Tigers endangered in half of Indian reserves

By Matthias Williams

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Tigers are in a "very, very precarious" state and could disappear altogether in nearly half of India's tiger reserves, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said on Wednesday.

India is a key player in efforts to conserve the dwindling global tiger population, which has plummeted to just a few thousand. Wildlife experts say tigers could be extinct in 20 years.

Illegal poaching, fueled by a thriving trade in tiger parts, and natural habitat loss drove down numbers in India from about 40,000 a century ago to 1,411 at the last count in 2008.

Ramesh said out of 38 government-monitored tiger reserves, 12 were in good condition and nine were satisfactory.

"Seventeen are in a very, very, very precarious state," he said. He did not specify how many tigers were at risk.

"You could have a Panna or a Sariska in any of these 17 at any point of time," he said, referring to two well-known reserves which lost their tiger populations.

A special panel set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in 2006 thousands of villagers inside India's reserves would have to be relocated to protect tigers from poachers and smugglers.

Poaching is very profitable and poor villagers often help poachers in return for much-needed cash, while villagers also often cut down forests where tigers live to use as farmland.

Although the government has paid compensation to uprooted families, Ramesh said they were sometimes moved to underdeveloped areas where they were not able to make a proper living.

"We have to relocate 100,000 from these 38 reserves if we are to save the tiger," he told reporters.

"Only about 3,000 have been relocated so far. "It is not enough to give them money. We also have to provide livelihood security for them," Ramesh said.

India must also strengthen policing along its borders with Nepal and Myanmar to control the illegal trade in animal parts, Ramesh said. New Delhi also wants China to phase out tiger farms, which it says operate in violation of international agreements and fuel demand in India.

The international police organization Interpol estimates illegal wildlife trade may be worth more than $20 billion a year.

Tiger parts are often used in Chinese medicine, where conservationists say everything from whiskers to eyes and bones are used. Tiger fur is also highly valued.

Ramesh said he had recently rejected a proposed coal mining project in a tiger reserve.

http://in.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idINTRE5B81OX20091209?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

Ban on mining a boon for tiger reserve

PATNA: Excessive human interference in the forest areas has often been cited as one of the main reason behind the adverse affect on wildlife.

Bihar's Valmiki sanctuary Wildlife Sanctuary, from which the Valmiki Nagar Tiger Reserve has been carved out, has shown how check on human interference can do wonders to wildlife.

This pertains to ban on mining of stones from the bed of the Pandai river, which flows through the sanctuary. Thanks to the Supreme Court directive in the T N Godavarman Thirumalpad vs Union of India case, mining from the river bed was completely banned after 2002.

Since the ban was made effective senev years back, the area along the bank of river Pandai has witnessed many changes. The most notable among them has been re-appearance of green cover.

"Earlier, the whole area used to wear a barren look as hundreds of tractors used to make rounds to carry stoned quarried from the river bed. Moreover, the ban has also resulted in disappearance of stone crushers from the areas nearby," said Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) assistant manager Samir Sinha.

Echoing Sinha's views, a forest department official said, "The ban has proved to a boon for the wildlife."

The return of natural flora has ushered in many positive changes.

It has given the wildlife a broader habitat manifested by movement of prey species in the grassy banks of the river. And availability of prey base along the river banks and undisturbed river bed has given the predators a bigger range to move around in an area spread over about 65 sq km east of Pandai river.

"Earlier, the movement of tigers was restricted to the west of the river. Now they are visible even beyond the eastern bank of the river," Sinha said.

The icing on the cake, of course, is presence of migratory birds in and around the river. Flock of black storks and lesser adjutant now visit the area during winter.

There are, however, two aspects which the forest department is yet to address __ declaring eco-sensitive zone and including the rehabilitated area in core/critical area of the Tiger reserve.

"As soon as the Supreme Court pronounces its stand on the eco-sensitive zone, we'll start the process of notifying areas which should fall under the zone," Bihar chief wildlife warden Bashir Ahmed Khan said.

He said, "The process of delineating the core/critical area of the tiger reserve is underway and it is likely to take another six months to finalise things."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Ban-on-mining-a-boon-for-tiger-reserve/articleshow/5320561.cms

Tiger poacher convicted to 3 years rigorous imprisonment - TOI

NEW DELHI: A court in Khatima, Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand had sentenced notorious tiger poacher Birbal alias Totha Ram. to three years rigorous imprisonment and fine of rupess 10,000 in connection with the seizure of 12ft long tiger skin on August 2004.

