, after persistent efforts by conservationists, the government finally released Rs.18 crore to commence work on the new project, which includes developing 14 kilometres of an underdeveloped road outside the tiger reserve. Nagarahole tiger reserve, which is part of the national park, comprises an area of 643 sq km and holds approximately 65-70 tigers. It forms part of a large tiger habitat comprising Bandipura, Mudumalai and Waynad -- all protected areas with several other reserved forests. The original Mysore-Mananthavadi highway, passing through the southern part of Nagarahole tiger reserve, one of the best habitats for tiger and Asiatic elephant, has fragmented and dissected the wildlife corridor between Nagarahole and Bandipura tiger reserves. "Fortunately, an alternative underdeveloped road that would pass outside the tiger reserve was available for a section of the highway between Dammanakatte and Udbur junction (of the Mysore-Mananthavadi Road). This alternative road reduces the highway length within the tiger reserve by about 10 km, thereby consolidating about 50 sq km of prime tiger habitat. The government has taken a pro-active step," said conservation biologist Sanjay Gubbi, who fought extensively for the alternate road. Interestingly, the alternate road is longer by a mere 4 km, but will provide connectivity to 11 villages, thereby helping nearly 25,000 people. The villages were not even connected by the state transport units. Now the villagers will get improved transportation facilities in the name of tiger conservation. "They can now take their agricultural produce directly to the markets while previously they relied largely on middlemen due to lack of transportation facilities. Frequent buses now help school and college going students," pointed out Gubbi. Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/karnataka-govt-approves-bypass-killer-road-tiger-reserve/1/197239.html http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/karnataka-govt-approves-bypass-killer-road-tiger-reserve/1/197239.html

Couple selling fake tigers nails, paws held

TNN | May 25, 2012, 02.12AM IST NAGPUR: With poaching incidents on the rise in the recent past, the forest department is leaving no stone unturned and officials are taking even fake seizure seriously. On Thursday afternoon, acting on a tip-off, the wildlife and territorial wings of the forest department arrested a couple selling fake tiger nails and paws on RPTS Road near Laxmi Nagar. The couple has been identified as Rajgir Pahadirajput (32), and Mamuta Pahadirajput (25). Both claimed to be residents of Shanti Mufatlal Nagar slums in Thane near Mumbai. The couple originally belonged to Shimoga in Karnataka. The tip-off was given by sarpa mitra Chinmay Deshpande to naturalist Udayan Patil and honorary district wildlife warden Kundan Hate. Deshpande engaged the couple in talk till Patil and Hate reached the spot. The nails and paws were being offered for Rs 1000-4000 depending on the bargaining power of the customers. "We followed the couple travelling in an autorickshaw from RPTS to Wardha Road near Paul Complex. The woman got down and went near a footpath in search of a customer. We caught hold of them and brought to the forest office," said Hate. During search, several fake tiger nails and paws were seized from the couple's custody. The accused were selling nails and paws under the garb of 'rudraksh' malas and 'jadi buttis'. The nails and paws kept in two bags were also examined by assistant conservator of forest (ACF) Kishore Mishrikotkar and Girish Vashisht who found them to be fake. Vigilance divisional forest officer (DFO) D W Pagar alerted the anti-poaching and mobile squads to conduct raids near Khapri bridge where the gang of Pahadirajputs was staying illegally. Rajgir said there were eight members spread out in the city selling the fake nails and paws to prospective buyers. While in custody, he received several calls from the customers, indicating the gang had a good network in the city. The gang is living in the city for the past two months. Its other members are operating in Wardha too. The couple admitted to making fake nails and paws with the help of goat skin hair and paws. Dead cattle hooves were stuck with good quality glue to the goat paws giving it a shape like tiger paws. After panchnama, the couple was taken near Khapri bridge where four male gang members fled in the dark leaving all women members. The squad seized more than 100 fake nails and paws. While filing the report, the search and hunt for absconding members was still on. During the probe, the couple denied they were professional poachers. They even claimed they have never sighted a tiger in the wild, but had no answers how they landed up in the trade. They claimed to be 'toran' sellers. Although no case can be made under the Wildlife Protection Act for selling fake tiger nails and paws, a case can be filed under Section 420 of the IPC. The forest officials plan to hand over the investigations to the police department. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Couple-selling-fake-tigers-nails-paws-held/articleshow/13459806.cms

Tribals incited by sand mafia

May 25, 2012 DC Hyderabad The sand mafia is trying to instigate tribals and locals against the protection measures for tigers in the Kawal Tiger Reserve in Adilabad district. According to the forest department officials, wildlife wing, although there is no threat to those living in settlements in the tiger reserve area, the sand mafia is instigating protests. After the Kawal sanctuary was notified as a tiger reserve, the state forest officials cracked the whip against illegal sand dredging on the banks of Kadiyam river flowing through the sanctuary as well as the Godavari river along the periphery of the sanctuary. An official of the wildlife wing said, “We strongly suspect the role of the sand mafia, which has been active in the area, of not only funding the protests but also spreading the rumours.” Members of the sand mafia, who have lost their illegal revenue due to prohibition of sand dredging, are now campaigning against the tiger reserve by scaring tribals that they will be driven out. Forest officials say that unless the tribals themselves request to be relocated they will not be shifted. Wildlife department deputy conservator of forests, Mr A. Shankaran, said, “Sand in the forest area is a forest produce. Sand mining is illegal. It’s an even bigger offence within the sanctuary and much more serious crime in a tiger reserve. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/node/125528

Wildlife Institute of India report on wildlife underpasses acceptable, says Joshi

