read earlier blog pos
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.
Goa forest officials continue flip flop - Tiger killing Case set for quiet burial
An old saying in Hindi translated roughly means , You need to lie a 100 times to cover up one lie. This in essence sums up investigations into unforunate case of a tiger killed in Goa in March this year. After trying to hush up the incident from the very beggining, Goa Forest officials now are just waiting to close the case. Perhaps the case should also rest in peace like the soul of the dead tiger. Consider the series of events:
A tiger is killed in Mhadei wildlife sanctuary in Goa. As reports of killing reach wildlife officials they go into denial mode asking for proof rather than initiating investigations. Local journalists take pictures of the carcass which is published in newspapers. Even after that wildlife officials put the onus of getting 'concrete proof' on the journalists rather than taking congnizance of the pictures. After much media pressure investigations are initiated but vital time is lost which allows the villagers who had killed the tiger to burn the carcass. Some evidence is finally found in the form of burnt skin and sometiger parts which wildlife officials claim are from the killed tiger and samples are sent to WII Dehradun for confirmation. In the meanwhileowner of farm where the tiger parts are found is arrested by forest officials while the villagers ostracize a local who led the invetigation team to the burnt carcass. A local court releases the accused on bail since there is no evidence to even prove a tiger was killed let alone proof of the accused being involved. After being let off, the accused files a case against the forest officials for harrassment and torture in custody and bizzarely the local cops file an FIR against the forest officials. And in the final death knell to the case WII said last week that samples sent for investigation donot even belong to a tiger indicating the sample was changed before it reached them. With no evidence, no witness, investigators being harrassed it is unlikely the case will move any where. After systematically destroying the case Goa Wildlife officials have decided to form a board which will study the WII report and might advise future course of actoin which might as well be shutting the case for good.
Goa not to close tiger killing case as of now: CCF
Caputured Tadoba Cub indicates continued disappearance of tigers
In a late night incident reported extgensively in newspapers today, a man in Chandrapur distt battled and overpowered a tiger cub when he went out of his house investigate the sounds emanating from the backyard of his house. The worrisome part of this story is the missing mother of the tiger cub who might have been poached or poisoned. The cub was found to have been starving when officials took it for a medical indicating it was parted from her motherever since and not being able to hunt on its own hadnt eaten. Chandrapur has been in news for the last few years on account of a series of man animal conflict incidents leading to poisoning and killing of big cats. Recently this blog had also highlighted the mismanaged relocation policy in tadoba where villagers were shifted from their original settlements only for them to return since the new area didnt provide them any means of earning their livelihood. With angry villagers surrounding the park and govt apathy taking its toll, Tadoba's tigers are fast getting cornered from all sides with no where to run.
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Thursday, September 17, 2009
UP to carry out Tiger Census shortly
Under cloud for its claims on tiger numbers in Dudhwa National park, the UP govt has decided to go in for a fre census with the help of Wildlife Institute of India and NTCA reports Times Of India. On an ealier post this blog had written about the new country wide census to be conducted starting October this year which will be the most comprehensive and technically superior ever undertaken.
read earlier blog post
WLI to start fresh tiger census in UP
Tadoba gets new Field Director
After the mass transfer of forest officers in Maharashtra a few months back Tadoba Tiger Sanctuary in Chandrapur distt has finally got a new field director informs our friend from ground Zero, Shalik Jogwe a keen wildlife conservationist. Though a welcome move it is also symptomatic of the apathy with which politicos and govt officials treat important issues like convervation of wildlife and forest. The park director post has been lying vacant for almost 2 months at a critical time during rainy season when poaching incidents are at their peak. If this is not criminal culpability on park of the govt then what is. Letting the sanctuary gates open for poachers by removing the most important officials.
Tadoba has been in news recently for the campaign greens along with local citizens have been running to oppose granting of mining licenses by mah govt to Adani power. Convervationists fear the mines will destroy the green cover in the area and sound the death knell for tigers in the reserve which are anyway dwindling in numbers.
read earlier post on mass transfers
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
MP denies signing tripartite agreement with Centre-NTCA
A day after media reports announced Jairam Ramesh having convinced MP govt to get on board its new formula of saving tigers from killing, MP govt in its press release has denied signing any such document reports Indopia. It is relevant to note that more than 6 state hav already signed the agreement paving way for direct release of central funds to the tiger sanctuaries and increased accountability of field directors. Apparantely forest officers in MP having been holding out against signing the pact citing accountability releated issues. It is ironic that the central india state which should be at the forefront of tiger conservation is dragging its feet on such an important issue especially since two of its tiger sanctuaries, Panna and Sanjay Gandhi NAtional Park recently were reported to have lost all their big cats.
MP denies reports of signing MoU with Centre on tiger reserves
Worried centre calls meet to discuss alarming rate of Tiger Killings
Worried by the continuing spate of tiger killings this year, 50 as per NTCA estimate and 66 according to NGOs, centre has called a series of meets of all 17 tiger states reports Chennai Online. the first such meet is to be held on 17th Sept with the last one on 6th October. It is relevant to note that tiger deaths due to poaching, habitat loss and man animal conflict are continuing to take its toll on the big cat population despite vigorous efforts put in by the new MOEF Jairam Ramesh to get states to become more accountable in dealing with the problem.
Centre convenes meetings to discuss tiger deaths
Goa govt doing its bit to bury tiger killing case
After all the misfires into the investigation of tiger killing case in Goa, from very little evidence to investigators becoming accused to samples being changed, the Goa govt has finally decided to refer the matter to the stae wild life board. The tiger killing came to light in march and there has been a systematic attempt at covering up the killing and now this gem delivered by the Goa govt will ensure the case is buried for good within the state. if the govt was serious about investigating the killing they would have handed it over to WCCB or a nodal central agency. Knowing fully well that there are vested interests involved in hushing up the case, goa's politicos are offering an extra hand at helping their brethren.
