Deoria to find a place in tiger map

The Deoria range of Pilibhit district may soon be included in the Critical Habitat Zone for tiger.

State forest department officials said the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has asked them to prepare a long-term plan for the conservation of the big cat and also, prepare a map of the area connecting it with the critical tiger habitat of Dudhwa in Lakhimpur Kheri and Katarniya Ghat in Bahraich.

Officials said the recent incidents of man-animal conflict reported from the area have confirms the presence of tigers and a comprehensive plan is needed to check poaching and manage the tiger population.

The affected villages will be included in the joint forest management (JFM) programme to stop villagers from going deep inside the forest and to provide them with a livelihood. The range, with an area of 96.6 square kilometres, came to limelight after eight incidents of tiger attack over the last four-and-a-half months.

The Divisional Forest Officer, Pilibhit, VK Singh, said: “The NTCA officials, including their secretary Rajesh Gopal, have been visiting the area since the forest department decided to catch three tigers who have been killing people. They have closely observed the area for the presence of tigers and have given us a green signal to prepare a long-term plan for the area.”

After consultation with experts from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), the NTCA has also asked the state government to prepare a proposal for including the range in the critical tiger habitat zone. “This will help us make a strategy to not just conserve the animal but also keep a check on poaching incidents,” said Singh.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Deoria-to-find-a-place-in-tiger-map/680913/

Tracking the Maneater of Pilibhit

'There is no more terrible thing than to live and have one's being under the shadow of a man-eater' - Jim Corbett, Man-eaters of Kumaon. I was in the middle of a shimmering green paddy field, which was swaying to music I couldn't hear, on the fringes of the Sal forest of Seohara.

I had seen movement from the corner of my eye and in a fraction of a second I knew those were the stripes of a tiger. I wanted to run towards my cab on the road a 100 metres away but the marshy soil sucked my shoes in and I couldn't move. Then, there was a blood-curdling growl. I gave up and closed my eyes tight.

I was breathless, my throat was dry as I woke up from the dream. Sachin, the driver, was asleep. Never had I felt that kind of fear before. I was waiting for the team that had gone inside the forest on two elephants - Roopkali and Pawankali - for a tiger that had killed eight people since May this year. The heavens had opened up completely but the search went on for three hours, so I fell asleep and had that dream. Just a day with tigers on my mind did that to me. It was futile to imagine the villagers' plight.

The Pilibhit forest division of Uttar Pradesh has five ranges, one of which is Deoria, where this tiger had strayed from. There is no official record for tiger presence here. After the fourth killing of a man who had gone to collect mushrooms, it was captured by a camera trap. After killing two more, it had travelled 19 km to reach Shahjahanapur's Chatiabalrampur village and killed another two. Only the last man was killed outside the forest. That's where matters stood when I reached.

Fear and loathing
If you were airdropped in this region, you would mistake it for Punjab with Sikhs from Pakistan rehabilitated post Partition. Paddy and sugarcane fields complete the landscape. Chatiabalrampur is no exception. Houses far away from each other, many of them now empty, you could slice fear out of thin air. "The cattle don't go out to graze and people don't go out farming. It's due to the brave villagers that I got my brother's body in the night from the jungle," says Baldev Singh, brother of Pratap Singh, the first victim

Prabhjot Singh recalls what Baldev said to the villagers: "Arre sikhon, I heard you are very brave. Is your bravery all but gone after coming to UP? I beg you to get my brother's body." The tiger was sitting on the body when they reached. Gopal Singh, his neighbour, dragged the body from under the tiger. Three days later he became the next victim. The villagers believe that it was an act of revenge.

By dusk, they all move to the church with their cattle and few slept on their roofs. "We keep getting false alarms. Even when it's a dog, they report a tiger. Dehshat hai yahan pe (there is terror here)," says Brijesh Kumar, one of the five policemen deployed in the village. After the second death, people took to the streets.

"They wanted to set our vehicles on fire and throw us in front of the tiger," recalls S K Kashyap, forest ranger of Khutar. "One more death and we will have to pay with our lives." The families will get the Rs one lakh compensation when van mantri finds time to come. Mithlesh Kumar, MP (Samajwadi Party) had demanded they be given Rs 10 lakh instead. Panchayat elections are around the corner.

The chase
Avijit Bhawal, Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat - veterinary doctors - and Milind Pariwakam, a wildlife biologist, made up the core team of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) that pursued the tiger with help from 50 forest department staffers of Shahjahanpur. P P Singh, district forest officer, led from the front. The cost per day: Rs 50,000.

'When one is moving in an area in which a man-eating tiger is operating, progress is out of necessity very slow, for every obstruction in one's line of walk... is capable of concealing death,' writes Corbett. For that reason and many more, the team was staring at a formidable task.

The 'wild rescue' ambulance gave them the tag of 'those who came to save' the maneater. More hostile was the weather, with rains destroying pugmarks and leaving the forests waterlogged, making it tough for the combing operation. The fuel for the human-tiger conflict in this area comes from the sugarcane fields on the fringes of the forests.

"The prey animals come and the predator follows them. I would say it's a perfect tiger habitat - to rest, to hide, to hunt, and to rear," says P P Singh. Harvest time is ripe for conflict.

New-age Corbetts
Bhawal and Bhat are the modern day Corbetts. But unlike him, they carry dart guns to execute the order to tranquillise the tiger. In this case, a three-year-old sub-adult male, a vulnerable age. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) distinguishes between a mankiller and a maneater. Only man-eaters are shot dead. Shooting is not half as tough as darting.

On September 2, Bhawal almost succeeded but the dart was deflected after hitting the tiger. Later during the analysis, the video clip suggested that a forest guard might have fired his gun in panic, hurrying the tiger. 'Nerves wear thin when hunting man-eaters,' testified Corbett.