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 25, 2012, 02.04AM IST NAGPUR: Union minister for road transport and highways Dr C P Joshi on Thursday said the report of ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) on NH6 for remodelling the road in wildlife corridors will be acceptable to his ministry. Joshi was in Mouda, 35km from here, to lay symbolic stone laying of Bhandara-Nagpur four-lane road work in 45km stretch on Thursday. The work on the project had already started in April by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). To a question, Joshi admitted that forest clearances have stalled work on NH6 and NH7. However, when pointed out that these patches cut tiger corridors to 10 protected areas (PAs), he remained mum. The issue of corridors and elevated underpasses for wildlife was also raised by state ministers Rajendra Mulak and Shivajirao Moghe. When told that Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, which was appointed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to suggest mitigation measures on NH6, has asked to construct elevated underpasses on NH6, he said, "Let the report come, we will accept it." He also said that large-scale tree felling for road widening will be compensated. "I will order officials to take up plantations," he told TOI. The NHAI has felled around 60,000 trees in 150km radius of Nagpur to widen roads. It had to plant 1.80 lakh trees as per the ratio of 1:3, but it has hardly planted any trees. Of the 33 lakh km road length in India, 71,000km roads are with NHAI. Joshi said 6,000km roads will get added to it soon. "Even if hardly 3% road network is with NHAI, country's 40% traffic passes through its roads. Better roads have added to the growth rate and removal of poverty and hence the widening process. There are 17,000km single lane roads which will be converted into double lane," Joshi said. The roads transport ministry has chalked out an ambitious project to upgrade its roads under public-private partnership (PPP). "We will need Rs 2.20 lakh crore for the upgradation which will be carried out in phases," said Joshi. He said, in Maharashtra total road length with NHAI is 4,300km, of which 1,252km roads have been four-laned and work on 453km is in progress. "Work on four-laning of another 613km will be taken up soon. Besides, a target to upgrade 856km roads have been set in 2012-13," Joshi said. He added that upgradation of roads in Vidarbha would boost economic development for which Congress party is committed. All the ongoing and proposed works in Maharashta would need Rs 30,000 crore. Although no concrete plans, on the insistence of union social welfare minister and MP from Ramtek Mukul Wasnik, in whose constituency the function was organized, Joshi said he would remodel 100-year-old Kanhan bridge, four-laning of Khapri ROB, flyover at Butibori and a mega health check-up camp in the district as part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR). "The NHAI will organize 10 such camps in India at the cost of Rs 5 crore. One such camp will be in Wasnik's constituency," said Joshi. The function was an all Congress show and not a single senior NCP leader attended the programme. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Wildlife-Institute-of-India-report-on-wildlife-underpasses-acceptable-says-Joshi/articleshow/13459718.cms

Poachers sneak into Melghat; hunt launched

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 24, 2012, 02.21AM IST NAGPUR: The forest department's intensive search following spurt in poaching in the aftermath of a 'red alert' seems to have failed to deter poachers. Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) has launched a massive hunt to nab a gang of poachers that has sneaked into the reserve from Madhya Pradesh. On May 21, the patrolling party found a five-member gang moving in Retwada in Raipur forest range bordering MP. One of the gang members had a 'bharmar' gun while another had a spear, generally used to kill herbivores. Chief conservator of forests (CCF) and field director KP Singh said, "I'm visiting the spot and have also alerted all the three divisions in MTR - Sipna, Akot and Gugamal - following the gang's movement. On May 22, a forest guard patrolling near a waterhole saw the gang and tried to catch hold of one of them but as the poachers were four in number, they managed to escape," he said. Singh said during the scuffle, one of the gang members carrying clothes dropped them at the spot. "We are tracking the gang and have also sealed the areas bordering MP and help of local police and sniffer dogs is being taken. I suspect the gang must be concentrating on herbivores as they have not fired at on the staff yet," Singh said. Principal secretary (forests) Praveen Pardeshi said all the poaching cases in the recent past have been brought to light only by the forest guards and not by NGOs. "This is a good sign. We are not hiding anything. The Palasgaon and Borda tiger poaching cases were detected by our guards," Pardeshi said. "Scrupulous search is leading to more detection of poaching incidents," said Kishor Rithe, member of National Board for Wild Life ( NBWL). He added even as entire forest staff of regular and wildlife department seems to be doing an intensive search, there are more poaching attempts. Deaths of three leopards in FDCM's Surewani area adjoining Mansinghdeo sanctuary near Pench tiger reserve were also brought to notice by regular forest staff. The Tipeshwar tiger escaping a nylon wire trap and a poachers' gang moving in MTR was also detected by the staff. Rithe said the staff is coming across even smallest poaching attempts by villagers due to foot patrolling. Officers are not in a 'denial' mode. This will help the wildlife wing face new challenges, Rithe felt. However, the conservationist said there are still some lapses and shortcoming in some of the forest divisions. Rithe reiterated his demand for a special investigation team (SIT) under chief secretary. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Poachers-sneak-into-Melghat-hunt-launched/articleshow/13419345.cms

Mahanadi Wildlife comes under unified control

Siba Mohanty BHUBANESWAR: More than four years after Satkosia was designated a Tiger Reserve, the Odisha Government has finally brought Mahanadi Wildlife Division under the unified control of the Field Director, meeting a long-standing demand of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The Regional Conservator of Forests (RCCF), Angul, is the Field Director of Satkosia Tiger Reserve which comprises two wildlife sanctuaries such as Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipally Sanctuary, both protected areas contiguous in nature. While the Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary, managed by Satkosia Divisional Forest officer (DFO), was under administrative control of RCCF, Angul, Baisipally Wildlife Sanctuary was under the RCCF, Bhubanbeswar. Besides, Baisipally was managed by Divisional Forest Officer of Mahanadi Wildlife Division. The NTCA, while according Tiger Reserve status on Satkosia, had been insisting on bringing Baisipally under the control of the unified command of the Field Director. “There were two issues that the national authority has long been pressing for __� one, a full-fledged Field Director (FD) for the Tiger Reserve and bringing Baisipally under the FD’s jurisdiction,” sources in the Forest and Environment department said. In fact, the last meeting with NTCA earlier this month had also seen the authority expressing its dissatisfaction over the Odisha Government going slow over the process. “Conservation management in a Tiger Reserve has many complex issues and the State Government should have realised this sooner than later,” the sources added. The Forest and Environment department, through a notification, has now taken out Mahanadi Wildlife Division from RCCF, Bhubaneswar’s control and entrusted it with the RCCF, Angul. Earlier, RCCF, Angul, Pandav Behera, was designated the full-time Field Director. Satkosia Tiger Reserve, spread over Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Boudh, has a total area of 964 sq km with 524 sq km as core area which lies within Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary. While Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary has an area of 795.52 sq km, Baisipally is spread over 168.35 sq km. The total area of Mahanadi Wildlife Division is 437.29 sq km. Although Satkosia is a Tiger Reserve, the NTCA is not conducting the tiger enumeration this year since it has been designated a low-density reserve. On the other hand, Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) has already launched the exercise. Over 70 cameras have been installed over 400 sq km in the core area of the reserve. However, the outcome of the sign survey, basing on which the camera traps are installed, is yet to be complete. The STR authorities are expecting the report in the next few weeks. Once the sign survey indicates the tiger habitation, more cameras will be installed in the second phase during which the STR management plan to cover 1,200 sq km. The existing cameras will capture pictures of the the large cats for 40 days. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mahanadi-wildlife-comes-under-unified-control/260755-60-117.html

