NAGPUR: The three-member NTCA committee of experts will examine the proposed Bandar Coal Mining Project by the Bander Coal Company Private Limited (BCCPL), Mumbai, in Chimur tehsil of Chandrapur district on Friday.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) on July 2 this year had appointed experts Urmila Pingle, Kishor Rithe and GN Vankhede to do a site appraisal of coal sector, thermal power project proposals vis-Ã -vis the buffer-corridor areas of tiger reserves in Central India. However, Bander was left out that time. The same panel was also asked to examine proposed Bander mines.
Pingle has communicated her inability to participate due to other assignments. However, Vankhede and Rithe would be conducting the site visit on October 8 at 10am. The members will consult officials, stakeholders and project proponent at Chandrapur. The panel will later visit the proposed site.
On Saturday, the members will reach Chhindwara at 10am and examine proposed sites of Tandsi III and Tandsi III extension underground coal mine project (0.4 MTPA) of Mideast Integrated Steels Ltd in Chhindwara district. The project is coming up in 326 hectares.
A lot of hue and cry was raised after Bander coal blocks, near Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), were not included for inspection in the 15 projects in Chandrapur district and Chhindwara that were examined by the NTCA panel two months ago.
The BCCPL was allotted coal blocks for Bander underground and opencast mines on May 29, 2009 to extract 175.110 million tonnes of coal. Although the proposed mining area falls in Brahmapuri Forest Division, the underground and opencast mine are 7.5km and 9km from the TATRboundary
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NTCA-panel-to-visit-Bander-project-on-Friday/articleshow/6703552.cms
Thursday, October 7, 2010
'Maneater' on loose gives Hardoi the jitters
LUCKNOW/JAIPUR: Even as forest officials continued to comb fields and villages around Mathura in search of the elusive tiger that has strayed into the area, another tiger scare emerged. A big cat — this one said to be a maneater — has been hiding in a sugarcane field in Lakhua village of Hardoi district, some 120km from Lucknow.
On Wednesday, Hardoi officials were on the job trying to tranquillize the tiger, which, according to forest officials, has killed eight humans in Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur districts since May. ''It is currently hiding in a sugarcane field,'' said R K Tripathi, DFO, Hardoi. The combing operations were on in Lakhua village, Hardoi.
The big cat has been on the run since May 3 when it claimed its first human kill. The orders to tranquillize and trap the tiger were given by chief wildlife warden of UP this month after resentment among locals ran high in Shahjahanpur and Deoria over eight human killings. The tiger had entered Kheri and injured a man there before it shifted location to Hardoi.
Meanwhile, forest officials from Rajasthan and UP continue to comb the Mathura refinery region in search of the tiger that strayed from Ranthambore National Park
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Maneater-on-loose-gives-Hardoi-the-jitters/articleshow/6703382.cms
On Wednesday, Hardoi officials were on the job trying to tranquillize the tiger, which, according to forest officials, has killed eight humans in Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur districts since May. ''It is currently hiding in a sugarcane field,'' said R K Tripathi, DFO, Hardoi. The combing operations were on in Lakhua village, Hardoi.
The big cat has been on the run since May 3 when it claimed its first human kill. The orders to tranquillize and trap the tiger were given by chief wildlife warden of UP this month after resentment among locals ran high in Shahjahanpur and Deoria over eight human killings. The tiger had entered Kheri and injured a man there before it shifted location to Hardoi.
Meanwhile, forest officials from Rajasthan and UP continue to comb the Mathura refinery region in search of the tiger that strayed from Ranthambore National Park
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Maneater-on-loose-gives-Hardoi-the-jitters/articleshow/6703382.cms
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tiger cubs yet to be traced in Panna sanctuary
Madhya Pradesh's Panna sanctuary has in all likelihood lost its two poster cubs with authorities yet to trace them a month after they went missing.
The state wildlife officials, however, are yet to declare them officially dead.
"We have kept our fingers crossed and it might be possible that the tigress has hidden them (missing cubs) in a safer place. But, to be on the realistic side, we are now "99 per cent certain" that only two live cubs are present with the tigress."
"In case they have died it is nothing strange. It is a a natural phenomenon. Usually, mortality rate is 50 per cent in the big cats in the wild. The cubs might have died and the park employees are looking for physical remains in the area, if any," Murthy said.
Just when the success story of the country's tiger translocation programme was being scripted soon after the litter of four cubs were born on 15/16 April from one of the reintroduced big cat in the sanctuary, the officials got a jolt when they could not spot three of the four-months old with their mother.
The tigress was spotted with a single cub on September 7 after a fight with the solitary male tiger at the park on August 29 and then again on September 5.
Initially, it was felt that the tigress might have hidden the cubs after the two fights with the male tiger.
However, while one cub was retrieved since then, the two others seem to have lost to either disease or the tiger itself might have killed the cubs to get near to the mother.
The state wildlife officials, however, are yet to declare them officially dead.
Panna Field director S R Murthy said that they were keeping a regular tab on the movement of the tigress which is with her two remaining five-month-old cubs.
"We have kept our fingers crossed and it might be possible that the tigress has hidden them (missing cubs) in a safer place. But, to be on the realistic side, we are now "99 per cent certain" that only two live cubs are present with the tigress."
"In case they have died it is nothing strange. It is a a natural phenomenon. Usually, mortality rate is 50 per cent in the big cats in the wild. The cubs might have died and the park employees are looking for physical remains in the area, if any," Murthy said.
Just when the success story of the country's tiger translocation programme was being scripted soon after the litter of four cubs were born on 15/16 April from one of the reintroduced big cat in the sanctuary, the officials got a jolt when they could not spot three of the four-months old with their mother.
The tigress was spotted with a single cub on September 7 after a fight with the solitary male tiger at the park on August 29 and then again on September 5.
Initially, it was felt that the tigress might have hidden the cubs after the two fights with the male tiger.
However, while one cub was retrieved since then, the two others seem to have lost to either disease or the tiger itself might have killed the cubs to get near to the mother.
In all, the park has a tiger and two tigress.
The authorities soon plan to bring yet another male and two females to the Park which had lost all big cats to poachers just a few years ago.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tiger-cubs-yet-to-be-traced-in-Panna-sanctuary/Article1-608529.aspx
Sleuths trap 4 poachers in Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Oct. 5: In a midnight raid, sleuths of Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) caught four poachers including two habitual hunters from Tamil Nadu. The carcass of a black-naped hare and a few weapons used to hunt the animals were recovered from the gang who were active in the same area for the last few years. Incidentally, three weeks ago, the tiger reserve staff had unearthed over 40 snare traps laid to catch smaller mammals.
Hanumanthappa, deputy conservator of forests, BTR, said the accused Kamala Kannan from Salem, Krishnan from Ooty, Bomma and Manju, who live near Bandipur, were arrested in Boodhikatte forest area of Gopalaswamy Betta Range following a tip-off.
“The gang was caught when they drove inside the tiger reserve in a car (TN 34-K 8103). Two carcasses of black-naped hare, battery, knives and clubs were found with them,” the officer said.
Conservationists say this is a cause for concern as it reveals how poaching continues unabated in our forests. “Hare and many other small mammals act as suitable prey for tigers and other carnivores. Hunting them with traps is taking a toll on their numbers. This could in turn affect the tiger population in BTR,” said a worried conservationist.
Officials from BTR said since most of the snares were recovered from Gunre and Begur ranges night vigilance has been increased in these areas. “Patrolling using elephants has also been started in forest areas which are non-motorable due to the rain. We are also trying to cover the main roads as the absence of vehicle movement at night could help the poachers use the main road,” said an official from the reserve.