"Please don't call this a maneater. These are all chance encounters that have happened in succession," says Rajesh Gopal, Member Secretary of NTCA, who had come to take stock. In a meeting with the UP wildlife officials, who had strict orders from CM's office that no more killings will be tolerated, he had argued that there wasn't enough evidence to say that the same tiger killed all eight victims.

But they wanted the tiger shot. There were no solutions to save both, the cat and the people. According to sources, the tiger was not allowed to enter the Kishanpur sanctuary because the officials didn't want the headache of a maneater.

Post script
As this goes to print, the operation is on and the tiger still elusive. The villagers are seething in anger, as it seems for the government the life of an animal is more important.

"Where is the army?" Prabhjot Singh of Punoti Khurd asked me. "Maneka Gandhi says the tiger shouldn't be killed. Let her come here and live." His son had spotted the tiger crossing the Assam road that morning on the last day of my stay - just a few hundred metres away from his tea shop, where I had my breakfast, lunch and many cups of chai. Was it watching me all the while?

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Maneater-of-Pilibhit/Article1-599011.aspx

Anil Kumble bats for Bandipur Tiger Reserve forest guards

In his capacity as the vice-chairman of Karnataka wildlife advisory board, former Indian cricket captain Anil Kumble is batting for the cause of forest guards of Bandipur Tiger Reserve to ensure that their families have adequate housing facilities.

Kumble, who is the public face of the Karnataka forest department, has recently written to environment minister Jairam Ramesh to expedite staff welfare schemes like providing group accommodation at the nearest city to the reserves they are deployed.

The schemes have been proposed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) two years ago aiming to provide
residential amenities to facilitate basic education to children of frontline field staff posted in tiger reserves across the country.

The idea is hinged on the perception that nearness to the family would stimulate performance among the forest personnel who has a tough and inherently risky job and can fell prey to monetary traps laid by poachers, according to an NTCA official.

The Karnataka government has already submitted a proposal
to the NTCA for providing two blocks of family group quarters at a cost of Rs1.60 crore at Mysore.

Kumble decided to write to the minister after his visit to Bandipur Tiger Reserve recently where he interacted with the local forest officers and frontline staff.

"I also feel that the children of the front-line staff in particular are deprived of their education as they have to travel to far off places to pursue their education and therefore it is necessary to provide group accommodation to the family of the front-line staff at Mysore city," he said.

While appreciating the scheme that would go a long way in wildlife conservation, the legendary cricketer also expressed his desire to meet the Minister to discuss issues relating to the subject.

State chief wildlife warden BK Singh said apart from Mysore, the families of the forest guards can also be settled in the nearby HD Kote and Gudelpet taluks of Mysore district.

He said as a vice-chairman of State Wildlife Board, Kumble's involvement would help in policy planning for the protection of tiger reserves and national parks in the state.

http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_anil-kumble-bats-for-bandipur-tiger-reserve-forest-guards_1436204

Goa Tiger death: Cops build case against foresters

PANAJI: Though the government has rejected permission to the police department to prosecute three forest department officials for the alleged torture and confinement of an accused, Suryakant Majik during investigation into a tiger killing case in Keri last year, the police are trying to pursue the case afresh.

The Valpoi police investigated the case against three of officials â€" assistant conservator of forests Anil Shetgaonkar, and range forest officers Paresh Parab and Tulshidas Wadkar â€" after Majik filed a complaint of harassment. The trio was booked in August last year under Section 325 for causing grievous hurt, Section 342 for wrong confinement, and Section 34 for criminal conspiracy , all under the IPC.

When the police sought permission for the prosecution of the three officials, additional principal chief conservator of forest (APCCF) Shashi Kumar had moved a file for rejection of the request.

"The government approved the APCCF's request a few months ago," a source said while adding that the decision was taken due to a lack of medical evidence to prove charges while the accused were in detention.

"The filing of the case alleging torture and harassment itself raised doubts about its veracity as doctors attending to the suspect had said there were no injuries suggesting torture. The case appear to be politically motivated," the source said. Incidentally, environmentalists and wildlife lovers had also raised suspicions about the charges.

Sources at the Valpoi police station confirmed that permission is being sought to prosecute the three officials. As per rules, a government nod is required to act against government employees. "There is evidence in the case," a police source maintained, while denying that the case was politically motivated.

Majik's charges against the officials had brought the tiger poaching case to a standstill for some time last year. However, the forest department stood by its officials on the ground that they were performing their duty under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in connection with the killing of an animal notified under Schedule one. The APCCF had also stated that the officials were performing their duty.

It may be recalled that the tiger had been trapped and shot in a cashew plantation in February last year. In a breakthrough following the interrogation of some suspects, forest department officials found remains of tiger bones and other body parts in May and June last year.

Samples of the remains were sent to the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun for analysis. Reports confirmed that they belonged to the tiger.

Meanwhile, the forest department had filed a chargesheet against five persons, including four from the Majik community of Keri, in the court of judicial magistrate first class, Valpoi.

Charges included killing of a Schedule one animal, attempt to destroy evidence, and illegal use of weapons
.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Tiger-death-Cops-build-case-against-foresters/articleshow/6516430.cms

NHAI plans highways through five national parks

BANGALORE: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to build four-lane highways, literally cutting across five national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the state. The plan also includes the Bandipur Tiger Reserve wherein currently, the High Court has imposed a night traffic ban.

According to the NHAI proposal, around 3,000 km of national highways in the state would be developed as four and six-lane roads on a public private partnership (PPP) basis under the National Highways Development Programme (NHDP) scheme.

The plan also specifies that around 1,491 km of national highways would be built by the state Public Works Department with assistance from the World Bank. The project has also received a signed support from the state government. In all, around 15 national highways of the state would be developed as four-lane and six-lane highways.