Karnataka govt finally approves a bypass for killer road in tiger reserve

TAGS: Endangered animals | Tiger reserves | Nagarhole | Karnataka government Many endangered animals have been killed by speeding vehicles on the Mysore-Mananthavadi road. Andhra: Kawal Sanctuary declared as tiger reserve Scores of endangered animals have been killed by speeding vehicles on the Mysore-Mananthavadi road, which passes through one of India's best protected tiger reserves -- Nagarahole -- in the last three decades. But now, the situation is likely to improve. In an effort to protect the remaining tigers and elephants, the Karnataka government has decided to develop a new road as a bypass for the Nagarahole tiger reserve. The Mysore-Mananthavadi road was known as the 'killer highway' among conservationists as a large number of animals, including elephants and tigers, had been mowed down by reckless drivers on the stretch. Elephants and tigers crossing the road, even during daytime in peak hour traffic, was a common sight in the area. The road is the major link for transportation of goods between Mysore and Mananthavadi. Efforts were made to regulate traffic on the road, but it brought little relief for the animals. However, after persistent efforts by conservationists, the government finally released Rs.18 crore to commence work on the new project, which includes developing 14 kilometres of an underdeveloped road outside the tiger reserve. Nagarahole tiger reserve, which is part of the national park, comprises an area of 643 sq km and holds approximately 65-70 tigers. It forms part of a large tiger habitat comprising Bandipura, Mudumalai and Waynad -- all protected areas with several other reserved forests. The original Mysore-Mananthavadi highway, passing through the southern part of Nagarahole tiger reserve, one of the best habitats for tiger and Asiatic elephant, has fragmented and dissected the wildlife corridor between Nagarahole and Bandipura tiger reserves. "Fortunately, an alternative underdeveloped road that would pass outside the tiger reserve was available for a section of the highway between Dammanakatte and Udbur junction (of the Mysore-Mananthavadi Road). This alternative road reduces the highway length within the tiger reserve by about 10 km, thereby consolidating about 50 sq km of prime tiger habitat. The government has taken a pro-active step," said conservation biologist Sanjay Gubbi, who fought extensively for the alternate road. Interestingly, the alternate road is longer by a mere 4 km, but will provide connectivity to 11 villages, thereby helping nearly 25,000 people. The villages were not even connected by the state transport units. Now the villagers will get improved transportation facilities in the name of tiger conservation. "They can now take their agricultural produce directly to the markets while previously they relied largely on middlemen due to lack of transportation facilities. Frequent buses now help school and college going students," pointed out Gubbi. Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/karnataka-govt-approves-bypass-killer-road-tiger-reserve/1/197239.html http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/karnataka-govt-approves-bypass-killer-road-tiger-reserve/1/197239.html

'Action against tiger poachers will not be considered a crime'

PTI May 22, 2012, 07.51PM IST MUMBAI: Taking a stern stand against poachers, Maharashtra government today decided that action taken by forest authorities against those caught while hunting down tigers will not be considered a crime. Talking to reporters here, forest minister Patangrao Kadam said if the forest officials fire upon the poachers injuring or killing them, the action will not be considered a crime. The minister said his ministry has sanctioned 70 additional forest guards for Tadoba tiger reserve and 90 guards for Pench. He said the forest guards will be fully armed. "There have been instances when the guards have been booked for human rights violations when they have taken action against the poachers. The government did not want this to happen," he said. The minister said recently two tigers were caught in a steel trap and died. "A CID inquiry has been instituted to find out whether they died because of poaching or were electrocuted," he added. Besides this, a four-member committee of experts, who have served as chief conservator of forest, has been appointed to advise the government on steps to be taken for precautions against poaching of tigers. Kadam said he had asked the power department officials to check electricity lines in the tiger reserves and also told the irrigation department to ensure maximum water holes. He said Range forest officers have been provided 100 jeeps and State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) troops have been deployed in Sironcha to prevent trafficking of teakwood. He said a secret fund of Rs 50 lakh has been sanctioned to give incentives to informers providing tips about smugglers and poachers to the forest officials. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-22/flora-fauna/31814048_1_forest-guards-tiger-poachers-forest-officials

10 forest officials taken hostage

Express News Service BARIPADA: Ten forest personnel have been held hostage by the residents of Gopinathpur village inside Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj district on Wednesday. They include three foresters, two forest guards and five Protection Assistants. The villagers who had taken hostage the forester of Nigirda range Khirod Chandra Singh along with a PA on Tuesday, again kidnapped eight others demanding release of three villagers who were arrested on charges of poaching in the forest. The three villagers are Mansid Nag (40) of Gopinathpur village, Lada Tabundia (35) of Saruda village and Lanka Sinku (35) of Bagdaga village under Rairangpur forest division. The officials who have been held hostage include forester Chandra Sekhar Mishra of Lengdakocha range, forester Biranchi Narayan Mohapatra of Dhuduruchampa range and two forest guards - Jhangul Hansda and Amit Kumar Bindhani. The other five are Protection Assistants. Sources said an army of around 60 villagers cordoned off the forest range offices and took the officials hostage. Later, they took them to their village and informed the forest officials to release the arrested to get the officials freed. Meanwhile, the Forest Department and the district administration have engaged mediators to discuss the matter with the villagers. Regional Conservator of Forests and Field Director of STR Anup Nayak said five mediators were negotiating with the villagers. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/10-forest-officials-taken-hostage/260836-60-117.html

