Jan. 23: Tigers roaming in the dense forests of Karnataka will get watchdogs for their protection round-the-clock soon. The much awaited 112-member Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF), is likely to take guard in another five months, and become the first full-fledged STPF to be rolled out in India.
The State Forest Department has speeded up the training, after receiving a pat on the back from the Central government, which accorded tiger reserve status to Biligiriranga Wildlife Sanctuary (BRT). With this addition, flora-fauna rich Karnataka, has the highest number of tiger reserves in South India, and is next only to Madhya Pradesh in the country.
The forest department has decided to extend the purview of STPF to BRT. Initially, the plan was to test the STPF in Bandipur and Nagarhole tiger reserves, which are one of the sensitive and pristine forest covers in India today, and later extend it to other tiger reserves like Bhadra and Dandeli Anshi.
Ravishankar, DCF (Wildlife), BRT, told the Deccan Chronicle that STPF was currently undergoing training at six forest guard training schools, and would later get three-month special training from the state police department, and central paramilitary forces, based on a syllabus for skill development, to combat poaching, and to enable intelligence-based enforcement in a forest terrain.
He added, “The office of STPF would come up in Gundlupet taluk in Chamarajanagar, which is the strategic point to access all three reserves BRT, Bandipur, and Nagarhole”.
Top official sources said that National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) would set up its regional office in Bengaluru in about a month, further boosting the conservation efforts of the department.
On the other hand, the 112-member STPF has no one from the region, though the plan was to have a mix of forest guards and local tribes. Sources said that tribals were not interested in the job despite offer of healthy salaries, and the majority were upset with the department over rehabilitation. People from Belgaum, Gulbarga, and Bijapur, who have no familiarity with forest terrain, are in the STPF.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Park to curb tourist flow - Move in aid of animals to hit kaziranga business
Kaziranga, Jan. 23: Business and wildlife are on a collision course at Kaziranga National Park with park authorities wanting to impose regulations on tourist flow.
The restrictions are likely to hit the tourism industry, including business ventures such as luxury resorts and jeep safaris, hard.
The owners of several luxury resorts near the park have opposed the move, fearing that the restrictions might lead to fewer tourists.
“We make a living off Kaziranga. If restrictions are imposed on tourists, we will be doomed,” an owner of a resort near the park told this correspondent.
Businesses associated with the park make huge profits. The Jeep Safari Association of the park earned a revenue of Rs 10 lakh in November last year. The park remains open for tourists from November to April every year.
Known worldwide as the abode of one-horned rhinos, Kaziranga was declared a tiger reserve in 2006. Since then, there has been pressure from the Centre to impose restrictions on the flow of tourists to the national park.
The Royal Bengal tiger is given top priority in the conservation list at Kaziranga since funds from the Centre come only for protection of the tiger. Earlier, central funds were also released for protection of the rhinos. However, the aid stopped once the rhino population reached a safe zone with the last count pegging it at 2,200.
With Project Tiger came a set of new guidelines that implied restrictions on the flow of tourists. The park authorities have so far failed to the follow the guidelines as it affects businesses.
However, Project Tiger being the only source of funds for the park, the authorities are now forced to implement these guidelines.
Park director Surajeet Dutta said 70 tigers were found in a census carried out by camera-trapping method in half the portion of the national park recently. “We are expecting about 120 tigers in Kaziranga,” he said.
In a separate census conducted by an NGO a couple of years ago, Kaziranga was found to have the highest density of tigers in the world. Dutta said the 430 square km area of the national park would be declared a core area very soon and the flow of tourists would be restricted.
Construction of new hotels and restaurants near the park area has also been banned.
“There has been a tremendous pressure on the animals with a large number of tourists visiting the park regularly. We need to restrict the tourist flow as it has an impact on the animals. Moreover, mushrooming of hotels and resorts has also harmed the animals since most of these are built on areas where animals visit frequently,” Dutta told this correspondent.
“The rhinos at Mihimukh in the Kohora range are almost used to humans. This is not a good sign at all,” he said.
According to norms, not more than 50 vehicles are allowed inside the park on a particular day.
Dutta said the authorities had made other plans for tourists. Jeep and elephant safaris would be introduced in the newly-added areas of the national park to reduce pressure on the core area.
The park has been extended to about 860 square km with new areas being added in recent times. “This year itself, we have opened four entry points for tourists. We are also thinking of starting boat safaris in some areas very soon,” he said.
The restrictions are likely to hit the tourism industry, including business ventures such as luxury resorts and jeep safaris, hard.
The owners of several luxury resorts near the park have opposed the move, fearing that the restrictions might lead to fewer tourists.
“We make a living off Kaziranga. If restrictions are imposed on tourists, we will be doomed,” an owner of a resort near the park told this correspondent.
Businesses associated with the park make huge profits. The Jeep Safari Association of the park earned a revenue of Rs 10 lakh in November last year. The park remains open for tourists from November to April every year.
Known worldwide as the abode of one-horned rhinos, Kaziranga was declared a tiger reserve in 2006. Since then, there has been pressure from the Centre to impose restrictions on the flow of tourists to the national park.
The Royal Bengal tiger is given top priority in the conservation list at Kaziranga since funds from the Centre come only for protection of the tiger. Earlier, central funds were also released for protection of the rhinos. However, the aid stopped once the rhino population reached a safe zone with the last count pegging it at 2,200.
With Project Tiger came a set of new guidelines that implied restrictions on the flow of tourists. The park authorities have so far failed to the follow the guidelines as it affects businesses.
However, Project Tiger being the only source of funds for the park, the authorities are now forced to implement these guidelines.
Park director Surajeet Dutta said 70 tigers were found in a census carried out by camera-trapping method in half the portion of the national park recently. “We are expecting about 120 tigers in Kaziranga,” he said.
In a separate census conducted by an NGO a couple of years ago, Kaziranga was found to have the highest density of tigers in the world. Dutta said the 430 square km area of the national park would be declared a core area very soon and the flow of tourists would be restricted.
Construction of new hotels and restaurants near the park area has also been banned.
“There has been a tremendous pressure on the animals with a large number of tourists visiting the park regularly. We need to restrict the tourist flow as it has an impact on the animals. Moreover, mushrooming of hotels and resorts has also harmed the animals since most of these are built on areas where animals visit frequently,” Dutta told this correspondent.
“The rhinos at Mihimukh in the Kohora range are almost used to humans. This is not a good sign at all,” he said.
According to norms, not more than 50 vehicles are allowed inside the park on a particular day.
Dutta said the authorities had made other plans for tourists. Jeep and elephant safaris would be introduced in the newly-added areas of the national park to reduce pressure on the core area.
The park has been extended to about 860 square km with new areas being added in recent times. “This year itself, we have opened four entry points for tourists. We are also thinking of starting boat safaris in some areas very soon,” he said.
Assam No 2 in tiger mortality
: The tiger doesn't seem to be burning bright anymore in India. The country, once home to 40,000 tigers, is left with just 1,200-1,500 big cats, according to the last census (2008) by the National Tiger Conservation Authority. If that isn't bad enough, Wildlife Protection Society of India's (WPSI) wildlife crime database has even more depressing news for officials. According to the 2010 WPSI study, 58 tigers died under various circumstances and Assam ranks second in tiger mortality index, just behind Madhya Pradesh. Of the 58 deaths, 30 (51%) were poaching and seizure-related.
Assam, which was in the news days ago after the Kaziranga reserve reported the highest tiger density in the world, lost nine tigers last year. "Skeletons of two tigers were seized, one was a confirmed poaching case, four tigers were found dead, one man-eater was shot dead and another tiger died from reported infighting. Of the nine tigers, five were from Kaziranga. The origin of the two tiger skeletons is not known," said WPSI executive director Belinda Wright.
According to Biswajit Roy Chowdhury of Nature Environment and Wildlife Society, Assam is the gateway for smuggling activities towards southeast Asia. "Smugglers reach China via Arunachal and Myanmar from Assam. Tibet is also accessible on this route. That's why poaching is rampant in Assam," he said.
Md Firoz Ahmed, wildlife biologist with a Guwahati-based conservation organisation Aaranyak, told TOI: "The tiger density in Kaziranga is too high given its 500 sqkm core area. In terms of prey base, it can support a density of 30 tigers per 100 sqkm, but area-wise it may not be able to sustain the population." According to him, relocation will not be a solution. "Orang is already populated with big cats. Retaliation deaths are being reported from Nameri and Manas."
The WPSI database also shows that of the 58 deaths in 2010, while 15 tigers (25.86%) were found dead, 10 died from reported infighting (17.24%). One tiger was shot by the forest department, while another was killed in a road accident.
Assam, which was in the news days ago after the Kaziranga reserve reported the highest tiger density in the world, lost nine tigers last year. "Skeletons of two tigers were seized, one was a confirmed poaching case, four tigers were found dead, one man-eater was shot dead and another tiger died from reported infighting. Of the nine tigers, five were from Kaziranga. The origin of the two tiger skeletons is not known," said WPSI executive director Belinda Wright.
According to Biswajit Roy Chowdhury of Nature Environment and Wildlife Society, Assam is the gateway for smuggling activities towards southeast Asia. "Smugglers reach China via Arunachal and Myanmar from Assam. Tibet is also accessible on this route. That's why poaching is rampant in Assam," he said.
Md Firoz Ahmed, wildlife biologist with a Guwahati-based conservation organisation Aaranyak, told TOI: "The tiger density in Kaziranga is too high given its 500 sqkm core area. In terms of prey base, it can support a density of 30 tigers per 100 sqkm, but area-wise it may not be able to sustain the population." According to him, relocation will not be a solution. "Orang is already populated with big cats. Retaliation deaths are being reported from Nameri and Manas."
The WPSI database also shows that of the 58 deaths in 2010, while 15 tigers (25.86%) were found dead, 10 died from reported infighting (17.24%). One tiger was shot by the forest department, while another was killed in a road accident.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Tiger census in Pilibhit and Dudhwa over
LUCKNOW: The census exercise for tigers is over in Pilibhit and Dudhwa National Park. But it has to be taken up in Kishenpur sanctuary. The results for tiger census might take time to come. The forest department has already taken to an intensive technology used to count the number of tigers.
In Uttar Pradesh, out of the total forested habitat 3,175 sq km constitutes potential tiger habitat. In census 2008, tigers were found to occupy 2,766 sq km of forest with an estimated population of 109 (91-127) in UP. Will the scale tip to right or left of this count, is still to come.
Within UP, tigers are distributed in one major population and three smaller populations. Sporadic occupancy is reported in Sonbhadra forests. The major population is constituted by DTR comprising Dudhwa National Park, Kishenpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and forests of Pilibhit, north and south Kheri Forest Divisions.
The 2008 census also found smaller population in the west in Bijnor forests covering an area of about 221 sq km and maintained by dispersing tigers from Corbett Tiger Reserve. The two smaller eastern populations were located in Suhelwa wildlife sanctuary with a tiger occupancy of 490 sq km and Sohagibarwa wildlife sanctuary having a tiger occupancy of 139 sq km in two separate blocks. The current census, however, will throw light on changes in distribution of tigers, from the last time, in the state. "The census is taking place only for source population of tigers," said sources in the department. The cameras were installed within forest area. The transient population of tigers in sugarcane fields might have therefore missed the count this time again.
The transient tigers are those which mostly stray and try to establish their own territory.
In Uttar Pradesh, out of the total forested habitat 3,175 sq km constitutes potential tiger habitat. In census 2008, tigers were found to occupy 2,766 sq km of forest with an estimated population of 109 (91-127) in UP. Will the scale tip to right or left of this count, is still to come.
Within UP, tigers are distributed in one major population and three smaller populations. Sporadic occupancy is reported in Sonbhadra forests. The major population is constituted by DTR comprising Dudhwa National Park, Kishenpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and forests of Pilibhit, north and south Kheri Forest Divisions.
The 2008 census also found smaller population in the west in Bijnor forests covering an area of about 221 sq km and maintained by dispersing tigers from Corbett Tiger Reserve. The two smaller eastern populations were located in Suhelwa wildlife sanctuary with a tiger occupancy of 490 sq km and Sohagibarwa wildlife sanctuary having a tiger occupancy of 139 sq km in two separate blocks. The current census, however, will throw light on changes in distribution of tigers, from the last time, in the state. "The census is taking place only for source population of tigers," said sources in the department. The cameras were installed within forest area. The transient population of tigers in sugarcane fields might have therefore missed the count this time again.
The transient tigers are those which mostly stray and try to establish their own territory.
Tribal skins electrocuted tiger
HYDERABAD: At a time when the Centre is mobilizing all possible resources to save the big cat, a bizarre incident of electrocution of a tiger has come to light in Kagaznagar in Adilabad district.
According to sources, the state forest department officials in Kagaznagar arrested Madavi Anand Rao, a Kolan tribal, who reportedly admitted to killing the tiger unintentionally and later skinning and passing on its hide to one of his relatives in Maharashtra to sell it. Tiger skin fetches Rs one to Rs 3 lakh in the domestic market and four times more in the international market.
Anand Rao, 32, reportedly told investigating forest officials that he had put up an electric fence around his field in Vempalli village which is located in the reserve forest on January 2 to save his crop from wild boar menace. When he went to the field the next morning, he found a tiger electrocuted. Instead of informing the forest officials or the police, he decided to make some money. He peeled off the skin which was burnt in parts, stuffed it in a gunny bag and went to the nearby Sonapur village in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. He contacted his brother-in-law Seedam Bheem Rao and asked him to find a customer for the tiger skin. Even as Bheem Rao was trying to sell the skin, he, along with five others were arrested by the Maharashtra police.
On interrogation they gave away the name of the relative. The Maharashtra police alerted senior forest officials in Adilabad district. Anand Rao was arrested on January 7. Based on his confession three forest officials, M A Mabood, DFO, G Ravinder, sub-DFO and range officer Zahid Ali went to the field where he had buried the carcass. It was exhumed and sent for postmortem.
The tiger was one of the four big cats found in Kagaznagar. It was an eight-year-old male. Now only the female along with her two cubs are said to be left in the forest which once boasted of scores of big cats.
A senior official expressed surprised at the electrocution of the tiger and blamed it on bad monitoring of the forest. "There are 30 base camps in the district with strike force and several trackers. It is unfortunate that such an event takes place in spite of having so many people on keeping a watch on the forest,'' he said.
DFO Mabood said, "On the face of it, the crime does not appear to be a handiwork of an organized gang. However, the accused have been sent for judicial custody and investigations are on. We are not ruling out any angle at this level.''
According to sources, the state forest department officials in Kagaznagar arrested Madavi Anand Rao, a Kolan tribal, who reportedly admitted to killing the tiger unintentionally and later skinning and passing on its hide to one of his relatives in Maharashtra to sell it. Tiger skin fetches Rs one to Rs 3 lakh in the domestic market and four times more in the international market.
Anand Rao, 32, reportedly told investigating forest officials that he had put up an electric fence around his field in Vempalli village which is located in the reserve forest on January 2 to save his crop from wild boar menace. When he went to the field the next morning, he found a tiger electrocuted. Instead of informing the forest officials or the police, he decided to make some money. He peeled off the skin which was burnt in parts, stuffed it in a gunny bag and went to the nearby Sonapur village in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. He contacted his brother-in-law Seedam Bheem Rao and asked him to find a customer for the tiger skin. Even as Bheem Rao was trying to sell the skin, he, along with five others were arrested by the Maharashtra police.
On interrogation they gave away the name of the relative. The Maharashtra police alerted senior forest officials in Adilabad district. Anand Rao was arrested on January 7. Based on his confession three forest officials, M A Mabood, DFO, G Ravinder, sub-DFO and range officer Zahid Ali went to the field where he had buried the carcass. It was exhumed and sent for postmortem.
The tiger was one of the four big cats found in Kagaznagar. It was an eight-year-old male. Now only the female along with her two cubs are said to be left in the forest which once boasted of scores of big cats.
A senior official expressed surprised at the electrocution of the tiger and blamed it on bad monitoring of the forest. "There are 30 base camps in the district with strike force and several trackers. It is unfortunate that such an event takes place in spite of having so many people on keeping a watch on the forest,'' he said.
DFO Mabood said, "On the face of it, the crime does not appear to be a handiwork of an organized gang. However, the accused have been sent for judicial custody and investigations are on. We are not ruling out any angle at this level.''
Friday, January 21, 2011
Tiger spotted in Sahyadri reserve
For decades, the presence of tigers in the Sahyadri wildlife sanctuary had remained, at best, only speculation. No more, though. A report from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad has confirmed the presence of a tiger, proof finally that tigers exist in Sahyadri sanctuary
To save the tiger, save jungle
Without a holistic approach nothing can protect India's wildlife from human greed and bestiality. If we don’t act now, the tiger, leopard, elephant, deer and even marine and avian species will face extinction
Last Tuesday it was Gurgaon. On Wednesday, it happened on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. On Thursday, it was near Guwahati. By the time January is out, the toll can only be anticipated to multiply. On an average three to four leopards are mercilessly beaten to death every week by bloodthirsty villagers. Some die in accidents such as the cub that got run over by a train in Assam. But mostly the big cats are mauled to death by gruesome methods. Having encircled and trapped the terrified creature that may have strayed into human habitation in search of food, villagers pelt them with stones; beat them with iron rods and in a few instances are known to have even gouged their eyes out in an orgy of bestiality.
Eyewitnesses say that a carnival atmosphere prevails while the hapless cat cries out in pain. People congregate with drums as if to celebrate victory in battle. Cunningly, the carcass is dragged outside village precincts, sprayed with kerosene and set alight to remove traces of the crime. By the time forest officials or the police arrive, if at all they do, the deed is done. If confronted, belligerent villagers dare the officers to act. Outnumbered, enforcers of the law beat a hasty retreat and file a report blaming unknown persons for the murder. Few are prosecuted; leave alone punished.
In recent years the supposed man-animal conflict has become a one-sided affair with a variety of wild creatures being regularly bludgeoned to death. A recent report said that enraged by the alleged depredations of a herd of elephants, villagers managed to catch hold of a two-year-old calf that got left behind and beat it to death the same way as they often do with leopards. Fearful of the tiger, people don’t venture to kill them in frontal combat, but have increasingly started to use poison with which they lace a bait and wait for the unwary beast to consume it to die a slow, painful death. This has been reported particularly from Rajasthan and eastern Uttar Pradesh where incidents of tigers straying from sanctuaries have risen markedly. There are two worrisome facets to these developments. First, the Government’s much-hyped conservation efforts are being defeated at the grassroots by villagers unconvinced of the need to preserve the country’s dwindling wildlife. Second, steady encroachment of animal habitats is resulting in migration out of sanctuaries, enhancing the chances of more frequent confrontations between villagers and animals in desperate search of food. Even more than encroachment, the disappearance of animal corridors in Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, the construction or expansion of highways running through Reserved Forests and the grant of mining leases in protected forest areas has led to the sharpening of the problem.
