NTCA team arriving to decide fate of straying tiger, may relocate it in Satkosia

The two-member committee appointed by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for making site appraisal in Satkosia to facilitate relocation of the straying tiger is set to arrive here on Monday. The team, comprising Assistant Inspector General Dr Bilal Habib and Wildlife Institute of India Scientist Parag Nigam, will take stock of the habitat at Satkosia which is believed to be the home of the five-year-old tiger, currently in Nandankanan Zoological Park’s White Tiger Safari. “We have information that the two-member team will reach here on July 1 or maybe a day later,” sources in the Wildlife Wing said. On June 6, the NTCA had ordered that the five-year-old tiger should be released into the wild in Satkosia after radio collaring. The national authority had also sought a post-release monitoring protocol to be put in place for which it will provide funding support. The team will visit Satkosia, a low density tiger reserve, to make an inspection of the probable sites where the tiger could be relocated. It will also assess the conflict issues since male tigers are extremely territorial in nature. Besides, relocation sites have to be taken into consideration on basis of their proximity to human habitations to avoid any man-animal conflict. In fact, the NTCA has made it clear that it will fund the radio collaring and subsequent post-release protocol. The national body has a whole laid down procedure to prevent any conflict situation arising out of straying of wild tigers. Chief Wildlife Warden J D Sharma, vested with the power to decide the tiger’s fate, had said that he would wait for the advice of the NTCA team members and take a call which is in the “best interest of the carnivore as well as the people.” The five-year-old male tiger, which has been in Chandaka forests and in the vicinity of Nandankanan, also a wildlife sanctuary, had entered the zoo’s safari on April 30. A month later, with its fate hanging in the balance and no action taken by the Wildlife Wing, the zoo authorities had moved it to an enclosure. The same day, on May 31, it scaled the 18 feet iron mesh wall of the enclosure and freed itself. About a week back, it returned again and is back in the safari. In case relocation is recommended by the NTCA, it will also discuss capture of the tiger which requires immobilisation. The relocation, strongly advocated by wildlife activists, may trigger protest from adjoining local villagers who have been seeking that the predator be kept in captivity at the zoo. On June 6, the NTCA had ordered that the five-year-old tiger should be released into the wild in Satkosia after radio collaring. The relocation may trigger protest from adjoining local villagers who have been seeking that the predator be kept in captivity at the zoo. The team will visit Satkosia, a low density tiger reserve, to make an inspection of the probable sites where the tiger could be relocated. In case relocation is recommended by the NTCA, it will also discuss capture of the tiger which requires immobilisation. http://newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/NTCA-team-arriving-to-decide-fate-of-straying-tiger-may-relocate-it-in-Satkosia/2013/07/01/article1661809.ece

Big cat from Palamu Tiger Reserve strays into non-reserve area

TNN | Jul 1, 2013, 05.10 AM IST DALTONGANJ: A big cat from the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) has strayed into a non-tiger reserve area. Sources said, its presence in the area has made him vulnerable to potential threat from outsiders The tiger first crossed the Koyal river, which had very little water a couple of days ago. The tiger migrated from Kumandi (Kumandi is under the tiger reserve) to Saryu ( a non-tiger reserve). PTR field director S E H Kazmi said the divisional forest officer (core) of this reserve P Anand has informed him about the tiger straying into a non-tiger reserve area. Pug marks were found on both sides of the Koyal river. A wild animal, especially a tiger or a leopard in a non-reserve area, is exposed to various threats, inlcuding the threat to its life. As and when it preys, it ltriggers hostility among the livestock feed owner. Asked if strayed elephants can be controlled and brought back to normal track, why not tigers, the field director said, "Here there is no mechanisn as such to tame or put back any migrated or strayed tiger on its old trodden path or area." Responding to a query about whether the tiger will go hunting for a man if it fails to find a prey, Kazmi said, "Palamu Tiger Reserve doesn't have a history of a tiger eating a man since the year of its inception 1974. There have been a couple of incidents when a tiger has mauled some persons but not eaten up anyone here. Man-tiger directconfrontation is unheard of here." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Big-cat-from-Palamu-Tiger-Reserve-strays-into-non-reserve-area/articleshow/20852261.cms

Madhya Pradesh confident of reclaiming its 'tiger state' tag in next census: State forest minister

Bagish K Jha, TNN | Jun 27, 2013, 07.15 PM IST According to the last tiger census, there were only 257 tigers left in Madhya Pradesh's six tiger reserves- Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Panna, Bori-Satpura, Sanjay Dubri, and Pench. RELATED Portion of wall in Vidhana Soudha allegedly demolished by forest mini...​Madhya Pradesh tigers to head for Sariska sanctuaryHC issues notice to state forest ministerImplement social security schemes promptly: Forest ministerMadhya Pradesh unsuitable for big cats: Study INDORE: Madhya Pradesh that is in loggerhead with Gujarat over translocation of lions is now confident to reclaim its 'tiger state' tag in the next census. Forest minister of Madhya Pradesh Sartaj Singh on Thursday said numbers of tigers have increased significantly and state is all set to emerge number one in terms of tigers. Minister claims that he is getting reports of encouraging increase in number of tigers at Panna and Kanha Tiger reservers, the number of tiger cubs in other reserves across the state is also looking up. He further said total number of tigers in state might go close to 300 in next census. According to the last tiger census there were only 257 tigers left in the state's six tiger reserves- Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Panna, Bori-Satpura, Sanjay Dubri, and Pench. Minister said they had objected to the figures last census released by WII and National Tiger Conservation Authourity (NTCA). He said that WII and NTCA had admitted their mistake after conducting re-counting in Kanha Tiger Reserve. "But they said figure can not be changed now after it being released," said Singh adding that even the figure of 300 tiger in Karnataka was not correct. So they are very confident about reclaiming tag of 'tiger state'. On the allegation of poaching being one the main reason behind decline in number of tigers, minister said Madhya Pradesh was at number four in terms of tiger death in 2012. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttarakhand are leading the list. Last year nearly 12 tigers died many of them died natural deaths or accidents because most of the cases carcases were found. He added that poachers do not leave body behind. An NGO has submitted its report to Gujarat forest department that has stated that lions should not be translocated to Kuno as Madhya Pardesh is known to be a major poaching ground and the state has lost 453 tigers out of 710 (63% loss) in a decade. The state as per the 2011 census has only 257 tigers. The loss of tiger in Madhya Pradesh was 50 per cent of the total loss of the tigers across the world. Minister said these figures are inflated and they object it in SC. "We have one very basic argument one species should be restrict to only one geographical area. So lion should be translocated to other area and several surveys were done before finalising Kuno as second home of lion," said minister. Minister said to oppose translocation NGO report has calimed that Sheopur district has 4800 fire arm licenses for a population of six lakh and the sanctuary area was once a hub of dacoits from Chambal. "First there is need to cross check the statistics of report, second does it mean that everyone with gun license is waiting with their gun to kill lion," said minister. He further said concentration of one species at one place is good for that particular species. "For this very purpose we are translocating Barasingha from Kanha to Satpura," said minister. Right now Barashinga are only at Kanha forest department want to spread it to other areas also. It applies on lion too. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Madhya-Pradesh-confident-of-reclaiming-its-tiger-state-tag-in-next-census-State-forest-minister/articleshow/20799570.cms

Madhya Pradesh confident of reclaiming its 'tiger state' tag in next census: State forest minister

Bagish K Jha, TNN | Jun 27, 2013, 07.15 PM IST According to the last tiger census, there were only 257 tigers left in Madhya Pradesh's six tiger reserves- Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Panna, Bori-Satpura, Sanjay Dubri, and Pench. RELATED Portion of wall in Vidhana Soudha allegedly demolished by forest mini...​Madhya Pradesh tigers to head for Sariska sanctuaryHC issues notice to state forest ministerImplement social security schemes promptly: Forest ministerMadhya Pradesh unsuitable for big cats: Study INDORE: Madhya Pradesh that is in loggerhead with Gujarat over translocation of lions is now confident to reclaim its 'tiger state' tag in the next census. Forest minister of Madhya Pradesh Sartaj Singh on Thursday said numbers of tigers have increased significantly and state is all set to emerge number one in terms of tigers. Minister claims that he is getting reports of encouraging increase in number of tigers at Panna and Kanha Tiger reservers, the number of tiger cubs in other reserves across the state is also looking up. He further said total number of tigers in state might go close to 300 in next census. According to the last tiger census there were only 257 tigers left in the state's six tiger reserves- Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Panna, Bori-Satpura, Sanjay Dubri, and Pench. Minister said they had objected to the figures last census released by WII and National Tiger Conservation Authourity (NTCA). He said that WII and NTCA had admitted their mistake after conducting re-counting in Kanha Tiger Reserve. "But they said figure can not be changed now after it being released," said Singh adding that even the figure of 300 tiger in Karnataka was not correct. So they are very confident about reclaiming tag of 'tiger state'. On the allegation of poaching being one the main reason behind decline in number of tigers, minister said Madhya Pradesh was at number four in terms of tiger death in 2012. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttarakhand are leading the list. Last year nearly 12 tigers died many of them died natural deaths or accidents because most of the cases carcases were found. He added that poachers do not leave body behind. An NGO has submitted its report to Gujarat forest department that has stated that lions should not be translocated to Kuno as Madhya Pardesh is known to be a major poaching ground and the state has lost 453 tigers out of 710 (63% loss) in a decade. The state as per the 2011 census has only 257 tigers. The loss of tiger in Madhya Pradesh was 50 per cent of the total loss of the tigers across the world. Minister said these figures are inflated and they object it in SC. "We have one very basic argument one species should be restrict to only one geographical area. So lion should be translocated to other area and several surveys were done before finalising Kuno as second home of lion," said minister. Minister said to oppose translocation NGO report has calimed that Sheopur district has 4800 fire arm licenses for a population of six lakh and the sanctuary area was once a hub of dacoits from Chambal. "First there is need to cross check the statistics of report, second does it mean that everyone with gun license is waiting with their gun to kill lion," said minister. He further said concentration of one species at one place is good for that particular species. "For this very purpose we are translocating Barasingha from Kanha to Satpura," said minister. Right now Barashinga are only at Kanha forest department want to spread it to other areas also. It applies on lion too. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Madhya-Pradesh-confident-of-reclaiming-its-tiger-state-tag-in-next-census-State-forest-minister/articleshow/20799570.cms