Meanwhile, the CID forest cell is planning to restart an inquiry into tiger deaths in the Bandipur forests over the last two years. There have been eight tiger deaths in the last three years, and the post-mortem reports on some of the animals contradicts the crime scene records, CID officer said.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/bengaluru/sleuths-trap-4-poachers-bandipur-tiger-reserve-207
One more tiger dies in Bannerghatta park
Bangalore, Oct 5 (PTI) A four-year-old female tiger succumbed to bacterial infection in Bannerghatta National Park here today, taking the death toll of wildcats in the park to three since last month. Despite all efforts to save Minchu, whose condition turned very critical yesterday, the tigress succumbed to Salmonella bacterial infection this morning, Karnataka Forest Minister C H Vijayashankar said. The condition of the 14 other tigers, also affected by the infection, was "slowly improving", he said. A four-year-old tigress and a three-month old cub died in the park due to the infection last month. "I am distressed by the deaths of tigers... It is an embarrassment to the department and the government," he told reporters on the sidelines of 56th Wildlife Week Celebrations here. The Minister said he would discuss the situation with the forest officials and ask them to take steps to ensure that such incidents did not recur. Vijayashankar assured that action will be taken against those responsible for supplying stale chicken (which has high concentration of salmonella bacteria resulting in the bacterial infection), once he studies the report submitted by the Central Zoo Authority team which was in the city recently to assess the situation at the park. Reacting to the tiger deaths, state Governor H R Bhardwaj said he was "deeply distressed". When queried about stale chicken causing bacterial infection, he took an indirect swipe at the BJP Government's ban on cow slaughter and said "do not enact bad laws. Leave something for wildlife as they do not eat chicken". The Governor has been criticised by BJP for forwarding the Cow Slaughter Ban Bill to the President for assent.
Missing tiger moves to UP-Rajasthan border
LUCKNOW: The tiger, which had attacked four persons at Fatiha village in Mathura on Monday, has now moved to Berri village on the Uttar Pradesh-Rajasthan border. Though the animal was not seen on Tuesday, the Forest officials came to this conclusion after finding pugmarks in Berri, near Fatiha village. The search operation has now shifted to Berri, said R P Bharti, Chief Conservator of Forest of Agra zone. A team from Rajasthan’s Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, led by director R S Shekhawat, has arrived to help UP forest officials. A team from Bharatpur is already camping there. “There are around 150 forest officials involved in the operation. Now, we have 11 tranquiliser guns,” said Bharti. Officials believe the tiger had strayed out of Ranthambore — about 150 km from Mathura — and lost its way.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Youth killed by tiger in near Dudhwa
A youth was mauled by a tiger in Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary here, forest department officials said here today.
Jagmohan, resident of village Chahalwa, was attacked by the tiger when he went to the jungle to collect fodder, forest officer RK Singh said.
The youth was later rescued by the villagers and admitted to a hospital, where he died during treatment.
Since January 2010, five persons have been killed in such attacks.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_youth-killed-by-tiger-in-uttar-pradesh_1447439
Maneater on the prowl, mauls 3 in Mathura Read more: Maneater on the prowl, mauls 3 in Mathura - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.co
NEW DELHI: Barely 150km from Delhi, near Mathura, a lone tiger mauled three people in the village of Satah on Monday morning. Not only did the incident terrify residents but also caught forest officials and other experts off guard as this was definitely not a known tiger territory.
The forest department, with help from Wildlife SOS Delhi, set up traps to catch the animal on Monday but were unsuccessful. "We are also expecting help from the Rajasthan wildlife department. While nothing is confirmed so far, the tiger probably strayed from the Bharatpur area since it is the closest known place that can support a tiger population," said Kartick Satyanarayan, director, Wildlife SOS.
According to sources, the animal was spotted around 6am on Monday, around 1km from the highway. "The Satah village area mostly consists of fields. The animal was probably seen when it was crossing from one field to another. Initially, it attacked the first person it saw in the field and then attacked others as they came to rescue the injured person. Three people have sustained serious injuries. However, it doesn't seem to be a maneater and probably attacked in defence since it has used only its paws and not its teeth," said Dr K L Meena, DFO, Mathura.
According to reports, the entire area has been fenced off but angry villagers broke through the barriers to attack the animal. Police had to be brought in to manage the situation. Meena added that traps had been laid to catch the big cat. "A goat has been used as a bait and our men are stationed on a neem tree near this cage. We are hoping to sedate the animal," he said.
While not too many details were available about the gender or age of the animal, experts said that this was definitely a transient tiger. "I don't have details with me but if this is a sub-adult or juvenile, it could have been displaced either in a turf war or was out to hunt and got marooned in the area. However, it is most probably from the Bharatpur area. We have had reports of tigers being sighted in Bharatpur but never this far," said Satyanarayan.
Meena agreed, adding that the animal could have also come from as far off as Madhya Pradesh
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Maneater-on-the-prowl-mauls-3-in-Mathura/articleshow/6687122.cms
The forest department, with help from Wildlife SOS Delhi, set up traps to catch the animal on Monday but were unsuccessful. "We are also expecting help from the Rajasthan wildlife department. While nothing is confirmed so far, the tiger probably strayed from the Bharatpur area since it is the closest known place that can support a tiger population," said Kartick Satyanarayan, director, Wildlife SOS.
According to sources, the animal was spotted around 6am on Monday, around 1km from the highway. "The Satah village area mostly consists of fields. The animal was probably seen when it was crossing from one field to another. Initially, it attacked the first person it saw in the field and then attacked others as they came to rescue the injured person. Three people have sustained serious injuries. However, it doesn't seem to be a maneater and probably attacked in defence since it has used only its paws and not its teeth," said Dr K L Meena, DFO, Mathura.
According to reports, the entire area has been fenced off but angry villagers broke through the barriers to attack the animal. Police had to be brought in to manage the situation. Meena added that traps had been laid to catch the big cat. "A goat has been used as a bait and our men are stationed on a neem tree near this cage. We are hoping to sedate the animal," he said.
While not too many details were available about the gender or age of the animal, experts said that this was definitely a transient tiger. "I don't have details with me but if this is a sub-adult or juvenile, it could have been displaced either in a turf war or was out to hunt and got marooned in the area. However, it is most probably from the Bharatpur area. We have had reports of tigers being sighted in Bharatpur but never this far," said Satyanarayan.
Meena agreed, adding that the animal could have also come from as far off as Madhya Pradesh
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Maneater-on-the-prowl-mauls-3-in-Mathura/articleshow/6687122.cms
Expand Mudumalai buffer zone, Jairam tells TN
COIMBATORE: After his initiatives for declaring Sathyamangalam forests a tiger reserve, Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh has mooted another plan to protect the big cats and elephants of the region near the Mudumalai. The minister has asked the Tamil Nadu government to declareSegur Plateau in the Nilgiris as buffer zone of the Mudumalai National Park.
In a recent letter to chief minister M Karunanidhi, Ramesh requested the state government to favourably consider a proposal from his ministry to add the 321sqkm Segur Plateau as buffer zone of the Mudumalai National Park. Such a step would help strengthen the population status of the tiger, its co-predators and the prey in the landscape,' he said in the letter written during August last week.
Segur is an area rich in wildlife and is linked to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and adjoining forest cover. Central funds would be provided under the Project Tiger if the plateau is declared a buffer zone, the minister said in the letter. "Mudumalai is an important tiger source area with a potential to populating the northern and eastern parts of the Western Ghat landscape complex," he said.
According to Union environment ministry sources, the buffer zone status for Segur would not only help increase the number of tigers but also ensure protection for about 25% of the world's Asian elephants, which live in the region that comprises deep jungles of Bokkapuram, Singara and Masinagudi.
Moreover, Segur Plateau links Mudumalai National Park with Sathyamangalam forests, BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The buffer zone status is also expected to enhance ongoing conservation efforts in the wildlife sanctuaries of Wayanad and Nagerhole as well.
However, the proposal has triggered apprehensions among the locals, who fear the forest department would impose curbs on their movements and routine activities. "Any move to protect tigers and elephants must be welcomed but such initiatives must address the survival of traditional forest dwellers like the adivasis and others who live close to the forests. Any project that treat local people as enemies of conservation would not succeed as it is unrealistic," said CR Bijoy, a civil rights activist who works among the Segur people.