The tiger is to India’s conservation efforts what cricket is to sport. While Government and private efforts at tiger conservation have heightened consciousness about the majestic creature, the bulk of attention and finances are routed to projects related to it. No doubt, the effort is most laudable and let us hope that the next tiger census (currently underway), conducted by the more scientific camera trap method, will show a rise in numbers beyond the paltry 1,141 that the last headcount revealed. Organisations like NDTV, sponsors like Aircel and others must be complimented for the recent daylong Telethon in which I was honoured to be a participant. So, it is certainly not my case that the tiger is receiving undue attention or funds.
However, I believe that the tiger cannot be protected without a holistic policy towards environment and wildlife. For example, if streams in the jungle dry up because of rampant extraction of groundwater and bottling plants being set up at source, the tigers’ prey too cannot survive. If deer are forced to migrate out of forests or die of thirst, tigers and other predators like leopards would be compelled to move towards human habitations in search of food and water. If forest cover declines or degenerates, wildlife would find less and less greens to forage and over time their reproductive capacity too would be adversely affected. An ecological balance involving forest cover, water sources, prey base for big cats is essential for wildlife to prosper. It is not possible to ensure a significant rise in tiger numbers merely by pumping in funds or relocating some to reserves from which they were eliminated through poaching or inhospitable environs.
Leopards and elephants are at a huge risk in India because of human incursions close to their traditional habitats. The leopard, being a smaller cat compared to the tiger is endangered by the steady decline in its prey base in the jungles. Besides, by nature they live on the outskirts of forests rather than the deep interiors. On the periphery of Mumbai, for instance, leopard sightings were fairly common till recently, just as the Aravali highlands close to Delhi-Gurgaon was the leopards’ terrain not before long. As townships and industrial complexes are built in these areas with mounting speed, the leopard is seriously threatened and compelled to abandon protective jungle cover to hunt for food. The accident last year in which two young leopards were run over by a speeding vehicle on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway (NH 8) is a telling example of the leopards’ predicament. Unfortunately, there is no quick-fix solution to this, except a long-term policy regarding the peripheries of reserved forests or shrub lands in the Aravalis that are the leopards’ natural habitat. How much encroachment can be allowed to builders of housing colonies, shopping malls and entertainment parks in the neighbourhood of our burgeoning metros? As far as I know, the frenetic expansion of human settlement around Gurgaon, which began in the 1990s, never had any form of environmental clearance whatsoever. Instead of maximising habitation within existing colonies, builders are in the business of promoting golf courses, artificial lakes, sprawling villas and other attractive features to draw high-end buyers to housing and farmhouse complexes being built on lands that were once traversed by a variety of wildlife.
The abuse of areas peripheral to National Parks is so rampant that it hardly bears recalling. With over 700 resorts in operation just outside the perimeter of Corbett National Park, the discomfort caused to and consequent dislocation of wildlife has assumed serious dimensions. While I feel Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh’s heart is in the right place, he has failed miserably to curb human intrusion into tiger reserves. Has anybody thought of the disturbance caused to wildlife by the relentless foray of tourists on jeep safaris in Ranthambhore? As it is, the park is overcrowded, but unchecked movement of people inside the sanctuary must be among the reasons that forced tigress T 13 with her two hungry eight-month-old cubs to venture out of the park, risking death by poisoning or starvation.
Last Tuesday it was Gurgaon. On Wednesday, it happened on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. On Thursday, it was near Guwahati. By the time January is out, the toll can only be anticipated to multiply. On an average three to four leopards are mercilessly beaten to death every week by bloodthirsty villagers. Some die in accidents such as the cub that got run over by a train in Assam. But mostly the big cats are mauled to death by gruesome methods. Having encircled and trapped the terrified creature that may have strayed into human habitation in search of food, villagers pelt them with stones; beat them with iron rods and in a few instances are known to have even gouged their eyes out in an orgy of bestiality.
Eyewitnesses say that a carnival atmosphere prevails while the hapless cat cries out in pain. People congregate with drums as if to celebrate victory in battle. Cunningly, the carcass is dragged outside village precincts, sprayed with kerosene and set alight to remove traces of the crime. By the time forest officials or the police arrive, if at all they do, the deed is done. If confronted, belligerent villagers dare the officers to act. Outnumbered, enforcers of the law beat a hasty retreat and file a report blaming unknown persons for the murder. Few are prosecuted; leave alone punished.
In recent years the supposed man-animal conflict has become a one-sided affair with a variety of wild creatures being regularly bludgeoned to death. A recent report said that enraged by the alleged depredations of a herd of elephants, villagers managed to catch hold of a two-year-old calf that got left behind and beat it to death the same way as they often do with leopards. Fearful of the tiger, people don’t venture to kill them in frontal combat, but have increasingly started to use poison with which they lace a bait and wait for the unwary beast to consume it to die a slow, painful death. This has been reported particularly from Rajasthan and eastern Uttar Pradesh where incidents of tigers straying from sanctuaries have risen markedly. There are two worrisome facets to these developments. First, the Government’s much-hyped conservation efforts are being defeated at the grassroots by villagers unconvinced of the need to preserve the country’s dwindling wildlife. Second, steady encroachment of animal habitats is resulting in migration out of sanctuaries, enhancing the chances of more frequent confrontations between villagers and animals in desperate search of food. Even more than encroachment, the disappearance of animal corridors in Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, the construction or expansion of highways running through Reserved Forests and the grant of mining leases in protected forest areas has led to the sharpening of the problem.
The tiger is to India’s conservation efforts what cricket is to sport. While Government and private efforts at tiger conservation have heightened consciousness about the majestic creature, the bulk of attention and finances are routed to projects related to it. No doubt, the effort is most laudable and let us hope that the next tiger census (currently underway), conducted by the more scientific camera trap method, will show a rise in numbers beyond the paltry 1,141 that the last headcount revealed. Organisations like NDTV, sponsors like Aircel and others must be complimented for the recent daylong Telethon in which I was honoured to be a participant. So, it is certainly not my case that the tiger is receiving undue attention or funds.
However, I believe that the tiger cannot be protected without a holistic policy towards environment and wildlife. For example, if streams in the jungle dry up because of rampant extraction of groundwater and bottling plants being set up at source, the tigers’ prey too cannot survive. If deer are forced to migrate out of forests or die of thirst, tigers and other predators like leopards would be compelled to move towards human habitations in search of food and water. If forest cover declines or degenerates, wildlife would find less and less greens to forage and over time their reproductive capacity too would be adversely affected. An ecological balance involving forest cover, water sources, prey base for big cats is essential for wildlife to prosper. It is not possible to ensure a significant rise in tiger numbers merely by pumping in funds or relocating some to reserves from which they were eliminated through poaching or inhospitable environs.
Leopards and elephants are at a huge risk in India because of human incursions close to their traditional habitats. The leopard, being a smaller cat compared to the tiger is endangered by the steady decline in its prey base in the jungles. Besides, by nature they live on the outskirts of forests rather than the deep interiors. On the periphery of Mumbai, for instance, leopard sightings were fairly common till recently, just as the Aravali highlands close to Delhi-Gurgaon was the leopards’ terrain not before long. As townships and industrial complexes are built in these areas with mounting speed, the leopard is seriously threatened and compelled to abandon protective jungle cover to hunt for food. The accident last year in which two young leopards were run over by a speeding vehicle on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway (NH 8) is a telling example of the leopards’ predicament. Unfortunately, there is no quick-fix solution to this, except a long-term policy regarding the peripheries of reserved forests or shrub lands in the Aravalis that are the leopards’ natural habitat. How much encroachment can be allowed to builders of housing colonies, shopping malls and entertainment parks in the neighbourhood of our burgeoning metros? As far as I know, the frenetic expansion of human settlement around Gurgaon, which began in the 1990s, never had any form of environmental clearance whatsoever. Instead of maximising habitation within existing colonies, builders are in the business of promoting golf courses, artificial lakes, sprawling villas and other attractive features to draw high-end buyers to housing and farmhouse complexes being built on lands that were once traversed by a variety of wildlife.
The abuse of areas peripheral to National Parks is so rampant that it hardly bears recalling. With over 700 resorts in operation just outside the perimeter of Corbett National Park, the discomfort caused to and consequent dislocation of wildlife has assumed serious dimensions. While I feel Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh’s heart is in the right place, he has failed miserably to curb human intrusion into tiger reserves. Has anybody thought of the disturbance caused to wildlife by the relentless foray of tourists on jeep safaris in Ranthambhore? As it is, the park is overcrowded, but unchecked movement of people inside the sanctuary must be among the reasons that forced tigress T 13 with her two hungry eight-month-old cubs to venture out of the park, risking death by poisoning or starvation.
Cubs clicked at R'bore, tigress unseen
JAIPUR: There may be fresh addition to the tiger population at the Ranthambore National Park. Two cubs were clicked by a camera trap at the park recently.
However, officials of the forest department are not sure as to who is the mother of these cubs as her picture was not available on the camera trap. The cubs were clicked at the Indala area of the forest.
According to H M Bhatia, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan, "We have clicked the picture of two cubs. These are fresh addition to the tiger population in the park. But since the camera trap was not able to a photo of the mother we are not sure which tiger has littered. There were two or three expecting tigresses."
R P Gupta, DFO, Ranthambore, said "As of now it is just T-13 that has given birth. Though currently she is in a different area it might just be that the cubs are hers and therefore are not a fresh addition to the population. Till we have the picture of the mother we cannot say anything for certain," he said.
The birth of the cubs will be a big respite for officials of the state forest department that has been fighting hard to explain numerous tigers straying away from the Ranthambore tiger reserve. Added to that, the death of the first relocated tiger ST-1 to Sariska has been a big jolt for the department.
Moreover, there has been a lull in the birth of cubs at Ranthambore since 2008 for almost two years till T-13 gave birth last year some time in September.
However, officials of the forest department are not sure as to who is the mother of these cubs as her picture was not available on the camera trap. The cubs were clicked at the Indala area of the forest.
According to H M Bhatia, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan, "We have clicked the picture of two cubs. These are fresh addition to the tiger population in the park. But since the camera trap was not able to a photo of the mother we are not sure which tiger has littered. There were two or three expecting tigresses."
R P Gupta, DFO, Ranthambore, said "As of now it is just T-13 that has given birth. Though currently she is in a different area it might just be that the cubs are hers and therefore are not a fresh addition to the population. Till we have the picture of the mother we cannot say anything for certain," he said.
The birth of the cubs will be a big respite for officials of the state forest department that has been fighting hard to explain numerous tigers straying away from the Ranthambore tiger reserve. Added to that, the death of the first relocated tiger ST-1 to Sariska has been a big jolt for the department.
Moreover, there has been a lull in the birth of cubs at Ranthambore since 2008 for almost two years till T-13 gave birth last year some time in September.
Study says India most vulnerable to tiger skin, parts trade
NAGPUR: From 40,000 tigers hundred years ago, today India is down to just 1,411. No wonder. Latest study by Traffic International, the wildlife trade network in 11 of the 13 tiger range countries, reveals that India is most vulnerable when it comes to tiger skin and body parts trade.
The study 'Reduced to skin and bones', an analysis of tiger seizures from 11 tiger range countries in a decade (2000-2010), reveals that in addition to habitat loss and degradation, human encroachment, excessive poaching of key prey species and illegal trade in tiger parts were greatly contributing to the rapid decline of tigers in the wild.
"The study included all seizure information available from January 2000 to April 30, 2010. No data were recorded from Cambodia and Bhutan and hence these countries were omitted," said Samir Sinha, head, Traffic India. A total of 481 seizures were analysed, suggesting a minimum of 1,069 (annual average 104.2) and maximum of 1,220 (annual average 118.9) tigers killed for their parts and derivatives. The vast majority of these seizures took place in India (276), followed by China (40), Nepal (39), Indonesia (36) and Vietnam (28).
"Owing to the illicit nature of the trade, it must be assumed that the 1069-1220 tigers implicated in this analysis are fewer than the actual number of tigers killed and their parts trafficked around the world," the study says. Parts seized in tiger range countries were most commonly in the form of skins (480), bones and skeletons (1253.53 kg), dead individuals (197) and claws (1,313).
The study 'Reduced to skin and bones', an analysis of tiger seizures from 11 tiger range countries in a decade (2000-2010), reveals that in addition to habitat loss and degradation, human encroachment, excessive poaching of key prey species and illegal trade in tiger parts were greatly contributing to the rapid decline of tigers in the wild.
"The study included all seizure information available from January 2000 to April 30, 2010. No data were recorded from Cambodia and Bhutan and hence these countries were omitted," said Samir Sinha, head, Traffic India. A total of 481 seizures were analysed, suggesting a minimum of 1,069 (annual average 104.2) and maximum of 1,220 (annual average 118.9) tigers killed for their parts and derivatives. The vast majority of these seizures took place in India (276), followed by China (40), Nepal (39), Indonesia (36) and Vietnam (28).
"Owing to the illicit nature of the trade, it must be assumed that the 1069-1220 tigers implicated in this analysis are fewer than the actual number of tigers killed and their parts trafficked around the world," the study says. Parts seized in tiger range countries were most commonly in the form of skins (480), bones and skeletons (1253.53 kg), dead individuals (197) and claws (1,313).
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Villages around tiger reserve safe havens for Naxals
DALTONGANJ: Villages around Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) are safe havens for CPI (Maoist) where the Maoists run their writ. One such village is Ukamar under Project Tiger division while another is Ghaseedag village.
At Mandal village, a superintending engineer of north koyal Baijnath Mishra was killed in the late 90s and a small portion of the Mandal dam was also damaged by extremists belonging to Mazdoor Kissan Sangharsh Samiti.
At Kolpurwa village, security forces battled with the Maoists. Hehegara is a village of this tiger division which hit the national news stand not for any sighting of tigers but for the Naxals repeated assault on the rail tracks here.
According to directorate Project Tiger records, there are 199 villages in and around Palamu Tiger Reserve. Villages like Kaer and Labher areNaxal dens where Naxals trigger land mines as easily as children explode crackers, said a tracker of the Betla National Park, who refused to be identified.
The member of the National Tiger Conservation Authority Management Effective Evaluation East and North East D S Srivastava agreed that infestation of Naxals is here in majority of 199 villages here.
Srivastava reminded that Naxals had restored five huge tusks stolen by thieves to the authority in the mid 90s here. Five huge tusks were stolen from the Nature Interpretation Centre in Betla which were later recovered by the Naxals in which top functionaries of the Palamu Tiger Project had also participated.
Srivastava wanted project officials to strike an emotional chord with these villages and their people for a better co ordination. The director, P Upadhaya, has gone on record to say that a large segment of the total 30 segments of the Tiger Reserve here are unwatched because of the infestations of the extremists.
At Mandal village, a superintending engineer of north koyal Baijnath Mishra was killed in the late 90s and a small portion of the Mandal dam was also damaged by extremists belonging to Mazdoor Kissan Sangharsh Samiti.
At Kolpurwa village, security forces battled with the Maoists. Hehegara is a village of this tiger division which hit the national news stand not for any sighting of tigers but for the Naxals repeated assault on the rail tracks here.
According to directorate Project Tiger records, there are 199 villages in and around Palamu Tiger Reserve. Villages like Kaer and Labher areNaxal dens where Naxals trigger land mines as easily as children explode crackers, said a tracker of the Betla National Park, who refused to be identified.
The member of the National Tiger Conservation Authority Management Effective Evaluation East and North East D S Srivastava agreed that infestation of Naxals is here in majority of 199 villages here.
Srivastava reminded that Naxals had restored five huge tusks stolen by thieves to the authority in the mid 90s here. Five huge tusks were stolen from the Nature Interpretation Centre in Betla which were later recovered by the Naxals in which top functionaries of the Palamu Tiger Project had also participated.
Srivastava wanted project officials to strike an emotional chord with these villages and their people for a better co ordination. The director, P Upadhaya, has gone on record to say that a large segment of the total 30 segments of the Tiger Reserve here are unwatched because of the infestations of the extremists.
Forest officials refute presence of tiger near Gondia
GONDIA: Wildlife experts have now said that the pugmarks spotted in village Temni near Gondia on January 8 are not of a tiger, but most probably of a hyena.
For the last month or so, rumours have been doing the rounds of Gondia and Goregaon that a tiger is being sighted by nearby villagers. On January 8, the tiger was reportedly seen in village Temni, about 5km from Gondia. The pugmarks of the tiger were also reported to have been recorded and some experts had confirmed that they were of an adult tiger.
However, subdivisional forest officer of Gondia AS Khune said he has studied the four pugmarks and in three of them the nails of the animal could be seen. He said that the nails of the tiger are never seen in a pugmark, so this animal cannot be a tiger. Speaking to TOI, Khune said that there had been rumours of a tiger frequenting this region for the last month or so. However, there have not been any reports of tiger kills in this area. Khune said he had been doubtful about this rumour, and was now sure that it was not a tiger after studying the pugmarks.
For the last month or so, rumours have been doing the rounds of Gondia and Goregaon that a tiger is being sighted by nearby villagers. On January 8, the tiger was reportedly seen in village Temni, about 5km from Gondia. The pugmarks of the tiger were also reported to have been recorded and some experts had confirmed that they were of an adult tiger.
However, subdivisional forest officer of Gondia AS Khune said he has studied the four pugmarks and in three of them the nails of the animal could be seen. He said that the nails of the tiger are never seen in a pugmark, so this animal cannot be a tiger. Speaking to TOI, Khune said that there had been rumours of a tiger frequenting this region for the last month or so. However, there have not been any reports of tiger kills in this area. Khune said he had been doubtful about this rumour, and was now sure that it was not a tiger after studying the pugmarks.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Man accused of killing tiger rearrested
PTI | 02:01 PM,Jan 19,2011
Alwar, Jan 19 (PTI) A person, who had escaped from the custody of forest officials after being nabbed for allegedly killing a tiger, was today rearrested, forest department officials said here. "Kailash Gujjar was arrested from near a village early this morning. He had escaped yesterday from the custody of the forest officials in Sariska on the pretext of going to toilet," an official said. Bhagwanya and Kailash Gujjar were involved in the killing of ST-1 tiger in November last year. They were nabbed near Tehla village on Monday. ST-1, one of the five tigers trans located to the reserve, was poisoned to death and the carcass of the big cat was found on the night on November 14 in Sariska. The forest officials had last month arrested the main accused, Parsadi Gujjar.
