A week after environment minister Jairam Ramesh termed Karnataka as the Tiger Capital of the country, the state’s image took a beating. While the carcass of a male tiger with most of the nails and several teeth missing was found inside the Nagarhole national park on Thursday, an injured one was spotted in Bandipur tiger reserve on Friday.
The carcass was spotted by a mahout of the forest department close to Kabini backwaters at the Baraballi beat in D B Kuppe wildlife range of the national park. “The mahout found the carcass on Thursday morning while searching for an elephant and immediately tipped us off. The animal, which appeared six or seven years old, might have died a few days ago. It was a natural death,” said principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) B K Singh.
Forest officials, however, ruled out the role of poachers in the death of the tiger, saying: “After the tiger’s death, local people might have stolen its nails and teeth. Post mortem reports have revealed that it was a natural death.”
Injured and missing
The forest authorities suffered the second jolt on Friday when they received news of another tiger suffering injuries inside Bandipur National Park. B K Singh has rushed to the Bandipur Tiger Reserve along with a few senior officials of the department.
Deputy conservator of forest, Bandipur, K T Hanumanthappa said, “A couple of days ago, on Tavalanagere beat of Omkar range, we spotted a tiger inside the woods which was limping. It had a five centimetre-deep wound on its left foreleg. We decided to arrange for its treatment inside the forest itself.”
“It was not an easy task. The tiger, which was not able to hunt, was stationed near a water hole. Yesterday evening, we had kept five kilograms of mutton near the water hole and the tiger ate it completely. Later we kept another five kilograms of mutton mixed with antibiotics and painkillers, but it did not touch it. Our camera trapping devices recorded that it came close to the mutton plate around 1:00 am on Saturday but turned back,” Hanumanthappa said.
Sources in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve said injured animals dip their wound in water for a long time to help the pain to subside. However, after it sensed human presence, the tiger has stopped coming to the water hole. Forest officials are now working out a strategy to track and rescue the tiger.
“Depending on the injury, we will decide whether to leave it in the forest or shift it to the zoo,” B K Singh added.
http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/10/20110410201104100014459273f7177f7/Big-cats-unsafe-in-India’s-Tiger-Capital.html
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
5 yrs of punishment to woman for illegal trade:in tiger-body parts TNN
Tags:Wildlife Trust Of India|Tiger Body Parts|Illegal Trade
BAHRAICH: A court in Uttar Pradesh has sentenced a woman to five years and three months of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 for illegal trade in tiger body parts, on Friday.
Dilipo, who belongs to the Bawaria community, was convicted and sentenced by chief judicial magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri, RK Shukla, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) said.
She was arrested after two kg of tiger meat and bones were seized on January 7, 2007, from a hideout in Lakhimpur by the forest department. A leg trap, a mobile set, a device used to remove animal nails and a telephone diary were also seized on January 12 from her accomplice Kalicharan.
After interrogating Kalicharan, it emerged that Dilipo had sold the skin of the same tiger for Rs 40,000. The prosecution was assisted by WTI advocates Rakesh Kumar Srivastava and Sanjay Kumar Rai.
This conviction will go a long way as a deterrent to poachers who regularly indulge in wildlife crimes and will send a strong message to the public, the statement quoted Ramesh Kumar Pandey, deputy director, northern region, of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau New Delhi, as saying.
The Bawarias are a nomadic community, traditionally bushmeat hunters, said Jose Louies, officer-in-charge of the Enforcement Assistance and Law division of the WTI.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/5-yrs-of-punishment-to-woman-for-illegal-tradein-tiger-body-parts/articleshow/7919696.cms
BAHRAICH: A court in Uttar Pradesh has sentenced a woman to five years and three months of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 for illegal trade in tiger body parts, on Friday.
Dilipo, who belongs to the Bawaria community, was convicted and sentenced by chief judicial magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri, RK Shukla, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) said.
She was arrested after two kg of tiger meat and bones were seized on January 7, 2007, from a hideout in Lakhimpur by the forest department. A leg trap, a mobile set, a device used to remove animal nails and a telephone diary were also seized on January 12 from her accomplice Kalicharan.
After interrogating Kalicharan, it emerged that Dilipo had sold the skin of the same tiger for Rs 40,000. The prosecution was assisted by WTI advocates Rakesh Kumar Srivastava and Sanjay Kumar Rai.
This conviction will go a long way as a deterrent to poachers who regularly indulge in wildlife crimes and will send a strong message to the public, the statement quoted Ramesh Kumar Pandey, deputy director, northern region, of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau New Delhi, as saying.
The Bawarias are a nomadic community, traditionally bushmeat hunters, said Jose Louies, officer-in-charge of the Enforcement Assistance and Law division of the WTI.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/5-yrs-of-punishment-to-woman-for-illegal-tradein-tiger-body-parts/articleshow/7919696.cms
NTCA flip-flop on city office continues Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
Tags:NTCA|National Tiger Conservation Authority
NAGPUR: At a time when demand for tiger capital status for Nagpur is gaining momentum, the flip-flop by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) over setting up of regional office at Nagpur continues. The opening of the office here may be delayed because of this.
The announcement for a regional office in Nagpur was made by minister for environment and forest Jairam Ramesh in January last year. Even 15 months later, things have not moved much and only hunt for space for the office is on.
Initially, NTCA was trying for space in New Secretariat building opposite Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) in Civil Lines where several central government offices are located. The plan was shelved as NTCA, being an independent authority, could not get accommodation there.
Recently, local forest officials, who are helping NTCA, finalised a private bungalow in Ramdaspeth. Now, the plan to occupy that seems to have been dropped to save money. Fresh efforts are being made too look for government space.
"When government space is available, why waste money on rent," asked officials coordinating with the NTCA. "We have given the feedback to NTCA. Besides, Nagpur MP Vilas Muttemwar is also being approached for help in getting accommodation at NS building. He has been submitted a memorandum in this regard," they added.
Talking to TOI, S P Yadav, joint director of NTCA, confirmed that NTCA was preferring government space. On delay, Yadav said, "We cannot give a timeframe when the regional office will come up, but recruitment process for assistant inspector general (AIG) post will start on April 15." NTCA has already cleared the name of wildlife vet Dr A D Kholkute as consultant.
On January 13, the environment ministry formally announced decentralisation of NTCA by creating regional offices at Nagpur, Guwahati and Bengaluru (covering 17 tiger states) to facilitate guidance to states and monitoring in an ongoing manner at the regional level for addressing ecological and administrative concerns relating to tiger conservation.
However, the way things are moving, it may take another six months for the NTCA office to become functional. There is no building yet, no notification about the office, and no names of officials who would head it. Conservationists Prafulla Bhamburkar and Kundan Hate said the tiger capital would have no meaning without NTCA's presence.
"The regional office will see to it that its guidelines are implemented effectively and there is better co-operation between tiger states. Currently, it takes a lot of time for vital messages and guidelines to reach these states. The decision-making is slow and ultimately tigers suffer," they added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NTCA-flip-flop-on-city-office-continues/articleshow/7921464.cms
NAGPUR: At a time when demand for tiger capital status for Nagpur is gaining momentum, the flip-flop by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) over setting up of regional office at Nagpur continues. The opening of the office here may be delayed because of this.
The announcement for a regional office in Nagpur was made by minister for environment and forest Jairam Ramesh in January last year. Even 15 months later, things have not moved much and only hunt for space for the office is on.
Initially, NTCA was trying for space in New Secretariat building opposite Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) in Civil Lines where several central government offices are located. The plan was shelved as NTCA, being an independent authority, could not get accommodation there.
Recently, local forest officials, who are helping NTCA, finalised a private bungalow in Ramdaspeth. Now, the plan to occupy that seems to have been dropped to save money. Fresh efforts are being made too look for government space.
"When government space is available, why waste money on rent," asked officials coordinating with the NTCA. "We have given the feedback to NTCA. Besides, Nagpur MP Vilas Muttemwar is also being approached for help in getting accommodation at NS building. He has been submitted a memorandum in this regard," they added.
Talking to TOI, S P Yadav, joint director of NTCA, confirmed that NTCA was preferring government space. On delay, Yadav said, "We cannot give a timeframe when the regional office will come up, but recruitment process for assistant inspector general (AIG) post will start on April 15." NTCA has already cleared the name of wildlife vet Dr A D Kholkute as consultant.
On January 13, the environment ministry formally announced decentralisation of NTCA by creating regional offices at Nagpur, Guwahati and Bengaluru (covering 17 tiger states) to facilitate guidance to states and monitoring in an ongoing manner at the regional level for addressing ecological and administrative concerns relating to tiger conservation.
However, the way things are moving, it may take another six months for the NTCA office to become functional. There is no building yet, no notification about the office, and no names of officials who would head it. Conservationists Prafulla Bhamburkar and Kundan Hate said the tiger capital would have no meaning without NTCA's presence.
"The regional office will see to it that its guidelines are implemented effectively and there is better co-operation between tiger states. Currently, it takes a lot of time for vital messages and guidelines to reach these states. The decision-making is slow and ultimately tigers suffer," they added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NTCA-flip-flop-on-city-office-continues/articleshow/7921464.cms
Friday, April 8, 2011
Woman jailed for trading in tiger parts
New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) A court in Uttar Pradesh has sentenced a woman to five years and three months of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs.50,000 for illegal trade in tiger body parts, an NGO said here Thursday.
Dilipo, who belongs to the Bawaria community, was Wednesday convicted and sentenced by the chief judicial magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri, R.K. Shukla, Delhi-based Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) said in a statement.
She was arrested after two kg of tiger meat and bones were seized Jan 7, 2007, from a hideout in Lakhimpur by the forest department. A leg trap, a mobile set, a device used to remove animal nails and a telephone diary were seized Jan 12 from her accomplice Kalicharan.
From Kalicharan’s interrogation it emerged that Dilipo had sold the skin of the same tiger for Rs.40,000. The prosecution was assisted by WTI advocates Rakesh Kumar Srivastava and Sanjay Kumar Rai.
‘This conviction will go a long way as a deterrent to poachers who regularly indulge in wildlife crimes and will send a strong message to the public,’ the statement quoted Ramesh Kumar Pandey, deputy director, northern region, of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, as saying.
‘The Bawarias are a nomadic community, traditionally bushmeat hunters,’ said Jose Louies, officer-in-charge of the Enforcement Assistance and Law division of the WTI.
http://www.inewsone.com/2011/04/07/woman-gets-five-year-jail-for-trading-in-tiger-parts/41818
Dilipo, who belongs to the Bawaria community, was Wednesday convicted and sentenced by the chief judicial magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri, R.K. Shukla, Delhi-based Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) said in a statement.
She was arrested after two kg of tiger meat and bones were seized Jan 7, 2007, from a hideout in Lakhimpur by the forest department. A leg trap, a mobile set, a device used to remove animal nails and a telephone diary were seized Jan 12 from her accomplice Kalicharan.
From Kalicharan’s interrogation it emerged that Dilipo had sold the skin of the same tiger for Rs.40,000. The prosecution was assisted by WTI advocates Rakesh Kumar Srivastava and Sanjay Kumar Rai.
‘This conviction will go a long way as a deterrent to poachers who regularly indulge in wildlife crimes and will send a strong message to the public,’ the statement quoted Ramesh Kumar Pandey, deputy director, northern region, of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, as saying.
‘The Bawarias are a nomadic community, traditionally bushmeat hunters,’ said Jose Louies, officer-in-charge of the Enforcement Assistance and Law division of the WTI.
http://www.inewsone.com/2011/04/07/woman-gets-five-year-jail-for-trading-in-tiger-parts/41818
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Tiger attack kills two in Sunderban TNN
KOLKATA: Two fishermen fell victim to tiger attacks on two consecutive days after they had illegally sneaked into Netidhopani island, the core area of Sundarbans tiger habitat where fishing without permit is prohibited. One fisherman fell victim on Tuesday evening and the other on Wednesday morning, when a 15-member team had gone to the island in search of the body of the first victim.
A group of four from Gosaba's Satyanarayanpur village in Balli had gone fishing near Netidhopani. They were busy hanging their fishing nets on a tree when suddenly a tiger jumped on Subal Sardar. Sardar fell on the ground, thick with muck. The big cat then dragged Sardar away into the deep forest. The entire incident reportedly took place within a few seconds, before anybody could realise anything. Team members Monoranjan Jana, Srinath and Swarup carried out an abortive search for the next 45 minutes.
They then went back to their village to leave the next day for Netidhopani with renewed strength. Monoranjan, Srinath and Swarup left early on Wednesday with 12 more fishermen to look for the body. When they reached the island, it was dawn. They started looking for the blood-trail. They reached a spot where they thought the body of Subal could be found.
Suddenly they heard a scream and saw that a tiger had jumped on Monoranjan. The right paw had struck the head. Other fishermen raised an alarm. The noise startled the tiger. He loosened his grip over Monoranjan and jumped on another man.
Before anybody realised, he had been taken away by the tiger, said Swarup.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Tiger-attack-kills-two-in-Sunderbans/articleshow/7894507.cms
A group of four from Gosaba's Satyanarayanpur village in Balli had gone fishing near Netidhopani. They were busy hanging their fishing nets on a tree when suddenly a tiger jumped on Subal Sardar. Sardar fell on the ground, thick with muck. The big cat then dragged Sardar away into the deep forest. The entire incident reportedly took place within a few seconds, before anybody could realise anything. Team members Monoranjan Jana, Srinath and Swarup carried out an abortive search for the next 45 minutes.
They then went back to their village to leave the next day for Netidhopani with renewed strength. Monoranjan, Srinath and Swarup left early on Wednesday with 12 more fishermen to look for the body. When they reached the island, it was dawn. They started looking for the blood-trail. They reached a spot where they thought the body of Subal could be found.
Suddenly they heard a scream and saw that a tiger had jumped on Monoranjan. The right paw had struck the head. Other fishermen raised an alarm. The noise startled the tiger. He loosened his grip over Monoranjan and jumped on another man.
Before anybody realised, he had been taken away by the tiger, said Swarup.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Tiger-attack-kills-two-in-Sunderbans/articleshow/7894507.cms
Bijnore tigers left out of Census 2011? Neha Shukla, TNN
LUCKNOW: The latest edition of tiger census has started getting fingers raised at it. The UP forest department has conveyed its dis-satisfaction over the count of tigers in the state to the concerned authorities, as the 2011 census has missed out on Bijnore landscape that makes tigers in UP "under-assessed".
"It is surprising that Bijnore landscape has not found a mention," said BK Patnaik, Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW), UP. The last tiger census had shown Bijnore forests with an area of 221 sq km having a small population of tigers. The 2011 census, however, has said nothing about tigers present in Bijnore.
As per the 2008 census report, 3-4 tigers were present in Bijnore. This time around, 112 tigers are shown present in Dudhwa-Kheri-Pilibhit-Katarniaghat, 5 in Suhelwa and 1 in Sohagibarwa taking the total number of tigers in the state to 118 sans Bijnore.
When asked about the possibility of Bijnore having no tigers, CWW said, "The area has tiger signs and it was established in the first phase."
Besides, there have been cattle-lifting incidents reported from the area.
Bijnore, more or less has a dispersing population of tigers from Corbett Tiger Reserve. In UP, major population is constituted by Dudhwa tiger reserve, Kishenpur wildlife sanctuary, Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary, Pilibhit forests, North and South Kheri forest divisions.
The two smaller eastern populations are in Suhelwa wildlife sanctuary and Sohagibarwa wildlife sanctuary and a smaller population in west is in Bijnore. The fact that tiger occupancy area has increased in the state does not make it believable that Bijnore has no tigers. UP has a total forest area of 14341 sq km. In 2008 report, 2766 sq km was shown as tiger occupied area and in 2011 report, tiger occupied area increased to 2948 sq km. The trends of population growth have been shown stable.
When forest department brought up the issue with the census authorities, they said that they will include the landscape and tigers present in fourth phase, which will be for area-wise estimation. The tiger estimation exercise is being undertaken every four years since 2006. The 2010 exercise was carried out between December 2009 and December 2010.
The exercise was done in three phases, field data collected at the beat level (beat is a primary patrolling area), analysis of habitat status of tiger forests using satellite data and camera trapping where individual tigers were identified from photographs based on their unique stripe patterns. The data is collected for sampled (representative) sites and the information is extrapolated.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Bijnore-tigers-left-out-of-Census-2011/articleshow/7888473.cms
"It is surprising that Bijnore landscape has not found a mention," said BK Patnaik, Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW), UP. The last tiger census had shown Bijnore forests with an area of 221 sq km having a small population of tigers. The 2011 census, however, has said nothing about tigers present in Bijnore.
As per the 2008 census report, 3-4 tigers were present in Bijnore. This time around, 112 tigers are shown present in Dudhwa-Kheri-Pilibhit-Katarniaghat, 5 in Suhelwa and 1 in Sohagibarwa taking the total number of tigers in the state to 118 sans Bijnore.
When asked about the possibility of Bijnore having no tigers, CWW said, "The area has tiger signs and it was established in the first phase."
Besides, there have been cattle-lifting incidents reported from the area.
Bijnore, more or less has a dispersing population of tigers from Corbett Tiger Reserve. In UP, major population is constituted by Dudhwa tiger reserve, Kishenpur wildlife sanctuary, Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary, Pilibhit forests, North and South Kheri forest divisions.
The two smaller eastern populations are in Suhelwa wildlife sanctuary and Sohagibarwa wildlife sanctuary and a smaller population in west is in Bijnore. The fact that tiger occupancy area has increased in the state does not make it believable that Bijnore has no tigers. UP has a total forest area of 14341 sq km. In 2008 report, 2766 sq km was shown as tiger occupied area and in 2011 report, tiger occupied area increased to 2948 sq km. The trends of population growth have been shown stable.
When forest department brought up the issue with the census authorities, they said that they will include the landscape and tigers present in fourth phase, which will be for area-wise estimation. The tiger estimation exercise is being undertaken every four years since 2006. The 2010 exercise was carried out between December 2009 and December 2010.