Guards of Maharashtra tiger reserves told to shoot poachers on sight

Published: Wednesday, May 23, 2012, 8:45 IST By Surendra Gangan | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA The state forest department has issued an order empowering guards to shoot poachers on sight in Maharashtra’s four tiger reserves. The order was issued after two tigers and three leopards were found killed in the last few weeks. Forest minister Patangrao Kadam on Tuesday said the high-powered committee of forest officers took the decision to empower the staff. He said the guards have been provided with logistic support as well. “Killing poachers won’t be considered a crime and no case will be registered if the forest staff catch them in the act and open fire. The guards have been provided with state-of-the-art arms. They will also be given 100 vehicles. The department has been given additional funds for hiring informants,” Kadam said. He said a CID probe has been announced in the killing of two tigers at the Tadoba reserve to find out whether they were electrocuted or poached. A committee of four forest officers will conduct a parallel inquiry in the killings. On April 26, a tiger was found killed and another seriously injured in the Tadoba reserve. On May 18, a tiger was found chopped to pieces; it is suspected to be a contract killing. On May 20, three leopards were found killed, but it is not yet clear if they died of electric shock. Praveen Pardesi, principal secretary, forest department, said the staff have been keeping vigil round the clock. “Earlier, wildlife activists and locals used to find the bodies and alert officials. But in the recent killings, it was the guards who found the dead animals,” he said. http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_guards-of-maharashtra-tiger-reserves-told-to-shoot-poachers-on-sight_1692469

Conservation body orders vigilance in MP tiger reserves

TNN | May 23, 2012, 07.05AM IST BHOPAL: In the wake of National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) warning that poachers might strike anytime in 42 tiger reserves across the country, security has been tightened in and around the tiger reserves and national parks in the state. According to NTCA warning, local poachers, especially those hailing from Katni district in Madhya Pradesh have been paid in advance to get tigers' body parts which would fetch huge money in international markets, a top forest official said. NTCA has emailed, faxed and telephonically asked six tiger reserves - Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Pench, Satpura and Sanjay Gandhi to keep a vigil and keep the poachers at bay a fortnight ago, he added. "We have stepped up vigil in and around the park. Patrolling is being carried day in and out following NTCA's warning, Pench tiger reserve field director Alok Kumar told TOI. He said patrolling teams were keeping a tight security in core area spread over Seoni and Chhindwara districts and that the intelligence network has been asked to pass event the slightest information in connection with suspicious persons to forest department officials. "We are taking no chances following the killing of tiger in Chandrapur in Maharashtra," he said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Conservation-body-orders-vigilance-in-MP-tiger-reserves/articleshow/13403756.cms

Five underpasses to protect wildlife

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 23, 2012, 01.22AM IST NAGPUR: In a major victory for wildlife activists, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, has recommended five underpasses in four patches on Maharashtra side and two on the Chhattisgarh side as part of the mitigation plan on NH6, where four-laning is cutting through vital tiger populations of Central Indian landscape. The WII had been appointed to suggest mitigation measures by the National Tiger Conservation Authority ( NTCA). TOI was the first to report on the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) violations by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on NH6 in January 2009. Since then permission has been held up for widening the highway from two-lane to four-lane. NGO Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) had moved the Supreme Court's centrally empowered committee (CEC) against the cutting of tiger corridors. On the directions of the CEC, NHAI prepared a mitigation plan but it was not acceptable to the WTI, which insisted on flyovers. Finally, the WII was asked to prepare a plan and accordingly a two-member team visited NH6 for eight days beginning January 27. The WII report asks NHAI to construct underpasses for animals stretching 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 metre in length and 7 metre in height. The NHAI's revised mitigation plan submitted to the forest department had suggested underpasses in eight vulnerable patches, with dimensions of 10 feet height and 20 feet width. In addition, NHAI had suggested fencing of thick chain links, rescue gates and ramps. However, since this mitigation plan does not satisfy the needs of wild animals, WII has virtually rejected it. The NHAI plan was prepared by ex-chief wildlife warden RN Indurkar and retired ACF SS Deshpande. Most of the road from Bhandara to Chhattisgarh border has been upgraded from two-lane to four-lane, except in the three stretches passing through forest area. The incomplete stretches are from Maramjob to Bahmni (4.15km), Bahmni to Duggipar (3.05km), and Sakoli to Mundipar (3.2km). Apart from these, WII has also proposed two additional structures in the completed four-lane road between Sirpur-Navatola (6.3km). "This stretch led to bifurcation of 70% of the corridor between Kanha-Pench and Navegaon, Nagzira and Tadoba reserves," WII sources said. In the three as yet uncompleted stretches, the WII says that box culverts of 3.05 height and 6.10 width proposed by the NHAI are unsuitable for wildlife. These box culverts have been largely conceived as drainage structures. The WII has proposed underpasses of 2,000 metre width and 7 metre height. Regarding the 3.05km patch between Bahmni and Duggipar, the WII says it is a vital connectivity between Navegaon and Nagzira. The NH6 is 1km from the boundary of the park. However, Prafulla Bhamburkar of WTI says that after the notification of Navegaon Sanctuary, the four-lane road is now virtually touching the sanctuary boundary. The WII has also disapproved NHAI's plan to change total width of forest used for the road from 60 metre to 45 metre. WII sources said, "The reduced width will not have any influence on volume of traffic, but actually give less time to animals to decide whether to cross the road or not. Reduced width will increase probability of animal fatalities." On an average, 6,000 vehicles use NH6 in every 24 hours. The WII has said NHAI should be asked to implement the mitigation measures as soon as possible. Delay in implementing the measures will affect the long-term functionality of the crucial corridor connecting 10 protected areas (PAs). http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Five-underpasses-to-protect-wildlife/articleshow/13400986.cms

Tigers get younger in Ranthambhore!