Alwar, Jan 19 (PTI) A person, who had escaped from the custody of forest officials after being nabbed for allegedly killing a tiger, was today rearrested, forest department officials said here. "Kailash Gujjar was arrested from near a village early this morning. He had escaped yesterday from the custody of the forest officials in Sariska on the pretext of going to toilet," an official said. Bhagwanya and Kailash Gujjar were involved in the killing of ST-1 tiger in November last year. They were nabbed near Tehla village on Monday. ST-1, one of the five tigers trans located to the reserve, was poisoned to death and the carcass of the big cat was found on the night on November 14 in Sariska. The forest officials had last month arrested the main accused, Parsadi Gujjar.
Villages around tiger reserve safe havens for Naxals Read more: Villages around tiger reserve safe havens for Naxals - The Times of India http://time
DALTONGANJ: Villages around Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) are safe havens for CPI (Maoist) where the Maoists run their writ. One such village is Ukamar under Project Tiger division while another is Ghaseedag village.
At Mandal village, a superintending engineer of north koyal Baijnath Mishra was killed in the late 90s and a small portion of the Mandal dam was also damaged by extremists belonging to Mazdoor Kissan Sangharsh Samiti.
At Kolpurwa village, security forces battled with the Maoists. Hehegara is a village of this tiger division which hit the national news stand not for any sighting of tigers but for the Naxals repeated assault on the rail tracks here.
According to directorate Project Tiger records, there are 199 villages in and around Palamu Tiger Reserve. Villages like Kaer and Labher areNaxal dens where Naxals trigger land mines as easily as children explode crackers, said a tracker of the Betla National Park, who refused to be identified.
The member of the National Tiger Conservation Authority Management Effective Evaluation East and North East D S Srivastava agreed that infestation of Naxals is here in majority of 199 villages here.
Srivastava reminded that Naxals had restored five huge tusks stolen by thieves to the authority in the mid 90s here. Five huge tusks were stolen from the Nature Interpretation Centre in Betla which were later recovered by the Naxals in which top functionaries of the Palamu Tiger Project had also participated.
Srivastava wanted project officials to strike an emotional chord with these villages and their people for a better co ordination. The director, P Upadhaya, has gone on record to say that a large segment of the total 30 segments of the Tiger Reserve here are unwatched because of the infestations of the extremists.
Read more: Villages around tiger reserve safe havens for Naxals - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Villages-around-tiger-reserve-safe-havens-for-Naxals/articleshow/7314846.cms#ixzz1BTOdraNJ
At Mandal village, a superintending engineer of north koyal Baijnath Mishra was killed in the late 90s and a small portion of the Mandal dam was also damaged by extremists belonging to Mazdoor Kissan Sangharsh Samiti.
At Kolpurwa village, security forces battled with the Maoists. Hehegara is a village of this tiger division which hit the national news stand not for any sighting of tigers but for the Naxals repeated assault on the rail tracks here.
According to directorate Project Tiger records, there are 199 villages in and around Palamu Tiger Reserve. Villages like Kaer and Labher areNaxal dens where Naxals trigger land mines as easily as children explode crackers, said a tracker of the Betla National Park, who refused to be identified.
The member of the National Tiger Conservation Authority Management Effective Evaluation East and North East D S Srivastava agreed that infestation of Naxals is here in majority of 199 villages here.
Srivastava reminded that Naxals had restored five huge tusks stolen by thieves to the authority in the mid 90s here. Five huge tusks were stolen from the Nature Interpretation Centre in Betla which were later recovered by the Naxals in which top functionaries of the Palamu Tiger Project had also participated.
Srivastava wanted project officials to strike an emotional chord with these villages and their people for a better co ordination. The director, P Upadhaya, has gone on record to say that a large segment of the total 30 segments of the Tiger Reserve here are unwatched because of the infestations of the extremists.
Read more: Villages around tiger reserve safe havens for Naxals - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Villages-around-tiger-reserve-safe-havens-for-Naxals/articleshow/7314846.cms#ixzz1BTOdraNJ
Tiger killing accused escapes from custody
Alwar, Jan 18 (PTI) One of the two persons who werearrested for their alleged involved in the killing of a tigerin Sarisaka escaped from the custody of forest officials heretoday
"Kailash Gujjar escaped on the pretext of going to thetoilet. Both the accused were being interrogated in connectionwith the killing of ST-1 tiger at that time," an officialsaid.
"We have dispatched the search parties to look for him.
Prima facie, laxity of the staff is behind the incident andthose found guilty will be punished," he said.
Bhagwanya and Kailash Gujjar were involved in the killingof ST-1 in November last year. They were nabbed near Tehlavillage yesterday.
ST-1, one of the five tigers translocated to the reserve,was poisoned to death and the carcass of the big cat was foundon the night on November 14 in Sariska.
The forest officials had last month arrested the mainaccused, Parsadi Gujjar.
"Kailash Gujjar escaped on the pretext of going to thetoilet. Both the accused were being interrogated in connectionwith the killing of ST-1 tiger at that time," an officialsaid.
"We have dispatched the search parties to look for him.
Prima facie, laxity of the staff is behind the incident andthose found guilty will be punished," he said.
Bhagwanya and Kailash Gujjar were involved in the killingof ST-1 in November last year. They were nabbed near Tehlavillage yesterday.
ST-1, one of the five tigers translocated to the reserve,was poisoned to death and the carcass of the big cat was foundon the night on November 14 in Sariska.
The forest officials had last month arrested the mainaccused, Parsadi Gujjar.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Two arrested in tiger''s killing at Sariska
PTI | 10:01 PM,Jan 17,2011
Alwar, Jan 17 (PTI) Two more persons were today arrested by a forest deapartment team in Sariska for their alleged involvment in the killing of a translocated tiger in the national park last year. "Bhagwanya and Kailash Gujjar were involved in the killing of ST-1 in November last year. They were caught from near Tehla village," an official said, adding the duo were being interrrogated. ST-1, one of the five tigers translocated to the reserve, was poisoned to death and the carcass of the big cat was found on the night on Novermber 14 in Sariska. The forest officials had earlier arrested the main accused, Parsadi Gujjar, last month.
Alwar, Jan 17 (PTI) Two more persons were today arrested by a forest deapartment team in Sariska for their alleged involvment in the killing of a translocated tiger in the national park last year. "Bhagwanya and Kailash Gujjar were involved in the killing of ST-1 in November last year. They were caught from near Tehla village," an official said, adding the duo were being interrrogated. ST-1, one of the five tigers translocated to the reserve, was poisoned to death and the carcass of the big cat was found on the night on Novermber 14 in Sariska. The forest officials had earlier arrested the main accused, Parsadi Gujjar, last month.
CCIS: 1801 Sub-adult tiger killed by another tiger near Chanda
Chandrapur: The death of yet another tiger cub in the district has alarmed forest officials. The dead body of a sub-adult tiger cub, aged around 15 months, was recovered from the protected forest under Saoli range on Monday morning. Forest officials have said that the cub was killed in a fight with an adult tiger. This is the third incident of tiger death in the district within a span of just two months.
As per reports, a shepherd from village Sajhagad in Saoli tehsil went in search of his missing cattle and discovered the dead body of the tiger cub. A partially eaten cattle carcass was also recovered near the dead body of the cub. The shepherd informed forest officials about the incident.
Forest department staffers immediately reached the spot and took control of the dead body. CF, Chandrapur forest circle, GRK Rao confirmed the death of a tiger cub and said a fight among tigers was the cause of death. He said that the place is located close to village Sajhagad in compartment no. 1,718 under Saoli forest range.
Rao dismissed the possibility of poaching since all the organs of the dead cub were intact and there was no signs of poisoning of the cattle carcass found there. "It was a male tiger cub aged around 15 months. There were deep injury marks made by canines on the skull and vertebra, while right femur bone was found fractured. Moreover, we have seen signs of a fight between tigers including pugmarks of an adult male tiger at the spot, which corroborates the findings of autopsy," said Rao.
He said that a tigress with two cubs and an adult male tiger are known to frequent this particular forest area. The tiger had made a cattle kill on Sunday evening in Sajhagad beat of the forest. The tigress with two cubs apparently reached there to grab a share, which sparked the fight between one of the cubs and the tiger. While the tigress and one cub were able to escape, the other cub was killed by the adult tiger, Rao speculated.
He said that after the incident the tiger went towards the village lake, where they found its pugmarks. Villagers too claimed to have heard growls during the night, added Rao. He informed that the dead body of the tiger cub was cremated before witnesses on the spot after necessary inquest and post mortem formalities.
Notably, it is the first case of tiger death during this year and third in the span of just 50 days in the district. On November 28, 2010, carcass of a full-grown tiger was found in FDCM Junona range. Later, on December 6, 2010, a tiger cub was found dead in Moharli (territorial) forest range at the outskirt of Tadoba Andhari tiger reserve. Interestingly, all three tigers were killed in fights with other tigers.
Read more: CCIS: 1801 Sub-adult tiger killed by another tiger near Chanda - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/CCIS-1801-Sub-adult-tiger-killed-by-another-tiger-near-Chanda/articleshow/7308129.cms#ixzz1BMH8q900
As per reports, a shepherd from village Sajhagad in Saoli tehsil went in search of his missing cattle and discovered the dead body of the tiger cub. A partially eaten cattle carcass was also recovered near the dead body of the cub. The shepherd informed forest officials about the incident.
Forest department staffers immediately reached the spot and took control of the dead body. CF, Chandrapur forest circle, GRK Rao confirmed the death of a tiger cub and said a fight among tigers was the cause of death. He said that the place is located close to village Sajhagad in compartment no. 1,718 under Saoli forest range.
Rao dismissed the possibility of poaching since all the organs of the dead cub were intact and there was no signs of poisoning of the cattle carcass found there. "It was a male tiger cub aged around 15 months. There were deep injury marks made by canines on the skull and vertebra, while right femur bone was found fractured. Moreover, we have seen signs of a fight between tigers including pugmarks of an adult male tiger at the spot, which corroborates the findings of autopsy," said Rao.
He said that a tigress with two cubs and an adult male tiger are known to frequent this particular forest area. The tiger had made a cattle kill on Sunday evening in Sajhagad beat of the forest. The tigress with two cubs apparently reached there to grab a share, which sparked the fight between one of the cubs and the tiger. While the tigress and one cub were able to escape, the other cub was killed by the adult tiger, Rao speculated.
He said that after the incident the tiger went towards the village lake, where they found its pugmarks. Villagers too claimed to have heard growls during the night, added Rao. He informed that the dead body of the tiger cub was cremated before witnesses on the spot after necessary inquest and post mortem formalities.
Notably, it is the first case of tiger death during this year and third in the span of just 50 days in the district. On November 28, 2010, carcass of a full-grown tiger was found in FDCM Junona range. Later, on December 6, 2010, a tiger cub was found dead in Moharli (territorial) forest range at the outskirt of Tadoba Andhari tiger reserve. Interestingly, all three tigers were killed in fights with other tigers.
Read more: CCIS: 1801 Sub-adult tiger killed by another tiger near Chanda - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/CCIS-1801-Sub-adult-tiger-killed-by-another-tiger-near-Chanda/articleshow/7308129.cms#ixzz1BMH8q900
Man attacked by tiger, escapes
CHAMARAJNAGAR: Even as locals and tribals are demanding that Biligiri Ranganathswamy Hills be declared a tiger reserve, one person sustained injuries in an attack by the big cat.
G Vasantharaju, a resident of a tribal hamlet, was travelling downhill on his two-wheeler, when the tiger attacked him. But he escaped with minor injuries and is admitted to hospital at Yelandur. This is first time that a human has come under attack by the big cat at the forested area, once dominated by slain brigand Veerappan. Some one year ago, a tiger had killed a person at Gopalswamy hills near Bandipur national park.
But wildlife activists said there is no need to worry about tiger attacks, terming Vasantharaju's incident an isolated case. There is no history of humans being attacked by tigers at B R Hills, said H P Ashwin, a wildlife activist working on a tiger project in the forest area. Tribals are in the forested area but there are no instances of any attack, he pointed out, adding that they do not face any threat.
They said tigers generally don't become man hunters unless they are too infirm and can't hunt.
Read more: Man attacked by tiger, escapes - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Man-attacked-by-tiger-escapes/articleshow/7306663.cms#ixzz1BMH1Hv4k
G Vasantharaju, a resident of a tribal hamlet, was travelling downhill on his two-wheeler, when the tiger attacked him. But he escaped with minor injuries and is admitted to hospital at Yelandur. This is first time that a human has come under attack by the big cat at the forested area, once dominated by slain brigand Veerappan. Some one year ago, a tiger had killed a person at Gopalswamy hills near Bandipur national park.
But wildlife activists said there is no need to worry about tiger attacks, terming Vasantharaju's incident an isolated case. There is no history of humans being attacked by tigers at B R Hills, said H P Ashwin, a wildlife activist working on a tiger project in the forest area. Tribals are in the forested area but there are no instances of any attack, he pointed out, adding that they do not face any threat.
They said tigers generally don't become man hunters unless they are too infirm and can't hunt.
Read more: Man attacked by tiger, escapes - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Man-attacked-by-tiger-escapes/articleshow/7306663.cms#ixzz1BMH1Hv4k
Monday, January 17, 2011
Two more tiger reserves likely in Maharashtra
PUNE: The state forest department has started the process to turn the Nagzira wildlife sanctuary in Bhandara district and the Navegaon national park in Gondia district into tiger reserves. A proposal for the Nagzira tiger reserve has already been sent to the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), Wildlife, for approval.
At present, Maharashtra has four tiger reserves - Melghat, Tadoba-Andhari, Pench and Sahyadri.
A K Saxena, chief conservator of forest, Nagpur (Wildlife), told TOI on Sunday that the forest department has prepared a proposal to make the Nagzira wildlife sanctuary a tiger reserve and sent it to the PCCF for approval. "The proposal for the Navegaon tiger reserve is being prepared," he said.
The move came after the state forest department was asked by the Union ministry of environment and forests to send proposals to declare the two sanctuaries as tiger reserves. The idea was to ensure gene flow of tigers and strengthen tiger conservation, said Saxena.
He said that both Nagzira and Navegoan are protected areas. The sanctuaries are potential areas for tiger habitat and prey species. "Once declared as tiger reserves, we can get more funds, help from experts, and plan better strategies for overall conservation," he explained.
"To declare them as tiger reserves, more areas have to be merged into the existing protected areas. In case of the Nagzira wildlife sanctuary, the area of the sanctuary will be expanded from the current 152.58 square km to approximately 350 square km," Saxena said.
He pointed out that a notification of buffer zones for these two protected areas will follow the proposals. A buffer zone is a protective area around the reserve and is necessary for tiger habitats in the country. A 2006 amendment to the Wildlife Conservation Act mandated creation of buffer zones for conservation. No mining or industrial projects are permitted in these buffer zones.
Underlining the importance of these locations, experts point out that the two reserves are near to each other and contain source population of tiger. They are also linked with the Pench-Tadoba corridor.
In another boost to tiger conservation efforts in the state, the Union ministry of environment and forest recently approved the creation of four posts of the rank of inspector general of forests for the three regional offices and the headquarters of the National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA) that are going to be set up in Nagpur, Guwahati and Bangalore.
Saxena said that the Nagpur office will not only cater to the needs of Maharashtra but cover all the 39 tiger reserves falling in the 17 tiger states. "It aims at decentralisation of the process of monitoring the conservation of tigers. At present, for all needs and issues pertaining to the tiger reserves, one has to go to NTCA's office in Delhi. With an office in Nagpur, it will be easier and speedier to start process,'' he said.
At present, Maharashtra has four tiger reserves - Melghat, Tadoba-Andhari, Pench and Sahyadri.
A K Saxena, chief conservator of forest, Nagpur (Wildlife), told TOI on Sunday that the forest department has prepared a proposal to make the Nagzira wildlife sanctuary a tiger reserve and sent it to the PCCF for approval. "The proposal for the Navegaon tiger reserve is being prepared," he said.
The move came after the state forest department was asked by the Union ministry of environment and forests to send proposals to declare the two sanctuaries as tiger reserves. The idea was to ensure gene flow of tigers and strengthen tiger conservation, said Saxena.
He said that both Nagzira and Navegoan are protected areas. The sanctuaries are potential areas for tiger habitat and prey species. "Once declared as tiger reserves, we can get more funds, help from experts, and plan better strategies for overall conservation," he explained.
"To declare them as tiger reserves, more areas have to be merged into the existing protected areas. In case of the Nagzira wildlife sanctuary, the area of the sanctuary will be expanded from the current 152.58 square km to approximately 350 square km," Saxena said.
He pointed out that a notification of buffer zones for these two protected areas will follow the proposals. A buffer zone is a protective area around the reserve and is necessary for tiger habitats in the country. A 2006 amendment to the Wildlife Conservation Act mandated creation of buffer zones for conservation. No mining or industrial projects are permitted in these buffer zones.
Underlining the importance of these locations, experts point out that the two reserves are near to each other and contain source population of tiger. They are also linked with the Pench-Tadoba corridor.
In another boost to tiger conservation efforts in the state, the Union ministry of environment and forest recently approved the creation of four posts of the rank of inspector general of forests for the three regional offices and the headquarters of the National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA) that are going to be set up in Nagpur, Guwahati and Bangalore.
Saxena said that the Nagpur office will not only cater to the needs of Maharashtra but cover all the 39 tiger reserves falling in the 17 tiger states. "It aims at decentralisation of the process of monitoring the conservation of tigers. At present, for all needs and issues pertaining to the tiger reserves, one has to go to NTCA's office in Delhi. With an office in Nagpur, it will be easier and speedier to start process,'' he said.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
'Man-mauling tigers still in area of attack'
LUCKNOW: The man-mauling tigers of Katarniaghat have been localised. The fresh pugmarks show that big cats are present in the same area, where they had made the killings. Three men have been killed in feline attacks in Katarniaghat between January 6 and 11. The men were killed at different spots and at different points of time.
"There have been no killings after that. We have got fresh pugmarks at the place and can say that tigers are still present in the same area," said a forest officer. The pugmark impression pads have been made in the area to track the movement of tigers. And on the basis of pugmarks obtained, officials said that tigers might have not moved to a new area.
The monitoring is on. The experts from WTI and tiger biologists are present at the spot. The first human killing was reported from Sadar beat of Katarniaghat range on January 6. The man was killed by a feline when he had gone to the sugarcane field in the morning. His body was recovered about 50 metres away from boundary of jungle. The body was intact and not eaten.
