Karnataka could grab `big cat state' tag |
Friday, October 23, 2009
MP set to loose tiger state status to Karnataka
With the latest tiger census set to get underway across the country over the next few months, wildlife experts believe MP thus far known as the tiger state of India owing to the highest number of striped cats in the state, might loose its premier status to Karnataka states a TOI report. With tiger numbers in MP dwindling at a fast pace and the state failing to take steps to counter the slide notably holding out on signing the tripartite agreement with centre and NTCA for free flow of funds, Karnataka seems to be taking the lead in conservation efforts despite facing its own set of problems. Estimates say MP has lost around 35 tigers in last few years to various reasons including the complete wipe out of big beasts from Panna and Sanjay National park. Similarly Kanha, Bhandhavgarh and Pench reserve have all seen tiger deaths unrelated to natural causes. What is more worrying is that officials in MP are continuing to live in a denial mode refusing to hold officials accountable for the lapses and shying away from taking the tough steps needed to curb the trend. Karnataka on the other hand has taken a lead in trying up with the centre and NTCA in putting regulation in place for increased protection of tigers and also might become the first state soon to have its own tiger protection force in Bandipur tiger reserve. The last census estimated population of tiger in MP at around 300 and Karnataka at around 290. With Karnataka taking a lead on more births and lesser deaths, the state is seen to be crossing MP after the latest census.
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
Adani will have to do impossible for mining around Tadoba
Adani Power will have to recreate Tadoba like forests to compensate for destruction carried out for mining a report in DNA today quotes Maharasthra Forest officials. As is known Adani Power was alloted mining licenses around Tadoba by eager Forest officials only to see a huge protest being launched by local Chandrapur Residents and local NGo's. Given the opposition the project has been stayed for the time being with a case pending in courts to decide the fate of the project.
Coal mining 'impossible' at Tadoba
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
Monday, October 19, 2009
Two poachers killed on Assam as most tigers vanish from Orang Sanctuary
Forest guards killed two poachers on Saturday reports Hindustantimes. This comes on the heels of rhinos being felled by poachers last week. A tiger too was poisoned by villagers in the park which has seen the big cat population falling to single digit numbers with conservationists expecting all tigers to vanish in the not so distant future.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
West Bengal signs tripartite pact for tiger conservation
Kolkata , Oct 16 After some initial objection, West Bengal government has signed a tripartite agreement with the Centre and the tiger reserves in the state for better conservation of the big cats.Subrat Mukherjee, field director, Sunderbans Tiger Reserve and his counterpart in Buxa Tiger Reserve R P Seni, who were authorised by the state government, signed an MoU with the National Tiger Conservation Authority yesterday
http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/686955/National/1/20/1#
http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/686955/National/1/20/1#
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tadoba set to get extra security and area
With Maharashtra having signed the tripartite agreement with NTCA and Centre the first step towards increased protection of big cats was approved with the state govt sending a detailed plan to centre for approval reports DNA. The plan includes acquisition of around 1000 sq kms of land outside the buffer zone and hiring another 50 forest guards to protect the sanctuary. It is worth noting that area around Tadoba has been in news for the last few years. Initially for human-animal conflict cases and in recent times for abandoned tiger cubs being found with regularity indicating poaching or killing by poisoning of their mothers.
Security beefed up for wild cats
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
CBI arrests poachers, will they be convicted ?
A PTI report cites the arrest of two poachers by the CBI wanted in cases related to killing of Panthers and Tigers in Sariska. Apparently the duo has been evading arrest since 2005 and were caught in Punjab with the help of local police. With most poaching related arrests based on half baked cases it is no wonder these criminals get bail in no time and and are back to their hunting ways in double quick time. If the recent cases of INdia's most dreaded poacher Sansar Chand being let off on bail is any indicator, it is unlikely any of these arrests will help slide the destruction of wildlife in INdia.
CBI arrests two of inter-state wildlife poaching gang
Sunday, October 11, 2009
MP govt refuses to bring in accountability as it prepares to shift another tiger to Panna
All other states have already signed the tripartite agreement with Centre & NTCA. MP being the most critical state for tiger conservation is holding out as babus fear signing the MOU will make them more accountable something they wish to avoid. With pressure being borne by centre and environmentalists it might not be long before the state falls in line. Despite having lost all its tigers in Panna state govt officials have systematically tried to cover up the disaster and shunned all attempts to hold people accountable for the disaster. After realising the need for repopulating the park two female tigresses we shifted there recently and now a male tiger inPench has been identified to be shifted there.
