JAIPUR: With the Ranthambore tiger reserve embarking on a census, the focus will be on five tigers that wildlife activists claim to be missing from the park for a long time.
The sanctuary embarked on its census on Saturday which would see the trap camera method being deployed for a count of tigers along with the transit line survey for herbivores and finally the water hole census for other wild animals.
According to conservation biologists and a member of Tiger Watch Dharmendra Khandal there are at least five tigers missing from the park since long. These are T-21 or the Chiroli male, T-27 or the Gilai Sagar female, T-29 of Berda, T-40 or the Berda male and T-43 the second Jhailkho male cub.
"T-21 is the same male tiger of Chiroli that the state forest department had planned relocating to Sariska. Even his DNA samples had been tested and he was found suitable for relocation. But then at the last moment just before the relocation he went missing and has not been seen by visitors or officials," says Khandal.
Also missing are T-27 or the Gilai Sagar female and T-29 or the shy male of Berdha in zone 2. Incidentally, he had been treated for injuries that she had perhaps sustained in a fight with T-5 or the Kachida female but after that he has been missing. Reports are that he was darted for the treatment but the forest authorities could not catch her and he went missing with the dart.
In a detailed report prepared by Khandal, the conservation biologists has traced all the 47 tigers that had been population the Ranthambore sanctuary. According to his estimates at present there are 26 tigers that are populating the reserve with six of them having made the Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary their home.
Three tigers have migrated from the reserve to other areas. They are T-35, a female, is at Kota, T-38 or the Sultanpur male has migrated to Kuno in Madhya Pradesh in while T-47 has made Dholpur his home. Seven tigers dies due to various reasons in the park while six were located to Sariska national park.
According to Khandal, there are 26 tigers at the reserve excluding 14 other cubs that have been spotted in the past
year. He however substantiates the count of 31 tigers as per the census by the Wildlife Institute of India ( WII) in 2010. This is the figure that was placed for a tiger count in the country in the recently concluded meet at Delhi. However, since that census there were quite a few tigers that have migrated or died resulting in the current count of 26 at the reserve.
Officials of the department neither agreed nor disputed Khandal's claim but estimated the total count of tigers at the Ranthambore reserve to be around 40 tigers including the 14 new borns.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Ranthambore-census-to-focus-on-five-missing-tigers/articleshow/8211879.cms
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Activists question utility of fresh inquiry into Sariska shame Anindo Dey, TNN
JAIPUR: Wildlife activists have questioned the utility of another investigation into the Sariska shame seven years after the reserve was poached of all its tigers.
"What do they hope to find after seven years since the tigers became extinct in the sanctuary. It is difficult to find anything even seven days after a tiger's death and seven years is a long time. Tigers are now back on the reserve," activists said.
"Take the example of the last tiger death in Sariska ---that of male tiger ST-1. We were unable to find much details even days after its death and this incident is now history," they add.
Seven years after it came to light in 2005, the Sariska tiger reserve was cleaned of all its big cats, the Rajasthan government on Monday began another investigation into the disappearance, poaching and lapses in security for tigers there. The investigation is being done by the state's additional chief secretary, development, B B Mohanty.
It comes at a time when not only are many of those accused in poaching at Sariska, including Sansar Chand and his brother, are behind bars but most of the officers and field staff that were present then have long been changed.
Even tigers, five to be precise, are now back again at Sariska with the state forest department embarking on an ambitious relocation programme in 2008..
But BB Mohanty sounded confident and claimed to have even discovered a "connivance"' that was ultimately responsible for wiping out tigers at the sanctuary.
"It will be a very different story once the investigations are over. I am trying to get down to the real issue. There is a sort of a connivance that exists in Sariska and we will bring this out after the investigation," he said.
Interestingly, the state government had not only ordered an inquiry by the then chief wildlife warden R N Mehrotra no sooner did Sariska's shame hit the national headlines, but that was followed by another committee set up by the Vidhan Sabha under the BJP MP from Bhilwara VP Singh. This again was followed by investigations by a special committee set up by the Prime Minister and the CBI.
"Though this inquiry was instituted in 2010, but it was only in March 2011 that I took over the investigations. I have visited Sariska twice and am being aided by a person from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. We will come out with the real, detailed story in about two-three months. Prior to this not much work had been done in the investigations," claimed Mohanty.
According to Mohanty the investigations will be focusing on carelessness in keeping a count of tigers, managerial failure in the project, security lapses, lapses in measures to protect wildlife, officers and other staff ultimately responsible for the poaching of tigers, lack of punitive action on staff responsible for poaching and the non-utilisation of budget.
"Sariska is not only facing a problem of lack of water bodies which are absolutely necessary for wildlife there, but problems also stem from the fact that villages in the sanctuary release their livestock to graze in the forest thereby robbing it of greenery. I am in touch with experts and have sought the advice of residents, school teachers etc so that we are able to do a transparent investigation," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Activists-question-utility-of-fresh-inquiry-into-Sariska-shame/articleshow/8200363.cms
"What do they hope to find after seven years since the tigers became extinct in the sanctuary. It is difficult to find anything even seven days after a tiger's death and seven years is a long time. Tigers are now back on the reserve," activists said.
"Take the example of the last tiger death in Sariska ---that of male tiger ST-1. We were unable to find much details even days after its death and this incident is now history," they add.
Seven years after it came to light in 2005, the Sariska tiger reserve was cleaned of all its big cats, the Rajasthan government on Monday began another investigation into the disappearance, poaching and lapses in security for tigers there. The investigation is being done by the state's additional chief secretary, development, B B Mohanty.
It comes at a time when not only are many of those accused in poaching at Sariska, including Sansar Chand and his brother, are behind bars but most of the officers and field staff that were present then have long been changed.
Even tigers, five to be precise, are now back again at Sariska with the state forest department embarking on an ambitious relocation programme in 2008..
But BB Mohanty sounded confident and claimed to have even discovered a "connivance"' that was ultimately responsible for wiping out tigers at the sanctuary.
"It will be a very different story once the investigations are over. I am trying to get down to the real issue. There is a sort of a connivance that exists in Sariska and we will bring this out after the investigation," he said.
Interestingly, the state government had not only ordered an inquiry by the then chief wildlife warden R N Mehrotra no sooner did Sariska's shame hit the national headlines, but that was followed by another committee set up by the Vidhan Sabha under the BJP MP from Bhilwara VP Singh. This again was followed by investigations by a special committee set up by the Prime Minister and the CBI.
"Though this inquiry was instituted in 2010, but it was only in March 2011 that I took over the investigations. I have visited Sariska twice and am being aided by a person from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. We will come out with the real, detailed story in about two-three months. Prior to this not much work had been done in the investigations," claimed Mohanty.
According to Mohanty the investigations will be focusing on carelessness in keeping a count of tigers, managerial failure in the project, security lapses, lapses in measures to protect wildlife, officers and other staff ultimately responsible for the poaching of tigers, lack of punitive action on staff responsible for poaching and the non-utilisation of budget.
"Sariska is not only facing a problem of lack of water bodies which are absolutely necessary for wildlife there, but problems also stem from the fact that villages in the sanctuary release their livestock to graze in the forest thereby robbing it of greenery. I am in touch with experts and have sought the advice of residents, school teachers etc so that we are able to do a transparent investigation," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Activists-question-utility-of-fresh-inquiry-into-Sariska-shame/articleshow/8200363.cms
Chikmagalur: Kudremukh to Have a Tiger Reserve - Jairam Ramesh
Chikmagalur, May 9: The announcement could not have come from a better person. The Kudremukh wildlife sanctuary will have its own tiger reserve along with Biligiri Ranga (B R) Hills in Chamarajanagar district in the state.
This was disclosed here on Sunday by none other than the Chikmagalur-born union minister for the enviroment Jairam Ramesh. Being the district of his birth, he definitely may have felt proud to take this step. He added that preparations are already on to formally declare Kudremukh as a tiger reserve. This will take the present number of reserves to six, from the present four.
He had a special word of praise for the state's scientists and officials in tiger conservation. He said that it had been revealed in the tiger census the presence of 350 tigers in the state. Even in 2006, Karnataka had stood first in tiger population.
He further said that 300 families from Kudremukh and 1,300 families from Nagarahole were being relocated, adding that it would be done only if they were willing to move.
He also said that he had pointed out to the state's chief minister that the mining activity was proving to be a hazard to the wildlife and forests and urged him not to allow mining in reserve forests
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=237318
This was disclosed here on Sunday by none other than the Chikmagalur-born union minister for the enviroment Jairam Ramesh. Being the district of his birth, he definitely may have felt proud to take this step. He added that preparations are already on to formally declare Kudremukh as a tiger reserve. This will take the present number of reserves to six, from the present four.
He had a special word of praise for the state's scientists and officials in tiger conservation. He said that it had been revealed in the tiger census the presence of 350 tigers in the state. Even in 2006, Karnataka had stood first in tiger population.
He further said that 300 families from Kudremukh and 1,300 families from Nagarahole were being relocated, adding that it would be done only if they were willing to move.
He also said that he had pointed out to the state's chief minister that the mining activity was proving to be a hazard to the wildlife and forests and urged him not to allow mining in reserve forests
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=237318
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Panna Tiger Reserve remains closed due to strike on 2nd day PTI
Bhopal, May 7 (PTI) With the majority of forest department employees on a strike, the Panna Tiger Reserve in the state remained closed for the second day today. Other tiger reserves and national parks were not affected much by the strike, officials said. "We remained open and the tourists visited the reserve," said Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve's Field Director, C K Patil. Barring the Indian Forest Service officers, the officials from Assistant Conservator Forest (ACF) down to the forest guards are on strike, demanding better pay, among other things. In an attempt to break the strike, the state government today declared the services of all the employees and officers of the forest department and its subordinate offices as essential services under MP Essential Services Rules (Avashyak Sewa Sandharan Tatha Vichchinnta Nivaran Adhiniyam).PTI LAL MAS KRK ETB
Fuel dry, Gypsy stranded inside Tadoba until midnight TNN
CHANDRAPUR: Even as RTO authorities have began crackdown upon illegally plying gypsies in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, gypsy operators continue to break norms. In an instance of serious violation of wildlife regulations, a gypsy operator kept some tourists inside TATR till late in the night as the fuel of the vehicle got exhausted on Thursday. Shockingly, no action was taken against the violator gypsy operator and driver.
One Rahul Gandhi from Mumbai had hired a gypsy for safari inside TATR for the afternoon session from Moharli gate. The driver took at least three tourists with a guide to the Ramshingh Amba area in Kolsa range of TATR where there is presence of a tigress with four cubs. However, vehicle stopped in dense jungle after its fuel ran out. The gypsy driver, instead of making alternative arrangement for safe exit of the tourists from the park within the stipulated exit timing, called the owner on mobile phone and asked to arrange for additional fuel. The vehicle owner reportedly arranged the petrol by 11 pm and the fuel was sent on motorbike to the vehicle. By the time the gypsy returned out of the park, it was midnight. The stipulated timing for safari during afternoon session is between 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm and movement of vehicles during night hours is strictly prohibited. Still, the gypsy operator overlooked the norms and did not gauge the fuel quantity in the vehicle before sending it inside the park. While the safety of tourists was put on the risk by keeping them in an open gypsy till midnight in tiger territory, it also disturbed the tranquility of the forest.
Gandhi, the tourist in question, confirmed that they were stranded in dense forest in Kolsa region till late in the night. "We were asked to remain in the gypsy for safety. We waited in dark till the fuel was brought to the vehicle for exit from the tiger reserve," said Gandhi, while talking to TOI. The TATR headquarters in Chandrapur was unaware of the incident even on Saturday. ACF, TATR, Ajay Pillariseth assured to look into the matter. He maintained that gypsy could face suspension for entry in TATR for such violation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Fuel-dry-Gypsy-stranded-inside-Tadoba-until-midnight/articleshow/8191400.cms
One Rahul Gandhi from Mumbai had hired a gypsy for safari inside TATR for the afternoon session from Moharli gate. The driver took at least three tourists with a guide to the Ramshingh Amba area in Kolsa range of TATR where there is presence of a tigress with four cubs. However, vehicle stopped in dense jungle after its fuel ran out. The gypsy driver, instead of making alternative arrangement for safe exit of the tourists from the park within the stipulated exit timing, called the owner on mobile phone and asked to arrange for additional fuel. The vehicle owner reportedly arranged the petrol by 11 pm and the fuel was sent on motorbike to the vehicle. By the time the gypsy returned out of the park, it was midnight. The stipulated timing for safari during afternoon session is between 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm and movement of vehicles during night hours is strictly prohibited. Still, the gypsy operator overlooked the norms and did not gauge the fuel quantity in the vehicle before sending it inside the park. While the safety of tourists was put on the risk by keeping them in an open gypsy till midnight in tiger territory, it also disturbed the tranquility of the forest.