The exercise was done in three phases, field data collected at the beat level (beat is a primary patrolling area), analysis of habitat status of tiger forests using satellite data and camera trapping where individual tigers were identified from photographs based on their unique stripe patterns. The data is collected for sampled (representative) sites and the information is extrapolated.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Bijnore-tigers-left-out-of-Census-2011/articleshow/7888473.cms
Fire engulfs Tadoba tiger reserve
A devastating forest fire is raging in the famous Tadoba tiger project in Chandrapur district (eastern Maharashtra), some 180 kms from Nagpur and has engulfed vast areas threatening the rich flora and fauna in the sprawling forest. According to reports reaching Nagpur on Tuesday, the fire broke out
in Moharli forest area, adjacent to Tadoba tiger reserve on Monday evening and spread 10 kms across the reserve. Over 200 forest personnel are battling to extinguish the fire, reports added.
Ravikiran Gohekar, acting in-charge of the project, said that there was no need to be alarmed.
"The forest fire in Tadoba during summer is an annual phenomenon," he added.
In fact, the fire broke out in Tadoba’s border areas and now the wildlife wing is monitoring it, Gohekar said. The forest areas affected are Sitarampeth and Mudholi forest region of the area.
Spread over 625.40 sq kms, Tadoba-Andhari is one of the oldest national parks in the country that was upgraded as tiger reserve in 1995.
It has some of the best of forest tracks endowed with rich biodiversity.
Apart from approximately 69 tigers, it is home to rare Indian wildlife animals like leopards (28), wild dogs (1758), wild boars (195), sloth bears (165), bisons (1052), deer (2039) and others.
Moreover, Tadoba is also an ornithologist’s paradise with a varied diversity of aquatic birdlife and raptors.
Tadoba tiger reserve is renowned for its rich natural habitat and is one of the oldest national parks of the country. The reserve is also credited of being one of the best-managed wildlife projects in the country that led to an increase the tiger population from 42 to 69 as per the latest tiger census. It was said that as many as 28 tiger cubs were born in Tadoba-Andheri tiger reserve in 2010.
However, sources said that the fire is man-made and triggered by people within the reserve, with ulterior motives -- illegal collection of forest produce like tendu leaf, mahua, firewood, timber and even poaching. The fire then spreads across the forest.
While wild animals including big cats, bison, deer and sambar escape the fire by moving to new areas, reptiles die and many valuable trees and medicinal plants are destroyed. The loss could not be ascertained as the forest officials were busy in controlling the fire.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Fire-engulfs-Tadoba-tiger-reserve/Article1-681574.aspx
in Moharli forest area, adjacent to Tadoba tiger reserve on Monday evening and spread 10 kms across the reserve. Over 200 forest personnel are battling to extinguish the fire, reports added.
Ravikiran Gohekar, acting in-charge of the project, said that there was no need to be alarmed.
"The forest fire in Tadoba during summer is an annual phenomenon," he added.
In fact, the fire broke out in Tadoba’s border areas and now the wildlife wing is monitoring it, Gohekar said. The forest areas affected are Sitarampeth and Mudholi forest region of the area.
Spread over 625.40 sq kms, Tadoba-Andhari is one of the oldest national parks in the country that was upgraded as tiger reserve in 1995.
It has some of the best of forest tracks endowed with rich biodiversity.
Apart from approximately 69 tigers, it is home to rare Indian wildlife animals like leopards (28), wild dogs (1758), wild boars (195), sloth bears (165), bisons (1052), deer (2039) and others.
Moreover, Tadoba is also an ornithologist’s paradise with a varied diversity of aquatic birdlife and raptors.
Tadoba tiger reserve is renowned for its rich natural habitat and is one of the oldest national parks of the country. The reserve is also credited of being one of the best-managed wildlife projects in the country that led to an increase the tiger population from 42 to 69 as per the latest tiger census. It was said that as many as 28 tiger cubs were born in Tadoba-Andheri tiger reserve in 2010.
However, sources said that the fire is man-made and triggered by people within the reserve, with ulterior motives -- illegal collection of forest produce like tendu leaf, mahua, firewood, timber and even poaching. The fire then spreads across the forest.
While wild animals including big cats, bison, deer and sambar escape the fire by moving to new areas, reptiles die and many valuable trees and medicinal plants are destroyed. The loss could not be ascertained as the forest officials were busy in controlling the fire.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Fire-engulfs-Tadoba-tiger-reserve/Article1-681574.aspx
Expert against Nagzira curtailment Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: The state wildlife department's move to curtail proposed Nagzira-Navegaon tiger reserve area by confining it to its present core has been opposed by leading conservationist and chairman of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) M K Ranjitsinh.
Based on the TOI report on the issue on March 15, Ranjitsinh has written to minister for environment and forest Jairam Ramesh about the government's plan. "I personally feel the present alignment of the proposed tiger reserve and especially the core areas, will not enhance conservation status of this very fine habitat. One should not accept such truncated and unviable areas as tiger reserves," said Ranjitsinh.
Just giving the title of a tiger reserve while doing nothing on the field to enhance viability and the conservation capacity of the existing areas is tantamount to self-deception and will create apprehensions and opposition amongst the neighbouring communities without achieving conservation goals, Ranjitsinh said.
He pointed out that in case of Nagzira-Navegaon, the situation is further compounded by the fact that there will be two small, separate existing protected areas, separated by almost 40 km of forest whose status will only be 'buffer', which has no real legal stature.
The WTI chief has urged Ramesh to settle for nothing less than 400 sq km reserve proposal. It should include original Nagzira area of 153 sq km, plus the previously proposed 155 sq km comprising reserve forests of Umarzari with Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), Bhandara, and the area with Gondia Forest Division, besides existing Navegaon National Park of 133 sq km.
"You will recall that I had drawn your attention to the proposed exclusion of certain crucial forests in the declaration of the long overdue Mansingdeo sanctuary. Your very prompt intervention saved the situation and the conservation community is grateful for it," Ranjitsinh reminded Ramesh. He added that a similar situation seemed to have emerged again in Maharashtra. The state was going back on an earlier understanding on its part.
In September 2009, Ramesh had written to chief minister asking him to declare Navegaon-Nagzira a tiger reserve. On this basis, a proposal was prepared. It would have included 153 sq km of existing Nagzira sanctuary, plus an additional 155 sq km comprising 126 sq km area of FDCM, 27 sq km of Gondia forest division and 133 sq km of existing Navegaon Park. "I've been trying to upgrade Navegaon and Nagzira and corridor between these two PAs since 1985," Ranjitsinh said.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) norms state that an inviolate space of 800-1000 sq km was needed to ensure viable populations of tigers and other wild animals (co-predators, prey and forest), thereby ensuring ecological viability of the entire habitat.
Wildlife wing officials admitted that Section 38V of the amended Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972 stated that core area of the sanctuary could be a tiger reserve and hence the adjoining areas of both the PAs would be in tiger reserve's buffer.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Expert-against-Nagzira-curtailment/articleshow/7890106.cms
Based on the TOI report on the issue on March 15, Ranjitsinh has written to minister for environment and forest Jairam Ramesh about the government's plan. "I personally feel the present alignment of the proposed tiger reserve and especially the core areas, will not enhance conservation status of this very fine habitat. One should not accept such truncated and unviable areas as tiger reserves," said Ranjitsinh.
Just giving the title of a tiger reserve while doing nothing on the field to enhance viability and the conservation capacity of the existing areas is tantamount to self-deception and will create apprehensions and opposition amongst the neighbouring communities without achieving conservation goals, Ranjitsinh said.
He pointed out that in case of Nagzira-Navegaon, the situation is further compounded by the fact that there will be two small, separate existing protected areas, separated by almost 40 km of forest whose status will only be 'buffer', which has no real legal stature.
The WTI chief has urged Ramesh to settle for nothing less than 400 sq km reserve proposal. It should include original Nagzira area of 153 sq km, plus the previously proposed 155 sq km comprising reserve forests of Umarzari with Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), Bhandara, and the area with Gondia Forest Division, besides existing Navegaon National Park of 133 sq km.
"You will recall that I had drawn your attention to the proposed exclusion of certain crucial forests in the declaration of the long overdue Mansingdeo sanctuary. Your very prompt intervention saved the situation and the conservation community is grateful for it," Ranjitsinh reminded Ramesh. He added that a similar situation seemed to have emerged again in Maharashtra. The state was going back on an earlier understanding on its part.
In September 2009, Ramesh had written to chief minister asking him to declare Navegaon-Nagzira a tiger reserve. On this basis, a proposal was prepared. It would have included 153 sq km of existing Nagzira sanctuary, plus an additional 155 sq km comprising 126 sq km area of FDCM, 27 sq km of Gondia forest division and 133 sq km of existing Navegaon Park. "I've been trying to upgrade Navegaon and Nagzira and corridor between these two PAs since 1985," Ranjitsinh said.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) norms state that an inviolate space of 800-1000 sq km was needed to ensure viable populations of tigers and other wild animals (co-predators, prey and forest), thereby ensuring ecological viability of the entire habitat.
Wildlife wing officials admitted that Section 38V of the amended Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972 stated that core area of the sanctuary could be a tiger reserve and hence the adjoining areas of both the PAs would be in tiger reserve's buffer.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Expert-against-Nagzira-curtailment/articleshow/7890106.cms
SC refuses to grant relief in NH7 four-laning along Pench Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
Tags:Pench Tiger Reserve|Four-Laning Of NH7
NAGPUR: The Supreme Court has refused to grant any relief in the four-laning of NH7 along the Pench Tiger Reserve but has granted liberty to the petitioner to approach authorities under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972 and put fresh proposals for their consideration.
The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), a NGO working for tiger and wildlife conservation, in 2008 had moved the centrally empowered committee (CEC) of the apex court seeking a ban on National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) move to upgrade NH7 from two-lane to four-six lane on the periphery of Pench-Mowgli Sanctuary in Seoni district. The NGO has alleged that the project will take toll on wildlife and reverse efforts to save big cats and its ecosphere.
In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court failed to give relief on CEC recommendation for intervention. "For the present, we are not inclined to consider and grant any relief. However, we grant liberty to the applicant as well as to the government to approach the authorities under the WPA, and put fresh proposals. These proposals should be considered by the authorities on own merits," the court said. It ruled further that the proposals, if any, to be submitted may be considered as expeditiously as possible in view of the importance of the issue involved.
The fate of highway widening from Seoni in Madhya Pradesh to Mansar near Ramtek in Maharashtra hangs in balance as it cuts tiger corridor between Pench-Kanha-Nagzira-Indravati-Tadoba.
On Maharashtra side, the proposed four-laning in the 39-km patch from Deolapar to Mansar will cut through newly declared Mansinghdeo Sanctuary compartment No. 591 (Chorbahuli) and 495 and 496 between Paoni and Manegaon on the left side from Nagpur to Jabalpur. The existing width of the road is 17 metres and NHAI plans to widen it to 60 metres. Besides, the four-laning will break the corridor contiguity with compartment number 581, 582, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591 and 592 and also affect continuity of compartments 480, 481 and 485 in Block 'B' and 'C' of Mansinghdeo.
Experts feel that after the Supreme Court orders, the NHAI will have to revise the proposal and now seek permission from the National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) headed by prime minister Manmohan Singh. "When the court has said that the issue should be decided on merit, it will not be easy for the NHAI to push for the four-laning," said conservationists.
"Proposal for diversion of sanctuary land for any developmental project can be considered only by the NBWL. Nagpur-Seoni is 125 kms, of which 65km is forest area with rich wildlife," they stressed.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has already submitted that under no circumstances should the road be widened. It will lead to destruction of 22,482 trees in the area proposed for diversion on Maharashtra side alone. If implemented, it will damage tiger habitat and its corridors, the NTCA stated.
Experts suggested alternative route from Nagpur-Saoner-Chhindwara-Seoni to save two tiger reserves but this is not acceptable to the NHAI.
Loss to Maharashtra:
As far as four-laning of 39-km patch from Deolapar-Mansar in Nagpur district is concerned, the then chief conservator of forests (CCF) of Nagpur circle, SWH Naqvi, on September 29, 2007 in his site inspection report had submitted that road expansion will prove detrimental to wildlife as there is presence of animals like tiger, leopards, chitals, sambars, barking deer in the patch. The proposed patch from 652km to 689km, will destroy 112.620 hectare reserved (102.1594ha), protected (7.2739ha), zudpi (3.2069ha) forest area and also part of Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM). The road widening would also destroy 22,482 trees.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/SC-refuses-to-grant-relief-in-NH7-four-laning-along-Pench/articleshow/7875954.cms
NAGPUR: The Supreme Court has refused to grant any relief in the four-laning of NH7 along the Pench Tiger Reserve but has granted liberty to the petitioner to approach authorities under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972 and put fresh proposals for their consideration.
The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), a NGO working for tiger and wildlife conservation, in 2008 had moved the centrally empowered committee (CEC) of the apex court seeking a ban on National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) move to upgrade NH7 from two-lane to four-six lane on the periphery of Pench-Mowgli Sanctuary in Seoni district. The NGO has alleged that the project will take toll on wildlife and reverse efforts to save big cats and its ecosphere.
In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court failed to give relief on CEC recommendation for intervention. "For the present, we are not inclined to consider and grant any relief. However, we grant liberty to the applicant as well as to the government to approach the authorities under the WPA, and put fresh proposals. These proposals should be considered by the authorities on own merits," the court said. It ruled further that the proposals, if any, to be submitted may be considered as expeditiously as possible in view of the importance of the issue involved.
The fate of highway widening from Seoni in Madhya Pradesh to Mansar near Ramtek in Maharashtra hangs in balance as it cuts tiger corridor between Pench-Kanha-Nagzira-Indravati-Tadoba.
On Maharashtra side, the proposed four-laning in the 39-km patch from Deolapar to Mansar will cut through newly declared Mansinghdeo Sanctuary compartment No. 591 (Chorbahuli) and 495 and 496 between Paoni and Manegaon on the left side from Nagpur to Jabalpur. The existing width of the road is 17 metres and NHAI plans to widen it to 60 metres. Besides, the four-laning will break the corridor contiguity with compartment number 581, 582, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591 and 592 and also affect continuity of compartments 480, 481 and 485 in Block 'B' and 'C' of Mansinghdeo.
Experts feel that after the Supreme Court orders, the NHAI will have to revise the proposal and now seek permission from the National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) headed by prime minister Manmohan Singh. "When the court has said that the issue should be decided on merit, it will not be easy for the NHAI to push for the four-laning," said conservationists.
"Proposal for diversion of sanctuary land for any developmental project can be considered only by the NBWL. Nagpur-Seoni is 125 kms, of which 65km is forest area with rich wildlife," they stressed.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has already submitted that under no circumstances should the road be widened. It will lead to destruction of 22,482 trees in the area proposed for diversion on Maharashtra side alone. If implemented, it will damage tiger habitat and its corridors, the NTCA stated.
Experts suggested alternative route from Nagpur-Saoner-Chhindwara-Seoni to save two tiger reserves but this is not acceptable to the NHAI.
Loss to Maharashtra:
As far as four-laning of 39-km patch from Deolapar-Mansar in Nagpur district is concerned, the then chief conservator of forests (CCF) of Nagpur circle, SWH Naqvi, on September 29, 2007 in his site inspection report had submitted that road expansion will prove detrimental to wildlife as there is presence of animals like tiger, leopards, chitals, sambars, barking deer in the patch. The proposed patch from 652km to 689km, will destroy 112.620 hectare reserved (102.1594ha), protected (7.2739ha), zudpi (3.2069ha) forest area and also part of Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM). The road widening would also destroy 22,482 trees.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/SC-refuses-to-grant-relief-in-NH7-four-laning-along-Pench/articleshow/7875954.cms
JCB near Bor sanctuary raises eyebrows Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: At a time when the 62 sq km Bor Wildlife Sanctuary, some 60km from Nagpur in Wardha district, is on the verge of becoming a tiger reserve, disturbance to wildlife due to the movement of heavy construction machinery close to the sanctuary has raised eyebrows.
On Sunday, Nagpur-based NK Nagpal, owner of private land outside the sanctuary, had deployed a JCB to level the land. Nagpal's seven-acre plot is situated in khasra number 52 and is a few metres away from the Bor entry gate. It is surrounded by rich forest on all sides and there is good presence of wildlife.
There is tiger movement in this area all round the year. Besides, three sub-adult tiger cubs, captured from Dhaba in Chandrapur district, have also been kept at Bor. The place where the cubs have been kept is close to the said land, said forest officials, adding that deployment of JCB is disturbing wildlife.
Nagpal also plans to dig a bore-well in the future, which may again create disturbance.
Bor officials apprehend that Nagpal is planning to come up with a resort under the guise of cultivation. Similar attempt to take up construction activity on the same land was opposed by the then chief conservator of forest (CCF), Nagpur Wildlife Circle, Nandkishore, two years ago. He had stopped the activity at that time.
However, Nagpal denies any plans to develop a resort in the area. "Even if I plan to construct a resort in future, prior permission of the wildlife department will be taken. It's a farm land since 1895 and I want to cultivate it. Wildlife officials are not allowing me to use the main road connecting the sanctuary," Nagpal complains.
He claims to have sought permission from Praveen Chouhan, deputy conservator of forests (DyCF), Wardha division, who says that the road belongs to the government and anyone can use it.
Chouhan told TOI, "It's true that I've issued a letter to Nagpal, but nowhere does it mention that he can take up any construction activity. No activity other than agriculture will be allowed. If the land owner wants, he can move the court or seek police help in case of a dispute."
Bor range forest officer (RFO) CS Reddy is reluctant to stop the work since it is on private land. "I'm looking into the ruling in the TN Godavarman vs Union of India case, which states that any area covered by forests and wildlife from all sides is a deemed forest," said Reddy.
The controversial land is virtually a forest, considering its wildlife richness. In 1997, original owner Shankararao Kirde had written to the forest department to acquire the land and pay him compensation. As the department failed to acquire the said land, it was sold.
Conservationists say even if it is private land any construction activity in future will prove disastrous for wildlife. The land was lying abandoned for long as there is hardly any crop yield due to damage by wild animals.
"We have asked Nagpal to sell the land as no construction will be permitted on the land," Reddy says.
In the latest estimation of tigers by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), there are 12 tigers in Bor and its landscape of 560 sq km. Any activity near the sanctuary will be detrimental for wildlife.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/JCB-near-Bor-sanctuary-raises-eyebrows/articleshow/7875964.cms
On Sunday, Nagpur-based NK Nagpal, owner of private land outside the sanctuary, had deployed a JCB to level the land. Nagpal's seven-acre plot is situated in khasra number 52 and is a few metres away from the Bor entry gate. It is surrounded by rich forest on all sides and there is good presence of wildlife.