The second killing came a day after that and body was recovered from the dense part of forest in the same range. The left foot was missing. There was no way to prove if the body was eaten by the tiger or any other animal. The spot was 12 kms away from the place where the first killing took place. The last killing was made on January 11 in Nishangadha range.
The forest officers at the spot shared that in two cases it could be the tigress which killed the men. "If they are same or different is difficult to say but so far it appears that there are three different tigers," said an officer. Patrolling is on in the area. Elephants have been called for combing operations. Locals are being constantly told to be cautious.
Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary spread over some 400 sq km has a good tiger population. In the last census, 58 tigers were reported to be present here. The increasing biotic pressure has been a constant problem even in this part of the forest.
Meanwhile, officers denied that any of these man-mauling tigers could also be man-eaters. Though the tigers have not struck after January 11, officers have not even found any natural prey killed by tigers in the area where they have been localised.
"There have been no killings after that. We have got fresh pugmarks at the place and can say that tigers are still present in the same area," said a forest officer. The pugmark impression pads have been made in the area to track the movement of tigers. And on the basis of pugmarks obtained, officials said that tigers might have not moved to a new area.
The monitoring is on. The experts from WTI and tiger biologists are present at the spot. The first human killing was reported from Sadar beat of Katarniaghat range on January 6. The man was killed by a feline when he had gone to the sugarcane field in the morning. His body was recovered about 50 metres away from boundary of jungle. The body was intact and not eaten.
The second killing came a day after that and body was recovered from the dense part of forest in the same range. The left foot was missing. There was no way to prove if the body was eaten by the tiger or any other animal. The spot was 12 kms away from the place where the first killing took place. The last killing was made on January 11 in Nishangadha range.
The forest officers at the spot shared that in two cases it could be the tigress which killed the men. "If they are same or different is difficult to say but so far it appears that there are three different tigers," said an officer. Patrolling is on in the area. Elephants have been called for combing operations. Locals are being constantly told to be cautious.
Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary spread over some 400 sq km has a good tiger population. In the last census, 58 tigers were reported to be present here. The increasing biotic pressure has been a constant problem even in this part of the forest.
Meanwhile, officers denied that any of these man-mauling tigers could also be man-eaters. Though the tigers have not struck after January 11, officers have not even found any natural prey killed by tigers in the area where they have been localised.
Expert raises ecology doubt on tiger park
G.S. MUDUR
Habitat under doubt
New Delhi, Jan. 15: A government move to declare a wildlife sanctuary in southern Karnataka as a new tiger reserve is unscientific and reflects arbitrary decision-making on tiger reserves, a leading wildlife scientist has said.
The Union cabinet in principle approved on Friday the creation of five new tiger reserves — the Biligiri Ranganatha Temple (BRT) sanctuary in Karnataka, Ratapani in Madhya Pradesh, Sunpeda inOrissa, Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, and Mukundara hills in Rajasthan.
“The choice defies ecology-based science,” said Ulhas Karanth, director of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore, who has conducted research on the ecology of tigers and prey-predator population ecology in several parts of the country.
India’s tiger conservation programme launched in 1972-73 with nine reserves covering about 1,400sqkm has expanded over the years, and now has 39 reserves over an area of 46,390sqkm.
Project Tiger is believed to have helped increase the tiger population from less than 1,000 in the early-1970s to about 1,400 as estimated in 2008.
“This process of continuous expansion of tiger reserve areas appears to have become rather ad hoc,” Karanth said. “You can’t just go on adding areas. Some areas might also need to be deleted from the list of tiger reserves.”
Karanth said areas now devoid of tigers such as Panna in Madhya Pradesh or Sariska in Rajasthan or remote forests such as Indravati in Chhattisgarh, located in areas of civil unrest where wildlife staff do not venture, remain labelled as tiger reserves.
A tiger reserve gets significant extra funds through Project Tiger — and sections of wildlife researchers appear concerned that listing areas with unviable tiger populations or areas that cannot be adequately managed only allows scarce conservation resources to be spent on areas that are unlikely to actually benefit tigers.
Karanth said the move to declare the Biligiri Ranganatha Temple hills sanctuary as a new tiger reserve is an example of arbitrary decision-making that has ignored strong ecological arguments in favour of Kudremukh, also in Karnataka.
The proposed BRT hills reserve is adjacent to Bandipur and Nagarahole — two reserves with high density of tiger population. Kudremukh, on the other hand, is located at a distance in Karnataka’s central Western Ghat region. “Instead of having all tigers in a single corner of the state, it makes better sense to have them in different areas,” Karanth said.
The Biligiri Ranganatha Temple hill area is also ecologically similar to Bandipur-Nagarahole, which has deciduous forests, while Kudremukh has tropical evergreen forests that are also rich in other species. A tiger reserve in Kudremukh would also help conserve its biodiversity, he said.
But wildlife officials and other conservation scientists say demarcating new areas as tiger reserves only helps increase the level of protection to already existing tiger populations in those areas. “We have to take a long-term view,” said a conservation scientist.
“The Biligiri Ranganatha Temple hills sanctuary already has an estimated population of about 35 tigers and appears able to support double the number,” said Milind Pariwakam, a manager of tiger conservation initiatives with the Wildlife Trust of India, a non-government organisation.
Habitat under doubt
New Delhi, Jan. 15: A government move to declare a wildlife sanctuary in southern Karnataka as a new tiger reserve is unscientific and reflects arbitrary decision-making on tiger reserves, a leading wildlife scientist has said.
The Union cabinet in principle approved on Friday the creation of five new tiger reserves — the Biligiri Ranganatha Temple (BRT) sanctuary in Karnataka, Ratapani in Madhya Pradesh, Sunpeda inOrissa, Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, and Mukundara hills in Rajasthan.
“The choice defies ecology-based science,” said Ulhas Karanth, director of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore, who has conducted research on the ecology of tigers and prey-predator population ecology in several parts of the country.
India’s tiger conservation programme launched in 1972-73 with nine reserves covering about 1,400sqkm has expanded over the years, and now has 39 reserves over an area of 46,390sqkm.
Project Tiger is believed to have helped increase the tiger population from less than 1,000 in the early-1970s to about 1,400 as estimated in 2008.
“This process of continuous expansion of tiger reserve areas appears to have become rather ad hoc,” Karanth said. “You can’t just go on adding areas. Some areas might also need to be deleted from the list of tiger reserves.”
Karanth said areas now devoid of tigers such as Panna in Madhya Pradesh or Sariska in Rajasthan or remote forests such as Indravati in Chhattisgarh, located in areas of civil unrest where wildlife staff do not venture, remain labelled as tiger reserves.
A tiger reserve gets significant extra funds through Project Tiger — and sections of wildlife researchers appear concerned that listing areas with unviable tiger populations or areas that cannot be adequately managed only allows scarce conservation resources to be spent on areas that are unlikely to actually benefit tigers.
Karanth said the move to declare the Biligiri Ranganatha Temple hills sanctuary as a new tiger reserve is an example of arbitrary decision-making that has ignored strong ecological arguments in favour of Kudremukh, also in Karnataka.
The proposed BRT hills reserve is adjacent to Bandipur and Nagarahole — two reserves with high density of tiger population. Kudremukh, on the other hand, is located at a distance in Karnataka’s central Western Ghat region. “Instead of having all tigers in a single corner of the state, it makes better sense to have them in different areas,” Karanth said.
The Biligiri Ranganatha Temple hill area is also ecologically similar to Bandipur-Nagarahole, which has deciduous forests, while Kudremukh has tropical evergreen forests that are also rich in other species. A tiger reserve in Kudremukh would also help conserve its biodiversity, he said.
But wildlife officials and other conservation scientists say demarcating new areas as tiger reserves only helps increase the level of protection to already existing tiger populations in those areas. “We have to take a long-term view,” said a conservation scientist.
“The Biligiri Ranganatha Temple hills sanctuary already has an estimated population of about 35 tigers and appears able to support double the number,” said Milind Pariwakam, a manager of tiger conservation initiatives with the Wildlife Trust of India, a non-government organisation.
Tiger strays into human habitation, alert sounded in lakhimpur
An alert was sounded today in Mailani range of South Kheri division after a tiger strayed into human habitations.
"The alert has been sounded due to the presence of a tiger in human habitat", A K Singh, Ranger, Mailani, said.
The tiger, while chasing a deer, strayed into the human habitation where some labourers were engaged in constructing a check dam.
"The residents of four villages living in the vicinity of the area have been cautioned about the movement of the tiger", Singh said.
He ruled out any imminent man-animal conflict, describing the incident of the tiger's killing the deer as a natural phenomenon.
"The alert has been sounded due to the presence of a tiger in human habitat", A K Singh, Ranger, Mailani, said.
The tiger, while chasing a deer, strayed into the human habitation where some labourers were engaged in constructing a check dam.
"The residents of four villages living in the vicinity of the area have been cautioned about the movement of the tiger", Singh said.
He ruled out any imminent man-animal conflict, describing the incident of the tiger's killing the deer as a natural phenomenon.
Bombay HC comes to aid of Koyna wildlife reserve
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court has now come to the rescue of Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, which forms part of the only tiger reserve in western Maharashtra.
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) about illegal felling of trees and setting up of unauthorized windmills and resorts in the sanctuary, the court earlier this month issued notice to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) after allowing it to be added as a party. The court also extended its deadline for the state government to submit its report on the sanctuary by February 22, 2011.
The high court, in October 2010, had directed the state not to allow new windmills or new structures, including resorts in the sanctuary. The authorities were also asked to consider issuing eviction notices to persons who have constructed unauthorized structures inside the sanctuary.
Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and its neighbouring Chandoli National Park together form the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, the first tiger reserve western Maharashtra created in January 2010. The reserve, spread over 741 sq km, is home to nine tigers and 66 leopards, besides other birds and wild animals and even a unique species of toad-Bufo koyanansis.
The other three tiger reserves in the state are all in Vidarbha-Melghat, Tadoba and Pench (see box).
The PIL was filed by Satara resident Nana Khamkar, who alleged that state was illegally permitting windmills to be set up and trees to be felled inside the sanctuary. Khamkar relied on information provided under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by the range forest officer (wildlife), Koyna, who stated that around 550 trees were felled in a three-hectare area in the sanctuary.
Further, around 215 windmills and 10 resorts have come up in the sanctuary without any permission from Indian Wildlife Board.
The RTI reply also mentioned that offences were registered against 159 windmills way back in 2001-02 and inquiry was still on.
Khamkar pointed out that the authorities were also trying to have Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary declared as a Unesco Heritage site and the presence of windmills, resorts and encroachments would affect its bid.
The high court in October had asked the chief secretary to hear the petitioners and other parties in the case and submit a report to the court.
The judges had directed the state to ensure that necessary police protection was given to the range forest officer to carry out the high court's orders.
The high court has scheduled further hearing of the case on February 24, 2011.
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) about illegal felling of trees and setting up of unauthorized windmills and resorts in the sanctuary, the court earlier this month issued notice to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) after allowing it to be added as a party. The court also extended its deadline for the state government to submit its report on the sanctuary by February 22, 2011.
The high court, in October 2010, had directed the state not to allow new windmills or new structures, including resorts in the sanctuary. The authorities were also asked to consider issuing eviction notices to persons who have constructed unauthorized structures inside the sanctuary.
Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and its neighbouring Chandoli National Park together form the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, the first tiger reserve western Maharashtra created in January 2010. The reserve, spread over 741 sq km, is home to nine tigers and 66 leopards, besides other birds and wild animals and even a unique species of toad-Bufo koyanansis.
The other three tiger reserves in the state are all in Vidarbha-Melghat, Tadoba and Pench (see box).
The PIL was filed by Satara resident Nana Khamkar, who alleged that state was illegally permitting windmills to be set up and trees to be felled inside the sanctuary. Khamkar relied on information provided under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by the range forest officer (wildlife), Koyna, who stated that around 550 trees were felled in a three-hectare area in the sanctuary.
Further, around 215 windmills and 10 resorts have come up in the sanctuary without any permission from Indian Wildlife Board.
The RTI reply also mentioned that offences were registered against 159 windmills way back in 2001-02 and inquiry was still on.
Khamkar pointed out that the authorities were also trying to have Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary declared as a Unesco Heritage site and the presence of windmills, resorts and encroachments would affect its bid.
The high court in October had asked the chief secretary to hear the petitioners and other parties in the case and submit a report to the court.
The judges had directed the state to ensure that necessary police protection was given to the range forest officer to carry out the high court's orders.
The high court has scheduled further hearing of the case on February 24, 2011.
Tiger was poached in Andhra Pradesh
CHANDRAPUR: The mystery of the poached tiger whose skin was seized during raids by the local crime branch recently at Gadchandur, has been finally resolved. Investigations have revealed that the tiger was poached on the outskirts of Vempalli village in Kagaznagar range of Andhra Pradesh. Forest officials of Kagaznagar range have arrested the accused Anandrao Madavi who poached the tiger and had recovered the carcass buried in the nullah close to Vempali village.
Acting on a tip-off given by Wildlife Protection Society of India ( WPSI), a joint team of LCB and Gadchandur cops seized a tiger skin from the possession of six couriers on January 6.
The accused revealed that one of their relatives had poached the tiger on the outskirts of Vempalli village in Adilabad district of AP and brought the skin here to seek customers. Following the seizure of the tiger skin, officials of Central Chanda forest division took up the matter and informed their counterparts in Andhra Pradesh. Accordingly, a team of forest officials from Kagaznagar range reached Gadchandur and took details of the case from the police.
Following the information, forest officials of Kagaznagar carried out raids in Vempalli village and arrested the main accused, Anandrao Madavi (32).
"Madavi had put electrified wire to prevent intrusion of wild animals into his farm in the jungle. However, a fully grown tiger got electrocuted by the wire and died on the spot. Madavi then skinned the animal and buried the carcass in the nullah passing through the outskirts of his farm," said ACF, Rajura, KD Kove.
Taking cognizance of the incident, assistant director of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, a central government agency, Shaik Karimulla visited Vempalli with Kove and inspected the spot where the poaching took place. Kove explained that Madavi might have put the wire to prevent intrusion of herbivores and got enticed by the skin of the tiger died of electrocution.
Madavi allegedly traveled over 40 km on bicycle and brought the skin to his brother-in-law Bhimrao Sidam at Ambezari village in Jiwti tehsil of Maharashtra to seek a customer.
Kove praised the efforts of Kazaznagar forest officials to arrest the accused from the highly Naxal-infested area in AP.
"The poaching was carried out around three weeks prior to the arrest of six couriers. The remains of the tiger unearthed from the ground were fresh, but stinking. Accused Madavi had chopped the skinned carcass into pieces before burying it in the nullah," said Kove. He said that accused Madavi has been sent into magisterial custody remand after Kagaznagar forest officials produced him before the local court.
Police officials from Gadchandur are trying to seek his custody and are likely to approach the authorities in Andhra Pradesh next Monday to fetch him. Meanwhile, the six accused arrested with the tiger skin were sent to magisterial custody remand by Rajura court after their three-day long police custody remand ended on Saturday.
Acting on a tip-off given by Wildlife Protection Society of India ( WPSI), a joint team of LCB and Gadchandur cops seized a tiger skin from the possession of six couriers on January 6.
The accused revealed that one of their relatives had poached the tiger on the outskirts of Vempalli village in Adilabad district of AP and brought the skin here to seek customers. Following the seizure of the tiger skin, officials of Central Chanda forest division took up the matter and informed their counterparts in Andhra Pradesh. Accordingly, a team of forest officials from Kagaznagar range reached Gadchandur and took details of the case from the police.
Following the information, forest officials of Kagaznagar carried out raids in Vempalli village and arrested the main accused, Anandrao Madavi (32).
"Madavi had put electrified wire to prevent intrusion of wild animals into his farm in the jungle. However, a fully grown tiger got electrocuted by the wire and died on the spot. Madavi then skinned the animal and buried the carcass in the nullah passing through the outskirts of his farm," said ACF, Rajura, KD Kove.
Taking cognizance of the incident, assistant director of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, a central government agency, Shaik Karimulla visited Vempalli with Kove and inspected the spot where the poaching took place. Kove explained that Madavi might have put the wire to prevent intrusion of herbivores and got enticed by the skin of the tiger died of electrocution.
Madavi allegedly traveled over 40 km on bicycle and brought the skin to his brother-in-law Bhimrao Sidam at Ambezari village in Jiwti tehsil of Maharashtra to seek a customer.
Kove praised the efforts of Kazaznagar forest officials to arrest the accused from the highly Naxal-infested area in AP.
"The poaching was carried out around three weeks prior to the arrest of six couriers. The remains of the tiger unearthed from the ground were fresh, but stinking. Accused Madavi had chopped the skinned carcass into pieces before burying it in the nullah," said Kove. He said that accused Madavi has been sent into magisterial custody remand after Kagaznagar forest officials produced him before the local court.
Police officials from Gadchandur are trying to seek his custody and are likely to approach the authorities in Andhra Pradesh next Monday to fetch him. Meanwhile, the six accused arrested with the tiger skin were sent to magisterial custody remand by Rajura court after their three-day long police custody remand ended on Saturday.
To save the tiger, save jungle
Without a holistic approach nothing can protect India's wildlife from human greed and bestiality. If we don’t act now, the tiger, leopard, elephant, deer and even marine and avian species will face extinction
Last Tuesday it was Gurgaon. On Wednesday, it happened on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. On Thursday, it was near Guwahati. By the time January is out, the toll can only be anticipated to multiply. On an average three to four leopards are mercilessly beaten to death every week by bloodthirsty villagers. Some die in accidents such as the cub that got run over by a train in Assam. But mostly the big cats are mauled to death by gruesome methods. Having encircled and trapped the terrified creature that may have strayed into human habitation in search of food, villagers pelt them with stones; beat them with iron rods and in a few instances are known to have even gouged their eyes out in an orgy of bestiality.
Eyewitnesses say that a carnival atmosphere prevails while the hapless cat cries out in pain. People congregate with drums as if to celebrate victory in battle. Cunningly, the carcass is dragged outside village precincts, sprayed with kerosene and set alight to remove traces of the crime. By the time forest officials or the police arrive, if at all they do, the deed is done. If confronted, belligerent villagers dare the officers to act. Outnumbered, enforcers of the law beat a hasty retreat and file a report blaming unknown persons for the murder. Few are prosecuted; leave alone punished.