The staff of Terai East Forest Division, Uttarakhand with the assistance of Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) had arrested bawariya poacher Totha Ram with a tiger skin from Banbasa in 2004. Closed inspection of the skin showed that animal was shot and 16 bullet marks were found on the skin. A case under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 was registered at Khatima range.

After close examination of the case Civil Judge, Mr. Kuldeep Sharma had awarded sentence to Totha Ram. Recently he was again caught with antlers, tiger trap and other poaching tools when he was on bail in tiger skin case.

“Conviction rate in wildlife cases are very low, sentencing of a poacher like Totha Ram will make a difference. Uttarakhand Forest Department had done a commendable job” said, Belinda Wright, executive director of WPSI.

Bawariya poaching gangs are active in different parts of the county, recently his sister Dilpo was convicted to five years rigorous imprisonment by a court in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, for a 1992 tiger case. She had earlier been convicted in November 2005, by a court in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, for carrying the skin and bones of a tiger that was killed at Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in February 2005.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Tiger-poacher-convicted-to-3-years-rigorous-imprisonment/articleshow/5319092.cms

Tourism lobby hold up Sariska tiger relocation

JAIPUR: Three translocations later, the ambitious programme that the National TigerConservation Authority (NTCA), the Wildlife Institute of India and the state government had embarked upon to re-populate the Sariska tiger reserve seems to have met a major hurdle.

The relocation of tigers from the Ranthambore reserve to Sariska has so far seen just two females and one male tiger being shifted to the new location. But even that was controversial for it was pointed out that it encouraged inbreeding among tigers.

Issues pertaining to the safety of the cats from poachers were also raised, especially as in Sariska it was alleged that all the cats had earlier killed by poachers. However, after having successfully shrugged off the allegation it has now put a virtual brake on the process with the relocation of a fourth tiger and many more after that seems to be going awry.

Little else explains the delays in the state getting a nod from the apex wildlife body when scientists from WII had already begun groundwork for the shifting of the fourth tiger about a month back.

And with the state forest department and the WII pleading preparedness for the fourth relocation, the onus for the delay rests on the NTCA.

"There were some issues pertaining to the in-breeding of the tigers. There was a group that felt that relocating tigers from Ranthambore to Sariska would result in in-breeding thereby lowering the quality of their breed. However, the WII did an indepth study of the tigers' DNA and identified those which could be relocated. Now we are ready and it should happen any day," said Rajesh Gopal, director of the NTCA.

On its part, the WII also seemed prepared. "We are not the ones to decide on relocation. Our expertise lies in the relocation part of it and we are ready, provided the nod comes from two other bodies,' says PR Singh, director of the WII.

The state too sounded optimistic. "We are ready and awaiting the nod from the Centre," said R N Mehrotra, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan.

At this juncture, sources reveal it is a section of tiger experts from the country who have not been involved in the process so far. They added there are some from the tourism lobby who are opposed to the relocation which is holding up the process.

"These people were always opposed to relocation and had been citing plenty of reasons. However, after three successful relocations they were silenced but now with Sariska eating off a chunk of tourists from Ranthambore, they seem to have become active again," sources revealed.

"They do not want Ranthambore to lose its tourists as that would harm their ventures, including hotels, and hence, the opposition to Sariska. After the third tiger was relocated to Sariska, the forest had begun to see many tourists and was fast threatening to become the new found tiger reserve of the state," the source added.

"Many hotel operators in Ranthambore are running NGOs too and it is this lobby that has become active over the years with the kind of money they are making there. Now they care little about what happens to conservation and are more concerned that tigers do not move out of Ranthambore so that their money-making machine i.e. Ranthambore remains active," he added.

Rajpal Singh, member of state wildlife board, "A section of the tourism lobby has become so powerful that it may be difficult to save the tiger from their clutches."

Meanwhile, brakes on relocation of tigers from Ranthambore has come as a big jolt for the state forest department that was keen to see the over-populated reserve have some of its tigers shifted.

"Every other day there are tigers that are straying off from the forest for want of space. Even on Tuesday, a tiger strayed off to the Nayapur area of Ranthambore and pawed a woman. Luckily, she escaped with minor injuries. This comes close on the heels of another similar incident 15 days ago," said a forest official.

Amid this deadlock between conservation and petty politics it remains to be seen whether Sariska lives for its mission of nurturing the cats or becomes a victim once again.

Maharashtra Forest workers to be paid in a week - TOI

NAGPUR: Thousands of forest workers (van majoors) working in the protected and non-protected areas who have not been paid wages for the past five months have something to cheer. The finance department is set to release Rs 50 crore for payment of wages and wildlife management.