Unhappy with non-compliance, IG calls off tiger cell meet

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Jun 28, 2013, 01.27 AM IST NAGPUR: The 15th divisional tiger cell meeting called on Thursday in the backdrop of a series of tiger poaching cases in the region ended abruptly after Rajendra Singh, the special inspector general (Nagpur Zone) who is also chairman of the cell, expressed displeasure over non-compliance of wildlife related issues by the forest department. The meeting started at 3.35pm at Van Sabhagruha. When minutes of the last meeting in February were being read out by PK Mahajan, the member-secretary of the cell and Nagpur deputy conservator of forests (DyCF), Singh sought information on action taken on covering of open wells, data on patrolling, creation of paths near electric lines etc. But the forest officials remained mum. Hence, a displeased Singh called off the meeting. All SPs, forest officials and their representatives from five districts and NGOs were present. "These are internal matters which I cannot tell you," was all Singh told TOI. Admitting that the deadline of July 30 has been set to comply with decisions taken in earlier meetings, Mahajan said that the meeting did not proceed. The next meeting will be held in the first week of August. FCR for 2 poachers till July 3 Tiger poachers Barsul and Yarlen, who were arrested by Jabalpur forest officials and brought here on Tuesday, were granted forest custody remand (FCR) until July 3 by a JMFC on Thursday. Badlu, Chika and Siri, the other poachers, are already under MCR till July 3. Badlu (Mamru), one the three arrested poachers for killing a tiger in East Melghat, in his statement had said that Barsul was involved in killing a tiger in Akot wildlife division. But Melghat wildlife officials have denied poaching in their area. The JMFC denied permission to hand over the poaching case to Melghat owing to technical reasons. A senior magistrate will have to take a decision on this. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Unhappy-with-non-compliance-IG-calls-off-tiger-cell-meet/articleshow/20806032.cms

Tiger's body parts found from sarpanch's house

Hitesh Chavda, TNN | Jun 28, 2013, 04.28 AM IST NADIAD: The state forest department officials recovered body parts of tiger from former sarpanch of Kadi village in Mahuda taluka on Thursday. The officials impersonated as potential customers to catch the sarpanch after forest conversator PK Raval got a tip-off about three weeks back. Raval first contacted the sarpanch Jashu Patel on June 12 as a customer and agreed to buy tiger's skin and other body parts for Rs. 3.5 lakh. Patel was caught in possession of tiger's skin, head, nails and teeth. The operation was carried with the help of local police. A case has been registered against Patel under the Wildlife Act. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/Tigers-body-parts-found-from-sarpanchs-house/articleshow/20807801.cms

Two tiger poachers nabbed, confess to killing five tigers in Melghat

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Jun 10, 2013, 02.06 AM IST The two, who were nabbed from Mansar, are part of a 30-member gang, which claims to have killed five tigers in the region over the last one month and sold tiger skins to a trader in North India. RELATED Sunderbans has more tigers than official estimateRiver dolphin pair gives birth to calf in HooghlySeven booked for gamblingOne more gambling den busted NAGPUR: The local crime branch (LCB) has nabbed two tiger poachers belonging to the notorious Baheliya community. The two, who were nabbed from Mansar, are part of a 30-member gang, which claims to have killed five tigers in the region over the last one month and sold tiger skins to a trader in North India. The operation to nab the poachers was launched on May 30 based on a tip-off to Nagpur IG from New Delhi. Police nabbed the poachers on June 6 while they were finalizing a deal for a tiger skin. On June 7, the duo were handed over to the forest department, which is further investigating the matter, after obtaining custody of the duo till June 12. The poachers have been taken to Melghat, where the gang reportedly killed the tigers. Crime branch PI RM Pali, who took action under the guidance of rural SP MK Sharma, who is also chief of the district tiger cell, said the dreaded poachers have been identified as Badlu (18) and Chika (20), both hailing from Baheliya stronghold Katni. They are a part of a tiger poaching gang that supplies tiger parts and skins to international syndicates. "The poachers have told us that their gang killed five tigers in Vidarbha region over the last one month, and sold the skins and bones eight days ago. We intercepted the gang on the basis of call details records (CDRs) and Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) inputs. We nabbed them while they were striking a deal for a skin. No skins have been seized from them as yet," said Pali. Forest officials who did want to be quoted said the poachers also confessed to have killed a tiger in Mandla and Tumsar. Only a thorough probe would reveal from where the tigers were killed. Pali said even as the deal was being settled, the poachers smelled a trap. Chika tried to run away by jumping from the four-wheeler. He also jumped into a well to hide, but was pulled out after a dramatic chase by policemen. According to sources, WPSI had first alerted forest officials in December 2012. It had also sounded another alert for police and forest officials in April, but the gang members gave a slip to both police and foresters. On May 30, yet another alarm was raised, and this time police took no chances. Coincidentally, forest officials contacted one of phone numbers that came up during investigations, and it turned out to be that of a poacher. Forest officials also undertook a sting operation but failed. Finally, police nabbed the poachers. WPSI had sounded an alert on May 26 in Melghat. Based on this, officials had nabbed a poacher named Siri in Paratwada. Siri belongs to Baheliya community and is a member of a sister gang of tiger poachers. He is now in the custody of the forest department. The arrest of poachers exposes tall claims of tiger protection by forest officials and also reveals how tigers are still under a threat. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Two-tiger-poachers-nabbed-confess-to-killing-five-tigers-in-Melghat/articleshow/20513159.cms

Tiger found dead in Hingna range

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Jun 10, 2013, 02.12 AM IST Villagers poison leopard in South Umred RangeTrain speed to be restricted to 40km/hr in Gondia-Chandrapur sectorEnclosure plea for wild tigerSection 144 to protect straying tigersWild tiger caught in Nandankanan NAGPUR: Even as Nagpur forest division officials are grappling with leopard poisoning case in South Umred, a tiger was found dead in Hingna range on Sunday evening. This is the seventh tiger death in the state since January 2013. The forest staff has failed to learn lessons from the past. Unlike poaching of a full-grown male tiger in Deolapar range that went unnoticed for over a month by the field staff, the carcass of the tiger found on Sunday is suspected to be over 10 days old. However, deputy conservator of forests (DyCF) for Nagpur PK Mahajan ruled out poaching. "All the body parts like nails and skin of the tiger are intact. Prima facie it looks the tiger must have died of old age," Mahajan said. He along with CCF SH Patil had rushed to the spot after learning about the incident. According to Mahajan, the putrefied carcass of a full-grown tiger was found around 4.15pm in reserve forest compartment number 301 in Borgaon beat. The spot is around 47km from Nagpur and 35km from the boundary of Bor Wildlife Sanctuary. According to Mahajan, there appears a crack in a tooth of the tiger. This is an indication of old age, he said adding that 40% of the skin has decomposed. The post mortem and other formalities like panchnama will be completed on Monday morning in the presence of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and chief wildlife warden's representatives. When sought to know about the delay in detecting the carcass, Mahajan admitted laxity on part of beat guard and van majoor, who could have easily discovered the tiger. "Both will face suspension," Mahajan said. On Saturday, beat guard and van majoor were suspended for negligence in poisoning of leopard in South Umred range. Earlier, in Deolapar tiger poaching case, forest guard and van majoor were suspended. However, no accountability has been fixed against range forest officers (RFOs) who are equally responsible for such incidents. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-found-dead-in-Hingna-range/articleshow/20513194.cms

Tiger freed at Red zone in MP, villagers attack officials

P Naveen, TNN | Apr 29, 2013, 02.45 PM IST Unmanned aerial vehicle base to be shifted to closer to Red corridor ...Tahsildar, 4 others hurt in tiger attackDid forest officials’ folly lead to Kerala tiger attack?Rhino calf killed by tigerMHA convenes meeting of Naxal-affected states BHOPAL: A tiger, which was locked into a room by a tribal woman after it strayed into her house in Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh on Friday morning was released near Loujhar ghati area — south Balaghat region, to save it from poachers. Hunters wont lay traps in this area, forest officials believe. Loujhar Ghati area, which falls under the jurisdiction of Roopjhar police station area is frequented by Maoists of Malajkhand Dalam, sources said. However, forest officials were attacked by angry villagers who wanted the tiger to be released in a distant area. Three persons, including retired ranger Niranjan Kumar Bisen, who volunteered help to the department in capturing the tiger, were injured after villagers resorted to stone-pelting. Police had to use mild lathicharge to disperse the mob. "They objected to the release of the tiger in forest area close to their village. I sustained injuries on my arms and two labourers sustained fatal wounds on their head," Bisen said. This was 53rd tiger he had captured. "At least poachers won't enter the area fearing Naxals," he said. The tiger had strayed into Nevargaon village close to the Pench-Kanha corridor in search of water, said forest officials. It entered into the house of Ishwar Nageshwar. When the tiger moved into a room, Ishwar's cousin Sangeeta Primal locked it from outside and ran out of her house with her three-year-old kid. Other members also woke up. The forest department was told about it. The tiger was into the room from 6 am to 5.30 pm till vets from the reserve tranquilized. Wildlife experts believe the tiger travelled several kilometres through the Red Corridor either for space and or prey-base shortage from the Nagzira sanctuary in Gondia (Maharashtra). http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Tiger-freed-at-Red-zone-in-MP-villagers-attack-officials/articleshow/19780354.cms