MS Selvaraj, president of Nilgiri Vyvasaikal Thozhilalar Munnetra Sanghom, claims that the buffer zone project would adversely affect the survival of about two lakh people in Pandalur and Gudalur taluks. Under the project, there would be severe regulations even on digging wells, getting electric connection to houses and constructing even small country roads. "We are getting information that there would be restrictions even on painting houses the way the house owner wants," he alleged.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Expand-Mudumalai-buffer-zone-Jairam-tells-TN/articleshow/6686504.cms
In a recent letter to chief minister M Karunanidhi, Ramesh requested the state government to favourably consider a proposal from his ministry to add the 321sqkm Segur Plateau as buffer zone of the Mudumalai National Park. Such a step would help strengthen the population status of the tiger, its co-predators and the prey in the landscape,' he said in the letter written during August last week.
Segur is an area rich in wildlife and is linked to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and adjoining forest cover. Central funds would be provided under the Project Tiger if the plateau is declared a buffer zone, the minister said in the letter. "Mudumalai is an important tiger source area with a potential to populating the northern and eastern parts of the Western Ghat landscape complex," he said.
According to Union environment ministry sources, the buffer zone status for Segur would not only help increase the number of tigers but also ensure protection for about 25% of the world's Asian elephants, which live in the region that comprises deep jungles of Bokkapuram, Singara and Masinagudi.
Moreover, Segur Plateau links Mudumalai National Park with Sathyamangalam forests, BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The buffer zone status is also expected to enhance ongoing conservation efforts in the wildlife sanctuaries of Wayanad and Nagerhole as well.
However, the proposal has triggered apprehensions among the locals, who fear the forest department would impose curbs on their movements and routine activities. "Any move to protect tigers and elephants must be welcomed but such initiatives must address the survival of traditional forest dwellers like the adivasis and others who live close to the forests. Any project that treat local people as enemies of conservation would not succeed as it is unrealistic," said CR Bijoy, a civil rights activist who works among the Segur people.
MS Selvaraj, president of Nilgiri Vyvasaikal Thozhilalar Munnetra Sanghom, claims that the buffer zone project would adversely affect the survival of about two lakh people in Pandalur and Gudalur taluks. Under the project, there would be severe regulations even on digging wells, getting electric connection to houses and constructing even small country roads. "We are getting information that there would be restrictions even on painting houses the way the house owner wants," he alleged.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Expand-Mudumalai-buffer-zone-Jairam-tells-TN/articleshow/6686504.cms
Entry fee structure in tiger reserves revised
By Our Staff Reporter
Bhopal, Oct 4:
The state government has now modified the entry fee structure for tiger reserves and protected areas. Forest Minister Sartaj Singh gave this information here today.
The Forest Minister said that the fee for Indian tourists for touring all tiger reserves by light vehicles (up to a sitting capacity of 8 persons) has been fixed at Rs one thousand and for foreign tourists at Rs two thousand. If Indian tourists are entering the tiger reserves by mini bus (9 to 32 sitting capacity) the fee would be Rs 1600 while for foreign tourists it has been fixed at Rs. 12 thousand. Likewise, at other protected areas, for the Indian tourists with light vehicles the fee is Rs 400 and for foreign tourists the fee is Rs 1500. If Indian tourists are going by mini bus they will have to pay a fee of Rs one thousand while the foreign tourists will have to pay a fee of Rs 10 thousand. If any vehicles carrying Indian and Foreign tourists, the fee would be applicable for that of foreign tourists.
Forest Minister Sartaj Singh said that for visiting to special places in the forests the charges have also been revised. For Indian tourists going to Pachmarhi View Point by two wheeler vehicle, the fee is Rs 100 and for foreign tourists the fee is Rs six thousand. In light vehicles for Indian tourists (up to 5) the fee is Rs 250 and vehicles carrying up to 10 persons the fee has been fixed at Rs. 300 and for foreign tourists the fee is Rs 1500. If going by mini bus the Indian tourists will have to pay a fee of Rs one thousand and the foreign tourists Rs 10 thousand. The Indian tourists will have to pay Rs 50 when going to Van Vihar by two wheeler vehicles. At the same time the foreign tourists will have to pay Rs 200. In light vehicles (up to 5) the Indian tourists will pay Rs 150 and in a vehicle carrying 6 to 8 tourists the fee is Rs 200. If foreign tourists upto 5 persons Rs 600 and if the number of foreign tourists is 6 to 8, the fee is Rs 800. If Indian tourists are going by mini bus they will have to pay Rs 600 and the foreign tourists will have to pay Rs 2500. At special places in the forests like Pandav Fall, Sneh Fall and other marked places, the Indian tourists going by two wheeler vehicles will have to pay Rs 40 and foreign tourists Rs 200. For going to such places by light vehicles the Indian tourists will have to pay Rs 200 while the foreign tourists will pay Rs one thousand. Likewise, if going by mini bus the Indian tourists will pay Rs 400 and the foreign tourists Rs 2000.
For visiting special places in Van Vihar National Park by foot / cycle, the Indian tourists will pay Rs 50 per person and the foreign tourists Rs 500 per person. For other places the Indian tourists will have to pay a fee of Rs 100 and the foreign tourists Rs one thousand per person.
For camping at marked places in all National Parks and Abhayaranyas, the Indian tourists will have to pay Rs 300 and the foreign tourists Rs three thousand per night. At this rate cycling and trekking is also possible at specified places.
For watching tigers/ wildlife from Hide/Watch Tower the Indian tourists will pay Rs 150 per person at Tier Reserve and foreign tourists Rs 1500 per person. For watching wildlife from other places the fee for Indian tourists is Rs 75 and for foreign tourists is Rs 750.
The forest minister has made it clear that entry fee of auto rickshaw will be double that of the two wheeler vehicle. In a mini bus for additional Indian tourist (in excess of 32) Rs 50 will have to pay per person. At the same time the fee for foreign tourists is Rs 500.
For visiting Bhimbetka the Indian tourist will have to pay Rs 10 and the foreign tourist Rs 100. If Indian tourists are going by light vehicles, Rs 50 per person will have to be paid and at the same time the foreign tourists will pay Rs 200 per person. If going by mini bus the fee for Indian tourist is Rs 100 and foreign tourist is Rs 400.
Regular pass will be issued for those who wish to go for morning walk/cycling in Van Vihar National Park. The monthly charge is Rs 100 per person. If the pass is made for a year the charge will be Rs one thousand and the charge for lifetime membership is Rs 15 thousand.
For watching the wildlife by traveling on elephant, an Indian tourist will have to pay Rs 200 and the foreign tourist Rs 600. For elephant safari the fee for Indian tourist is Rs 500 and the fee for foreign tourist is Rs 1500. Four persons will be allowed to sit on an elephant. Children up to the age of 5 will be allowed along with adults free. Elephant Safari will be for a maximum time of one hour.
http://www.centralchronicle.com/viewnews.asp?articleID=48878
Monday, October 4, 2010
Tiger in Hardoi, may be ‘lost’, say officials
A tiger, which was moving in the forests of Pilibhit, Kheri and Shahjahanpur districts over the last three months, has now entered Hardoi district. So far, no one has seen this young male tiger, but its pugmarks have been found in Pihani forest range, about 170 km from the Dudhwa National Park — the nearest tiger habitat.
According to Forests officials, the tiger had entered Hardoi from Shahjahanpur on September 30. They were unable to find and tranquilise the tiger because it only moved in the night.
Three months ago, the tiger had killed a man in Kheri district. It had also injured an elephant, which carried a team of experts from Dudhwa National Park and Wildlife Trust of India. When the members of the team were trying to tranquilise the tiger, it attacked the elephant and fled.
The Forest officials are calling it an unusual case. Generally, a tiger stays in a territory of about 5 sq km and leaves it only when there is no prey available or another stronger tiger has entered his territory. There is, however, no paucity of prey animals in Pilibhit and Kheri. “This tiger is moving from one place to another. It had killed a man in Kheri but did not attack anyone else,” said R K Tripathi, Hardoi Divisional Forest Officer.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tiger-in-hardoi-may-be-lost-say-officials/692153/
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Tigers survey Rajasthan''s forests, home in on best location
Archana Jyoti
New Delhi, Oct 3 (PTI) Soon after their release into the wild of Rajasthan''s Sariska forests, relocated tigers surveyed intensly for three months the jungle spread over 881 sq km to finally settle in a "best home range" having less anthropegenic pressure and rich prey-base, found out scientists who were trailing them.