The move follows principal secretary (forests) B P Pandey, joint secretary (forests) N H Kakodkar and additional principal chief conservator of forests for budget & planning D C Pant meeting Sunil Soni, principal secretary (planning) on Tuesday morning.

Pandey told TOI, "We are very concerned about the delay. An amount of Rs 50 crore is expected to be released by the finance department in a week." The non-payment of wages to thousands of van majoors and stalled funds of PAs had stirred a major controversy. The forest workers' union has also planned a morcha to Vidhan Bhavan on December 16. Agitated workers had vent their ire on senior officials for non-payment of wages recently. Wildlife management in national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves has come to a standstill for want of funds under the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS).

Pandey was positive that no project would be allowed to lapse. "To strengthen forest protection, we are in process of signing an MoU with Madhya Pradesh for GPS," he said.

The forest secretary said upgradation and promotions of state cadre employees including foresters, range forest officer (RFOs), assistant conservators (ACFs) and divisional forest officers (DFOs) will be given priority. Upgradation of IFS cadre will be done later.

Missing Panna tiger located

BHOPAL: A radio collared tiger that had gone missing from the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh about 10 days ago has been traced outside the national park.

The tiger was brought to the Panna National Park in November this year, as part of a project to reintroduce tigers in the park. "The tiger was brought to mate with two felines translocated to revive the big cat population in Madhya Pradesh's Panna Tiger Reserve but he moved out of the reserve," Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) R.S. Negi said.

Claiming that the tiger moving away from the reserve was not a serious matter, Negi said: "The tiger couldn't be confined in the reserve given the fact that it was yet to form its territory and the place was new for the animal."

Negi however said: "Though efforts to locate the big cat were giving the forest department staff a tough time, what was more worrying for the time being was that we were not getting frequent signals from the radio collar fitted on the tiger. It was something that made our task to relocate the tiger difficult."

"The tiger, brought from Pench National Park, had been on the move ever since it was released in the park. And the area where the tiger has now been located Monday is extremely undulating because of which signals from the radio collar were received with great difficulty," Deputy Director of Panna National Park V.S. Parihar said.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/Missing-Panna-tiger-located-/articleshow/5315187.cms

Maharashtra forest cover decreases by 11 sq km - TOI

PUNE: Forest cover in the state has decreased by 11 sq km, according to a report by the Forest Survey of India (FSI).

"Comparison of current satellite data (Oct-Dec 2006) with the previous satellite data (Oct-Dec 2004) shows a loss of 11 sq km of forest cover," says the India State of Forest report 2009, published by the FSI, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India.

According to the report released a week ago, the main cause for decline in forest cover in the state is the coupe works (cutting of trees) in Chandrapur district. Other reasons include the increase in water levels in some water bodies and clearance of private forest in the Konkan region.

The overall reduction has been calculated considering the geographical areas, very dense forest, moderately dense forest and open forest.

Forest cover in Maharashtra is 50,650 sq km, that is 16.46 per cent of the total geographical area of the state. The state has 8,739 sq km of very dense forest, while the area under moderately dense forest is 20,834 sq km. Open forest in the state consists of 21,077 sq km.

"The satellite pictures only indicate the larger picture. If tree cutting has taken place on a smaller scale in the forests, then it will not be reflected on the satellite pictures. So the report has not mentioned this," Tejinder Singh, regional director (central zone), FSI told TOI.

Only six districts have seen a change in forest cover. Reduction in forest cover has taken place in Chandrapur, Ratnagiri, Solapur and Wardha, whereas there has been an increase in forest cover in Nagpur and Gadchiroli.

All other districts have remained more or less constant. This includes Pune district.

The report states that Pune has 11.07 per cent of forest cover. The total area under forest cover in Pune is 1,732 sq km and includes 757 sq km of moderately dense forest and 975 sq km of open forest.

Maharashtra has six national parks and 35 wildlife sanctuaries. There are also the three tiger reserves of Tadoba, Melghat and Pench. These protected forest areas constitute around five per cent of the total geographical area of the state.

Asked what steps would be taken to prevent further loss of forest cover, Patangrao Kadam, state forest minister pointed out that better planning would have to be done. "We have started hold section-wise meetings so that planning can be done at every level, even the lowest. We will focus on areas where forest cover has been reduced. In the next couple of years this cover will be increased," he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/State-forest-cover-decreases-by-11-sq-km/articleshow/5316621.cms

No mining at Tadoba, says forest ministry

Mumbai: The proposed coal mining projects by Adani Power Limited and Maharashtra Coal Company Limited near the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, in Chandrapur district, suffered the final blow when the ministry of environment and forest refused to give the projects a go ahead.