Govt to refer tiger killing case to Goa Wild Life Board
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
MP seeks 2500 crores from centre to resettle families living inside Tiger sanctuaries
A day after MP govt signing on the tripartite agreement with NTCA and Centre, the state has proposed to move out almost 25000 families living inside wildlife sanctuaries a PTI report states. To achieve this the state govt has asked the centre for a grant of almost Rs 2500 crores since the Centre recently increased compensation payable to each relocated family to Rs 10 lac. This move might go a long way in ensuring wildlife lives seperated from any human interference and settled areas inside parks which are sometimes used by poachers for cover are removed.
MP seeks Central funds for relocating villagers from reserves
Monday, September 14, 2009
Centre convinces MP to sign tripartite agreement
In a development set to give a big boost to tiger conservation in the country, ministry of Environment and Forests have conviced a reluctant MP govt to sign teh tripartite agreement which will set the stage for increased accountability and streamline flows of funds to sanctuaries. It is pertinent to note that 6 other states have already signed the agreement but MP one of the states with largest tiger population had so far refused to sign the agreement with bureaucrats in teh state against stringent clauses in the pact making them accountable for loss of tigers in the park. Now with MP on board and other states like Maharasthra, Uttarakhand , Rajasthan, Assam, TN having already signed it, Karnataka & UP are the two large states left to come on board.
MP signs tiger conservation pact with NTCA, parks
Sunday, September 13, 2009
WII says samples not from Tiger in Goa poaching case
In an development eerily similar to the Aarushi Murder case, WII Dehradun has indicated that the samples sent to them for analysis by the Goa Forest department after a tiger was killed near the Mhadei Wildlife sanctuary does not belong to a Tiger. TOI says Is it interesting to note that the institute has taken more than 3 months to do the analysis and realease its report raising questions about the sanctity of the work done by them. The goa forest dept after extensive seach and anaysis had collected the sample and were very sure of them belonging to a tiger. Obviously the samples were changed before it got to WII or something happened there. Given the influence local goa mafia has shown over the case it wont be surprising that samples were changed in Goa itself. The local police has been hand in glove with local mafia in harrasing forest officials. Goa state authorities have so far shown no inclination to hand over the case to WCCB obvisouly due to local political pressure. Like the unfortuanate tiger, the case seems to be headed for a quite burial.
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Latest tiger census to be ready by Oct 2010
Minister MOEF Jairam Ramesh has indicated the new census going to be undertaken sometime end of this year will be ready with its findings by October next year in time for the Tiger summit to be he held at Ranthambore. As posted on this blog earlier the new census will be one of the most comprehensive ever undetaken in India and will cover Sunderabans and some of the sanctuaries in Assam. Read earlier post
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
AP govt announces YSR memorial inside tiger sanctuary - Environmentalists up in arms
YSR's sudden and unfortuante departure wasnt just a loss for the state and the country but it seems it will also sound the death knell for wildlife inside the state's pristine eco corridor. AP govt minister yesterday announced building a memorial at the crash site which lies deep inside the heart of Nallamala Forests and is part of Gundlabrahmeshwaram wildlife sanctuary according to a TOI report. If YSR was alive one can safely imagine he would never allow this to happen. Building a memorial will destroy the forests on account of increased tourist activity and will facilitate encroachment inside, an area hitherto of bereft large human settlements. Obviously the green bridage is protesting the move. one hopes better sense prevails amongst AP govt officials and the forests are left untouched so that YSR's soul can rest in peace.
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Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau waiting for Goa Govt to order investigation into Tiger killing
A story two days back in local media had reported WCCB having taken up the case of tiger poached in Goa in march this year. WCCB Deputy Director has in a story on et online denied taking up the case and has cited regulations which dont allow them to take over a case unless asked by the state govt. From destruction of evidence to the main whistle blower being ostracised the case took at biazzare turn last week when some of the forest officials investigating the case were accused of beating up one of the accused in custody (read earlier post here http://planettiger.blogspot.com/2009/08/goa-tiger-poaching-case-investigators.html).
This after the main accused in the case managed toget bail on account of insufficient evidence which was apparently burnt villages in connivance with locals. Now that the case is as good as dead, the last centre should do is to ensure no repeats of this incident happen anywhere in teh country and all tiger death cases, including the ones where state governments are not keen on central inquiry are investigated transparently.
Sunderbans tiger -human conflict continues unabated as prey census
A post earlier this month had highlighted increased incidents of tigers straying into villages in the Sunderbans apparently due to reduced prey base. read earlier post (http://planettiger.blogspot.com/2009/09/sunderbans-tiger-deaths-attributed-to.html)
Now comes news of a man having been lifted by a tiger while collecting crabs. A study to ascertain the prey base in the sanctuary was initiated in July by the forest department is yet to see light of day as instances of man-animal conflict continue to rise. The forest department had suspected cyclode Aila ealier this year to have been responsible for the death of many deer and wild boars in Sunderbans the primary meal of tigers. In light of the increased nunber of tigers conming into close contact with humans the forest department had planned to devise steps to address this issue. The prey base study is supposed to be a critical component of the conservation plan and no one seems to know when that will come out. In the meanwhile attacks and conflict situations continue to rise and Sunderbans where a scientific census of tigers will be undertaken for the first time this year continues to wait for official attention.