However, around five national highways fall under national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

National highways like 13 (Solapur to Mangalore, through the forests of Shimoga, Sringeri and Karkala), 67 (Mettupalyam to Gundlupet), 234 (Mangalore to Mulbagal, cutting through Belthangady and Mudigere) come under the Someshwara and Mookambika wildlife sanctuaries.

And National Highways 212 (Kozhikode to Kollegal) and 209 (Bangalore to Dindigul through Chamarajnagar) come under the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. In the case of Bandipur, after consistent lobbying by conservationists, the High Court of Karnataka imposed a ban on night traffic.

“The highway authorities will need a clearance from the state and national wildlife board and later from the Supreme Court,” said Sanjay Gubbi, assistant director for Centre for Wildlife Studies. “Principal secretary PWD V Umesh had sent us a proposal in this regard,” informed Secretary, Forest, Ecology and Environment, Nagaraj Hampoole.

“We have directed them to obtain permission from the national wildlife board,’’ he said.

When contacted, Secretary PWD, Lakshman Rao Peshve said the matter has been exclusively dealt by Umesh and that he had nothing to comment on it in this regard.

Principal Secretary Umesh was not available for comment as he is on a visit to Brazil.

http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/nhai-plans-highways-through-five-national-parks/204899.html

Ranthambore's tiger grapples with old age

JAIPUR: A young calf tied to a tree just outside the Lakarda outpost may look strangely out of place at Ranthambore National Park. However, conservation has its strange stories in the wild.

The calf was kept as a reserved food for Machli, the most famous tigress of the national park. More than 15 years of age now -- the maximum a tiger can live in the wild -- Machli's health is often unstable and her future is "uncertain."

In the event she was not able to hunt, the calf will be given to her. "Sometimes she is not able to hunt for days together. In such cases, she shrinks in size and in extreme cases, she may die. Therefore, we have to be ready with such measures," explained R S Shekhawat, director of the park.

Machli or T-16, is not only the most famous tigress of the park -- thanks to it being sighted by numerous visitors -- it has also given as many as 11 cubs to the park. Hence there was no surprise when, in April last year, the Travel Operators For Tigers (TOFT) gave her the 'Lifetime Achievement Award.'.

Machli had lost three of her teeth in fights with crocodiles to save her young ones in summer. "I have seen three instances when she killed a crocodile during my tenure. The crocodiles come up on dry land in summer and are a danger to the cubs," said Shekhawat. But with years the story has changed. Conservationists, though not willing, when coaxed into it, agree that her future is uncertain. "Anything can happen to her anytime," they say. Now she lives in the Lakarda area of the forest and has managed to add a bit more to her territory after the death of another tiger, T-4, beyond the Lakarda nullah.

"In her prime, she not only ruled the Lakarda area but also had the Malik talab, Tambakhan, Padam talab, Rajbag and lot of other areas beyond the fort to her credit. Eventually, her daughter, T-17, snatched away some of her territory and others too were taken away," says Shekhawat. In fact, two of the tigers relocated to Sariska are also her offsprings.

According to an estimate by TOFT, Machli in the past 10 years has contributed more than $10 million per annum to the economy of Ranthambore. Why then should a tigress so brave be called Machli ? "It's because of the marks on her face that resemble a fish," says Shekhawat. Something to watch out then for the lucky few who manage to spot her this time when the park reopens on October 1.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ranthambores-tiger-grapples-with-old-age/articleshow/6516150.cms

India faces worst tiger crises

By Shivang Mehta & Kahini Ghosh Mehta

It is not a hidden fact that millions of dollars are being poured into the conservation of the striped wonders of India but the situation remains precarious.

With fewer than 1400 left in the wild, India is going through its worst tiger crises.

Human greed and selfishness has been one of the many cause of the plight of tigers in India and the irony is that as per recent trends, the present crisis has opened up a new dimension to the greed with corporates using the cause as a PR and branding tool hiding behind the garb of conservation.

If human greed and selfishness is one of the prime reasons for the condition of tigers in India today and if greed and selfishness is a character trait that humans understand, it would be worthwhile to save the tiger for our own selfish interest. The role of the tiger in the ecosystem is indeed quite interesting and it goes without saying that the tiger is the perfect indicator of the health of a forest. The tiger protects the forests of our country by maintaining an equilibrium that is important for the survival of its prey (deer, monkeys, boars etc.) and the vegetation.

And since the survival of the forests are crucial for the thousands of rivers, a life source for millions of people in India, that originate and flow through them, it makes the saving of tigers all the more important.

However, the economics of tiger conservation is quite interesting. Let’s consider Corbett as an example. With over 70 private properties in and around the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttrakhand, wildlife tourism has become an ever-flourishing business model generating revenues for property owners, travel agents and some great employment opportunities for locals. The local youth now look up to careers like naturalists, guide cum drivers of safari vehicles as a lot of private resorts are in need of such people.

According to the Tiger Task Force data released in 2005/06, a total of 1.29 million people visited tiger reserves in 2004/05 which approximates to 58456tourist per tiger reserve every year and the number is continuously growing year on year. The nominal gate charges of Rs 25-50 gives revenue in crores to most of the popular national parks.

Corbett alone experienced a tourist inflow of over two lakhs in the last season. With a total ceiling of 600 visitors per day, Corbett can officially have 1.6 lakh tourists during the eight-month season. The numbers invariably overshoot this limit. Tourism is rampant in other popular national parks like Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Ranthambore etc. and the tiger, without doubt, is a magnet that pulls the majority of the lot.

Be it an ordinary weekend walk-in tourist, or a season wildlife researcher or photographer, the tiger is the binding force that draws visitors from across the globe.