During a meeting held on November 24, the environmental appraisal committee of the ministry rejected the proposals on the grounds that the mines will destroy the rich forest cover in the area and will also affect the wildlife.

Adani Power Limited had applied for environment clearance for mining at Lohara, while the Maharashtra Coal Company Limited had applied for mining near Agarzari. Both the projects are located in ecologically sensitive area within 15km of the reserve.

After detailed discussions, the committee came to the conclusions that at the time of grant of Terms of Reference (ToR), the ministry was not aware of the projects being so close to the tiger corridor. It recommended that the ministry of environment and forest and ministry of coal must work in together to identify go and no-go areas while considering allotment of coal blocks in the country.

The deficit in coal requirement can be met by importing coal or from other coal blocks. The ministry thus decided to withdraw the ToRs granted to these projects.

While granting ToR, it was recommended that a detailed ecological study should be carried out. The study area map delineating the shortest distance of the reserve from the boundary of the mining land should be authenticated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) along with their comments on the proposed location of the project.

NTCA had informed the ministry that no mining operations should be undertaken in the proposed buffer zone.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_no-mining-at-tadoba-says-forest-ministry_1319835

Forest dept looks to MP, goes hi-tech - DNA

The state forest department will soon go hi-tech in its protection activities in tiger reserves across the state. It has decided to equip forest officers in these reserves with personal digital assistants (PDA) to track wildlife offences and incidents like fires.

"Initially, the system will be implemented at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and Pench Tiger Reserve," said AK Joshi, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife). "After assessing its effectiveness, it will be extended to other reserves like Melghat and Sahyadri tiger reserves."

The state government has entered into an agreement with the Madhya Pradesh government for the technical know-how of the system.

The system, which has a camera, global positioning system (GPS), and data entry facilities, costs around Rs15,000 per unit. "We have estimated the cost to be Rs25,000, including the cost of training, server and computers," a senior official said.

The equipment is used in cases like forest fires, and other wildlife crimes. The department will initially purchase 75 units, 50 for Tadoba and 25 for the Pench reserve.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_forest-dept-looks-to-mp-goes-hi-tech_1319059

Finally MP signs Tiger conservation pact with Centre

After months of dithering and relentless pressure brought in by activists the MP govt has finally signed the tripartite agreement with centre and NTCA paving the way for direct flow of funds to tiger sanctuaries and increased accountability of reserve officials. MP was the only state left to sign the pact after all other states with tiger populations had done so. The signing happens as Rajya sabha was informed yesterday about MP being the state with highest number of tiger deaths this year stroking fears that it might loose the premier tiger state tag to Karnatka very soon. With the inking of the agreement the last hurdle for better management and conservation of parks can kick in.

MP inks pact with Centre for tiger conservation

http://www.ptinews.com/news/391351_MP-inks-pact-with-Centre-for-tiger-conservation

Kerala gets new tiger reserve

Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh will inaugurate the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, the second in Kerala after the Periyar Tiger Reserve, on February 17.

Forest Minister Benoy Viswom will preside over the function. The new reserve will have a total area of 648.5 sq km, with a buffer zone of 225.3 sq km. The newly added core area measures 188.2 sq km. and the existing core of the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is 235 sq km.

Converting the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary into the tiger reserve, adding forest areas spread across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, will help in the better protection of the area, sanctuary officials said.

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article54327.ece

State desperately trying to cover up Goa tiger death as centre confirms poaching

After months of trying to cover up the poaching of a tiger in Goa, the state govt finally got a slap in their face when Minister MOEF Jairam Ramesh listed a tiger poached in Goa amongst other 58 deaths of tigers this year during a debate in Rajya Sabha. Red faced forest officials in Goa withering under the twin assaults of green activists and political mafia had nothing new to offer except claim that the dead animal was not a tiger. In a shocking series of incidents starting with the publishing of pictures of a dead tiger in local papers, the stat govt has tried its best to bury the case. From implicating the photographer who took pictures to filling cases against local forest officials who are investigating the case to changing samples of the animal before it got to Wildlife Institute Dehradun, it is obvious that big interests are at work behind the scenes. Since the acknowledgement of poaching has come from none of other than India's Central Minister one wonders if there are any steps his ministry will take to bring justice in the case.