Crab collector lifted by tiger
New Tiger census to be most comprehensive ever undertaken in India
After the first new age tiger census in India carried out in 2007 using camera trap methodology put the big cat number at 1411, WII is ready to embark upon the next such exercise from October across tiger reserves in India. Indian Express today reports preperation for the mamoth exercise going on with the help of NGO. The latest round will also cover Sunderbans which was left out in the previous survey and also some other sanctuaries in North east that were excluded from the earlier census. The latest census will also capture much more ground level data using a customised software in which ground staff will key in informatino related to habitat and behaviour of the big cats. Before the census in 2007 state forest officials were prone to exaggerating tiger numbers for the fear of loosing their jobs or keeping the lid on poaching. THe census for the first time highlighted the plight of tigers in India and the precarious situation they are in. Although the count did create huge amount of media coverage and groundswell of support amongst general public the govt has been slow to react. Despite all the proclamations by politicians and bureaucrats, india has been loosing tigers rapidly as the ground situation has only deteriorated owing to corruption, lethargy and lack of awarness. With the census numbers beyond dispute and the latest round likely to bring in even worse new , one hopes it will finally goad all stake holders into taking decisive steps to protect tigers.
Indian express Story
New census will also include mangrove tigers in Sunderbans, which were not counted in 2007, and give an accurate count of tigers in the Northeast The census will be conducted in three phases. In the first phase, tiger signs will be searched for. In the second phase, remote-sensing techniques will be used. In the third phase, camera-traps will be used to photograph tigers
HOW does one count India's tigers which straddle wetland, grassland, mountains and mangroves? With 90,000 people, Rs 8 crore and two years of hard work.The world's biggest-ever count for the big cat -- the All India Tiger Estimation -- is unfolding shortly. Currently, instructions and methods of data collection are being translated into regional languages -- Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Oriya, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam -- for forest staff.
In October's first week, training of forest staff through workshops in different parts of India will be held.
In 2007, using cameras and modern tiger-tracking techniques for the first time for counting tigers, Wildlife Institute of India (WII) had come up with a startlingly low number of wild Indian tigers: 1,411 only. This time, the census, to be conducted by WII with the help of NGOs, will be much bigger. It will include the uncounted mangrove tigers in Sunderbans and give an accurate count of tigers in the Northeast. Also, 60 students/researchers will be recruited by WII for the census.
Anewsoftwarewhichwillbekeyinbasic field observations by field guards in a digital format is being used this year.
The exhaustive tiger census will be conducted in three phases. In the first phase, tiger signs will be searched for. Data collection for this phase will start in November. In the second phase, remote-sensing techniques will be used. In the third phase, camera-traps will be used to photograph tigers. In each camera-trapping exercise, one set of two cameras, triggered off by tiger movement, is used to capture both sidesofthetiger.Onecameraisusedevery 4 km in high-density tiger areas.
"We are starting training workshops for forest staff. By May 2010, we hope to finish phase I over central India, Terai, Northeast and Sunderbans. By the time of the Global Tiger Summit, we will have the distribution, numbers and occupancy of tigers over major tiger landscapes in these areas," says Yadavendra Jhala, from WII who is one of the scientists conducting the census.
India will host a Global Tiger Summit in October next year in Ranthambhore. By then, a basic count of major breeding tiger populations -- high or low -- will be readied to announce to the rest of the international participants at the summit. This comes at a time when tiger numbers are at an all-time low.
In a recent estimate, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has found that out of the 37 tiger reserves in the country, 16 have poor tiger density. In the last one year, above 60 tigers are estimated to have died. The new number the census will unearth is unlikely to be cheerful but will also lay to rest grossly exaggerated tiger numbers which state forest departments have estimated.
The challenge posed by difficult habitats -- the mountains in the Northeast, the mangroves in Sunderbans and dense grasslands in other areas -- had limited the scope of the 2007 census. The tigers of Sunderbans, which straddle inhospitable mangrove habitat, were not counted at all. There was only a preliminary tiger count for the Eastern and Northeastern tiger reserves like Kaziranga (Assam), Namdapha (Arunachal Pradesh) Dampa (Mizoram) and West Bengal's Buxa tiger reserve. This time, tiger populations from all tiger reserves with the possible exemption of some Naxalism-ridden areas like Indrawati (Chhattisgarh), Palamau (Jharkhand) and Simlipal (Orissa) will be counted.
The count will put to rest claims that many states make on having "hundreds of tigers". West Bengal has long maintained that Sunderbans has "200-300 tigers", a fact scoffed at by tiger experts. At a recent all-India summit of field directors in Sariska, Buxa field director claimed his park had 200 tigers. Orissa, too, claims to have nearly 100 tigers.
But currently, as many as seven tiger reserves, which face problems of insurgency and poor tiger density, just don't know how many tigers they have, or if they have any tigers at all. These are Indravati, Simlipal (Orissa), Palamau (Jharkhand), Manas (Assam), Namdapha (Arunachal Pradesh), Dampa (Mizoram) and Buxa (West Bengal).
Maoists leading Similipal rampage caught
TOI today reports capture of two maoist kingpins apparently behind the recent widespread poaching of wildlife inside the park. As this blog has been highlighting, the Orissa state govt has thrown its hands up on protecting Similipal citing attacks from Maoists. Early this year, a gang of red brigade and poachers attacked forest guards and tourists who fled the area leading to complete breakdown of protection machinery inside the park. Ever since wildlife killing and tree felling has been going on rampantly inside the park. Read earlier post (http://planettiger.blogspot.com/2009/08/similipal-tiger-reserve-being-plundered.html)
Orissa chief minister even demanded the centre to post CRPF inside the park and last month NTCA sent a team of officials to gauge the ground situation first hand. Reports emanating from inside the park dont seem very good. The sanctuary used to be inhabited by almost 100 tigers till a couple of years back which was down to 61 In january. With the latest killing spree of the last couple of months it is difficult to guess if any tigers have survived.
The capture of these two leaders might make a dent in the on going crime being perpetrated inthe park but long term sercurty and conservation methods need to be put in place immediately to prevent complete loss of the pristine habitat. The state govt can start by signining the tripartite agreement with NTCA and centre that has been signed by more than 6 states already which will make funds more easily available to teh reserve and also make forest rangers accountable for protection.