SUNNY SEBASTIAN Tigress T-39 was sighted for the first time with a cub on Monday morning in Sultanpur area of Ranthambhore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. Photo: Special arrangement It is raining litters in Ranthambhore National Park; more tiger cubs sighted Rajasthan's Ranthambhore National Park is turning into a little kingdom of tiger cubs with their number registering an all-time high figure of two dozens. One new cub was discovered on Monday morning in the Sultanpur locality of the park while tiger-watchers insist that T-17, the tigress born to Machli and now called “Sundari” by virtue of her good looks too has turned a mother though photographic evidence on the young ones is awaited. The Monday morning celebrity was T-39, the daughter of the Sultanpur tigress which had left the park some months back and is now living in the Chambal ravines in Kota and Baran districts of the State. T-39 obviously inherited her mother's terrain in her absence as she was spotted with a cub in that locality (see photo). “This is an exciting find! I am sure we will have more good news when T-17 comes out in the open with her cubs. I had seen her mating with the male tiger T-25 some time in January. Thereafter she was spotted in the company of another male, T-28. Ever since, the Forest staff in the park had been keeping the date and counting the days as it is approximately 90 days of pregnancy for tiger,” said Bina Kak, Rajasthan's Minister for Environment & Forests, talking to The Hindu. “It is very difficult to decide whether a particular tigress is pregnant or not. They all look the same if the tummy is full,” she noted. Ms. Kak is especially happy about T-17 as she (the Minister) had insisted on getting the collar round the feline's neck removed. “The decision to remove the collar seemingly worked in reproduction. I want the collars to be removed in the case of the female tigers in Sariska as well so that the existing spell over tiger breeding in that park after the re-introduction of tigers breaks,” she said. Ms. Kak said if the National Tiger Conservation Authority approves she would move two more tigresses from Ranthambhore to Sariska. If regular park visitors are to be believed, the number of cubs has reached 22-24 and this means that the average age of Ranthambhore tigers is coming down. The park at present has 34 adult tigers and the water hole census carried out on May 6-7 too had confirmed this. The female tigresses with cubs at present are: T-13, T-5, T-8, T-31, T-9 (all with two cubs each), T-19, T-26, T-11 and T-30 -- all with three cubs each. Yet counting the tiger cubs may be more like counting your eggs before they are hatched. That is why the Forest authorities are often reluctant to give out the numbers of litters at any given time. Perhaps that also explains why they had kept the number of tiger cubs in the park as “over a dozen” after the water hole census this time. “It is a very risky area. All the tiger cubs are not likely to survive and if the figures are given out in advance the media is bound to make a big fuss when the deaths take place due to various reasons,” pointed out Rajpal Singh, Member, Rajasthan Board for Wildlife. “The fact that tigers are breeding copiously in the park is surely very exciting. Even if 60 per cent of the present cub population survives that is going to be a big number,” he added. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3445488.ece

Tiger sighted in Ramnagar forest division again

WEDNESDAY, 23 MAY 2012 00:27 PNS | DEHRADUN Forest department personnel have once again sighted the tiger which had been seen lying almost immobile in the Ramnagar forest division on Sunday. Though it was earlier suspected that the feline might be injured, no visual signs of injury or blood marks have been found on its body or the site where it was lying. Forest department personnel had spotted a tiger lying more of less in the same place near Bhandarpani in Kota range of the Ramnagar forest division on Sunday morning which had elicited concern of the officials when it was found in the same place in the evening. The tiger disappeared on Sunday night but was sighted once again at the same place on Tuesday. The tiger was earlier thought to be injured but according to Chief Conservator of Forests, Kumaon Circle, Paramjeet Singh, there is no visual injury on the tiger and not a drop of blood was found on the spot where it was resting. A team of wildlife experts and vets was called to the site and personnel were trying to feed the feline meat. http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/67481-tiger-sighted-in-ramnagar-forest-division-again.html

Hundreds of volunteers help forest staff in census

TNN | May 23, 2012, 04.53AM IST MYSORE: The three-day elephant census commenced on Monday in Mysore, Chamarajnagar and Kodagu districts with many volunteers assisting the forest officials. Some 100 volunteers each are assisting the ground staff and officials in Nagarahole, Bandipur and BR Hills tiger reserves. The officials have divided the reserves into units, assigning volunteers and the staff to go on beats. The exercise started early in the day and ended after the sunset. At Bandipur, the volunteers, who stayed at anti-poaching camps, started the groundwork at 6am. There are 70 volunteers who are assigned with 59 beats. "We will collate the data and arrive at the number of jumbos in the tiger reserve," Kumar Pushkar, director of the Bandipur tiger reserve, told The Times of India. Spread over 874 sqkm, the volunteers gathered data in each block, which will help in arriving at a figure. Madikeri: 8 injured in jumbo attack Eight persons were injured in two incidents of elephant attacks at different places in Madikeri on Monday. A tusker attacked a group of seven workers at Pollibetta inside an estate. In the second incident, Thimmaiah, an estate writer at Kerebeilu Tota near Banangala, suffered deep wounds on his back when a tusker attacked him from behind. Hundreds of volunteers help forest staff in census TNN | May 23, 2012, 04.53AM IST Article Comments inShare Read More:The Times|Nagarahole Bandipur|Kerebeilu Tota 0 MYSORE: The three-day elephant census commenced on Monday in Mysore, Chamarajnagar and Kodagu districts with many volunteers assisting the forest officials. Some 100 volunteers each are assisting the ground staff and officials in Nagarahole, Bandipur and BR Hills tiger reserves. The officials have divided the reserves into units, assigning volunteers and the staff to go on beats. The exercise started early in the day and ended after the sunset. At Bandipur, the volunteers, who stayed at anti-poaching camps, started the groundwork at 6am. There are 70 volunteers who are assigned with 59 beats. "We will collate the data and arrive at the number of jumbos in the tiger reserve," Kumar Pushkar, director of the Bandipur tiger reserve, told The Times of India. Spread over 874 sqkm, the volunteers gathered data in each block, which will help in arriving at a figure. Madikeri: 8 injured in jumbo attack Eight persons were injured in two incidents of elephant attacks at different places in Madikeri on Monday. A tusker attacked a group of seven workers at Pollibetta inside an estate. In the second incident, Thimmaiah, an estate writer at Kerebeilu Tota near Banangala, suffered deep wounds on his back when a tusker attacked him from behind.