Central government confirms tiger poached in Goa, state denies

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Central-government-confirms-tiger-poached-in-Goa-state-denies-/articleshow/5264687.cms

MP leads in Tiger deaths as state govt refuses to bring in accountability

Jairam Ramesh, central Minister MOEF today made a statement in Rajya Sabha expressing concern at the doubling of tiger deaths in INdia to 58 as against 29 last year. Leading the list is Madhya Pradesh with 13 deaths. For months now the centre has been pushing state govt to sign the tripartite agreement with NTCA but babus and politicians in the state have been holding out fearing increased accountability and responsibility will make them more answerable for their actions. The agreement makes it mandatory for each tiger reserve to ensure compliance with wildlife laws and holds the field director responsible for any lapses. At the same time it also ensures direct and timely flow of funds to the reserves bypassingred tape ridden state govts. The agreement has already been signed by all other states with tiger reserves and with MP refusing to come on board it wouldnt be surprising if the state continues to be the leader tiger killings.

59 tiger deaths this year; MP tops chart with 13

http://www.ptinews.com/news/389939_59-tiger-deaths-this-year--MP-tops-chart-with-13

Centre proposes strengthening of wildlife laws

To curb increasing incidents of wildlife killing across the country and let law act as a deterrent, Minister MOEF has proposed punishments under Wildlife Protection Act at par with FEMA, the dreaded Foreign Exchange Management Act. The draft amendments are supposed to be circulated to States soon, report The Hindu. Recent cases of dreaded poachers getting easy bail and continuing with the killings once out is making the centre realised the need for strengthening the hands of investigating agencies. Even the most dreaded poacher of all Sansar Chand managed to secure bail despite having confessed to trading in almost 500 tigers skin.

Wildlife protection Act to be more tiger friendly

http://beta.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article53231.ece

Bihar likely to have tiger protection force soon - TOI

PATNA: Bihar is likely to have a force dedicated to protect its tigers very soon. Christened `Tiger Protection Force' (TPF), the said force would be trained to take on the poachers who indulge in trapping the big cats, whose number has registered a marked decline in the past few years across the tiger reserves of India.

The Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar's only such reserve, has not been an exception to this trend, and the latest tiger census estimated the number of big cats in this reserve to be around 10 (3). This number stood at 33 in the previous tiger census conducted in 2005.

"We have sent a proposal to the Centre demanding Rs 2.22 crore for the Valmiki Tiger Reserve of which about Rs 20 lakh would be spent on raising the TPF," Bihar chief wildlife warden (CWW) Bashir Ahmed Khan told TOI.

TPF would consist of 20 personnel of which 10 would be either ex-armymen or those from the special task force and remaining 10 would be locals. This would be more like a strike force which would help the existing forest personnel, manning the reserve, in hours of need.

"The process of raising the TPF would get underway once the Central fund is released," the CWW said, adding, "This year demand has been pegged at Rs 20 lakh only as proposal to the Centre was sent midway the current fiscal year, but from next fiscal onwards the demand under this head would be almost double the current demand."

Bihar could not press for Central demand in the beginning of the current fiscal as it had not signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which is now a statutory requirement for being eligible to receive the Central funds.

According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended in 2006), the states having tiger reserves have to sign a tripartite MoU with NTCA with director of tiger reserve being the third party, to get Central assistance. As Bihar has inked the MoU, the state's only tiger reserve has become eligible for the Central assistance.

Khan said apart from raising the TPF, the Central fund would also be used for habitat development and to meet other recurring cost incurred on proper upkeep of the reserve.

"Things would depend on volume of fund the Centre releases and also under what heads funds are released by it," he added.

Notorious tiger poacher Totha Ram arrested - TOI

NEW DELHI: A notorious tiger poacher from Panipat, Birbal alias Totha Ram, was arrested on Wednesday in Banbasa at Champawat district Uttarakhand in a joint operation of the Uttarakhand police and forest department with assistance from the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI).

Totha Ram, who is the leader of a bawaria poaching gang, was arrested along with a local associate. A tiger trap, another half-made trap, two deer antlers, knives and skinning tools, a net, two mobile phones and a motorcycle were recovered from them. Totha Ram has been arrested twice before - in May 2003 with poaching tools, and in August 2004 with a tiger skin (this was also a WPSI assisted case). He was out on bail from the 2004 case and is believed to have been camping in Banbasa with the intention of killing a tiger.

"We are delighted with this case, particularly since it appears that this poacher was caught just before he was able to kill a tiger. It is another example of how important it is to stop the activities of habitual poachers, who continue to carry out their illegal activities even while out on bail", said Belinda Wright, executive director of WPSI.

Totha Ram comes from a family of tiger poachers. His sister Dilpo was recently convicted to five years rigorous imprisonment by a court in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, for a 1992 tiger case. She had earlier been convicted in November 2005, by a court in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, for carrying the skin and bones of a tiger that was killed at Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in February 2005.