Similipal rampage kingpin caught |
Bandipur reserve loosing Tigers to Poachers & Corruption
Though some of the rcent steps taken by Jairam Ramesh are laudable but situation on ground is rapidly deteriorating with poaching of tiger continuing unabated across tiger reserves in India. After Sariksa, Panna and some ofthe other parks in North east, a well written piece in Deccan Herald exposes the on going poaching of big cats inside Bandipur and nagarhole sanctuaries shockingly with connivance of forest guards. In a specific instance, teh story details how forest guards themselves removed claws of a tiger before burying it. All the other ills that plaugue forest conservation efforts in India are gradullay taking a toll on wildlife in Bandipur too, which has arguable the best tiger population in teh country. Interference from local politicians to involvement of poaching mafia and a demotivated forest staff, Bandipur is staring at a future full of uncertainity. Karnataka is still one of the major states to have not signed the Tripartite agreement with NTCA and centre that affixes responsibility for loss of tigers on local forest wardens and streamlines flow of money to the park. Apparentely Forest staff in Bandipur has not been paid salary for months despite central funds being released regularly. No prizes for guessing where the funds are going. It is time for the centre to push MP and Karnataka and also Orrisa to sign teh agreement to ensure protection measures are enforced before it is too late.
The hunter becomes hunted
Monday, September 7, 2009
Is it a Tiger or Is it a Dog - Media confused !
Today's TOI and Mumbai Mirror both have reported the same story but carry different facts. Apparently two men were caught in Mumbai yesterday trying to sell what seemed like Tiger Skin. TOI story quotes senior cops involved in the bust up saying they are sure of it being a tiger skin and have sent it for further analysis.
MM, also part of TOI group incidentally, says the skin siezed was of a dog not a tiger and again quotes senior officials involved in the investigation being sure of it being a dog skin.
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Goa tiger poaching case takes another twist
Months after the case came to light, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has suddenly decided to investigate the case according to a TOI report today. It is worth noting that the case is as good as dead with most of the evidence destroyed after systematic cover ups by the wildlife dept and local population left very little for the Goa wildlife dept to investiage on. On wonders why has it taken WCCB almost 6 months to make up its mind when it has been amply clear from media reports all this while that the case is going no where. As this blog has been saying, responsibility to protect wildlife is not just the state govt's but also centre. Once it was clear that this case was being buried by vested interest, the centralministry should have intervened. Wildlife is national property and leaving it to states who are either bankrupt ofmoney & ideas or are buried under the greed of local mafia is not going to lead us very far on the route to conservation.
The story also mentions jairam Ramesh proposing a cetral law to deal with wildlife related crimes.Such a law has been long over due along with an authoritative investigating central agency like the CBI which has powers to work across borders and take on cases where powerful interests are involved.
Wildlife bureau likely to probe tiger killing
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Centre states play blame game as wilflife vanishes rapidly
A report on IBNlive yesterday details out how most of the states have failed to take effective steps for protection of tigers and reserves earmarked for them. Though states are to be blamed for the tardiness and low priority given to wildlife conservation, the centre till recently hadnt shown any particular zeal in its efforts apart from just blaming the local governments. With the Ministry of Environment and forests known to have been highly corrupt and lethargic no efforts were made by the centre to push states into granting priority to tiger conservation efforts. with a new energetic minister at teh helm things are changing but a lot needs to be done to wake the babudom out of their slumber if we want to see the tiger population surviving into the next generation.
Project Tiger in danger as states fail to utilise funds
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Mumbai surrounded by Tiger infested jungle - Incredible !!
Today's edititon of Mint carries an excerpt from a book titled 'Living Jewels of Indian Jungle' published by BNHS. The book details instances of tigers regularly being sighted in and around areas we live in or visit regularly today. In the early part of 19th Century even Malabar hills had ample game and tigers sighting was not uncommong. Sadly our mindless urge to kill tigers for trophies saw the last big cat being killed in the early 20th century near Vihar lake, a sport which followed by modern day poaching has pushed the beast to the brink.
Wish we could have tiger reserves around Mumbai again.
A tiger on Malabar Hill
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Tigers smarter than lions
A study conducted by researchers at Oxford university quoted by The Telegraph todays says contraty to popular belief Tigers are smarter than lions on account of their larger brain size.
Tiger smarter than lion
Sunderbans tiger deaths attributed to fall in prey base
Many feared cyclone Alia to have destroyed wildlife in Sunderbans in significant numbers. Now circumstantial evidence coming to light is indicating those fears to be true. Last few days 2 more tigers to have strayed into villages came to light. This after a tiger was recently found dead in the forest with two cobras in its stomach which he ate after apparently unable to find other prey. Forest officials are worried that the shriking prey base is leading to more conflicts with humans. A prey base study which this blog wrote about (http://planettiger.blogspot.com/2009/07/sunderbans-prey-base-survey-should-be.html) in July is yet to be completed and with straying cases irapidly increasing, wildlife officials need to find solutions before the situation gets out of hand.
Shrinking prey base forcing tigers to stray
Maharashtra next state to sign tripartite agreeement with Centre-NTCA
The list of states lining up to sign the much touted tri partite agreement with the centre is growing. After Rajasthan took the lead last month, Kerala, Assam, TN & Uttaranchal have either already signed the agreement or have committed to do so soon. Now Maharashtra becomes the 6th state to ink the MOU. MP & Karnataka tough are still holding out and without these two prime tiger habit states on board tiger conservation efforts will not be complete.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Corbett park to sign agreement with Centre and NTCA
After Rajasthan, Kerala, Assam & TN, Uttarakhand might be th next state to sign a tripartite agreement with NTCA and centre paving the way for direct flowof funds to Corbett National Park for convervation and protection initiatives. With states and sanctuaries one by one realising the need for signing the agreement, the centre should push reluctant states like MP to get on board quickly. As has been evident from cases like Panna and Sanjay national park in MP, tiger populations are rapidly declining and professional protection methods are the need of the hour which is possible only with more access to funds and an accountable system.