Gandhi, the tourist in question, confirmed that they were stranded in dense forest in Kolsa region till late in the night. "We were asked to remain in the gypsy for safety. We waited in dark till the fuel was brought to the vehicle for exit from the tiger reserve," said Gandhi, while talking to TOI. The TATR headquarters in Chandrapur was unaware of the incident even on Saturday. ACF, TATR, Ajay Pillariseth assured to look into the matter. He maintained that gypsy could face suspension for entry in TATR for such violation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Fuel-dry-Gypsy-stranded-inside-Tadoba-until-midnight/articleshow/8191400.cms
Saturday, May 7, 2011
One held for selling fake tiger skin in TN PTI
Rajapalayam (TN), May 7 (PTI) A racket in selling fake tiger skins has been busted with the arrest of one person by officials of forest range here. Acting on a tip-off, a team of forest officials arrested James for allegedly selling fake tiger skin and seized a counterfeit hide piece at Kumbakari in Theni district on Thursday, officials said. James was produced before a court which yesterday remanded him to 15 days judicial custody, police said. Rajapalayam Forest Ranger Sekar Kumar Neerok and Srivilluputthur Forest Warden Raj set a trap to nab the gang involved in fake tiger skin business and sent one Mariappan, as a broker, to approach James of Pudukottai near Periyakulam. James had quoted Rs.2.5 lakh for the skin and had taken an advance of Rs.50,000 from Mariappan with a promise to deliver the skin on Thursday. The forest officials followed Mariappan and arrested James when he was handing over the fake tiger hide to Mariappan. They found that it was fake tiger skin and nabbed James and and handed him over to police. PTI SSN
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/one-held-for-selling-fake-tiger-skin-in-tn/675422.html
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/one-held-for-selling-fake-tiger-skin-in-tn/675422.html
Friday, May 6, 2011
Census begins in Sariska, Ranthambore to follow TNN
JAIPUR: The forest department on Thursday began the census at Sariska tiger reserve despite knowing that there are just five tigers at the reserve. The same will commence at Ranthambore two days later.
While 150 persons would be involved in the fortnight-long exercise at Sariska, Ranthambore will see 600 people including staff, forest guards, NGOs and wildlife lovers participate in it. The census at both the parks will be done in stages. Pugmarks will be counted first followed by transit line survey for verification of herbivores and vegetative survey and finally the waterhole census.
In Sariska, the pugmark count will be taken from May 5 to 11, followed by the transit line survey from May 12 to 16 and the waterhole census on May 17 and 18. At Ranthambore, the pugmark census will be done from May 7 to 16, the transit line survey will be from May 9 to 12 while the water hole survey will be held on May 17 and 18. During this time, the timings for visitors to the park has been changed while on May 17 and 18 both the parks will remain closed.
But the pugmark census may just end as a formality as it has become an outdated process and often fails to provide correct details. Way back in 2005, when tigers went extinct in Sariska, the pug mark census had still counted their number at 25.
"It is an exercise in futility involving lots of people and money," said a wildlife activist. "What is the use of carrying out the pug mark census when we know that it gives false data. Everyone knows that there are 5 tigers at Sariska so why carry out the pugmark census there at all ?" he asked. However, the water hole census still found favour with the activists as it also gives details on other animals in the sanctuaries.
However, forest officials begged to differ. "There are other cat species like leopards in Sariska and the pugmark census can give an insight into it," said an official. In Ranthambore, the pugmark process will be done along with trap cameras.
"The pugmark census will be done just for an estimation and to know the regions where the tiger is treading. We are setting up trap cameras and the census will be done by it. The method will provide us some insight into the density of tigers at various zones," said an official.
Chief wildlife warden UM Sahai denied that the pugmark census was being done at Ranthambore. "We are just doing it for Sariska so that we can get an exact number of panthers that are there in the forest. For Ranthambore, we are just doing the camera trap method there is no point doing the pugmark census there," he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Census-begins-in-Sariska-Ranthambore-to-follow/articleshow/8172398.cms
While 150 persons would be involved in the fortnight-long exercise at Sariska, Ranthambore will see 600 people including staff, forest guards, NGOs and wildlife lovers participate in it. The census at both the parks will be done in stages. Pugmarks will be counted first followed by transit line survey for verification of herbivores and vegetative survey and finally the waterhole census.
In Sariska, the pugmark count will be taken from May 5 to 11, followed by the transit line survey from May 12 to 16 and the waterhole census on May 17 and 18. At Ranthambore, the pugmark census will be done from May 7 to 16, the transit line survey will be from May 9 to 12 while the water hole survey will be held on May 17 and 18. During this time, the timings for visitors to the park has been changed while on May 17 and 18 both the parks will remain closed.
But the pugmark census may just end as a formality as it has become an outdated process and often fails to provide correct details. Way back in 2005, when tigers went extinct in Sariska, the pug mark census had still counted their number at 25.
"It is an exercise in futility involving lots of people and money," said a wildlife activist. "What is the use of carrying out the pug mark census when we know that it gives false data. Everyone knows that there are 5 tigers at Sariska so why carry out the pugmark census there at all ?" he asked. However, the water hole census still found favour with the activists as it also gives details on other animals in the sanctuaries.
However, forest officials begged to differ. "There are other cat species like leopards in Sariska and the pugmark census can give an insight into it," said an official. In Ranthambore, the pugmark process will be done along with trap cameras.
"The pugmark census will be done just for an estimation and to know the regions where the tiger is treading. We are setting up trap cameras and the census will be done by it. The method will provide us some insight into the density of tigers at various zones," said an official.
Chief wildlife warden UM Sahai denied that the pugmark census was being done at Ranthambore. "We are just doing it for Sariska so that we can get an exact number of panthers that are there in the forest. For Ranthambore, we are just doing the camera trap method there is no point doing the pugmark census there," he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Census-begins-in-Sariska-Ranthambore-to-follow/articleshow/8172398.cms
Locks greet visitors at NTCA office Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: Eight days ago, the regional office of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was inaugurated amid great fanfare at Ravi Nagar by Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and minister for environment and forest Jairam Ramesh. Today, locks greet visitors.
The office was opened on April 27 on the working plan office premises of the forest department at Ravi Nagar. However, the opening of the office seems to be a farce now as there is no officer in charge to look after it.
On Thursday, when TOI visited the office, the NTCA board inaugurated by the top dignitaries was missing and the office was locked. There is no furniture and it is in the same condition when it was inaugurated. It seems no one has bothered to visit the office since then.
Deputy inspector general (DIG) of forests and joint director of NTCA, S P Yadav, says it was not inauguration of the office but building. However, a brief note issued on April 27 clearly stated that it was inauguration of the regional office.
"Till any officer is appointed to look after the affairs, how can an office be opened? Interviews for the post of assistant inspector general (AIG) will be held on Friday in Delhi. It will take some time to complete the formalities and appoint an officer to run the office," Yadav stated.
Congress MP from Nagpur Vilas Muttemwar, who took initiative in opening the NTCA office here, admits things need to be set right.
"I'm pursuing it with Delhi. It will take 10 days for the matters to settle down. Unless staff is appointed, the office won't function," he said.
"I had always felt that the inauguration of the NTCA office should have been done in a proper manner. But as chief minister was in the city and occasion demanded it was inaugurated. It is good that at least a start has been made. It is the first regional office in India," Muttemwar told TOI.
The NTCA has appointed wildlife vet Dr A D Kholkute as a consultant who has been told to coordinate with the Bhopal office but conservationists ask how a consultant can run an office.
During the inauguration, Chavan and Ramesh had said that opening of the NTCA office is the first step towards boosting tiger tourism in and around Nagpur, which has been declared 'gateway to tiger land.' "All help would be given to boost ecotourism. The NTCA office was a dream come true," both said. However, conservationists hope that it doesn't fizzle out.
Of the three NTCA offices in India, Nagpur is the first to be opened. It will oversee 13 tiger reserves in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The main duties of Nagpur office will be planning, monitoring, and providing necessary guidance in field management.
NTCA officials said plans are afoot to recruit eight support ministerial staffers on outsourcing basis, but unless an IG level officer is appointed to head the office, opening of the office seems to be a futile exercise.
"If Jairam Ramesh wishes, the issue can be set right immediately, but even after cabinet approval, efforts have not been taken to fill up the IG's post," forest officials felt.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Locks-greet-visitors-at-NTCA-office/articleshow/8172029.cms
The office was opened on April 27 on the working plan office premises of the forest department at Ravi Nagar. However, the opening of the office seems to be a farce now as there is no officer in charge to look after it.
On Thursday, when TOI visited the office, the NTCA board inaugurated by the top dignitaries was missing and the office was locked. There is no furniture and it is in the same condition when it was inaugurated. It seems no one has bothered to visit the office since then.
Deputy inspector general (DIG) of forests and joint director of NTCA, S P Yadav, says it was not inauguration of the office but building. However, a brief note issued on April 27 clearly stated that it was inauguration of the regional office.
"Till any officer is appointed to look after the affairs, how can an office be opened? Interviews for the post of assistant inspector general (AIG) will be held on Friday in Delhi. It will take some time to complete the formalities and appoint an officer to run the office," Yadav stated.
Congress MP from Nagpur Vilas Muttemwar, who took initiative in opening the NTCA office here, admits things need to be set right.
"I'm pursuing it with Delhi. It will take 10 days for the matters to settle down. Unless staff is appointed, the office won't function," he said.
"I had always felt that the inauguration of the NTCA office should have been done in a proper manner. But as chief minister was in the city and occasion demanded it was inaugurated. It is good that at least a start has been made. It is the first regional office in India," Muttemwar told TOI.
The NTCA has appointed wildlife vet Dr A D Kholkute as a consultant who has been told to coordinate with the Bhopal office but conservationists ask how a consultant can run an office.
During the inauguration, Chavan and Ramesh had said that opening of the NTCA office is the first step towards boosting tiger tourism in and around Nagpur, which has been declared 'gateway to tiger land.' "All help would be given to boost ecotourism. The NTCA office was a dream come true," both said. However, conservationists hope that it doesn't fizzle out.
Of the three NTCA offices in India, Nagpur is the first to be opened. It will oversee 13 tiger reserves in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The main duties of Nagpur office will be planning, monitoring, and providing necessary guidance in field management.
NTCA officials said plans are afoot to recruit eight support ministerial staffers on outsourcing basis, but unless an IG level officer is appointed to head the office, opening of the office seems to be a futile exercise.
"If Jairam Ramesh wishes, the issue can be set right immediately, but even after cabinet approval, efforts have not been taken to fill up the IG's post," forest officials felt.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Locks-greet-visitors-at-NTCA-office/articleshow/8172029.cms
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Missing from MP Pench, tiger traced to Mansinghdeo Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: You must have heard of radio-collared tigers going missing from a reserve. But a radio-collared tiger that went missing from Pench tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh has been traced to the new Mansinghdeo wildlife sanctuary, adjoining Pench, Maharashtra.
The radio-collared tiger was a resident of Pivarthadi area of MP Pench and was untraceable for the past two months. On April 23, the tiger was seen in Chorbahuli forest area by a shepherd. The compartment where the tiger was sighted is part of Block B of the newly-declared Mansinghdeo wildlife sanctuary, which is contiguous to Pench.
Prafulla Bhamburkar of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) says the tiger must have travelled a distance of 25km as the crow flies, though it must have covered around 45km walking through Pivarthadi, Bodhalzira, Bakhari, Kirangisarra and Mansinghdeo.
A tiger crossing from MP into the Maharashtra side of Pench is common, but this is the second instance in the last three years when a radio-collared tiger has strayed into the forest on the Maharashtra side.
Earlier, in January-February 2008, a radio-collared tigress from high-profile Kanha tiger reserve traversed almost 250 kilometres in four months to reach Pench tiger reserve in Maharashtra. There were reports later that this collared Kanha tigress gave birth to three cubs. Foresters claim to have sighted the tigress and cubs but there are no pictures.
OP Tiwari, deputy director of Pench tiger reserve, MP, on Wednesday confirmed that the tiger sighted in Mansinghdeo area belongs to MP Pench. "Yes, it's a sub-adult male tiger around three years old. It was radio-collared in January 2010 and its presence was also recorded in camera traps in Pivarthadi area during the annual census exercise," Tiwari told TOI.
Worried MP Pench field staff and officials tried to trace the tiger along Kanha side but failed to track it. They came to know about the tiger's presence in Paoni forest range only when A Ashraf, field director of Pench, Maharashtra, called up his counterpart Arun Kumar a couple of days ago. Paoni range has now become part of Mansinghdeo sanctuary.
The collared tiger was first sighted by a shepherd who saw the beast killing a buffalo and a calf. He lodged a complaint with Paoni range forest officer (RFO) Anil Waghmare.
Waghmare informed conservator of forests (CF) for Nagpur division N Rambabu, who sent a team including conservationist Kundan Hate to the spot. The team deployed camera traps to record evidence of the tiger and a machan was also built near the spot to keep a watch on the animal.
Since April 23, two teams from Pench and Paoni are continuously monitoring the tiger. Ashraf and assistant conservator of forests (ACF), Pench, G K Vashisht too visited the spot recently to take stock of the situation.
"We had also received a call from Kanha field director HS Negi who wanted to know whether it is the same tiger that went missing three years ago from Kanha," Ashraf said.
Tiwari said the Pivarthadi tiger could not be traced since the radio-collar had stopped emitting signals.