Many parts of Similipal Tiger Reserve declared inviolate

Many parts of Similipal Tiger Reserve declared inviolate By Siba Mohanty - BHUBANESWAR 29th April 2013 09:01 AM Photos About 800 sq km to 1200 sq km of inviolate area is required for the survival and sustenance of nearly 20 breeding tigers, which will in turn can sustain 50 to 60 tigers in all on a sustainable basis. In a bid to provide the national animal and its cubs a safer and quieter habitat, the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) management has declared several parts of the core area to be inviolate. Encouraged by sighting the big cats and their newborn cubs, the Upper Barahkamuda and Jenabil ranges have been declared no-go areas. Collection of minor forest produce and research activity has been prohibited. The STR has also banned vehicular movements after dusk, except on protection work. During the daytime, officials accompanied by STR staff can patrol the areas only in the vehicles belonging to the STR, Health, Police, Revenue Departments. Considering that tigers are overly-protective of their cubs and thus prefer isolated areas that are free from any external interference, the park management is maintaining a strong vigil and surveillance on the settlements in and around core areas of the big cat’s habitat. There are 68 villages within the STR which include three villages and two settlements in the core/critical area. As per the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines, about 800 sq km to 1200 sq km of inviolate area is required for the survival and sustenance of nearly 20 breeding tigers, which will in turn can sustain 50 to 60 tigers in all on a sustainable basis. “Studies have shown that tigers have left the areas where new roads are created. Tigers also leave places with human presence. They need absolute inviolate area for breeding and growth. Visitors of tiger dens can create disastrous consequences for animals. The loss to species and their habitats after the 2009 Naxal attack was incalculable which has put them under stress. So, the need of the hour is to provide them the much-needed space,” said STR Field Director Anup Nayak. http://newindianexpress.com/nation/Many-parts-of-Similipal-Tiger-Reserve-declared-inviolate/2013/04/29/article1566146.ece

Ranthambore tiger strides 220km to MP

Anindo Dey & P Naveen, TNN | Apr 25, 2013, 05.57 AM IST The search for a home led a young male tiger from Ranthambore to travel through villages and agricultural fields, cross the Chambal river and 'settle' 220km away in a patch of forest in Datia district of Madhya Pradesh. RELATED Withdraw cases against Hindus or face protest: Acharya Dharmendra to ...Madhya Pradesh MLA's daughter tortured by kinMadhya Pradesh rape accused nabbed in BhagalpurMadhya Pradesh minor girl's rapist arrestedDulux unveils Super Satin in Madhya Pradesh JAIPUR/GWALIOR: The search for a home led a young male tiger from Ranthambore to travel through villages and agricultural fields, cross the Chambal river and 'settle' 220km away in a patch of forest in Datia district of Madhya Pradesh. This is the farthest any big cat from the national park is recorded to have travelled. The journey has been documented by Ranthambhore's deputy conservator of forest YK Sahu, field biologist Dharmendra Khandal (of tiger watch), and Ayan Sadhu, a junior research fellow at Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. On March 14, the three-year-old tiger was found in Seoda range of Datia territorial forest division, a forest patch 55km in length and 11-12km wide. Identified as a male cub of tigress T-26, the tiger was one of three that went missing from Ranthambore. The other two were traced to Kuno wildlife sanctuary, which is preparing to host lions from Gir in Gujarat. A team from Ranthambore visited Datia district last week. It installed camera traps to check the tiger's movements. The big cat finally showed up in camera trap pictures. "Our team followed the tiger all the way to MP. We are happy that it's safe there and the officers were very cooperative. We cannot stop dispersal, only concern is its safety," said Y K Sahu, district forest officer Ranthambore. The longest recorded distance travelled by a tiger is 280km (as the crow flies), when another young male wandered from Bandipur to Shikaripur in Karnataka in 2011. According to a report by Sahu and others, "By the end of January 2013, the sub-adult cubs of tigress T-26, about two years old, began to disperse from their mother. On January 23 and 24 night, villagers of Khandar and Ganeshnagar reported movement of tigers," the report said. By January 25, pugmarks were again seen along Banas river going towards Bichpuri. The marks led up to Bheonji, near Bichpuri village, 12km from Dhamida ghata and then 4km away near Gopaz Ghati leading to the neighbouring Kailadevi Sanctuary. After that, the tiger crossed Chambal river and entered the forests of Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh. It was tracked by forest officials of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Between January 28 and February 9, the tiger had travelled 70 km from its natal place in Ranthambore. A cow was found mauled to death near Birpur territorial range in MP, confirming the predator's presence. The animal went unnoticed for a long time. But in the first week of March 2013, the forest division of Datia in Madhya Pradesh reported movement of a tiger in Seoda range. "Since there was no reported tiger presence in this area, a team was sent from Ranthambore to assist the Datia forest staff. On March 27, the killing of a wild boar alerted local staffers who installed cameras and managed to get pictures which matched with those of T26's male cub," the report notes. "We concluded that the tiger roaming in the Seoda range is one of the male sub-adults from the present litter of T26," says Dharmendra Khandal. There were no tiger sightings in Datia till one was shot dead by poachers in 1998. Prior to that one was hunted 'legally' by a royal family member in 1960, said sources. "We are very concerned about the tiger's safety. Additional patrolling is being done to keep tab on its movements," said chief conservator of forest (Gwalior circle) SP Rayal. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Ranthambore-tiger-strides-220km-to-MP/articleshow/19719121.cms

Tiger was found dead near Corbett

DS Kunwar, TNN | Apr 19, 2013, 04.49 AM IST READ MORE Ramnagar Forest Division|National Tiger Conservation Authority|Corbett Tiger Reserve|Uttarakhand RELATED Seers, environmentalists slam Uttarakhand govtUttarakhand Assembly adjourned after chaosUttarakhand teachers' strike called offUttarakhand govt transfers 21 bureaucratsWeek-long Uttarakhand Mahotsav concludes DEHRADUN: A mutilated body of a 6-year-old tiger was found in Ramnagar forest division under Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) in Nainital district on Thursday. Kumaon forest conservator, Sameer Sinha, said the carcass was spotted during a routine visit by officials to Ramnagar forest division to roughly tally the number of tigers and other endangered species and their overall condition in the region. Sinha said as the team discovered a tiger's body with its amputated leg. A forest official part of team said that the tiger's carcass also bore injuries caused by sharp-edged weapons. He said the tiger had apparently crossed into Ramnagar forest division in search of prey. The official said the exact cause of death will be known after post-mortem examination report but the condition of carcass suggested it might have the work of poachers. A senior IFS officer said the condition of carcass indicated that the animal was killed mostly probably late Wednesday. The body was taken to Corbett Veterinary centre for post-mortem. This is the second suspected case of tiger poaching in Ramnagar forest division within one month. A tiger was found dead there in the second week of March. About seven tigers were found dead under mysterious circumstances under CTR and Ramnagar forest division during the last five months. Decks were cleared for Special Tiger Protection Force in Corbett Decks have been cleared for forming a Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) in Corbett National Park after senior officials in National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Uttarakhand Forest department and Corbett National Park (CNP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Ramnagar in Nainital district. CNP director Ranjan Mishra said that STPF' will considerably help ensure the security of tigers and other endangered species in Corbett. The decision to form this force was taken to prevent spurt in tiger poaching in Corbett. "Now there is no technical hitch in recruitment for force and we will begin recruitment", said Mishra. Principal chief conservator of forests R B S Rawat said the proposal had been pending with the Union ministry for forests and environment for sanction for a long time. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Tiger-was-found-dead-near-Corbett/articleshow/19625936.cms

Sathyamangalam Forest declared Tiger Reserve

S. RAMESH Sathyamangalam Forest in Erode district has been declared a Tiger Reserve. It is the fourth such reserve in Tamil Nadu. The three other tiger reserves are at Mudumalai in the Nilgiris district, Anamalai in Coimbatore districtand Kalakad-Mundanthurai in Tirunelveli district. The Forest Department has received the Government Order declaring Sathyamangalam Forests as a tiger reserve, and the Union government has also notified it, Conservator of Forests, Erode circle, A. Venkatesh told The Hindu over the phone on Monday. The government has earmarked 1.40 lakh hectares for the exclusive protection zone for the big cats. Of the total area, the core zone comprises over 90,000 hectares. 25 tigers “Sathyamangalam is home to at least 25 tigers, which has been confirmed by various studies conducted by our department and the World Wildlife Fund. The population is healthy and growing,” Mr. Venkatesh said. The presence of a good number of tigers in the region was confirmed during the recent wildlife census, as well. Enumerators found marks left by tigers in many areas in this region. The scat study conducted by the department also indicated the presence of 18 to 25 tigers in the region. “The creation of a tiger reserve will lead to total habitat improvement and improve the flora and fauna in the entire region. The wildlife managers will be able to ensure greater protection to the big cats. The purpose of the initiative is to protect, propagate and improve wildlife and its environment,” Mr. Venkatesh said. The region has a unique environment where elephants, tigers, black bucks, hyenas and vultures co-exist. The elephant population in the region is estimated to be around 1,200. The region also witnesses a healthy growth in the vulture population, forest officials here said. Meanwhile, Mr. Venkatesh said, the Forest Department would not evict people living inside the tiger reserve. “There will be no forceful eviction. The livelihood of the forest dwellers will not be disturbed due to the creation of exclusive zone for tigers,” he said. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/sathyamangalam-forest-declared-tiger-reserve/article4529052.ece

Tadoba, Pench tiger conservation plans to be rewritten

ByVijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Mar 20, 2013, 01.14 AM IST Melghat tiger reserve to get special forceAging foresters to be withdrawn from tiger forceMadhya Pradesh shifts 94 villages from notified National Parks and sa...Villagers take up patrolling along Pench bordersMaiden workshop in Pench for wildlife wardens NAGPUR: The tiger conservation plans (TCPs) of Tadoba-Andhari and Pench tiger reserves in Vidarbha will have to be modified significantly with conservation witnessing a sea change in the last three years leading to statutory policy changes. TCPs are mandatory after the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 was amended in 2006. A separate chapter has been added to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which inter alia, enables provisions under Section 38V for preparing a TCP for proper management of tiger reserves, which includes staff development and deployment plan. Of the four tiger reserves in Maharashtra, TCPs for Pench and TATR were prepared in 2009. The government approved the TCPs for both the reserves and sent them to the NTCA. However, even as the plans were discussed in a series of meetings, they need to be changed. Talking to TOI, SWH Naqvi, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Maharashtra, said since 2009, there have been several management and procedural changes. Naqvi said buffer zones of both Tadoba and Pench have been notified. In case of Tadoba, managerial changes have been effected with buffer and core being looked after by two separate officials reporting to field director of TATR. In case of Pench, Mansinghdeo wildlife sanctuary has been notified in 2010 in the buffer zone. Besides, the NTCA has come out with a new ecotourism policy which needs to be approved and incorporated in the TCPs. While TCP of Tadoba was returned around 7 months back, a meeting to discuss Pench TCP was held in Delhi on March 12. "All these changes are permanent in nature and will have to be altered in the TCP by the field directors," said Naqvi. Fortunately, these changes have been incorporated in the TCPs for Melghat and Sahyadri tiger reserves as these plans were forwarded to the government two months ago. On TCP's significance, Naqvi informed the basic objective is to ensure protection of reserves and providing site specific habitat inputs for a viable population of tigers, co-predators and prey animals without distorting the natural prey-predator ecological cycle in the habitat. He added, once approved by the NTCA, the TCP will also aim at ecologically compatible land uses in the tiger reserves and areas linking it to another for addressing the livelihood concerns of locals, so as to provide dispersal habitats and corridors for spill over population of wild animals from the designated core areas. The TCP will also ensure that forestry operations of regular forest divisions and those adjoining tiger reserves are not incompatible with the needs of tiger conservation. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tadoba-Pench-tiger-conservation-plans-to-be-rewritten/articleshow/19079914.cms