‘Tiger density highest in Corbett park’
Friday, August 28, 2009
Goa tiger poaching case investigators become accused
In another wierd twist to the tiger poaching case in Goa that came to light in March this year forest officials investigating the case have been accused of torturing the poaching accused while he was in the forest department custody earlier. The poaching case accused was let out on bail by a local court after the forest departments plea to keep him under custody was rejected. It is interesting to note that apart from discovering a few bones and burnt hair there has been no progress at all in the poaching case and it is highly unlikely the culprits will ever be brought to book what with a massive cover up being under taken by the land mafia in Goa in connivance with aggreived villagers who all are opposed to declaration of Mhadei wildlife sanctuary where the tiger apparently came from as a Tiger Reserve. Declaration of the sanctuary as a reserve will make the surrounding area completely out of bounds for any development and exploatation by both land developers and farmers.
CCF defends staff in tiger killing probe
read our earlier posts on this case
TN next state to sign tripartite agreement with Centre-NTCA
After Rajasthan, Kerala & Assam, Tamil Nadu will soon be the next state to sign the tripartite agreement with NTCA and Centre paving the way for forming a state centric tiger conservation authority with direct access to NTCA funds.
As this blog has been saying, the agreement is the first step towards making efforts in tiger conservation more focussed and people involved esp govt officials more accountable. Read benefits (http://planettiger.blogspot.com/2009/06/finally-some-one-has-woken-up.html)
Tiger Foundation soon to expedite Project Tiger programme
Thursday, August 27, 2009
China key to Tiger protection in India
With most of the demand for Indian tiger skin and parts being driven by Chinese consumption, India's MOEF Jairam Ramesh has been trying hard to get some sort of agreement going with the Chinese Govt camping down on the illegal wildlife trade mafia in that country. Though China has banned selling and consumption of tiger skin and parts it may be noted that according to some reports more than 5000 tigers exist across in China across Tiger Farms. Though legally not permissible these farms have not been shut down by teh govt in the face of lobbying by these farm owner who are expecting the ban to be lifted at some point in time. The existence of these farms lends legality to consumption of tiger parts in the country which is driving demand for wild tiger parts that is being fed by killing the beasts in forest across India. The minister's recent visit to China didnt end with an agreement on this front as China raised the issue of Tibetan Antelopes being killed and Shatoosh shawls being sold in INdia much like tiger being killed and their body parts being sold in China. It may be noted the tiger skins were much in demand across Tibet too till recently before teh Dalai Lama openly exhorted people of his country to shun the skins to stop killing of the big cats. Post his appeal demand for tiger skin from Tibet has dropped significantly whereas China keeps conuming ever more of the stuff.
India is execting China to help curbing the rampant trade of wild life across the border of teh two countries which might nip tiger trade. Though the agreement couldnt be signed on this trip the minister expressed hope that it will be done in October when a chinese delegation visits India and will become part of a larger agreement the neighbours are planning to sign on climate control.
India, China to collaborate on environment http://www.hindu.com/2009/08/27/stories/2009082754841100.htm
India is execting China to help curbing the rampant trade of wild life across the border of teh two countries which might nip tiger trade. Though the agreement couldnt be signed on this trip the minister expressed hope that it will be done in October when a chinese delegation visits India and will become part of a larger agreement the neighbours are planning to sign on climate control.
India, China to collaborate on environment http://www.hindu.com/2009/08/27/stories/2009082754841100.htm
Local communities need to have a stake in well being of Forest reserves
All across tiger reserves in teh country reports are coming in of local communities facing displacement, hardship due to existence of notified forest areas in teh vicinities. In our zeal to protect forests and wildlife the govt is missing involving local communities and ensuring they have a stake in preservation of these areas. A recent news about villagers inside Tadoba being shifted out without being provided any means to decent livelihood is a story being repeated aross the country. Another case has come to light in Goa where a local activist whose efforts pushed the government to notify the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary in Goa is facing social ostracization for this initiative. Villagers around the sanctuary must be concerned the govt will soon throw them out after taking over their land without giving them fair compensation and whats more generations of tribals and locals who have lived in and around the park and survived on forest procude will suddenly be barred from entering the forest and be left to fend for themselves. Though the Minister MOEF Jairam Ramesh has after taking over articulated the need to involve local communities in the protection of tiger reserves and forest areas the thought has not been converted in to a concrete policy and ground level implementation is marred by corruption and caloussness. Cases like Tadoba and Goa will keep repeating themsevles over and over again till such time the govt realises the need to provide suitable alternate living conditions to displaced families and access to reasonable means to livelihood. A country which cant feed its population is unlikely to succed in saving its tigers.
Kerkar faces social boycott in Keri
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/goa/Kerkar-faces-social-boycott-in-Keri/articleshow/4938939.cms
Kerkar faces social boycott in Keri
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/goa/Kerkar-faces-social-boycott-in-Keri/articleshow/4938939.cms
NTCA teams on visit to Tiger parks in ciritcal condition
After the recent confesson by NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal during a meet in Sariska about the critical condition of many sanctuaries across the country owing to maoist trouble or other secutiry related problems a report in Telegraph cites NTCA teams visiting reserves across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand & orissa. It may be noted that maoist trouble across the so called Red Corridor has virtually made it impossible for any census to be carried out across wide swathes of forest areas in these some of these states. Recently an NTCA team was also despatched to Similipal in Orissa to take stock of the situation there after it emerged that maoists and timber mafia had taken over the park and wildlife poaching was being carried out nside the sanctuary on a large scale.