There is tiger movement in this area all round the year. Besides, three sub-adult tiger cubs, captured from Dhaba in Chandrapur district, have also been kept at Bor. The place where the cubs have been kept is close to the said land, said forest officials, adding that deployment of JCB is disturbing wildlife.
Nagpal also plans to dig a bore-well in the future, which may again create disturbance.
Bor officials apprehend that Nagpal is planning to come up with a resort under the guise of cultivation. Similar attempt to take up construction activity on the same land was opposed by the then chief conservator of forest (CCF), Nagpur Wildlife Circle, Nandkishore, two years ago. He had stopped the activity at that time.
However, Nagpal denies any plans to develop a resort in the area. "Even if I plan to construct a resort in future, prior permission of the wildlife department will be taken. It's a farm land since 1895 and I want to cultivate it. Wildlife officials are not allowing me to use the main road connecting the sanctuary," Nagpal complains.
He claims to have sought permission from Praveen Chouhan, deputy conservator of forests (DyCF), Wardha division, who says that the road belongs to the government and anyone can use it.
Chouhan told TOI, "It's true that I've issued a letter to Nagpal, but nowhere does it mention that he can take up any construction activity. No activity other than agriculture will be allowed. If the land owner wants, he can move the court or seek police help in case of a dispute."
Bor range forest officer (RFO) CS Reddy is reluctant to stop the work since it is on private land. "I'm looking into the ruling in the TN Godavarman vs Union of India case, which states that any area covered by forests and wildlife from all sides is a deemed forest," said Reddy.
The controversial land is virtually a forest, considering its wildlife richness. In 1997, original owner Shankararao Kirde had written to the forest department to acquire the land and pay him compensation. As the department failed to acquire the said land, it was sold.
Conservationists say even if it is private land any construction activity in future will prove disastrous for wildlife. The land was lying abandoned for long as there is hardly any crop yield due to damage by wild animals.
"We have asked Nagpal to sell the land as no construction will be permitted on the land," Reddy says.
In the latest estimation of tigers by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), there are 12 tigers in Bor and its landscape of 560 sq km. Any activity near the sanctuary will be detrimental for wildlife.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/JCB-near-Bor-sanctuary-raises-eyebrows/articleshow/7875964.cms
Monday, April 4, 2011
Problem tiger tranquillized near Bramhapuri TNN
CHANDRAPUR: A team of tranquilization experts on the hunt of a troublesome tiger in Bramhapuri forest range finally trapped the beast and removed it from the jungle on Sunday evening. ACF, Tadoba Andahri Tiger Reserve (TATR) Ajay Pillariseth successfully shot the tranquillizing dart in the tiger at around 5pm and drugged it to sleep.
This troublesome tiger had attacked three humans, killing two and injuring one, in separate instances in a span of just 10 days. The tiger had made its first human kill on the night of March 18, at a farm near village Kirmiti Mendha. Later, it injured one Murari Ganvir from village Saygata on March 26 and killed Anantrao Sondawle from village Mayar the very next day.
The pugmarks and camera trap results collected from all three place revealed that the same tiger was involved in all three attacks on humans. The beast was moving in the thin and degraded forest area with many villages in the area. Alarmed forest officials had ordered for its tranquilization on March 29 and a team of experts was deployed in the area to remove the tiger to another territory.
"Our tranquillizing expert successfully sedated the problem tiger. ACF Pillariseth tranquillized the beast in compartment no. 34 of Bramhapuri FDCM in Umargunda talao area in the evening. The tiger has been caged and removed to another location where it will be examined by veterinary doctor," said DCF, Bramhapuri forest division, Sanjay Thawre.
Sources claimed that there is an injury on the head of the captured tiger, however, Thawre claimed ignorance about the injury and said that only after examination by expert veterinary doctor would details about its health emerge. He also confirmed that it was a sub-adult tiger. Sources claimed that the tiger was removed to Moharli (territorial) range near TATR, where they have a facility for safekeeping and treatment of stressed animals.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Problem-tiger-tranquillized-near-Bramhapuri/articleshow/7859239.cms
This troublesome tiger had attacked three humans, killing two and injuring one, in separate instances in a span of just 10 days. The tiger had made its first human kill on the night of March 18, at a farm near village Kirmiti Mendha. Later, it injured one Murari Ganvir from village Saygata on March 26 and killed Anantrao Sondawle from village Mayar the very next day.
The pugmarks and camera trap results collected from all three place revealed that the same tiger was involved in all three attacks on humans. The beast was moving in the thin and degraded forest area with many villages in the area. Alarmed forest officials had ordered for its tranquilization on March 29 and a team of experts was deployed in the area to remove the tiger to another territory.
"Our tranquillizing expert successfully sedated the problem tiger. ACF Pillariseth tranquillized the beast in compartment no. 34 of Bramhapuri FDCM in Umargunda talao area in the evening. The tiger has been caged and removed to another location where it will be examined by veterinary doctor," said DCF, Bramhapuri forest division, Sanjay Thawre.
Sources claimed that there is an injury on the head of the captured tiger, however, Thawre claimed ignorance about the injury and said that only after examination by expert veterinary doctor would details about its health emerge. He also confirmed that it was a sub-adult tiger. Sources claimed that the tiger was removed to Moharli (territorial) range near TATR, where they have a facility for safekeeping and treatment of stressed animals.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Problem-tiger-tranquillized-near-Bramhapuri/articleshow/7859239.cms
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sariska is Ranthambhore in the making Rachna Singh, TNN
SARISKA: At the crack of dawn on a Sunday morning, 36 km from Alwar, vehicles line up as tourists queue for a trip to the park to spot the tiger. The Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) that was a "dead" place after poachers completely wiped out the tiger population in 2005, is once again throbbing with activity. Clearly, now Sariska Tiger Reserve, about 160 km north-west of Delhi, is another Ranthambhore in the making.
Soon after the first tiger moved to STR in June 2008 things started looking up for Sariska. The reserve is experiencing a rush like never before from weekend tourists from the NCR and foreign nationals who claim that there is excellent sighting of the big cat, even if there are just five tigers in Sariska.
"The response is amazing. Every day around 35 vehicles go into the park and we are flooded with rush from Delhi and Noida. Tiger sighting is much better than Ranthambhore and almost everyone comes back with tales of prolonged sighting of ST 4 (male) and ST 2 together," said Y K Sahu, DFO, Sariska.
The fact is the sanctuary, spread over 881 sq. km is double the size of Ranthambhore, holds promise for tourism once the momentum gathers pace.
"Ranthambhore also began like this. There were only two hotels and they were also operational in winter. It was only after Rajiv Gandhi's visit in 1986 that a boom is wildlife tourism began in Rajasthan," said Sahu.
However, at the moment Sariska has its limitations. There is limited hotel accommodation around STR and none of these is priced less than Rs 2,000 that makes the tourist's think twice. "If the Sariska Palace is too expensive for a wildlife enthusiast, RTDC Tiger Den offers bad service and food. Tourism infrastructure is abysmally pathetic but tourists have no option," said a source.
According to official sources, in the past week tourism has increased almost by 50-60% despite summer setting in fast. During this time earlier you could never see a car around, said a source, hoping this would only increase. But, heavy traffic, especially trucks plying on the road dissecting the sanctuary is being seen as a deterrent to re-establishing tigers at the reserve with threats of pollution and poaching.
"Some time ago pug marks were seen near the Sariska Palace that is across the road. All night loaded trucks make a thundering noise driving through as there are big potholes in the seven-km stretch and it is a threat to the big cat," said a forest guard.
Yet despite little infrastructure, tourism is booming in Sariska and a lot of new properties are in the pipeline with hoteliers and real estate developers making a beeline to Sariska to pick the best possible piece of land to build a resort to cater to the increasing crowd.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Sariska-is-Ranthambhore-in-the-making/articleshow/7854059.cms
Soon after the first tiger moved to STR in June 2008 things started looking up for Sariska. The reserve is experiencing a rush like never before from weekend tourists from the NCR and foreign nationals who claim that there is excellent sighting of the big cat, even if there are just five tigers in Sariska.
"The response is amazing. Every day around 35 vehicles go into the park and we are flooded with rush from Delhi and Noida. Tiger sighting is much better than Ranthambhore and almost everyone comes back with tales of prolonged sighting of ST 4 (male) and ST 2 together," said Y K Sahu, DFO, Sariska.
The fact is the sanctuary, spread over 881 sq. km is double the size of Ranthambhore, holds promise for tourism once the momentum gathers pace.
"Ranthambhore also began like this. There were only two hotels and they were also operational in winter. It was only after Rajiv Gandhi's visit in 1986 that a boom is wildlife tourism began in Rajasthan," said Sahu.
However, at the moment Sariska has its limitations. There is limited hotel accommodation around STR and none of these is priced less than Rs 2,000 that makes the tourist's think twice. "If the Sariska Palace is too expensive for a wildlife enthusiast, RTDC Tiger Den offers bad service and food. Tourism infrastructure is abysmally pathetic but tourists have no option," said a source.
According to official sources, in the past week tourism has increased almost by 50-60% despite summer setting in fast. During this time earlier you could never see a car around, said a source, hoping this would only increase. But, heavy traffic, especially trucks plying on the road dissecting the sanctuary is being seen as a deterrent to re-establishing tigers at the reserve with threats of pollution and poaching.
"Some time ago pug marks were seen near the Sariska Palace that is across the road. All night loaded trucks make a thundering noise driving through as there are big potholes in the seven-km stretch and it is a threat to the big cat," said a forest guard.
Yet despite little infrastructure, tourism is booming in Sariska and a lot of new properties are in the pipeline with hoteliers and real estate developers making a beeline to Sariska to pick the best possible piece of land to build a resort to cater to the increasing crowd.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Sariska-is-Ranthambhore-in-the-making/articleshow/7854059.cms
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Nine more adult tigers spotted in UP: Census TNN
LUCKNOW: The number of adult tigers has increased in UP in the last over three years. While a February, 2008 report of MoEF showed 109 tigers in UP, Census-2011 has counted 118 tigers (with lower limit of 113 and upper limit of 124). An increase of nine adult tigers is being considered as good by forest officers.
"It is a good increase. This is a maximum population that the forest area in the state can support," said D N S Suman, principal chief conservator of Forest (PCCF), UP. The Census for tiger population recorded tigers above 1.5 years of age only. For this, the cameras tracking their movement were mounted at such a height in Census area that only adults got clicked. The cubs would now be counted through sightings.
Meanwhile, the density of tigers has gone down from the last time's 25.3 per cent to current 24.9 per cent. Though a detailed report on the tiger estimation showing region-wise count is yet to be released by the central ministry, Pilibhit has come up as "a promising tiger area". It lies outside protected area and tiger population there has been found to be increasing.
The tiger population between 2006 and 2010 in UP shows a stable trend. The state has a total forest area of 14,341 sq km. The tigers occupied a total area of 2,766 sq km as per the last Census. This time, tigers have been found occupying 2,948 sq km. However, an increase in tiger population in high human-use areas has heightened man-tiger conflict.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Nine-more-adult-tigers-spotted-in-UP-Census/articleshow/7847609.cms
"It is a good increase. This is a maximum population that the forest area in the state can support," said D N S Suman, principal chief conservator of Forest (PCCF), UP. The Census for tiger population recorded tigers above 1.5 years of age only. For this, the cameras tracking their movement were mounted at such a height in Census area that only adults got clicked. The cubs would now be counted through sightings.
Meanwhile, the density of tigers has gone down from the last time's 25.3 per cent to current 24.9 per cent. Though a detailed report on the tiger estimation showing region-wise count is yet to be released by the central ministry, Pilibhit has come up as "a promising tiger area". It lies outside protected area and tiger population there has been found to be increasing.
The tiger population between 2006 and 2010 in UP shows a stable trend. The state has a total forest area of 14,341 sq km. The tigers occupied a total area of 2,766 sq km as per the last Census. This time, tigers have been found occupying 2,948 sq km. However, an increase in tiger population in high human-use areas has heightened man-tiger conflict.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Nine-more-adult-tigers-spotted-in-UP-Census/articleshow/7847609.cms
Tiger Census: Orissa rejects numbers
Bhubaneswar: Based on the method of counting tigers by their pug marks, Orissa until 2006 had claimed there were 192 tigers in the state including 101 in Simlipal.
But the 2006 National Tiger Census based on other methods found only 45 tigers in Orissa.
Now, the 2010 Tiger Census says there are only 32 tigers in Orissa outside the Sunabeda sanctuary which was inaccessible during the last census because of Maoist violence in the area.
Our tiger population is stable. However, the Government of India could not check the population of tigers in Sunabeda sanctuary. We are making big efforts to conserve the tigers in Orissa," said Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Orissa.
"I cannot accept the Government of India's figures because in Orissa it's a fact that tigers are there not only in Sunabeda, Satkosia and Simlipal but other parts of the state. So if we come out with this sort of report without making a detailed scientific analysis of all other tiger habitats, we are bound to commit mistakes," said PN Padhi, PCCF, Wildlife, Orissa.
The state government continues to claim there are 61 tigers in Simlipal.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/tiger-census-orissa-rejects-numbers-95597
The 2010 census report estimates there are only 23, but since it also says the actual number could be anything between 12 and 34, wildlife officials say the figures are not dependable.
"When the data is not very dependable or when the evaluator has doubts on the data, he goes for a wide range...this needs a re-verfication and I hope the NTCA orders a second kind of a survey," noted Biswajit Mohanty, Wildlife Expert.
There is little doubt that the pug-mark method of counting is unreliable but at the same time the new camera trap method must rise to the occasion and put all doubts at rest.
But the 2006 National Tiger Census based on other methods found only 45 tigers in Orissa.
Now, the 2010 Tiger Census says there are only 32 tigers in Orissa outside the Sunabeda sanctuary which was inaccessible during the last census because of Maoist violence in the area.
Our tiger population is stable. However, the Government of India could not check the population of tigers in Sunabeda sanctuary. We are making big efforts to conserve the tigers in Orissa," said Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Orissa.
"I cannot accept the Government of India's figures because in Orissa it's a fact that tigers are there not only in Sunabeda, Satkosia and Simlipal but other parts of the state. So if we come out with this sort of report without making a detailed scientific analysis of all other tiger habitats, we are bound to commit mistakes," said PN Padhi, PCCF, Wildlife, Orissa.
The state government continues to claim there are 61 tigers in Simlipal.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/tiger-census-orissa-rejects-numbers-95597
The 2010 census report estimates there are only 23, but since it also says the actual number could be anything between 12 and 34, wildlife officials say the figures are not dependable.
"When the data is not very dependable or when the evaluator has doubts on the data, he goes for a wide range...this needs a re-verfication and I hope the NTCA orders a second kind of a survey," noted Biswajit Mohanty, Wildlife Expert.
There is little doubt that the pug-mark method of counting is unreliable but at the same time the new camera trap method must rise to the occasion and put all doubts at rest.
Tiger sighted in Cavrem plantation- Rajendra P Kerkar TNN
KERI: Never was a cashew apple-plucking exercise so memorable, albeit frightening, for Latika Pandhari Velip.
The 45-year-old was hard at work in her cashew plantation at Cavrem on Tuesday evening when the unusual antics of her pet dog made her look around.
"There stood the tiger just a short way from where the dog and I were," says the still shaken up Latika.
Speechless and very frightened at the time, the mother-of-one says she calmed down only when the tiger moved away from them and into the forest around.
"I was very frightened, but the tiger only threw us a glance and went off majestically into the forest," says Latika.
Cavrem, a village in Quepem taluka, is no stranger to the presence of wild animals, including the big cat.
2009 the body of a bison supposedly killed by a tiger was found in a cashew plantation in the village. The incident was reported to the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) and the Goa forest department by local resident Tulshidas Velip through a memorandum.
When questioned about Latika's sighting of a tiger in the village on Tuesday, forest officials refused to comment.
Latika, however, told TOI, "Our forefathers have lived in this forested village in harmony with wild animals. On earlier occasions I have felt the presence of leopards, but the sight of the tiger in front of me is something I will never forget. It was indeed memorable."
Environmental activist Terence George, who works with the tribal Velip community in the region, adds, "Cavrem village has a rich forest cover which the local community protects through the tradition of sacred groves.
However, illegal mining activities in and around Cavrem has disturbed the forests and in turn the habitat of wild animals, including the tiger."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Tiger-sighted-in-Cavrem-plantation/articleshow/7847578.cms
The 45-year-old was hard at work in her cashew plantation at Cavrem on Tuesday evening when the unusual antics of her pet dog made her look around.
"There stood the tiger just a short way from where the dog and I were," says the still shaken up Latika.
Speechless and very frightened at the time, the mother-of-one says she calmed down only when the tiger moved away from them and into the forest around.
"I was very frightened, but the tiger only threw us a glance and went off majestically into the forest," says Latika.
Cavrem, a village in Quepem taluka, is no stranger to the presence of wild animals, including the big cat.
2009 the body of a bison supposedly killed by a tiger was found in a cashew plantation in the village. The incident was reported to the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) and the Goa forest department by local resident Tulshidas Velip through a memorandum.
When questioned about Latika's sighting of a tiger in the village on Tuesday, forest officials refused to comment.
Latika, however, told TOI, "Our forefathers have lived in this forested village in harmony with wild animals. On earlier occasions I have felt the presence of leopards, but the sight of the tiger in front of me is something I will never forget. It was indeed memorable."
Environmental activist Terence George, who works with the tribal Velip community in the region, adds, "Cavrem village has a rich forest cover which the local community protects through the tradition of sacred groves.
However, illegal mining activities in and around Cavrem has disturbed the forests and in turn the habitat of wild animals, including the tiger."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Tiger-sighted-in-Cavrem-plantation/articleshow/7847578.cms
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Deficiencies in tiger enumeration methods, says expert
How can we justify claims that the decline in tiger population has been reversed when various threats to the animal still persist?
Renowned wildlife biologist and tiger expert Ullas Karanth expressed serious reservations about the methodology adopted in the national tiger population estimation exercise. The results were released in Delhi on Monday, as per which the number of tigers across the country had increased from 1411 in 2006, to 1706.