A tiger and tigress (T-1) were shifted from Ranthambhore in June and July, 2008, respectively while another female (T2) was reintroduced into the wild in March 2009, a move to repopulate the species in Sariska sanctuary which lost all the big cats almost six years ago to poachers.
It was the first ever successful translocation of big cats from wild to wild in the country.
The team of scientists comprising K Sankar, Qamar Qureshi, Parag Nigam1, P K Malik, PR Sinha from Wildlife Institute of India, R N Mehrotra, Rajasthan Chief Wildlife Warden and Rajesh Gopal, member secretary from National Tiger Conservation Authority had conducted study of home range, prey selection, and food habits of the reintroduced tigers for a year from July 2008.
They observed that the radio-collared tiger and tigress moved in two different directions (tiger toward the south and the tigress toward the north) soon after release into wild.
"They occupied different areas and did not meet each other till September 2008. In total, 437 locations for tiger, 463 locations for tigress-1, and 229 locations for tigress-2 were obtained using a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS)," says the study highlighting the normal behaviour of the big cats when moved from their native home to another.
In this case, it was from Ranthambore to Sariska sanctuary.
After having surveyed the new areas in monsoon, the tiger and tigress were found to be settling in the best available habitats in winter with adequate prey base, water availability, and less anthropogenic pressure.
Researching over 115 kill sites made by them from July 2008 to June 2009, the wildlife experts noted that nearly half of the radio-collared tiger''s prey was made up of sambar deer, while nearly 20 per cent of it was livestock, which had been left unprotected far from human dwellings. There are around ten villages in the sanctuary.
Stressing on expediting relocation of the villages, the scietintists have estimated that once it is done a 274 sq km area will be available free from biotic interference which can support at least 15 adult tigers.
"The successful relocation of Bhagani vs illage can set as an example to expedite the entire relocation process.
The proposed supplementation of three tigers (one male and two females) in every two years for a period of six years and removal of anthropogenic pressure from the national park will be crucial for the long-term survival of tigers in Sariska," scientists have said.
To achieve success in making people less dependent on forest resources, implementation of eco-development programs in and around the tiger reserve with the involvement of NGOs is recommended.
New Delhi, Oct 3 (PTI) Soon after their release into the wild of Rajasthan''s Sariska forests, relocated tigers surveyed intensly for three months the jungle spread over 881 sq km to finally settle in a "best home range" having less anthropegenic pressure and rich prey-base, found out scientists who were trailing them.
A tiger and tigress (T-1) were shifted from Ranthambhore in June and July, 2008, respectively while another female (T2) was reintroduced into the wild in March 2009, a move to repopulate the species in Sariska sanctuary which lost all the big cats almost six years ago to poachers.
It was the first ever successful translocation of big cats from wild to wild in the country.
The team of scientists comprising K Sankar, Qamar Qureshi, Parag Nigam1, P K Malik, PR Sinha from Wildlife Institute of India, R N Mehrotra, Rajasthan Chief Wildlife Warden and Rajesh Gopal, member secretary from National Tiger Conservation Authority had conducted study of home range, prey selection, and food habits of the reintroduced tigers for a year from July 2008.
They observed that the radio-collared tiger and tigress moved in two different directions (tiger toward the south and the tigress toward the north) soon after release into wild.
"They occupied different areas and did not meet each other till September 2008. In total, 437 locations for tiger, 463 locations for tigress-1, and 229 locations for tigress-2 were obtained using a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS)," says the study highlighting the normal behaviour of the big cats when moved from their native home to another.
In this case, it was from Ranthambore to Sariska sanctuary.
After having surveyed the new areas in monsoon, the tiger and tigress were found to be settling in the best available habitats in winter with adequate prey base, water availability, and less anthropogenic pressure.
Researching over 115 kill sites made by them from July 2008 to June 2009, the wildlife experts noted that nearly half of the radio-collared tiger''s prey was made up of sambar deer, while nearly 20 per cent of it was livestock, which had been left unprotected far from human dwellings. There are around ten villages in the sanctuary.
Stressing on expediting relocation of the villages, the scietintists have estimated that once it is done a 274 sq km area will be available free from biotic interference which can support at least 15 adult tigers.
"The successful relocation of Bhagani vs illage can set as an example to expedite the entire relocation process.
The proposed supplementation of three tigers (one male and two females) in every two years for a period of six years and removal of anthropogenic pressure from the national park will be crucial for the long-term survival of tigers in Sariska," scientists have said.
To achieve success in making people less dependent on forest resources, implementation of eco-development programs in and around the tiger reserve with the involvement of NGOs is recommended.
Will state govt act on STPF for tigers?
NAGPUR: The state government did grant more space for tigers by notifying buffer zones of three tiger reserves, but much needs to be done on the protection front. The state is yet to comply with theNational Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines for raising, arming and deploying Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) in tiger reserves with 100% central assistance.
The STPF is to be set up in Pench and Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserves in Maharashtra; Dudhwa-Katerniaghat and Corbett in Uttar Pradesh, Ranthambhore in Rajasthan, Kanha, Bandhavgarh & Pench in Madhya Pradesh, Pakke in Arunachal Pradesh, Bandipur in Karnataka, Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu, Kaziranga in Assam and Similipal in Orissa.
The NTCA had initially issued the guidelines on February 5. It revised the norms on May 11, 2009 after detailed consultations with tiger states and ministry of home affairs. The STPF will be on the lines of India Reserve Battalion. The state is yet to respond positively.
Talking to TOI, DC Pant, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) for wildlife, said the department has to raise two battalions of 120 each for Pench and Tadoba. Earlier, one battalion was to be headed by an assistant commandant, 3 PSIs, 6 head constables and 90 constables. But police department has declined to part with its staff.
In view of this, the NTCA revised norms and as a second option, the STPF is to comprise only forest personnel like ACFs, RFOs, foresters and forest guards. A 30% of the STPF guards will comprise locals.
The outsourced persons will be entitled to the same salary and other emoluments through the service provider, as regular forest guards. The structure of a company, command and control, recruitment, legal immunity and related issues remains the same.
Pant says now with the first option out, "we have to set up the STPF on our own". "The proposal is pending with the government and it will take time to create new posts. Till the STPF is not created, temporarily we will take help of home guards for protection," he added.
However, considering the endangered status of tiger and the need for urgently stepping up protection in reserves, STPF is a necessity. Conservationists are now asking, "What's the problem when 100% assistance will be given by the Centre?" The worst is that the state government has imposed a ban on recruitment in forest department.
The process is on for providing central assistance during the financial year and chief wildlife wardens have been requested to send the MoU for implementing the initiative in conformity.
The STPF is to be set up in Pench and Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserves in Maharashtra; Dudhwa-Katerniaghat and Corbett in Uttar Pradesh, Ranthambhore in Rajasthan, Kanha, Bandhavgarh & Pench in Madhya Pradesh, Pakke in Arunachal Pradesh, Bandipur in Karnataka, Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu, Kaziranga in Assam and Similipal in Orissa.
The NTCA had initially issued the guidelines on February 5. It revised the norms on May 11, 2009 after detailed consultations with tiger states and ministry of home affairs. The STPF will be on the lines of India Reserve Battalion. The state is yet to respond positively.
Talking to TOI, DC Pant, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) for wildlife, said the department has to raise two battalions of 120 each for Pench and Tadoba. Earlier, one battalion was to be headed by an assistant commandant, 3 PSIs, 6 head constables and 90 constables. But police department has declined to part with its staff.
In view of this, the NTCA revised norms and as a second option, the STPF is to comprise only forest personnel like ACFs, RFOs, foresters and forest guards. A 30% of the STPF guards will comprise locals.
The outsourced persons will be entitled to the same salary and other emoluments through the service provider, as regular forest guards. The structure of a company, command and control, recruitment, legal immunity and related issues remains the same.
Pant says now with the first option out, "we have to set up the STPF on our own". "The proposal is pending with the government and it will take time to create new posts. Till the STPF is not created, temporarily we will take help of home guards for protection," he added.