As per Aditya Singh, wildlife conservationist and tiger expert from Ranthambore “The tourism zone of the Ranthambhore which has around 20 tigers, contributes over Rs 1 billion — directly and indirectly — to the Indian economy, every year.”

“Over 40 per cent of this amount never reaches anyone in Ranthambhore and barely three per cent actually goes to the park,” adds Aditya.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/India-faces-worst-tiger-crises/articleshow/6509339.cms

Pilibhit attacks offer hope for big cat in Dudhwa

The tiger attacks in Pilibhit may have led to fear in the district, but it has brought some cheer to the state forest department.

In an area where tiger sightings were rare, the department has identified four tigers and believes there are two more. Although the department is waiting for the results of the tiger census, officials say the presence of tigers in the area indicates their numbers are increasing in the nearby Dudhwa tiger reserve and the animals are expanding their territory.

Since May, eight incidents of tiger attacks have been reported from the Deoria range in Pilibhit and Khutar range in Shahjehanpur district.

Following this, the state forest department set traps and cameras in the area, which zeroed in on four — three tigresses and one adult tiger — as the culprits. The department has sent teams to tranquilise the animals.

The Divisional Forest Officer, Pilibhit, V K Singh, said the last time tiger attacks were reported in this area was in 2003-04. Since then, there were stray tiger sightings. “We have already managed to get the photographs of the man-killer tigers and the pugmarks make it clear that it is not a simple case of tiger moving out of its territory during monsoons,” said Singh. “The incidents started occurring much before the season and the pattern of killing shows these tigers are now establishing territory in the Deoria range.”

Tigers expand their territories only in two cases, said Singh — when their area falls short of prey or the number of tigers increases. “These are adult tigers and since the area is adjoining the Dudhwa tiger reserve, there are chances that the numbers have increased there, resulting in the tigers moving out,” said Singh.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pilibhit-attacks-offer-hope-for-big-cat-in-dudhwa/678287/

SC to decide on night traffic in tiger reserves

The Supreme Court is likely to decide whether to allow night traffic through tiger reserves or not by this week. The decision can impact tiger protection as night traffic is not allowed in several tiger reserves because of its adverse impact on wildlife and the accidents that kill animals

The Karnataka government in 2009 had banned movement of vehicles, except a few buses, on the national highway connecting the state with Kerala and passing through Bandipur tiger reserve.

The Kerala government first appealed against the decision in Karnataka high court and lost.

In May 2010, the Supreme Court gave some reprieve when it allowed traffic in convoys to pass through the Bandipur tiger reserve, a move opposed by local wildlife and tiger experts.

"Many tigers have either died or have been fatally injured by vehicles on the highway in Bandipur," said a local wildlife expert.

"Moreover, there is an alternate route to the highway which is just a few km longer."

NGOs have submitted data on how high speed vehicles passing through national highways can disturb wildlife habitat apart from causing accidents.

Incidents of death of tiger and elephants by high speed vehicles passing through wildlife sanctuaries have been reported from across India.

"The light of the vehicles blind the animals and they get trapped leading to their death," an expert said.

Wildlife experts say the apex court's decision will have huge ramifications as night traffic is now allowed in several reserves.

The ministry of environment and forest has also advocated either ban on night traffic or speed restrictions in wildlife areas.

These issues are likely to come before the apex court when it hears the case on Monday.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/SC-to-decide-on-night-traffic-in-tiger-reserves/Article1-596497.aspx

Dhoni takes the pledge to save Tigers in Uttarakhand

News Desk: Breaking News! Indian Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni took the pledge to save tigers in Uttarakhand, as he was appointed as the Brand Ambassador for tiger conservation in the state.

It was announced by Uttarakhand CM Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. Dhoni was also appointed honorary wildlife warden of Jim Corbett National Park. Bijendra Singh was honorary wildlife warden for the last 30 years before Dhoni’s appointment.

Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said, "We believe Mahendra Dhoni's association with Jim Corbett National Park and with tiger conservation will help the campaign in a big way".

Dhoni spoke with the CM regarding the removal of illegal encroachments in Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) - Rajaji National Park Corridor at Ramnagar. Dhoni said "Illegal encroachments will impede wildlife conservation. I urge the Uttarakhand CM to doneedful".

Dhoni also signed memorandum, urging the CM to take necessary steps to ensure safety of tigers and their conservation in Uttarakhand.

http://www.breakingnewsonline.net/regional/3763-dhoni-takes-the-pledge-to-save-tigers-in-uttarakhand.html

Man-mauling tiger remains elusive

LUCKNOW: The search for the elusive tiger continued in and around Khutar range of Shahjahanpur forest division on Saturday. The big cat was not even once spotted during the whole day.

The villagers raised an alarm about having seen the tiger around Saraiyan village quite a few times during the day. However, officials could not find any trace of the big cat at any of the spots.

The combing continued in the area which has vast expanses of sugarcane fields and tiger, if at all present in the area, could have taken refuge in these dense fields. Since the department has already ordered for "tranquilisation and capturing" of the big cat combing operation might continue.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Man-mauling-tiger-remains-elusive/articleshow/6493645.cms

Yet another Bandipur tiger dead

MYSORE: Yet another tiger death in the Bandipur tiger sanctuary has raised concerns over wildlife conservation. This is the third death in the past eight months.

On Thursday, the sanctuary officials found carcass of a tiger at the Hongalli forest area. Field director, Project Tiger, B J Hosmath said though it is tough to know how the tiger died, initial investigations indicate it was a natural death. Ruling out the poison theory, Hosmath said in that case how can people fail to notice the tiger's carcass lying on the field borders for days? As some parts of a goat were found in the tiger's stomach, people suspect it to be a case of poisoning.