NGO activists protest tiger poaching

TNN | May 22, 2012, 01.55AM IST CHANDRAPUR: A group of NGO activists, connected to different organizations, staged a protest on Monday morning before state forest secretary Pravin Pardeshi, flaying the failure of the forest department in saving the tiger. They waved black flags and demanded a CBI probe into poaching cases. Over two dozen wildlife activists gathered at the gate of Rambagh forest premises. They staged a protest march up to forest rest house. A delegation of activists, led by Suresh Chopne, Sachin Wazalwar and Ashish Ghume, later met Pardeshi and submitted their joint memorandum to him. The memorandum demanded CBI investigation into poaching of tigers. NGOs also demanded day and night monitoring of all waterholes, use of latest technology for protection of tigers, inclusion of local NGOs into special investigation team, inclusion of NGO activists into patrolling and monitoring, denial to all proposals of coal mines and industries around buffer zone of TATR and protection of tiger corridors. Other demands such as monthly review of protection work with local NGOs and special management for control of fire in forest were also raised before the forest secretary. President of Green Planet Society Suresh Chopne claimed that Pardeshi has agreed to include NGO activists into waterhole monitoring in jungles. "We would provide 100 NGO activists for the monitoring exercise from different organizations. We have asked for special identification cards for such activists, to which Pardeshi agreed," he said. Activists of Green Planet Society, Jungle Care, Wild Care, Friends of Tadoba, People for Animals, Chandrapur Bachao Samiti, Prahar organization, Viano Nature Club, Prithvimitra Nisarg Sanstha and Vanyajeev Sanrakshan Samiti took part in the protest.NGO activists protest tiger poaching TNN | May 22, 2012, 01.55AM IST Article Comments inShare Read More:Tiger Poaching|TATR|Rambagh Forest 0 CHANDRAPUR: A group of NGO activists, connected to different organizations, staged a protest on Monday morning before state forest secretary Pravin Pardeshi, flaying the failure of the forest department in saving the tiger. They waved black flags and demanded a CBI probe into poaching cases. Over two dozen wildlife activists gathered at the gate of Rambagh forest premises. They staged a protest march up to forest rest house. A delegation of activists, led by Suresh Chopne, Sachin Wazalwar and Ashish Ghume, later met Pardeshi and submitted their joint memorandum to him. The memorandum demanded CBI investigation into poaching of tigers. NGOs also demanded day and night monitoring of all waterholes, use of latest technology for protection of tigers, inclusion of local NGOs into special investigation team, inclusion of NGO activists into patrolling and monitoring, denial to all proposals of coal mines and industries around buffer zone of TATR and protection of tiger corridors. Other demands such as monthly review of protection work with local NGOs and special management for control of fire in forest were also raised before the forest secretary. President of Green Planet Society Suresh Chopne claimed that Pardeshi has agreed to include NGO activists into waterhole monitoring in jungles. "We would provide 100 NGO activists for the monitoring exercise from different organizations. We have asked for special identification cards for such activists, to which Pardeshi agreed," he said. Activists of Green Planet Society, Jungle Care, Wild Care, Friends of Tadoba, People for Animals, Chandrapur Bachao Samiti, Prahar organization, Viano Nature Club, Prithvimitra Nisarg Sanstha and Vanyajeev Sanrakshan Samiti took part in the protest.NGO activists protest tiger poaching TNN | May 22, 2012, 01.55AM IST Article Comments inShare Read More:Tiger Poaching|TATR|Rambagh Forest 0 CHANDRAPUR: A group of NGO activists, connected to different organizations, staged a protest on Monday morning before state forest secretary Pravin Pardeshi, flaying the failure of the forest department in saving the tiger. They waved black flags and demanded a CBI probe into poaching cases. Over two dozen wildlife activists gathered at the gate of Rambagh forest premises. They staged a protest march up to forest rest house. A delegation of activists, led by Suresh Chopne, Sachin Wazalwar and Ashish Ghume, later met Pardeshi and submitted their joint memorandum to him. The memorandum demanded CBI investigation into poaching of tigers. NGOs also demanded day and night monitoring of all waterholes, use of latest technology for protection of tigers, inclusion of local NGOs into special investigation team, inclusion of NGO activists into patrolling and monitoring, denial to all proposals of coal mines and industries around buffer zone of TATR and protection of tiger corridors. Other demands such as monthly review of protection work with local NGOs and special management for control of fire in forest were also raised before the forest secretary. President of Green Planet Society Suresh Chopne claimed that Pardeshi has agreed to include NGO activists into waterhole monitoring in jungles. "We would provide 100 NGO activists for the monitoring exercise from different organizations. We have asked for special identification cards for such activists, to which Pardeshi agreed," he said. Activists of Green Planet Society, Jungle Care, Wild Care, Friends of Tadoba, People for Animals, Chandrapur Bachao Samiti, Prahar organization, Viano Nature Club, Prithvimitra Nisarg Sanstha and Vanyajeev Sanrakshan Samiti took part in the protest. NGO activists protest tiger poaching TNN | May 22, 2012, 01.55AM IST Article Comments inShare Read More:Tiger Poaching|TATR|Rambagh Forest 0 CHANDRAPUR: A group of NGO activists, connected to different organizations, staged a protest on Monday morning before state forest secretary Pravin Pardeshi, flaying the failure of the forest department in saving the tiger. They waved black flags and demanded a CBI probe into poaching cases. Over two dozen wildlife activists gathered at the gate of Rambagh forest premises. They staged a protest march up to forest rest house. A delegation of activists, led by Suresh Chopne, Sachin Wazalwar and Ashish Ghume, later met Pardeshi and submitted their joint memorandum to him. The memorandum demanded CBI investigation into poaching of tigers. NGOs also demanded day and night monitoring of all waterholes, use of latest technology for protection of tigers, inclusion of local NGOs into special investigation team, inclusion of NGO activists into patrolling and monitoring, denial to all proposals of coal mines and industries around buffer zone of TATR and protection of tiger corridors. Other demands such as monthly review of protection work with local NGOs and special management for control of fire in forest were also raised before the forest secretary. President of Green Planet Society Suresh Chopne claimed that Pardeshi has agreed to include NGO activists into waterhole monitoring in jungles. "We would provide 100 NGO activists for the monitoring exercise from different organizations. We have asked for special identification cards for such activists, to which Pardeshi agreed," he said. Activists of Green Planet Society, Jungle Care, Wild Care, Friends of Tadoba, People for Animals, Chandrapur Bachao Samiti, Prahar organization, Viano Nature Club, Prithvimitra Nisarg Sanstha and Vanyajeev Sanrakshan Samiti took part in the protest.