However, considering the endangered status of tiger and the need for urgently stepping up protection in reserves, STPF is a necessity. Conservationists are now asking, "What's the problem when 100% assistance will be given by the Centre?" The worst is that the state government has imposed a ban on recruitment in forest department.
The process is on for providing central assistance during the financial year and chief wildlife wardens have been requested to send the MoU for implementing the initiative in conformity.
Census indicates tiger presence in Goa
PANAJI: Goa's forest department has come across an indirect evidence about presence of tiger in the state's forests during the recently concluded wildlife census.
State's additional principal chief conservator of forest Shashi Kumar said that the same would be confirmed only in the second phase.
"There is evidence of the tiger's presence which will be confirmed through camera trapping method," he said.
Kumar's statement assumes significance amid persistent denials by the department to move ahead with the proposal to declare Goa's wildlife sanctuaries as tiger habitat. In a recent meeting with members of the Western Ghat Conservation Panel, environmentalists had put up a proposal to declare Goa as a tiger reserve.
The forest department conducted a wildlife census with the help of Dehuradun based Wildlife Institute of India (WII), this year. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of Wildlife Week celebrations which began on Saturday, Kumar said that the camera trapping method will take the visuals and indicate the number of tigers in the forests.
Kumar said that the WII is yet to analyse the data collected from Goa since it is busy with the Tiger Census conducted at various wildlife sanctuaries in the country.
State's additional principal chief conservator of forest Shashi Kumar said that the same would be confirmed only in the second phase.
"There is evidence of the tiger's presence which will be confirmed through camera trapping method," he said.
Kumar's statement assumes significance amid persistent denials by the department to move ahead with the proposal to declare Goa's wildlife sanctuaries as tiger habitat. In a recent meeting with members of the Western Ghat Conservation Panel, environmentalists had put up a proposal to declare Goa as a tiger reserve.
The forest department conducted a wildlife census with the help of Dehuradun based Wildlife Institute of India (WII), this year. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of Wildlife Week celebrations which began on Saturday, Kumar said that the camera trapping method will take the visuals and indicate the number of tigers in the forests.
Kumar said that the WII is yet to analyse the data collected from Goa since it is busy with the Tiger Census conducted at various wildlife sanctuaries in the country.
Friday, October 1, 2010
1st regional NTCA office gets nod
NAGPUR: The Centre on Tuesday finally cleared the setting up of India's first regional office of theNational Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in Nagpur.
The proposal was cleared on Tuesday, and an official communication issued by Rajesh Gopal, NTCA member-secretary, to this effect was received by PCCF (wildlife) on Wednesday. NTCA is the statutory body under the ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) monitoring all tiger reserves in India.
The NTCA has stated that the office at Nagpur will closely monitor all tiger reserves in Central India. There are 12 tigers reserves in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
CCF Shree Bhagwan, who is presently general manager at FDCM, has been asked to facilitate the setting up of the new office. Sources said the office premises has also been finalized and is situated opposite the VCA stadium in Civil Lines.
TOI had reported on January 10 NTCA's plans to set up a regional office at Nagpur. Later Jairam Ramesh confirmed it on January 27 in Nagpur. On September 13 while in the city, Ramesh said the proposal was pending with the finance ministry.
"Nagpur is known as the tiger gateway and hence our choice. The office will be in place this year itself," Gopal told TOI. The office will be handled by a CCF level officer.
"Setting up of regional office in Nagpur holds significance as there will be better coordination now and response time will be reduced," said Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation.
"We will see to it that NTCA guidelines are implemented effectively and there is better cooperation between the tiger states," Gopal added.
This will be NTCA's first mega expansion plan in India. The authority, earlier known as Project Tiger, came into existence on September 4, 2006 after amendments to Wildlife Protection Act, 2006. Following the changes, a Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) was mulled in Nagpur but was instead taken to Jabalpur later.
Forest officials felt setting up of NTCA office would help streamline release of funds. Getting money in time is the biggest problem today. NTCA releases money in September and state government further delays it by another three months.
The office at Nagpur will facilitate implementation of normative standards for tiger conservation, providing information on several aspects which include protection, ensuring measures for addressing man-wild animal conflict and fostering preparation of tiger protection and conservation plans by neighbouring states among host of other things.
The NTCA office will coordinate with three tiger states having 12 tiger reserves. It will include Melghat, Tadoba-Andhari, Sahyadri and Pench in Maharashtra; Pench, Panna, Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Satpuda in Madhya Pradesh and Indravati and Achanakmar in Chhattisgarh. These reserves and part of its landscape, as per the Wildlife Institute of India ( WII) 2008 status report, has a presence of over 500 tigers. which is one-third tiger population of India.
The proposal was cleared on Tuesday, and an official communication issued by Rajesh Gopal, NTCA member-secretary, to this effect was received by PCCF (wildlife) on Wednesday. NTCA is the statutory body under the ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) monitoring all tiger reserves in India.
The NTCA has stated that the office at Nagpur will closely monitor all tiger reserves in Central India. There are 12 tigers reserves in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
CCF Shree Bhagwan, who is presently general manager at FDCM, has been asked to facilitate the setting up of the new office. Sources said the office premises has also been finalized and is situated opposite the VCA stadium in Civil Lines.
TOI had reported on January 10 NTCA's plans to set up a regional office at Nagpur. Later Jairam Ramesh confirmed it on January 27 in Nagpur. On September 13 while in the city, Ramesh said the proposal was pending with the finance ministry.
"Nagpur is known as the tiger gateway and hence our choice. The office will be in place this year itself," Gopal told TOI. The office will be handled by a CCF level officer.
"Setting up of regional office in Nagpur holds significance as there will be better coordination now and response time will be reduced," said Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation.
"We will see to it that NTCA guidelines are implemented effectively and there is better cooperation between the tiger states," Gopal added.
This will be NTCA's first mega expansion plan in India. The authority, earlier known as Project Tiger, came into existence on September 4, 2006 after amendments to Wildlife Protection Act, 2006. Following the changes, a Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) was mulled in Nagpur but was instead taken to Jabalpur later.
Forest officials felt setting up of NTCA office would help streamline release of funds. Getting money in time is the biggest problem today. NTCA releases money in September and state government further delays it by another three months.
The office at Nagpur will facilitate implementation of normative standards for tiger conservation, providing information on several aspects which include protection, ensuring measures for addressing man-wild animal conflict and fostering preparation of tiger protection and conservation plans by neighbouring states among host of other things.
The NTCA office will coordinate with three tiger states having 12 tiger reserves. It will include Melghat, Tadoba-Andhari, Sahyadri and Pench in Maharashtra; Pench, Panna, Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Satpuda in Madhya Pradesh and Indravati and Achanakmar in Chhattisgarh. These reserves and part of its landscape, as per the Wildlife Institute of India ( WII) 2008 status report, has a presence of over 500 tigers. which is one-third tiger population of India.
Sunny side up for sanctuaries
JAIPUR: It is a promising season ahead for tourists to the Ranthambore national park and the Sariska sanctuary as the tiger reserves open up for tourists after a hiatus of three months from Friday. While two newborns await tourists at Ranthambore, Sariska has five tigers now for the first time since the cat population was wiped away from there.
According to R S Shekhawat, director of the national park, "It sure is a promising season for tourists. It is after a gap of two years that cubs have been bon here and they will fill the vacuum left by the relocation of two tigers from here to Sariska recently." As always all eye at Ranthambore would be scanning the Lady of the Lake or Machli. Now in her old age the tigress is one of the most popular cats at Ranthambore having been spotted by the maximum number of tourists. Despite her failing health there are many tourists who come to Ranthambore just to see her.
"For the first time we have had so many tourists coming to the national park so early. In fact the booking for October 2 is full and we have no capacity," Shekhawat added.
For the first time the park is giving the facility of current online booking.
"Those who come to the park can book their tickets for entry online on the same day. The booking will be on 24 hours. For the morning safari to the park visitors will have to book their tickets between 5 am to 5 pm while for the afternoon session booking will be on from 5 pm to 9 am," Shekhawat added.