Palamu Tiger Reserve has two cages for stray animals

TNN | Mar 20, 2013, 06.01 AM IST DALTONGANJ: The Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) now has two cages ready to keep animals which had strayed. Sources from the PTR said one cage is reserved for big animals like leopards while the other will easily manage to house wildlife the size of hyena. Sources from the reserve also said these cages were not maintained earlier. A leopard had entered a tribal widow's house in Palamu's Chainpur block a month ago. That is when the cage was repaired so that the leopard could be safely kept there before setting it free at night. The smaller cage, too, had an inmate recently when an injured hyena was rescued from the same Chainpur block. It was sent to Birsa Biological Park, Ranchi for treatment. In another incident, a bear had also strayed inside Garu block but was attacked by the villagers about two and a half months ago. Even though it was rescued by the PTR officials, it succumbed to its injuries. None of the reserve officials have any knowledge of the status of the cages. These cages are attached to wheels so that they can be taken to the forests from the sight of rescue. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Palamu-Tiger-Reserve-has-two-cages-for-stray-animals/articleshow/19083149.cms

Tigress found dead at Ranthambore

TNN | Mar 19, 2013, 02.52 AM IST Nagarahole tiger reserve reports another tiger deathTiger found dead outside Nagarahole tiger reserveUnruly mob traumatizes tigerCelebrating Tiger PataudiWhat's stalking Sunderbans tiger? JAIPUR: A tigress T-37 was found dead in its territory (zone-9) at the Ranthambore tiger reserve on Monday. Locals said the tigress was seen in the morning by visitors but was found dead around 2.30pm. Forest officials are clueless about the reason behind the death. The tigress' body was first spotted by a guide at Pandu Kho in Kanwalji area, which is a part of zone-9. "The doctor who was immediately called to examine the body was not sure about what led to the death," said a local journalist who visited the spot. He said eye-witnesses had seen the tigress coughing during the day. "The doctor said it could be kidney or liver failure," he said. The doctor also didn't rule out the possibility of the tigress being pregnant and some complication in pregnancy causing the death. "Post-mortem will be conducted on Tuesday morning," said a forest official. Another forest official however said that it could be a revenge killing by the villagers from the adjoining areas of the reserve. "We have not found any poisonous substance in the area. However, the zone where the tigress was found dead is surrounded by villages and it happens to be a disputed area between villagers and the reserve," he said. Villagers also graze their cattle in the area. In the past one year, this is the fourth big cat death in the state. Three months ago, a tigress, yet to be identified, was found dead in Ranthambore while two tigers died in Sariska few months ago. With the recent death, the tiger population at the reserve now stands at 49. Experts said the death of T-37 is a major blow to the zone-9, a popular destination for tourists. The male tiger T-42 in the zone will now explore some other territory, which could also lead to a territorial fight. "The T-42 was the partner of the dead tigress in the zone-9 area," said Yaduvendra, president, Ranthambore Naturalists Association. The sibling of T-37 was killed by T-42 last year in a territorial fight, he said. "Death of T-37 is a major loss to the wildlife in the region where the two tigers were living," he added. He said that the death of the tigress was mysterious as she was seen a few hours before found dead. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Tigress-found-dead-at-Ranthambore/articleshow/19052436.cms

Forester hurt in gunfight with poachers

TNN | Mar 19, 2013, 01.06 AM IST KOLKATA: Two persons - a forest guard and a boatman - were injured in a gunfight between a group of Bangladeshi poachers and the foresters at Khatuajhuri in the Sunderbans on Monday. A forest department official, while confirming the news, said that some Bangladeshi fishermen reached Khatuajhuri after crossing the heavily-guarded Raimangal river and were carrying country-made guns with them. Since Khatuajhuri is close to the border, Bangladeshis often cross over to this side of the mangroves forests for illegal fishing activities and poaching deer. "On Monday, as our forest guards approached the group of people after seeing them moving suspiciously in the forests of Khatuajhuri, the latter suddenly opened fire at our men. A forest guard and a boatman were injured. However, the gunmen managed to cross over to the Bangladeshi side," said a forest department official. While one of the injured was referred to Kolkata for treatment, another is being treated at a local hospital in the Sunderbans. Presence of Bangladeshi pirates and poachers is nothing new in the Sunderbans. Only last year, a group of Bangladeshi pirates abducted some Indian fishermen at Kendo island and demanded ransom. Earlier, there were reports of foreign pirate vessels from Bangladesh and Myanmar entering Indian waters frequently for robbery and exchange of arms and ammunitions. What has taken many conservationists by surprise is the fact that apart from the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (STR), BSF too has a camp at Khatuajhuri. "Then how could the gunmen manage to cross over to the Indian side?" asked a conservationist. Bangladeshi poachers' involvement was suspected in the Indian Sunderbans after the body of a 2-month-old tiger cub was found floating on Raimangal river, close to the forests of Arbesi, on June 5, last year. "Only five days after this - on June 10 - three cubs, two females and a male, and about two months old were rescued in Bangladesh. The narrow Raimangal river acts as the border between India and Bangladesh. The cubs being smuggled to Malaysia were captured in Halde Bunia forests, just across the river in Bangladesh, less than 2km from the forests on the Indian side," said sources, adding that the dead cub found here might belong to the same litter that was being smuggled to Malaysia. After the tiger poaching case at Jhila in 2008, the last official report of big cat poaching in the mangroves, foresters had suspected that some Bangladeshi deer poachers had shot the tiger in self-defence. A conservationist said that the Bangladeshi poachers are making the best use of the porous Indo-Bangla border. "Since Khatuajhuri is heavily-guarded, exchange of fire is often reported from there. At times, Bangladeshi pirates and poachers have an upper hand since they use sophisticated weapons, compared to those being used by the Indian forest guards," he added. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Forester-hurt-in-gunfight-with-poachers/articleshow/19050394.cms

US woman held for trespassing in Kanha Tiger Reserve

Press Trust of India | Updated: March 18, 2013 23:59 IST Mandla: A US woman tourist was arrested for allegedly trespassing in the prohibited area of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, official sources said today. The California-based woman, identified as Eve Lynn, 50, checked into a hotel near the Kanha Tiger Reserve on the evening of March 15. The next day in wee hours she strolled into the reserve's prohibited area in Kisli Range without permission. Most Recent Cable operator killed by friends in Delhi Global PC shipments falling faster than expected: Report Also See 2:29 Wayanad's growing man-animal conflict 2:02 Tigers move out of Corbett park boundary She was spotted in the prohibited area by a forest guard who later informed his superiors about the woman's suspected activity, Kanha Tiger Reserve's Field Director J S Chouhan told reporters. The forest officials then questioned the woman and on not getting any satisfactory reply from her, they arrested her under Section 27(35) of the Wildlife Protection Act and produced her in a court yesterday. The court later released her on a personal bond with a direction that she would not leave the place and appear in the court again the next day. The American tourist later appeared in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Sheikh Saleem, who ordered her release after imposing a fine of Rs. 5,000. After completing formalities, the authorities set the woman free, officials said. http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/us-woman-held-for-trespassing-in-kanha-tiger-reserve-344082

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve reels under drought

D. RADHAKRISHNAN The situation has become a cause for concern to the Forest Department Unprecedented drought is keeping Forest Department officials on their toes in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) near here. Enquiries made by The Hindu revealed that hitherto, only certain pockets would be affected during the dry months, but this year, practically the entire Reserve extending to over 321 square kilometres wears a parched look. Migration The situation has become a cause for concern to the Forest Department and environmentalists as the conditions could trigger an outbreak of bushfires. Migration of animals in search of water and fresh vegetation has begun. Conservationist P.J.Vasanthan said that he was seeing the MTR in such a state for the first time. Some of the animals he saw were conspicuously emaciated. Many from the Moyar part of the Reserve are coming to the Channel to quench their thirst which flows from Maravakandy to the Moyar Dam. Pointing out that sighting of wild animals in the area has become frequent, he regretted that unscrupulous tour operators were exploiting the situation. In the process, they are disturbing the animals. The prevailing weather conditions have made the surroundings extremely dry and leafless. Since the situation in the Sigur and Gudalur forests adjoining the MTR was also equally bad, the human-wild animal conflict has escalated and instances of elephants damaging houses are being frequently reported. Stating that earlier, only about five per cent of the total area were badly affected during the dry season, the Deputy Director, MTR A.Ameer Haja lamented that this year, even perennial water sources have dried up. In view of the prevailing situation, a plan of action to deal with any exigency has been put in place. Officials, including 100 fire watchers, have been instructed to be in a state of alert round the clock. Since the fringe areas along the road which cuts through the reserve are highly vulnerable to bushfires, highway patrol has been intensified. Five vehicles have been permanently stationed in the Theppakadu, Kargudi, Masinagudy, Mudumalai and Nellakotai ranges of the Reserve to enable the officials to respond quickly to emergencies. Water tankers have also been stationed at convenient places. In addition to the fire fighting equipment in the MTR, special tools to control fires have been procured from Kerala. Fire lines have been extended. In February, four bushfires had broken out but all of them had been put out before they could cause much damage. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/mudumalai-tiger-reserve-reels-under-drought/article4521382.ece