In recent years the supposed man-animal conflict has become a one-sided affair with a variety of wild creatures being regularly bludgeoned to death. A recent report said that enraged by the alleged depredations of a herd of elephants, villagers managed to catch hold of a two-year-old calf that got left behind and beat it to death the same way as they often do with leopards. Fearful of the tiger, people don’t venture to kill them in frontal combat, but have increasingly started to use poison with which they lace a bait and wait for the unwary beast to consume it to die a slow, painful death. This has been reported particularly from Rajasthan and eastern Uttar Pradesh where incidents of tigers straying from sanctuaries have risen markedly.
There are two worrisome facets to these developments. First, the Government’s much-hyped conservation efforts are being defeated at the grassroots by villagers unconvinced of the need to preserve the country’s dwindling wildlife. Second, steady encroachment of animal habitats is resulting in migration out of sanctuaries, enhancing the chances of more frequent confrontations between villagers and animals in desperate search of food. Even more than encroachment, the disappearance of animal corridors in Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, the construction or expansion of highways running through Reserved Forests and the grant of mining leases in protected forest areas has led to the sharpening of the problem.
The tiger is to India’s conservation efforts what cricket is to sport. While Government and private efforts at tiger conservation have heightened consciousness about the majestic creature, the bulk of attention and finances are routed to projects related to it. No doubt, the effort is most laudable and let us hope that the next tiger census (currently underway), conducted by the more scientific camera trap method, will show a rise in numbers beyond the paltry 1,141 that the last headcount revealed. Organisations like NDTV, sponsors like Aircel and others must be complimented for the recent daylong Telethon in which I was honoured to be a participant. So, it is certainly not my case that the tiger is receiving undue attention or funds.
However, I believe that the tiger cannot be protected without a holistic policy towards environment and wildlife. For example, if streams in the jungle dry up because of rampant extraction of groundwater and bottling plants being set up at source, the tigers’ prey too cannot survive. If deer are forced to migrate out of forests or die of thirst, tigers and other predators like leopards would be compelled to move towards human habitations in search of food and water. If forest cover declines or degenerates, wildlife would find less and less greens to forage and over time their reproductive capacity too would be adversely affected. An ecological balance involving forest cover, water sources, prey base for big cats is essential for wildlife to prosper. It is not possible to ensure a significant rise in tiger numbers merely by pumping in funds or relocating some to reserves from which they were eliminated through poaching or inhospitable environs.
Leopards and elephants are at a huge risk in India because of human incursions close to their traditional habitats. The leopard, being a smaller cat compared to the tiger is endangered by the steady decline in its prey base in the jungles. Besides, by nature they live on the outskirts of forests rather than the deep interiors. On the periphery of Mumbai, for instance, leopard sightings were fairly common till recently, just as the Aravali highlands close to Delhi-Gurgaon was the leopards’ terrain not before long. As townships and industrial complexes are built in these areas with mounting speed, the leopard is seriously threatened and compelled to abandon protective jungle cover to hunt for food. The accident last year in which two young leopards were run over by a speeding vehicle on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway (NH 8) is a telling example of the leopards’ predicament.
Unfortunately, there is no quick-fix solution to this, except a long-term policy regarding the peripheries of reserved forests or shrub lands in the Aravalis that are the leopards’ natural habitat. How much encroachment can be allowed to builders of housing colonies, shopping malls and entertainment parks in the neighbourhood of our burgeoning metros? As far as I know, the frenetic expansion of human settlement around Gurgaon, which began in the 1990s, never had any form of environmental clearance whatsoever. Instead of maximising habitation within existing colonies, builders are in the business of promoting golf courses, artificial lakes, sprawling villas and other attractive features to draw high-end buyers to housing and farmhouse complexes being built on lands that were once traversed by a variety of wildlife.
The abuse of areas peripheral to National Parks is so rampant that it hardly bears recalling. With over 700 resorts in operation just outside the perimeter of Corbett National Park, the discomfort caused to and consequent dislocation of wildlife has assumed serious dimensions. While I feel Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh’s heart is in the right place, he has failed miserably to curb human intrusion into tiger reserves. Has anybody thought of the disturbance caused to wildlife by the relentless foray of tourists on jeep safaris in Ranthambhore? As it is, the park is overcrowded, but unchecked movement of people inside the sanctuary must be among the reasons that forced tigress T 13 with her two hungry eight-month-old cubs to venture out of the park, risking death by poisoning or starvation.
Arguably, decades of neglect and unconcern cannot be reversed overnight. But in the absence of holistic thinking the tiger, leopard, elephant, deer and even marine and avian species will become critically endangered in the next few years. So, the cheetah can wait while something concrete is done on a war footing to save our existing, diverse wildlife
Last Tuesday it was Gurgaon. On Wednesday, it happened on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. On Thursday, it was near Guwahati. By the time January is out, the toll can only be anticipated to multiply. On an average three to four leopards are mercilessly beaten to death every week by bloodthirsty villagers. Some die in accidents such as the cub that got run over by a train in Assam. But mostly the big cats are mauled to death by gruesome methods. Having encircled and trapped the terrified creature that may have strayed into human habitation in search of food, villagers pelt them with stones; beat them with iron rods and in a few instances are known to have even gouged their eyes out in an orgy of bestiality.
Eyewitnesses say that a carnival atmosphere prevails while the hapless cat cries out in pain. People congregate with drums as if to celebrate victory in battle. Cunningly, the carcass is dragged outside village precincts, sprayed with kerosene and set alight to remove traces of the crime. By the time forest officials or the police arrive, if at all they do, the deed is done. If confronted, belligerent villagers dare the officers to act. Outnumbered, enforcers of the law beat a hasty retreat and file a report blaming unknown persons for the murder. Few are prosecuted; leave alone punished.
In recent years the supposed man-animal conflict has become a one-sided affair with a variety of wild creatures being regularly bludgeoned to death. A recent report said that enraged by the alleged depredations of a herd of elephants, villagers managed to catch hold of a two-year-old calf that got left behind and beat it to death the same way as they often do with leopards. Fearful of the tiger, people don’t venture to kill them in frontal combat, but have increasingly started to use poison with which they lace a bait and wait for the unwary beast to consume it to die a slow, painful death. This has been reported particularly from Rajasthan and eastern Uttar Pradesh where incidents of tigers straying from sanctuaries have risen markedly.
There are two worrisome facets to these developments. First, the Government’s much-hyped conservation efforts are being defeated at the grassroots by villagers unconvinced of the need to preserve the country’s dwindling wildlife. Second, steady encroachment of animal habitats is resulting in migration out of sanctuaries, enhancing the chances of more frequent confrontations between villagers and animals in desperate search of food. Even more than encroachment, the disappearance of animal corridors in Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, the construction or expansion of highways running through Reserved Forests and the grant of mining leases in protected forest areas has led to the sharpening of the problem.
The tiger is to India’s conservation efforts what cricket is to sport. While Government and private efforts at tiger conservation have heightened consciousness about the majestic creature, the bulk of attention and finances are routed to projects related to it. No doubt, the effort is most laudable and let us hope that the next tiger census (currently underway), conducted by the more scientific camera trap method, will show a rise in numbers beyond the paltry 1,141 that the last headcount revealed. Organisations like NDTV, sponsors like Aircel and others must be complimented for the recent daylong Telethon in which I was honoured to be a participant. So, it is certainly not my case that the tiger is receiving undue attention or funds.
However, I believe that the tiger cannot be protected without a holistic policy towards environment and wildlife. For example, if streams in the jungle dry up because of rampant extraction of groundwater and bottling plants being set up at source, the tigers’ prey too cannot survive. If deer are forced to migrate out of forests or die of thirst, tigers and other predators like leopards would be compelled to move towards human habitations in search of food and water. If forest cover declines or degenerates, wildlife would find less and less greens to forage and over time their reproductive capacity too would be adversely affected. An ecological balance involving forest cover, water sources, prey base for big cats is essential for wildlife to prosper. It is not possible to ensure a significant rise in tiger numbers merely by pumping in funds or relocating some to reserves from which they were eliminated through poaching or inhospitable environs.
Leopards and elephants are at a huge risk in India because of human incursions close to their traditional habitats. The leopard, being a smaller cat compared to the tiger is endangered by the steady decline in its prey base in the jungles. Besides, by nature they live on the outskirts of forests rather than the deep interiors. On the periphery of Mumbai, for instance, leopard sightings were fairly common till recently, just as the Aravali highlands close to Delhi-Gurgaon was the leopards’ terrain not before long. As townships and industrial complexes are built in these areas with mounting speed, the leopard is seriously threatened and compelled to abandon protective jungle cover to hunt for food. The accident last year in which two young leopards were run over by a speeding vehicle on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway (NH 8) is a telling example of the leopards’ predicament.
Unfortunately, there is no quick-fix solution to this, except a long-term policy regarding the peripheries of reserved forests or shrub lands in the Aravalis that are the leopards’ natural habitat. How much encroachment can be allowed to builders of housing colonies, shopping malls and entertainment parks in the neighbourhood of our burgeoning metros? As far as I know, the frenetic expansion of human settlement around Gurgaon, which began in the 1990s, never had any form of environmental clearance whatsoever. Instead of maximising habitation within existing colonies, builders are in the business of promoting golf courses, artificial lakes, sprawling villas and other attractive features to draw high-end buyers to housing and farmhouse complexes being built on lands that were once traversed by a variety of wildlife.
The abuse of areas peripheral to National Parks is so rampant that it hardly bears recalling. With over 700 resorts in operation just outside the perimeter of Corbett National Park, the discomfort caused to and consequent dislocation of wildlife has assumed serious dimensions. While I feel Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh’s heart is in the right place, he has failed miserably to curb human intrusion into tiger reserves. Has anybody thought of the disturbance caused to wildlife by the relentless foray of tourists on jeep safaris in Ranthambhore? As it is, the park is overcrowded, but unchecked movement of people inside the sanctuary must be among the reasons that forced tigress T 13 with her two hungry eight-month-old cubs to venture out of the park, risking death by poisoning or starvation.
Arguably, decades of neglect and unconcern cannot be reversed overnight. But in the absence of holistic thinking the tiger, leopard, elephant, deer and even marine and avian species will become critically endangered in the next few years. So, the cheetah can wait while something concrete is done on a war footing to save our existing, diverse wildlife
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Tiger poisoned to death in Kaziranga
GUWAHATI: Barely a fortnight after a tiger was poisoned to death in Assam's Orang National Park, a full-grown tigress was killed allegedly in a similar fashion at Kaziranga National Park on Thursday. Forest guards found the carcass of the adult tigress floating on the Brahmaputra near Hoflot forest camp of the park.
"We got information about the tigress floating on the river. It was a tigress, aged about seven," Kaziranga National Park director Surajit Dutta said. Park authorities have conducted a postmortem of the tigress and sent some samples to the state forensic laboratory and wildlife institute to discern the actual cause of its death.
"Our doctors have done the postmortem of the tigress and sent samples for confirmation of the actual cause of death," said Dutta. The director said the big cat might have been killed by some locals of the Char area, who were troubled by the animal for some time. "Four veterinarians conducted the autopsy of the tigress in the presence of officials from National Tiger Conservation Authority, Kaziranga director and other top forest officials at the park. The samples have been sent for forensic tests," said divisional forest officer (Kaziranga) Dibyadhar Gogoi.
He added, "We have found the carcass of an adult female Royal Bengal Tiger near Hoflot forest camp under the northern range (Biswanath ghat) of the park. The area in which the carcass was found was under the newly-proposed sixth addition of the park."
He said, "Although the cause of the animal's death is yet to be determined, from the preliminary investigation by veterinarians and Kaziranga forest officials, it is suspected the tigress died due to consumption of some toxic substance. However, the actual cause would be ascertained after the forensic laboratory test."
The divisional forest officer said, "We have conducted an intensive investigation among all concerned forest range officers and other staff in the sixth addition area of the park to find out if any miscreants were involved in the killing. As there are more than 70 cattle farms in the area, we suspect the tigress might have been killed in retaliation by some cattle farmers whose livestock were killed by the animal."
Gogoi, however, ruled out the possibility of poaching in case of the tiger death and said, "From the circumstantial evidence, we can say it was not an incident relating to poaching." Kaziranga witnessed five tiger deaths last year. Of five tiger deaths in 2010, one was killed in an attack by wild buffalos, while three died in territorial fights. One died due to old age ailments.
On December 27, a five-year-old tigress was poisoned to death at the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park by villagers from the Panchnoi area of the forest.
"We got information about the tigress floating on the river. It was a tigress, aged about seven," Kaziranga National Park director Surajit Dutta said. Park authorities have conducted a postmortem of the tigress and sent some samples to the state forensic laboratory and wildlife institute to discern the actual cause of its death.
"Our doctors have done the postmortem of the tigress and sent samples for confirmation of the actual cause of death," said Dutta. The director said the big cat might have been killed by some locals of the Char area, who were troubled by the animal for some time. "Four veterinarians conducted the autopsy of the tigress in the presence of officials from National Tiger Conservation Authority, Kaziranga director and other top forest officials at the park. The samples have been sent for forensic tests," said divisional forest officer (Kaziranga) Dibyadhar Gogoi.
He added, "We have found the carcass of an adult female Royal Bengal Tiger near Hoflot forest camp under the northern range (Biswanath ghat) of the park. The area in which the carcass was found was under the newly-proposed sixth addition of the park."
He said, "Although the cause of the animal's death is yet to be determined, from the preliminary investigation by veterinarians and Kaziranga forest officials, it is suspected the tigress died due to consumption of some toxic substance. However, the actual cause would be ascertained after the forensic laboratory test."
The divisional forest officer said, "We have conducted an intensive investigation among all concerned forest range officers and other staff in the sixth addition area of the park to find out if any miscreants were involved in the killing. As there are more than 70 cattle farms in the area, we suspect the tigress might have been killed in retaliation by some cattle farmers whose livestock were killed by the animal."
Gogoi, however, ruled out the possibility of poaching in case of the tiger death and said, "From the circumstantial evidence, we can say it was not an incident relating to poaching." Kaziranga witnessed five tiger deaths last year. Of five tiger deaths in 2010, one was killed in an attack by wild buffalos, while three died in territorial fights. One died due to old age ailments.
On December 27, a five-year-old tigress was poisoned to death at the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park by villagers from the Panchnoi area of the forest.
Hunt on for Corbett's wounded tigress
Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve: At the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, a hunt is on for a wounded tigress that has killed four women since November. What's worse, the maneater was shot on Tuesday but couldn't be tracked down since then.
''A search is on for the man-eating tigress... we have built special machans and cages to trap it... we are trying to get the situation under control,'' said Rajesh Gopal, member, National Tiger Conservation Authority who is at the site to take stock of the situation.
The inability of the Forest Department to nab the tigress has incensed the villagers making the wildlife in this area vulnerable to man-animal conflict.
The adult tigress in question had proved to be a menace for all villagers from Dhikuli area adjoining the park. The four women who died were also from the same village and had entered the forest to
Even though it can, over a period of time, recover from a single-bullet injury on its own, the fact that it remains untraceable is worrisome for not just the villagers but also the authorities. And now, that the tigress is injured and in pain, it can only prove more dangerous.
''We need some time to identify the tigress... we don't want to make any mistakes,'' said Shrikant Chandola, the Chief Wildlife Warden of Uttarakhand.
Despite mobilising dog squads, searches on elephants and placing various kinds of baits, the tigress has not been spotted. Yet, wildlife authorities do not want to push harder because camera traps show presence of four tigers in the area and they don't want to hurt the wrong one.
''A search is on for the man-eating tigress... we have built special machans and cages to trap it... we are trying to get the situation under control,'' said Rajesh Gopal, member, National Tiger Conservation Authority who is at the site to take stock of the situation.
The inability of the Forest Department to nab the tigress has incensed the villagers making the wildlife in this area vulnerable to man-animal conflict.
The adult tigress in question had proved to be a menace for all villagers from Dhikuli area adjoining the park. The four women who died were also from the same village and had entered the forest to
Even though it can, over a period of time, recover from a single-bullet injury on its own, the fact that it remains untraceable is worrisome for not just the villagers but also the authorities. And now, that the tigress is injured and in pain, it can only prove more dangerous.
''We need some time to identify the tigress... we don't want to make any mistakes,'' said Shrikant Chandola, the Chief Wildlife Warden of Uttarakhand.
Despite mobilising dog squads, searches on elephants and placing various kinds of baits, the tigress has not been spotted. Yet, wildlife authorities do not want to push harder because camera traps show presence of four tigers in the area and they don't want to hurt the wrong one.
Tiger pelts put cops in a quandary
MYSORE: Police arrested a youth in possession of tiger pelts and a tusk in the city on Friday. But they have a real task on hand: to confirm if pelts and tusk are genuine.
While Aadil Pasha, 20, of Kalyanagirinagara is booked under the Wildlife Protection Act, police are awaiting confirmation from experts on the recovered products. He is remanded to judicial custody. Pasha was caught when he was trying to dispose of four tiger pelts and a tusk at Sunni Chowk.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that Pasha, a security agency employee, procured it from a person in Shimoga for Rs 15,000 two weeks ago. But he didn't reveal the identity of that person.
DCP (L&O) Basavaraj Malagatti told reporters that he suspects if it is the real tiger skin. "Miscreants could have painted tiger stripes on cattle skin and sold it to Pasha who wanted to make quick bucks," he said.
While Aadil Pasha, 20, of Kalyanagirinagara is booked under the Wildlife Protection Act, police are awaiting confirmation from experts on the recovered products. He is remanded to judicial custody. Pasha was caught when he was trying to dispose of four tiger pelts and a tusk at Sunni Chowk.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that Pasha, a security agency employee, procured it from a person in Shimoga for Rs 15,000 two weeks ago. But he didn't reveal the identity of that person.
DCP (L&O) Basavaraj Malagatti told reporters that he suspects if it is the real tiger skin. "Miscreants could have painted tiger stripes on cattle skin and sold it to Pasha who wanted to make quick bucks," he said.
Big cat collar beeps at Manas
The tiger with radio collar at Manas National Park. Picture by Jimmy Bora
Jorhat, Jan. 14: Forest officials heaved sigh of relief when a Royal Bengal tiger, captured in Sivasagar district after being embroiled in man-animal conflict and released at Manas National Park after being fitted with a radio collar about eight months ago, was located a couple of days back.
This was the first tiger in the state to have been fitted with a radio collar.
The radio collar was fitted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare-Wildlife Trust of India (IFAW-WTI).
“We have been trying to track the tiger for several months now but in vain. However, the tiger was caught on camera a few days back. It’s safe and looks healthy,” the forest official told The Telegraph.
The adult male tiger was tranquillised and captured from a human settlement by the forest department with assistance from the IFAW-WTI in March last year. It had killed two persons in Sivasagar district.
After short-listing three potential areas, Manas National Park was decided on as the most suitable place for the tiger. Accordingly, it was radio-collared for post-release monitoring and released at Manas.