Also for the first time the park has been divided into eight zones for safari rides. While five of these routes are within the national park two are at the Sawai Man Singh sanctuary and one at the Sawai Madhopur Park. For Sariska too the promises could not have been better. The gap after the relocation of three tigers to the reserve from Ranthambore ended a couple of months ago with the relocation of two more tigers taking the total to five. "Though it is difficult to say as to whether there will be a rush but with five tigers in the reserve we hope that more people come this time," said KK Garg, the field director of the reserve. Incidentally, the National Wildlife Week too begins from Friday and both the venues would hold numerous competitions.
"We would be hosting painting competitions, photography competitions and a host of other events in collaboration with the WWF and Stripes," said Shekhawat.
The WWF also plan to hold street plays in Ranthambore during the week to spread the message of a peaceful coexsistance between villagers, foresters and animals at the park.
According to R S Shekhawat, director of the national park, "It sure is a promising season for tourists. It is after a gap of two years that cubs have been bon here and they will fill the vacuum left by the relocation of two tigers from here to Sariska recently." As always all eye at Ranthambore would be scanning the Lady of the Lake or Machli. Now in her old age the tigress is one of the most popular cats at Ranthambore having been spotted by the maximum number of tourists. Despite her failing health there are many tourists who come to Ranthambore just to see her.
"For the first time we have had so many tourists coming to the national park so early. In fact the booking for October 2 is full and we have no capacity," Shekhawat added.
For the first time the park is giving the facility of current online booking.
"Those who come to the park can book their tickets for entry online on the same day. The booking will be on 24 hours. For the morning safari to the park visitors will have to book their tickets between 5 am to 5 pm while for the afternoon session booking will be on from 5 pm to 9 am," Shekhawat added.
Also for the first time the park has been divided into eight zones for safari rides. While five of these routes are within the national park two are at the Sawai Man Singh sanctuary and one at the Sawai Madhopur Park. For Sariska too the promises could not have been better. The gap after the relocation of three tigers to the reserve from Ranthambore ended a couple of months ago with the relocation of two more tigers taking the total to five. "Though it is difficult to say as to whether there will be a rush but with five tigers in the reserve we hope that more people come this time," said KK Garg, the field director of the reserve. Incidentally, the National Wildlife Week too begins from Friday and both the venues would hold numerous competitions.
"We would be hosting painting competitions, photography competitions and a host of other events in collaboration with the WWF and Stripes," said Shekhawat.
The WWF also plan to hold street plays in Ranthambore during the week to spread the message of a peaceful coexsistance between villagers, foresters and animals at the park.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tiger population increases in Sathyamangalam forest
Erode (TN),Sept29 (PTI) The tiger population has almost doubled in the Sathyamangalam forest range here within a year as per a census in the region,a forest official said today. In 2007 there were only eight Tigers in the Sathyamangalam forest. It declined to seven in 2008 and increased to ten in 2009. Now as per the census going on in the area there are about 18 Tigers in the forest, District Forest Officer N Ramasubramaniam told PTI. This is due to the strict vigil maintained by the forest department against poaching and proper facilities for the animals care like adequate water, he said. "Exhaustive study in ascertaining tiger population in the entire Sathyamangalam forest division is going on�, he said. He said a fresh census would be taken soon on elephants.There were 866 elephants in 2009, compared to 815 in 2007. There were 672 Gaur in the forest in 2009 as against 630 in 2007. "There are 2348 spotted deer, 1068 black bucks (kasturi Maan), 304 Sambar deer and 77 Barking deer.Government plans to start a black Buck Sanctuary in the Bhavanisagar area," he said. The leopard population too has seen a rise with 27 inhabiting the forest now against 19 in 2007. "But the wild boar population is decreasing sharply due to climatic conditions.No one is hunting the variety." Compared to 2402 wild boars 2009, there were only 843 in 2009. There forest also has 43 sloth bears and 15 striped hyenas. A separate vigilance squad has been formed to prevent poaching in the forest. He also said over the past few days some Tigers from Karnataka have been migrating to Tamilnadu forests,especially Sathyamangalam.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
15 tigers in Buxa Tiger Reserve
Guwahati, Sept 28 (PTI) The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal currently has a minimum of fifteen tigers, as per a study by a wildlife body. "Of them, nine are female, three male and the gender of the rest cannot be ascertained", the head of 'Wildlife Genetics Laboratory of Aaranyak', Udayan Borthakur told PTI here today. He said the researchers used DNA based analysis techniques for the first time in the country to estimate population by using faecal (scat) samples of tigers in the Buxa Tiger Reserve.''Faecal samples collected by BTR authority were handed over to us and we used genetic markers to identify tiger scats from other sympatric carnivores such as leopard'', said Borthakur who runs the society for biodiversity conservation in the North East.A set of highly polymorphic microsatellite markers to identify individual tiger and sex chromosome linked markers to identify gender of the tiger scat samples were used and stringent laboratory conditions for assessing and minimizing error were maintained, he said. DNA-based techniques of identification of individual tigers might be considered as a practical and low cost option for population estimation and long term monitoring of this species in the protected areas of the country, Borthakur said.From geographical point of view, Buxa Tiger Reserve is contiguous with the Manas Tiger Reserve of Assam and Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan.
Tiger number doubles in Kalakkad, pictures show
Sept. 28: More tigers are on the prowl the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tirunelveli district.
In what comes as a fillip to the ‘Save the Tiger’ campaign, the number of the big striped cats in the reserve is said to have doubled. Tiger reserve field director and chief conservator of forests H. Mallesappa said there are 13 big cats in the reserve as of date compared to six in 2006. This has been confirmed scientifically through camera traps, he added.
Wildlife sources said the census showed that there were three males, seven females and three cubs in the reserve at present. KMTR also supports about 60 panthers, two dozen elephants and more than 100 varieties of migratory birds.
The other flagship species that are found in KMTR include the giant squirrel and the lion-tailed macaque. The reserve forest also supports a healthy herbivore population comprising Indian gaur and spotted deer, wildlife sources added.
“The state forest department is currently using camera traps in all the three tiger reserves after the Centre allocated several crores of rupees for a holistic census,” said chief conservator of forests (wildlife) V.N. Singh, adding that the scientific results are encouraging.
Top wildlife officials and field directors of Project Tiger reserves in Tamil Nadu, however, admitted that an authenticated report would be available only after the scientific studies and camera trap images are released by the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/tiger-number-doubles-kalakkad-pictures-show-237
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
NGO launches signature campaign to demand arrest over tigress' killing Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/ngo-launches-signature-campa
Bhopal: A local NGO has launched a massive signature campaign to demand the arrest of those involved in the killing of a tigress, Jhurjhura, in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh.
"So far, the organisation had collected 36,145 signatures from all over the country in support of its demand," Secretary of NGO Udai, Shehla Masood told reporters at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve on Monday.
Earlier, the NGO was planning to take out a rally but in view of imposition of prohibitory orders under Sections 144 of the CrPC in majority of towns in the state, the campaign seeking 'Justice For Death Of Jhurjhura' was changed to collection of signatures, she said.
Jhurjhura had died on May 18 this year after she was fatally wounded when some unidentified persons entered the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve for a night drive.
"Although nothing can be done to bring the tigress back to life, we demand that the perpetrators of this wicked crime are brought to book and made to pay for the playing of the tigress," Shehla added
"So far, the organisation had collected 36,145 signatures from all over the country in support of its demand," Secretary of NGO Udai, Shehla Masood told reporters at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve on Monday.
Earlier, the NGO was planning to take out a rally but in view of imposition of prohibitory orders under Sections 144 of the CrPC in majority of towns in the state, the campaign seeking 'Justice For Death Of Jhurjhura' was changed to collection of signatures, she said.
Jhurjhura had died on May 18 this year after she was fatally wounded when some unidentified persons entered the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve for a night drive.
"Although nothing can be done to bring the tigress back to life, we demand that the perpetrators of this wicked crime are brought to book and made to pay for the playing of the tigress," Shehla added
Fake bail scam: SC seeks case papers from reserve officials Read more: Fake bail scam: SC seeks case papers from reserve officials - The Times of Ind
ALWAR: The Supreme Court has asked Sariska Tiger Reserve officials to produce the documents of the poaching cases against the accused Jugru, Teyab and Ramzan after the accused managed to get bail from the court producing fake documents.