Out on Bail Sansar Chand's gang continues rampant poaching

Another poacher arrest this time from Haryana has highlighted the challenges facing wildlife protection in India. Bheema, a wanted criminal for killing tigers and leapords and a member of Sansar Chand gang was nabbed by WCCB from Ballabhgarh. According to media reports, investigators themselves accept the limited impact these on off arrests make to curbing poaching and wildlife trade given that most of the nabbed criminals manage to secure bail within no time and are back to their old ways. Sansar Chand India's most dreaded and notorious wildlife poacher was let out on bail by Supreme Court this year in August after Rajasthan Police failed to present a strong case against his release. The poacher has single handedly caused immense destruction to the country's wildlife and as per an admission made to CBI in 2006 he has dealt in trading of no less than 470 tiger and upwards of 2000 leopard skins. Investigators say Sansar Chand;s entire extended family is in business and even during the time he has spent in jail poaching activities have continued with his guidance. As Jairam Ramesh has been saying there is a case for significantly strengthening wildlife laws to prevent such criminals from being let out so easily and until that is done there is little hope of stopping the killings.

CBI poaching case leading to MP Baheliyas p- TOI

NAGPUR: TheCentral Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) probe into the recent poaching case is close to nailing a link with Madhya Pradesh, Chandrapur-based brothers, both alleged poachers.

It has been learnt that Rajkumar Durve and his brother Chabbulal, alias Keru, who were recently netted by the Chandrapur local crime branch, are closely linked to the Baheliya gangs of Madhya Pradesh, notorious for hunting wild animals.

The Durve brothers, trapped by a squad headed by subdivisional police officer Parag Manere and sub-inspector PA Badhak, are known hunters, with cases registered against them in the past too. According to a reliable source, Keru has already been booked under the Wildlife Protection Act for his alleged involvement in a tiger poaching case. Keru, extremely strong and agile as a hunter, according to the cops, has reportedly also been booked in a property offence case in Delhi in the past. The district police, after being informed by the CBI, had swung into action to nab the Durves, from whom a couple of mobile phones had been seized.

The Durves are learnt to be equipped with powerful, indigenously-assembled traps, which are reputed to be strong enough to incapacitate even an elephant if its leg gets caught in it in the jungle. "Their mobile communications have revealed that they were in touch with the Baheliyas and conversed frequently," said an official from the squad which arrested the brothers with the help of local residents of Ryotwari in Chandrapur recently.

"They (Durves) have been constantly denying it but the poachers who were nabbed by the CBI squad in Nagpur have revealed their names," said a senior official. He said that the Baheliyas may be the single largest community engaged in organised wildlife hunting, with a network spread across the country. The cops believe Keru and his elder brother too are involved in a major interstate poaching racket.

The CBI's economic offence wing's special wildlife squad had recently arrested five persons - Charandas Nihal Singh, Amit Kumar Sohan Lal, Ranjit Mangatram, Sadhu Baderiya and Ramswaroop Jagram - from Nagpur railway station. In an almost simultaneous raid, CBI Delhi had arrested Tenzing Tashir and Tenzing Ladoe from Tibetan Refugee camp on the outskirts of Delhi.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/CBI-poaching-case-leading-to-MP-Baheliyas/articleshow/5227971.cms

Resettled villagers to become land owners - TOI

NAGPUR: In a major decision which would give a boost to relocation of villages, now resettled villagers from tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries to forest land will become absolute owners after the Centre giving green signal to treat this land as revenue land.

The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) recently issued fresh guidelines to the state government on diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) 1980. However, senior officials told TOI this stipulation is strictly restricted to relocation/rehabilitation of villages from national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves.

Officials said now the diverted forest land will get revenue land status. The decision follows after several representations to the MoEF from states and union territories stating that the clause 'legal status of forest land shall remain unchanged' precludes possibility of relocated villages, who are by and large tribals, from becoming absolute owners of the land allotted to them and by retaining the status of land as 'forests'.

Officials said the common complaint was that several ongoing developmental works in the district are not implemented in the area which deprive the relocated people of their due benefits. After careful examination of the issue, the matter was taken up with the Supreme Court's central-empowerment committee (CEC).

The CEC recommended to the Supreme Court for relaxation of its order on November 13, 2000 in a writ petition (337/1995), to permit MoEF to allow change in the legal status of the forest land approved for diversion under the FCA 1980, for relocation of villages from the national parks/sanctuaries.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Resettled-villagers-to-become-land-owners/articleshow/5228047.cms

Shifting of Tadoba villages gets fillip - TOI

NAGPUR: The state government has asked the revenue and forest department officials to expedite the relocation of villages inside the Tadoba Tiger Reserve.