MP yet to sign tripartite pact for tiger conservation
Suitable tiger found for translocated tigresses: Negi
Dudhwa tigers face flood danger
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Saturday, October 10, 2009
Centre for direct incentives to locals for preserving Tigers
NEW DELHI: In a first of its kind tiger conservation efforts, the Centre is mulling to give direct incentives to local communities.
Struggling to protect the endangered royal Tigers, the government seems to be viewing "payment for ecosystem services (PES)" as a new conservation instrument designed to provide direct incentives to the local communities living in the fringes of the sanctuaries.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Rhino, tiger found dead in Kaziranga - TOI
GUWAHATI: A rhino and a tiger were found dead in Kaziranga on Wednesday, barely a fortnight after the national park suffered three casualties.
With the latest deaths, the tiger toll has reached 12 since November 2008 while the rhino toll has risen to six this year alone.
The rhino carcass, with its horn missing, was found floating in a water body in the Bagori forest range. "The carcass was a few days old. The horn might have dropped off as the flesh started rotting,'' said Bagori range officer D Kalita. The animal was fished out from near Bimoli camp of Bagori range.
The rhino carcass, with its horn missing, was found floating in a water body in the Bagori forest range. "The carcass was a few days old. The horn might have dropped off as the flesh started rotting,'' said Bagori range officer D Kalita. The animal was fished out from near Bimoli camp of Bagori range.
Crimes against wildlife tabulated for better action - TOI
LUCKNOW: The planning related to wildlife conservation in the country might get a clear direction now, since the first national level database on
wildlife crime has been compiled and completed. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) which is the head organisation for wildlife conservation has got the crime figures compiled in collaboration with a private agency TRAFFIC-India.
Tigers in sanctuaries to get ID cards - PTI news
Archana Jyoti
New Delhi, Oct 8 (PTI) Big cats housed in various sanctuaries across the country will soon have their own 'identity cards' specifying their profile, a step that will enable authorities keep track of their movement and help in tiger conservation.
"We have issued an advisory to all the 17-tiger range states to keep an ID card specifying the details of each tiger in their sanctuaries," Rajesh Gopal, member secretary National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), said.
The identity card will be have a photograph of the tiger and its skin print, a unique characteristic of each predator, kill data and camera trap as well radio collar records with regular updatate of its behaviour.
"Maintaining an ID of each tiger will help the officials particularly forest guards keep a track on the predator in their jurisdiction. The idea is to strengthen tiger conservation at the ground level," Gopal explained.
New Delhi, Oct 8 (PTI) Big cats housed in various sanctuaries across the country will soon have their own 'identity cards' specifying their profile, a step that will enable authorities keep track of their movement and help in tiger conservation.
"We have issued an advisory to all the 17-tiger range states to keep an ID card specifying the details of each tiger in their sanctuaries," Rajesh Gopal, member secretary National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), said.
The identity card will be have a photograph of the tiger and its skin print, a unique characteristic of each predator, kill data and camera trap as well radio collar records with regular updatate of its behaviour.
"Maintaining an ID of each tiger will help the officials particularly forest guards keep a track on the predator in their jurisdiction. The idea is to strengthen tiger conservation at the ground level," Gopal explained.
UP tiger numbers fall by 60%, state only following country wide trends say officials
After the recent tiger census conducted by WII estimated the tiger population to have fallen to 109 from 273 in the last 5 years UP govt officials attribute it to the new census method. A report on sify.com quotes chief widlife conservator taking refuge in dwindling tiger numbers across the country to justify the drastic fall in UP. Obviously the statement reflects complete apathy on part of the state government who dont treat stemming the rot as priority.
160 tigers short, Uttar Pradesh blames census technique!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
NTCA announces schedule for Tiger census
The latest tiger census gets underway this month with NTCA setting the ball rolling by announcing a detailed schedule that includes training workshops for forest staff across the country followed by field data collection, reports Times of India. As was reported earlier, this years' census will also include counting Sunderbans and will build upon the camera trap method used in the previous census.
NTCA announces schedule for estimation exercise |
Sunday, October 4, 2009
International Tiger Year to be launched on Valentine's day
With the objective of spreading awareness about conservation of forests and wildlife in them, the forest ministry has decided to celebrate international year of the tiger starting Valentine's day in 2010 culminating into the World Tiger meet at Ranthambore in Nov next year. With Chinese demand for tiger parts in the danger of peaking next year on account of the Chinese year of the tiger, it might be a good time to bring the issue of loosing tigers into international limelight.