Tiger found dead in private tea garden at Udhagamandalam

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT A tiger was found dead in a private tea garden at Nanjanad, about a km away from the Ithalar reserve forest, according to the District Forest Officer, The Nilgiris South, B. Sugirtharaj Kovilpillai. Late in the evening on Monday the department was informed by the villagers that the carcass was lying among the tea bushes. Stating that it was that of a male aged about ten years, Mr. Kovilpillai told The Hindu that a post-mortem examination was conducted on Tuesday by forest veterinarian Vijayaraghavan in the presence of conservationists from The Nilgiris Wildlife and Environment Association (NWLEA). It revealed that its last meal was a wild boar and it had suffered a crack on its nasal bone. There were no other injuries. It indicated that it had died in a fight with a wild boar or another tiger. Since the carcass was partly decomposed it was presumed that it had died four or five days ago. After adhering to all the formalities the carcass was set ablaze near the spot it was found. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tiger-found-dead-in-private-tea-garden-at-nanjanad/article4501782.ece

Villagers being misled on Tadoba eco-zones

ByVijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Mar 13, 2013, 07.21 AM IST Genetic anomaly linked to Alzheimer's diseaseCIDCO bags honour at the National Energy Conservation Award, 2012Kids with genetic disorders seek govt helpResearchers uncover genetic cause of eczemaIndo-Russian collaboration for genetic research NAGPUR: After a misleading campaign by a section of politicians against eco-sensitive zones (ESZs), greens have pitched in to allay fears of villagers on the issue of relocation of villages in these zones. A misleading campaign is being run by local politicians, including some MLAs, that hundreds of villages falling in the ESZs around the protected areas (PAs), especially Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), will be shifted after eco-sensitive area notification. The state government has already sent 19 proposals for ESZ to Centre. Satpuda Foundation, a leading NGO in Central India and also a member of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) headed by prime minister, has said that not a single village would be relocated when ESZs are notified. "After leaders misguided the villagers, there were protests in Chandrapur. Relocation of villages is not required in ESZ," said Kishor Rithe, president of the Foundation. The Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has already issued guidelines for ESZ to be notified and the activities to be permitted, regulated and prohibited have been clearly mentioned in these guidelines. The National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) 2002-2016 indicates areas outside the PA network are often vital ecological corridor links and must be protected to prevent isolation of fragments of biodiversity which will not survive in the long run. Hence, ESZ are mandatory. "Mining and quarrying activities are banned in ESZs. Many coal mines are proposed near TATR. This is the prime reason why politicians are carrying out a vicious campaign," Rithe said. "They had similarly instigated villagers when buffer zone around TATR was to be notified three years ago. More than three years after its notification, not a single village has been resettled in the buffer," said Bandu Dhotre of Eco-Pro, a NGO working for wildlife conservation in Chandrapur. The Satpuda Foundation has urged the state wildlife department to reach out to the villagers and tell them about ESZs. MoEF has extended the deadline to all the states to submit ESZ proposals by May 15, 2013. "A section of leaders is creating confusion in the minds of the people," said Suresh Chopne, president of Green Planet, Chandrapur. Why eco-sensitive zones? * National Board for Wildlife had on January 21, 2002, decided to notify eco-fragile zones under Section 3 (v) of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 * This was done to protect ecologically vital links and corridors with other areas that is important to preserve genetic diversity of wildlife * The action plan also indicates that 'all identified areas around sanctuaries and wildlife corridors be declared as ecologically fragile * In ESZs only non-polluting, non-hazardous small-scale and service industries like agriculture, floriculture, horticulture and agro-based units will be permitted * Mining and quarrying are banned. Many coal mines are proposed near TATR. This is main reason why state is delaying notifying ESZs. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Villagers-being-misled-on-Tadoba-eco-zones/articleshow/18944637.cms

'Problem tigers' an interstate headache

ByK R Rajeev, TNN | Mar 12, 2013, 05.50 AM IST NTCA to adopt Taser tech to immobilize problem tigerHC notice for NTCA and CZA over white tigersTiger, leopard may be killed if posing danger to humans: NTCATigress is recovering at zoo; to be left into forestTiger found dead outside Nagarahole tiger reserve KOZHIKODE: The tiger scare in Wayanad has now taken an interstate dimension. It has emerged that the 'problem tigers' captured by Karnataka forest officials and released close to the Kerala border were involved in the last two man-animal conflicts in Wayanad which left seven persons injured. TOI has learnt that the latest tiger captured at Moodakolli in Wayanad on March 6 was also a problem tiger captured by the Karnataka forest department from the Nagarahole National Park on January 17 after it attacked two people. It was released at the Bandipur National Park, bordering Wayanad, on the same day at a spot which was just 16km from its capture site in Kerala. The identity of the tiger was confirmed by the experts of the Bangalore-based Centre for Wildlife Studies-India (CWS). The term 'problem tiger' is used for any animal that persistently preys on domestic livestock, or has either killed human beings, or is potentially likely to do so immediately. Also, the previous tiger captured from Wayanad on February 2 was caged by the Karnataka forest department following cattle killing complaints and released at a place just 19km from Odappalam where it was later captured by the Kerala forest officials. The bungling by the Kerala forest department in releasing another stray tiger, originally from Nagarhole and captured on November 13 from Wayanad, ended in the shooting down of the big cat on December 2. Kerala forest officials say that the instances of problem tigers released by Karnataka forest department close to the state's boundary leading to conflict situations here called for a total review of the capture-release practice of problem tigers as it has only contributed to transfer of the problem to a new location. Centre for Wildlife Studies director K Ullas Karanth said that all the three tigers were released without following NTCA guidelines. It thus resulted in the sparking off of bigger problems and anti-conservation feelings among the people of Wayanad. He said that the felid captured at Moodakolli on March 6 was a male, around 9-10 years old, identified as NHT-292. The tiger was involved in cattle attacks within the Mysore forest division and at Manchanayakanahalli in January 2013 and had also attacked a villager on January 16. It was mobbed by the villagers at Ankanathpura on January 17 where it attacked a freelance photographer who was taking its snaps. It was released near Doddahalla within the Nisana Begur forest range in Bandipur National Park at 4.30pm the same day. Karanth said that trans-locating the tiger into the Bandipur National Park led to a man-animal conflict situation in Wayanad. "The release actually accentuated and transferred the conflict than solving it," he said. "This tiger, an evicted resident, past its prime, should have been euthanized, or held in captivity permanently. Releasing it again anywhere would surely have led to more conflicts and management problems," he added. Chief conservator of forest O P Kaler said that the National Tiger Conservation Authority directive to radio-collar all released tigers was not followed by the Karnataka forest staff while releasing problem tigers. "The NTCA guidelines are also against releasing injured and old tigers back to the wild. The tiger in question was around 10 years old and has lived its life. Then, what was the need to release the problem tiger," he added. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/Problem-tigers-an-interstate-headache/articleshow/18921076.cms

Ongoing stir at Sariska spells doom for tourism

ByRajendra Sharma, TNN | Mar 12, 2013, 01.30 AM IST Sariska villagers block tourists’ entryVillagers damage man's houseVillagers rescue injured lionAasu homage to agitation martyrsVillagers oppose Angul power plant ALWAR: The ongoing agitation of villagers has spelled doom for tourism industry at Sariska tiger reserve with the mass protest against relocation of their villages entering 13th day on Tuesday. Nearly 2,500 villagers who stay around the national park have been blocking its main entrance not allowing tourists entry since February 28. They threatened on Monday that the stir would be intensified as their peaceful agitation has failed to create any impact on the administration officials. Nearly 50 villages are yet to be relocated from the reserve area. The administration has put a ban on registry of land in these villagers and other surrounding areas which also the villagers are opposing. About 2500 residents of these 50 villages have been organising an indefinite sit-in at the reserve against the alleged "cheating" by the district administration . The villagers alleged that they had called off the agitation in May last year when the district administration agreed on some of their demands including lifting ban on the registry of land, construction of a concrete road and earmarking a grazing area. "But now they have backtracked and are expressing ignorance if any consensus was reached," said Jaikishan Gujjar, a villager. The tourists had started flocking the park after the number of tigers in Sariska reached seven with relocation of two tigers from Ranthambore in January. "More tourists were coming to Sariska as tiger sighting had become comparatively easier after relocation of two more tigers. However, with villagers block the park's entrance, the tourism industry has suffered a beating. Hotel and other bookings have been cancelled in the past 12 days," said Kailash Chand, a tour operator. Since 2008, the farmers in the periphery of the reserve have been showing their anger against the state government and wildlife authorities' decision to relocate them. The villagers leave their cattle to graze in the sanctuary area leading to frequent confrontations with forest guards and officials. It is the third time in the past eight months that the villagers have launched an agitation against the relocation. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Ongoing-stir-at-Sariska-spells-doom-for-tourism/articleshow/18917428.cms

Tiger carcass found in Sunderbans

StoryComments KOLKATA: The body of a full-grown tiger was found in the Sunderbans on Sunday. However, the year's first tiger death in this Unesco World Heritage Site has left the foresters with some task at hand. Even if the 10-year-old tiger's death in the forest of Jhila 5, on the fringes of the mangroves, seems natural, bleeding from its nose and blood stains on the rectum, also hint at possible poisoning. Confirming the news, Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (STR) field director Soumitra Dasgupta said that the body has been brought to Sajnekhali beat office. "Details can only be given after the postmortem report on Monday," he said, adding that forest guards on patrol spotted the carcass in Jhila 5. However, no injury mark was found on its body. The members of National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) schedule I animal handling committee have already left for the spot. A vet from the Alipore Zoo will also be present there on Monday to help the resident doctors in the post mortem. Though a forest official said it could be a case of snake bite as the number of King Cobras has risen in the mangroves in the recent past, conservationists are not ready to rule out the possibilities of poisoning. State wildlife advisory board member Sudipt Dutt said though death due to old age seemed natural, since there was bleeding from its nose possibilities of poisoning should also be checked during the postmortem. Echoing his view, another member of the board Biswajit Roy Chowdhury said that as the forest of Jhila 5 is on the fringes of the mangroves and close to the Bangladesh border, possibilities of poisoning can't be ruled out. "Though, snake bite and age factors should also be looked into," he added. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/tiger-carcass-found-in-sunderbans/articleshow/18900006.cms

