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ByVijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Mar 20, 2013, 01.14 AM IST Melghat tiger reserve to get special forceAging foresters to be withdrawn from tiger forceMadhya Pradesh shifts 94 villages from notified National Parks and sa...Villagers take up patrolling along Pench bordersMaiden workshop in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