International Year of the Tiger to kick off on V-Day: Ramesh
Friday, October 2, 2009
Centre acts fast on relocation - Funds released for Ranthambore and Manas
Just a month after Rajasthan and Assam signed the tripartite agreement with centre, funds have been cleared for relocation of villagers living in and around the tiger reserves in the two states. According to reports in TOI and Assam Tribune, Ranthambore is set to get a sum of over 100 crs and Manas Nattional park in Assam another 6.5 Crs. Humans living in and around tiger reserves has been cited as the biggest reason for decline in forest cover and wild animal numbers. With poachers getting easy shelter and know how from these communities and villagers themselves sometimes poisoning wild animals to save their cattle, moving human settlements out of sanctuaries has become top priority for conservationists. The new minister MOEF having recognizing the gravity of the problem has moved swiftly and has within months of taking over streamlined the system to ensure money is no more an obstacle and adequate legal provisions are in place to prevent misuse of funds. With these two states taking the lead hopefully other states like MP, Karnataka, Kerala and Uttarakhand will follow.
Rs 104 crore grant for Ranthambore
Move to relocate human settlement
Tadoba activists decry villagers move as Sonia Gandhi takes note
After villagers around Lohara, the location of Adani mines, came out in support of the project, green activists questioned their stand as per a report on TOI. According to activists the company has managed to lure a handful of people through money power to get them to endorse setting up the plant at the expense of the forest. As pointed out by some NGO activists, the forests are not the property of villagers living in the area but a natural resource that belongs to the country and saving it is of prime importance. It is relevant to note that residents of Chandrapur, the distt headquarters, a few months back had come out strongly against the mines having suffered the ill effects of mines in their area for decades.
In a related development Sonia Gandhi has taken note of a letter written by Rajya Sabha MP Shri Vijay Darda for pointing out adverse effects of the mine. He has also suggested setting up a committee to look into granting of the license. Mr Darda had used his offices to good effect last year when a similar letter by him to Sonia Gandhi against widening of Nagpur-Jabalpur highway cutting thru Pench tiger reserve saw the scrapping of the ecologically disastrous project.
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Man Tiger conflict continues across the country as two more die
In separate incidents, two people were killed, apparently by tigers, one in Sunderbans and another in Almora Distt. Sunderbans has recently been in news for increased tiger attacks on humans. The forest department had had suggested that cycloe Aila earlier this year had killed prey in large numbers making tigers attack humans more often. Do study the issue in detail, forest dept had also initiated a study of prey base in the area but months after the first incidents were reported, there is no sign of the study. Sunderbans is also going to be included this year in the tiger census survey to be carried out starting next month.
Tiger kills fisherman in Sunderban
Tiger kills child in Simalkhet
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Let down by govt, villagers around Tadoba back Adani Mines
The fight going on between environmentalists on one side and Adani corp & state govt on the other, took a new twist on Wednesday when villagers from Lohara, the location of mines addressed a press conference in support of the mines. It is clear that the villagers donot see any future for themselves in preserving the forest and wildlife esp given how other families in and around Tadoba have been shoddily treated on resettlement matters. It is a shocking case of govt failure that locals are willing for their surroundings to be destroyed rather than let tourism drive the economy and become stake holders in development. As pointed out by them during the meet, there are many other mines in the area right on the edge of the park and perhaps they have seen the economic benefits those mines have brought to people in those areas, notwithstanding the damage it has caused to the ecology as a whole. The govt needs to provide alternate employment and means of livelihood if locals have to be made stakeholders in preservation of wildlife and forests. As long as villagers see forest conservation as an urban cause, india's efforts will be doomed. In a related development a bunch of NGOs filed petitions in the high court asking for the govt to stay granting of mining licenses to Adani. The high court has issued notices to the govt asking for status on the project. As no go ahead has been given yet, the court termed the petitions untimely.
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Pleas early, but HC wants status of Adani mines
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Forest dept indicates presence of tigers in Shivpuri
Shivpuri: There are indications of presence of tigers and their cubs in this district's Pohari subdivision's forest as a tribal shepherd claimed to have seen the big cats in the jungle.