Officials' bid to avoid forest fire in Valmiki Tiger Reserve

ByVithika Salomi, TNN | Mar 11, 2013, 02.13 AM IST PATNA: Forest officials at Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) have employed controlled burning method to protect the reserve from forest fires that usually take place during the summer months of May-June destroying flora and fauna in the area. Field director cum conservator of forests, VTR, Santosh Tiwari said the exercise is underway since February 15 and 90% area has already been covered. Tiwari told TOI, "During summer season, locals set dry leaves and 'kharkharai' on fire which, most of the time, leads to wild fire. At times, it becomes uncontrollable and spreads across almost 100 acres." With the controlled burning method, the officials concerned would be able to stop forest fires before they spread and cause loss of wildlife and resources. An area of about 100mX100m is first marked and then controlled burning is done on that land. Controlled fire is a tool used by foresters for hazard reduction and is conducted during the cooler months to reduce fuel build-up and decrease the likelihood of serious fire. All ranges of the VTR, including Manguraha, Govardhana and Raghiya in division 1 and Madanpur, Valmiki Nagar, Ganauli, Harnatand and Chyutaha in division 2, would undergo this process. "Last year, we did not have any data about which areas were more fire-prone, but this year we have marked the areas and are better prepared to put off forest fires in due time," said Tiwari. Asked if controlled burning was a hazard for the wildlife of the reserved forest, Tiwari said, "We do not venture into the dense areas where animals reside. Also, most animals come out only during night time and our work is done during day time, so no untoward incident has been reported from anywhere." He added the reports about wildlife being harmed in controlled fire were totally false. The exercise of controlled fire would be completed within a few days, he added. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Officials-bid-to-avoid-forest-fire-in-Valmiki-Tiger-Reserve/articleshow/18899835.cms

Delhi a tiger poaching hotspot: Report

TNN | Mar 11, 2013, 12.20 AM IST The report said, "This finding is also consistent with an examination of leopard seizures in which Delhi also emerged as the most important hub of illegal trade the country." RELATED Another arrest in tiger poaching case2 more held in tiger poaching caseScenic hotspots turn den of vicesPatnaites throng hotspots, splurge with gay abandonTwo suspended over tiger poaching in Pench buffer NEW DELHI: Delhi is not close to any of the tiger belts of the country, yet it figures among the five hotspots in India connected to big cat poaching, says a report by a global wildlife trade monitoring network and WWF. Tiger seizures in the capital are predominantly of skins, although there has been no big catch since 2005. The other four hotspots identified in the global report are: Ramnagar in Uttar Pradesh which sits close to the entrance of Corbett National Park, the towns of Balgahat and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh where Kanha and Pench National Parks are located, Kolkata and areas spanning south to the edge of the Sunderbans in Bengal and the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in the western ghats. On Delhi figuring in the list, the study says, "This finding is also consistent with an examination of leopard seizures in which Delhi also emerged as the most important hub of illegal trade the country, accounting for more than 26% of all leopards seized." The report was released by TRAFFIC, an organization that monitors wildlife trade, and WWF Tigers Alive Initiative. It is based on seizures of tigers and its body parts between 2000 and 2012 in 13 south Asian countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam. According to the study, a total of 1,425 seizures were reported during the study period. India, which has the largest tiger population in the world, had the most cases at 336. Cambodia reported none. A total of 654 seizures of tiger parts ranging from skin to bones, to teeth, claws and skulls took place during this period — an average of 110 tigers killed for trade per year or just over two per week, states the report. India, it adds, is the only country which had kept sufficiently detailed seizure records to allow for meaningful analysis to identify the 'hotspots' where tiger trade was taking place. Natalia Pervushina, tiger trade programme leader for TRAFFIC and WWF, said that if more robust information was routinely collected, analyzed and shared between countries, real inroads could be made into targeting the smuggling syndicates behind the trafficking. WWF and TRAFFIC are urging countries engaged in the global tiger recovery programme to develop a harmonized process for reporting poaching cases. On the basis of tiger seizure hotspots, the report infers that the big cats are sourced from India and moved to other zones of distribution such as Nepal and Myanmar, where stocks are built up and transported to consumer countries. It adds. "Two of the identified hotspots in India - Ramnagar and Sunderbans - are in close proximity to Nepal and Bangladesh. This should be used to create leverage for developing and enhancing cross borders agreements. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Delhi-a-tiger-poaching-hotspot-Report/articleshow/18898809.cms

Wildlife officials rescue tiger from irate villagers in Nagpur

Ads by Google A week after a tiger that strayed into human inhabitation became target of a restive crowd in Bhivapur tahsil of Nagpur, another sub-adult male tiger was encircled by villagers on Wednesday near Ashta village in Chandrapur district. However, it managed to escape unhurt. The village lies on the periphery of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. The villagers noticed the tiger in a dry nullah close to the village at around 9:30 am. They soon gathered and started throwing stones. Running for cover, the tiger got closer to the village. The crowd soon swelled and they started attacking the animal. Harshavardhan Dhanwatey of Tiger Research and Conservation Trust (TRACT), who was passing by, stopped and tried to mollify the crowd. "They were in no mood to listen. I called my team of volunteers and informed the officials, who arrived with staff some time later. It was very difficult to control the mob bent on attacking the tiger," Dhanwatey told The Indian Express. Two squads of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF), Rapid Response Unit (RRU), a veterinary doctor, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), TATR Core, Sujay Dodal, DFO, TATR Buffer, Kalyan Kumar and ACF Arun Tikhe along with other officials rushed to the spot. It was then decided to tranquilise the animal move it into the forest. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) S W H Naqvi issued the orders and ACF Girish Vasishtha was sent to the spot to tranquilise. "Villagers, however, continued to chase the tiger. Finally, it hid inside a thicket. When darts were fired, it got up and started walking towards the forest. People again chased it, so it hid inside a wheat field. Later, it came out and leaped into the forest," said Chandrapur honorary wildlife warden and tiger activist Bandu Dhotre. "An STPF guard received minor injury in the melee," Dodal said. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/wildlife-officials-rescue-tiger-from-irate-villagers-in-nagpur/1084169/

Wildlife officials rescue tiger from irate villagers in Nagpur

Ads by Google A week after a tiger that strayed into human inhabitation became target of a restive crowd in Bhivapur tahsil of Nagpur, another sub-adult male tiger was encircled by villagers on Wednesday near Ashta village in Chandrapur district. However, it managed to escape unhurt. The village lies on the periphery of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. The villagers noticed the tiger in a dry nullah close to the village at around 9:30 am. They soon gathered and started throwing stones. Running for cover, the tiger got closer to the village. The crowd soon swelled and they started attacking the animal. Harshavardhan Dhanwatey of Tiger Research and Conservation Trust (TRACT), who was passing by, stopped and tried to mollify the crowd. "They were in no mood to listen. I called my team of volunteers and informed the officials, who arrived with staff some time later. It was very difficult to control the mob bent on attacking the tiger," Dhanwatey told The Indian Express. Two squads of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF), Rapid Response Unit (RRU), a veterinary doctor, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), TATR Core, Sujay Dodal, DFO, TATR Buffer, Kalyan Kumar and ACF Arun Tikhe along with other officials rushed to the spot. It was then decided to tranquilise the animal move it into the forest. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) S W H Naqvi issued the orders and ACF Girish Vasishtha was sent to the spot to tranquilise. "Villagers, however, continued to chase the tiger. Finally, it hid inside a thicket. When darts were fired, it got up and started walking towards the forest. People again chased it, so it hid inside a wheat field. Later, it came out and leaped into the forest," said Chandrapur honorary wildlife warden and tiger activist Bandu Dhotre. "An STPF guard received minor injury in the melee," Dodal said. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/wildlife-officials-rescue-tiger-from-irate-villagers-in-nagpur/1084169/

Two injured in tiger attack near Sultan Batheri in Wayanad

TNN | Mar 7, 2013, 04.20 AM IST KOZHIKODE: Two persons were attacked and seriously mauled by a tiger at Moodakolli near Sultan Batheri in Wayanad on Wednesday afternoon, triggering public protests. The male tiger, estimated to be around 12 years old, was later brought down by tranquilizers and caged by the forest department staff. The injured, Karuthamkalayil Vasu (33) and Pulimoottil Binu (35) of Vakeri, were among a crowd which had encircled the tiger. Both of them have been admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital with deep bite injuries. Medical college authorities said that Vasu sustained deep bite injuries in legs, hips and stomach while Binu was injured on his legs and a part of his ear was bitten off. The big cat was spotted at a plantation early in the morning by a farmer. The tiger soon fled to a nearby coffee plantain where it was surrounded by the crowd. The beast attached the two by 4pm after some members of the crowd tried to take its photographs using their mobile phones. The local residents complained that no action was initiated to capture the tiger till 4pm. But forest sources said that the huge crowd encircling the tiger in the operation zone made any action impossible. Forest veterinarian surgeon Dr Arun Zachariah reached the spot and fired the first tranquilizing shot around 6pm. He had to fire another round of tranquilizing shot soon after to bring down the animal. South Wayanad divisional forest officer P Dhanesh Kumar led the operations. Police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse a crowd that blocked the vehicle carrying the caged animal and stoned the officials demanding compensation to the injured and steps to find a permanent solution to the tiger scare in the district. The vehicle was again blocked by agitated crowds at Pambra near Pulpalli. The animal was brought to the Wayanad wildlife warden office's at Bathery by 9pm. The animal will be taken to the Thrissur Zoo.

Sunderbans mystery: Tigers getting weaker?