In February, a tiger was found dead near Himavad Gopalswamy Hills and in March, another was found dead in the Bandipur forest range.

Of the three, only one tiger was killed by poachers and the other two died naturally. Denying that the number of tiger deaths in Project Tiger is on the rise, he said like in any other animal population, 10 to 20% of tiger deaths are common.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Yet-another-tiger-dead/articleshow/6488216.cms

Pugmarks of man-mauling tiger seen in Khutar

LUCKNOW: The elusive tiger could still be present in Shahjahanpur forest division. The experts and officials combing the area did spot the big cat in Khutar range on Thursday.

The rains in the area have made combing difficult but team of officials and experts is continuing with it. On Friday, combing operation was carried out in Khutar range and pugmarks of the tiger were spotted between Puranpur and Khutar indicating the big cat's presence in the area.

There have been no killings in the area so far. On August 26, a man was killed in Khutar range by the big cat. On August 29, a man was injured in Mailani range of south Kheri forest division. The forest team is keeping a constant watch and this may be preventing the tiger from shifting locations.

The officials and experts are presuming it to be the same tiger which had unleashed a reign of terror in Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur. While six men were killed and partially eaten by the tiger in Deoria range of Pilibhit between May 3 and August 10. Two men were killed and eaten by the big cat in Khutar range on August 23 and 26. The department has ordered `tranquillising and capturing the tiger'.

On the basis of camera feeds, officials are of the opinion that it is a sub-adult tiger which could be making an effort to establish its territory. The experts and officials are depending on the camera feeds and also the DNA analysis of hair samples (of the big cat) which have been collected from the sites where men were killed. Killings have all taken place inside forest area but as far as tiger's behaviour is concerned, it has gone aggressive now, at least in the last two killings which took place in Shahjahanpur.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Pugmarks-of-man-mauling-tiger-seen-in-Khutar/articleshow/6488719.cms

Tiger body found in Maddur forest range in Bandipur

BANGALORE: A tiger was found dead in Maddur forest range of Bandipur on Thursday. The cause is still not known.

The sample of goat meat that was found in the tiger's stomach has been sent to the lab for testing to check if poisoning could be the reason. Principal chief conservator of forests ( PCCF) B K Singh has ruled out trap, snare or gunshot for the death.

Singh also inspected the carcass of an elephant that was found in Kollegal on Wednesday. Post-mortem has confirmed that it was a natural death, but its tusks were removed.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Tiger-found-in-Maddur-forest-range/articleshow/6482410.cms

While tiger count goes up 20% in TN, it dwindles in north Read more: While tiger count goes up 20% in TN, it dwindles in north

CHENNAI: Environmentalists in the southern states may well be doing a jig in the woods this year as the tiger population has reached healthy levels. In contrast, the tiger count in the northern states has seen a decline, say experts.

According to the state chief conservator of forests, Dr V N Singh, Tamil Nadu is expected to show a 20% increase in tiger population. "The last census, which was taken in 2005, showed the presence of 77 tigers in Tamil Nadu, an increase of 25% over the earlier numbers," he said. "The results of this year's census are yet to be released. But we believe the results are good and we are expecting at least a 20% increase."

However, while in terms of absolute numbers, northern states still ranked higher, there has been a decline in the number of tigers over the years, while the southern states have shown an increase, said Singh.

Corroborating this, Praveen Bhargav, trustee of Wildlife First, a nodal agency that coordinated the Karnataka Tiger Conservation Project cited the cases of Panna Tiger Reserve in MP and Sariska in Rajasthan. "The numbers here had dwindled so much that the government decided to re-populate the area with tigers taken from other areas," he said
.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/While-tiger-count-goes-up-20-in-TN-it-dwindles-in-north/articleshow/6471572.cms

Tiger’s village foray has foresters on edge

In another incident of man-animal conflict in Uttar Pradesh, a tiger that has so far mauled eight persons is on the prowl, forcing the forest officials to issue order to either tranquillise it or trap it.

This tiger has been on the continuous move from Deoria to Shahjahanpur in the past four months, and according to unconfirmed reports, claimed eight lives. The tiger’s pug marks were found on the fringes of the forest between Shahjahanpur and Kishanpur sanctuary on Tuesday.

Chief Wildlife Warden BK Patnaik said that order has been issued to either trap or tranquillise this big cat. “It is no easy task as tiger is a cunning animal and trapping is very difficult,” Patnaik told The Pioneer.

He said: “Though it is dangerous for farmers and people living in fringes, this tiger has not been declared man-eater.”

It is proving to be an onerous task to trap this tiger in heavy rains as the forest has water everywhere and the animal is on the move all the time. The forest officials, who have teamed up with the WWF and WTI to trap the tiger, heaved a sigh of relief when the tiger moved from the paddy crops into the forest area of Sehramua, Shahjahanpur, on Tuesday.

The incidents of killings were reported from Deoria range of Pilibhit district in May and continued till August 23. Then this tiger moved to neighbouring Shahajahanpur where it reportedly made two killings in the past one week. On August 27-28, the tiger was located in the Suara forest, while on August 29-30, it stayed in Kesaryapur. On August 31, its pug marks were traced to Sehramau forest of Shahjahanpur.

The tiger, a male of four years, has in most probability just been weaned away from its mother.

“It is semi-trained and perhaps made its first kill when it could not hunt the local animals and found an easy prey in men,” said an official on condition of anonymity.

The official said that the tiger has been identified as the same one through proper pug mark identification. “The tiger was first caught on the camera traps in Pilibhit. The pug marks were then picked up because of its movements in the area. Later, when the tiger shifted to Shahjahanpur, it was identified through same pug marks,” said the official, adding that the tiger has been declared as dangerous, but not a man-eater.