Maharashtra: Tiger poaching on the rise

CNN-IBN New Delhi: A spate of tiger poaching incidents have come to light from Maharashtra. The body of a tiger chopped into 11 pieces with its head and paws missing was recovered on Friday. It appears the tiger parts have been taken by the poachers. The incident happened at the Tadoba Tiger Reserve, which has seen a spate of poaching incidents. Just two weeks ago, the forest department found leghold traps in which two tigers had been caught. One of the tigers died and the other was injured. The park is considered to be a fine habitat for tigers in Central India with over 40 tigers on the last count. A red alert has been issued, but no one has been caught so far. In another shocking incident, a leopard along with her two cubs got electrocuted in the Saleghat forest near the Pench Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra. The officers have ruled out poaching and called it an accident. The animals were reportedly electrocuted when a high tension cable fell on them. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/maharashtra-tiger-poaching-on-the-rise/259962-3.html

'Go for participatory wildlife management'

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 22, 2012, 12.57AM IST NAGPUR: Even as reactions condemning poaching of tigers in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve ( TATR) landscape are pouring in, NGOs and conservationists have been coming up with several suggestions and ideas to handle the situation. Dilip Gode, secretary of the Vidarbha Nature Conservation Society ( VNCS), said there are some good examples of community forest management where wildlife protection has been given top priority. "It is again time to initiate an action of participatory wildlife management in select areas by building public trust," he said. "The Borda episode (tiger chopped into 10 pieces) is a conspiracy cooked by a gang very systematically operating in the area since long. Everybody knew that its leaders stay at some places in Madhya Pradesh. Yet, we unable to control the poaching incidents," says Gode. He felt it's futile to set up task forces. "What has happened to earlier such investigations and task forces. Have their recommendations been implemented," asked Gode. Gode demanded that responsibility be fixed and stern action against those forest officials neglecting their duties. "Investigate the matter by constituting a committee under a retired high court judge with officials from revenue, police, forest and representatives of credible NGOs," said Gode. As a state wildlife board (SWB) member, Gode had raised the issue of wildlife management in non-PAs. The government had set up a committee to find problems and prepare implementable management plan but the panel failed to function due to apathy of a top officer of the department who headed the committee. Another tiger escapes trap A tiger escaped a nylon wire trap, set for herbivores, on Monday in Pipardol forest under the Pandharkawda forest division in Yavatmal district. Forest officials told TOI that the incident came to light around 6.30pm. Even as a rescue team was getting ready to leave Nagpur, the tiger managed to extricate itself from the net. The forest officials have launched a hunt for local poachers. The spot is 20km by road from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Go-for-participatory-wildlife-management/articleshow/13365653.cms

Ranthambore reserve blessed with another cub

Asish Mehta, TNN | May 22, 2012, 02.03AM IST JAIPUR: After two new tiger cubs were spotted in the month of April, the wildlife authorities in Ranthambore were elated after they found T-39 with a cub on Monday. With this, the number of cubs born in the last 10 months has gone up to 21. The total number of tigers in the park has now gone up to 47 which include 26 adults (12 males and 14 females) and 21 cubs, according to the wildlife authorities at the Ranthambore National Park. On Monday, some forest guards spotted T-39 with a cub in the Sulanpur area. Initially, it was not known if the cub belonged to tigress T-39. When TOI contacted Y K Sahoo, field director of the park, he said, "Yes, T-39 was spotted with a cub. There is a possibility of a second cub as tigresses are known to give birth two cubs." Sahoo added, "The age of the cub appears to be around three months." The wildlife authorities have also said that T-17 tigress in the park is also pregnant as judged by her behavioural changes. "Her behaviour shows that she too has delivered recently. Usually, a tigress hides her cub for three months, so we will have to wait for three months for confirmation," said an official. Some of the wildlife enthusiasts including state tourism and environment minister Bina Kak have shared pictures of T-39 with a cub and many tiger lovers have expressed happiness. "Even T-17 seems to have delivered recently. Fingers crossed," said a wildlife lover. Wildlife enthusiasts attributed the birth of new cub to the rehabilitation of villagers from the core tiger habitat. "It is the result of efforts made by the wildlife authorities and those working for tiger protection," said Dharmendra Khandal, conservation biologist at Tiger Watch, an NGO at Ranthambore. Similarly, the experts also said that now the state government should expedite the work of extension of core critical habitat for tigers from the existing 392 sq km to 1,100 sq km. "The work of evacuation of the villagers and their rehabilitation need to be done in a proper way. Villagers should be taken in confidence," said a tiger conservationist. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Ranthambore-reserve-blessed-with-another-cub/articleshow/13366729.cms