Ramhet Adivasi, a resident of Umrai village, said he had sighted a tiger, a tigress and their two cubs moving in the jungle about a fortnight back, and when he went to the forest for grazing cattle on September 25, the tigers killed one of his cattle. He also informed the forest officials about the incident.
Some journalists, who visited the area along with forest officials of Pohari, also found bones of the cattle scattered in the forest. The villagers also confirmed that cattle were being killed by the tigers.
Pohari region is situated adjacent to Kuno-Palanpur forest that has been set up for providing habitat to tigers and other animals.
The presence of the tiger family in this region is being considered significant due to the dwindling population of big cats, cheetahs and leopards over the past few years.
The forest department sources said after confirmation of the presence of tiger family in the forest and gathering other related information, they would initiate further action.
http://www.mynews.in/News/Forest_dept_indicates_presence_of_tigers_in_Shivpuri_N26869.html
Centre’s aid to relocate villages from tiger habitats
New Delhi: The Centre has released nearly Rs 100 crore to five states to relocate villages in tiger reserves to free the animals from human interference with Madhya Pradesh getting almost half of the total fund share.
Besides, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Manas sanctuary in Assam have been given financial package for the purpose for the year 2008-09, according to a senior official in Environment Ministry.
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
Orrisa asks centre for more money for Similipal as it refutes WII tiger census numbers
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik met Central MOEF Jairam Ramesh and is reported to have requested for expediting sanctioning of funds for Similipal Tiger reserve as part of the annual plan according to Orrisadiary.com. This blog yesterday highlighted the tug of war going on between state govt and Centre appointed Tiger Conservation bodies on number of tigers inside Similipal tiger reserve. For the last couple of years WII has been indicating decline in population of big cats where as state govt has been repeatedly denying the facts. State govt officials apparently have no reason to feel accountable to either the centre or tiger conservationists as the chief minister himself has been speaking against WII numbers to avoid publicly accepting the embarrassing truth of not being able to save the national animal from slaughter. Similar denials in Panna over the last few years ensured the disappearance of tigers from the reserve and orrisa seems to be following in the footsteps of MP govt.
Orissa asks centre to approve forest clearance for irrigation project
Friday, September 25, 2009
72 tigers killed this year, highest in a decade
An HT report today quotes figures circulated by WPSI claiming 72 tigers having been killed this year and 150 since 2006. NTCA's estimates are lower at 54 and 100 respectively but unmistakably point out to the alarming situation. These numbers of course would not include cubs who have lost their mothers to poaching and are unable to survive in the wild. Hence the actual numbers of tigers lost would be even higher. Given the pressures on wildlife and forest and ever expanding human encroachment it is a tough challenge for central govt to stem the slide. With most states apathetic towards the cause time is running out for the stripped cats.
Orrisa refuses to trust WII tiger count for Similipal - Orders another one
Despite two surveys by credible organisations over as many years pointing out to decline in tiger numbers in Similipal Tiger reserve, state govt of Orrisa refuses to believe the news. After the 2007 tiger census pointed out low tiger density, Chief minister Navin Patnaik himself had questioned the validity of the numbers. Now after another count conducted by WII recently found tiger population to have fallen to just 41, down from almost 100, the chief wildlife officer taking a cue from his boss has questioned the figures again. Similipal has been in news recently due to maoist problems and local mafia along with villagers having taken over the park. In fact chief minister Navin Patnaik himself had asked the centre to deploy CRPF to protect the park from being raided by poaching gangs. Now that a credible nodal body has laid bare the facts, the least state govt can do is get out of its denial mode. Our readers would remember similar denials issued by park directors of Panna in MP doomed the tigers there. One hopes a similar story is not unfolding in Similipal. The centre should push Orrisa govt to sign the tripartite agreement which will put an end to such blatant attempts at cover ups.
Orissa to recount Tigers in Similipal Tiger Reserv
Thursday, September 24, 2009
8yr old caught Poaching tiger!
Times of India reports a boy and his grand mother caught around the Valmiki national park in Bihar waiting for a tiger to walk into a metal trap laid by them. The duo apparently belong to a tribe of hunters most famous of whom goes by the name of Dhariya who is in jail for a poaching case. According to forest officials quoted in the report the entire family is involved in poaching and smuggling along the Indo-Nepal border and is key to preventing trade in banned wildlife parts.