Although the post-release monitoring continued, no signals were received from the tiger’s collar after a month from its release.
“We began receiving the signal again since mid-November, after a long gap. It was photo-captured on camera traps placed by Aaranyak, ATREE and WWF-India at Manas only a few days back. We are continuing to track it, though the signals received are inconsistent as the battery on the radio collar is dying. The radio collar is expected to drop off any time now,” Bhaskar Choudhury, an official of the WTI, said.
He said the best part, however, was the fact that there has no reports of direct conflict between the tiger and people residing near Manas. “There are no reports of the tiger killing any cattle in the last few months,” Choudhury said.
With no reports of attacks on humans reported since the tiger was released at Manas, translocation of a conflict tiger at a different location promises to strengthen the case for rehabilitation of tigers that accidentally come into contact with people.
“The photographs acquired through camera-traps indicate its survival in the wild. And there has been no report of attacks on people by this tiger since its release, presenting hope that rehabilitation can be a viable option for tigers involved in conflicts,” another official of the WTI said.
He said generally tigers involved in killing of humans are sent to zoos after being captured and in most cases these animals are killed.
“When tigers involved in conflict are captured, a nagging fear of further conflict sways the decision against these animals; they are put away ‘safely’ in zoos. Additionally, adult males have a ‘homing’ tendency, raising doubts on the success of such translocation. However, in this case, the authorities took a call in favour of giving the animal another chance and it has paid off,” the official said.
Jorhat, Jan. 14: Forest officials heaved sigh of relief when a Royal Bengal tiger, captured in Sivasagar district after being embroiled in man-animal conflict and released at Manas National Park after being fitted with a radio collar about eight months ago, was located a couple of days back.
This was the first tiger in the state to have been fitted with a radio collar.
The radio collar was fitted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare-Wildlife Trust of India (IFAW-WTI).
“We have been trying to track the tiger for several months now but in vain. However, the tiger was caught on camera a few days back. It’s safe and looks healthy,” the forest official told The Telegraph.
The adult male tiger was tranquillised and captured from a human settlement by the forest department with assistance from the IFAW-WTI in March last year. It had killed two persons in Sivasagar district.
After short-listing three potential areas, Manas National Park was decided on as the most suitable place for the tiger. Accordingly, it was radio-collared for post-release monitoring and released at Manas.
Although the post-release monitoring continued, no signals were received from the tiger’s collar after a month from its release.
“We began receiving the signal again since mid-November, after a long gap. It was photo-captured on camera traps placed by Aaranyak, ATREE and WWF-India at Manas only a few days back. We are continuing to track it, though the signals received are inconsistent as the battery on the radio collar is dying. The radio collar is expected to drop off any time now,” Bhaskar Choudhury, an official of the WTI, said.
He said the best part, however, was the fact that there has no reports of direct conflict between the tiger and people residing near Manas. “There are no reports of the tiger killing any cattle in the last few months,” Choudhury said.
With no reports of attacks on humans reported since the tiger was released at Manas, translocation of a conflict tiger at a different location promises to strengthen the case for rehabilitation of tigers that accidentally come into contact with people.
“The photographs acquired through camera-traps indicate its survival in the wild. And there has been no report of attacks on people by this tiger since its release, presenting hope that rehabilitation can be a viable option for tigers involved in conflicts,” another official of the WTI said.
He said generally tigers involved in killing of humans are sent to zoos after being captured and in most cases these animals are killed.
“When tigers involved in conflict are captured, a nagging fear of further conflict sways the decision against these animals; they are put away ‘safely’ in zoos. Additionally, adult males have a ‘homing’ tendency, raising doubts on the success of such translocation. However, in this case, the authorities took a call in favour of giving the animal another chance and it has paid off,” the official said.
Friday, January 14, 2011
16 killed by tigers in Uttar Pradesh in 10 months
The increasing human-animal conflict due to shrinking habitat for wildlife has led to killing of 16 people by tigers over the past 10 months in Uttar Pradesh, wildlife officials said on Thursday. Attributing the deaths to "unabated human infiltration in the core wildlife areas", chief wildlife
conservator B K Patnaik said: "Increase in the human population and their enhanced penetration into forests is largely responsible for the rise in this conflict that had also left 22 people wounded over the same period."
"The situation has become alarming in Katarniaghat wildlife park, where three killings had occurred over the past one week alone," he said.
With as many as 36 villages in and around Katarniaghat core forest area, human conflict had been on the rise there, Patnaik added. Katarniaghat is in Bahraich district, 130 km from Lucknow.
Ruling out the presence of any man-eater, Patnaik said: "What was worse that each of the three killings appeared to have been done by three different tigers, which speaks volumes about the rising menace."
However, other than setting up four special teams to monitor movement of the state's 110 tigers and 208 leopards in the state's three core tiger areas - Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat and Pilibhit Forest Reserve - there was precious little that the government was able to do so far.
"In addition to these four teams that were keeping a watch in each of the tiger areas, a special tranquilising team was also camping here to get into action wherever the need arises", Patnaik said.
"But let me tell you, this is much more than what we were able to do until three years back, when we were terribly short of resources as well as trained manpower," he added.
Patnaik was however of the view that much was still needed to counter the menace.
"Firstly there is need to expand the grasslands in the core forest areas so that we could enhance the availability of food for the herbivorous animals, which in turn form prey for the wild cats and secondly there is need to provide alternative sources of fuel as well as avenues of employment to tribals and other living in villages in and around the core wildlife areas," he stressed.
Claiming that measures taken by the wildlife department had brought down the incidence of poaching, Patnaik emphasised the need for better cooperation by other government departments, "who were totally indifferent to the cause of preservation of wildlife in the state".
He cited the case of the railways that had not paid any heed to repeated demand of the wildlife department for diverting some 70 km of railway track that was passing through core forest areas of the state.
"We have been writing to the rail authorities for the past 30 years but to no avail," the chief wildlife conservator lamented.
conservator B K Patnaik said: "Increase in the human population and their enhanced penetration into forests is largely responsible for the rise in this conflict that had also left 22 people wounded over the same period."
"The situation has become alarming in Katarniaghat wildlife park, where three killings had occurred over the past one week alone," he said.
With as many as 36 villages in and around Katarniaghat core forest area, human conflict had been on the rise there, Patnaik added. Katarniaghat is in Bahraich district, 130 km from Lucknow.
Ruling out the presence of any man-eater, Patnaik said: "What was worse that each of the three killings appeared to have been done by three different tigers, which speaks volumes about the rising menace."
However, other than setting up four special teams to monitor movement of the state's 110 tigers and 208 leopards in the state's three core tiger areas - Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat and Pilibhit Forest Reserve - there was precious little that the government was able to do so far.
"In addition to these four teams that were keeping a watch in each of the tiger areas, a special tranquilising team was also camping here to get into action wherever the need arises", Patnaik said.
"But let me tell you, this is much more than what we were able to do until three years back, when we were terribly short of resources as well as trained manpower," he added.
Patnaik was however of the view that much was still needed to counter the menace.
"Firstly there is need to expand the grasslands in the core forest areas so that we could enhance the availability of food for the herbivorous animals, which in turn form prey for the wild cats and secondly there is need to provide alternative sources of fuel as well as avenues of employment to tribals and other living in villages in and around the core wildlife areas," he stressed.
Claiming that measures taken by the wildlife department had brought down the incidence of poaching, Patnaik emphasised the need for better cooperation by other government departments, "who were totally indifferent to the cause of preservation of wildlife in the state".
He cited the case of the railways that had not paid any heed to repeated demand of the wildlife department for diverting some 70 km of railway track that was passing through core forest areas of the state.
"We have been writing to the rail authorities for the past 30 years but to no avail," the chief wildlife conservator lamented.
Govt approves IG posts for NTCA HQ, regional offices
NEW DELHI: Giving a boost to tiger conservation in the country, the government on Thursday approved the creation of four posts in the rank of Inspector General of Forests for the three regional offices and headquarters of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
This move, in conjunction with the recent decision to set up three regional offices of the NTCA in Nagpur, Guwahati and Bengaluru, is expected to give a major boost to India's tiger conservation efforts, ministry of environment and forests said in a statement here.
The decision approved by the Union Cabinet would benefit all 39 tiger reserves falling in 17 tiger range states. The decision is expected to lead to "close monitoring at the regional level resulting in strengthened tiger conservation."
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh welcomed the decision. "This is a great step forward. There was a crying need for decentralisation so that we can enhance the monitoring of our conservation efforts and improve the quality and timeliness of support we give the field directors of our 39 tiger reserves," the minister said.
"There is no doubt that today's decision will strengthen the capacity of NTCA to deliver on its mandate, and provide new teeth to our tiger conservation efforts," Ramesh added.
The government has revamped its tiger conservation efforts through setting up of NTCA by amending the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, in 2006, based on the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force constituted by the National Board for Wildlife under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
"The strengthening of the headquarter set-up and creation of three regional offices of the NTCA would facilitate guidance to states and monitoring in an ongoing manner at the regional level for addressing the ecological and administrative concerns relating to tiger conservation," said the release.
The implementation at the national level would be done by the NTCA headquarters, assisted by the three regional offices at Nagpur, Guwahati and Bengaluru, covering the 17 tiger states (39 tiger reserves), it said.
Project Tiger is an ongoing centrally-sponsored scheme of the ministry launched in 1973. Over the years, the project coverage has expanded from the initial nine reserves (1,400 sq km) to 39 reserves encompassing around 46,388.22 sq km.
This move, in conjunction with the recent decision to set up three regional offices of the NTCA in Nagpur, Guwahati and Bengaluru, is expected to give a major boost to India's tiger conservation efforts, ministry of environment and forests said in a statement here.
The decision approved by the Union Cabinet would benefit all 39 tiger reserves falling in 17 tiger range states. The decision is expected to lead to "close monitoring at the regional level resulting in strengthened tiger conservation."
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh welcomed the decision. "This is a great step forward. There was a crying need for decentralisation so that we can enhance the monitoring of our conservation efforts and improve the quality and timeliness of support we give the field directors of our 39 tiger reserves," the minister said.
"There is no doubt that today's decision will strengthen the capacity of NTCA to deliver on its mandate, and provide new teeth to our tiger conservation efforts," Ramesh added.
The government has revamped its tiger conservation efforts through setting up of NTCA by amending the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, in 2006, based on the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force constituted by the National Board for Wildlife under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
"The strengthening of the headquarter set-up and creation of three regional offices of the NTCA would facilitate guidance to states and monitoring in an ongoing manner at the regional level for addressing the ecological and administrative concerns relating to tiger conservation," said the release.
The implementation at the national level would be done by the NTCA headquarters, assisted by the three regional offices at Nagpur, Guwahati and Bengaluru, covering the 17 tiger states (39 tiger reserves), it said.
Project Tiger is an ongoing centrally-sponsored scheme of the ministry launched in 1973. Over the years, the project coverage has expanded from the initial nine reserves (1,400 sq km) to 39 reserves encompassing around 46,388.22 sq km.
Cameras for tiger study capture poachers at Orang
Caught on camera: A poacher sneaks into Orang
Guwahati, Jan. 13: Camera traps, which up to now have clicked pictures of wildlife in Assam, have now for the first time taken pictures showing poachers at Orang National Park.
Revealing this at a news conference today, Assam principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Suresh Chand, said pictures taken by camera traps hung on trees have been able to take pictures of a group of poachers who had killed a rhino on January 9. “Cameras which were placed in the trees got the pictures of poachers who were moving in the area. The poachers had come with an intent to kill a rhino,” Chand said.
The poachers were carrying .303 rifles.
Camera trapping is being done by Aaranyak, a wildlife NGO, at Orang National Park for tiger estimation. Around 70 cameras have been put up at strategic locations in the park.
Chand said the poachers, who are believed to be the same, came on January 5. They, however, succeeded in killing a rhino on January 9.
Chand said on January 9, the poachers had changed their route and were successful in killing the rhino.
Divisional forest officer of Orang National Park S.K. Daila said the poachers had adopted a new strategy of shooting the rhino at night. “We have seen poachers striking at dusk or in the wee hours. However, these poachers shot the rhino around 1.30am. They fired from very close range,” he said.
The staff on duty on January 9, N. Chamua, will be put under suspension. “We suspect that he was conniving with the poachers,” Chand said.
The official said the poachers were from outside the area and the pictures have been sent to nearby police stations.
“The forest department has announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for identifying the poachers,” he said.
Chand said the killing of a rhino in Orang took place after a year.
In the entire state in 2010, there were seven instances of rhino poaching while in 2009 there were 14 cases.
In 2009, the number of rhinos in Orang was 64 rhinos while in 2006, 68 rhinos were recorded.
Firoz Ahmed of Aaranyak, who has been looking after the tiger trapping exercise through cameras in Orang, said the poachers came in coincidentally when the cameras were on. “The cameras are placed strategically so that pictures can be taken and are not meant to take pictures of poachers specifically,” Ahmed said.
In the 2009 tiger camera trapping report of Aaranyak in collaboration with forest department, seven tigers, including two males and five females,were recorded in Orang National Park.
Two poachers were killed in an encounter with forestguards in July last year and several arms and ammunition were recovered from them. Another poacher was killed in March last year.
Chand said an elephant census would be held simultaneously with neighbouring states like Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and West Bengal. The dates have been fixed for February 21-26.
Guwahati, Jan. 13: Camera traps, which up to now have clicked pictures of wildlife in Assam, have now for the first time taken pictures showing poachers at Orang National Park.
Revealing this at a news conference today, Assam principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Suresh Chand, said pictures taken by camera traps hung on trees have been able to take pictures of a group of poachers who had killed a rhino on January 9. “Cameras which were placed in the trees got the pictures of poachers who were moving in the area. The poachers had come with an intent to kill a rhino,” Chand said.
The poachers were carrying .303 rifles.
Camera trapping is being done by Aaranyak, a wildlife NGO, at Orang National Park for tiger estimation. Around 70 cameras have been put up at strategic locations in the park.
Chand said the poachers, who are believed to be the same, came on January 5. They, however, succeeded in killing a rhino on January 9.
Chand said on January 9, the poachers had changed their route and were successful in killing the rhino.
Divisional forest officer of Orang National Park S.K. Daila said the poachers had adopted a new strategy of shooting the rhino at night. “We have seen poachers striking at dusk or in the wee hours. However, these poachers shot the rhino around 1.30am. They fired from very close range,” he said.
The staff on duty on January 9, N. Chamua, will be put under suspension. “We suspect that he was conniving with the poachers,” Chand said.
The official said the poachers were from outside the area and the pictures have been sent to nearby police stations.
“The forest department has announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for identifying the poachers,” he said.
Chand said the killing of a rhino in Orang took place after a year.
In the entire state in 2010, there were seven instances of rhino poaching while in 2009 there were 14 cases.
In 2009, the number of rhinos in Orang was 64 rhinos while in 2006, 68 rhinos were recorded.
Firoz Ahmed of Aaranyak, who has been looking after the tiger trapping exercise through cameras in Orang, said the poachers came in coincidentally when the cameras were on. “The cameras are placed strategically so that pictures can be taken and are not meant to take pictures of poachers specifically,” Ahmed said.
In the 2009 tiger camera trapping report of Aaranyak in collaboration with forest department, seven tigers, including two males and five females,were recorded in Orang National Park.
Two poachers were killed in an encounter with forestguards in July last year and several arms and ammunition were recovered from them. Another poacher was killed in March last year.
Chand said an elephant census would be held simultaneously with neighbouring states like Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and West Bengal. The dates have been fixed for February 21-26.
Bahraich killings not by one tiger, say officials
The state forest department has said the three attacks on humans over the last week in Bahraich were not made by a single tiger. So it was wrong to assume that a tiger had turned man-killer.
B K Patnaik, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife, said the attacks took place in the mating season, when tigers turn unusually aggressive. The increase in the human population around the forests and their dependence on forests for fuel and livelihood had added to the man-animal conflict.
“There are around 36 villages in the core tiger habitat area in Katarniya Ghat alone,” Patnaik said. “We are trying to reduce these incidents but a long-term plan, supported by the Centre, is needed.”
Over the last ten months, 16 people have died and 22 injured in Uttar Pradesh ¿ the increasing instances of man-animal conflict. The department has formed four special teams to track the movement of 110 tigers and 208 leopards in the three core tiger areas of the state ¿ Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat and Pilibhit Forest Reserve.
“We are doing our best to manage the problem with the limited resources we have ¿ getting trenches dug manually on the boundaries of these national parks and will be planting cactus to ensure that the animals don’t move out of the forest area,” said Patnaik.
He said there is a need for cooperation between various departments. Citing an example, he said the Railways had not paid heed to the Forest Department’s demands for diverting about 70 km of tracks that pass through core forest areas.
... contd.
B K Patnaik, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife, said the attacks took place in the mating season, when tigers turn unusually aggressive. The increase in the human population around the forests and their dependence on forests for fuel and livelihood had added to the man-animal conflict.
“There are around 36 villages in the core tiger habitat area in Katarniya Ghat alone,” Patnaik said. “We are trying to reduce these incidents but a long-term plan, supported by the Centre, is needed.”
Over the last ten months, 16 people have died and 22 injured in Uttar Pradesh ¿ the increasing instances of man-animal conflict. The department has formed four special teams to track the movement of 110 tigers and 208 leopards in the three core tiger areas of the state ¿ Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat and Pilibhit Forest Reserve.
“We are doing our best to manage the problem with the limited resources we have ¿ getting trenches dug manually on the boundaries of these national parks and will be planting cactus to ensure that the animals don’t move out of the forest area,” said Patnaik.
He said there is a need for cooperation between various departments. Citing an example, he said the Railways had not paid heed to the Forest Department’s demands for diverting about 70 km of tracks that pass through core forest areas.
... contd.
Cabinet overrules Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister on new tiger reserve
New Delhi: Ignoring Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's strong opposition, the Union Cabinet today gave "in-principle" go ahead to convert the state's Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary into a tiger reserve along with four other sanctuaries in the country.
"In-principle approval has been accorded for creation of five more tiger reserves," said Ministry of Environment and Forests in a release.
Ratapani in Madhya Pradesh, Sunabeda in Orissa, Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, Biligiri Ranganatha Temple in Karnataka and Mukundara Hills in Rajasthan are the wildlife sancturies which would be converted as new tiger reserves.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's plan to convert Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary into a tiger reserve, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister had said that it would call for shifting many villages.
While addressing the 15th national conference of Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad in Bhopal, Chouhan had said "Madhya Pradesh is a tiger state. We are not averse to tiger and its protection. But we do not want it at the cost of the poor, especially tribals. Many villages will need to be shifted for turning Ratapani into a tiger reserve."