"Problems in the radio-collar of the tiger cannot be ruled out. The best we can do now is to protect the tiger by monitoring it. It is difficult to say whether the tiger will return to its original territory in MP Pench," Tiwari added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Missing-from-MP-Pench-tiger-traced-to-Mansinghdeo/articleshow/8163901.cms
The radio-collared tiger was a resident of Pivarthadi area of MP Pench and was untraceable for the past two months. On April 23, the tiger was seen in Chorbahuli forest area by a shepherd. The compartment where the tiger was sighted is part of Block B of the newly-declared Mansinghdeo wildlife sanctuary, which is contiguous to Pench.
Prafulla Bhamburkar of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) says the tiger must have travelled a distance of 25km as the crow flies, though it must have covered around 45km walking through Pivarthadi, Bodhalzira, Bakhari, Kirangisarra and Mansinghdeo.
A tiger crossing from MP into the Maharashtra side of Pench is common, but this is the second instance in the last three years when a radio-collared tiger has strayed into the forest on the Maharashtra side.
Earlier, in January-February 2008, a radio-collared tigress from high-profile Kanha tiger reserve traversed almost 250 kilometres in four months to reach Pench tiger reserve in Maharashtra. There were reports later that this collared Kanha tigress gave birth to three cubs. Foresters claim to have sighted the tigress and cubs but there are no pictures.
OP Tiwari, deputy director of Pench tiger reserve, MP, on Wednesday confirmed that the tiger sighted in Mansinghdeo area belongs to MP Pench. "Yes, it's a sub-adult male tiger around three years old. It was radio-collared in January 2010 and its presence was also recorded in camera traps in Pivarthadi area during the annual census exercise," Tiwari told TOI.
Worried MP Pench field staff and officials tried to trace the tiger along Kanha side but failed to track it. They came to know about the tiger's presence in Paoni forest range only when A Ashraf, field director of Pench, Maharashtra, called up his counterpart Arun Kumar a couple of days ago. Paoni range has now become part of Mansinghdeo sanctuary.
The collared tiger was first sighted by a shepherd who saw the beast killing a buffalo and a calf. He lodged a complaint with Paoni range forest officer (RFO) Anil Waghmare.
Waghmare informed conservator of forests (CF) for Nagpur division N Rambabu, who sent a team including conservationist Kundan Hate to the spot. The team deployed camera traps to record evidence of the tiger and a machan was also built near the spot to keep a watch on the animal.
Since April 23, two teams from Pench and Paoni are continuously monitoring the tiger. Ashraf and assistant conservator of forests (ACF), Pench, G K Vashisht too visited the spot recently to take stock of the situation.
"We had also received a call from Kanha field director HS Negi who wanted to know whether it is the same tiger that went missing three years ago from Kanha," Ashraf said.
Tiwari said the Pivarthadi tiger could not be traced since the radio-collar had stopped emitting signals.
"Problems in the radio-collar of the tiger cannot be ruled out. The best we can do now is to protect the tiger by monitoring it. It is difficult to say whether the tiger will return to its original territory in MP Pench," Tiwari added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Missing-from-MP-Pench-tiger-traced-to-Mansinghdeo/articleshow/8163901.cms
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Rajasthan govt orders probe into missing tigers in Sariska
The Rajasthan government has began a eight-point enquiry into the cases of missing tigers and hunting in Sariska park, an official said today.
The investigation, which is being carried out by a senior official of the rank of additional chief secretary, is focused on management failure in the tiger project, safety measures, violation of security and safety norms for wildlife animals among others, he said.
The government has also invited suggestions from public and experts for enhancing security of tigers, he added.
A tiger was poisoned to death in Sariksa last year. The police had later arrested the accused.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_rajasthan-govt-orders-probe-into-missing-tigers-in-sariska_1539094
The investigation, which is being carried out by a senior official of the rank of additional chief secretary, is focused on management failure in the tiger project, safety measures, violation of security and safety norms for wildlife animals among others, he said.
The government has also invited suggestions from public and experts for enhancing security of tigers, he added.
A tiger was poisoned to death in Sariksa last year. The police had later arrested the accused.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_rajasthan-govt-orders-probe-into-missing-tigers-in-sariska_1539094
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Assam Rifles seizes 15 kg tiger bones, skulls TNN
IMPHAL: Assam Rifles personnel seized a large quantity of tiger parts, including 15 kg of bones and skulls from four animal parts' smugglers at Sita track in Manipur's Chandel district bordering Myanmar.
The country's oldest paramilitary force, which is guarding the long porous international borders in the remote tribal-dominated district, has recovered a large quantity of rare animals' parts in the last few years. Wildlife analysts said rare animals' parts are in high demand by cosmetic and drug-manufacturing companies in Southeast Asian countries and smugglers take advantage of the porous borders to siphon off the nation's treasure.
Having discovered the transportation route of banned wildlife parts, 29 AR troops launched an operation in Sita track area on Sunday evening, a statement of the force said. The soldiers then intercepted a jeep carrying four individuals along with the animal parts; the vehicle was headed towards the border town of Moreh. All four are residents of Tengnoupal in the district.
The soldiers seized 15 kg of tiger bones with two skulls and a skin of the rare animal weighing 4.5 kg, the statement added. The apprehended, along with the recovered parts, were handed over to Manipur forest department authorities in Imphal. An FIR has been registered against them in Tengnoupal police station.
In February 2009, two tiger skulls, 16 kg bones and paws of the rare animal were recovered by the Assam Rifles from Bongyang military check-post in the same district. The force also seized 3 kg tiger bones from Moreh town in March this year. Other animal parts like rhino bones, rhino skin, bear glands, pangolin shells and deer horns have also been seized by the paramilitary forces off and on in the last few years in Chandel. To check smuggling of animal parts to Myanmar, a full-fledged branch office of the Centre-run Wildlife Crime Bureau (WCB) is being opened at Moreh town.
Meanwhile, 29 AR personnel also apprehended a Myanmarese national in the same district on Sunday for not possessing valid documents. The troops found a fake Indian driving license, a mobile phone, sim cards and currencies of India, Myanmar and Thailand as well as 11 visiting cards of foreign nationals on the individual, identified as Myintoo (38) of Kyan Tong, Shan.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Assam-Rifles-seizes-15-kg-tiger-bones-skulls/articleshow/8146821.cms
The country's oldest paramilitary force, which is guarding the long porous international borders in the remote tribal-dominated district, has recovered a large quantity of rare animals' parts in the last few years. Wildlife analysts said rare animals' parts are in high demand by cosmetic and drug-manufacturing companies in Southeast Asian countries and smugglers take advantage of the porous borders to siphon off the nation's treasure.
Having discovered the transportation route of banned wildlife parts, 29 AR troops launched an operation in Sita track area on Sunday evening, a statement of the force said. The soldiers then intercepted a jeep carrying four individuals along with the animal parts; the vehicle was headed towards the border town of Moreh. All four are residents of Tengnoupal in the district.
The soldiers seized 15 kg of tiger bones with two skulls and a skin of the rare animal weighing 4.5 kg, the statement added. The apprehended, along with the recovered parts, were handed over to Manipur forest department authorities in Imphal. An FIR has been registered against them in Tengnoupal police station.
In February 2009, two tiger skulls, 16 kg bones and paws of the rare animal were recovered by the Assam Rifles from Bongyang military check-post in the same district. The force also seized 3 kg tiger bones from Moreh town in March this year. Other animal parts like rhino bones, rhino skin, bear glands, pangolin shells and deer horns have also been seized by the paramilitary forces off and on in the last few years in Chandel. To check smuggling of animal parts to Myanmar, a full-fledged branch office of the Centre-run Wildlife Crime Bureau (WCB) is being opened at Moreh town.
Meanwhile, 29 AR personnel also apprehended a Myanmarese national in the same district on Sunday for not possessing valid documents. The troops found a fake Indian driving license, a mobile phone, sim cards and currencies of India, Myanmar and Thailand as well as 11 visiting cards of foreign nationals on the individual, identified as Myintoo (38) of Kyan Tong, Shan.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Assam-Rifles-seizes-15-kg-tiger-bones-skulls/articleshow/8146821.cms
Tiger found in Kovai jungles Radha Venkatesan, TNN
COIMBATORE: For the first time, a picture of a tiger on the prowl in jungles near Coimbatore has been captured on camera set up by the forest department. The first-ever visual evidence of the presence of the big cat in the Sirumugai range of Coimbatore forest division was released by the forest department on Monday.
"We had set up a camera trap in Sirumugai. And, for the first time, the camera caught the picture of a tiger last week," the Coimbatore divisional forest officer (DFO), V Thirunavukkarasu said.
Till now, only pug marks have been spotted in a few areas of the 694 sq km forests girdling Coimbatore. However, on April 17, the camera trap (a camera hidden inside a box and fixed on to a wooden post) captured a tiger lurking behind a tree in an open tract of land in Sirumugai.
The wild life census carried out in Coimbatore forests in March revealed the presence of tigers in Mettupalayam, Karamadai and Sirumugai ranges of Coimbatore forest division. Pug marks of seven tigers were spotted in Coimbatore division. "Three pug marks of tigers were spotted in Sirumugai and two each in Mettupalayam and Karamadai," the DFO said.
Buoyed by pug marks, the forest department set up a camera trap in Sirumugai to ascertain the presence of tigers. Within a week of placing the camera, a tiger was spotted in Sirumugai, adjoining the Bhavani Sagar jungles of the Sathyamangalam forest division.
"It could be a spill-over population of tigers from the Bhavani Sagar range," he said.
Spread over 69,000 hectares of tropical forests, the Coimbatore forest division straddles known tiger habitats of Sathyamangalam and Nilgiris forests in the north and north west. With the tropical vegetation of Coimbatore offering a prey base of spotted deer, mouse deer, sambar and black buck, tigers from the adjoining Sathyamangalam and Nilgiris forests are now stalking Coimbatore jungles.
In Sirumugai, spread over 11,000 hectares, the vegetation is not dense and deers are plenty. Perhaps, that explains why the tiger has been spotted there. Next, the forest department plans to set up a camera trap in the Mettupalayam range.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Tiger-found-in-Kovai-jungles/articleshow/8147551.cms
"We had set up a camera trap in Sirumugai. And, for the first time, the camera caught the picture of a tiger last week," the Coimbatore divisional forest officer (DFO), V Thirunavukkarasu said.
Till now, only pug marks have been spotted in a few areas of the 694 sq km forests girdling Coimbatore. However, on April 17, the camera trap (a camera hidden inside a box and fixed on to a wooden post) captured a tiger lurking behind a tree in an open tract of land in Sirumugai.
The wild life census carried out in Coimbatore forests in March revealed the presence of tigers in Mettupalayam, Karamadai and Sirumugai ranges of Coimbatore forest division. Pug marks of seven tigers were spotted in Coimbatore division. "Three pug marks of tigers were spotted in Sirumugai and two each in Mettupalayam and Karamadai," the DFO said.
Buoyed by pug marks, the forest department set up a camera trap in Sirumugai to ascertain the presence of tigers. Within a week of placing the camera, a tiger was spotted in Sirumugai, adjoining the Bhavani Sagar jungles of the Sathyamangalam forest division.
"It could be a spill-over population of tigers from the Bhavani Sagar range," he said.
Spread over 69,000 hectares of tropical forests, the Coimbatore forest division straddles known tiger habitats of Sathyamangalam and Nilgiris forests in the north and north west. With the tropical vegetation of Coimbatore offering a prey base of spotted deer, mouse deer, sambar and black buck, tigers from the adjoining Sathyamangalam and Nilgiris forests are now stalking Coimbatore jungles.
In Sirumugai, spread over 11,000 hectares, the vegetation is not dense and deers are plenty. Perhaps, that explains why the tiger has been spotted there. Next, the forest department plans to set up a camera trap in the Mettupalayam range.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Tiger-found-in-Kovai-jungles/articleshow/8147551.cms
Monday, May 2, 2011
Tiger reserves' management report to be released in May
LUCKNOW: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) might release the report on effective management of the tiger reserves in the second week of May. The committees, which were set up to evaluate the five cluster of reserves have submitted their report to the ministry.
All 39 reserves of the country were clubbed according to region and state into five clusters. Dudhwa reserve along with Corbett (Uttarakhand), Ranthambhore, Sariska (Rajasthan) and Melghat, Pench, Tadoba-Andhari, Sahyadri (Maharashtra) were the cluster I reserves. Similarly, Bandhavgarh, Satpura, Kanha, Pench and Sanjay-Dubri (MP) formed the cluster II reserves.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in May 2010, had come up with "Management Effectiveness Evaluation" project. It had roped in wildlife experts, researchers, conservationists and activists to field visit all 39 reserves in the country and evaluate the effectiveness of their management plans.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-01/lucknow/29492942_1_tiger-reserves-national-tiger-conservation-authority-ntca
All 39 reserves of the country were clubbed according to region and state into five clusters. Dudhwa reserve along with Corbett (Uttarakhand), Ranthambhore, Sariska (Rajasthan) and Melghat, Pench, Tadoba-Andhari, Sahyadri (Maharashtra) were the cluster I reserves. Similarly, Bandhavgarh, Satpura, Kanha, Pench and Sanjay-Dubri (MP) formed the cluster II reserves.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in May 2010, had come up with "Management Effectiveness Evaluation" project. It had roped in wildlife experts, researchers, conservationists and activists to field visit all 39 reserves in the country and evaluate the effectiveness of their management plans.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-01/lucknow/29492942_1_tiger-reserves-national-tiger-conservation-authority-ntca
Tourist gypsies defy law, enter Tadoba tiger reserve TNN
CHANDRAPUR: Blatant violation of Motor Vehicle Act continued in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) as the forest authorities remained mute spectators to the entry of illegally plying tourist gypsies on Sunday morning. The extended deadline for gypsy operators to regularise their vehicles and seek tourist permit expired on Saturday. Despite this, they adamantly took gypsies into the tiger reserve.