Three cheers: Tiger number up in Panna

Lemuel Lall, TNN | May 20, 2012, 05.43AM IST BHOPAL: Tiger population revival programme in India has received a boost with one more tigress named T-2 giving birth to three cubs in the Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR), in eastern Madhya Pradesh. With the three new additions tiger population in Panna reserve has risen to 20. After the failure of a similar programme in Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, the big cat population revival in PTR had brought back relief to the wildlife experts and foresters associated with the project. Three months ago, a feline christened T - 1, begot four cubs. Seven-year-old T-2 had been trans-located to PTF from world famous Kanha tiger reserve three years ago. The tigress gave birth to three cubs in a cave last month. "None of us can risk going to the cave and seeing the cubs, a top forest official said. This is the second litter of T-2.This feline gave birth to four cubs, eighteen months ago. With the arrival of three new guests in the PTR, the cub population has gone up to 15 in the park. Panna tiger reserve was in the news in the year 2009 as tiger population had vanished following poaching in the region. After PTR became devoid of big cat population the tiger population revival programme was launched in the park in early 2009. Four tigresses and a tiger were trans-located to PTR from Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench tiger reserves. Apart from T-2's seven cubs in two litters, two other tigresses - T- 1 and T -4 have begotten 10 cubs so far, of them 2 had died. Spread over an area of 543 sq km in Panna and Chhatarpur district, PTR had once been home to 35 tigers but slowly and gradually it lost them to poachers. This is the second litter of T-2.This feline gave birth to four cubs, eighteen months ago. With the arrival of three new guests in the PTR, the cub population has gone up to 15 in the park. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Three-cheers-Tiger-number-up-in-Panna/articleshow/13310580.cms

Ideas pour in to stop tiger poaching

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | May 21, 2012, 01.44AM IST NAGPUR: Reactions continue to pour in against the brutal poaching of a full-grown tiger at Borda near Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve on Friday. Reacting to Friday's incident, Belinda Wright, executive director of Wildlife Protection Society of India ( WPSI), said the loss of every wild tiger is a major set back for this critically endangered species. "The removal of three tigers from the wild due to poaching in Tadoba landscape tragically illustrates just how inadequate our existing protection measures are. The only short-term remedy for this is intelligence-led enforcement," Wright said. To achieve this, the forest department needs to collaborate closely with skilled enforcement officers from the police department, and experienced NGOs. Modern investigation techniques, including forensics and trained dogs, need to be quickly put in place, she said. Wright said another essential requirement is improved patrolling and monitoring in the field. Prof Nishi Mukherjee, who works with Baiga tribals in Kanha, called for a law to shoot poachers at sight. In Kaziranga tiger reserve in Assam, poachers are shot, he said. The Assam government, like the government of South Africa, knows how much economic sustenance the parks can give to local people. "Nagpur is the 'tiger capital of the world' and the 'gateway to tiger land'. Why must Maharashtra be a soft state within the country? With such flagrant poaching continuing without any accountability, is anyone held responsible?" asks Mukherjee. He said, "If criminals plunder gold from the Reserve Bank of India, will the security keep quiet? Similarly, if poachers plunder tigers and leopards, our forest wealth, should the forest department keep mum? Tigers and leopards are like gold mines and can bring in huge money, but locals have failed to understand this." Wildlife veterinarian Dr AD Kholkute called for close watch on Nagbhid, Talodi, Sindewahi, Mul and Babupeth railway stations and bus stands, from where Bahelia poachers sneak into the forest areas. "Inquire with local cycle stores about any unknown person hiring a cycle and if a local person has introduced him," he suggested. There are coal mines in Chandrapur and majority of the workers are from other states. Officials should inquire about guests visiting these workers. Besides, villagers, particularly shepherds and cowboys, need to be taken into confidence as they know people wander in the forests. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Ideas-pour-in-to-stop-tiger-poaching/articleshow/13324280.cms

Tiger carcass had gunshot-like wound

Mazhar Ali, TNN May 20, 2012, 04.53AM IST CHANDRAPUR: Was the tiger, whose carcass was recovered in 10 pieces in Borda jungle, was shot by a gun? That is the big question before investigators probing the tiger poaching case. While investigators are much inclined on electrocution angle in poaching, mention of a hole on tiger carcass akin to a gunshot injury in autopsy report has raised new questions in the case. Veterinary doctors who performed post mortem on the tiger carcass found burn injury marks which could have been caused due to electrocution, but they also discovered a lone hole on the stomach just below the hip which could be a shot injury of manually loading gun. "Vets have recovered some blackish metal like balls from the injury. Such injury could be caused due to gun shot," said sources. DCF, Chandrapur forest division, P Kalyankumar confirmed the hole in the tiger carcass. "The entire injured portion having hole on it has been removed from the carcass and forwarded to the forensic department for confirmation. Possibility of tiger being shot by gun cannot be ruled out. In that case, burn injury marks suggesting electrocution could have been put deliberately to confuse investigators," he said. Forest officers are also probing the case from the angle of electrocution. They have obtained trip record of electric supply lines from MSEDCL. The tiger is assumed to have been killed Thursday night, but it has turned out that there was no tripping of power supply that night. "Records suggest that electric supply was not snapped on Thursday night. But there were incidents of tripping in the afternoon and evening on Thursday. However, poachers do not lay electrified wire for poaching during the day as there are high chances of grazing cattle coming in its contact," Kalyankumar said. He, however, maintained that this is an unusual case and hence chances of day time electrocution too is not being ruled out. Investigators have summed up that more than one poacher are involved in poaching. Whoever had poached the tiger had access to four-wheeler and a butcher. Foresters are more focused on summer farming area, which have to irrigation facility with 11 KV connections. "Local poachers are clear suspects in the case. Poachers could have been after some herbivores, but a tiger died in their trap. They were clever enough to remove the carcass to a distant location. There is definitely no Baheliya gang connection into this poaching as such destruction of tiger skin is not their modus operandi," DCF said. Forest department is seeking all the help from police and MSEDCL for investigations into the case, he added. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-20/nagpur/31788085_1_tiger-carcass-electrocution-chandrapur-forest-division