“After the first killings, generally they becoming more daring and move from the forest to the fringes and then into the paddy crops which was the case with this tiger,” he said.

For the team that is working on tranquillising the tiger, the major problem was that the tiger had moved to the paddy fields. “It’s difficult to shoot the dart because any blade can deflect it. Add to it the problem of water-logging in the forest. If the tiger falls in the water and it fills its lungs, it could be fatal for the animal,” he said.

The forest officials are now pinning their hopes on the possibility that the tiger moves from the Sehramua forest, which is two kilometres in width, into the thick forests of Kishanpur sanctuary which is connected through many bridges at the Khuta breach canal. “If it moves into Kishanpur forest it will get plenty of prey to eat. But till that time we are waiting to tranquillise it,” said the official.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/280372/Tiger’s-village-foray-has-foresters-on-edge.html

Hunt still on for man-mauling tiger

LUCKNOW: The combing operation to track the man-mauling tiger continued on Tuesday in Shahjahanpur forest division. A team of experts and forest officials searched for the tiger in the forest area close to Saraiyan village where the big cat was spotted on Saturday. There has been no killing reported from Pilibhit forest division.

Meanwhile, the big cat, which injured a man in Kuriyani village of Mailani range of south Kheri forest division on early Sunday morning, could not be the same tiger which has wandered out of Pilibhit. The attack could have come from the tigress which was hiding in the fields with a cub, said local forest staff. Though officials, when contacted, did not confirm or deny it.

Kuriyani is a village in south kheri forest division. It is about 10 km from Saraiyan village of Khutar range in Shahjahanpur where tiger was spotted on Saturday night at around 9pm by locals. Terai area is reeling under tiger fear. Since May 3, eight humans have been killed and partially eaten by an adolescent tiger. The last human kill was made on August 26 in Bilandapur forest beat of Shahjahanpur.

The forest department has ordered to tranquillise and capture the tiger. Baits have been tied inside forest patches where tiger was reported to be moving. Enclosures have been set up and villagers are told not to venture into forest's periphery.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Hunt-still-on-for-man-mauling-tiger/articleshow/6471071.cms

`Let tribals guard tiger reserves'

LUCKNOW: Evicting tribals and traditional dwellers from tiger reserves is not always the solution. Creating a stake for them in reserves could also be an option. The biggest tiger reserve of the country, Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam has its security manned by its tribal folks `Chenchus'. The step taken by Andhra Pradesh forest department to employ at least one person from `Chenchu' family has been found effective by committee of experts which evaluated the management of the reserve between August 10 and August 30.

"The young boys and women have been employed, mostly on daily wages," said R L Singh, chairman of the committee. The tribals are employed on basis of daily wages. The idea is to ensure protection and security of wildlife and natural resources of the reserve spread over 3,500 sq km. The tribals are trained in security mechanisms. They are familiar with remote areas of the reserve and can move around even at odd hours. "We have readied certain set of recommendations for better management which we would hand over to GoI," said Singh.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in May, had come up with `Management Effectiveness Evaluation' project. It had roped in wildlife experts, researchers, conservationists and activists to field visit all 39 reserves in the country and evaluate the effectiveness of their management plans. The reserves had been divided into five clusters, state-wise and region-wise, for evaluation.

The eight tiger reserves lying in Naxalite affected belt had been put in Cluster III. The team of experts constituted by NTCA started its visit from Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) on August 10. The team will now move on to Palamau (Jharkhand), Similipal, Satkosia (Orissa), Indravati, Achanakmar, Udanti-Sitanadi (Chhattisgarh) and Valmiki (Bihar).

In Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam, however, the team did not notice any Naxalites. "Employment of tribals has helped in controlling the threat which was there till two years back," said Singh. The women have been employed as wildlife guards. Their job involves surveying the area in groups of 4 to 5 women. The idea is to ensure the presence of forest guards over maximum area of the reserve.

The project report by all committees is to be submitted by December, 2010. The ever rising man-animal conflict, increasing incidents of wildlife crime, poaching threat and subsequent decline in number of tigers has led NTCA to design the said project. The management plan of reserves, breedable population of tigers, status of staff, water conservation and prey base are to be studied.

Cluster I reserves

Dudhwa (UP), Corbett (Uttrakhand), Ranthambhore, Sariska (Rajasthan), Melghat, Pench, Tadoba-Andhari, Sahyadri (Maharashtra)

Cluster II reserves

Bandhavgarh , Satpura, Kanha, Pench, Sanjay-Dubri ( MP)

Cluster IV reserves

Bandipore, Nagarhole, Bhadra, Dandeli-Anshi (Karnataka), Periyar (Kerala), Kalakad-Mundanthurai, Annamalai, Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu)

Cluster V reserves

Namdapha, Pakka (Arunachal Pradesh), Kaziranga, Assam, Dampa (Mizoram), Buxa, Sunderbans (West Bengal)


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Let-tribals-guard-tiger-reserves/articleshow/6471069.cms

Delay in tiger protection force a threat to man & animal Read more: Delay in tiger protection force a threat to man & animal

JAIPUR: Delay in the formation of the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) for the Ranthambore tiger reserve is not only putting the rising population of cats in the reserve at risk of poaching as they stray, but could cause clashes between foresters and civilians.

"On August 20, when the tiger stepped out of the national park into the Bhuri Pahadi village and killed cattle, the villagers were so infuriated that the mob did not let the forest guards and officials perform their duty of tranquillising the tiger," said officials of the state forest department.

"Even the district administration and police officials present thought it was the duty of the forest department to deal with the mob as well as the tiger as the area lay in close proximity of the forest land," he added.

"Therefore, most of the time of the forest officials were taken up in handling the mob. But forest officials are not trained to handle a mob nor is it their duty. Had there been a force that could tackle both then matters would have been different. They could have tackled the crowd as their forest officials went about handling the tiger," he added.

