Showing posts with label MOEF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MOEF. Show all posts
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Jairam Ramesh proposes complete mining ban in Tadoba
A report in Indian Express quotes MOEF Jairam Ramesh having written to Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan proposing steps against mining and any other ecologically damaging activities being carried out in and around Tadoba Andhari Tiger Sanctuary. Making a significant point, the central minister is quoted as not only advising against mining in the region by Adani Power which was given mining license by the current govt but has also proposed cancelling licenses of all existing mines, a step if taken through could have immense positive impact on the forests in the region. Wildlife enthusiasts and locals concerned over the rapid deterioration of environment around Chandrapur, the district headquater will certainly welcome such a move. Ramesh has voiced his concern also on human dams being proposed in the buffer zone to provide adequate irrigation facilities to villages around the park saying the idea is out of date as it was proposed almost two decades back and the ground situation has changed considerably. The letter to the CM comes after Member secy of NTCA visited Tadoba recently in the wake of many tigers being poisoned by villagers to prevent attacks on humans and preserve their cattle. It is pertinent to note that many tiger cubs have been found abandoned around the sanctuary giving credence to suspicion of their mothers having been either poached or poisoned. Ramesh has also advised the state govt to take steps against curbing movement of poaching gangs into the wildlife sanctuary which borders MP, the home to many tribal poaching gangs.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
SAARC officials visit Sariksa to get first hand feel of 'Tiger Conservation' efforts
With a rapidly dwindling population of tigers it would be safe to describe India's conservation report card as dismal but to showcase a first of its kind relocation effort forest minsters from saarc countries today are being taken to Sariksa to have a look at the result of the effort first hand. PR coverage for the environment ministry has been no less than disastrous in the last few years what with the MOEF widely known as an ATM ministry. Now with a a new minister at helm the babus are going all out to improve their image conducting events like these to garner some brownie points. One hopes as much eneergy and effort is spent on the real job which is saving India's wildlife from destruction.
SAARC ministers to visit Sariska today
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Raja ji Park loses 50% of its tigers in 4 years
A PTI report cites the latest census carried out in Rajaji national park estimating the population of big cats to be around 10-12 down from the earlier 25 number estimated by the WII census in 2005. Obviously no guesses are needed to pin point causes of this drastic decline. What is most alarming is that park officers who have been working on the ground for years take refuge in similar reduction across other parks in the country to shun responsibility of protecting the big cats. UP govt officials recently hid behind dwindling tiger numbers across India to justify similar drop in their state. India's wildlife protection mechanisms are hopelessly inadequate and despite all the noble intentions of MOEF Jairam Ramesh, it is a matter of another few years before we loose the entire tiger population in the country to poachers.
12 tigers missing from Rajaji national par
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Dreaded poacher let out on bail by court - India cant enforce its laws
In a shocking case of apathy displayed by public prosecutors and police, India's most famous and dreaded poachers has been granted bail by the Supreme court pending final decision of a case against him in the apex court. It is relevant to note that Sansar Chand has numerous cases going on against him in trial courts across India for having killed numerous tigers, leopards and other wildlife. He is behind bars in Jaipur after being convicted in one case by a trail court a judgement that was upheld by the Rajasthan. Releasing such a dreaded criminal on bail smacks of insensitivity towards protection of wildlife. Despite all the media pressure and hype such criminals getting away using loopholes in the justice delivery system smacks of unwillingness to tackle serious crime head on. If the govt was serious of restraining him they would have vociferously appealed against granting of bail to a person who has and still has potential to afflict enormous damage to the country's wildlife. One hopes the central MOEF takes note of this development and a petition is filed at the earliest to revoke the bail order.
Wildlife activists shocked at jail suspension of Sansar Chan
Monday, September 21, 2009
NTCA reconsituted 3 years after it was set up
In a move aimed at strengthning oversight on tiger conservation NTCA, the nodal body created after Sariksa Fiasco has been reconstituted as per a report in The Times of India. The body will now be chaired by Union MOEF Jairam Ramesh with Menaka Gandhi has one of its members. Other wildife experts like Valmik Thapar are also amongst the 8 experts apart from members drawn from public life. It worth noting that NTCa has been extremely active ever since it was set up in place of the disbanded Project Tiger after CBI investigations confirmed Sarika had been shorn of all its stiped cats. With states gradually falling in line on the revised mechanism set up by NTCa recently, there is some hope that tiger conservation in India is on the right track.
Govt reconstitutes tiger conservation body
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/environment/flora-fauna/Govt-reconstitutes-tiger-conservation-body-/articleshow/5037698.cms
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Uttarakhand govt allows project in the middle of Wildlife corridor in Nainital
The delicate balance betweeen development and conservation which is so key to wildlife protection is being gradually eroded by shortsighted policies of govt.
In a development that has set alarm bells ringing amongst conservation NGOs the Uttarakhand Govt has given permission for infratructure project to be developed right in the middle of a wildlife corridor reports the Times of India.
The said project is key to Tiger and Elephant movement across sanctuaries as per WII which published a report in 2003 and identified the area as key to healthy mixing of wildlife stock in the entire region.
Development no doubt is key every country's progress but at the expense of detroying critical wildlife !!
Thankfully the central govt has taken note of the development and along with found NGOs WII, WWF have decided to visit the area to access the ground situation.
As minister MOEF Jairam Ramesh has been stating, there is an urgent need to create a nodal body with statutory powers to evaluate such projects before they are taken up.
A harmonious balance needs to be found between preserveing forests,wildlife and development which is so key for the survival of future generations.
Wildlife corridor in Uttarakhand faces trouble
Friday, September 18, 2009
Chinese year of tiger 2010 causing headaches in India
With demand for tiger parts in China rising at unprecedented rate, Indian officials are worried about further surge in tiger poaching on account of next year being the Chinese Year of the Tiger. During a recent visit for China, the minister MOEF Jairam Ramesh had raised the issue of implementing a UN mandated ban more strictly only to hear back accusations about India not doing enough to clamp down on Shatoosh shawl trade which is encouraging Chiru poaching in Tibet. Jairam Ramesh also rightly pointed out in TV interviews recently that the primary responsibil;ity of protecting tigers is India's and if we can ensure stringent laws and application of the same we can curb poaching activites to the minimal which will allow for a healthy population of tigers to survive in the wild.
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