The RTO squad made a surprise inspection at Moharli gate late in the morning but failed to catch any defaulting gypsies.
The role of TATR and RTO authorities here is under the scanner since January last after it came to fore that all the tourist gypsies are plying in violation of rules in Tadoba. All the 43 gypsies plying in TATR have no tourist permit. A bunch of them are registered in other states in violation of laws. After this entire malpractice was exposed by TOI in January, the TATR authorities issued warning to the gypsy operators and asked them to seek permit and regularise vehicles by February end. When they failed to comply with Road Traffic Department's norms in stipulated time, the compliance deadline was extended for two months which ended on Saturday. Meanwhile MP Hansraj Ahir too raised objections over this serious violation which puts the tigers and tourists both at the risk. He summoned a meeting with RTO and TATR officials and asked them to take action against the defaulter gypsy operators. Still the two departments remained lenient and took no action, but issued fresh warning and notices asking all the vehicle entering into tiger reserve to abide with MV Act were hanged at TATR entrance gates. Gypsy operators however remained adamant and did not obtain any tourist permit for their vehicles as the deadline expired on Saturday (April 30).
On Sunday, the gypsy operators took the tourists into the park defying the law, but TATR staffers posted at the gates made no attempt to check permits or other documents despite requests from RTO officials. TATR authorities have washed their hands off the affair and taken a stand that they have no authority to check documents or take action under Motor Vehicles Act on violating vehicles. A flying squad of RTO led by inspector TA Sapkal made a surprise inspection at Moharli gate of TATR, but by the time it reached the gate all the gypsies had returned park and moved away from the premises.
"None of the defaulter vehicle in TATR would be spared. We have issued challans to three private vehicles for carrying tourists without necessary permit enroute to Moharli, but none of the gypsy was seen when our squad reached Moharli gate. A formal letter has been issued to TATR head office, asking it to not allow any tourist vehicles without necessary permit from their gates," said Sapkal. He said that they have obtained records from gate office which said that 17 gypsies had entered the park from Moharli gate on Sunday morning. He held the owner of all 17 gypsies would be sent notices to produce valid documents and tourist permits at deputy RTO office's here. Sapkal claimed that RTO can cancel registration of the vehicle, suspend the driving licence of the driver of defaulter vehicle and impose a fine if found guilty of violating rules. He said that the flying squad of the department would frequently conduct surprise inspection at different gates of TATR to check the violation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tourist-gypsies-defy-law-enter-Tadoba-tiger-reserve/articleshow/8135258.cms
The RTO squad made a surprise inspection at Moharli gate late in the morning but failed to catch any defaulting gypsies.
The role of TATR and RTO authorities here is under the scanner since January last after it came to fore that all the tourist gypsies are plying in violation of rules in Tadoba. All the 43 gypsies plying in TATR have no tourist permit. A bunch of them are registered in other states in violation of laws. After this entire malpractice was exposed by TOI in January, the TATR authorities issued warning to the gypsy operators and asked them to seek permit and regularise vehicles by February end. When they failed to comply with Road Traffic Department's norms in stipulated time, the compliance deadline was extended for two months which ended on Saturday. Meanwhile MP Hansraj Ahir too raised objections over this serious violation which puts the tigers and tourists both at the risk. He summoned a meeting with RTO and TATR officials and asked them to take action against the defaulter gypsy operators. Still the two departments remained lenient and took no action, but issued fresh warning and notices asking all the vehicle entering into tiger reserve to abide with MV Act were hanged at TATR entrance gates. Gypsy operators however remained adamant and did not obtain any tourist permit for their vehicles as the deadline expired on Saturday (April 30).
On Sunday, the gypsy operators took the tourists into the park defying the law, but TATR staffers posted at the gates made no attempt to check permits or other documents despite requests from RTO officials. TATR authorities have washed their hands off the affair and taken a stand that they have no authority to check documents or take action under Motor Vehicles Act on violating vehicles. A flying squad of RTO led by inspector TA Sapkal made a surprise inspection at Moharli gate of TATR, but by the time it reached the gate all the gypsies had returned park and moved away from the premises.
"None of the defaulter vehicle in TATR would be spared. We have issued challans to three private vehicles for carrying tourists without necessary permit enroute to Moharli, but none of the gypsy was seen when our squad reached Moharli gate. A formal letter has been issued to TATR head office, asking it to not allow any tourist vehicles without necessary permit from their gates," said Sapkal. He said that they have obtained records from gate office which said that 17 gypsies had entered the park from Moharli gate on Sunday morning. He held the owner of all 17 gypsies would be sent notices to produce valid documents and tourist permits at deputy RTO office's here. Sapkal claimed that RTO can cancel registration of the vehicle, suspend the driving licence of the driver of defaulter vehicle and impose a fine if found guilty of violating rules. He said that the flying squad of the department would frequently conduct surprise inspection at different gates of TATR to check the violation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tourist-gypsies-defy-law-enter-Tadoba-tiger-reserve/articleshow/8135258.cms
Villagers claim sighting of three tigers in Tipeshwar
YAVATMAL: Though not officially confirmed, the villagers in the vicinity of Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal district have claimed to have sighted at least three tigers in the forest during the last one year. They have justified their claim on the basis of the 'kill case' parameters.
The recently concluded tiger census across the country has shown an appreciable increase in the tiger population. Though there was confirmation of one tiger in Yavatmal forest in the previous census report, this time it was found missing. The reason for the disappearance of tiger was stated as regular migration from one region to another.
Yavatmal district has two wildlife sanctuaries, namely, Tipeshwar and Painganga. Tipeshwar sanctuary is spread over 1,300 square kilometre area of which 1,000 sq km come under Pattan range while the remaining 300 sq km is in Parwa range.
Though no tiger was spotted during the last one year, the forest officials have claimed to have kept a close watch on the wildlife and their movement in the region.
As per norms, the survey is conducted every year in the sanctuary while once in four years in the adjoining jungles. In the recent past, the movement of wildlife was seen through latest cameras. However, this arrangement is not made available in Tipeshwar sanctuary and the forest officials adopt traditional methods such as pug marks and excreta. They also take into account the 'kill cases' to conclude the nature and size of animals.
In Painganga sanctuary, there are panthers and other comparatively less fierce animals but nobody claimed to have spotted tigers there. The presence of these wild animals is also identified with their preys/hunts.
Villagers in the vicinity of Tipeshwar claimed to have sighted tiger in the forest. Pavan Patil saw a tiger drinking water near a hand pump in his village.
When contacted, deputy conservator of forest Sudhakar Dhole said that Tipeshwar sanctuary comes under the jurisdiction of the wildlife department. He has claimed to have undergone special training for identification of tigers a couple of years ago and said the presence of tigers can easily be determined by way of analysing the method of 'kill case' and the claim of three tigers in Tipeshwar cannot be ruled out as the villagers have confirmed having seen the tigers.
"It is the need of the hour to go for a thorough survey in Tipeshwar and Painganga wildlife sanctuaries to find out the veracity of the claim of sighting three tigers," chief conservator of forest Devendra Kumar said, adding that wild animals like tigers and panthers frequently change their habitat.
However, both Dhole and Devendra Kumar did not deny the claim of the presence of three tigers in Tipeshwar.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-30/nagpur/29490471_1_tiger-census-tiger-population-three-tigers
The recently concluded tiger census across the country has shown an appreciable increase in the tiger population. Though there was confirmation of one tiger in Yavatmal forest in the previous census report, this time it was found missing. The reason for the disappearance of tiger was stated as regular migration from one region to another.
Yavatmal district has two wildlife sanctuaries, namely, Tipeshwar and Painganga. Tipeshwar sanctuary is spread over 1,300 square kilometre area of which 1,000 sq km come under Pattan range while the remaining 300 sq km is in Parwa range.
Though no tiger was spotted during the last one year, the forest officials have claimed to have kept a close watch on the wildlife and their movement in the region.
As per norms, the survey is conducted every year in the sanctuary while once in four years in the adjoining jungles. In the recent past, the movement of wildlife was seen through latest cameras. However, this arrangement is not made available in Tipeshwar sanctuary and the forest officials adopt traditional methods such as pug marks and excreta. They also take into account the 'kill cases' to conclude the nature and size of animals.
In Painganga sanctuary, there are panthers and other comparatively less fierce animals but nobody claimed to have spotted tigers there. The presence of these wild animals is also identified with their preys/hunts.
Villagers in the vicinity of Tipeshwar claimed to have sighted tiger in the forest. Pavan Patil saw a tiger drinking water near a hand pump in his village.
When contacted, deputy conservator of forest Sudhakar Dhole said that Tipeshwar sanctuary comes under the jurisdiction of the wildlife department. He has claimed to have undergone special training for identification of tigers a couple of years ago and said the presence of tigers can easily be determined by way of analysing the method of 'kill case' and the claim of three tigers in Tipeshwar cannot be ruled out as the villagers have confirmed having seen the tigers.
"It is the need of the hour to go for a thorough survey in Tipeshwar and Painganga wildlife sanctuaries to find out the veracity of the claim of sighting three tigers," chief conservator of forest Devendra Kumar said, adding that wild animals like tigers and panthers frequently change their habitat.
However, both Dhole and Devendra Kumar did not deny the claim of the presence of three tigers in Tipeshwar.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-30/nagpur/29490471_1_tiger-census-tiger-population-three-tigers
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Protecting tiger corridors impossible: Ramesh Vijay Pinjarkar
NAGPUR: The tiger population going up in the state from 103 in 2006 to 169 in 2010 may be good news but the bad news is that there can be no policy to protect corridors required for the tigers to disperse for a viable population.
Talking to TOI on Wednesday, Union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh said protecting corridors was impossible as all development would come to a standstill. "We cannot come out with a policy on corridors," Ramesh stressed.
Today, tigers are facing the biggest threat from shrinking and fragmented corridors between protected areas (PAs) connecting each other. Against this backdrop, Ramesh's statement is disturbing. This is despite the fact that environment minister himself admitting that one-third of the tiger population resides outside protected areas (PAs).
Corridors between Kanha-Nagzira-Pench, Navegaon-Nagzira, Tadoba-Melghat are under threat from encroachments, road widening, mining, power and other developmental projects. Ramesh admits that biggest threat is coal mining for a number of power projects. "But let me tell you that the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is not only for protecting tigers but also forests. Tiger is just a symbol — if tigers are gone, so will forests," he stated.
Ramesh felt there would be a lot of hue and cry if a policy on corridors was formulated. According to a study by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), there are 89 villages in the Nagzira-Navegaon corridor, which further extends to Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur and Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh. A similar situation prevails in Tadoba-Andhari corridor where there are equal number of villages.
At present, there is no status to corridors between Kanha, Pench, Navegaon and Nagzira, which is roughly 15,000 sq km. After protected areas (PAs), corridors are the main pockets through which genetic breeding takes place. These are the best conservation units for dispersal of tigers.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Protecting-tiger-corridors-impossible-Ramesh/articleshow/8104819.cms
Talking to TOI on Wednesday, Union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh said protecting corridors was impossible as all development would come to a standstill. "We cannot come out with a policy on corridors," Ramesh stressed.
Today, tigers are facing the biggest threat from shrinking and fragmented corridors between protected areas (PAs) connecting each other. Against this backdrop, Ramesh's statement is disturbing. This is despite the fact that environment minister himself admitting that one-third of the tiger population resides outside protected areas (PAs).
Corridors between Kanha-Nagzira-Pench, Navegaon-Nagzira, Tadoba-Melghat are under threat from encroachments, road widening, mining, power and other developmental projects. Ramesh admits that biggest threat is coal mining for a number of power projects. "But let me tell you that the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is not only for protecting tigers but also forests. Tiger is just a symbol — if tigers are gone, so will forests," he stated.
Ramesh felt there would be a lot of hue and cry if a policy on corridors was formulated. According to a study by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), there are 89 villages in the Nagzira-Navegaon corridor, which further extends to Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur and Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh. A similar situation prevails in Tadoba-Andhari corridor where there are equal number of villages.