This is where the STPF's role comes in. To be recruited and trained by the police department but on duty for the forest department, this special force would not only be specially armed but would also receive special training to handle such emergencies.

Rajasthan has been sanctioned one company, consisting of 112 persons, for the Ranthambore tiger reserve. The ministry of forest and environment has given a grant of Rs 93 lakhs out of the total cost of Rs 3.72 crore needed to raise, arm and deploying force in the last financial year.

Despite the Union minister Jairam Ramesh's August 3 reminder to the state to swiftly form the force, little seem to have been done. While the state has now put the onus on the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for preparing the MoU after which the force would be formed, it is already two months since the state gave its administrative approval.

"The nod has been given by the home and the forest departments of the state. We are now waiting for the NTCA to prepare the MoU so that the force can be finally formed. We have also sent them reminders," said additional principal chief conservator of forests Rahul Kumar.

The NTCA could not be contacted for its views. However, delay in formation of the force can only aggravate matters as Ranthambore struggles to control its rising tiger population.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Delay-in-tiger-protection-force-a-threat-to-man-animal/articleshow/6477290.cms

India, China set to ratify pact on tiger conservation

K J M Varma
Beijing, Aug 31 (PTI) India and China are set to ratify a key pact on tiger conservation and combat poaching of the big cats as an Indian delegation today held talks here to deepen cooperation with Beijing in wild life management.

A five-member Indian delegation of Indian forest officials headed by A K Shrivastava, which is on a five-day visit here, today held talks with their Chinese counterparts in the department of import and export of endangered species.

The talks aims to ratify the 1995 protocol inked by the two countries for tiger conservation. The protocol, which is to be ratified every five years, would be discussed in the talks scheduled for September 2 between the two delegations, officials here told PTI today.

It calls for joint measures to crack down on poaching of tigers and body parts, education programmes to stop poaching, captive breeding and releasing them into the wild.

Indian officials regard the talks important as much of the poaching on tigers in India was blamed on the demand for tiger bones used in Chinese traditional medicine.

China has banned trading in tiger parts but its wide spread medical usage in traditional medicines spurs demand for the bones of the big cats. India has underlined the need for China not to yield to pressures from the owners of tiger farms to lift the ban.

Talks would also focus on promoting cooperation between the two countries in the field of wild life management and capacity building in critical areas of conservation. PTI KJV

http://news.in.msn.com/international/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4327406

Pilibhit ‘tigers’ declared maneaters

Eight casualties later, the Uttar Pradesh forest department has declared the Pilibhit tigers as maneaters. The state forest department has sent a team of experts to the Deoria range of Pilibhit, to tranquilise the animals.

On Sunday, tiger attack claimed its eight victim since May this year. The incident occurred in the Khutani range of Shahjehanpur district.

According to Divisional Forest Officer, Pilibhit, VK Singh: “The incident now makes it clear that these tigers — it may be just one of them or more than one — have become maneaters. And the recent incident shows that they are now moving towards human habitat, although the earlier incidents were reported deep inside the forest areas.”

While six of the victims were killed in Deoria Kalan range in Pilibhit district, two have been killed in Khutar range in Shahjehanpur district on the borders of Pilibhit. Although the laser cameras have captured photographs of three adult tigers, the department will match pugmarks to determine whether it is just one tiger or more than that who have turned maneaters.

The forest officials have set up a big cage for the carnivores in Sarriayya village. A team of tranquilising experts, led by Conservator (Rohilkhand division) Sunil Chaudhary, is also camping in the area and two machans have been set up to keep track of the animal.

Talking to The Indian Express, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife, B K Patnaik, meanwhile, said: “In case there is a decline in human deaths or the tiger is not spotted in the human habitation, it will be considered that the animal has retreated towards the forest area.”

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Pilibhit--tigers--declared-maneaters/674829/

Veerappan lair turns tiger park

A dense Tamil Nadu forest that used to be the late notorious sandalwood smuggler Veerappan's favourite refuge will soon become the country's 39th tiger reserve. The Centre has asked the Tamil Nadu government to submit a proposal on how the Sath-yamangalam wildlife sanctuary

can be converted into a tiger park, after World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reported 10 tigers had been spotted there.

The move will also lead to a clampdown on illegal mining in the area.

Environment minister Jairam Ramesh also wants Tamil Nadu to conserve Segur plateau, adjoining the Sathyamangalam sanctuary, as a buffer for the Madumalai tiger reserve — which has the largest tiger population for a reserve in India.

"The Madumalai tiger reserve is an important tiger source area, which has a potential for populating the northern and eastern parts of the Western Ghats landscape complex," Ramesh wrote in a letter to Tamil Nadu chief minister Karunanidhi on August 26. In July, he had asked the state government to submit a proposal to declare Sathyamangalam forest as a tiger reserve.

As per the latest tiger census, four tiger reserves — Madumalai, Bandipur, Nagarhole and Wayanad — form a landscape, where big cat population has almost peaked.

"These tigers need more space," said Ravi Chellam, director of Bangalore-based NGO World Conservation Society, which has been working in Bandipur and Nagarhole tiger reserves in Karnataka.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Veerappan-lair-turns-tiger-park/Article1-593989.aspx

India to urge China to curb illegal trade in tigers

The fourth India-China financial dialogue to be held after a 3-year hiatus

Mechanism to share information on wildlife crime to be discussed

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NEW DELHI/BEIJING: Defence ties between India and China may be strained in the wake of the visa denial row, but the two countries hope next week will see increased cooperation in both wildlife conservation and global financial issues as two delegations from New Delhi travel to Beijing.