Five full villages and some families of Kolsa village still remain inside the core area of the tiger reserve.

The issue was discussed in a meeting called on October 30 in Mumbai by principal secretary (forests) B P Pandey. He had asked the officials concerned to speed up the process of shifting villages out of the reserve that has seen increased poaching pressure in recent times.

On Wednesday, another meet was called by divisional commissioner Sanjeev Kumar. It was attended by Nandkishore, chief conservator of forests (CCF) for Nagpur Wildlife Circle, who has also been named as the nodal officer for the work, Chandrapur district collector Pradeep Kalbhor, officials from Chandrapur zilla parishad and irrigation department.

Nandkishore said officials were asked to prepare revised estimate in a month on resettling 778 families from four villages- Jamni, Navegaon (Ramdegi), Palasgaon (Shingru) and Rantalodi inside TATR. "Officials are at work to seek options from individual families whether they want money or want to be resettled by the department. Accordingly, proposals will be sent to the union ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) for funds," Nandkishore said.

As per the new norms, each family will get a Rs 10 lakh package. It includes 35% for agriculture land, 30% for settlement of rights, 20% for house construction, 5% for incentive and 10% for community facilities like drinking water, electricity, irrigation, sanitation, roads, place of worship, burial et. al. Those not wanting to be resettled can opt for Rs 10 lakh cash.

Till now, around 116 families - 45 landless families from Botezari and 71 from Kolsa have been rehabilitated in compartment number 524 in Tolewahi in Mul forest range. However, over 70 landholders from Kolsa still remain and efforts are on to persuade them to move out. When contacted, Chandrapur collector Kalbhor directed all queries to forest officials.

Tiger reserves have been declared critical tiger habitats and these areas have to be made inviolate to create more spaces for tigers. The new tiger conservation plan (TCP) envisages minimum 800-1000 sq km area for one tiger reserve. This area is needed to accommodate 20 breeding tigresses, to help maintain a population of 60-70 tigers. Resettlement of all the villages from TATR can create space for up to 10 more tigers over existing population of about 42 tigers, experts said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Shifting-of-Tadoba-villages-gets-fillip/articleshow/5220535.cms

Tiger in Panna to be tranquilized again for radio collaring - TOI

BHOPAL: A tiger translocated to Panna Reserve in a bid to revive the park's big cat population will be radio-collared soon.

The tiger was tranquilized on November six in Pench from where it was shifted to Panna, spread over an area of 542 sq km.

"It couldn't be radio-collared as it gained consciousness early while being carted out from the deep forests of Pench, before being shifted to Panna," Madhya Pradesh Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) R S Negi said.

The tiger was under stress and will be tranquilized again once it is fit for the purpose, Negi said, adding tranquilizing twice in 90 days was harmful to the animal's health.

"The tiger in the enclosure spread over an area of one hectare in Panna will be tranquilized for radio-collaring shortly, before it is released in the wild," Panna Reserve Field Director R S Murthy said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Tiger-in-Panna-to-be-tranquilized-again-for-radio-collaring-/articleshow/5220105.cms

Abandoned Tadoba cubs relocated to Bor

With their mother most likely to have been poached, 3 tiger cubs found abandoned in September have been relocated to Bor wildlife sanctuary near Wardha. The cubs have been kept in a large enclosure built seperately for them. It is how ever not clear whether there is a plan to release them in the wild in the future.

Tiger cubs relocated to Bor sanctuary

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-cubs-relocated-to-Bor-sanctuary/articleshow/5215974.cms

Tadoba tiger poachings happened under CBI's nose

A follow up report on the recent arrest of poachers from Delhi and Nagpur in Indian Express exposes complete lack of co ordination between the centre agency and local forest officials. While the CBI was on trail of the dreaded poachers, they were busy killing tigers around Tadoba Tiger Sanctuary with local forest officials apparently clueless on either activity. The incident reflects on the sorry state of affairs in and around the park despite tall proclamations made by the state forest department and NTCA. While the CBI had been on the trail of the poachers, NTCA had provided leads to local forest officials. It seems both agencies worked in isolation with neither being able to either capture the poachers or prevent the killings. The criminals even escaped the monitoring mechanism set up by Chandrapur Division called the Train Cell to nab wildlife traders. What is more worrying is that the gun that was used to shoot the tigers has not been recovered indicating that the shooters are still at large and most possibly at work. Given the shoddy job being done by forest department it is no wonder that abandoned cubs are being found aplenty around Tadoba indicating increasing poaching activity.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/with-cbi-hot-on-trail-poachers-killed-tiger-in-tadoba-reserve/539017/2

Forest officials claim sightings of 15 new tigers cubs in Dudhwa

Lakhimpur, Nov 8 (PTI) In a good news for wildlife enthusiasts concerned over dwindling big cat population in the country, at least 15 tiger cubs have been sighted in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh, officials said.