At present, there is no status to corridors between Kanha, Pench, Navegaon and Nagzira, which is roughly 15,000 sq km. After protected areas (PAs), corridors are the main pockets through which genetic breeding takes place. These are the best conservation units for dispersal of tigers.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Protecting-tiger-corridors-impossible-Ramesh/articleshow/8104819.cms
Chavan announces Rs 50 crore for Vidarbha tribals
Nagpur, Apr 27 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan today announced a rehabilitation package of Rs 50 crore for tribals in tiger reserves of Tadoba and Melghat in Vidarbha region of the state. Chavan, who kicked off a whirlwind tour of Vidarbha from today, visited Lekha-Mendha village in Gadchiroli district, along with union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh, and handed over transit passes to tribals there thus offering them right of harvesting and managing Bamboo as a forest produce. Chavan said that "The state government has decided to denotify 32,230 hectares of land and will prepare a draft proposal accordingly and it would be sent to Centre for necessary process." "A large number of irrigation, infrastructure, roads and other projects were held up because of Zudpi-Jangal act which prohibited any activities in the forested areas. The state government will take up the issue with the Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) before approaching the Supreme Court to denotify the Zudpi-Jangals," he said. Chavan announced that the state Government will allocate Rs 10 lakh each to the families in Kolsa village in Tadoba forest area. Out of Rs 50 crore, Rs 10 crore would be spent on Tadoba and Rs 40 crore on Melghat, Chavan said. Ramesh, who along with Chavan inaugurated the regional office of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), said since a number of tiger projects are located near Nagpur, the government would shortly be preparing a master plan for developing it as an gateway to nearby tiger reserves.
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/chavan-announces-rs-50-crore-for-vidarbha-tribals/664095.html
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/chavan-announces-rs-50-crore-for-vidarbha-tribals/664095.html
Bullocks saved my life, KEM doctors limb: Tiger attack survivor, Somita Pal DNA
“My bullocks saved my life and the KEM doctors saved my limb,” said Anil Bhosale, 35, a resident of Kheda village, who was attacked by a tiger on April 20.
It took 10 hours and five doctors from KEM hospital’s orthopaedic department to save his left hand. The doctors had to resurrect his wrist bone as his left wrist had been badly bitten by the tiger.
Anil had gone to feed his cattle when the tiger pounced on him. It attacked the bullocks and later him. The bullocks kicked the tiger to save Anil.
“Anil came to us on Thursday morning with his brother. The tiger had badly bitten his wrist. We first washed his hand, gave him primary aid and took X-rays. His palm was showing some sense of liveliness. So we decided to operate on him as soon as possible and save his limb,” said Dr Pradeep Bhosale, head of the orthopaedic department, KEM hospital.
“We had to cancel two other operations for this,” said Dr Pankaj Agarwal, orthopaedic surgeon, KEM hospital. The operation was headed by Dr SK Srivastava.
“We had taken the plastic surgeon’s opinion before the surgery. We first resurrected the bone. Later, we reattached all the torn tissues in the wrist. Then, we used the skin of abdomen to cover the wound,” added Agarwal. “He is recovering fast. Two of his fingers are already showing some movement,” said Dr Bhosale.
Nitesh, his brother, said, “In our village, tigers keep on attacking our herds. We had complained to the forest officer. It was brave of Anil that even after the attack he drove to the police station to register a complaint, and then went to the nearby hospital.” Anil came to KEM hospital after the local hospital doctors asked him to go to a bigger hospital.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_bullocks-saved-my-life-kem-doctors-limb-tiger-attack-survivor_1536926
It took 10 hours and five doctors from KEM hospital’s orthopaedic department to save his left hand. The doctors had to resurrect his wrist bone as his left wrist had been badly bitten by the tiger.
Anil had gone to feed his cattle when the tiger pounced on him. It attacked the bullocks and later him. The bullocks kicked the tiger to save Anil.
“Anil came to us on Thursday morning with his brother. The tiger had badly bitten his wrist. We first washed his hand, gave him primary aid and took X-rays. His palm was showing some sense of liveliness. So we decided to operate on him as soon as possible and save his limb,” said Dr Pradeep Bhosale, head of the orthopaedic department, KEM hospital.
“We had to cancel two other operations for this,” said Dr Pankaj Agarwal, orthopaedic surgeon, KEM hospital. The operation was headed by Dr SK Srivastava.
“We had taken the plastic surgeon’s opinion before the surgery. We first resurrected the bone. Later, we reattached all the torn tissues in the wrist. Then, we used the skin of abdomen to cover the wound,” added Agarwal. “He is recovering fast. Two of his fingers are already showing some movement,” said Dr Bhosale.
Nitesh, his brother, said, “In our village, tigers keep on attacking our herds. We had complained to the forest officer. It was brave of Anil that even after the attack he drove to the police station to register a complaint, and then went to the nearby hospital.” Anil came to KEM hospital after the local hospital doctors asked him to go to a bigger hospital.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_bullocks-saved-my-life-kem-doctors-limb-tiger-attack-survivor_1536926
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Baby boom: One more R'bore tiger gives birth Anindo Dey, TNN
JAIPUR: It is baby boom time at Ranthambore National Park. After confirmation of tigress T-8 giving birth to two cubs last Saturday, it is now the turn of tigress T-19.
Reports are the tigress was spotted on Monday evening with a swollen mammary gland suggestng suckling cubs. Tigresses do not bring out their cubs in the open till they are about three to four months old and it is only after this they venture out with their mother.
"Last evening we were out on a tour and we spotted T-19. Her mammary glands were swollen though her stomach had not. All of us, including my jeep driver, concluded that she must have given birth to cubs recently," said tourism minister Bina Kak who is currently on a visit to the park.
In fact, even the cubs of T-8 were first spotted by some visitors who informed state forest department officials. In this case too officials were unable to throw any light. "It is only after we click the cubs along with their mother can we give any confirmation of birth. Currently we cannot say anything. Even in the case of T-8 it was only after we took a picture of the tigress with her cubs were we able to confirm the birth," the officials said.
In the absence of the cubs being photographed, not much was forthcoming on their numbers. However, even if just two cubs are born the count of newborns at the park since September 2010 will reach 16. "Among the tigresses who have given birth so far are T-5 which eventually died leaving behind the two newborns, tigresses T-13, T-31, T-8 with two cubs each and tigresses T-11 and T-26 with three cubs each," said R P Gupta, DFO, Ranthambore.
Officials are much elated over the births and feel this negates conservationists who have been crying foul on the move to relocate tigers from a breeding population to Sariska.
"It just so happened that there was a year when no births took place. But the very fact we have so many newborns this year suggest that the population of tigers have not been disturbed despite the fact that some of the tigers were relocated to Sariska," officials said.
However, along with the elation also came worries of a territorial fight when the cubs grow up. Ranthambore is already bursting at its seams with at least 31 tigers reported in the last census done by the Wildlife Institute of India ( WII). Cases of territorial fights and tigers straying outside the park are increasing.
The only hope seems to be a corridor between Ranthambore and the Mukundra hills that the state has planned and making other sanctuaries around more habitable for wild animals.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Baby-boom-One-more-Rbore-tiger-gives-birth/articleshow/8094747.cms
Reports are the tigress was spotted on Monday evening with a swollen mammary gland suggestng suckling cubs. Tigresses do not bring out their cubs in the open till they are about three to four months old and it is only after this they venture out with their mother.
"Last evening we were out on a tour and we spotted T-19. Her mammary glands were swollen though her stomach had not. All of us, including my jeep driver, concluded that she must have given birth to cubs recently," said tourism minister Bina Kak who is currently on a visit to the park.
In fact, even the cubs of T-8 were first spotted by some visitors who informed state forest department officials. In this case too officials were unable to throw any light. "It is only after we click the cubs along with their mother can we give any confirmation of birth. Currently we cannot say anything. Even in the case of T-8 it was only after we took a picture of the tigress with her cubs were we able to confirm the birth," the officials said.
In the absence of the cubs being photographed, not much was forthcoming on their numbers. However, even if just two cubs are born the count of newborns at the park since September 2010 will reach 16. "Among the tigresses who have given birth so far are T-5 which eventually died leaving behind the two newborns, tigresses T-13, T-31, T-8 with two cubs each and tigresses T-11 and T-26 with three cubs each," said R P Gupta, DFO, Ranthambore.
Officials are much elated over the births and feel this negates conservationists who have been crying foul on the move to relocate tigers from a breeding population to Sariska.
"It just so happened that there was a year when no births took place. But the very fact we have so many newborns this year suggest that the population of tigers have not been disturbed despite the fact that some of the tigers were relocated to Sariska," officials said.
However, along with the elation also came worries of a territorial fight when the cubs grow up. Ranthambore is already bursting at its seams with at least 31 tigers reported in the last census done by the Wildlife Institute of India ( WII). Cases of territorial fights and tigers straying outside the park are increasing.
The only hope seems to be a corridor between Ranthambore and the Mukundra hills that the state has planned and making other sanctuaries around more habitable for wild animals.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Baby-boom-One-more-Rbore-tiger-gives-birth/articleshow/8094747.cms
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Forest union threatens to shut tiger reserves TNN
NAGPUR: The Maharashtra Forest Guards, Forest Employees and Forest Workers' Sanghatana has threatened to close down Pench, Tadoba-Andhari and Melghat tiger reserves if wages of van majoors are not paid immediately.
Working president of the Sanghatana, Siraj Patel, informed that over 1,500 forest workers (van majoors) in the three tiger reserves had not been paid wages for the past four months. These workers were last paid in December. Patel's threat comes a day before Union minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh is visiting Nagpur for opening the first regional office of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Van majoors are backbone of any protected area as mostly they man the protection huts deep inside tiger reserves and conduct patrolling. "It has become a chronic problem but forest officials have failed to address it. NTCA has released the money but why is wildlife wing not paying the workers," Patel asked.
"We will not allow tourists to enter these three reserves, if wages are not paid in eight days," warned Patel. Wildlife wing officials, who did not wish to be quoted, said: "This year tiger reserves did not receive the second instalment under the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) and hence the problem."
They said NTCA released Rs 41.39 lakh for TATR; Rs 13 lakh for Pench and Rs 61.35 lakh for Melghat towards second instalment on March 31, the last day of financial year. "We could not spend the money in one day. Now, unless Centre revalidates the payment, the funds will be kept in abeyance," official sources informed.
Patel said big talk was being made to save the tigers in the name of tiger capital but both NTCA and state government had failed to address the core issue of releasing wages to workers on time.
State government apathy was worse. The financial year begins from April 1 and MoEF releases its share under CSS in September. Shockingly, state finance department releases a separate GR, usually in January, to release this money.
"It's a vicious circle. As first instalment is delayed, utilisation certificates (UCs) are not submitted in time. Unless UCs for first instalment are submitted, MoEF doesn't release second instalment," officials stated.
Patel alleged at a time when tiger numbers had gone up in the state, no steps were being taken to create space for additional tigers. "There is no capacity building, no proper postings and time-bound promotions. How can you expect the field staff to be motivated and protect the tigers," the veteran union leader asked.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Forest-union-threatens-to-shut-tiger-reserves/articleshow/8084487.cms
Working president of the Sanghatana, Siraj Patel, informed that over 1,500 forest workers (van majoors) in the three tiger reserves had not been paid wages for the past four months. These workers were last paid in December. Patel's threat comes a day before Union minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh is visiting Nagpur for opening the first regional office of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Van majoors are backbone of any protected area as mostly they man the protection huts deep inside tiger reserves and conduct patrolling. "It has become a chronic problem but forest officials have failed to address it. NTCA has released the money but why is wildlife wing not paying the workers," Patel asked.
"We will not allow tourists to enter these three reserves, if wages are not paid in eight days," warned Patel. Wildlife wing officials, who did not wish to be quoted, said: "This year tiger reserves did not receive the second instalment under the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) and hence the problem."
They said NTCA released Rs 41.39 lakh for TATR; Rs 13 lakh for Pench and Rs 61.35 lakh for Melghat towards second instalment on March 31, the last day of financial year. "We could not spend the money in one day. Now, unless Centre revalidates the payment, the funds will be kept in abeyance," official sources informed.
Patel said big talk was being made to save the tigers in the name of tiger capital but both NTCA and state government had failed to address the core issue of releasing wages to workers on time.
State government apathy was worse. The financial year begins from April 1 and MoEF releases its share under CSS in September. Shockingly, state finance department releases a separate GR, usually in January, to release this money.
"It's a vicious circle. As first instalment is delayed, utilisation certificates (UCs) are not submitted in time. Unless UCs for first instalment are submitted, MoEF doesn't release second instalment," officials stated.
Patel alleged at a time when tiger numbers had gone up in the state, no steps were being taken to create space for additional tigers. "There is no capacity building, no proper postings and time-bound promotions. How can you expect the field staff to be motivated and protect the tigers," the veteran union leader asked.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Forest-union-threatens-to-shut-tiger-reserves/articleshow/8084487.cms
Two tiger cubs spotted at Ranthambore National Park
Jaipur, April 25 (IANS) Two new tiger cubs have been spotted at the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district, taking the total number of cubs in the park to 12, and bringing cheer to wildlife enthusiasts.
The cubs of tigress named T-8 were spotted Saturday in Zone Number 8 of Chidikheda area in Phalodi Range of Ranthambore National Park.
"The tiger cubs were spotted in the morning shift of tiger safari. They were roaming around with their mother T-8," Nature Guides Association president Atiq Mohammad said Monday.
The sight enthralled the tourists who frantically took pictures of the cubs and their mother.
"The cubs strayed in the forest area, but the mother continued to hang around," Atiq added.
The guides, who had taken the tourists into the park, immediately informed the authorities. "We have set up 3-4 trap cameras in the area and increased tracking," said a senior park officer.
According to forest officials, the park houses 31 adult tigers. Other wild animals found there include leopards, wild pigs, deer species and monkeys.
Ranthambore National Park is spread over an area of around 400 sq km. If the adjoining Sawai Man Singh sanctuary, over 175 km from Jaipur, is taken into consideration, the total area is around 500 sq km.