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Melghat tiger reserve conflict symbolic of botched up conservation efforts
The Indian express reports villagers around Melghat Tiger reserve in Maharashtra pressurizing politicians to allow cattle grazing inside the park despite it being a notified tiger sanctuary. With elections in the state around the corner, public servants are caught in a bind. After Maharasthra recently signed a tripartite agreement with Centre and NTCA for conservation of tiger reserves, cattle grazing inside reserves which hitherto attracted a penalty has been made a punishable offence and the forest director has made accountable to prevent it. Officers are hence caught in a bin, with politicians on one hand pressurizing them to allow villagers to use the park whereas the new law makes them accountable for such illegal acitivities. The conflicts also highlights the poor planning underneath tiger conservation plans in India. Villagers have been living around the area for generations and to suddenly ask them to discontinue activities linked to earning their livelihood without providing any alternate means of sustenance is criminal negligence. With the centre having cleared a lucrative resettlement package for each family to be relocated, Melghat park officials would be well advised to quickly implement it rather than let the issue simmer and reach a flash point. For the recently formed committee under NTCA tasked to evaluate conservation efforts inside sanctuaries, proper resettlement of villagers should be a priority area.
Another tiger cub found abandoned in Tadoba
Days after two cubs were caught by wildlife officials apparently after having lost their mother to poachers,wildlife officials trapped another 3rd cub around the same area in Tadoba reports The Indian Express. The story also quotes wildlife officials having seen pugmarks of a big tiger around the area where the 3rd cub was caught indicating the mother's presence there till recently. DNA samples are being sent for examination to verify if the three cubs are siblings. As this blog posted yesterday,NTCa officials have sent a detailed set of guidelines to the park director for immediate action to prevent any further loss of tigers.
Works starts on Pilibhit Tiger reserve creation
The Times of India reports initiation of work with regards to creation of Pilibhit tiger reserve. Creation of the park was notified last year. With Dudhwa & Corbett being the other tiger reserves in the region addition of Pilibhit could turn out to be an important milestone in preserving the nothern population of Indian tigers.
Work on new tiger reserve may start by year end
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Marooned Tadoba cubs force NTCA into action
After reports of two tigers cubs having been found around Tadoba tiger sanctuary NTCa has written to local park authorities suggesting a series of measures to be undertaken to unearth the wildlife killings going on in and around the park, reports The Indian Express. According to the report, this is the 4th such instance of tiger cubs being found in the area this year indicating their mothers have all been killed either by poachers or poisoned by villagers. Two days back CNN IBN published pictures of a wild dog caught in snare inside the sanctuary against pointing to lax security and presence of armed poaching gangs. NTCA has also recommended carrying out a detailed survey of tiger and prey population, marking territories of the big cats, strengthening intelligence set up in and around villages adjoining the park. With Maharashtra having signed the tripartite agreement with centre and NTCA, one hopes measures to tackle poaching will be put in place immediately.
Male Tiger to be relocated to Panna
After two tigresses were shifted to Panna Tiger Reserve early this year a male tiger is to set to arrive to give them company. According to a PTI report, WII scientists are in search of a suitable companion from Bandhavgarh national park. Panna reserve which was estimated to have around 35 tigers a few years ago was declared having lost all its striped cats earlier. One solitary male tiger was sighted earlier this year which too was apparently killed by poachers. Panna has been a disaster of enormous proportions for wildlife in India with the park authorities continuously turning a blind eye to warning signs of poaching inside the park over the years. In fact as late as last year the park director had claimed that tigers were safe and the park had a healthy population. Shifting of tigers from other reserves is important to repopulate the park but unless the reserves are made more secure and reasons for earlier loss of tigers are identified with long term solutions in place and accountability fixed, there is no guarantee of repeats not happening. MP govt is also yet to sign the tripartite agreement with the centre and NTCA. Perhaps it is time for them to put political differences aside and work towards contributing to a national cause.
Hunt for suitable male companion for Panna tigresses
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Tiger kills elephant
The tigers of Munnar are safe for now
In a rare incident recently a tiger is reported to have killed a tusker in the Eravikulam National Park near Munnar, intriguing forest officials and wildlife enthusiasts alike. For tigers have never been known to attack elephants — let alone kill them — being physically no match for the pachyderms. Perhaps, this was a territorial feud — common in the wilds — and the tusker presumably was ailing and weak. Yet it’s hard to imagine a tiger taking on an elephant and besting it.