Delhi teams on fact-finding mission to tiger reserves
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090826/jsp/northeast/story_11406634.jsp
Delhi teams on fact-finding mission to tiger reserves
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090826/jsp/northeast/story_11406634.jsp
Bandipur first reserve to get Tiger Protection force
Taking off from the recent initiative flagged off by Jairam Ramesh Minister MOEF Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka will be the first tiger reserve in the country to have its own dedicated protection force. A TOI report states Bandipur having witness numerous tiger deaths this year some apparently owing to poaching. It should be noted that the current protection forces across tiger sanctuaries comprise of ill paid and ill equipped ageing guards who niether have the training, resources nor requisite authority to control wildlife related crime inside the park. As per this new initiative NTCA has decided to initially set up a STPF across 13 out of the 37 tiger sanctuaries. NTCA will fund setting up of a dedicated protection force for tigers which will be backed by required equipment and have legal backing to enforce the rule of law. The force will comprise of well trained personnel with 30% of them being draw in from local comminities which will ensure they have a stake in protecting wildlife and forest areas they live in.
Bandipur to get country's first tiger protection force
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/bangalore/Bandipur-to-get-countrys-first-tiger-protection-force/articleshow/4934389.cms
Bandipur to get country's first tiger protection force
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/bangalore/Bandipur-to-get-countrys-first-tiger-protection-force/articleshow/4934389.cms
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Shocking case of laxity at Tadoba
Indian express today reports cases of Sambhar poaching from inside the Todaba Tiger Reserve. Apparently tribals residing on the border of the reserve went hunting inside the park and killed two sambhar deer. Just to highlight how lax security inside the park is, the tribals came back two days after the killing to collect the carcass of the animal. Another incident of a wild boar being killed by villagers on the fringes of the park has been reported. As this blog has been saying ground level strengthening of protection systems is key to forest protection plans. With little of no money seeping through to the forest reserves for hiring security and buying tools it is hardly surprising incidents like these are taking place. one can safely imagine 3 such incidents take place for every one that is reported.
Ahead of NTCA visit, reports of tribal feast inside Tadoba reserve
Web based Tiger database on the anvil
A TOI report today cites NTCA and WWF officials preparing a comprehensive data base of tiger populations across the country with assocaited info related to tiger crimes and trade. Similar databases are used acros developed world to protect endangered species. Though theoritically a good concept the idea will work only if ground level protection is strengthened. If tiger reserves remain easily accessible to poachers tiger killings will continue how ever much we spend on latest tools and technology.
Centre preparing web-based database to aid tiger conservation
Monday, August 24, 2009
Pench Tiger reserve forest cover up
A report in TOI today cites a study being conducted by Florida based researchers to conclude that area under forest cover in the Pench reserve has gone up to 87% from 78% in 3 decades ending 2007. It is pertinent to note that the ministry of roads and transport in the earlier UPA govt had initiated a project to widen the Nagpur-Jabalpur highway which cuts right throught hte middle of the reserve and would have seriously affected wildlife in and around the park. After a public hue and cry and initiative shown by local law makers teh project was finally withdrawn..
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Corbett needs money but will have to wait
Ever since the new tripartite agreement to be signed between centre, state and sanctuary was unvieled it has divided state forest departments across the spectrum. Surprisingly states that should be at the forefront of protection and vigilance are dithering from signing the agreement. Last week MP govt officials expressed concerns in signing the agreement as per a a report today, Uttrakhand govt is asking for funds to be released for conservation without signing the papers yet. Though the minister has made it clear no money will be released till the agreement is singed but with difficult govt holding out the centre will have to penalise the state govts in some form to get them to act. Given the lethargy shown by states in taking the lead in tiger protection, the centre will have to take the initiative. Not releasing funds in time will only hurt protection initiatives even further which is no good for any one.
No money for U'khand tiger conservation plan till it inks pact
Maha Minister apologises to prty brass, seems to have gotten away
Media reports yesterday cited Maharashtra Agriculture Minister having met wtih Minister MOEF Jairam Ramesh and apologised to him for having entered a tiger cage and harassinga cub. The change of heart apparently came after scathing criticism of his actions by the civit society and more importantly after a investigation intot he incident was ordered by the central minster himself. Wildlife laws are strict though implementation has always been very lax. Poachers and mafia are rarely brought to book in our country, petting a tiger cub that too by a ruling party minister seems like a minor misdemeanor.
Maharashtra minister apologises to Environment Ministry for entering tiger cage
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Missing cubs of dead Bandhavgarh tigeress found., future uncertain
Central Chronicle reports the forest rangers having located 2 of the 3 cubs who had wandered off after their mother died of poisoning couple of days back in the Bandhavgarh national park. The cubs are too small to survive on their own in the jungle so most likely they will end up cooling their heels in a cage rest of their lives. Unfortunate in a country which likes to uphold freedom as its shining beacon.
Missing cubs found |
Surprise Surprise - Mah Zoo Minster cleared of violating law
Making a mockery of justice, the Zoo authorities in Nagpur appointed to investigate the minister entering a tiger cage and harrassing the cub has cleared the law maker of any violation. The zoo controller apparently means that rules are made only for common citizens and politicians and their ilk are above law. Although central MOEF Jairam ramesh has taken serious note of the incident it seems highly likely that this incident willsoon die its natural death. Afterall politicians in India get away with much worse than petting a tiger cub.