The park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957, and gained the protection of the central government's Project Tiger scheme in 1974. It was designated a national park in 1981.
The latest tiger census puts the total number of tigers in India at 1,706, marking an increase of 295 over the last census in 2006.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=234698
The cubs of tigress named T-8 were spotted Saturday in Zone Number 8 of Chidikheda area in Phalodi Range of Ranthambore National Park.
"The tiger cubs were spotted in the morning shift of tiger safari. They were roaming around with their mother T-8," Nature Guides Association president Atiq Mohammad said Monday.
The sight enthralled the tourists who frantically took pictures of the cubs and their mother.
"The cubs strayed in the forest area, but the mother continued to hang around," Atiq added.
The guides, who had taken the tourists into the park, immediately informed the authorities. "We have set up 3-4 trap cameras in the area and increased tracking," said a senior park officer.
According to forest officials, the park houses 31 adult tigers. Other wild animals found there include leopards, wild pigs, deer species and monkeys.
Ranthambore National Park is spread over an area of around 400 sq km. If the adjoining Sawai Man Singh sanctuary, over 175 km from Jaipur, is taken into consideration, the total area is around 500 sq km.
The park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957, and gained the protection of the central government's Project Tiger scheme in 1974. It was designated a national park in 1981.
The latest tiger census puts the total number of tigers in India at 1,706, marking an increase of 295 over the last census in 2006.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=234698
Sighted: A new home for tigers
JAIPUR: A hitherto little noticed Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary has crowned itself with glory in the annals of tiger conservation in the post-Project Tiger era in the country by playing host to a new tiger family. The comparatively small — just 250 sq km — sanctuary, situated south of the much more famous Ranthambhore National Park (RNP), now takes the cake for the third known breeding ground for tigers in the wild in Rajasthan after RNP and Sariska Tiger Reserve.
Tigress T 8 was sighted with two cubs this weekend at Chiri Kho along Sawai Madhopur-Bundi Road. The feline, a migrant from RNP, has been staying in Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary -- not known to be a place favoured by tigers so far– for two to three years. “It is a breakthrough. Tiger breeding is crucial indication both in terms of habitat improvement and prey base. It is the result of good management practices,” said a jubilant Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, R. N. Mehrotra, talking to The Hindu on Monday.
“Breeding takes place at very few places in India. A new area in tiger breeding is a very positive sign, especially when it happens outside the Project Tiger area,” said Rajpal Singh, Member of the Rajasthan Board for Wildlife. “Good tiger breeding is taking place in Rajasthan despite prophets of doom who had predicted some time back that Ranthambhore would not have tiger cubs as the atmosphere was not conducive for breeding,” he pointed out.
“This has come as very encouraging news as we have been busy shifting forest villages out of Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary to get it ready for the proposed Rajiv Gandhi Biosphere Reserve,” Mr. Mehrotra informed. The inhabitants of two villages, Hingdwar and Kalibhat, are in the process of moving out of the area. “The birth of cubs in the new area is also indicative that the degraded forests hold good potential. These forests can bring back the life cycle which existed earlier,” he asserted.
The areas south of Ranthambhore showing a clear indication of regeneration of flora and fauna is also a sure sign that the present experiments are in the right direction. Though the report of an expert team which conducted a survey on the proposed biosphere reserve is to be ready only by May 15, the tribe of tigers flourishing beyond Ranthambhore is opening up a lot of probabilities in conservation initiatives in the Hadauti (Kota) region.
“The Ranthambhore tigers have reached the doorstep of Lakheri forests. In a year or two we will be regenerating Bundi forests as well,” a confidant Mr. Mehrotra affirmed. “As for the Rajiv Gandhi Biosphere Reserve, it will encompass an area of 2,000-2,500 sq km from Karauli to Jhalawar,” he said.
As for the frolicking young tigers, Rajasthan will have more of them. “Rajasthan now has about 16-17 tiger cubs — the maximum number in any State. I am sure there will be more in the next three months,” Mr. Rajpal Singh said predicting a cat population explosion in the near future.
http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/26/stories/2011042659120100.htm
Tigress T 8 was sighted with two cubs this weekend at Chiri Kho along Sawai Madhopur-Bundi Road. The feline, a migrant from RNP, has been staying in Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary -- not known to be a place favoured by tigers so far– for two to three years. “It is a breakthrough. Tiger breeding is crucial indication both in terms of habitat improvement and prey base. It is the result of good management practices,” said a jubilant Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, R. N. Mehrotra, talking to The Hindu on Monday.
“Breeding takes place at very few places in India. A new area in tiger breeding is a very positive sign, especially when it happens outside the Project Tiger area,” said Rajpal Singh, Member of the Rajasthan Board for Wildlife. “Good tiger breeding is taking place in Rajasthan despite prophets of doom who had predicted some time back that Ranthambhore would not have tiger cubs as the atmosphere was not conducive for breeding,” he pointed out.
“This has come as very encouraging news as we have been busy shifting forest villages out of Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary to get it ready for the proposed Rajiv Gandhi Biosphere Reserve,” Mr. Mehrotra informed. The inhabitants of two villages, Hingdwar and Kalibhat, are in the process of moving out of the area. “The birth of cubs in the new area is also indicative that the degraded forests hold good potential. These forests can bring back the life cycle which existed earlier,” he asserted.
The areas south of Ranthambhore showing a clear indication of regeneration of flora and fauna is also a sure sign that the present experiments are in the right direction. Though the report of an expert team which conducted a survey on the proposed biosphere reserve is to be ready only by May 15, the tribe of tigers flourishing beyond Ranthambhore is opening up a lot of probabilities in conservation initiatives in the Hadauti (Kota) region.
“The Ranthambhore tigers have reached the doorstep of Lakheri forests. In a year or two we will be regenerating Bundi forests as well,” a confidant Mr. Mehrotra affirmed. “As for the Rajiv Gandhi Biosphere Reserve, it will encompass an area of 2,000-2,500 sq km from Karauli to Jhalawar,” he said.
As for the frolicking young tigers, Rajasthan will have more of them. “Rajasthan now has about 16-17 tiger cubs — the maximum number in any State. I am sure there will be more in the next three months,” Mr. Rajpal Singh said predicting a cat population explosion in the near future.
http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/26/stories/2011042659120100.htm
Monday, April 25, 2011
No private vehicles at Sariska tiger reserve
Jaipur, April 24 (IANS) Following reports of wild animals being injured in accidents, a complete ban has been clamped on the plying of private vehicles at the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan's Alwar district, an official said Sunday.
Tourists will now be able to travel only in vehicles approved by the forest department authorities.
"Recently, some cases were reported wherein the reserve staff found that some wild animals were injured. It came up that private vehicles had been involved in those incidents," the official told IANS.
"In a meeting of park officials, it was decided to ban the private vehicles. It came into effect April 20," the official added.
The tiger reserve is spread in an area of around 800 sq km and is located some 110 km from here.
Many tourists were caught unawares about the ban. "I was completely unaware that such a decision has been taken. The park authorities should have properly advertised about the ban," said Mohan Pandey, who had travelled all the way from Delhi to see the reserve.
However, animal rights activists are a happy lot.
"Private vehicles were not only injuring animals but also affecting the environment," said Babu Lal Jajoo, an animal rights activist.
Besides tigers that were relocated to the reserve from Ranthambore National Park, the sanctuary is also home to panthers, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, chitals, sambars, caracals, langurs, wild boars, four-horned deer and several species of birds.
Relocation of tigers has come as a boon for the reserve.
The tiger reserve, which had lost its sheen because of the complete disappearance of tigers, has once again started to attract tourists.
A March 2005 report by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that there were indeed no tigers left in Sariska Tiger Reserve. Poaching was found to be the chief reason behind the dwindling tiger population.
Facing flak from different quarters, the state government decided to relocate tigers from Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district to Sariska.
Since 2008, the reserve has been witnessing a rush from weekend tourists, especially from Delhi and the National capital region.
The Sariska Tiger Reserve, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile Alwar state, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955. In 1978, it was declared a tiger reserve.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=234562
Tourists will now be able to travel only in vehicles approved by the forest department authorities.
"Recently, some cases were reported wherein the reserve staff found that some wild animals were injured. It came up that private vehicles had been involved in those incidents," the official told IANS.
"In a meeting of park officials, it was decided to ban the private vehicles. It came into effect April 20," the official added.
The tiger reserve is spread in an area of around 800 sq km and is located some 110 km from here.
Many tourists were caught unawares about the ban. "I was completely unaware that such a decision has been taken. The park authorities should have properly advertised about the ban," said Mohan Pandey, who had travelled all the way from Delhi to see the reserve.
However, animal rights activists are a happy lot.
"Private vehicles were not only injuring animals but also affecting the environment," said Babu Lal Jajoo, an animal rights activist.
Besides tigers that were relocated to the reserve from Ranthambore National Park, the sanctuary is also home to panthers, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, chitals, sambars, caracals, langurs, wild boars, four-horned deer and several species of birds.
Relocation of tigers has come as a boon for the reserve.
The tiger reserve, which had lost its sheen because of the complete disappearance of tigers, has once again started to attract tourists.
A March 2005 report by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that there were indeed no tigers left in Sariska Tiger Reserve. Poaching was found to be the chief reason behind the dwindling tiger population.
Facing flak from different quarters, the state government decided to relocate tigers from Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district to Sariska.
Since 2008, the reserve has been witnessing a rush from weekend tourists, especially from Delhi and the National capital region.
The Sariska Tiger Reserve, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile Alwar state, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955. In 1978, it was declared a tiger reserve.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=234562
WWI team in Sariska to change male tiger's collar TNN
JAIPUR: A Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, team is currently at the Sariska national park. It will try to change the VHS radio collar of male tiger ST-4 that has become defunct for quite some time.
According to forest department officials, "A two-member team from the WII has been in the park for some time. They will try to tranquillise the male tiger in a day or two. We are changing the radio collar of ST-4. It has been defunct for quite some time and we are not receiving signals from it," they said.
Initially, the plans were to replace the collar of tigress ST-2 that has not been working well, but officials said it has now started functioning and will not be replaced immediately.
"In case of ST-2 we will also have to be more careful and there are chances of the tigress being pregnant and in that case tranquillising it will not advisable," officials said.
However, what remains intriguing is lack of effort of the department in introducing satellite collars for tigers. Satellite collars send constant signals no matter where the tigers are as against VHS collars that often stop signals when tigers stray far go into valleys. However, the cost of satellite collars are more than VHS ones.
Union minister for forest and environment Jairam Ramesh, during one of his visit to Sariska after the death of male tiger ST-1, had also suggested use of satellite collars despite their costs. He had even instructed Rajesh Gopal, director, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), but the move seems to have no takers.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/WWI-team-in-Sariska-to-change-male-tigers-collar/articleshow/8075938.cms
According to forest department officials, "A two-member team from the WII has been in the park for some time. They will try to tranquillise the male tiger in a day or two. We are changing the radio collar of ST-4. It has been defunct for quite some time and we are not receiving signals from it," they said.
Initially, the plans were to replace the collar of tigress ST-2 that has not been working well, but officials said it has now started functioning and will not be replaced immediately.
"In case of ST-2 we will also have to be more careful and there are chances of the tigress being pregnant and in that case tranquillising it will not advisable," officials said.
However, what remains intriguing is lack of effort of the department in introducing satellite collars for tigers. Satellite collars send constant signals no matter where the tigers are as against VHS collars that often stop signals when tigers stray far go into valleys. However, the cost of satellite collars are more than VHS ones.
Union minister for forest and environment Jairam Ramesh, during one of his visit to Sariska after the death of male tiger ST-1, had also suggested use of satellite collars despite their costs. He had even instructed Rajesh Gopal, director, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), but the move seems to have no takers.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/WWI-team-in-Sariska-to-change-male-tigers-collar/articleshow/8075938.cms
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Tiger attacks three women near Corbett D S Kunwar, TNN
DEHRADUN: A tiger mauled and wounded two women and a 10-year-old girl on Friday near a primary school in Nainital's Ramnagar forest division. The spot is close to the buffer zone of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.
Around 8 am, when Joga Devi (52) Kamla Devi (30) and Anjali (10) of Teda village were going to collect fodder for their cattle, the tiger pounced on them, said DFO (Ramnagar forest division) Ravindra Juyal. The women cried for help. By the time, villagers from Teda came to their rescue, the tiger had disappeared into the forest.
Doctors said the condition of all the three of them is serious. The victims were admitted to Ramnagar's Community Health Centre (CHC). Later, they were shifted to Haldwani Medical College after their condition deteriorated. The victims had suffered multiple fractures, said doctors.
As the news of the attack by the tiger spread, residents of around ten villages in Ramnagar Forest Division rushed to the spot. They gheraoed senior forest officials. They also held demonstrations and took out a march to protest against the inability of forest officials to prevent man-eaters and other wild animals from attacking them. They also demanded the Uttarakhand government relocate them to safer areas.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Tiger-attacks-three-women-near-Corbett/articleshow/8062811.cms
Around 8 am, when Joga Devi (52) Kamla Devi (30) and Anjali (10) of Teda village were going to collect fodder for their cattle, the tiger pounced on them, said DFO (Ramnagar forest division) Ravindra Juyal. The women cried for help. By the time, villagers from Teda came to their rescue, the tiger had disappeared into the forest.