TNN | Mar 5, 2013, 02.19 AM IST Voluntary plastic clean-up drive in SunderbansDeer carcass, traps found in SunderbansSunderbans to get West Bengal's biggest water reservoirRanthambore tigress relocated to SariskaRanthambhore tigress relocated to Sariska KOLKATA: A tigress was captured in the Sunderbans on Monday evening after foresters found some abnormality in its movement. Confirming the news, Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve director Pradeep Shukla said that the doctors would observe the big cat, caged near Sajnekhali, on Tuesday. Members of National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) schedule I animal handling committee will also visit the spot. Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (STR) field director Soumitra Dasgupta said the tigress, aged around four years, has a weak hind portion. "We will be able to confirm the future course of action only on Tuesday after the vets check it properly. It has been kept near Sajnekhali," he said. In July last year, a tiger was captured in the mangroves with weak hind legs. The tiger, aged around eight years and still undergoing treatment at the zoo, was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Shukla said that possibility of injuries from the breathing roots cannot be ruled out. However, experts have always sounded alarm on low prey density and human pressure on the forests as probable reasons behind frequent straying of tigers out of the jungles. A recent study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has pegged very low prey density in Sajnekhali and west range of STR. "Weak hind legs point to less availability of prey in the forests. Recent cases of deer poaching only bring to front the fact that how low prey density is plaguing the Sunderbans tigers. This may be one of the reasons behind the weak hind portion of the tigers. Possibility of an injury while hunting can't be ruled out either," said an expert. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Sunderbans-mystery-Tigers-getting-weaker/articleshow/18803051.cms

'Tiger fest' in Panaji

Mar 5, 2013, 05.20 AM IST GOA: Kids for Tigers, a sanctuary tiger programme 2012-2013, will hold a 'Tiger fest' to mark the end of the academic year on March 6. Tallulah D'Silva, Kids for Tigers, Panaji city coordinator, said that on Wednesday morning school children will fan out from Four Pillars, St Cruz, across the wetland bordering Panaji on different trails and finally congregate at the Lotus pond and open fields beyond Four Pillars, St Cruz. Environment minister Alina Saldhana will join the children on the nature trails at different points and interact with them. The students will also present her with posters and a memorandum on protecting Goa's tigers. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Tiger-fest-in-Panaji/articleshow/18804907.cms

Govt to stop all commercial activities in core areas of forests

TNN | Feb 27, 2013, 02.34 AM IST Man dies of swine fluAnother tests +ve for swine fluFive test positive for swine flu37 new swine flu cases in DelhiCity resident among 2 swine flu casualties JAIPUR: The state government on Tuesday announced that all state-run commercial activities in the core areas of reserve forests would be discontinued. The announcement came during the question hour in the assembly when the opposition strongly protested the running of RTDC's Tiger Den and other lodges in the core area of the reserve forest. With an aggressive opposition cornering the state government over the RTDC run commercial hotels in the core area, incharge minister Parsadilal Meena assured the house: ''RTDC run hotels, if any in the core area, will be shut down.'' Prior to this, Meena, who was giving the reply on behalf of Bina Kak, had informed the house that 3281 complaints of commercial activities in the reserved forests were received and that action had been taken in 91 cases. He, however, could not give the details on the number of cases in core areas, buffer zones and eco-sensitive zones. Rathore alleged that commercial activities were on at 500 metres from core area in Ranthambore. "Is it not true that villages were located in the area and are now being considered encroachment and relocated," said Rathore, adding that if new guidelines are followed, 75% of Tonk would be covered as reserved forest. The opposition, during the question hour, accused the state government for being partial towards the urban residents because of the discrepancy in the norms for penalty on use of land without land-use conversion. The matter was raised by BJP's Ajay Singh. ''While in the urban areas the land-use for 1500 sq yards can be transferred at the rate of 200 sq yards; the penalty charged in rural areas in the on-going Prashasan Gaon ke Sang is four times that,'' said Ajay Singh. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Govt-to-stop-all-commercial-activities-in-core-areas-of-forests/articleshow/18702270.cms

59 tigers poached in 2012: Government

Published: Tuesday, Feb 26, 2013, 21:50 IST Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI The country lost 197 tigers in the past three years with 2012 recording the highest number of 88 deaths, including 59 due to poaching, the Rajya Sabha was informed. In a written reply, Environment and Forest Minister Jayanthi Natarajan provided the figures related to tigers poached and deaths of big cats due to natural and other causes since 2010. Last year, 59 cases of tiger poaching were registered by various state governments, while 29 big cats died due to natural and other causes. The highest number of 10 poaching incidents last year were recorded in both Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. With 16 incidents of poaching, 2011 saw a total of 56 tiger deaths. In 2010, 53 such incidents were recorded, including 28 incidents of poaching. Informing the House about the steps taken by her ministry for tiger conservation, Natarajan said, "At present, India has the maximum number of tigers and its source areas among the 13 tiger range countries in the world, owing to its long history of conserving the species through Project Tiger." She said out of 39 tiger reserves in the country, 15 were rated as very good, 12 as good and eight as satisfactory. Four reserves were rated as poor according to the Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves in 2011. http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_59-tigers-poached-in-2012-government_1804934

Nagarhole loses 4th tiger in less than 2 months

DC | Amit S. Upadhye | 15 min 9 sec ago A tiger that was poisoned to death outside Nagarhole forests on February 17. The culprits are yet to be arrested. —DC Bengaluru: The decomposed body of a male tiger with its claws missing was found inside the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve (NTR) on Monday evening. The tiger may have died a week ago. The body was discovered by a patrolling team who were working on forest protection measures. The carcass was found in the Veeranahosahalli Range of NTR which has the highest concentration of tigers in the reserve. Forest officials say there is no sign of foul play, even though two tigers from Nagarhole were poisoned to death in separate incidents since January 13. They even claim that the missing tiger claws are not the handiwork of poachers but were eaten by wild boar and other animals that fed on the carcass. The wildlife conservationists in the State are seriously concerned and are demanding a thorough probe into the suspicious death of tigers in the last two months. “The tiger carcass was discovered around 4 pm in the forest and the autopsy was conducted before 6 pm. Why there was so much hurry in burning the dead tiger? The foresters could not even take the blood samples, claiming that there was nothing left in the decomposed body. Just because the carcass of the tiger was found in the interior of the forest does not mean that foul play cannot be suspected,” said a conservationist from Mysore district. The officials of the Forest Department, Government of Karnataka, has officially stated that the death of the tiger is a clear case of natural death. “An autopsy was conducted on the deceased tiger in the presence of veterinarians, senior forest officials, environmentalists and members of the Special Tiger Protection Force. The tiger was aged around 10-12 years and might have died in a fight with another tiger. The back of the tiger has scratch marks indicating that the tiger was involved in a territorial fight,” said a top official of Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130227/news-current-affairs/article/nagarhole-loses-4th-tiger-less-2-months

Madhya Pradesh forest minister rules out new action plan to save big cats

ByManjari Mishra, TNN | Feb 26, 2013, 04.48 AM IST Livestock are easy prey for big cats of Nagarahole Tiger ReserveNew plan to protect tigers in KarnatakaElectrocution of tigers seizes Maharashtra government's attentionThirsty tigers needn't worryJayalalithaa's action plan is commendable KATNI: Madhya Pradesh forest minister Sartaj Singh has ruled out any new action plan to save tigers from poachers in Katni-Bandhavgarh region till an official probe was completed. He was replying to a question about the safety of big cats in Katni after a tiger was found electrocuted from a farm land in Kuan village 45 kilometers off Badhavgarh national park on Monday morning. Forest officials are meanwhile trying to shrug off any responsibility by playing the usual jurisdiction game. With three tigers and a leopard killed by poachers during the last three months, Katni is truly living up to its reputation of being the national tiger graveyard. According to eyewitnesses account, villagers raised an alarm after spotting a tiger sprawled in a patch of uncultivated land near Muchmucha forest area in the morning. When the animal did not move despite the commotion, they suspected something fishy and inching closer discovered the animal was dead, claimed Santosh Kumar Tiwari. Tiwari, who is the owner of the field where the body was found denied having anything to do with the incident and blamed it to "the complicity between forest officials and mafia. We had been citing this tiger for more than a month and it was reported to local officials but no one bothered to take any action. This gave the poachers enough time to plan the killing, he said. Tiwari pointed to a GI rusted wire which was carefully laid on the ground to trap the tiger and connected to the high tension 11000 KV wire in the nearby electrical poll. Since wire was hidden behind a tree the mischief could not be detected by anyone, said Tukaram a resident of Barahi, who had thronged the site with villagers. However, chief conservator forest Katni M K Khan denied possibility of tiger poaching. Talking to reporters, Khan said that the trap could have been laid for wild boar or a deer. The officer also tried to escape any responsibility by declaring that the land did not come within the jurisdiction of forest department and was revenue area. Meanwhile experts suspect the hand of an organized gang behind these successive killings. On November 18 a tigress was killed in Bagdara village which is part of Bandhavgarh reserve forest. It was instantly electrocuted along with the prey- a cow - as both came in contact with a live wire which hung low. On December 22, another tiger fell prey to an electric trap laid by poachers in Jugia village. And even then the forest officials insisted that tiger death was accidental as the trap was laid for wild boars. The incident had led to suspension of two beat guards. Surprisingly no senior official has been held accountable for these deaths, Ajay Dubey wild life activist said as he demanded the scalp of the "well connected nexus of big wigs in the department" they have done it in Panna, he said, now with their morale high they are doing it in Bandhavgarh and getting away with it while the government looks the other way. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Madhya-Pradesh-forest-minister-rules-out-new-action-plan-to-save-big-cats/articleshow/18684819.cms

Man-tiger conflict: NTCA issues new regulations

Ads by Google A tiger that has strayed into human habitation must be guided back to forest, chemically immobilised, trapped but, unless it is established as a man-eater, not killed, states a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) framed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority to deal with man-tiger conflict. The SOP, circulated among chief wildlife wardens last month, states that "under no circumstances must a tiger be eliminated by invoking the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, if it is not habituated for causing human death". And declaring it a man-eater must also be a well-deliberated exercise that differentiates a chance man-killer from a habituated human stalker that feeds on the body and avoids its natural prey, says the SOP. Even then, elimination must be the last resort; attempts should be made to capture the man-eater and send it to the nearest recognised zoo. If there is no other option, the SOP says, the tiger should be killed after the approval of the Chief Wildlife Warden; a proper fire arm must be used by an expert and no awards or rewards should be announced for "destruction of man-eaters". If a healthy tiger or encumbered tigress has occupied a sugarcane field or similar habitat, a not-so- uncommon occurrence, attempts must be made to guide it to a nearby forested area. If that doesn't work, it must be immobilised, captured, radio-collared and released in a low-density area of a nearby tiger reserve or protected area with adequate prey base. In case the captured tiger is injured or incapacitated, the SOP says, it should be sent to a recognised zoo. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mantiger-conflict-ntca-issues-new-regulations/1079767/