On Monday evening, a delegation from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and the National Tiger Conservation Authority arrived in Beijing for a five-day visit, to urge Chinese counterparts to strengthen enforcement and curb illegal trade in tigers and other endangered big cats. Poaching in Indian forests is largely resorted to for meeting the raging demand for tiger parts in traditional Chinese medicine.

And, on Thursday, the fourth India-China financial dialogue will be held in Beijing after a three-year hiatus, during which the two countries will discuss coordinating their positions on the reforms of international financial institutions.

This week's dialogue, Indian officials said, would underscore the expanding breadth of bilateral relationship. The talks come even as Indian and Chinese officials looked to play down renewed tensions following China's decision to refuse a visa for the Army's Northern Command chief, Lt. Gen. B.S. Jaswal. Officials in both Defence Ministries said military exchanges would go ahead, despite specific disagreements, as would other areas of engagement.

During the first ever round of talks on wildlife conservation and management that will take place this week, India will urge China to continue its ban on any internal trade in tiger parts. Beijing was reportedly considering the lifting of the ban under pressure from “tiger farm” owners. Wildlife experts say China has fewer than 20 tigers left in the wild, but almost 5,000 on these farms, which cater for tourists and want to cater for the demand for tiger parts as well.

There is a fear that lifting the ban will allow the sale of parts of poached wild tigers under the guise of parts from the farms.

Another item on the agenda will be a recent controversial move by China to register the skins of all big cats. While some have warned that this could also allow the trade in illegally poached animals under cover of legal trade, India is merely seeking more details for now. The two countries will also discuss ways to set up a mechanism to share information on wildlife crime, and coordinate enforcement efforts.

This week will also see the fourth round of the bilateral financial dialogue being held in Beijing, when Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla, along with officials from the Reserve Bank of India, meets Chinese Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao. The dialogue was set up following Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India in 2005. The last round was held in December 2007.

The dialogue, officials said, would give both sides an important opportunity to exchange notes on the global financial situation, as well as their roles and objectives in reforming the international financial architecture.

On the agenda were coordination of tariff policies and macroeconomic policies, global financial regulatory reforms, as well as coordination of policies on multilateral fora such as the G20 and BRIC, they said.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/31/stories/2010083164781500.htm

Tiger panel seeks report on forest road

Guwahati, Aug. 30: The Delhi-based National Tiger Conservation Authority — the apex body for tiger conservation in the country — today asked the Assam forest department for a status report on the road-widening project on Balipara-Bhalukpong which cuts into the buffer area of the Nameri tiger reserve.

The tiger organisation was reacting to a report, “Road work threat to wildlife”, published in The Telegraph on August 21.

The member secretary of the tiger conservation authority, Rajesh Gopal, said a letter has been sent to the Assam forest department asking for information about the status of the project.

“We have received information in this office regarding a road-widening project in the buffer area of Nameri tiger reserve. It has been stated that the said area forms part of the Sonitpur elephant reserve and work is on without the mandatory clearance from the ministry of environment and forests,” Gopal said in his letter to the Assam forest department.

He said the forest department has replied that since today was a holiday in Assam, the information would be sent tomorrow.

Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, former member of the standing committee of the National Board of Wildlife and a member of Project Elephant Steering Committee, said: “What is important is to follow the procedure as mandated by existing laws with regards to forest clearance. The Forest Conservation Act 1980 clearly mentions that the state should get prior approval from the ministry of environment and forests if forestland is required to be used for non-forestry purpose.”

“Further, the area falls within the Sonitpur elephant reserve and also Nameri tiger reserve, stressing the fact that the area is of high importance for wildlife conservation. The ministry of environment and forests may kindly investigate the matter with the state government to uphold the sanctity of existing laws with regard to wildlife conservation,” Talukdar told The Telegraph.

Anwaruddin Choudhury, honorary chief executive of Rhino Foundation for Nature in Northeast India, said the proposed road should be of minimum width.

“The park authorities should ensure this as otherwise movement of animals would be affected. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has also constituted a committee to examine proposals of infrastructure development and other industries on projects falling in the buffer/corridor areas of tiger reserves.”

A source said the pressure on the forest department was immense from defence authorities to clear road projects such as this one, as they are of strategic importance.

The Balipara-Bhalukpong road is being widened for movement of heavy armoured vehicles to the Sino-Indian border in the wake of reported security threat.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100831/jsp/frontpage/story_12876396.jsp

Bhopal photo exhibition on tiger conservation

Wildlife activists organised a photo exhibition on tigers in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal city to make people aware of the importance of tigers in the eco system.

The exhibition sought to draw attention of people towards alleged carelessness of the State government to preserve tigers.

They claimed that a Jhurjhura tigress was found dead in the Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh in May. The reasons for her death are not yet clear.

"The main aim to organise this exhibition at this particular time is, that the killers of Jhurjhura, who was killed on May 18, are still free. The investigations are on since four months. When she died on May 18, she left three cubs behind with us," said Shahla Masood, Secretary of Uday organisation, which organised the exhibition.

"The administration, the forest officials said that they would take care of the three cubs. Ten days ago, even a cub died, and we do not know the reason for his death as well," she added.

The visitors said that this exhibition made them aware of the plight of tigers in India.

"The way humans have a right to live; tigers too have the full right to live.

They are a gift to us by nature. They are such a beautiful creatures. Their absence can misbalance our entire ecosystem, and we should understand that. They are a very important link in our ecosystem after us, and it is our duty to protect them," said Aruna Bandhavar, a visitor.

The activists claimed that there are around 254 tigers left in the state and the exhibition was also aimed at creating awareness among the wildlife officers.

As per a new survey there are just 1,411 tigers left in India, almost half the number since 2002 census. (ANI)

http://sify.com/news/bhopal-photo-exhibition-on-tiger-conservation-news-national-ki4quffjehd.html