Doctors said the condition of all the three of them is serious. The victims were admitted to Ramnagar's Community Health Centre (CHC). Later, they were shifted to Haldwani Medical College after their condition deteriorated. The victims had suffered multiple fractures, said doctors.
As the news of the attack by the tiger spread, residents of around ten villages in Ramnagar Forest Division rushed to the spot. They gheraoed senior forest officials. They also held demonstrations and took out a march to protest against the inability of forest officials to prevent man-eaters and other wild animals from attacking them. They also demanded the Uttarakhand government relocate them to safer areas.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Tiger-attacks-three-women-near-Corbett/articleshow/8062811.cms
Windmills threaten wildlife in Koyna Sanctuary-Bahar Dutt, CNN IBN
Click to play video
Koyna Sanctuary: The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra is a critical corridor of forest and home to tigers, bison and 100 species of birds. But CNN-IBN has found that land inside the tiger reserve is up for grabs and over 200 windmills are operating inside the sanctuary, for which over 500 trees were chopped.
"BNHS has found some 250 species of birds, which are endangered species accord to them. Now because of these windmills, we can't see the birds. Prior to that, we used to see a number of different kinds of birds. We also used to see wildlife over here," said green activist Nana Khamkar.
Under the wildlife protection act, any diversion of land inside a sanctuary needs prior permission. But a RTI response from the Forest Department proved that the windmills lie inside the sanctuary and the permission was not taken. An offence report was registered by Koyna Range Forest Office in 2002, but till today no action has been taken.
In their defence, Suzlon, one of the windmill companies said, "Suzlon always complies with the law of the land. Considering that this matter is sub-judice, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."
Green activist Khamkar has filed a PIL in court and is arguing the matter himself.
"Wildlife is totally scattered now. This corridor needs to be preserved as these are important animal movement areas. Because of these windmills, this important animal migration has got hampered to a very large extent," said Khamkar.
Over 200 windmills are now operating illegally inside the vital tiger reserve.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has stepped has ordered the National Tiger Conservation Authority to enquire about the matter.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/windmills-threaten-wildlife-in-koyna-sanctuary/149890-3.html
Koyna Sanctuary: The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra is a critical corridor of forest and home to tigers, bison and 100 species of birds. But CNN-IBN has found that land inside the tiger reserve is up for grabs and over 200 windmills are operating inside the sanctuary, for which over 500 trees were chopped.
"BNHS has found some 250 species of birds, which are endangered species accord to them. Now because of these windmills, we can't see the birds. Prior to that, we used to see a number of different kinds of birds. We also used to see wildlife over here," said green activist Nana Khamkar.
Under the wildlife protection act, any diversion of land inside a sanctuary needs prior permission. But a RTI response from the Forest Department proved that the windmills lie inside the sanctuary and the permission was not taken. An offence report was registered by Koyna Range Forest Office in 2002, but till today no action has been taken.
In their defence, Suzlon, one of the windmill companies said, "Suzlon always complies with the law of the land. Considering that this matter is sub-judice, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."
Green activist Khamkar has filed a PIL in court and is arguing the matter himself.
"Wildlife is totally scattered now. This corridor needs to be preserved as these are important animal movement areas. Because of these windmills, this important animal migration has got hampered to a very large extent," said Khamkar.
Over 200 windmills are now operating illegally inside the vital tiger reserve.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has stepped has ordered the National Tiger Conservation Authority to enquire about the matter.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/windmills-threaten-wildlife-in-koyna-sanctuary/149890-3.html
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Rajasthan Plans Tiger Corridor
The Rajasthan state forest department has often faced the mammoth task of tracking and returning a stray tiger from its place of residence. News of tigers straying from Ranthambore National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park, away from the park’s surrounding regions have often put the officials in a spot over the safety of the animal.
In order to prevent the tigers from straying out of the territories and for their safety, the state government has planned to build a corridor connecting six National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries of the state under the Tiger Biosphere Project. The corridor will be developed connecting Keoladeo, Ranthambore, Sawai Mansingh, Ramgarh, Jawahar Sagar and Dara sanctuaries falling under Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur, Kota and Bundi districts of the state.
Apart from Ranthambore National Park, Sariska National Park and Keoladeo Ghana National Park have also witnessed instances of straying tigers. "Due to the growing numbers of the big cats in the Ranthambore National Park, the tigers usually stray out of their territory and go missing. They become easy prey to villagers and poachers in such cases," a forest official said.
Most of the parks and sanctuaries in the state are connected to each other and those to be developed as a tiger corridor under the Tiger Biosphere Project are dense forest areas. Once the corridors are built, the park officials will have to take up serious security issues for the wildlife in these regions against poaching and other criminal activities. To ensure this it will be necessary to relocate the villages in the vicinity of the parks and sanctuaries.
The project will be developed with the help of Rs.1,153 crore worth grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for implementing the Rajasthan Forestry and Biodiversity Project (RFBP) in select areas of the state over a period of eight years between 2011 and 2019.
Ranthambore National Park one of the oldest parks in India has a healthy tiger population in its area and surrounding sanctuaries. In the last two to three years some of the tigers from Ranthambore have been shifted to Sariska National Park in order to revive the tiger population here when the park had become tigerless a few years ago due to wide scale poaching.
http://www.rang7.com/news/national-park/rajasthan-plans-tiger-corridor-890.htm
In order to prevent the tigers from straying out of the territories and for their safety, the state government has planned to build a corridor connecting six National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries of the state under the Tiger Biosphere Project. The corridor will be developed connecting Keoladeo, Ranthambore, Sawai Mansingh, Ramgarh, Jawahar Sagar and Dara sanctuaries falling under Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur, Kota and Bundi districts of the state.
Apart from Ranthambore National Park, Sariska National Park and Keoladeo Ghana National Park have also witnessed instances of straying tigers. "Due to the growing numbers of the big cats in the Ranthambore National Park, the tigers usually stray out of their territory and go missing. They become easy prey to villagers and poachers in such cases," a forest official said.
Most of the parks and sanctuaries in the state are connected to each other and those to be developed as a tiger corridor under the Tiger Biosphere Project are dense forest areas. Once the corridors are built, the park officials will have to take up serious security issues for the wildlife in these regions against poaching and other criminal activities. To ensure this it will be necessary to relocate the villages in the vicinity of the parks and sanctuaries.
The project will be developed with the help of Rs.1,153 crore worth grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for implementing the Rajasthan Forestry and Biodiversity Project (RFBP) in select areas of the state over a period of eight years between 2011 and 2019.
Ranthambore National Park one of the oldest parks in India has a healthy tiger population in its area and surrounding sanctuaries. In the last two to three years some of the tigers from Ranthambore have been shifted to Sariska National Park in order to revive the tiger population here when the park had become tigerless a few years ago due to wide scale poaching.
http://www.rang7.com/news/national-park/rajasthan-plans-tiger-corridor-890.htm
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Arrested Naxal confirms dalam plan in tiger reserve
A senior Naxal cadre has allegedly corroborated a long-held suspicion that Naxals are trying to constitute a dalam (military unit) for villages in and around Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
A state committee (CPI-Maoist) member and secretary of Chandrapur area committee, Bhimrao alias Bhanu alias Bhaskar Bhovte, was arrested along with his wife Sunanda alias Megha alias Vanaja Vasant Ramteke in Gondia district a day before Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s visit to Gadchiroli in December 2010.
“Bhovte told us that a survey was carried out in TATR and surrounding villages in the recent past with an intention to form a dalam,” a senior police officer told The Indian Express.
A series of raids had followed the couple’s arrests on the dens of Naxal activists at places like Mul and Sindewahi , situated at vantage positions vis-Ã -vis TATR. Some handwritten materials, most of them survey reports, were seized from there. One of the reports was about the survey conducted in TATR landscape.
“A crackdown had ensued on some youth members of an organisation claiming to be a students’ body in Chandrapur a few years ago. While many of the youths, including some girls, had been deputed as dalam members under North Gadchiroli Gondia Committee of CPI(Maoist), some were engaged by Chandrapur area committee to work on building dalam in the TATR landscape, our interrogation has revealed,¿ the official said.
Some recent incidents inside TATR had caught officials off-guard. The partly-rehabilitated Kolsa village had turned away Nagpur Divisional Commissioner B V Gopal Reddy two months ago when he had gone there to persuade them to agree to rehabilitation. They are stated to be in highly belligerent mood. The Rantalodhi village has had history of violent attacks on forest and police officials in the past.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/arrested-naxal-confirms-dalam-plan-in-tiger-reserve/778638/
A state committee (CPI-Maoist) member and secretary of Chandrapur area committee, Bhimrao alias Bhanu alias Bhaskar Bhovte, was arrested along with his wife Sunanda alias Megha alias Vanaja Vasant Ramteke in Gondia district a day before Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s visit to Gadchiroli in December 2010.
“Bhovte told us that a survey was carried out in TATR and surrounding villages in the recent past with an intention to form a dalam,” a senior police officer told The Indian Express.
A series of raids had followed the couple’s arrests on the dens of Naxal activists at places like Mul and Sindewahi , situated at vantage positions vis-Ã -vis TATR. Some handwritten materials, most of them survey reports, were seized from there. One of the reports was about the survey conducted in TATR landscape.
“A crackdown had ensued on some youth members of an organisation claiming to be a students’ body in Chandrapur a few years ago. While many of the youths, including some girls, had been deputed as dalam members under North Gadchiroli Gondia Committee of CPI(Maoist), some were engaged by Chandrapur area committee to work on building dalam in the TATR landscape, our interrogation has revealed,¿ the official said.
Some recent incidents inside TATR had caught officials off-guard. The partly-rehabilitated Kolsa village had turned away Nagpur Divisional Commissioner B V Gopal Reddy two months ago when he had gone there to persuade them to agree to rehabilitation. They are stated to be in highly belligerent mood. The Rantalodhi village has had history of violent attacks on forest and police officials in the past.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/arrested-naxal-confirms-dalam-plan-in-tiger-reserve/778638/
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tiger census: MP govt orders fresh count in Kanha
Unhappy with the latest census that robbed Madhya Pradesh of its ‘tiger state’ status, the state has decided to carry out a fresh ‘sign survey’ in Kanha tiger reserve that has lost several wild cats over the past four years.
The state’s request to re-check the data with the Wildlife Institute of India was rejected, prompting it to announce a fresh count from April 25 to 27.
The 2006 census had put the count at 89, which now stands at 60, a figure the state disputes.
PCCF (Wildlife) H S Pabla said his department will collect data such as scrape and scat marks and other indirect evidence like killing of preys.
For this purpose, camera traps have already been set up in the reserve, Pabla added.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Tiger-census--MP-govt-orders-fresh-count-in-Kanha/778035/
The state’s request to re-check the data with the Wildlife Institute of India was rejected, prompting it to announce a fresh count from April 25 to 27.
The 2006 census had put the count at 89, which now stands at 60, a figure the state disputes.
PCCF (Wildlife) H S Pabla said his department will collect data such as scrape and scat marks and other indirect evidence like killing of preys.
For this purpose, camera traps have already been set up in the reserve, Pabla added.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Tiger-census--MP-govt-orders-fresh-count-in-Kanha/778035/
Fires in tiger reserve keep officials on toes Abhay Singh, TNN
PATNA: All through the year, environment and forest department officials, both at the state headquarters and in various forest ranges of the department, remain alert to douse forest fire and keep at bay those who indulge in illegal felling of trees. However, come summer, they go on high alert to protect the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district from forest fires that is most often man-made.
As it is, during summer, those who inhabit villages in the deep forests of the VTR go on a spree to burn dry stubs and clumps of grass in their bid to prepare the forest land for new grass, which naturally emerges and begins to grow with the onset of hotweather rain, or even monsoon rains. Monsoon, normally, hits the state in the second week of June, but late-April to May-end is also the period of pre-monsoon rains.
Now, one such instance of burning of dry grass in Naurangia-done area of the VTR by villagers, specially herdsmen, on Sunday pushed a panic button at the environment and forest department headquarters on Monday. By afternoon, on Monday, the information elicited from the field said that yet another instance of burning of dry clumps of grass had occurred in the morning at the Harnatand village within the confines of the VTR.
"The fire reported from Naurangia-done area was not of high magnitude. It occurred on Sunday. The tigertrekkers in the forest area immediately intervened and doused the flames with support from the locals," said state's chief warden of forests, wildlife and sanctuaries Mithilesh Kumar, adding: "The locals and tiger-trekkers also controlled the fire reported from Harnatand village."
Incidentally, the government has already decided to upgrade the VTR as a tourist spot in the state. After Betla National Park in Jharkhand, the VTR is the only sanctuary for tiger and wildlife on the west of Sundarbans in West Bengal. The total area of the VTR is 880 square km, and also accounts for rich forests consisting of cane, sal, sagwan, khaira, seesam, semul and other trees and plants.
Early this year, deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, while reviewing the activities of the environment and forest department had announced that the VTR would be upgraded to attract tourists. He had also directed the officials of the department to prepare a blueprint for the development of the VTR into a tourist spot.