He called for an end to the government monopoly on tiger monitoring, and suggested that outside expertise and resources be harnessed so as to ensure greater reliability, transparency and credibility in monitoring the fate of the national animal.
Responding to the national tiger estimation figures, Dr. Karanth, Director, Centre for Wildlife Studies, said that it was difficult to justify claims that the decline of the tiger population had been reversed when the various threats faced by the animal had not diminished in the last four years. “The full process of how these tiger numbers are generated for individual tiger populations and landscapes has not been made public in a scientifically acceptable manner. Only one scientific paper, which explains only a part of this protocol, has been published in 2011, based on data from the last round of estimation in 2007,” said Dr. Karanth. “I see serious deficiencies in the methodology which has been published.”
In a release, he said the monitoring of tracks by forest guards was not a substitute for more reliable methods of monitoring — using camera traps or DNA sampling — as had already been proven earlier in cases where tigers had vanished despite guards having done similar patrol-based monitoring. “To me the most serious flaw in the present government effort is the basic futility of trying to generate all-India-level tiger counts once in four years, even while ignoring the critical task of intensively monitoring key source populations year after year,” said Dr. Karanth.
CAMERA TRAP METHODS
He said the time had now come to switch from these four-yearly national estimation exercises and focus on intensive camera trap or DNA monitoring of tiger source populations so that one could track the fate of individual tigers, and estimate survival and recruitment rates to gauge how each of these populations was faring.
Citing works done by the Centre for Wildlife Studies, which has monitored tigers rigorously in Karnataka over an area that holds about 15% of the country's tigers, Dr. Karanth said an area of about 3,000 sq. km was camera-trapped every year and more than 100 tigers photographed out of a population of about 250 tigers. “On the basis of these data, we believe that the tiger population in Karnataka is holding out, and even increasing in some areas like Bhadra and Kudremukh thanks to the good work by government and NGOs. We believe that similar intensive monitoring of all key source populations can be easily done to generate similarly useful results across the country. This would not cost more than what the present ‘once-in-four-year' national estimation costs,” he said.
CAUTION
Dr. Karanth cautioned that if there was no shift to such focused, intensive monitoring approaches, the country was at serious risk of losing more and more key populations even as it celebrated supposed ‘increases'. He drew attention to the fact that many reserves had lost most of their tigers despite these national counts in the past decades.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article1579810.ece
Renowned wildlife biologist and tiger expert Ullas Karanth expressed serious reservations about the methodology adopted in the national tiger population estimation exercise. The results were released in Delhi on Monday, as per which the number of tigers across the country had increased from 1411 in 2006, to 1706.
He called for an end to the government monopoly on tiger monitoring, and suggested that outside expertise and resources be harnessed so as to ensure greater reliability, transparency and credibility in monitoring the fate of the national animal.
Responding to the national tiger estimation figures, Dr. Karanth, Director, Centre for Wildlife Studies, said that it was difficult to justify claims that the decline of the tiger population had been reversed when the various threats faced by the animal had not diminished in the last four years. “The full process of how these tiger numbers are generated for individual tiger populations and landscapes has not been made public in a scientifically acceptable manner. Only one scientific paper, which explains only a part of this protocol, has been published in 2011, based on data from the last round of estimation in 2007,” said Dr. Karanth. “I see serious deficiencies in the methodology which has been published.”
In a release, he said the monitoring of tracks by forest guards was not a substitute for more reliable methods of monitoring — using camera traps or DNA sampling — as had already been proven earlier in cases where tigers had vanished despite guards having done similar patrol-based monitoring. “To me the most serious flaw in the present government effort is the basic futility of trying to generate all-India-level tiger counts once in four years, even while ignoring the critical task of intensively monitoring key source populations year after year,” said Dr. Karanth.
CAMERA TRAP METHODS
He said the time had now come to switch from these four-yearly national estimation exercises and focus on intensive camera trap or DNA monitoring of tiger source populations so that one could track the fate of individual tigers, and estimate survival and recruitment rates to gauge how each of these populations was faring.
Citing works done by the Centre for Wildlife Studies, which has monitored tigers rigorously in Karnataka over an area that holds about 15% of the country's tigers, Dr. Karanth said an area of about 3,000 sq. km was camera-trapped every year and more than 100 tigers photographed out of a population of about 250 tigers. “On the basis of these data, we believe that the tiger population in Karnataka is holding out, and even increasing in some areas like Bhadra and Kudremukh thanks to the good work by government and NGOs. We believe that similar intensive monitoring of all key source populations can be easily done to generate similarly useful results across the country. This would not cost more than what the present ‘once-in-four-year' national estimation costs,” he said.
CAUTION
Dr. Karanth cautioned that if there was no shift to such focused, intensive monitoring approaches, the country was at serious risk of losing more and more key populations even as it celebrated supposed ‘increases'. He drew attention to the fact that many reserves had lost most of their tigers despite these national counts in the past decades.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article1579810.ece
Tiger numbers in Maharashtra underestimated? Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: Even if number of tigers in Maharashtra has gone up by 66 in latest estimation, experts in state are not happy with the result.
They have questioned the Wildlife Institute of India ( WII) technique of extrapolation on the basis of data collected from a high tiger density area.
In 2006, the tiger occupancy was reported in 4,273 sq km area in Maharashtra. In 2010, it jumped to 10,350 sq km, a two-and-half-times increase.
"Since various threats faced by tigers do not appear to have diminished in last four years, it is difficult to explain the claimed reversal in decline of tigers. Has the forest increased or tigers?" asked Nitin Desai, Central India director for Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI).
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-numbers-in-state-underestimated/articleshow/7822470.cms
They have questioned the Wildlife Institute of India ( WII) technique of extrapolation on the basis of data collected from a high tiger density area.
In 2006, the tiger occupancy was reported in 4,273 sq km area in Maharashtra. In 2010, it jumped to 10,350 sq km, a two-and-half-times increase.
"Since various threats faced by tigers do not appear to have diminished in last four years, it is difficult to explain the claimed reversal in decline of tigers. Has the forest increased or tigers?" asked Nitin Desai, Central India director for Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI).
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-numbers-in-state-underestimated/articleshow/7822470.cms
Meet discusses problem of straying tigers TNN
JAIPUR: The problem of tigers straying from the Ranthambore National Park came up for discussion during the on-going International Conference on Tiger Conservation in Delhi. The ministry of forest and environment is to take steps to ensure safety of tigers that stray from Ranthambore.
Usually, tigers straying from the park face threats of being poached or being killed in revenge by villagers staying on the periphery of the park after the big cats feed on their livestock.
The ministry sought suggestions from the state government at the conference to ensure safety of straying tigers. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot has announced in his budget speech proposals to develop the area connecting Ranthambore with the Mukundra hills sanctuary as a corridor for tiger movement. The area is frequently used by straying tigers from Ranthambore and developing it would give the big cats a safer passage.
The Ranthambore National Park has been suffering from a problem of plenty for some time now. Though the total area of Ranthambore tiger reserve is about 1,394.478 sq km but about 31 resident tigers are confined to an area of less than 400 sq km of the core area. The rapid multiplication of tigers in the reserve has been posing a bigger problem for foresters.
Recently, two tigers had strayed as far as Mathura while another managed to get away to Madhya Pradesh and finally to the Kuno-palpur area. Currently, at least two ---T2 and T 40 ---have not been seen since October.
"The problem is due to rising population of tigers. The semi-adults find it difficult to chalk out their territory and stray from the sanctuary. Sometimes, tigers also take to fighting among themselves over territory, often resulting in the death of one. The answer may lie in developing other areas of the park like the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary to house the rising number of tigers," sources said.
The Wildlife Institute of India estimation of tigers released on Monday put the number of tigers at Ranthambore at 31. But 12 more cubs have been born between the time the census took place and now bringing up the problem of plenty once again at the park. Tigers are fiercely protective of their territories. A tigress may have a territory of 20 sq km, while the male may cover 40-80 sq km and even more.
The state has deployed a large number of personnel to keep a watch straying tigers. Border home guards, ex-Army personnel, Van Mitras have been deputed for the purpose. For the first time the state has also deployed cadres from the Rajasthan Administrative Service who can speak the local language.
Forest officials are also trying to make more room for tigers by relocating villages located in the forest. "Last year we relocated one village from Ranthambore. This year too we are relocating about 10 villages from the forest and to make room for more tigers," officials said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Meet-discusses-problem-of-straying-tigers/articleshow/7821533.cms
Usually, tigers straying from the park face threats of being poached or being killed in revenge by villagers staying on the periphery of the park after the big cats feed on their livestock.
The ministry sought suggestions from the state government at the conference to ensure safety of straying tigers. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot has announced in his budget speech proposals to develop the area connecting Ranthambore with the Mukundra hills sanctuary as a corridor for tiger movement. The area is frequently used by straying tigers from Ranthambore and developing it would give the big cats a safer passage.
The Ranthambore National Park has been suffering from a problem of plenty for some time now. Though the total area of Ranthambore tiger reserve is about 1,394.478 sq km but about 31 resident tigers are confined to an area of less than 400 sq km of the core area. The rapid multiplication of tigers in the reserve has been posing a bigger problem for foresters.
Recently, two tigers had strayed as far as Mathura while another managed to get away to Madhya Pradesh and finally to the Kuno-palpur area. Currently, at least two ---T2 and T 40 ---have not been seen since October.
"The problem is due to rising population of tigers. The semi-adults find it difficult to chalk out their territory and stray from the sanctuary. Sometimes, tigers also take to fighting among themselves over territory, often resulting in the death of one. The answer may lie in developing other areas of the park like the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary to house the rising number of tigers," sources said.
The Wildlife Institute of India estimation of tigers released on Monday put the number of tigers at Ranthambore at 31. But 12 more cubs have been born between the time the census took place and now bringing up the problem of plenty once again at the park. Tigers are fiercely protective of their territories. A tigress may have a territory of 20 sq km, while the male may cover 40-80 sq km and even more.
The state has deployed a large number of personnel to keep a watch straying tigers. Border home guards, ex-Army personnel, Van Mitras have been deputed for the purpose. For the first time the state has also deployed cadres from the Rajasthan Administrative Service who can speak the local language.
Forest officials are also trying to make more room for tigers by relocating villages located in the forest. "Last year we relocated one village from Ranthambore. This year too we are relocating about 10 villages from the forest and to make room for more tigers," officials said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Meet-discusses-problem-of-straying-tigers/articleshow/7821533.cms
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The tiger census counts 1,706; finds 12 per cent growth
NEW DELHI: There is reason for tiger enthusiasts to celebrate: India's wild tiger population has grown 12 per cent in the last four years.
According to the 2010 tiger census, whose results were declared on Monday, there are approximately 1,706 of the big cats in the country, which includes about 70 in the marshes of the Sunderbans, which have never been scientifically surveyed before. The 2006 census had estimated that there were 1,411 tigers, without including any from the Sunderbans.
Thirty per cent of the tiger population lives in areas outside the government's reserves, giving conservationists a new challenge in the effort to protect them.
The celebrations, however, were muted by the decrease in land area where tigers can thrive. “Tiger occupancy areas shrunk from 9 million hectares to less than 7.5 million hectares over the last four years,” said Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh. “This means that tiger corridors are under severe threat, especially in central India…in Madhya Pradesh and northern Andhra Pradesh.”
Not surprisingly, these are the two States that have fared the worst in the census, with tiger populations falling to 213 in Madhya Pradesh and 65 in Andhra Pradesh.
Successful efforts
The largest number of tigers lives in Karnataka – about 280 – and conservation efforts have been successful in the entire Western Ghats area, with Tamil Nadu and Kerala also seeing good results. The Terai belt of grasslands at the Himalayan foothills in Uttarakhand have also done surprisingly well in nurturing their tiger populations.
While Kaziranga in Assam has 100 tigers, the largest in a single reserve, there are worrying signs from the North Eastern area. These forested hills are capable of supporting far more than the number of tigers that were found in the area, but poaching and the pressure of developmental activities have kept the numbers low.
Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Water Resources Minister Salman Khursheed flanked Mr. Ramesh as he announced the census results.“We can deal with the threat of poachers, of the real estate and mining mafias, but it's much harder to deal with the developmental dynamic,” said Mr. Ramesh, pointing to energy projects — whether coal, hydel or nuclear — irrigation schemes, and highway proposals as among the developments endangering tigers and their ecosystem.
“A country of 1.4 billion cannot survive on solar, wind and biogas alone, so we do need commercial sources of energy, but we also need to conserve these forests,” he told Mr. Ahluwalia. “We must decide whether we can afford a 9 per cent growth agenda which would destroy our forests and the cultures and livelihoods that depend on them.” He added that river linking, hydel and irrigation projects could destroy the Panna, Buxa and Valmiki tiger reserves.
According to the 2010 tiger census, whose results were declared on Monday, there are approximately 1,706 of the big cats in the country, which includes about 70 in the marshes of the Sunderbans, which have never been scientifically surveyed before. The 2006 census had estimated that there were 1,411 tigers, without including any from the Sunderbans.
Thirty per cent of the tiger population lives in areas outside the government's reserves, giving conservationists a new challenge in the effort to protect them.
The celebrations, however, were muted by the decrease in land area where tigers can thrive. “Tiger occupancy areas shrunk from 9 million hectares to less than 7.5 million hectares over the last four years,” said Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh. “This means that tiger corridors are under severe threat, especially in central India…in Madhya Pradesh and northern Andhra Pradesh.”
Not surprisingly, these are the two States that have fared the worst in the census, with tiger populations falling to 213 in Madhya Pradesh and 65 in Andhra Pradesh.
Successful efforts
The largest number of tigers lives in Karnataka – about 280 – and conservation efforts have been successful in the entire Western Ghats area, with Tamil Nadu and Kerala also seeing good results. The Terai belt of grasslands at the Himalayan foothills in Uttarakhand have also done surprisingly well in nurturing their tiger populations.
While Kaziranga in Assam has 100 tigers, the largest in a single reserve, there are worrying signs from the North Eastern area. These forested hills are capable of supporting far more than the number of tigers that were found in the area, but poaching and the pressure of developmental activities have kept the numbers low.
Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Water Resources Minister Salman Khursheed flanked Mr. Ramesh as he announced the census results.“We can deal with the threat of poachers, of the real estate and mining mafias, but it's much harder to deal with the developmental dynamic,” said Mr. Ramesh, pointing to energy projects — whether coal, hydel or nuclear — irrigation schemes, and highway proposals as among the developments endangering tigers and their ecosystem.
“A country of 1.4 billion cannot survive on solar, wind and biogas alone, so we do need commercial sources of energy, but we also need to conserve these forests,” he told Mr. Ahluwalia. “We must decide whether we can afford a 9 per cent growth agenda which would destroy our forests and the cultures and livelihoods that depend on them.” He added that river linking, hydel and irrigation projects could destroy the Panna, Buxa and Valmiki tiger reserves.
Forest official disputes tiger census figures TNN
HYDERABAD: There was a dispute over the number of tigers at the Nagarjuna-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) in the 2010 tiger census. While the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) put the tiger population at the reserve between 53 and 66, K Tulsi Rao, head, biodiversity research, Project Tiger, Srisailam, claimed that the number of cats in NSTR would be around 100.
While agreeing that there was a decline in the number of tigers in the state due to poaching and shrinking of their habitat, Tulsi attributed the rise in tiger population in NSTR to ertain measures introduced by his department.
The NTCA has given a bleak picture of the tiger population in the state. It said that AP and Madhya Pradesh were the only states in the country that have shown decline in tiger population. While giving no figures for the East and West Godavari districts, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram the census claimed that there were only five tigers in the districts of Adilabad, Warangal, Karimnagar and Khammam.
According to forest department officials, the tiger population rose from 102 in 2008 to 106 in 2009.
The figures released by the forest department in 2009 had put the number of tigers in NSTR at 72 as against 65 in 2008. The remaining 24 tigers were spread over other sanctuaries.
Commenting on the present situation Rao said, "At NSTR we have introduced special measures. Chenchus were roped in to act as tiger trackers. They are also protecting them."
Rao, who is also the deputy conservator of forest, put the number of tigers in NSTR at 100, including cubs. "We have captured 25-30 cubs on camera, claimed Rao.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Forest-official-disputes-tiger-census-figures/articleshow/7811037.cms
While agreeing that there was a decline in the number of tigers in the state due to poaching and shrinking of their habitat, Tulsi attributed the rise in tiger population in NSTR to ertain measures introduced by his department.
The NTCA has given a bleak picture of the tiger population in the state. It said that AP and Madhya Pradesh were the only states in the country that have shown decline in tiger population. While giving no figures for the East and West Godavari districts, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram the census claimed that there were only five tigers in the districts of Adilabad, Warangal, Karimnagar and Khammam.
According to forest department officials, the tiger population rose from 102 in 2008 to 106 in 2009.
The figures released by the forest department in 2009 had put the number of tigers in NSTR at 72 as against 65 in 2008. The remaining 24 tigers were spread over other sanctuaries.
Commenting on the present situation Rao said, "At NSTR we have introduced special measures. Chenchus were roped in to act as tiger trackers. They are also protecting them."
Rao, who is also the deputy conservator of forest, put the number of tigers in NSTR at 100, including cubs. "We have captured 25-30 cubs on camera, claimed Rao.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Forest-official-disputes-tiger-census-figures/articleshow/7811037.cms
Two tiger attacks in two days leaves villagers in fear- TNN
CHANDRAPUR: Two tiger attacks in two days have terrorised villagers of Saygata in the Bramhapuri forest range. A villager was mauled in Saygata on Saturday, while another was killed in Mayar on Sunday night by the same tiger.
Sources informed that deceased Anantrao Sondawle (50) from village Mayar had gone to answer nature's call at around 8 pm in his farm on Sunday. The lurking tiger killed him and took his body to the shrubs around 20 feet away.
When Sondawle did not return, villagers searched and found his mutilated body. "The farm is on the fringes of the forest area. Our staff found pug marks near the body. As part of the compensation, we have given Rs 10,000 as ex-gratia to his family. The remaining amount of Rs 2 lakh would be paid after the necessary formalities are completed," said RFO of Bramhapuri range, BJ Mandhre.
Earlier on Saturday, the same tiger had mauled one Murari Ganvir (50) from village Saygata, 5 km from Mayar. Ganvir was collecting mouha flowers in the forest area close to his farm.