Following a controversy on granting of bail to the accused by the apex court on September 6, the Supreme court had sent notice to the reserve officials and asked them to present the facts to the court.
The officials, on verification of the documents, found the accused had misled the court with forged and fake documents to get bail. The accused claimed they had already undergone four years and three months imprisonment while the mobile court had handed out only imprisonment for three years.
Bhaganwan Singh Nathawat, ACF, Sarika National Park, who appeared before the court in this connection, has sought seven days for a detailed report on the incident. He said that while the accused had only undergone one year 11 months and 18 days imprisonment of their five-year sentence. He said the accused got the bail on the basis of forged documents and certificates.
He said a bench of the Rajasthan Court in February had denied them bail and they approached the Supreme Court, bypassing a higher bench in the Rajasthan High Court.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Fake-bail-scam-SC-seeks-case-papers-from-reserve-officials/articleshow/6639563.cms
Following a controversy on granting of bail to the accused by the apex court on September 6, the Supreme court had sent notice to the reserve officials and asked them to present the facts to the court.
The officials, on verification of the documents, found the accused had misled the court with forged and fake documents to get bail. The accused claimed they had already undergone four years and three months imprisonment while the mobile court had handed out only imprisonment for three years.
Bhaganwan Singh Nathawat, ACF, Sarika National Park, who appeared before the court in this connection, has sought seven days for a detailed report on the incident. He said that while the accused had only undergone one year 11 months and 18 days imprisonment of their five-year sentence. He said the accused got the bail on the basis of forged documents and certificates.
He said a bench of the Rajasthan Court in February had denied them bail and they approached the Supreme Court, bypassing a higher bench in the Rajasthan High Court.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Fake-bail-scam-SC-seeks-case-papers-from-reserve-officials/articleshow/6639563.cms
“Preserve tiger reserve”
TIRUNELVELI: The Kalakkad – Mundanthurai Tiger Conservation Foundation Tamil Nadu Trust, which has been established with the objective of conserving the fauna and flora, has appealed to individuals and institutions to donate liberally to preserve the forest of Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) and its flagship species.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director, KMTR, H. Malleshappa, said that the tiger reserve, covering an area of 895.39 square kilometres, with 400 square kilometres of evergreen forests, has 448 endemic species of angiosperms, 17 genera and 161 species of ferns. As per the tiger census taken during last fiscal, the tiger reserve had 13 tigers, of which three were found through scat analysis.
“The number should have gone up further, which will be known exactly during the next census to be conducted scientifically,” said Mr. Malleshappa.
He suggested that the donors may provide solar fences to prevent wild animal invasion into adjoining farms, construction of watch towers and vehicles. He stated that the donors could adopt any wild animal species by bearing their protection costs or maintain the reserve hygienically. He said that the tiger reserve administration would give preference to the donors whenever they visit the sanctuary.
The names of the donors would be displayed at vantage points. The donors would get income tax exemption for their contribution to the trust.
He said that the Union Government had released Rs.1.94 crore which would be used various purposes.
Deputy Directors of KMTR, D. Venkatesh (Mundanthurai) and K. Sathyanathan (Kalakkad) were present.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/28/stories/2010092857980100.htm
Monday, September 27, 2010
Over 200 tribal families to be evicted from Dampa tiger reserve
The expansion of the area of Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram’s Mamit district is going to evict 227 tribal families of Andermanik village. For the last one year, the villagers have been denied permission to cultivate Jhums (Shifting cultivation).
THE EXTENSION of Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mamit district in western beltof Mizoram is going to displace as many as 227 tribal families – all belonging to Chakma community from Andermanik village. All these are poor people without livelihood, except for Jhum cultivation upon which the forest officials have imposed restrictions. For the past one year, there has been no cultivation due to fear of the long hand of the law.
Incidentally, these villagers or their ancestors had been evicted once from the Dampa Tiger Reserve area in 1989 and resettled by the state government outside the DTR area in the present Andermanik village. However, all in the name of tiger protection, the forest department is all set to evict them once again.
As per the “Revised Guidelines for the Ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger” (February 2008) of the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, the Andermanik villagers have been offered two options: Option I – Take the entire package amount (Rs. 10 lakhs per family) and the Forest Department will not be involved in any rehabilitation / relocation process . Option II – The Forest Department will carry out relocation / rehabilitation of village from the tiger reserve.
The money being offered is lucrative – Rs 10 lakhs per family, that is a total of Rs 22,70,00,000 (Twenty Two Crores Seventy Lakhs) for the entire village. But thanks to the absolute lack of transparency and secretive attitudes of the officials, the villagers have been divided into supporters of Option I and Option II.
If the villagers opt for Option I, they take Rs 10 lakh per family but need to find their own homes – somewhere, somehow (so says the Guideline as per the interpretation of the officials). The officials also interpreted to them that their Village Council would be dissolved (Andermanik is a full-fledged Village Council/Court). The villagers are strongly opposed to the dissolution of their Village Council.
In case of option II, the following package is proposed, at the rate of Rs. 10 lakhs per family:
Agriculture land procurement (2 hectare) and development – 35% of the total package; Settlement of rights – 30%, Homestead land and house construction – 20%, Incentive – 5%, and Community facilities – 10% The District Commissioner of Mamit has allegedly told the village leaders in no uncertain terms that each family would be getting not more than Rs 2 lakhs if they opt for Option II. The rest (i.e. Rs 8 lakh from each family) would be used by the state government to provide land title, develop their lands, and create infrastructure in the new village site. The villagers feel they are being cheated.
The villagers have been completely kept in the dark about the land acquisition and relocation/rehabilitation. This displacement process absolutely lacks transparency; so much so that the villagers do not know about the fate of government servants such as teachers! The teachers fear that they may lose their jobs after relocation.
The local MLA and Deputy Speaker, John Rotluangliana has promised the Andermanik villagers a new life in a “model village”. But few are ready to buy his assurance. How can they forget so soon that in 1989 eviction they had received only Rs 5000 or so out of the promised Rs 1 lakh per family? No one knows where the money had gone. The politicians had promised everything. But even today the Andermanik village has no road connectivity and no health care centre. The villagers have to track hostile terrains to have access to PDS food grain or medicine from the nearest shop at Rajiv Nagar which is 18 km away!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Leo on tiger mission
New York, Sept. 24 (PTI): Actor Leonardo DiCaprio will visit India soon to see tigers in the wild and promote global awareness about their dwindling numbers.
The Titanic star, who is an ambassador of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), met Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh in New York yesterday to discuss ways to get involved in tiger conservation.
“He is very keen to work on tiger conservation. He wants to take on a more visible role. Somebody like him could play an important role in sensitising the global community to the cause of the Indian tiger,” Ramesh said.
Earlier this year, DiCaprio had visited Nepal to assess the preservation programmes in the country to save the big cat which is on the brink of extinction.
There are only an estimated 3,200 tigers left in the wild and India’s tiger reserves are home to a sizeable chunk of the global tiger population.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100925/jsp/nation/story_12980241.jsp
Forest staff remove 45 traps in Bandipur
BANGALORE: In a swift and efficient operation forest department staff of Bandipur Tiger Reserve have detected and removed 45 wire snares in the Begur and Gundre ranges of the tiger reserve. These snares, mostly made of telephone wires, steel cables and even natural tree fibres, had been set to catch ungulates such as chital, sambar, wild pig, barking deer, mouse deer and other animals for meat.