Deer carcass, traps found in Sunderbans

TNN | Feb 26, 2013, 01.52 AM IST Train to Sikkim poses jumbo threatSpotted pride under attackTrack survey after elephant deaths KOLKATA: In a late-night raid on Saturday, forest department officials have recovered 45 traps, made of thick ropes and meant to poach deer, from the forests of Jhila 4 in the Sunderbans. Carcass of a deer was also recovered from the spot, where the traps were laid. Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (STR) field director Soumitra Dasgupta said such raids are on since last couple of months. "We will continue the raids in days ahead. The traps were damaged. Though the body of a deer was found from the spot, it's not yet confirmed whether the herbivore had died after falling into one of those traps," said Dasgupta. He said forest teams are raiding the nearby villages to nab the culprits. This is the third time in last three weeks that the department has managed to damage such traps which are used in the forests to poach deer. Earlier this month, three deer poachers were held from the Lothian Wildlife Sanctuary and ten traps were damaged at the spot. Last week, a villager from Amtali under the Basirhat range was caught red-handed while feasting on deer meat at his home. The foresters also recovered more than a kg of deer meat from his residence. State wildlife advisory board member Joydip Kundu said that regular raids in the forest to track deer poachers is a good sign for long-term conservation in the mangroves. Echoing his view, another state wildlife board member Biswajit Roy Chowdhury said frequent raids are being conducted in the forests after a long time. tnn"This practice will also bring in transparency in the department's functioning," he added. Deer poaching is not a new phenomenon in the Sunderbans. After the tiger poaching case at Jhila in 2008, the last official report of big cat poaching in the mangroves, foresters had suspected that some deer poachers had shot the tiger in self defence. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Deer-carcass-traps-found-in-Sunderbans/articleshow/18683378.cms

Trapping camera destroyed in Palamu Tiger Reserve

TNN | Feb 25, 2013, 02.20 AM IST Palamu Tiger Reserve to get eco-sensitive shieldFemale elephant found deadProject Elephant member sends a missive to guvVijay's hunting for an elephantYaanamalai's elephant head shaped rock DALTONGANJ: A trapping camera installed in Palamu Tiger Reserve was destroyed late on Saturday night with foresters suspecting that the LCD monitor of the camera was damaged by an elephant which might have been irked by its flush light. PTR field director Syed Ehtesham Hussain Kazmi confirmed the damage but he was doubtful if it was destroyed by the elephant. "Had the elephant damaged the trapping camera for its annoying flush light, its image ought to have been there even notionally or so," he said. Asked if the destruction of the camera could be by human being, the director said he did not rule out the possibility as people who usually go inside the forest to collect fuel wood also damage the trapping cameras. However, he said during the past more than one year, half a dozen trapping cameras were damaged or destroyed and in most of the cases the elephants did the damage. The PTR has launched a public campaign saying that the trapping camera is not the one to shoot anyone's photograph either for Aadhaar card or for Red card or for MGNREGA job card. It is only for moving wild life and if any person comes in the range, he, too, will be captured by the camera. "This is to desist and dissuade those who have any motive to steal the camera for any commercial purpose," Kazmi said. The trapping camera has captured a lone wolf in the Garu range suggesting the existence of the animal in the range apart from Mahuadarn where there is a wolf sanctuary. But for lack of awareness, the tourists hardly visit the place. Asked that wolves generally move in pack but how is it that only one wolf is in camera he said ' It is true wolf moves in a pack but this one appeared before the camera and it was captured by lens'. He also told that on many occasions wolf is taken for jackal but here the trapped image is of the wolf for all surety. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Trapping-camera-destroyed-in-Palamu-Tiger-Reserve/articleshow/18665986.cms

Forest officer did not allow Bhiwapur tiger to eat cattle it killed

TNN | Feb 25, 2013, 01.37 AM IST Tiger cub dead in Kaziranga, rhino battles for life at OrangRanthambore tigress relocated to SariskaPoaching menace: Government considering shoot-at-sight at Kaziranga N...Thirsty tigers needn't worryVillages involved in poaching will have to live in dark NAGPUR: Although straying of an adult tiger, which caused scare in Manora and Bhiwapur villages on Saturday, ended on a happy note, problem escalated as the tiger was not allowed to consume cattle it killed in the past 10 days. Roheet Karoo, district honorary wildlife warden, said in the past seven days the full-grown male tiger made at least 10 cattle kills in Bhiwapur II round under the South Umred range. "However, on the insistence of range forest officer (RFO) R M Agrawal, all the cattle kills were buried depriving tiger of food. This aggravated the problem," feels Karoo. Agrawal did not respond to the calls made to him. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines state that a cattle kill should be monitored by the staff. Last month, a tigress had started attacking humans after it was not allowed to consume cattle it killed near Navegaon National Park. The tigress killed five persons and was finally ordered to be shot under political pressure. On Saturday, around 9.30am, panic gripped Bhiwapur and Manora villages after farmers sighted a tiger in the farm owned by Ishwar Janbandhu. The tiger had killed a calf owned by Janbandhu on Friday night. There was high drama on Saturday when forest officials, Nitin Desai, Central India director of Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), Karoo and others tried to drive the tiger towards forest by bursting crackers and drum beating. "The tiger has retreated towards the Tass forest on Saturday night from where it was suspected to have come. The tiger crossed the tar road to move towards Tass," Desai said. Karoo said due to heavy shower on Saturday night there were trail of pugmarks from where the tiger is suspected to have crossed the road around 9.30pm. Earlier, two males - Bajrang and Chaitram - were identified in Umred-Karhandla wildlife sanctuary. "The tiger sighted on Saturday was not among them. It seems to be a new male, may be trying to create its own territory, Karoo said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Forest-officer-did-not-allow-Bhiwapur-tiger-to-eat-cattle-it-killed/articleshow/18665641.cms

Tiger authority forms guidelines to deal with man-animal conflicts

StoryComments LUCKNOW: Given the frequent incidents of wild animals straying into human habitations, and the state forest department's failure to control the damage done to humans or to the stray animal, in most of the incidents, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has developed a standard operating procedure (SOP) to deal with emergency arising due to straying of tigers in human-dominated areas. The authority has sent the guidelines to the chief wildlife wardens and PCCFs of tiger range states for implementation. The purpose of the SOP is to ensure that straying tigers are handled in the most appropriate manner to avoid casualty or injury to human beings, tiger, cattle and property. One of the major suggestions made to the states is that an "authorised spokesperson of the forest department should periodically update the media (if required) to prevent dissemination of distorted information relating to the operation/incidents." NTCA has said that under no circumstances should a tiger be eliminated by invoking the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, 'if it is not habituated for causing human death.' In case of a healthy tiger/encumbered tigress occupying a sugar cane field or similar habitat, attempt should be made first to attract it to nearby forest area, while avoiding disturbance. If such operations fail, the animal should be captured through immobilization for release in low density area of a nearby tiger reserve/protected area after radio collaring, said NTCA. SOP calls for establishing the identity of the tiger and to find out the source area of the animal. In case, the area has a history of such incidents, detailed research has to be carried out in order to assess the reasons for frequent tiger emergencies in the area. Camera traps should be set near the site, where kill took place to confirm and establish the identity of the animal. The kill should also be guarded, so that stray tiger comes back to eat it and it should also be safeguarded against poisoning. The state forest departments will have to proactively involve DM and SSP/SP of the area to maintain law and order in the area, besides avoiding crowding by local people and to also acquaint them with human-tiger conflict issues and guidelines of the NTCA to deal with the situation. The forest department should seek help from district level officials to alert villages in the vicinity of the area, where tiger is roaming. If successive trapping efforts fail, chemical immobilization of the wild carnivore should be done by an expert team having a veterinarian. In case, the tranquilised tiger is found to be healthy or young, without any incapacitation (loss of canine, injury, broken paw), it may be released after radio collaring in a suitable habitat with adequate prey base, away from the territory of a resident male tiger (if any) or human settlements, and NTCA should be intimated of the same. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/tiger-authority-forms-guidelines-to-deal-with-man-animal-conflicts/articleshow/18643500.cms

Aging foresters to be withdrawn from tiger force

ByVijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Feb 23, 2013, 03.00 AM IST Tadoba Special Tiger Protection Force to get 33 jawans, INSAS riflesOutsourcing should reduce expenses: Finance DepartmentIssues will be addressed : CM Prithviraj ChavanComplete infrastructure projects by December: Prithviraj ChavanSoon, law to deter attacks on scribes: Prithviraj Chavan NAGPUR: After finance department raising objections over staff structure of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF), the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has slightly modified the composition of the force paving way for release of funds. Two STPF platoons have been constituted in Maharashtra in Pench and Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserves. As per the new guidelines issued last month by the NTCA, a statutory body monitoring the tiger reserves, posts of foresters will have to be completely withdrawn from STPF and will be replaced with local van majoors or forest watchers. Earlier, the each STPF platoon consisted of 112 personnel including 90 forest guards, 18 foresters and 3 RFOs, to be headed by an assistant conservator of forests (ACF). However, now there will be no foresters, but 81 special tiger guards (forest guards) and 27 local forest watchers/van majoors. Finance department had raised objections that the condition of recruited staff being below 40 years of age was not being followed in case of foresters. "As there is ban on direct recruitment of foresters in state, it was difficult to get foresters below 40. We had appointed 18 foresters in STPF. Baring four who fulfil the age condition, others will be brought back to their parent cadre phase-wise," said Virendra Tiwari, chief conservator of forests (CCF) and field director, TATR. "The NTCA decided to do away with foresters after it was convinced that young forest guards can be effective. In Pench, we could control illegal fishing with the help of STPF," said MS Reddy, CCF & field director of Pench. Although Maharashtra is the second state after Karnataka to constitute STPF, it has not received any funds despite the state signing tripartite agreement with NTCA. The Centre has to provide 100% support for raising, arming and deploying STPF for protection of tigers in both the reserves. Tiwari said the STPF in Pench and Tadoba needed Rs 1.92 crore towards salaries. Considering the full strength of 224 personnel, the two platoons will need Rs 4.25 crore annually for salary alone. "We have intimated our funds requirement to the NTCA and expect to get them before March. We have also forwarded the recruitment notification sought by the authority last week. Now ball is in the NTCA court," Tiwari said. "Anticipating that the NTCA would release money, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and forest secretary Praveen Pardeshi intervened and released Rs 1.50 crore towards salaries of the personnel. Money is also needed to procure weapons, vehicles, equipment and infrastructure for STPF. If funds are not received, STPF will have to be scrapped," said an official. State principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) SWH Naqvi said the issues had been resolved and NTCA had agreed to release the money. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Aging-foresters-to-be-withdrawn-from-tiger-force/articleshow/18637290.cms