After hearing Ganvir's cries for help, farm labourers working in the fields nearby rushed to rescue him. On hearing the alarm raised by the labourers, the tiger left the wounded Ganvir and fled. Ganvir has been admitted to the local government hospital for treatment.
Mandhre informed that jungle patrolling was on when the incident occurred. He added that patrolling has been intensified after the same tiger was spotted in the forest area.
"Since the two villages (Mayar and Saygata) are close to each other, the possibility of the involvement of the same tiger in both the attacks cannot be ruled out," said Mandhre. DCF, Bramhapuri forest division, Sanjay Thawre too claimed that it's the same tiger.
"The jungle is thin and degraded. Moreover, the landscape is knitted with closely-located villages. As it's the season of collecting tendu leaves and mouha flowers, this jungle is frequented by villagers. This could have disturbed the tiger," said Thawre.
Meanwhile, forest officials have advised villagers to remain alert. Efforts are also on to send the beast deep into the forest so that it remains far away from villages.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Two-tiger-attacks-in-two-days-leaves-villagers-in-fear/articleshow/7807756.cms
Sources informed that deceased Anantrao Sondawle (50) from village Mayar had gone to answer nature's call at around 8 pm in his farm on Sunday. The lurking tiger killed him and took his body to the shrubs around 20 feet away.
When Sondawle did not return, villagers searched and found his mutilated body. "The farm is on the fringes of the forest area. Our staff found pug marks near the body. As part of the compensation, we have given Rs 10,000 as ex-gratia to his family. The remaining amount of Rs 2 lakh would be paid after the necessary formalities are completed," said RFO of Bramhapuri range, BJ Mandhre.
Earlier on Saturday, the same tiger had mauled one Murari Ganvir (50) from village Saygata, 5 km from Mayar. Ganvir was collecting mouha flowers in the forest area close to his farm.
After hearing Ganvir's cries for help, farm labourers working in the fields nearby rushed to rescue him. On hearing the alarm raised by the labourers, the tiger left the wounded Ganvir and fled. Ganvir has been admitted to the local government hospital for treatment.
Mandhre informed that jungle patrolling was on when the incident occurred. He added that patrolling has been intensified after the same tiger was spotted in the forest area.
"Since the two villages (Mayar and Saygata) are close to each other, the possibility of the involvement of the same tiger in both the attacks cannot be ruled out," said Mandhre. DCF, Bramhapuri forest division, Sanjay Thawre too claimed that it's the same tiger.
"The jungle is thin and degraded. Moreover, the landscape is knitted with closely-located villages. As it's the season of collecting tendu leaves and mouha flowers, this jungle is frequented by villagers. This could have disturbed the tiger," said Thawre.
Meanwhile, forest officials have advised villagers to remain alert. Efforts are also on to send the beast deep into the forest so that it remains far away from villages.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Two-tiger-attacks-in-two-days-leaves-villagers-in-fear/articleshow/7807756.cms
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Census of Wild Tiger of The Country will be Unveiled Tomorrow
New population estimation figures on wild tiger numbers of India will be unveiled tomorrow here. A 3-Day International Conference on Tiger Conservation, Global Workshop on Implementation of the Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP) and General Assembly of the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) will also begin here tomorrow. India is a key player in the global tiger conservation agenda and has established a leadership position with more than 45,000 sq km area under 39 designated tiger reserves. India is also on a rapid economic growth path, faced with the challenging task of striking a balance between conservation and development. Eliciting the support of communities living in and around tiger reserves is also an imperative for mainstreaming tiger concerns in India at the landscape level with livelihood options to reduce the resource dependency on wildlife habitats.
The conference marks the first follow up of meeting countries that still have wild tigers following November 2010’s tiger summit at St. Petersburg, Russia. The historic Russian summit drew world leaders and produced the groundbreaking Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP), a worldwide plan to bring the species back from the brink of extinction. The GTRP adopted St. Petersburg outlines the priorities for national, regional, and global actions for the next 12 years. The GTRP Implementation workshop will set the stage for the first year actions. Participants from all tiger range countries will present their national priority actions for 2011 and the international partners will outline their support to assist TRCs in their implementation needs. The overall goal is to have an essential on-the-ground impact in tiger conservation and management of tiger ecosystems in 2011.
Objectives of this conference include sharing of the refined methodology and best practices in conserving tigers in India, open the dialog on conservation and infrastructure sector through Smart Green Infrastructure that promises adding value to rather than adversely impacting tiger ecosystems, experience sharing vis-a-vis the implementation of the GTRP/NTRPs across all Tiger Range Countries & launch and financial support to the TRCs, discuss a framework of national tiger and prey monitoring systems through the GTF and plan for the first Annual GTRP Stocktaking meeting in December, 2011.
With sessions on the global programme’s implementation and monitoring scheduled, the conference will serve as an update on its progress, achievements and challenges, detailing the state of the tiger in 2011. Sessions on India’s challenges in achieving conservation and economic development, as well as experiences from the frontlines of tiger conservation are also scheduled. In addition to high-level officials from the 13 countries that still have tigers, the conference is expected to hear from key NGOs and global partners in the GTRP, including the World Bank’s Global Tiger Initiative, the Global Tiger Forum, WWF, WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), the Smithsonian Institute, the wildlife trade network TRAFFIC, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
The International Tiger Conference will be followed by a meeting of the General Assembly of the Global Tiger Forum (GTF). The GTF is the only inter-governmental body focused on promoting the conservation of the tiger. Currently, India is the host country for the GTF.
Numbering more than 100,000 at the turn of the last century, tigers have lost more than 97 percent of their population and 94 percent of their home range in just 100 years. They live in increasingly isolated habitats in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Viatnam. The Global Tiger Recovery Programme marks the first formalized international initiative to save the species from extinctin.
This conference is an important first step in bringing all 13 tiger range countries together again to build on the Global Tiger Recovery Programme and stop the tiger’s decline. The conference has been hosted by the national Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India and Co-organized and co-sponsored by the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) and Global Tiger Initiative (GTI).
KP/RK
(Release ID :71290)
The conference marks the first follow up of meeting countries that still have wild tigers following November 2010’s tiger summit at St. Petersburg, Russia. The historic Russian summit drew world leaders and produced the groundbreaking Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP), a worldwide plan to bring the species back from the brink of extinction. The GTRP adopted St. Petersburg outlines the priorities for national, regional, and global actions for the next 12 years. The GTRP Implementation workshop will set the stage for the first year actions. Participants from all tiger range countries will present their national priority actions for 2011 and the international partners will outline their support to assist TRCs in their implementation needs. The overall goal is to have an essential on-the-ground impact in tiger conservation and management of tiger ecosystems in 2011.
Objectives of this conference include sharing of the refined methodology and best practices in conserving tigers in India, open the dialog on conservation and infrastructure sector through Smart Green Infrastructure that promises adding value to rather than adversely impacting tiger ecosystems, experience sharing vis-a-vis the implementation of the GTRP/NTRPs across all Tiger Range Countries & launch and financial support to the TRCs, discuss a framework of national tiger and prey monitoring systems through the GTF and plan for the first Annual GTRP Stocktaking meeting in December, 2011.
With sessions on the global programme’s implementation and monitoring scheduled, the conference will serve as an update on its progress, achievements and challenges, detailing the state of the tiger in 2011. Sessions on India’s challenges in achieving conservation and economic development, as well as experiences from the frontlines of tiger conservation are also scheduled. In addition to high-level officials from the 13 countries that still have tigers, the conference is expected to hear from key NGOs and global partners in the GTRP, including the World Bank’s Global Tiger Initiative, the Global Tiger Forum, WWF, WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), the Smithsonian Institute, the wildlife trade network TRAFFIC, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
The International Tiger Conference will be followed by a meeting of the General Assembly of the Global Tiger Forum (GTF). The GTF is the only inter-governmental body focused on promoting the conservation of the tiger. Currently, India is the host country for the GTF.
Numbering more than 100,000 at the turn of the last century, tigers have lost more than 97 percent of their population and 94 percent of their home range in just 100 years. They live in increasingly isolated habitats in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Viatnam. The Global Tiger Recovery Programme marks the first formalized international initiative to save the species from extinctin.
This conference is an important first step in bringing all 13 tiger range countries together again to build on the Global Tiger Recovery Programme and stop the tiger’s decline. The conference has been hosted by the national Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India and Co-organized and co-sponsored by the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) and Global Tiger Initiative (GTI).
KP/RK
(Release ID :71290)
Panna Reserve in Madhya Pradesh gets another tigress
A tigress was today relocated to Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, as a part of the ongoing efforts to revive the tiger population there, a top forest official said.
"A six-year old tigress from Kanha Tiger Reserve was put in the wild of the park directly this morning," Panna Tiger Reserve's field director, RS Murthy, said.
"It is for the first time in the country that a tigress has been put in the wild directly," he said, adding that normally animals are first kept in an enclosure before shifting them to the wilderness.
Murthy said that this tigress had been raised in an enclosure in Kanha, after her mother died shortly after the delivery.
The new entrant of Panna has been radio-collared for the purpose of monitoring.
With this, the number of translocated tigresses to this reserve has increased to three.
Last year, two tigresses and a tiger were shifted to Panna, which is spread over 543 sq km across Panna and Chhatarpur districts.
A tigress from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was brought in March 2009 and another one was translocated from Kanha in the same month.
Thereafter, a tiger was brought from Pench Tiger Reserve. The two translocated tigresses gave birth to cubs last year, officials said, adding that five cubs had been spotted so far.
Panna Tiger Reserve, which once had more than 35 tigers, had become devoid of the big cat, allegedly due to poaching, by 2009.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_panna-reserve-in-madhya-pradesh-gets-another-tigress_1525062
"A six-year old tigress from Kanha Tiger Reserve was put in the wild of the park directly this morning," Panna Tiger Reserve's field director, RS Murthy, said.
"It is for the first time in the country that a tigress has been put in the wild directly," he said, adding that normally animals are first kept in an enclosure before shifting them to the wilderness.
Murthy said that this tigress had been raised in an enclosure in Kanha, after her mother died shortly after the delivery.
The new entrant of Panna has been radio-collared for the purpose of monitoring.
With this, the number of translocated tigresses to this reserve has increased to three.
Last year, two tigresses and a tiger were shifted to Panna, which is spread over 543 sq km across Panna and Chhatarpur districts.
A tigress from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was brought in March 2009 and another one was translocated from Kanha in the same month.
Thereafter, a tiger was brought from Pench Tiger Reserve. The two translocated tigresses gave birth to cubs last year, officials said, adding that five cubs had been spotted so far.
Panna Tiger Reserve, which once had more than 35 tigers, had become devoid of the big cat, allegedly due to poaching, by 2009.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_panna-reserve-in-madhya-pradesh-gets-another-tigress_1525062
Two base camps to check man-animal conflicts in Terai
The state Forest department will be undertaking an exclusive project to keep a check on the incidents of man-animal conflict in the core tiger habitat zone in the state. The department, with support from the World Wildlife Fund, will be establishing two conflict and quick response camps at Katarniya Ghat in Bahraich and Dudhwa Wildlife Sanctuary in Lakhimpur Kheri districts. These camps will cover the area between Katarniya Ghat and Pilibhit forest reserves and check the movement of tigers and also, the incidents of man-animal conflict.
The decision to set up these base camps was taken at a meeting of the newly formed Project Management Committee for the Project Tiger, held at Pilibhit on Friday and Saturday. The committee, which has officials of the state Forest department and the WWF as its members, will be monitoring all the projects that the department will undertake for the protection of tigers. During the meeting, the committee decided to include Pilibhit in the core tiger habitat zone.
The need for setting up these base camps was felt because of the recent incidents of tiger killings. Since July last, there have been around 10 incidents of man-animal conflicts in several districts of the state. The latest attack was reported from Rae Bareli on Saturday, when 8 people including a deputy ranger, were injured while trying to catch the leopard. The incident occurred in Lachai village under Saraini police station around 7.30 am, when the leopard attacked four locals, including a woman, who were working in the field. Hearing their cries, other villagers rushed to the spot. The injured were rushed to the district hospital. Meanwhile, a forest team also reached the spot. The animal attacked deputy ranger Ram Naresh Shukla, who was also rushed to the hospital. The villagers then started hitting the animal with lathis and stones and finally, killed the animal. Three more people were injured during the fight
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/two-base-camps-to-check-mananimal-conflicts-in-terai/767885/
The decision to set up these base camps was taken at a meeting of the newly formed Project Management Committee for the Project Tiger, held at Pilibhit on Friday and Saturday. The committee, which has officials of the state Forest department and the WWF as its members, will be monitoring all the projects that the department will undertake for the protection of tigers. During the meeting, the committee decided to include Pilibhit in the core tiger habitat zone.
The need for setting up these base camps was felt because of the recent incidents of tiger killings. Since July last, there have been around 10 incidents of man-animal conflicts in several districts of the state. The latest attack was reported from Rae Bareli on Saturday, when 8 people including a deputy ranger, were injured while trying to catch the leopard. The incident occurred in Lachai village under Saraini police station around 7.30 am, when the leopard attacked four locals, including a woman, who were working in the field. Hearing their cries, other villagers rushed to the spot. The injured were rushed to the district hospital. Meanwhile, a forest team also reached the spot. The animal attacked deputy ranger Ram Naresh Shukla, who was also rushed to the hospital. The villagers then started hitting the animal with lathis and stones and finally, killed the animal. Three more people were injured during the fight
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/two-base-camps-to-check-mananimal-conflicts-in-terai/767885/
Tiger reserve in Jharkhand ravaged by forest fire
Forest Ranger Ashok Kumar Singh said: " We are trying to bring the fire under control for several days. Our staff works all night and as per the latest report, we have almost controlled it. You will not find any new fire breaking out."
He also said that the fire may not harm big animals, but reptiles like snakes, lizards, etc. could be killed.
No one has been reported injured in the fire that has devastated about 72 square kilometers of the forest area.
Trackers and firefighters from the forest department are facing a lot of difficulty to carry out operations to douse the fire during the night due to low visibility and the complex nature of the terrain. (ANI)
http://www.sify.com/news/tiger-reserve-in-jharkhand-ravaged-by-forest-fire-news-national-ldzlEcebchf.html
He also said that the fire may not harm big animals, but reptiles like snakes, lizards, etc. could be killed.
No one has been reported injured in the fire that has devastated about 72 square kilometers of the forest area.
Trackers and firefighters from the forest department are facing a lot of difficulty to carry out operations to douse the fire during the night due to low visibility and the complex nature of the terrain. (ANI)
http://www.sify.com/news/tiger-reserve-in-jharkhand-ravaged-by-forest-fire-news-national-ldzlEcebchf.html
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tiger kills man, this time in Bhadrawati forest- TNN
CHANDRAPUR: A tiger claimed yet another life in Bhadrawati forest range taking the tally of human kills in the district to three this year. The incident took place in Gudgaon beat near Sawri village close to the Irai dam on Wednesday afternoon, but the body was discovered later in the same night. The second human kill by tiger in span of just one month in the jungles close the Irai dam in Bhadrawati tehsil has alarmed villages in the area.
Sources informed that deceased shepherd Natthu Kedar (60) from Sawri had taken his herd into the jungle for grazing in the morning. At around 5pm the herd came back to the village without its shepherd. As he did not return till dusk, the villagers went out in his search.
"The body was discovered in the farm of Baburao Kirtane close to the jungle of compartment No. 935 in Gudgaon beat near Irai dam by the villager. The body had several scratch marks on its back and was lying close the shrubs near the boundary of the farm. After getting information both forest and police personnel rushed to the spot," said RFO, Bhadrawati range, Arun Tikhe.
He informed that ACF TK Dhabekar and he reached the spot with his subordinates and sent the body for post-mortem after necessary inquest formalities.
Tikhe confirmed that it was the act of tiger. "We have recovered the pugmarks on the spot where the kill was made. Moreover, there is known presence of tiger in the area. Tiger might have killed the shepherd in the afternoon while he was grazing the animals, but body was discovered later in the evening," he said.
Replying to a query he denied the possibility of the beast being the same tiger which had killed an unidentified person on February 26 night in compartment No. 206 in same Bhadrawati range. He informed that there are quite a few tigers in Bhadrawati forest range and the two human kills have been made by different tigers.
"We have identified the tiger that killed Kedar on Wednesday and it is different from the one that had made human kill earlier," Tikhe stressed. He said that forest officers have given the ex-gratia aid of Rs 5000 to the kin of Kedar and compensation of Rs 2 lakh against the death would be paid after the necessary documental formalities are completed. Notably this is third instance when tigers had made human kill in the district this year. As many as 12 people were killed in tiger attacks in district last year.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-kills-man-this-time-in-Bhadrawati-forest/articleshow/7783530.cms
Sources informed that deceased shepherd Natthu Kedar (60) from Sawri had taken his herd into the jungle for grazing in the morning. At around 5pm the herd came back to the village without its shepherd. As he did not return till dusk, the villagers went out in his search.
"The body was discovered in the farm of Baburao Kirtane close to the jungle of compartment No. 935 in Gudgaon beat near Irai dam by the villager. The body had several scratch marks on its back and was lying close the shrubs near the boundary of the farm. After getting information both forest and police personnel rushed to the spot," said RFO, Bhadrawati range, Arun Tikhe.
He informed that ACF TK Dhabekar and he reached the spot with his subordinates and sent the body for post-mortem after necessary inquest formalities.
Tikhe confirmed that it was the act of tiger. "We have recovered the pugmarks on the spot where the kill was made. Moreover, there is known presence of tiger in the area. Tiger might have killed the shepherd in the afternoon while he was grazing the animals, but body was discovered later in the evening," he said.
Replying to a query he denied the possibility of the beast being the same tiger which had killed an unidentified person on February 26 night in compartment No. 206 in same Bhadrawati range. He informed that there are quite a few tigers in Bhadrawati forest range and the two human kills have been made by different tigers.