The land of tribals cannot be taken away in Madhya Pradesh which has tough laws to check it, the Chief Minister had stated.
Meanwhile, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has suggested the states create tiger reserves in Satyamangalam forests in Tamil Nadu, Nagzira-Navegaon and Bor in Maharashtra and Suhelwa in Uttar Pradesh.
"In-principle approval has been accorded for creation of five more tiger reserves," said Ministry of Environment and Forests in a release.
Ratapani in Madhya Pradesh, Sunabeda in Orissa, Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, Biligiri Ranganatha Temple in Karnataka and Mukundara Hills in Rajasthan are the wildlife sancturies which would be converted as new tiger reserves.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's plan to convert Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary into a tiger reserve, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister had said that it would call for shifting many villages.
While addressing the 15th national conference of Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad in Bhopal, Chouhan had said "Madhya Pradesh is a tiger state. We are not averse to tiger and its protection. But we do not want it at the cost of the poor, especially tribals. Many villages will need to be shifted for turning Ratapani into a tiger reserve."
The land of tribals cannot be taken away in Madhya Pradesh which has tough laws to check it, the Chief Minister had stated.
Meanwhile, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has suggested the states create tiger reserves in Satyamangalam forests in Tamil Nadu, Nagzira-Navegaon and Bor in Maharashtra and Suhelwa in Uttar Pradesh.
Do Not Tame the Tiger, Your Compensation is Doubled
The livestock of villagers living close to the borders of Ranthambore National Park have often become a meal to the roaming tiger of the National Park. In retaliation villagers have avenged the death of their livestock by killing the big cat either by poisoning or setting up a trap and killing it.
About a month ago a male tiger called ST-1 from Sariska National Park also in Rajasthan had killed a buffalo. The villagers took revenge of their loss by smearing the half eaten carcass of the buffalo with poison when the tiger was away.
This vengeful attitude of the villagers is greatly worrying the forest officials. When a villager’s animal is killed by any of the wild animals of a National Park, they are given compensation for the same. At present the compensation rates is Rs. 300 for a goat and Rs. 3000 for a cow or buffalo.
However now to further pacify the villagers over the loss of their livestock, the Rajasthan government is thinking of giving double or even more compensation then the present amount. "We had given such a proposal some time ago. The proposal is under consideration," confirmed H M Bhatia, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan. The proposal is under the consideration of the state finance department and may soon be approved.
At present Ranthambore forest officials are worried about the fate of a tigress T-13, who has ventured out of the National Park along the route of the Chambal River with her two cubs. The tigress had killed a bull a few days ago. The forest officials settled the matter when they visited the owner of the bull and the village sarpanch, to ensure the provision of compensation for the loss and also asked them not to graze cattle in that area for some time now. However till date the only compensation the owner received was Rs. 5000 from an NGO.
However the fate of T- 13 and her cubs is still in danger as she is still lurking in that area, which is about two kms from human habitation and forest officials are afraid she may possibly add another livestock kill to her victim portfolio. The forest officials are afraid that if this happens, T-13 and her cubs may soon meet the same fate, they meted out to others.
It is with this intention in mind to save the majestic tiger that forest officials are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the tiger’s safety.
"It is high time for the forest department to revise compensation rates for villagers whose livestock is eaten by tigers. The sum can hardly be compared with market rates of animals which is somewhere around 10 times the amount. Also, the process for giving this sum needs to be simplified. Currently, the department takes a very long time to hand over the cheque to the villager," said Rajpal Singh, member, state wildlife board. It is due to this paltry sum that tigers are often poisoned by villagers. However in spite of all the straight forwardness of the situation, there are complications underneath. Villagers who stay within the boundaries of the sanctuaries are allocated compensation for relocation outside the National Parks. But the livestock of the villagers is not allowed to graze within the confines of the sanctuary. If the livestock is killed within the sanctuary area, no compensation is given. Only if a tiger strays out of the National Park and kills the livestock outside the sanctuary area or in the periphery of the forest area, is compensation granted.
This complexity which is defined by boundaries may thus continue to danger the lives of wild animals in Ranthambore and Sariska National Park.
Already Sariska National Park suffers from a haunted past, where it lost all its tigers due to poaching and other reasons. Since the past few years, the state forest department has been trying to introduce tigers in Sariska by relocating a few tigers and tigresses from Ranthambore National Park. Forest officials are hopeful that the transferred animals will breed a new generation and thus populate Sariska with the majestic tigers again.
About a month ago a male tiger called ST-1 from Sariska National Park also in Rajasthan had killed a buffalo. The villagers took revenge of their loss by smearing the half eaten carcass of the buffalo with poison when the tiger was away.
This vengeful attitude of the villagers is greatly worrying the forest officials. When a villager’s animal is killed by any of the wild animals of a National Park, they are given compensation for the same. At present the compensation rates is Rs. 300 for a goat and Rs. 3000 for a cow or buffalo.
However now to further pacify the villagers over the loss of their livestock, the Rajasthan government is thinking of giving double or even more compensation then the present amount. "We had given such a proposal some time ago. The proposal is under consideration," confirmed H M Bhatia, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan. The proposal is under the consideration of the state finance department and may soon be approved.
At present Ranthambore forest officials are worried about the fate of a tigress T-13, who has ventured out of the National Park along the route of the Chambal River with her two cubs. The tigress had killed a bull a few days ago. The forest officials settled the matter when they visited the owner of the bull and the village sarpanch, to ensure the provision of compensation for the loss and also asked them not to graze cattle in that area for some time now. However till date the only compensation the owner received was Rs. 5000 from an NGO.
However the fate of T- 13 and her cubs is still in danger as she is still lurking in that area, which is about two kms from human habitation and forest officials are afraid she may possibly add another livestock kill to her victim portfolio. The forest officials are afraid that if this happens, T-13 and her cubs may soon meet the same fate, they meted out to others.
It is with this intention in mind to save the majestic tiger that forest officials are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the tiger’s safety.
"It is high time for the forest department to revise compensation rates for villagers whose livestock is eaten by tigers. The sum can hardly be compared with market rates of animals which is somewhere around 10 times the amount. Also, the process for giving this sum needs to be simplified. Currently, the department takes a very long time to hand over the cheque to the villager," said Rajpal Singh, member, state wildlife board. It is due to this paltry sum that tigers are often poisoned by villagers. However in spite of all the straight forwardness of the situation, there are complications underneath. Villagers who stay within the boundaries of the sanctuaries are allocated compensation for relocation outside the National Parks. But the livestock of the villagers is not allowed to graze within the confines of the sanctuary. If the livestock is killed within the sanctuary area, no compensation is given. Only if a tiger strays out of the National Park and kills the livestock outside the sanctuary area or in the periphery of the forest area, is compensation granted.
This complexity which is defined by boundaries may thus continue to danger the lives of wild animals in Ranthambore and Sariska National Park.
Already Sariska National Park suffers from a haunted past, where it lost all its tigers due to poaching and other reasons. Since the past few years, the state forest department has been trying to introduce tigers in Sariska by relocating a few tigers and tigresses from Ranthambore National Park. Forest officials are hopeful that the transferred animals will breed a new generation and thus populate Sariska with the majestic tigers again.
Big cat leaves forest officials confused
LUCKNOW: Even after three lives were lost in the man-animal conflict in the killing fields of Katarniaghat and Nishangadha, the forest department is yet to wake up from its slumber.
The department is yet to identify the big cat, which made the killings. On one hand, department's preliminary findings indicate it to be a "tigress with a cub". On the other hand, pugmarks show them to be three different big cats behind three killings made over a week-long period. "We are trying to identify, because prima facie it appears to be three different tigers," said BK Patnaik, chief wildlife warden, UP on Thursday.
The pugmarks were found only in the first and last killing. In the case of second killing there were no pugmarks. The killings have been made in two ranges -- Nishangadha and Katarniaghat. The department is making Pugmark Impression Pads (PIPs) along tracks and water holes. This is being done to track the movement of the tigers in the area and also to identify the real man-eater.
The mobile veterinary unit has been stationed in the area, so that it could be called in for rescue as and when required. The tranquillising team from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has also been called in along with a tiger biologist to watch the behaviour of the tigers.
Three teams comprising forest officers have been put on the job to patrol the area for tracking the big cats. "This is a mating season for tigers and they are known to be aggressive during this period," said Patnaik. The locals in the area are being informed about the same. They are being told not to go to forest to collect firewood or grass.
But has the department made any arrangements to meet such requirements of villagers? The department has no clear cut answers on this. Meanwhile, gram pradhans in the area have been given the phone numbers of forest officers, so that they can immediately inform officers in case they spot a big cat in vicinity.
The department has not branded any of the three killings to be a man-eating incident. In the last incident, however, the tiger was spotted around the body of its victim, though villagers tried to chase it away. But forest officers said that it was a natural behaviour of tiger that it does not leave its kill.
The department is yet to identify the big cat, which made the killings. On one hand, department's preliminary findings indicate it to be a "tigress with a cub". On the other hand, pugmarks show them to be three different big cats behind three killings made over a week-long period. "We are trying to identify, because prima facie it appears to be three different tigers," said BK Patnaik, chief wildlife warden, UP on Thursday.
The pugmarks were found only in the first and last killing. In the case of second killing there were no pugmarks. The killings have been made in two ranges -- Nishangadha and Katarniaghat. The department is making Pugmark Impression Pads (PIPs) along tracks and water holes. This is being done to track the movement of the tigers in the area and also to identify the real man-eater.
The mobile veterinary unit has been stationed in the area, so that it could be called in for rescue as and when required. The tranquillising team from Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has also been called in along with a tiger biologist to watch the behaviour of the tigers.
Three teams comprising forest officers have been put on the job to patrol the area for tracking the big cats. "This is a mating season for tigers and they are known to be aggressive during this period," said Patnaik. The locals in the area are being informed about the same. They are being told not to go to forest to collect firewood or grass.
But has the department made any arrangements to meet such requirements of villagers? The department has no clear cut answers on this. Meanwhile, gram pradhans in the area have been given the phone numbers of forest officers, so that they can immediately inform officers in case they spot a big cat in vicinity.
The department has not branded any of the three killings to be a man-eating incident. In the last incident, however, the tiger was spotted around the body of its victim, though villagers tried to chase it away. But forest officers said that it was a natural behaviour of tiger that it does not leave its kill.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Tiger Project area fraught with risks
DALTONGANJ: A high power transmission line between Betla and Chipadohar in Palamu Tiger Reserve cuts through Betla National Park and the line wires sags dangerously.
There have been five deaths of tuskers since 1998-2010 when their trunk came in contact with the low-level high transmission line wire. The Project Tiger officials kept reminding the electricity department to increase the height of the wire of the high transmission but to no avail.
The Tiger Project is fraught with risks like this as railway lines also truncate the entire tiger reserve.
According to a member of the Government of India s National Tiger Conservation Authority Management, Effective Evaluation East and North East, D S Srivastava, the railway line falls on the migratory route of the elephants in compartment one and two of Saidupe.
There have been five deaths of tuskers since 1998-2010 when their trunk came in contact with the low-level high transmission line wire. The Project Tiger officials kept reminding the electricity department to increase the height of the wire of the high transmission but to no avail.
The Tiger Project is fraught with risks like this as railway lines also truncate the entire tiger reserve.
According to a member of the Government of India s National Tiger Conservation Authority Management, Effective Evaluation East and North East, D S Srivastava, the railway line falls on the migratory route of the elephants in compartment one and two of Saidupe.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Man-eater tiger killed one more woman in CTR
Rishikesh, Jan 11 (PTI) A woman was killed by a man-eater big cat in Corbett Tiger Reserve, the fourth such incident in the area since past two months, officials said.
The incident took place yesterday near Bulwa Nallah in Sunderkhal area when the woman had gone to fetch firewood, Jim Corbett National Park Deputy Director C K Kavidayal said.
The body with biting wounds on neck was today recovered by forest officials from the area, he said.
Forest officials believe that it is the same tiger which had killed three women during the past two months.
Chief Wildlife Warden Srikant Chandola had declared the tiger man-eater and issued orders to shoot it on December 30.
However, the animal has not been identified as yet.
The incident took place yesterday near Bulwa Nallah in Sunderkhal area when the woman had gone to fetch firewood, Jim Corbett National Park Deputy Director C K Kavidayal said.
The body with biting wounds on neck was today recovered by forest officials from the area, he said.
Forest officials believe that it is the same tiger which had killed three women during the past two months.
Chief Wildlife Warden Srikant Chandola had declared the tiger man-eater and issued orders to shoot it on December 30.
However, the animal has not been identified as yet.
Mansinghdeo suffers one last blow
NAGPUR: Before turning into a protected area for wildlife the newly-formed Mansinghdeo sanctuary adjoining Pench Tiger reserve suffered a final blow, ironically, from its owner itself. Large-scale tree felling and bamboo extraction across Block A and B of sanctuary compartments owned by Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (FDCM), a government company engaged in forestry and allied activities, days before its handing over to wildlife department has raised many eyebrows.
The huge ecological damage to the sanctuary was caused by the FDCM despite state government notifying the sanctuary on November 2, 2010. The FDCM officials say it was not felling but thinning under silviculture operations, approved by the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) office at Bhopal.
On Saturday, during a visit to the 'Block A' compartments of sanctuary in Nagulwadi and Saleghat ranges of the FDCM, it was found that truckloads of bamboo and teak was extracted from two Nagulwadi compartments 697 and 698, and 12 Saleghat and Risala compartments viz. 624, 630, 642, 644, 625, 631, 643, 645, 657, 658, 659 and 660. Felling has also been done in nine Paoni compartments viz. 558, 559, 605, 592, 599, 600, 603, 604 and 606 in Block B of the sanctuary.
According to official sources, on July 19, 2010, FDCM had sought thinning permission from MoEF. On September 9, MoEF granted permission to the FDCM to fell trees in 19,900 hectares in the area owned by it. Similarly, nod was given to extract bamboo from 17,365 hectares. Of this, teak from 3,800 hectares and bamboo from 1,700 hectares were to be extracted from Nagpur Division comprising Nagulwadi, Saleghat, Paoni (all in Mansinghdeo), Hiwra, Umred and Kuhi ranges.
It should have, however, stopped felling on November 2 when Mansinghdeo became a protected area. FDCM is now hiding under a technicality. S G Tembhurnikar, incharge of the area and regional manager of FDCM, told TOI that although sanctuary notification was issued on November 2, it came to them only on December 20, i.e. 48 days after the notification.
"On December 20, when CCF (Territorial), Nagpur Circle, circulated a letter to stop felling owing to sanctuary notification, we stopped our operation being carried out as per approved management plan and MoEF permission," Tembhurnikar said. Mansinghdeo notification was widely reported in the media but FDCM officials took no cognizance of it.
"The only work you see now is of logging and removing branch wood. In fact, we took out only 25-30% of the crop when we learnt about the sanctuary notification. We are now transporting the material already felled. We are ready to hand over the area to wildlife wing any moment," Tembhurnikar said.
D C Pant, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Maharashtra, said: "When the notification was issued, I was on leave, but when I joined, I made it a point to convey to the officials concerned over phone about it. They should have followed the orders." He did not explain why it took 48 days for a paper to travel from one office to another in same city.
Pant further said a meeting has been called on January 15 to discuss modalities to take over the sanctuary. Felling of trees is not allowed after notification, but must have been done during transition period. "No one will breach the law. Yet, I will review the situation," he stated.
TOI found that in compartment no. 660, entire bamboo clusters were cut. As per norms, at least 4-5 shoots are left untouched in each cluster to help regeneration. The most vulnerable compartments were 660, 697 and 698, that share border with Pench National Park from the west side.
FDCM officials are sticking to their guns: "Thinning improves growth of the forests without breaking canopy. The soil has limited capacity to support moisture and food for trees. Hence, excess trees need to be removed to allow others to grow," FDCM officials said seeking anonymity.
On reports of similar felling in Nagpur Territorial Division area, N Rambabu, conservator of forests, said, "Mansinghdeo compartments have not been touched. Some 250 trees were felled with prior permission until January 5 in sanctuary's 10 km eco-sensitive zone. After the direction, felling of trees has been stopped."
The huge ecological damage to the sanctuary was caused by the FDCM despite state government notifying the sanctuary on November 2, 2010. The FDCM officials say it was not felling but thinning under silviculture operations, approved by the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) office at Bhopal.
On Saturday, during a visit to the 'Block A' compartments of sanctuary in Nagulwadi and Saleghat ranges of the FDCM, it was found that truckloads of bamboo and teak was extracted from two Nagulwadi compartments 697 and 698, and 12 Saleghat and Risala compartments viz. 624, 630, 642, 644, 625, 631, 643, 645, 657, 658, 659 and 660. Felling has also been done in nine Paoni compartments viz. 558, 559, 605, 592, 599, 600, 603, 604 and 606 in Block B of the sanctuary.
According to official sources, on July 19, 2010, FDCM had sought thinning permission from MoEF. On September 9, MoEF granted permission to the FDCM to fell trees in 19,900 hectares in the area owned by it. Similarly, nod was given to extract bamboo from 17,365 hectares. Of this, teak from 3,800 hectares and bamboo from 1,700 hectares were to be extracted from Nagpur Division comprising Nagulwadi, Saleghat, Paoni (all in Mansinghdeo), Hiwra, Umred and Kuhi ranges.
It should have, however, stopped felling on November 2 when Mansinghdeo became a protected area. FDCM is now hiding under a technicality. S G Tembhurnikar, incharge of the area and regional manager of FDCM, told TOI that although sanctuary notification was issued on November 2, it came to them only on December 20, i.e. 48 days after the notification.
"On December 20, when CCF (Territorial), Nagpur Circle, circulated a letter to stop felling owing to sanctuary notification, we stopped our operation being carried out as per approved management plan and MoEF permission," Tembhurnikar said. Mansinghdeo notification was widely reported in the media but FDCM officials took no cognizance of it.
"The only work you see now is of logging and removing branch wood. In fact, we took out only 25-30% of the crop when we learnt about the sanctuary notification. We are now transporting the material already felled. We are ready to hand over the area to wildlife wing any moment," Tembhurnikar said.
D C Pant, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Maharashtra, said: "When the notification was issued, I was on leave, but when I joined, I made it a point to convey to the officials concerned over phone about it. They should have followed the orders." He did not explain why it took 48 days for a paper to travel from one office to another in same city.
Pant further said a meeting has been called on January 15 to discuss modalities to take over the sanctuary. Felling of trees is not allowed after notification, but must have been done during transition period. "No one will breach the law. Yet, I will review the situation," he stated.