Monday, September 21, 2009
CNN IBN exposes continued poaching inside TATR
A story posted on ibnlive.com shows a wild dog caught in a snare inside Tadoba Tiger Sanctuary. If the picture indeed was taken inside the park it is a sad comment on the govt's criminal negligence towards protecting animals inside designated forest sanctuaries. TATR has been in news recently for suspected cases of tigers being poached. Obviously no hard evidence has come to light so far with the park being left open to poachers after the govt took almost 2 months to appoint a new field director post removing the earlier one. Relocation of villagers, granting mining licenses in teh vicinity,TATR's wildlife is not just battling poaching mafia but also the so called protectors.
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve hit by poaching
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
MP govt holding out on signing binding agreement to make its officials more accountable
Despite being in the limelight for being the state with the largest area under tiger reserves, MP govt rather than leading by example is telling us what exactly afflicts wildlife conservation in India. Official apathy, lack of accountability and protecting own turf at the expense of public good are some of the reasons why despite immense media and public pressure there has been little improvement in widlife conservation.
The centre has signed the new tripartite agreement with many other states. As we have posted earlier, the agreement makes flow of funds easier to the parks bypasssing the state wildlife ministries which are mostly corrupt and inept and are the biggestobstacles in money reaching genuine beneficiaries. The agreement alsomakes forest directors directly liable for penal action for the condition of the reserve. As we have seen in MP itself the director of Panna national park publicly claimed till last year that the park had a healthy population of tigers. After it was declared in march this year that alltigers had been killed the field director was actually promoted to the ministry of forest. Such officials need to be charged wtih criminal conspiracy and neglect so that they take their job seriously.
MP govt babus need to realise that tiger conservation is a matter of India's prestige and not about protecting state's turf over the matter. Since so many other states have willingly signed on the dotted line there should be no reason for further delay.
Madhya Pradesh opposes mooted MOU on tiger conservation
Now tiger sanctuaries will be evaluated by independent experts
Keen to ensure best practices are introduced in tiger conservation, the centre has constitued 5 committees of experts for evaluating the management and functioninig of tigers reserves across India, reports TOI today. The evaluation will be done basis parameters set by WII and commitees will include tiger experts like Belinda Wright. Now that the centre is signing legally binding MOUs with states to make field officials accountable for their actions it might be a a good idea to include some of the parameters in the agreements to ensure consistency across the board.
Panels to evaluate functioning of tiger reserve |
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Another tiger dies in Kaziranga
The spate of killings continue unabated, after yesterday's report of a tiger found dead in Kanha, the 7th this year, another tiger was found dead in Kaziranga National park in assam. This is the 8th tiger death in Kaziranga this year and
forest officials suspect poisoning by villagers as the cause. The incident comes a couple of days after tiger cubs were found abandoned in Tadoba nAtional park indicating their mother had been killed by poachers.
With tigers deaths being reported from across the country on a regular basis and long term solutions slow to take root time is running out for the big beast.
The govt needs to involve local population in conservation and make them stake holders in protecting wildlife and forests, unless that is accomlished quickly any other efforts to preserve tigers will not prevent their extinction.
Poachers kill tiger, jumbo
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Faced with shrinking habitat tiger turning on each other
In another incident of its kind, a tigress's partially eaten body was found in Kanha national park according to a report on Indiatimes.com. This is the 7th tiger death in the park and some of them have been attributed to territorial fights amongst big cats. According to forest officials quoted in the report, a male tiger killed the sub adult female tiger possibly for encroaching into his territory. With forest areas shrinking at a rapid pace and tigers being fiercly territorial animals, incidents of the big cats killing each other are being reported at increased rate.
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
Superb, incisive Nat Geo piece on India's struggle with Tiger Conservation - Must Read
If any one needs an idea of how things are on ground as regards to the enormous challenges we face in saving teh tiger from extinction here is
a first hand account from the most authoratative source. This piece in Nat Geo based on an investigation carried out by the magazine details out how local communitites have still not been taken into confidence by the govt and how poachers use cover provided by them to continue their nefariou activities. A must read
The War on India's Tigers
Cat Fight
Squeezed for space and targeted by poachers, India's tigers have reached a tipping point. But deep in the world's most celebrated tiger sanctuary, an unlikely hero has emerged. He's smart. He's driven. He's a God-fearing vegetarian with Jack Bauer tendencies. Too bad wildlife officials hate his guts.
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.
read earlier blog pos
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
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