"We have identified the tiger that killed Kedar on Wednesday and it is different from the one that had made human kill earlier," Tikhe stressed. He said that forest officers have given the ex-gratia aid of Rs 5000 to the kin of Kedar and compensation of Rs 2 lakh against the death would be paid after the necessary documental formalities are completed. Notably this is third instance when tigers had made human kill in the district this year. As many as 12 people were killed in tiger attacks in district last year.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-kills-man-this-time-in-Bhadrawati-forest/articleshow/7783530.cms
PAC flays Environment Ministry''s "silence" on tiger protection -PTI
New Delhi, Mar 24 (PTI) Environment Ministry's claim on protection of tigers notwithstanding, a parliamentary committee has taken a dim view of its "silence" on the matter.In its report, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Chaired by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, "deplored the failure" on the part of the Ministry in "not outlining the follow-up action" taken by the states to fill up the field staff in spite of the matter being addressed at the level of the Prime Minister and the Environment Minister. "Worse, the Committee notes with distress that reply is conspicuously silent about the tiger conservation plan prepared by the individual states," said the report on conservation and protection of tigers in tiger reserves tabled in the Lok Sabha. The 22-member committee is of the considered view that mere issuance of guidelines would not help protect the tigers from poachers unless strict monitoring is done of the performance of staff detailed for saving the tigers. "The committee notes with regret that the Ministry has remained silent with regard to pattern of training, duration of training, arms and ammunition used during the training and experts engaged for imparting training to the patrolling staff in the tiger reserves," the report said. The committee recommended that staff be adequately trained and well equipped for ensuring effective patrolling so as to conserve the tigers apart from controlling illegal wildlife trade.
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/pac-flays-environment-ministrys-silence-on-tiger-protection/622224.html
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/pac-flays-environment-ministrys-silence-on-tiger-protection/622224.html
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tiger census to be made public on March 28: Ramesh
Expressing hope that the number of tigers in the country has increased, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh today said that the census of the big cats would be made public on March 28.
“Tiger census is being released to the people...to the nation on Monday, March 28. This was the most comprehensive and scientifically conducted census exercise,” the Minister told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
“I have no inside information. I can’t promise anything. I hope we will have good news,” the Minister said when asked about the nature of revelations that will be made.
He, however, expressed hope that the tiger population in the country turns out to be more than the existing figure of 1,411 after the results of the census exercise are out.
The census was carried out by installing cameras at strategic points like water bodies in the forests, as also in respective territories of the big cats and a computer analysis was done to collate the data.
The 2007 census had shown a sharp fall in the number of tigers in ‘protected areas’ - reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries - in 19 States across the country.
According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.
“Tiger census is being released to the people...to the nation on Monday, March 28. This was the most comprehensive and scientifically conducted census exercise,” the Minister told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
“I have no inside information. I can’t promise anything. I hope we will have good news,” the Minister said when asked about the nature of revelations that will be made.
He, however, expressed hope that the tiger population in the country turns out to be more than the existing figure of 1,411 after the results of the census exercise are out.
The census was carried out by installing cameras at strategic points like water bodies in the forests, as also in respective territories of the big cats and a computer analysis was done to collate the data.
The 2007 census had shown a sharp fall in the number of tigers in ‘protected areas’ - reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries - in 19 States across the country.
According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.
Locals in Bandipur spark off fires in tiger reserves: officials Published: Bosky Khanna, DNA
Several cases of forest fire have been reported in Bandipur and Nagarhole tiger reserves and, in most cases, it has been the locals — tribals and villagers —who have been behind this.
In a recent case at Bandipur’s Gopalaswamy Betta range, about two acres were gutted under ground fire.
According to Bandipur Tiger Reserve’s deputy conservator of forests (DCF), KT Hanumanthappa, it happened near a camp and the staffers were just in time to control it. He also revealed that two persons have been arrested in this connection, and search is on for four others.
Nagarhole Tiger Reserve also faces a similar situation. DCF Vijay Ranjan Singh said that there have been about seven cases of forest fire in Mettikuppe range and the last one occurred on March 19. He pointed out that the range is fire-prone as several tribals and locals are in the vicinity.
“Since the area is also dry, it is more vulnerable to fire, when compared to Nagarhole and DB Kuppe ranges,” he said. He also said thatseveral locals have been booked for setting forest fires, this year.
A forest official shared the reason for this mishap. “Last year, there was a dispute with respect to the fire-fighting wages. Since it was not in the favour of some locals, they try to seek vengeance by damaging the forest,” he said.
The other reason is the belief of locals that setting the forest on fire may give way to fresh blades of grass that is good for cattle-grazing.
Some ranges are targeted because of the effective setting up of trenches, to restrict elephant movements and also the movement of cattle inside the forest.
The department has been dousing fire by creating fire lines, undertaking controlled burning, beating the fire with bushes, and even throwing water. Locals are also being hired to ensure that they are employed and do not indulge in illegal practices.
There were several awareness camps to educate them. A helpline has also been set up for reporting fire incidents to the department.
Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) BK Singh said that the department has been taking all precautionary measures to ensure that there is no harm done to forests.
In all cases of forest fire, there have been no destruction of wildlife. The measures are also being strengthened to keep a tab on the locals.“We are now praying for early rains to help in making the work easy. However, patrolling has been intensified and additional staff has been deployed to manage the forests,” he said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_locals-in-bandipur-spark-off-fires-in-tiger-reserves-officials_1523138
In a recent case at Bandipur’s Gopalaswamy Betta range, about two acres were gutted under ground fire.
According to Bandipur Tiger Reserve’s deputy conservator of forests (DCF), KT Hanumanthappa, it happened near a camp and the staffers were just in time to control it. He also revealed that two persons have been arrested in this connection, and search is on for four others.
Nagarhole Tiger Reserve also faces a similar situation. DCF Vijay Ranjan Singh said that there have been about seven cases of forest fire in Mettikuppe range and the last one occurred on March 19. He pointed out that the range is fire-prone as several tribals and locals are in the vicinity.
“Since the area is also dry, it is more vulnerable to fire, when compared to Nagarhole and DB Kuppe ranges,” he said. He also said thatseveral locals have been booked for setting forest fires, this year.
A forest official shared the reason for this mishap. “Last year, there was a dispute with respect to the fire-fighting wages. Since it was not in the favour of some locals, they try to seek vengeance by damaging the forest,” he said.
The other reason is the belief of locals that setting the forest on fire may give way to fresh blades of grass that is good for cattle-grazing.
Some ranges are targeted because of the effective setting up of trenches, to restrict elephant movements and also the movement of cattle inside the forest.
The department has been dousing fire by creating fire lines, undertaking controlled burning, beating the fire with bushes, and even throwing water. Locals are also being hired to ensure that they are employed and do not indulge in illegal practices.
There were several awareness camps to educate them. A helpline has also been set up for reporting fire incidents to the department.
Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) BK Singh said that the department has been taking all precautionary measures to ensure that there is no harm done to forests.
In all cases of forest fire, there have been no destruction of wildlife. The measures are also being strengthened to keep a tab on the locals.“We are now praying for early rains to help in making the work easy. However, patrolling has been intensified and additional staff has been deployed to manage the forests,” he said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_locals-in-bandipur-spark-off-fires-in-tiger-reserves-officials_1523138
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Rajaji tiger count tops 32, no thanks to Van Gujjars
The number of tigers in Rajaji National Park (RNP) has risen to over 32 but biotic pressure, especially from the population of Van Gujjars living in the national park, is damaging environment in the protected area, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wild-Life Warden Shrikant Chandola said here on Monday.
Speaking at a meeting on the occasion of World Forestry Day, Chandola said 32 tigers had been counted in the park though their population is believed to be around 40. The national park has one of the richest sambhar populations in India, which is favourable for tigers.
But Van Gujjars living in the park are disturbing peace in the area, Chandola said.
Eight tiger deaths have been recorded in the State since April 1, 2010, of which one tiger was shot after being marked a ‘man-eater’. The other deaths were due to natural causes. However, referring to the man killed by a tiger in Corbett National Park on March 11, the CWLW said it was not a man-eater and that the death, though unfortunate, occurred because “the man was in the tiger’s area and hence an easy prey”.
Since Van Gujjars occupy the best lands and utilise water inside Rajaji, it has a negative impact on wildlife, Chandola said. He added that though the Van Gujjars in the past were sensitive towards environment and wildlife, their presence in the park was now associated with the rise in poaching.
Grazing by domestic animals has also led to the spread of lantana throughout the park and, for ensuring the success of conservation efforts, it is essential to relocate humans outside the national park, Chandola said. Moreover, developing the forests of Lansdowne division as a dedicated wildlife corridor is vital for ensuring genetic diversity and allowing free movement of animals between Corbett and Rajaji.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/325977/Rajaji-tiger-count-tops-32-no-thanks-to-Van-Gujjars.html
Speaking at a meeting on the occasion of World Forestry Day, Chandola said 32 tigers had been counted in the park though their population is believed to be around 40. The national park has one of the richest sambhar populations in India, which is favourable for tigers.
But Van Gujjars living in the park are disturbing peace in the area, Chandola said.
Eight tiger deaths have been recorded in the State since April 1, 2010, of which one tiger was shot after being marked a ‘man-eater’. The other deaths were due to natural causes. However, referring to the man killed by a tiger in Corbett National Park on March 11, the CWLW said it was not a man-eater and that the death, though unfortunate, occurred because “the man was in the tiger’s area and hence an easy prey”.
Since Van Gujjars occupy the best lands and utilise water inside Rajaji, it has a negative impact on wildlife, Chandola said. He added that though the Van Gujjars in the past were sensitive towards environment and wildlife, their presence in the park was now associated with the rise in poaching.
Grazing by domestic animals has also led to the spread of lantana throughout the park and, for ensuring the success of conservation efforts, it is essential to relocate humans outside the national park, Chandola said. Moreover, developing the forests of Lansdowne division as a dedicated wildlife corridor is vital for ensuring genetic diversity and allowing free movement of animals between Corbett and Rajaji.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/325977/Rajaji-tiger-count-tops-32-no-thanks-to-Van-Gujjars.html
Custody of tiger skin accused extended-TNN
NAGPUR: The forest custody remand (FCR) of two youths attempting to sell 53-year-old licensed tiger skin online has been extended till March 23.
Devesh Raut (29) and Kapil Devke (31) from Daryapur near Amravati were arrested on March 16 by the crime branch for attempting to sell a licensed tiger skin for Rs 50 lakh. Their initial FCR was until March 20.
Devesh and Kapil were on Monday taken to their hometown Daryapur by assistant conservator of forest ( ACF) and investigating officer Avinash Anjikar.
"We did not find any additional animal trophies or tiger skins during the search of house of the accused persons. The website launched by the culprits to sell tiger skin mentioned that they dealt in seven wildlife products but this fact, too, could not be established," Anjikar said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Custody-of-tiger-skin-accused-extended/articleshow/7758204.cms
Devesh Raut (29) and Kapil Devke (31) from Daryapur near Amravati were arrested on March 16 by the crime branch for attempting to sell a licensed tiger skin for Rs 50 lakh. Their initial FCR was until March 20.
Devesh and Kapil were on Monday taken to their hometown Daryapur by assistant conservator of forest ( ACF) and investigating officer Avinash Anjikar.
"We did not find any additional animal trophies or tiger skins during the search of house of the accused persons. The website launched by the culprits to sell tiger skin mentioned that they dealt in seven wildlife products but this fact, too, could not be established," Anjikar said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Custody-of-tiger-skin-accused-extended/articleshow/7758204.cms
Soon, female tourist guides at Tadoba Mazhar Ali, TNN
CHANDRAPUR: Tourists visiting Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) with families would have a pleasant surprise this summer. They might just be accompanied by female tourist guides for the safari.
Three enthusiastic girls from villages in the reserve's buffer zone have enrolled for the training camp for tourist guides that began in Moharli on Monday to mark International Forest Day. It would be the first instance in Maharashtra, probably in the country, when women tour guides would take tourists on safari in tiger reserves. Kanchan Joshi and Shaila Ramteke, both from Palasgaon village, and Sonali Meshram from Mamla village in the buffer area will be qualified as tour guides after the training currently under way.
The management of TATR has taken up an extensive capacity building programme for villagers living in its buffer zone to develop their earning capabilities. A five-day-long skill upgradation camp for tourist guides began from Monday in Moharli village as a part of the same programme.
What came as a surprise for the authorities was that these three girls turned up to join the training. "Basically it is a skill upgradation camp for existing tourist guides. But the girls were so keen to become tourist guides that we accepted them for training," said CF and field director of TATR Vinaykumar Sinha. At present, there are 60 tourist guides in TATR and they are paid Rs 200 per trip into the tiger reserve. Thirty tourist guides, including the girls, began training in the camp from Monday.
The idea of training women as tourist guides first came up in the concluding programme of a tailoring and leather-bag making training camp for women at the training centre of Indian Institute of Youth Welfare (IIYF) here a fortnight back. Sinha was guest of honour for the programme and all 22 trainee women present in the programme agreed to take up tour-guide as a profession, when the subject came up during an informal discussion.
Impressed by their enthusiasm, Sinha agreed to offer them the opportunity and asked them to forward their application through IIYF centre in-charge Vijay Takey for the training camp scheduled to begin from International Forest Day.
"They would be given both theoretical and field knowledge about basic ecology and ecotourism. Details about behaviour and habitat of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and even the species of the plants found in TATR would be given by experts during the training. The female guides would be ideal to accompany families or group of girls or women coming on their own for safari in TATR," said Sinha. He said that the girls are Std XII pass and if worked on their English speaking skills, they could also escort foreign tourists.
He said that Prof Adwait Adgaonkar and Yogesh Dubey from Indian Institute of Forest Management, senior wildlife expert Prachi Mehta, insect expert Radhesham Sharma and reptile expert Sanjay Thakur from WWF would train the tourist guides.
With the forest department planning to develop two more tourist zones in the buffer area to reduce tourism pressure from the core area of TATR, the idea of taking up tourist guide as a profession may be a good idea for the women of the villages.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Soon-female-tourist-guides-at-Tadoba/articleshow/7757263.cms
Three enthusiastic girls from villages in the reserve's buffer zone have enrolled for the training camp for tourist guides that began in Moharli on Monday to mark International Forest Day. It would be the first instance in Maharashtra, probably in the country, when women tour guides would take tourists on safari in tiger reserves. Kanchan Joshi and Shaila Ramteke, both from Palasgaon village, and Sonali Meshram from Mamla village in the buffer area will be qualified as tour guides after the training currently under way.
The management of TATR has taken up an extensive capacity building programme for villagers living in its buffer zone to develop their earning capabilities. A five-day-long skill upgradation camp for tourist guides began from Monday in Moharli village as a part of the same programme.
What came as a surprise for the authorities was that these three girls turned up to join the training. "Basically it is a skill upgradation camp for existing tourist guides. But the girls were so keen to become tourist guides that we accepted them for training," said CF and field director of TATR Vinaykumar Sinha. At present, there are 60 tourist guides in TATR and they are paid Rs 200 per trip into the tiger reserve. Thirty tourist guides, including the girls, began training in the camp from Monday.
The idea of training women as tourist guides first came up in the concluding programme of a tailoring and leather-bag making training camp for women at the training centre of Indian Institute of Youth Welfare (IIYF) here a fortnight back. Sinha was guest of honour for the programme and all 22 trainee women present in the programme agreed to take up tour-guide as a profession, when the subject came up during an informal discussion.
Impressed by their enthusiasm, Sinha agreed to offer them the opportunity and asked them to forward their application through IIYF centre in-charge Vijay Takey for the training camp scheduled to begin from International Forest Day.
"They would be given both theoretical and field knowledge about basic ecology and ecotourism. Details about behaviour and habitat of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and even the species of the plants found in TATR would be given by experts during the training. The female guides would be ideal to accompany families or group of girls or women coming on their own for safari in TATR," said Sinha. He said that the girls are Std XII pass and if worked on their English speaking skills, they could also escort foreign tourists.
He said that Prof Adwait Adgaonkar and Yogesh Dubey from Indian Institute of Forest Management, senior wildlife expert Prachi Mehta, insect expert Radhesham Sharma and reptile expert Sanjay Thakur from WWF would train the tourist guides.
With the forest department planning to develop two more tourist zones in the buffer area to reduce tourism pressure from the core area of TATR, the idea of taking up tourist guide as a profession may be a good idea for the women of the villages.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Soon-female-tourist-guides-at-Tadoba/articleshow/7757263.cms
No decline in tigers in Similipal forest-PTI
Bhubaneswar: There has been no decline in the population of tigers in Similipal forests in Mayurbhanj district, where their number was 61, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said today.
Of the 61 tigers in Similipal, 16 were males, 31 females and 14 cubs, he said replying to a written question in the assembly.
Patnaik, who also holds the forest and environment departments, said the number of tigers in the forest was found during the a census by the state government in 2009 by adopting the pug mark method.
The outcome of the 2010 census conducted by the Ministry of Forest and Environment with help of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, was not known as all the four phases associated with the head count were yet to be completed.
The economic survey of 2010-11 had, however, said there were 192 tigers and 487 leopards in the state as per the 2004 census as against 173 tigers and 457 leopards counted in 2002.
The WII census of 2006-2007 using the camera trap method had put the number of tigers between 17 and 23 besides tiger cubs in Similipal area but had not given any figure based on gender, he said.
Orissa has two notified tiger reserves - one at Similipal in Mayurbhanj district and another at Satkosia in Angul district.
http://www.zeenews.com/news694719.html
Of the 61 tigers in Similipal, 16 were males, 31 females and 14 cubs, he said replying to a written question in the assembly.
Patnaik, who also holds the forest and environment departments, said the number of tigers in the forest was found during the a census by the state government in 2009 by adopting the pug mark method.
The outcome of the 2010 census conducted by the Ministry of Forest and Environment with help of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, was not known as all the four phases associated with the head count were yet to be completed.
The economic survey of 2010-11 had, however, said there were 192 tigers and 487 leopards in the state as per the 2004 census as against 173 tigers and 457 leopards counted in 2002.
The WII census of 2006-2007 using the camera trap method had put the number of tigers between 17 and 23 besides tiger cubs in Similipal area but had not given any figure based on gender, he said.
Orissa has two notified tiger reserves - one at Similipal in Mayurbhanj district and another at Satkosia in Angul district.
http://www.zeenews.com/news694719.html
Monday, March 21, 2011
Tigers to set get back lost space: T.S.Sreenivasa Raghavan DC
The forest department will soon unveil a 10-year plan for the conservation of the remaining tigers in Periyar Tiger Reserve in the state.