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Friday, August 21, 2009
India loosing Tigers at alarming rate as another found dead in Bandavgarh
Even India's showpiece tiger reserve known for the maximum density of big cats cant prevent the killings. A tigress was found dead in Bandhavgarh National Park in MP apparently poisoned though post mortem reports are still awaited. The tigersse's death means survival of its 3 cubs in the wild is also under cloud so in a sense this one death will mean a loss of 4 tigers. This incident comes a few months after anothe tiger cub was killed in the park when the driver of a tourist vehicle ran it over apparently trying to get this clients a better view of the feline hinding under the car. Another alarming report by a prominent NGO based on statistics collected from various parts of country, counts 66 tigers dead in 2009. The TOI story also cites the report attributing 23 of these deaths to poaching. Going by the normal underreporting of such incidents in our country it would be safe to assume that the real figure of tigers lost would be closer to twice the figure which means more than 125 cats lost in just 7 months. For a full year this will translate to almost 200 deaths. With new tiger births showing little signs of increase, the rate of deaths will soon take the population to a tipping point when any conservation effort will stop making a difference. So if there is atime to save the tigers it is now.
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MP forest officers transferred enmasse
Temptations of the political class to shunt around bureaucracy at its whims and fancy is taking heavy toll on country;s wildlife and forests. In another incident smacking of high handedness as per a report in Central Chronicle MP govt today transferred 27 IFS officers at one stroke. This comes on the heels of Maharashtra Forest minister last month shunting a whopping 350 forest officers at one go including some posted in sensitive wildlife regions wihout providing for suitable replacements. Read our earlier post on this (http://planettiger.blogspot.com/2009/07/another-minister-with-blinkers-on.html)
Given the lack of sensitivity being shown by state wildlife officials and minsters across the board it seems the centre will have to play a larger part in protection of not just wild life but also protecting the bureaucracy from political interference. It isnt surprising that some state forest officials are resisting signing a tripartite agreement with teh centre. Till such time they are not shielded from political interference, expecting them to be fully accountable for protection of reserves will be a non starter.
27 IFS officers transferred
Assam signs Tripartite act for tiger conservation with Centre as MP drags its feet
On a day of mixed developments Assam became the 3rd state after Rajasthan and Kerala to ink the recently formulated tripartite agreement between Centre, State govt and Forest reserve. The agreement makes field director of tiger reserves more accountable and makes release of funds contigent to the efforts being put in by the local official and state govt. Read our earlier post on the topic ( http://planettiger.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-ntca-guidelines-to-hold-field.html)
Apart from signing of the agreement Assam forest minister also announced setting up of a second battalion of force to protect forests and wildlife.
On the other hand, a state which should be at the forefront of tiger protection and take the lead in setting precedents for others to follow is dragging its feet in helping the centre make tiger conservation efforts more meaningful. A report by Zee News says MP govt officials yesterday raised objections to signing the tripartite act wary of the responsibility it affixes on field directors of reseves. This coming from a state which has witnessed the shameful loss of all tigers in Panna and almost all in Sanjay National park. Appartently field directors are concerned that once the agreement is signed they will be accountable for their actions. The Minister MOEF Jairam Ramesh being a determined man has asked for NTCA to meet with the field directors to remove their apprehensions and get the agreement signed at the earliest. If there is a chance for the MP govt to bury the past and ensure protection of its tigers for future generations this can be teh first real meaninful step they can take.
Tripartite pact on Project Tiger
Big cats find healthy habitat at Kaziranga
MP not keen to sign pact for tiger conservation
Railways insensitivity killing wildlife
In another incident of its kind a deer was run over by a train in the Dushwa national park region in UP as per a report by PTI. The report also cites another such case of a tiger being killed by a speeding train last year in teh same region. Despite detailed guidlines reg speed of trains in various sections, teh railways has summarily failed to implement steps to be taken to prevent loss of wildlife
Deer overrun by speeding train
NTCA teams to visit Tiger parks on verge of loosing their jewels
As per a TOI report today, NTCA has constituted various teams drawn from wildlife NGOs to visit tiger reserves showing signs of rapid decline. First reserve to get a visit will be Valmiki Reserve in Bihar which as per the report has lost more than 60% of big cats in the last couple of years. A recent post on this blog (http://planettiger.blogspot.com/2009/08/tiger-cubs-sighted-in-valimiki-tiger.html) had noted slopiness of state officials in ignoring to adhere to basic guidlines related to demarcation of core and buffer areas of the park. Given the poor track record of state govts in acting to save protected areas time is runing out before the park becomes another Siriska. Apart from Valimiki Palamu in Jharkhand, Manas in Assam and Indravati in Chhattisgarh, Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram, Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal, Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh are the other reserves the teams are likely to visit. It may be noted that all these reserves have been on the NTCA radar for a while due to a whole host of problems ranging from naxalism to poor ground level protection. One hopes the NTCA visits will initiate a series of workable steps to stem the rapid decline of these forest areas.
NTCA team to inspect Valmiki Tiger Reserve
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Similipal Tiger Reserve being plundered - Act before all tigers vanish
Reports from Similipal Tiger reserve in Orrisa are getting worse. After the reported incidents of maoists and poaching mafia having taken over the reserve comes news of large scale hunting going on inside the park. Local activists have reported sighting rampant tree felling and daily killing of wild animals from within the reserve and some doubt whether any tigers are left inside the park. At last count there were found to be 61 tigers in the park in January this year down from almost 100 a couple of years back.
Our recent posts on Similipal had cited media reports of the deteriorating situation in the reserve and if the govt doenst do something in a hurry to stem the rot another siriska is unfolding right in front of our eyes.
Disaster in waiting - Similipal - exposed by local activistshttp://planettiger.blogspot.com/2009/07/disaster-in-waiting-similipal-exposed.html
Maharashtra Minister found guilty
As per a report in DNA today the forest ministry has found the minister who entered a tiger cage in Nagpur guitly of having flouted wildlife rules. The ministry has also decided to take action against Zoo officials who encouraged the minister to enter the cage. With the minsiter belonging to the ruling party and from an important state which goes to election this year it will be interesting to see if the centre has any will to take action against him or as usually happens low level zoo officials will be made scapegoats and the matter buried.