However, several instances of tigers and leopards getting killed in these snares are reported.In April this year, a tiger was found dead, caught in a similar snare in Gopalaswamybetta of Bandipur Tiger Reserve. 'It was found that notorious poacher Paapa and his associates Nagarajaswamy, Govinda, Shivaraju and Kumaraswamy were involved in setting the snare.The same gang had poached another tiger in Bandipur during February 2010 in a similar manner. In the last 18 months, five leopards have been reported killed, caught in snares in Karnataka (in Chikmagalur, Shirva, Mangalore and Virajpet).Since then, the forest department had increased foot patrolling to detect and remove snares.In the last three days of the intense combing operation led by field director BJ Hosmat and deputy conservator of forests KT Hanumanthappa, the forest department staff removed the snares which were laid on regular trails where wild animals are known to frequent.Assistant conservators of forests, Lingaraju and Ravishankar, range forest officers Chikka Rajendra and Bhagyavanth Masudi, forester Siddaramappa, guards Ravikumar, Lokesh, Puttaswamy and forest watchers Basavaraju, Krishna, Naaga Naika, Manjunath, Kumara, Maadu, Raju, Darshan and Rajeev were instrumental in this important fete.Snares have become a serious problem in our forests. These silent killers are very difficult to detect and unlike hunters with guns, these are extremely difficult to spot. This incident brings out the importance of foot patrolling in forests, which is the most crucial thing to detect snares and other illegal activities which are impossible to detect in vehicular patrolling.These kinds of unnatural losses of adult big cats will have a serious impact on the carnivore community in the area. For example, if a dominant male tiger is killed, other males which like to take over the territory held by the killed tiger, will kill all the cubs and young male tigers in its territory, so that they it can take over the territory.They will also kill cubs in anticipation that the female tigers can again come in oestrus for it to mate. Hence, the indirect losses of tigers or leopards dying in snares are colossal.It has been a cause for concern that the culture of foot patrolling is vanishing and the current detection by forest department in Bandipur is highly welcomed. The state government has already appointed staff for the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) and this is one of the successes of STPF. Karnataka was the first state in the country to set up STPFs.Friday, September 24, 2010
45 snares laid for tigers and leopards found in Bandipur
Forest officials at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve have stumbled on as many as 45 metal traps to snare tigers and leopards, all laid by poachers following a combing operation on Thursday. The findings have shocked officials and come despite their massive vigilance drive.
Following the poaching incidents in February, April and July this year when two leopards and a wild boar were killed by poachers inside the Bandipur reserve, the forest department had launched a strict vigilance drive across the reserve. But, despite their intense efforts, poachers have managed to lay traps at strategic locations in the the park.Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, field director, Project Tiger, B J Hosmath, who led the combing operation said: “Based on a tip-off, our staff launched a combing operation in the ranges of N Begur and Gundre within the reserve and detected as many as 45 snares. After the poaching incidents, especially the one involving the tragic death of a young tiger on April 30 in Gopalaswamybetta region, we had further intensified our operations.”
Senior forest department officials said they were conducting vehicular patrol daily. However, following the spurt in poaching activities using snares, officials were asked patrol the reserve on foot to curb such practices.
“Most of these snares were made of steel cables, but a few were made of telephone cables and natural tree fibres. We suspect this to be the handiwork of poachers from neighbouring villages at the behest of professional poachers. Though snares are used to catch deer and boar for meat, on several instances tigers and leopards were caught and killed on the spot,” an official said.
The department suspects that the notorious poacher Paapa and his associates Nagarajaswamy, Govinda, Shivaraju and Kumaraswamy could have played a major role in setting these snares. The same gang had poached a tiger in February 2010.
Commenting on the trend, Sanjay Gubbi, wildlife conservationist and member of the state wildlife board said, “Snares have become a serious problem. Unlike major poaching equipments, these are difficult to detect. This incident highlights the importance of patrolling on foot.”
Hit by Staff crunch
The acute shortage of ground level staff in the department has marred plans to safeguard the population of big cats. According to officials in the forest department, Bandipur and the adjacent Nagarhole and Mudumali regions have the largest population of tigers – estimated to be about 300 – in the country.
“We have not given up despite the acute shortage of ground level staff,” an official said. “More staff would help us further augment the combing operation,’’ another senior official said.
Karnataka is the only state in the country which has a Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF).
NHAI officials to visit NH-6 today
NAGPUR: Forest officials, wildlife experts and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) officers will undertake a site inspection of controversial patches between Sirpur and Lakhni on NH-6 on Friday.
The four-laning of the 80-km patch between Sirpur and Lakhni breaks the tiger corridor between Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and Navegaon National Park. The corridor has immense importance as it connects nine tiger reserves and many protected areas (PAs).
Chief conservators of forests (CCF) AK Saxena and Nandkishore, wildlife expert Kishor Rithe, assistant conservator of forest (ACF) Kishore Mishrikotkar, NHAI project director Naresh Wadetwar and other officials will be part of the team visiting NH-6.
In the 80-km patch between Sirpur and Lakhni, work in three forest patches - Mohghata, Sasakuran and Maramjob - comprising 10km, has been stopped for want of forest clearance. Rest of the four-laning work has already been completed.
The NHAI had on August 17 submitted a report prepared by two ex-wildlife officials, to mitigate damage to wildlife due to the four-laning. On September 3, a meeting of NHAI and forest officials was held in which forest officials expressed reservations on the report.
The NHAI report doesn't comply with suggestions made by CCF Nandkishore, who was appointed by the Centrally Empowered Committee ( CEC) to inspect the four-laning work. Friday's visit seems to be a way for officials to point out their reservations on the four-laning.
Although NHAI is ready to construct eight underpasses of 10 feet height and 20 feet width in every 2km forest patch in vulnerable areas, sources said there is basic defect in the underpasses. Forest officials feel identical underpasses cannot be a solution on all the patches, they should be site-specific.
The WTI has disapproved of the report, claiming that mitigation measures in such important areas needs a group of wildlife biologists, geologists, engineers, architects, wildlife managers and conservationists to evolve specific and acceptable designs for wildlife crossings
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NHAI-officials-to-visit-NH-6-today/articleshow/6617257.cms
The four-laning of the 80-km patch between Sirpur and Lakhni breaks the tiger corridor between Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and Navegaon National Park. The corridor has immense importance as it connects nine tiger reserves and many protected areas (PAs).
Chief conservators of forests (CCF) AK Saxena and Nandkishore, wildlife expert Kishor Rithe, assistant conservator of forest (ACF) Kishore Mishrikotkar, NHAI project director Naresh Wadetwar and other officials will be part of the team visiting NH-6.
In the 80-km patch between Sirpur and Lakhni, work in three forest patches - Mohghata, Sasakuran and Maramjob - comprising 10km, has been stopped for want of forest clearance. Rest of the four-laning work has already been completed.
The NHAI had on August 17 submitted a report prepared by two ex-wildlife officials, to mitigate damage to wildlife due to the four-laning. On September 3, a meeting of NHAI and forest officials was held in which forest officials expressed reservations on the report.
The NHAI report doesn't comply with suggestions made by CCF Nandkishore, who was appointed by the Centrally Empowered Committee ( CEC) to inspect the four-laning work. Friday's visit seems to be a way for officials to point out their reservations on the four-laning.
Although NHAI is ready to construct eight underpasses of 10 feet height and 20 feet width in every 2km forest patch in vulnerable areas, sources said there is basic defect in the underpasses. Forest officials feel identical underpasses cannot be a solution on all the patches, they should be site-specific.
The WTI has disapproved of the report, claiming that mitigation measures in such important areas needs a group of wildlife biologists, geologists, engineers, architects, wildlife managers and conservationists to evolve specific and acceptable designs for wildlife crossings
.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NHAI-officials-to-visit-NH-6-today/articleshow/6617257.cms
Tiger's pelt recovered from man
CHIKMAGALUR: Rural police arrested a person for possessing a tiger's pelt, which they recovered from him, in Lakshmipura of Chikmagalur taluk.
Police sub-inspector Sathyanarayan and his team arrested Anwar when he was wandering suspiciously at Mallenahalli and found the tiger skin on him, which is valued at Rs 1.50 lakh. Police are investigating how and where he got the pelt and if he is working for somebody.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Tigers-pelt-recovered-from-man/articleshow/6615613.cms
Police sub-inspector Sathyanarayan and his team arrested Anwar when he was wandering suspiciously at Mallenahalli and found the tiger skin on him, which is valued at Rs 1.50 lakh. Police are investigating how and where he got the pelt and if he is working for somebody.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Tigers-pelt-recovered-from-man/articleshow/6615613.cms
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