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