TOI found that in compartment no. 660, entire bamboo clusters were cut. As per norms, at least 4-5 shoots are left untouched in each cluster to help regeneration. The most vulnerable compartments were 660, 697 and 698, that share border with Pench National Park from the west side.
FDCM officials are sticking to their guns: "Thinning improves growth of the forests without breaking canopy. The soil has limited capacity to support moisture and food for trees. Hence, excess trees need to be removed to allow others to grow," FDCM officials said seeking anonymity.
On reports of similar felling in Nagpur Territorial Division area, N Rambabu, conservator of forests, said, "Mansinghdeo compartments have not been touched. Some 250 trees were felled with prior permission until January 5 in sanctuary's 10 km eco-sensitive zone. After the direction, felling of trees has been stopped."
Another falls prey to tiger in Katranighat
BAHRAICH: A man was killed by a tiger near the Katarniaghat forest reserve on Tuesday. This is the third incident of human kill within a week. The body of the victim, identified as Duber, was recovered from the fields on the periphery of the forest reserve at 5.30 pm.
Duber, a resident of Durgagauri village, had left his house in the morning to collect wood. Family members said that he was missing ever since. Talking to TOI, divisional forest officer (DFO) RK Singh said that efforts were underway to identify the killer.
He, however, declined to confirm that Duber was killed by the same feline that had killed 60-year-old Saligram and 55-year old Jagmal. "As of now, we cannot confirm whether it is the same big cat or not. The bodies of two victims were recovered on January 6 and January 8 last," he said and added that forest department experts were still looking for the pugmarks of the tiger that killed Jagmal, the second victim.
Saligram was killed by a tigress. His body recovered from sugarcane field in Sadar beat of Katarniaghat was not eaten by the big cat. The pugmarks around the body were that of the tigress. On the other hand, Jagmal's body was recovered a day after from the dense part of Katarniaghat forest. Jagmal's right foot was missing and believed to be eaten by the wild animal. Forest officers did not confirm if the body was eaten by tiger or any other wild animal. The two bodies were recovered from spots about 12 kms apart from each other.
Duber, a resident of Durgagauri village, had left his house in the morning to collect wood. Family members said that he was missing ever since. Talking to TOI, divisional forest officer (DFO) RK Singh said that efforts were underway to identify the killer.
He, however, declined to confirm that Duber was killed by the same feline that had killed 60-year-old Saligram and 55-year old Jagmal. "As of now, we cannot confirm whether it is the same big cat or not. The bodies of two victims were recovered on January 6 and January 8 last," he said and added that forest department experts were still looking for the pugmarks of the tiger that killed Jagmal, the second victim.
Saligram was killed by a tigress. His body recovered from sugarcane field in Sadar beat of Katarniaghat was not eaten by the big cat. The pugmarks around the body were that of the tigress. On the other hand, Jagmal's body was recovered a day after from the dense part of Katarniaghat forest. Jagmal's right foot was missing and believed to be eaten by the wild animal. Forest officers did not confirm if the body was eaten by tiger or any other wild animal. The two bodies were recovered from spots about 12 kms apart from each other.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Tiger spotted in Temni village
GONDIA: A tiger was spotted by some villagers in village Temni, about 5 km from Gondia, in the wee hours on Saturday.
Shashikumar Rahangdale, an environment expert at the Kanha National Reserve Forest and a resident of the village viewed the pug marks and confirmed that they were of a tiger.
"The pug marks are those of a male tiger which may be old. The beast might be from the nearby forest on the Madya Pradesh border. Due to old age he may be wandering in search of a safe place," said Rahangdale.
A few days ago, villagers of Dasgaon saw a tiger on the banks of the river Vainganga, about 20 km from Gondia. However, there was no official confirmation.
Shashikumar Rahangdale, an environment expert at the Kanha National Reserve Forest and a resident of the village viewed the pug marks and confirmed that they were of a tiger.
"The pug marks are those of a male tiger which may be old. The beast might be from the nearby forest on the Madya Pradesh border. Due to old age he may be wandering in search of a safe place," said Rahangdale.
A few days ago, villagers of Dasgaon saw a tiger on the banks of the river Vainganga, about 20 km from Gondia. However, there was no official confirmation.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Govt to curb revenge killings' with double compensation
JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government is mulling increase in compensation to villagers in case wild animals kill their livestock. The amount may be doubled or even more in some cases.
The move follows bid by the government to check revenge killings' by the villagers, whose livestock often fall victim to wild animals.
Sources said the proposal is being considered by the state finance department and may soon be approved. The current amount is very little as it was fixed years ago. The compensation at present is Rs 300 for a goat and Rs 3,000 for a cow or a buffalo.
"We had given such a proposal some time ago. The proposal is under consideration," confirmed H M Bhatia, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan.
"It is high time for the forest department to revise compensation rates for villagers whose livestock is eaten by tigers. The sum can hardly be compared with market rates of animals which is somewhere around 10 times the amount. Also, the process for giving this sum needs to be simplified. Currently, the department takes a very long time to hand over the cheque to the villager," said Rajpal Singh, member, state wildlife board. It is due to this paltry sum that tigers are often poisoned by villagers.
A month ago, a male tiger ST-1 that killed a buffalo in Sariska was later poisoned. Sources said the villagers smeared poison on the half-eaten carcass of the buffalo when the tiger was away.
A similar fear looms large over the fate of tigress T-13 which ventured out of the Ranthambore national park towards the Chambal river along with its cubs and killed a bull some days days ago.
While R P Gupta, DFO Ranthambore, maintains, "We have visited the village and met the sarpanch and the owner of the bull. We have assured them of a compensation soon and asked them not to graze their cattle in that area anymore." But this assurance may not prove beneficial in case T-13 makes another kill as it is just 2 km from human habitation.
The only immediate relief that came to the villager was when an NGO paid the owner of the bull Rs 5,000.
Adding to the complications of the current system of compensation is the fact that while the forest department recognises villagers staying in sanctuaries and even pays them a sum for relocation, it does not pay any compensation when their livestock is killed while grazing as this is not permitted in sanctuaries. Compensation is given only when a tiger strays out of the forest and kills livestock of villagers on the periphery of the forest.
The move follows bid by the government to check revenge killings' by the villagers, whose livestock often fall victim to wild animals.
Sources said the proposal is being considered by the state finance department and may soon be approved. The current amount is very little as it was fixed years ago. The compensation at present is Rs 300 for a goat and Rs 3,000 for a cow or a buffalo.
"We had given such a proposal some time ago. The proposal is under consideration," confirmed H M Bhatia, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan.
"It is high time for the forest department to revise compensation rates for villagers whose livestock is eaten by tigers. The sum can hardly be compared with market rates of animals which is somewhere around 10 times the amount. Also, the process for giving this sum needs to be simplified. Currently, the department takes a very long time to hand over the cheque to the villager," said Rajpal Singh, member, state wildlife board. It is due to this paltry sum that tigers are often poisoned by villagers.
A month ago, a male tiger ST-1 that killed a buffalo in Sariska was later poisoned. Sources said the villagers smeared poison on the half-eaten carcass of the buffalo when the tiger was away.
A similar fear looms large over the fate of tigress T-13 which ventured out of the Ranthambore national park towards the Chambal river along with its cubs and killed a bull some days days ago.
While R P Gupta, DFO Ranthambore, maintains, "We have visited the village and met the sarpanch and the owner of the bull. We have assured them of a compensation soon and asked them not to graze their cattle in that area anymore." But this assurance may not prove beneficial in case T-13 makes another kill as it is just 2 km from human habitation.
The only immediate relief that came to the villager was when an NGO paid the owner of the bull Rs 5,000.
Adding to the complications of the current system of compensation is the fact that while the forest department recognises villagers staying in sanctuaries and even pays them a sum for relocation, it does not pay any compensation when their livestock is killed while grazing as this is not permitted in sanctuaries. Compensation is given only when a tiger strays out of the forest and kills livestock of villagers on the periphery of the forest.
Tigress strays out of Ranthambhore national park with cubs
A Ranthambhore wild cat.
They are said to be in grave danger because they are moving around in crop fields, about 5 km away from the protected park.
Wildlife experts said the tigress must have moved out of her territory after sensing a serious threat to her cubs from tigers in the vicinity. Otherwise, it was unusual for a wild cat to desert its territory, they added.
"This shows the state of the sanctuary. It has become so overcrowded that it has led to a rise in territorial fights," Rajpal Singh, an expert with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), said.
Singh said the tigress moved out of Ranthambhore about 10 days ago along the overflow of the Mansarovar lake fed by the Chambal river. "The lives of the tigress and her two cubs are in danger as they have ventured into the man-animal conflict zone. Just three days ago, she hunted a bull in an agricultural field. Her continued presence in that area could provoke the villagers," Singh said.
Nonetheless, the forest staff has been keeping a watch on the predator and was trying to attract it back to the park by using baits, sources said.
The tigress had been untraceable for some days till forest officials recently discovered her pugmarks and those of her cubs along the Mansarovar lake.
In March last year, two adolescent tigers strayed from the park along with their mother. They were killed by shepherds using poisonous baits near Talwara village, about 15 km from the park's core zone.
So far, about a dozen tigers, including T13 and her two cubs, have reportedly strayed out of the park owing to overpopulation in the core area.
Some of the tigers were found to have moved at least 150 to 200 km away.
Going by the size of the park, it can accommodate about 28 tigers. But, it currently has about 40 tigers.
They are said to be in grave danger because they are moving around in crop fields, about 5 km away from the protected park.
Wildlife experts said the tigress must have moved out of her territory after sensing a serious threat to her cubs from tigers in the vicinity. Otherwise, it was unusual for a wild cat to desert its territory, they added.
"This shows the state of the sanctuary. It has become so overcrowded that it has led to a rise in territorial fights," Rajpal Singh, an expert with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), said.
Singh said the tigress moved out of Ranthambhore about 10 days ago along the overflow of the Mansarovar lake fed by the Chambal river. "The lives of the tigress and her two cubs are in danger as they have ventured into the man-animal conflict zone. Just three days ago, she hunted a bull in an agricultural field. Her continued presence in that area could provoke the villagers," Singh said.
Nonetheless, the forest staff has been keeping a watch on the predator and was trying to attract it back to the park by using baits, sources said.
The tigress had been untraceable for some days till forest officials recently discovered her pugmarks and those of her cubs along the Mansarovar lake.
In March last year, two adolescent tigers strayed from the park along with their mother. They were killed by shepherds using poisonous baits near Talwara village, about 15 km from the park's core zone.
So far, about a dozen tigers, including T13 and her two cubs, have reportedly strayed out of the park owing to overpopulation in the core area.
Some of the tigers were found to have moved at least 150 to 200 km away.
Going by the size of the park, it can accommodate about 28 tigers. But, it currently has about 40 tigers.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Another man killed by tiger in eastern UP
LUCKNOW: A second killing in as many days inside the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, near Bahraich on the Nepal border, has set alarm bells ringing in the state forest department. The latest victim is a 55-year-old man, who was killed in a village situated inside the sanctuary on Friday.
Jagmal's partially eaten body was recovered from a dense forest on Saturday. The incident took place in Jamunia village, situated inside the sanctuary and is almost adjacent to the core area, an ideal tiger habitat.
Earlier, on Thursday, another villager Saligram, 60, was reportedly killed by the tiger when he had gone to work in his sugarcane field. The forest area from where Jagmal's body was recovered is about 12 km from the place where Saligram's body was found. ''The pugmarks found around Saligram's body were that of a tigress," said Katarniaghat range officer M K Shukla.
Read more: Another man killed by tiger in eastern UP - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Another-man-killed-by-tiger-in-eastern-UP/articleshow/7244880.cms#ixzz1AW3w8kJ7
Jagmal's partially eaten body was recovered from a dense forest on Saturday. The incident took place in Jamunia village, situated inside the sanctuary and is almost adjacent to the core area, an ideal tiger habitat.
Earlier, on Thursday, another villager Saligram, 60, was reportedly killed by the tiger when he had gone to work in his sugarcane field. The forest area from where Jagmal's body was recovered is about 12 km from the place where Saligram's body was found. ''The pugmarks found around Saligram's body were that of a tigress," said Katarniaghat range officer M K Shukla.
Read more: Another man killed by tiger in eastern UP - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Another-man-killed-by-tiger-in-eastern-UP/articleshow/7244880.cms#ixzz1AW3w8kJ7
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Tiger mauls one
LUCKNOW: The man-animal conflict has once again raised its ugly head. A 60-year-old man is the latest casualty to the big cat.
According to officials, the incident took place in Katarniaghat on Thursday morning. The fact that the body was intact and not consumed by the big cat gives some sense of respite to forest officers in the area.
"This is not a case of man-eating," said MK Shukla, Range Officer, Katarniaghat. 60-year-old Saligram, resident of Belahanpura village, was killed at around 10:30 on Thursday morning, when he had gone to work in his sugarcane field. The man had gone alone to the field.
The pugmarks found around the body appear to be of a tigress. In all possibilities, the tigress was already present in the dense sugarcane field, when the man reached the spot and was attacked by the tigress in retaliation.
The man had injury marks on his neck and died of excessive bleeding. A compensation of Rs 10,000 was released immediately to his family. Another Rs 1 lakh as compensation will be given by the state government once the formalities are done. The incident took place in compartment 4 of Sadar beat near Girijapuri barrage. The incident of this nature has not occurred in the area in recent past.
But the villagers have been alerted to follow precautions while venturing into sugarcane fields, especially when alone. When men move in groups, they mostly alert the tiger of their presence and in that case the big cat will avoid coming close to them.
Katarniaghat has a sizable population of big cats, both tigers and leopards. The tigers being present in sugarcane field is a common phenomenon in terai belt. Mostly, tigress with cubs are present in the fields. The killings taking place during the day are mostly the ones where tigers charge in retaliation when they are consciously or unconsciously disturbed.
In most of the incidents, where tigers have killed men in the recent past, big cats have not ventured out of the forest area. On the contrary, men have entered forests and got killed.
The officers said that since tigers live in the core area of the forests, they do not venture out of forest unless they turn into compulsive maneaters.
The forest department has increased the vigil in the area in order to avoid even the remotest chance of a similar incident happening again. The area has some villages in its vicinity.
According to officials, the incident took place in Katarniaghat on Thursday morning. The fact that the body was intact and not consumed by the big cat gives some sense of respite to forest officers in the area.
"This is not a case of man-eating," said MK Shukla, Range Officer, Katarniaghat. 60-year-old Saligram, resident of Belahanpura village, was killed at around 10:30 on Thursday morning, when he had gone to work in his sugarcane field. The man had gone alone to the field.
The pugmarks found around the body appear to be of a tigress. In all possibilities, the tigress was already present in the dense sugarcane field, when the man reached the spot and was attacked by the tigress in retaliation.
The man had injury marks on his neck and died of excessive bleeding. A compensation of Rs 10,000 was released immediately to his family. Another Rs 1 lakh as compensation will be given by the state government once the formalities are done. The incident took place in compartment 4 of Sadar beat near Girijapuri barrage. The incident of this nature has not occurred in the area in recent past.
But the villagers have been alerted to follow precautions while venturing into sugarcane fields, especially when alone. When men move in groups, they mostly alert the tiger of their presence and in that case the big cat will avoid coming close to them.
Katarniaghat has a sizable population of big cats, both tigers and leopards. The tigers being present in sugarcane field is a common phenomenon in terai belt. Mostly, tigress with cubs are present in the fields. The killings taking place during the day are mostly the ones where tigers charge in retaliation when they are consciously or unconsciously disturbed.
In most of the incidents, where tigers have killed men in the recent past, big cats have not ventured out of the forest area. On the contrary, men have entered forests and got killed.
The officers said that since tigers live in the core area of the forests, they do not venture out of forest unless they turn into compulsive maneaters.
The forest department has increased the vigil in the area in order to avoid even the remotest chance of a similar incident happening again. The area has some villages in its vicinity.
After tigers, Pilibhit forest to see survey for other fauna
The forest cover of Pilibhit in Western Uttar Pradesh — its tigers and the rich reserve of flora and fauna — has become a hub for wildlife enthusiasts.
A team of experts from the Wildlife Research Institute (WRI) will be camping in the region to understand and survey the fauna of the Terai region. This is the third team which will be studying this region in the last six months. Earlier too, teams from the Wildlife Trust of India have surveyed the area to assess the tiger habitat.
According to official information, the team is headed by Dr Barry Richard Noon, a professor in the department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. A Fulbright scholar, he lecturing on Data Collection and Analysis for Wildlife Conservation at WTI at Dehradun.
The two-member team, which will be spending nearly a month in the region, will be studying Ungulate herbivore species of antelopes and deer like the Rusa Unicolour (Sambhar), Hard hoofed swamp deer (Barahsingha), Four-horned Antelope (Chausingha or Tetracerus quadricornis) and Hog Deer (Axis porcinus). The study will determine their presence, population and also, the suitable environment for their breeding. It will correlate the presence of these species with the increasing area of the tigers in the region.
This is the first time that so many teams will be surveying the forest in the district. Giving details, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Pilibhit, VK Singh, said: “We have had one or two teams which were so far understanding the region as a tiger terrain. But recent findings have shown that there is a good population of smaller animals like deer, which primarily are also the prey for the tigers, in the region. Hence, experts have started coming in from various institutes to study all these factors.”
A team of experts from the Wildlife Research Institute (WRI) will be camping in the region to understand and survey the fauna of the Terai region. This is the third team which will be studying this region in the last six months. Earlier too, teams from the Wildlife Trust of India have surveyed the area to assess the tiger habitat.
According to official information, the team is headed by Dr Barry Richard Noon, a professor in the department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. A Fulbright scholar, he lecturing on Data Collection and Analysis for Wildlife Conservation at WTI at Dehradun.
The two-member team, which will be spending nearly a month in the region, will be studying Ungulate herbivore species of antelopes and deer like the Rusa Unicolour (Sambhar), Hard hoofed swamp deer (Barahsingha), Four-horned Antelope (Chausingha or Tetracerus quadricornis) and Hog Deer (Axis porcinus). The study will determine their presence, population and also, the suitable environment for their breeding. It will correlate the presence of these species with the increasing area of the tigers in the region.
This is the first time that so many teams will be surveying the forest in the district. Giving details, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Pilibhit, VK Singh, said: “We have had one or two teams which were so far understanding the region as a tiger terrain. But recent findings have shown that there is a good population of smaller animals like deer, which primarily are also the prey for the tigers, in the region. Hence, experts have started coming in from various institutes to study all these factors.”
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