Sources said, an effective plan was being finalised aimed at ensuring the safety of the endangered cats and the rapidization of their breeding.
“The tigers will soon get back the space they lost due to human activity. Of the 950 square kilometer tiger reserve, we’ve observed human activity in an area of about 150 square kilometers. As a result, the tiger population didn’t witness any dramatic increase,” sources said.
Interestingly, Periyar Tiger Reserve has population of 45 tigers according to the census done last year based on camera-trap technology. Implementation of Sabarimala Master Plan which runs through the reserve and expected regulation of crowds thronging the hill shrine are also expected to benefit the tigers.
The 10-year plan which will take a holistic view of tourism activities will also ban entry to private vehicles into the reserve. Officials have observed that increasing vehicular traffic inside the reserve was damaging the eco-system.
“Without a doubt increasing human activity is endangering wildlife. Tourists are also equally in danger when they stray into the reserve in the absence of proper guides and precautions,” sources said.
According to the 10-year plan, the forest department will ply its own vehicles to ensure a guided tour into the reserve areas.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/kochi/tigers-set-get-back-lost-space-555
Sources said, an effective plan was being finalised aimed at ensuring the safety of the endangered cats and the rapidization of their breeding.
“The tigers will soon get back the space they lost due to human activity. Of the 950 square kilometer tiger reserve, we’ve observed human activity in an area of about 150 square kilometers. As a result, the tiger population didn’t witness any dramatic increase,” sources said.
Interestingly, Periyar Tiger Reserve has population of 45 tigers according to the census done last year based on camera-trap technology. Implementation of Sabarimala Master Plan which runs through the reserve and expected regulation of crowds thronging the hill shrine are also expected to benefit the tigers.
The 10-year plan which will take a holistic view of tourism activities will also ban entry to private vehicles into the reserve. Officials have observed that increasing vehicular traffic inside the reserve was damaging the eco-system.
“Without a doubt increasing human activity is endangering wildlife. Tourists are also equally in danger when they stray into the reserve in the absence of proper guides and precautions,” sources said.
According to the 10-year plan, the forest department will ply its own vehicles to ensure a guided tour into the reserve areas.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/kochi/tigers-set-get-back-lost-space-555
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Tiger kills man in Nagbhid tehsil TNN
CHANDRAPUR: A tiger killed a person and partially ate his body in the fields near Menha Kirmiti village in Nagbhid tehsil during midnight hours of Friday. Body of Shriram Atram (55) was recovered later in the same night by the villagers, but the reason of his visit to the remote area away from the village could not be ascertained.
Sources in forest department informed that Atram left his house at around 11pm and went into the fields around a kilometre away from the village. As he reached the nullah near the farm, a tiger lurking there pounced on him. The beast later dragged the body to some distance and devoured it before going back into the jungle.
"Later the villagers found his mutilated body lying near the nullah. The tiger had eaten some part of the body. Why he went to a distant farm (not owned by him) that too late in the night is still not clear," said DCF, Bhrahmapuri division, Sanjay Thawre.
Thawre informed that the family members of Atram have confirmed that he was in home till late night watching television, but later he went out without informing any one.
Thawre confirmed that it was the act of a tiger. "The place is close to the jungle. The tiger might have come there to drink water in the nullah. As Atram reached there at the same time, the beast attacked and killed him. We have recovered pugmarks of a tiger near the kill," said Thawre.
He informed that forest officials reached the spot on Saturday morning and sent the body for post mortem. An ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 has been paid to the kin for funeral formalities and the compensation of Rs 2 lakh against the death would paid later after the completion of documental formalities. Notably it is second instance when tiger had made human kill in the district this year. As many as 12 people were killed in tiger attacks in the district last year.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-kills-man-in-Nagbhid-tehsil/articleshow/7745652.cms
Sources in forest department informed that Atram left his house at around 11pm and went into the fields around a kilometre away from the village. As he reached the nullah near the farm, a tiger lurking there pounced on him. The beast later dragged the body to some distance and devoured it before going back into the jungle.
"Later the villagers found his mutilated body lying near the nullah. The tiger had eaten some part of the body. Why he went to a distant farm (not owned by him) that too late in the night is still not clear," said DCF, Bhrahmapuri division, Sanjay Thawre.
Thawre informed that the family members of Atram have confirmed that he was in home till late night watching television, but later he went out without informing any one.
Thawre confirmed that it was the act of a tiger. "The place is close to the jungle. The tiger might have come there to drink water in the nullah. As Atram reached there at the same time, the beast attacked and killed him. We have recovered pugmarks of a tiger near the kill," said Thawre.
He informed that forest officials reached the spot on Saturday morning and sent the body for post mortem. An ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 has been paid to the kin for funeral formalities and the compensation of Rs 2 lakh against the death would paid later after the completion of documental formalities. Notably it is second instance when tiger had made human kill in the district this year. As many as 12 people were killed in tiger attacks in the district last year.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-kills-man-in-Nagbhid-tehsil/articleshow/7745652.cms
Pune cops seize two live tortoises, tiger paw Published: Vaishali Balajiwale, DNA
Two live tortoises and a tiger paw with nails were confiscated from a dhaba on Mumbai-Agra highway near Nashik in the wee hours of Thursday.
Acting on a tip-off, the police raided Aditya Dhaba in Talegaon Shivar, near Igatpuri, at midnight and confiscated two live tortoises and a tiger paw with nails.
The owner of the dhaba, Dinesh Kolekar, was held by the police under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Further investigation in the case is underway.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_pune-cops-seize-two-live-tortoises-tiger-paw_1522053
Acting on a tip-off, the police raided Aditya Dhaba in Talegaon Shivar, near Igatpuri, at midnight and confiscated two live tortoises and a tiger paw with nails.
The owner of the dhaba, Dinesh Kolekar, was held by the police under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Further investigation in the case is underway.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_pune-cops-seize-two-live-tortoises-tiger-paw_1522053
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Quick relief for tiger attack victims now Vijay Pinjarkar
NAGPUR: At a time when man-animal conflict is at its peak, the state government has come out with relief to tiger attack victims by providing compensation without waiting for funds.
A GR issued by the state government recently states that legal heir of victims who die in attack by wild animals will get immediate relief. Even those injured in such attacks will get quick compensation.
The GR states that even if funds are not available and the balance sheet is in minus, victim will get immediate aid. There are many complaints that kin of victims don't get financial relief in time.
The demand was made by chief wildlife warden DC Pant during a meeting with deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar during the assembly session in Nagpur. Pant pursued the matter.
"There have been compensation cases pending for years. This not only puts forest department in bad light but the field staff too has to face the ire of villagers. It also leads to locals turning against tigers," a senior official said.
The government pays Rs 2 lakh to the kin of victims who die in wild animal attack or suffer permanent disability. Besides, Rs 50,000 is paid to those injured. The government also bears the medical expenses of the injured.
During the last four years (2006-10), the man-conflict has increased in Vidarbha from 30% to 70%. At least 69 persons have been killed by tigers and leopards in Chandrapur district alone in the past six years from January 2005. In many cases compensation has still not been paid. However, the situation is expected to change in the current financial year.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Quick-relief-for-tiger-attack-victims-now/articleshow/7740116.cms
A GR issued by the state government recently states that legal heir of victims who die in attack by wild animals will get immediate relief. Even those injured in such attacks will get quick compensation.
The GR states that even if funds are not available and the balance sheet is in minus, victim will get immediate aid. There are many complaints that kin of victims don't get financial relief in time.
The demand was made by chief wildlife warden DC Pant during a meeting with deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar during the assembly session in Nagpur. Pant pursued the matter.
"There have been compensation cases pending for years. This not only puts forest department in bad light but the field staff too has to face the ire of villagers. It also leads to locals turning against tigers," a senior official said.
The government pays Rs 2 lakh to the kin of victims who die in wild animal attack or suffer permanent disability. Besides, Rs 50,000 is paid to those injured. The government also bears the medical expenses of the injured.
During the last four years (2006-10), the man-conflict has increased in Vidarbha from 30% to 70%. At least 69 persons have been killed by tigers and leopards in Chandrapur district alone in the past six years from January 2005. In many cases compensation has still not been paid. However, the situation is expected to change in the current financial year.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Quick-relief-for-tiger-attack-victims-now/articleshow/7740116.cms
Friday, March 18, 2011
Tiger Census to be released on March 28: Jairam Ramesh
India's 'Tiger Census' will be released on March 28, environment minister Jairam Ramesh announced on Thursday and hoped that the country will be able to report that the big cat's population is more than the existing figure of 1,411 after the results of the exercise are out.
"It is the most comprehensive census we have done so far and very systematically, involving a large number of people. We are releasing it on March 28," Jairam said.
The census was carried out by installing cameras at strategic points, like water bodies in the forests, as also in the respective territories of the big cats and a computer analysis was done to collate the data.
The 2007 census had shown a sharp fall in the number of tigers in 'protected areas' - reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries - in 19 states across the country. According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.
"I hope that on March 28 we will be able to report that tiger population figure of 1,411 in India is infact more than 1,411," Jairam told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
However, he expressed concern over the threat to the forest eco-system from multitude of sources, a true representation of the tigers.
"Tiger is a representation of our forest eco-system is under severe threat from our eco-system which is underserious threat from variety of sources, severe threat from poachers, hoteliers, hotels, from mining mafias, from political networks and from people who in made rush of inda becoming the next economic super power," he said.
Jairam said the government's endeavour would be to see tigers in the wild rather than in captivity.
"Over 50% of 3500 tigers in the wild are in India and 17,000 are in captivity. We dont want to see tigers in captivity but in wild," he said.
Asked about the rising cases of man-animal conflict in the Corbett National Park, Jairam expressed hope the government will be able to solve the problem with the state government there.
"I have given a detailed action plan for Corbett to the chief minister. I hope he will take action on that," he said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_tiger-census-to-be-released-on-march-28-jairam-ramesh_1521248
"It is the most comprehensive census we have done so far and very systematically, involving a large number of people. We are releasing it on March 28," Jairam said.
The census was carried out by installing cameras at strategic points, like water bodies in the forests, as also in the respective territories of the big cats and a computer analysis was done to collate the data.
The 2007 census had shown a sharp fall in the number of tigers in 'protected areas' - reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries - in 19 states across the country. According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.
"I hope that on March 28 we will be able to report that tiger population figure of 1,411 in India is infact more than 1,411," Jairam told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
However, he expressed concern over the threat to the forest eco-system from multitude of sources, a true representation of the tigers.
"Tiger is a representation of our forest eco-system is under severe threat from our eco-system which is underserious threat from variety of sources, severe threat from poachers, hoteliers, hotels, from mining mafias, from political networks and from people who in made rush of inda becoming the next economic super power," he said.
Jairam said the government's endeavour would be to see tigers in the wild rather than in captivity.
"Over 50% of 3500 tigers in the wild are in India and 17,000 are in captivity. We dont want to see tigers in captivity but in wild," he said.
Asked about the rising cases of man-animal conflict in the Corbett National Park, Jairam expressed hope the government will be able to solve the problem with the state government there.
"I have given a detailed action plan for Corbett to the chief minister. I hope he will take action on that," he said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_tiger-census-to-be-released-on-march-28-jairam-ramesh_1521248
Rathore opposed rampant construction at anthambore - TNN
JAIPUR: Rampant construction at the Ranthambore national park seemed to have irked tiger man, the late Fateh Singh Rathore. In a document prepared last year on "Issues and Challenges of Ranthambore" the former director of the park has highlighted unnecessary civil construction in the park as one of the major challenges in it.
Interestingly, his warnings had come much before the recent curbs on construction inside the park by the Central Empowered Committee ( CEC) of the Supreme Court on a petition by Belinda Wright, executive director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India.
In his document, Singh has pointed out the tendency of the forest department to built chowkis whereever there is a need to monitor the tiger or the forest.
Terming this as a new human interference, he wrote: "Forest guards use the same water sources for various requirements like bathing, washing clothes and drinking, which keeps animals away. In order to monitor the forest and tiger it is not required to build new guard posts each time, this can easily be done with the help of monitoring vehicles. The forest department admits due to the conflict with the villagers the guard posts on the periphery remain vacant. But this does not mean that the prime areas which are the central areas of the park be colonised by such choukies."
Singh also took exception to many roads being constructed as many trees had been cut down.
"The park has several roads; tourists use some of them and disturb the animals. Moreover, Ranthambore already has enough roads, hence there is no need for more," he wrote. In particular, he mentioned the road in the heart of the park at Nalghati and said, "uch unnecessary roads should be blocked and new construction should not be encouraged."
Fateh Singh had opposed the moves by the forest department in building annicuts and artificial water bodies. This time the CEC's objection was against those proposed to be build.
"There is a place called Sukhi Talai (dry pond) in Ranthambore, which gives fantastic tiger sightings, but in spite of the name there is water in this place until December. Today there are 50 - 60 such dry ponds created in Ranthambore by the forest department but with no water!" he wrote.
He had also warned of alternation in the habitat due to building of such waterbodies.
Most notable in his advice was to refrain setting up foundation stones in lieu of donations from various bodies. "This is a tiger reserve but it looks like a memorial now in many places!," he wrote.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Rathore-opposed-rampant-construction-at-anthambore/articleshow/7731578.cms
Interestingly, his warnings had come much before the recent curbs on construction inside the park by the Central Empowered Committee ( CEC) of the Supreme Court on a petition by Belinda Wright, executive director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India.
In his document, Singh has pointed out the tendency of the forest department to built chowkis whereever there is a need to monitor the tiger or the forest.
Terming this as a new human interference, he wrote: "Forest guards use the same water sources for various requirements like bathing, washing clothes and drinking, which keeps animals away. In order to monitor the forest and tiger it is not required to build new guard posts each time, this can easily be done with the help of monitoring vehicles. The forest department admits due to the conflict with the villagers the guard posts on the periphery remain vacant. But this does not mean that the prime areas which are the central areas of the park be colonised by such choukies."
Singh also took exception to many roads being constructed as many trees had been cut down.
"The park has several roads; tourists use some of them and disturb the animals. Moreover, Ranthambore already has enough roads, hence there is no need for more," he wrote. In particular, he mentioned the road in the heart of the park at Nalghati and said, "uch unnecessary roads should be blocked and new construction should not be encouraged."
Fateh Singh had opposed the moves by the forest department in building annicuts and artificial water bodies. This time the CEC's objection was against those proposed to be build.
"There is a place called Sukhi Talai (dry pond) in Ranthambore, which gives fantastic tiger sightings, but in spite of the name there is water in this place until December. Today there are 50 - 60 such dry ponds created in Ranthambore by the forest department but with no water!" he wrote.
He had also warned of alternation in the habitat due to building of such waterbodies.
Most notable in his advice was to refrain setting up foundation stones in lieu of donations from various bodies. "This is a tiger reserve but it looks like a memorial now in many places!," he wrote.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Rathore-opposed-rampant-construction-at-anthambore/articleshow/7731578.cms
A tiger in a bird sanctuary - Amit Sengupta
At the declining Koeladeo National Park, also popular as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, the Siberian Cranes have not arrived for quite a while. Nor have rare long-distance bird species, who would fill the water bodies and trees with their exquisite crackling and colourful wings as spring arrives in the forest. However, surprisingly, a new guest has arrived from the dark: a big cat in full bloom.
The tiger from Ranthambhore, T-7, after a long, adventurous journey beyond the national park, hitting the highway literally around the Mathura Refinery, and some rather unsavoury encounters with humans and habitations, has finally found a comfort zone in the deeper interiors of the bird sanctuary. This is because of the rich prey base with not only an abundant nilgai population, but also the hundreds of cows (who are productively useless) abandoned in the wild by their owners to fend for themselves and thereby wait for death. (Incidentally, Hindu religious centre Mathura is the mythical epicentre of the cow-belt, with legends of Krishna around cows, milk, butter and ghee, intrinsic to its memory and culture.)
In the past, inside the back of the sanctuary, where tourists don't go, through the solitary shadows, there was always a surreal sight waiting for adventure-seekers. Dead cows, their skeletons sprawled all over, across the zigzag landscape. In this eerie, tragic landscape, you could see dead cows all over, and living cows waiting to die. This was the dominant memory of these forests, where, suddenly, even the birds stop chirping. As if the graveyard in green has chosen to become speechless.
In this eerie terrain, the Ranthambhore tiger, T-7, has found an ephemeral, happy refuge. Precisely because of the rich prey base. Forest officials say, not less than 1,000 cows have been released in the forests by locals. They are all out there, chewing grass in peace. Suddenly aware that a predator has arrived amidst them.However, the cows have found relief. T-7 was tranquilised and shifted to Sariska, like four of his mates. There, he will have his own, huge, private territory. A new forest home. And a big prey base.
http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2011/03/3882
The tiger from Ranthambhore, T-7, after a long, adventurous journey beyond the national park, hitting the highway literally around the Mathura Refinery, and some rather unsavoury encounters with humans and habitations, has finally found a comfort zone in the deeper interiors of the bird sanctuary. This is because of the rich prey base with not only an abundant nilgai population, but also the hundreds of cows (who are productively useless) abandoned in the wild by their owners to fend for themselves and thereby wait for death. (Incidentally, Hindu religious centre Mathura is the mythical epicentre of the cow-belt, with legends of Krishna around cows, milk, butter and ghee, intrinsic to its memory and culture.)
In the past, inside the back of the sanctuary, where tourists don't go, through the solitary shadows, there was always a surreal sight waiting for adventure-seekers. Dead cows, their skeletons sprawled all over, across the zigzag landscape. In this eerie, tragic landscape, you could see dead cows all over, and living cows waiting to die. This was the dominant memory of these forests, where, suddenly, even the birds stop chirping. As if the graveyard in green has chosen to become speechless.
In this eerie terrain, the Ranthambhore tiger, T-7, has found an ephemeral, happy refuge. Precisely because of the rich prey base. Forest officials say, not less than 1,000 cows have been released in the forests by locals. They are all out there, chewing grass in peace. Suddenly aware that a predator has arrived amidst them.However, the cows have found relief. T-7 was tranquilised and shifted to Sariska, like four of his mates. There, he will have his own, huge, private territory. A new forest home. And a big prey base.
http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2011/03/3882
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Bid to sell tiger skin online lands two youths behind bars- TNN Vijay Pinjarkar & Soumittra S Bose
NAGPUR: The lure of fast bucks landed two youths from well-to-do families behind bars on Wednesday, when they were caught selling a 53-year-old trophy tiger skin online.