Not only that, the survival rate of the cubs has also increased, they said.

"At least 15 tiger cubs have been sighted at various spots of the park," Shailesh Prasad, field director of the Dudhwa reserve in Kheri district, told PTI.

He said a tigress with three cubs was sighted in Madraicha while Chhota Palia, Chaltua, Kakraha, Puraina and Jhadi Tal areas of the national park and Sadar beat of Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary (KWS) were reported to have tigresses with two cubs respectively.

He also said, "a tigress with one cub was reported to be staying in Trans-Gerua area of KWS.

http://www.ptinews.com/news/367475_15-new-tiger-cubs-sighted-in-Dudhwa

Poacher arrests expose wide ranging chinks in system

A slew of reports in papers couple of days after poachers were arrested from Nagpur and Delhi expose the wide ranging ramifications of the ring. From international connections in China, Nepal and Tibet to local failure on the part of Maharasthra govt officials, the arrests have laid bare a tale of systemic official failure. A TOI report cites failure on part of forest officials in Maharasthra who have are supposed to monitor illegal wildlife trading using the train route having summarily failed in detecting the smuggling when the CBI caught the poachers in Nagpur. The 'train cell' as it is called is supposed to monitor traffic emanating from in and around Tadoba primarily to detect and curb poaching activities.

The two men arrested in Delhi were both Tibetans who were obviously acting as conduits to smuggle out the skins to China.

The accused were all presented in court and were remanded to custody for a few days. What is important is for the CBI to use these men and leads to expose the entire ring which could go a long way in busting what looks like one of the most significant wildlife trading gang operating in India.

Investigation officials are calling this as the most significant bust up after Sansar Chand the dreaded poacher was caught a few years back. Incidentally Sansar Chand was released on bail in Jaipur a few months back after state govt officials failed to present a robust case for continuation of his custody. One hopes this case doesnt go the same way.

Tibetans arrested in poaching case, link traced to China http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tibetans-arrested-in-poaching-case-link-traced-to-China/articleshow/5207630.cms Train monitoring system of Tiger Cell failed? http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Train-monitoring-system-of-Tiger-Cell-failed/articleshow/5207337.cms

Crowded Ranthambore leading to tigers going stray

With a rapidly growing population of tigers and shrinking habitats more and more tigers are at Ranthambore are straying out of the park into surrounding areas. In the latest case a tiger has strayed into the nearby Chambal area and perhaps entered MP if officials quoted in a TOI report are to be believed.

Ranthanmbore tiger strays into Chambal http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Ranthanmbore-tiger-strays-into-Chambal/articleshow/5208010.cms

Another tiger enters Sunderban village as NGOs come together to raise awareness

Pugmarks spotted in Sunderbans village

Kolkata Tension gripped Nagenanbad Muslim Para at Kultali in South 24-Parganas as villagers spotted pugmarks on Saturday morning.

Such frequent incidents of tigers straying into villages have been a concern for people living in the Sunderbans, the biggest habitat of the Royal Bengal Tigers. Forest officials said, locals informed them about the pugmarks at 10 am and they reached the spot immediately. The area has been cordoned off with nets and officers are waiting at the spot with tranqulisers and shot guns.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/pugmarks-spotted-in-sunderbans-village/538764/

Sunderbans walk to raise tiger awareness KOLKATA: Even as tiger straying in the Sunderbans remains a major wildlife concern, thousands will be joining hands for a unique march for the tiger campaign that gets under way at the mangrove forest on November 9.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Sunderbans-walk-to-raise-tiger-awareness/articleshow/5208042.cms

Rajasthan to get its 3rd tiger reserve, India its 39th

NTCa has given in principal approval to to the project Darrah National Park, some 50 kms from Kota reports TOI. Tigers from Ranthambore are slated to be relocated to Darrrah. The sanctuary also called Rajiv Gandhi National Park consists of three sanctuaries Darrah, Chambal and Jaswant sagar.

With tigers being killed across the country at a rapid pace, one way of saving the population is by bringing new areas under forest cover and repopulating them with tigers to offset the pressure on the existing few parks. An initiative like Darrah is certainly a good start.

Tigers will now roar at Darrah

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Tigers-will-now-roar-at-Darrah/articleshow/5205441.cms