Minister guilty of molesting tiger
Tadoba man-animal conflict takes deadly turn again
After the lull of a few months when no incidents of tigers attacking humans were reported in the latest one a Leopard attacked and injured 5 people on the outskirts of the tiger reserve. This comes on the back of another reported incident of a tiger killing a man around the reserve last week (http://planettiger.blogspot.com/2009/08/man-animal-conflict-at-tadoba.html)
It doesnt seem the wildlife officials have any plan to prevent these incidents from repeating. After the numerous incidents of the last few years one would expect the forest dept to have learnt some lessons and found out a way of stopping these attacks. But it seems they are just waiting for the villagers to poison and kill these beasts to prevent these attacks. If there is an area taht needs urgent attention on Chandrapur apart from revoking licences for mining it is figuring out a way of preventing these conflits as they can cause serious harm to the wildlife inthe long run
Leopard wreaks havoc in Chandrapur, five injured
Two more poachers arrested - The killing continues
As per a TOI report, two men with the skin of a young tiger were caught by the TN state wildlife officials. Though cases of poachers/traders being netted are coming to light often there seems to be little concerted effort to break the back of poaching mafia across the country. As this blog has been saying the central ministry needs to set up crime investigation and prosectution for wildlife cases on the lines of CBI. A nodal body which works closely with states and looks at a pan india picture. With wildlife crime becoming an inter state phenomenon only a central body with mandate to operate across state borders can put a lid on the continuing killing of wild animals.
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Minister MOEF wants tigers in Gujarat
A report in Indian Express today cites a letter sent by Jairam Ramesh to Gujrat forest minister proposing relocating tigers into the state. Tigers used to raom in the state as recently as 10 years back the repopulating the state will expand the tiger conservation efforts significantly by brining in new areas under protection. Apart from Gujarat the minister should look at other such areas/states which have forest cover to be able to hold sustainable tiger population. Spreading the animal far and wide and involving local communities in protection will go a long way in keeping our national pride from extinction.
Jairam plans to get tigers to Gujarat
Bihar leads the way in calousness
A report in TOI cites how valmiki tiger reserve in Bihar is gradually loosing its protection force due to non payment of salaries to guards for the past few months. With the centre keen to provide monetary assistance to state govt, state officials have not signed the MOU with NTCA which will make them eligible to receive these funds. Such criminal negligence smacks might lead to the reserve loosing its tigers soon if affective steps are not taken immediately. Though the report also quotes state forest minster saying the MOUwill be signed soon, one wonders whether our lawmakers stand for protection of forest areas or are siding with poaching mafias and helping them tear down green corridors by simply ensuring delays in signing such agreements.
State fails to get Central aid for tiger reserve
Orrisa CM wants central forces for forest protection
Given the large scale violence being perpetrated by maoists across the red corridor and the collateral damage it is causing to tiger reserves in affected states Orissa CMs demand yesterday for CRPF to be deployed at Similipal might initiate a debate on how best to protect these parks. It is worth noting that Similipal in Orrisa has borne the brunt of maoists as well as land mafia in recent months. With forest protection staff driven out by crime syndiate media reports have cited a free for all inside the park with poaching, tree felling going on rampantly. Asking for CRPF protection might be a desperate cry for help but central forest ministry might want to pay heed to such demands. Recently at the Tiger conservation meet at Sariska, NTCA head had proposed taking off those reserves off list which are affected by serious maoist violence and where both counting and protection has not been carried out at all. Rather than leaving these areas to their own the ministry should work along side Home ministry to chalk out a action plan to protect these areas. With the home ministry planning a full scale offensive against the red brigade post monsoon it might betime for the MOEF to get into the picture and move in to take steps towards protecting forest areas.
Naveen urges centre to deploy CRPF at sanctuaries , national parks in state
Jairam Rames wants caged minister investogated
Minister MOEF has asked for central Zoo authority to investigate the matter relating to Maharashtra Agriculture minister entering a tiger cage and petting the cub. Given the laxity with which laws are implemented and invetigations carried out in our country it wont be surprising if nothing comes out of it. All the media attention has atleast ensured no one would want to repeat the act again in front of cameras.
Environmental clearances new licence raj, says Manmohan
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Centre to transfer funds directly to Tiger Reserves
In a move initiated by the centre that could potentially alter the nature of continous fund squeeze faced by tiger reserves the forest ministry has decided to transfer the money directly to the parks through a new fund to be set up rather than routing it through govt department based in state capitals. As per the story in Telegraph This move could well cut the time it takes for money to get to ground level and more importantly it will ensure some money gets their as state governments across the country have shown very little will to put forest and tiger protection on top of their priority list.
Fast funds for tiger reserves
'Minister in cage' defends his actions as govt officials wake up
Forest dept officials after two days of media ruckus have woken up to the illegality of allowing minister and his cronies to enter a tiger cub's cage. They have sought a report from teh Zoo officials on the incident while the minister himself initially defending his actions. even more bizarre is a statement attributed to the envioronment minister of Maharashtra who compared teh cub petting incident to visting a friends house and petting his children. Mr Minister if such is your love of wildlife and animals how come protected areas in the state are loosing their precious jewels under your watch. How come you have been championing the cause of mining in Tadoba while knowing fully well the dangers it poses to teh tiger reserve in teh area. Unfortunately as other incidents this too will be soon covered up & forgotten and we will get back to business as usual. Till such time our law makers at all levels wake up to the need of protecting wildlife and forests it will be an uphill battle to save the environment from further degradation.
Minister in tiger cub’s cage: Report sought
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