Devesh Subhashrao Raut (29) and Kapil Gangadharrao Devke (31), both residents of Civil Lines, Daryapur, Amravati district, were trying to sell the trophied skin of a full-grown tigress from a city hotel on Wardha Road.
The skin is 8ft 4 four inch in length and it could fetch more than Rs 25 lakh in the international market. The two youths were quoting a price of $400,000 or Rs 2 crore to sell the skin. Undercover cops trapped the duo in room no. 209 of Hotel Airport Centre Point by posing as buyers from America and fixing a deal through a local agent via the Internet.
It is perhaps the first case of cyber crime against wildlife exposed by city crime branch sleuths, who acted on a tip-off by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), western region.
Devesh and Kapil hit upon the idea to sell the tiger skin after reading about popular online shopping mall bazee.com and the new that a tiger skin was under the hammer for $1 million on the site. This particular skin was being touted as the world's largest tiger skin, at 11 feet 7 inches.
Devesh, an MSc in computers, and Kapil, a BSc graduate, also opened an online account and mentioned details about the skin and its genuineness. The Raut family had been in possession of the skin since 1958, when tiger hunting was still a sport. The skin had a mounted skull with eyes and jaws intact.
Police sources said their advertisement was spotted on 'tradeindia.com', where the duo had bragged about their business, including claiming the ability to supply various types of tiger skins and trophies for different purposes. They had advertised seven types of products on 'tigerskin.tradeindia.com'. Devesh had mentioned his surname as 'Patil' on the website.
The skin had been inherited by Devesh's father Subhashrao from his grandfather Vitthalrao, who was a hunter and had shot seven tigers in the forests of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The tigress, whose skin was being traded, was shot by Vitthalrao in the forests of Warud in Amravati in 1958.
"We have an ownership certificate of the skin. It was renewed in 2003 by Amravati divisional forest officer (DFO)," Devesh said.
While Devesh is jobless, Kapil runs a computer institute in Daryapur. The idea behind selling the skin was to make fast bucks. Both the accused denied they were settling a deal for the skin at Rs 50 lakh.
"We wanted to gift the tiger skin and hence wanted to verify the credentials of the persons to whom handed over the skin. Hence, we came to the city hotel where we were called. Under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972, gifting of tiger skin is allowed," Devesh told TOI.
Wildlife wing officials said Section 43 of the WPA, which deals with regular transfer of animals etc states that persons in possession of captive animals, trophies, articles cannot transfer or sell them. "You can inherit them but cannot gift. The vehicle used in the crime has also been seized," a senior wildlife officer said. The accused had come to the city in a Santro car owned by Kapil. The car has been seized.
Subhashrao, father of the accused, says Devesh and Kapil were going to gift the skin. "The seven tiger skins which were in our possession earlier were also gifted to other relatives," he said.
City police chief Ankush Dhanvijay had directed deputy commissioner of police Dilip Zalke of crime branch to supervise the trap after the WCCB sought their help. Assistant commissioner of police, crime branch, Nilesh Sawant led the team to conduct the operation. "The probe would be handed over to the forest department," said senior PI Sampatrao Bhosle of Sonegaon police station where the offence was registered.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Bid-to-sell-tiger-skin-online-lands-two-youths-behind-bars/articleshow/7723537.cms
Devesh Subhashrao Raut (29) and Kapil Gangadharrao Devke (31), both residents of Civil Lines, Daryapur, Amravati district, were trying to sell the trophied skin of a full-grown tigress from a city hotel on Wardha Road.
The skin is 8ft 4 four inch in length and it could fetch more than Rs 25 lakh in the international market. The two youths were quoting a price of $400,000 or Rs 2 crore to sell the skin. Undercover cops trapped the duo in room no. 209 of Hotel Airport Centre Point by posing as buyers from America and fixing a deal through a local agent via the Internet.
It is perhaps the first case of cyber crime against wildlife exposed by city crime branch sleuths, who acted on a tip-off by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), western region.
Devesh and Kapil hit upon the idea to sell the tiger skin after reading about popular online shopping mall bazee.com and the new that a tiger skin was under the hammer for $1 million on the site. This particular skin was being touted as the world's largest tiger skin, at 11 feet 7 inches.
Devesh, an MSc in computers, and Kapil, a BSc graduate, also opened an online account and mentioned details about the skin and its genuineness. The Raut family had been in possession of the skin since 1958, when tiger hunting was still a sport. The skin had a mounted skull with eyes and jaws intact.
Police sources said their advertisement was spotted on 'tradeindia.com', where the duo had bragged about their business, including claiming the ability to supply various types of tiger skins and trophies for different purposes. They had advertised seven types of products on 'tigerskin.tradeindia.com'. Devesh had mentioned his surname as 'Patil' on the website.
The skin had been inherited by Devesh's father Subhashrao from his grandfather Vitthalrao, who was a hunter and had shot seven tigers in the forests of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The tigress, whose skin was being traded, was shot by Vitthalrao in the forests of Warud in Amravati in 1958.
"We have an ownership certificate of the skin. It was renewed in 2003 by Amravati divisional forest officer (DFO)," Devesh said.
While Devesh is jobless, Kapil runs a computer institute in Daryapur. The idea behind selling the skin was to make fast bucks. Both the accused denied they were settling a deal for the skin at Rs 50 lakh.
"We wanted to gift the tiger skin and hence wanted to verify the credentials of the persons to whom handed over the skin. Hence, we came to the city hotel where we were called. Under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972, gifting of tiger skin is allowed," Devesh told TOI.
Wildlife wing officials said Section 43 of the WPA, which deals with regular transfer of animals etc states that persons in possession of captive animals, trophies, articles cannot transfer or sell them. "You can inherit them but cannot gift. The vehicle used in the crime has also been seized," a senior wildlife officer said. The accused had come to the city in a Santro car owned by Kapil. The car has been seized.
Subhashrao, father of the accused, says Devesh and Kapil were going to gift the skin. "The seven tiger skins which were in our possession earlier were also gifted to other relatives," he said.
City police chief Ankush Dhanvijay had directed deputy commissioner of police Dilip Zalke of crime branch to supervise the trap after the WCCB sought their help. Assistant commissioner of police, crime branch, Nilesh Sawant led the team to conduct the operation. "The probe would be handed over to the forest department," said senior PI Sampatrao Bhosle of Sonegaon police station where the offence was registered.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Bid-to-sell-tiger-skin-online-lands-two-youths-behind-bars/articleshow/7723537.cms
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Vidarbha may soon become the tiger capital - PTI
Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, which has several tiger projects and wild life sanctuaries in close proximity is fast shaping up as the potential Tiger Capital of the country.
Former Union Minister and Nagpur MP Vilas Muttemwar, who wrested the initiative in this direction has approached all the top ministers at the State and Central level to push for the tiger capital project.
According to him, since Tadoba Tiger project is situated about 160 kms from the city and Bor sanctuary (about 90 kms), Navegaon and Nagzira wild life sanctuaries (about 150 kms) are located in Vidarbha, besides the Kanha National Park in neighbouring Seoni district (about 200 kms from Nagpur), the region can be well-developed as the tiger capital.
More than 250 tigers out of total population of 1,400 in the country inhabit in the Vidarbha region.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has liked the concept and agreed to take up the issue with Centre. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai and Union Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh, have also evinced interest in the project.
Last week, Mr. Muttemwar wrote to the PM who has acknowledged the concept. Mr. Ramesh went a step ahead and said the Government of India has decided to open three regional offices of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) with the first expected to be opened in Nagpur next month.
“The regional office of NTCA would take forward the work of tiger conservation in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh which are very important tiger habitats where close to 40 percent of India’s tiger population reside,” Mr. Ramesh said recently in a communication to Mr. Muttemwar.
Mr. Ramesh further said the Centre is in touch with Maharashtra government to notify two more tiger reserves in the State in Nagzira/Navegaon and Bor.
Also, it is taking many measures to protect the Tadoba-Andhari habitat in Chandrapur district, he said.
Mr. Sahai in a communication last Friday told Mr. Muttemwar that Vidarbha has got all the potential to develop as a wild and adventure tourism destination.
The region could also attract productive investments besides creating employment opportunities, he said.
Mr. Muttemwar said about 80 million tourists visit India and a majority of them are interesting in seeing the wild cat roaming freely in the jungles. If they can be attracted to Vidarbha with good infrastructure like accommodation, transport and tourist guides and other facilities, a good amount of revenue from tourism can be earned here.
There can be employment opportunities for about 20,000 to 30,000 youth in various support staff like drivers for tourist vehicles, guides, hotel staff and travel and tourism agencies operating here, he said.
The MP said a two-day conference on tiger project capital is being organised in early April and said both Central ministers along with Mr. Chavan and Maharashtra Forest Minister Patangrao Kadam are being invited along with stake holders to discuss threadbare the project.
Former Union Minister and Nagpur MP Vilas Muttemwar, who wrested the initiative in this direction has approached all the top ministers at the State and Central level to push for the tiger capital project.
According to him, since Tadoba Tiger project is situated about 160 kms from the city and Bor sanctuary (about 90 kms), Navegaon and Nagzira wild life sanctuaries (about 150 kms) are located in Vidarbha, besides the Kanha National Park in neighbouring Seoni district (about 200 kms from Nagpur), the region can be well-developed as the tiger capital.
More than 250 tigers out of total population of 1,400 in the country inhabit in the Vidarbha region.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has liked the concept and agreed to take up the issue with Centre. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai and Union Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh, have also evinced interest in the project.
Last week, Mr. Muttemwar wrote to the PM who has acknowledged the concept. Mr. Ramesh went a step ahead and said the Government of India has decided to open three regional offices of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) with the first expected to be opened in Nagpur next month.
“The regional office of NTCA would take forward the work of tiger conservation in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh which are very important tiger habitats where close to 40 percent of India’s tiger population reside,” Mr. Ramesh said recently in a communication to Mr. Muttemwar.
Mr. Ramesh further said the Centre is in touch with Maharashtra government to notify two more tiger reserves in the State in Nagzira/Navegaon and Bor.
Also, it is taking many measures to protect the Tadoba-Andhari habitat in Chandrapur district, he said.
Mr. Sahai in a communication last Friday told Mr. Muttemwar that Vidarbha has got all the potential to develop as a wild and adventure tourism destination.
The region could also attract productive investments besides creating employment opportunities, he said.
Mr. Muttemwar said about 80 million tourists visit India and a majority of them are interesting in seeing the wild cat roaming freely in the jungles. If they can be attracted to Vidarbha with good infrastructure like accommodation, transport and tourist guides and other facilities, a good amount of revenue from tourism can be earned here.
There can be employment opportunities for about 20,000 to 30,000 youth in various support staff like drivers for tourist vehicles, guides, hotel staff and travel and tourism agencies operating here, he said.
The MP said a two-day conference on tiger project capital is being organised in early April and said both Central ministers along with Mr. Chavan and Maharashtra Forest Minister Patangrao Kadam are being invited along with stake holders to discuss threadbare the project.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Villagers beat 2 cubs to death TNN
BAHRAICH: Even as a national campaign is underway to save India's tiger population, farmers on Sunday clubbed to death two one-year-old leopard cubs in an apparent revenge attack after the mother leopard attacked a woman in a tiger reserve.
The incident happened in the Katarniaghat wildlife reserve in Bahraich district barely 24 hours after the woman was mauled. According to Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) wildlife R K Singh, the cubs were killed, when a large number of local farmers surrounded them after a farmer's wife was attacked by the mother leopard, while the woman was watering her fields'.
He said, "The mother leopard managed to leap to safety, but the one-year-old cubs were cornered and beaten to death."
Geeta (25), the woman attacked by the leopard, was admitted to a Bahraich hospital and is stated to be out of danger. Her husband Surendra Singh, an ex-serviceman, who was with her at the time of the attack, said, "The leopard would have killed my wife had the farmers not immediately rushed to her help."
Katarniaghat along the Indo-Nepal border, is an extended part of Uttar Pradesh's Dudhwa National Park. It has an an estimated population of 30 leopards and about 40 tigers.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Villagers-beat-2-cubs-to-death/articleshow/7702782.cms
The incident happened in the Katarniaghat wildlife reserve in Bahraich district barely 24 hours after the woman was mauled. According to Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) wildlife R K Singh, the cubs were killed, when a large number of local farmers surrounded them after a farmer's wife was attacked by the mother leopard, while the woman was watering her fields'.
He said, "The mother leopard managed to leap to safety, but the one-year-old cubs were cornered and beaten to death."
Geeta (25), the woman attacked by the leopard, was admitted to a Bahraich hospital and is stated to be out of danger. Her husband Surendra Singh, an ex-serviceman, who was with her at the time of the attack, said, "The leopard would have killed my wife had the farmers not immediately rushed to her help."
Katarniaghat along the Indo-Nepal border, is an extended part of Uttar Pradesh's Dudhwa National Park. It has an an estimated population of 30 leopards and about 40 tigers.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Villagers-beat-2-cubs-to-death/articleshow/7702782.cms
Monday, March 14, 2011
Tigers devour 3, villagers kill 2 leopards PTI
DEHRADUN/BAHRAICH: Three people, including an 11-year-old girl, were mauled to death by big cats while two leopards were killed by villagers in separate incidents in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, forest officials said on Sunday.
A tiger killed a 45-year-old man in Sunderkhal village near the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand where a girl was devoured by a leopard in Ron village in Almora district. Both these incidents happened on Saturday in the hill state, the forest officials said. An eight-year-old leopard was also found dead in a stream near Kimari-Bhirtali road in Uttarakhand on Saturday, they said.
In Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district, a woman, aged 25, was killed by a tiger in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. The wild cat, who was dragging the woman towards the forest, fled leaving the body when villagers working infields raised an alaram.
A tiger killed a 45-year-old man in Sunderkhal village near the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand where a girl was devoured by a leopard in Ron village in Almora district. Both these incidents happened on Saturday in the hill state, the forest officials said. An eight-year-old leopard was also found dead in a stream near Kimari-Bhirtali road in Uttarakhand on Saturday, they said.
In Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district, a woman, aged 25, was killed by a tiger in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. The wild cat, who was dragging the woman towards the forest, fled leaving the body when villagers working infields raised an alaram.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Man-eater strikes: Did officials kill wrong tiger? - Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times
Even as international experts had a brainstorming on how to save Indian tigers at Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, a tiger killed another person just outside the main reserve. The person was a resident of Sundherkhal village in Corbett’s buffer zone, where a tiger had killed four persons in January
this year.
The Uttarakhand forest department officials shot dead the alleged man-eater near the village.
His death had provided air to claims that the state forest department had killed the wrong tiger in January.
“The man-eating animal was probably a tigress and not a tiger, claimed as man eater by the state forest department,” said Navin Raheja, former member of steering committee of Project Tiger.
Raheja was of the view that the man-eater tigress would resurface after some time and may attack people in other areas.
The Friday’s victim was attacked at a different location than the earlier incidents.
“The tigress is highly cautious and it making its moves in a calculated manner,” he said.
Unlike the January incident, the Uttarakhand forest department has not declared the animal as man-eater.
“We are not in a hurry. We will first try to capture the animal,” said Anil Baluni, deputy chairperson of state forest advisory council.
There are said to be 13 tigers roaming in the buffer zone of the Corbett, where over 1,000 people live in Sunderkhal village and are vulnerable to attacks by tigers. Baluni said the only option was to relocate those living in Sundherkhal.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority had this week held a consultation with wildlife experts from the United States and Australia, two nations, which do not have tigers, for better protection and conservation of the endangered big cat.
None of the experts, who are still in Corbett, visited the Sunderkhal village, after the incident, area officials said.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Man-eater-strikes-Did-officials-kill-wrong-tiger/Article1-672764.aspx
this year.
The Uttarakhand forest department officials shot dead the alleged man-eater near the village.
His death had provided air to claims that the state forest department had killed the wrong tiger in January.
“The man-eating animal was probably a tigress and not a tiger, claimed as man eater by the state forest department,” said Navin Raheja, former member of steering committee of Project Tiger.
Raheja was of the view that the man-eater tigress would resurface after some time and may attack people in other areas.
The Friday’s victim was attacked at a different location than the earlier incidents.
“The tigress is highly cautious and it making its moves in a calculated manner,” he said.
Unlike the January incident, the Uttarakhand forest department has not declared the animal as man-eater.
“We are not in a hurry. We will first try to capture the animal,” said Anil Baluni, deputy chairperson of state forest advisory council.
There are said to be 13 tigers roaming in the buffer zone of the Corbett, where over 1,000 people live in Sunderkhal village and are vulnerable to attacks by tigers. Baluni said the only option was to relocate those living in Sundherkhal.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority had this week held a consultation with wildlife experts from the United States and Australia, two nations, which do not have tigers, for better protection and conservation of the endangered big cat.
None of the experts, who are still in Corbett, visited the Sunderkhal village, after the incident, area officials said.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Man-eater-strikes-Did-officials-kill-wrong-tiger/Article1-672764.aspx
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Angry villagers force Jairam to cancel Corbett visit TNN
DEHRADUN: The concluding session of a three-day international workshop on tigers was abruptly cancelled on Friday following protests by residents of 14 different villages in Sunderkhal forest under the Corbett National Park.
Official sources said the protests also led to the cancellation of Union forest minister Jairam Ramesh's visit. The minister was to address the concluding session of a workshop which began on March 9 to mark the completion of 75 years of Corbett Tiger Reserve.
The protesters locked the gates to prevent over 25 tiger experts from India and abroad from entering the venue. As senior CTR officials' requests were ignored, the officials had no option but to cancel the workshop.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Angry-villagers-force-Jairam-to-cancel-Corbett-visit/articleshow/7683714.cms
Official sources said the protests also led to the cancellation of Union forest minister Jairam Ramesh's visit. The minister was to address the concluding session of a workshop which began on March 9 to mark the completion of 75 years of Corbett Tiger Reserve.
The protesters locked the gates to prevent over 25 tiger experts from India and abroad from entering the venue. As senior CTR officials' requests were ignored, the officials had no option but to cancel the workshop.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Angry-villagers-force-Jairam-to-cancel-Corbett-visit/articleshow/7683714.cms
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)