Last week, too, there were reports about fire in the VTR in the same Naurangia-done and other areas. "We have cross-checked the information. No such incident took place. Except on Sunday and in the morning today (Monday), no instances of fire have been reported," Kumar said, adding: "But we have issued the instruction to the officials and tiger-trekkers to remain alert.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Fires-in-tiger-reserve-keep-officials-on-toes/articleshow/8022748.cms
As it is, during summer, those who inhabit villages in the deep forests of the VTR go on a spree to burn dry stubs and clumps of grass in their bid to prepare the forest land for new grass, which naturally emerges and begins to grow with the onset of hotweather rain, or even monsoon rains. Monsoon, normally, hits the state in the second week of June, but late-April to May-end is also the period of pre-monsoon rains.
Now, one such instance of burning of dry grass in Naurangia-done area of the VTR by villagers, specially herdsmen, on Sunday pushed a panic button at the environment and forest department headquarters on Monday. By afternoon, on Monday, the information elicited from the field said that yet another instance of burning of dry clumps of grass had occurred in the morning at the Harnatand village within the confines of the VTR.
"The fire reported from Naurangia-done area was not of high magnitude. It occurred on Sunday. The tigertrekkers in the forest area immediately intervened and doused the flames with support from the locals," said state's chief warden of forests, wildlife and sanctuaries Mithilesh Kumar, adding: "The locals and tiger-trekkers also controlled the fire reported from Harnatand village."
Incidentally, the government has already decided to upgrade the VTR as a tourist spot in the state. After Betla National Park in Jharkhand, the VTR is the only sanctuary for tiger and wildlife on the west of Sundarbans in West Bengal. The total area of the VTR is 880 square km, and also accounts for rich forests consisting of cane, sal, sagwan, khaira, seesam, semul and other trees and plants.
Early this year, deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, while reviewing the activities of the environment and forest department had announced that the VTR would be upgraded to attract tourists. He had also directed the officials of the department to prepare a blueprint for the development of the VTR into a tourist spot.
Last week, too, there were reports about fire in the VTR in the same Naurangia-done and other areas. "We have cross-checked the information. No such incident took place. Except on Sunday and in the morning today (Monday), no instances of fire have been reported," Kumar said, adding: "But we have issued the instruction to the officials and tiger-trekkers to remain alert.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Fires-in-tiger-reserve-keep-officials-on-toes/articleshow/8022748.cms
Monday, April 18, 2011
Radio collar 'chokes' big cat TNN
KOLKATA: Controversy has again struck the Sunderbans. This time, a ten-year-old male tiger caught from Dobanki seven days back is bearing the brunt.
The radio collar fitted to the tiger stopped functioning about three months back, but it is yet to be removed. Experts said the collar had badly choked the tiger`s neck and it could not eat properly. The tiger is now at Alipore Zoo.
But two principal chief conservators of forests are speaking in conflicting voices. While S B Mondal, PCCF (wildlife) said that he had given instruction to remove the collar, PCCF and head of forest force Atanu Raha said it won`t be removed unless the tiger comes to a state when it can be tranquillized. Though Raha said the tiger had gained weight in past few days, he could not say if the big cat could be tranquillized.
"If the collar is defunct, what`s the use of it?" asked wildlife conservationist Valmik Thapar. Koustubh Sharma of International Snow Leopard Trust said: "If you can`t monitor the cat, what`s the use? Tranquillizing tigers for radio collaring has an ethical and financial bearing. If the tiger has been caught again, either the defunct collar should be removed, or replaced with a new one before releasing it in the wild." Biswajit Roy Chowdhury of Nature Environment and Wildlife Society said that since the tiger had been kept in a cage, it`s not difficult to remove the collar. "Their numbers are already dwindling, why put another life at risk for a collar?" he asked.
Y V Jhala of Wildlife Institute of India said new collars are available with WII in the state. "The tiger was radio collared at Netadhopani and gave signals for almost 11 months. If the collar is defunct, forest officials should have contacted us, " he said.
Thapar said bringing an animal to zoo is a bad decision. "Unless a tiger turns man-eater, it should not be brought to zoo. The department should observe the big cats in local camps so that it can be reintroduced to the wild fast." He called for a review on the malfunctioning of radio collars. "Some incidents have been reported from Ranthambore and Kanha." Radio collars were blamed for tiger deaths in Panna in 2009. A research programme in Bangladeshi Sunderbans by Adam Barlow had to be suspended after the death of two tigers were reported in 2006 after being radio collared. Alipore Zoo director Raju Das said that they were observing the tiger and plans were on to remove the collar in a couple of days.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Radio-collar-chokes-big-cat/articleshow/8012936.cms
The radio collar fitted to the tiger stopped functioning about three months back, but it is yet to be removed. Experts said the collar had badly choked the tiger`s neck and it could not eat properly. The tiger is now at Alipore Zoo.
But two principal chief conservators of forests are speaking in conflicting voices. While S B Mondal, PCCF (wildlife) said that he had given instruction to remove the collar, PCCF and head of forest force Atanu Raha said it won`t be removed unless the tiger comes to a state when it can be tranquillized. Though Raha said the tiger had gained weight in past few days, he could not say if the big cat could be tranquillized.
"If the collar is defunct, what`s the use of it?" asked wildlife conservationist Valmik Thapar. Koustubh Sharma of International Snow Leopard Trust said: "If you can`t monitor the cat, what`s the use? Tranquillizing tigers for radio collaring has an ethical and financial bearing. If the tiger has been caught again, either the defunct collar should be removed, or replaced with a new one before releasing it in the wild." Biswajit Roy Chowdhury of Nature Environment and Wildlife Society said that since the tiger had been kept in a cage, it`s not difficult to remove the collar. "Their numbers are already dwindling, why put another life at risk for a collar?" he asked.
Y V Jhala of Wildlife Institute of India said new collars are available with WII in the state. "The tiger was radio collared at Netadhopani and gave signals for almost 11 months. If the collar is defunct, forest officials should have contacted us, " he said.
Thapar said bringing an animal to zoo is a bad decision. "Unless a tiger turns man-eater, it should not be brought to zoo. The department should observe the big cats in local camps so that it can be reintroduced to the wild fast." He called for a review on the malfunctioning of radio collars. "Some incidents have been reported from Ranthambore and Kanha." Radio collars were blamed for tiger deaths in Panna in 2009. A research programme in Bangladeshi Sunderbans by Adam Barlow had to be suspended after the death of two tigers were reported in 2006 after being radio collared. Alipore Zoo director Raju Das said that they were observing the tiger and plans were on to remove the collar in a couple of days.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Radio-collar-chokes-big-cat/articleshow/8012936.cms
Govt announces two billion rupees for tiger relocation
Panna, April 17 (ANI): India's Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Saturday announced two billion rupees for village relocation programmes in Madhya Pradesh for establishing buffer zones in tiger reserves across the country. Speaking to mediapersons while on a tour in the reserve, Ramesh said that the ministry would financially assist the state, even as he expressed his discontentment over the Ken-Betwa river linking project saying it would destroy the Panna Tiger Reserve
http://www.indiablooms.com/VideoDetails/videoDetails170411f.php
http://www.indiablooms.com/VideoDetails/videoDetails170411f.php
Pilibhit forest division may get special package TNN
LUCKNOW: After the national tiger census-2010 identified Pilibhit forest division as a promising area for tigers, good times might set in for the division. The division may get a special package for development from the forest department.
The tiger census-2010 report has observed that tiger population is increasing in the protected area and outside. Moyar-Singur-Satyamangalam, Ramnagar and Pilibhit regions have been specifically mentioned in the report.
After being identified as one of the promising areas for tigers, the division might get special infrastructural package. Sources said that a proposal seeking special package has been prepared but refused to divulge on the facilities that have been asked for. "It is only after department agrees to it that anything can be said," said sources.
On the other hand, efforts to set up a new tiger reserve in Pilibhit are underway. Pilibhit division spreads over 712 sq km area. It has five ranges under it, Diuria, Mala, Mahof, Haripur and Barahi. The census this year has shown 112 tigers present in Dudhwa-Lakhimpur-Pilibhit-Katarniaghat belt.
In the last census, as many as 95 tigers were counted in this belt. This time, there has been an increase. Since report has already stated that tigers in Pilibhit are increasing, contribution of the division in the increase in number of tigers in the belt can not be ruled out.
Meanwhile, at the time of the census exercise in the division in May, some rare wildlife species were also found in the division like leopard cats and four-horned antelopes. Thus, making it an important division in respect of wildlife.
On the other hand, the division is also seeing a spurt in incidents of man-animal conflict. In the start of this month, there have been two incidents in which men were left injured in attack by wild animals. On April 2, a 28-year old man was attacked and injured by a leopard in Haripur range.
While the department provided for the treatment of the man and released compensation to him, another man was left injured in an attack by a tiger in Diuria range two days later. The package, therefore, will also help the division overcome these difficulties.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Pilibhit-forest-division-may-get-special-package/articleshow/8009467.cms
The tiger census-2010 report has observed that tiger population is increasing in the protected area and outside. Moyar-Singur-Satyamangalam, Ramnagar and Pilibhit regions have been specifically mentioned in the report.
After being identified as one of the promising areas for tigers, the division might get special infrastructural package. Sources said that a proposal seeking special package has been prepared but refused to divulge on the facilities that have been asked for. "It is only after department agrees to it that anything can be said," said sources.
On the other hand, efforts to set up a new tiger reserve in Pilibhit are underway. Pilibhit division spreads over 712 sq km area. It has five ranges under it, Diuria, Mala, Mahof, Haripur and Barahi. The census this year has shown 112 tigers present in Dudhwa-Lakhimpur-Pilibhit-Katarniaghat belt.
In the last census, as many as 95 tigers were counted in this belt. This time, there has been an increase. Since report has already stated that tigers in Pilibhit are increasing, contribution of the division in the increase in number of tigers in the belt can not be ruled out.
Meanwhile, at the time of the census exercise in the division in May, some rare wildlife species were also found in the division like leopard cats and four-horned antelopes. Thus, making it an important division in respect of wildlife.
On the other hand, the division is also seeing a spurt in incidents of man-animal conflict. In the start of this month, there have been two incidents in which men were left injured in attack by wild animals. On April 2, a 28-year old man was attacked and injured by a leopard in Haripur range.
While the department provided for the treatment of the man and released compensation to him, another man was left injured in an attack by a tiger in Diuria range two days later. The package, therefore, will also help the division overcome these difficulties.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Pilibhit-forest-division-may-get-special-package/articleshow/8009467.cms
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Goa may add to India's tiger numbers IANS
PANAJI: Where have Goa's tigers gone? Despite consistently throwing up four to five tigers in past counts, the latest 2011 tiger census conspicuously avoids reference to the state and its elusive tiger. The good news, however, is that this state could once again add as many as five tigers to the national tally of 1,706.
Assistant conservator of forests wildlife and eco-tourism Kamu Prakash said that although the state forest department had completed its share of field work and sent its findings to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, the analysis confirming the findings is yet to be returned.
"The Union ministry of environment and forests had come up with a set of guidelines on how the tiger census is to be conducted, based on which we had submitted that there could be as many as five tigers in Goa," Prakash said.
"But we are yet to receive the report either confirming or refuting our findings (from the WII)," he added, saying once the report is out, the tiger count in India is likely to go up.
"The nationwide census began in November 2009, whereas here in Goa we held it only in the last week of April and the beginning of May. So we submitted our report almost six months late. Our report is expected to come in about a fortnight," Prakash said.
Suspected tiger faeces were found at Surla and Nandran within the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary at Mollem and pugmarks of a tigress and two cubs discovered along the water's edge in Anjunem dam near the Goa-Karnataka border in recent times.
"The tiger-related findings from Goa will have to be correlated with those from Karnataka to ensure we are not counting the same tiger twice," Prakash said.
Wildlife and environmental activists have long been campaigning that Goa's sanctuaries be notified as tiger reserves. They have accused the forest department of denying the presence of tigers to appease the politically and economically strong mining lobby.
Following strict directives from the ministry of environment and forests, the Goa forest department in the past has had to initiate probes into mining near the Netravali wildlife sanctuary in eastern Goa, a known tiger corridor.
The mining lobby fears that the confirmed presence of the country's most endangered animal could force a halt to their highly lucrative ore extraction operations. More than two dozen mining leases ring the sanctuary area.
Noted wildlife activist Rajendra Kerkar has said top forest officials were dithering from admitting to the presence of the tiger in Goa's forests because of pressure from the Rs.6,000- crore mining industry in Goa, which has nearly 100 open cast mining pits, most of which border the wildlife sanctuaries.
A tiger was poached in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary, 70 km from here in 2009.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-may-add-to-Indias-tiger-numbers/articleshow/8004576.cms
Assistant conservator of forests wildlife and eco-tourism Kamu Prakash said that although the state forest department had completed its share of field work and sent its findings to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, the analysis confirming the findings is yet to be returned.
"The Union ministry of environment and forests had come up with a set of guidelines on how the tiger census is to be conducted, based on which we had submitted that there could be as many as five tigers in Goa," Prakash said.
"But we are yet to receive the report either confirming or refuting our findings (from the WII)," he added, saying once the report is out, the tiger count in India is likely to go up.
"The nationwide census began in November 2009, whereas here in Goa we held it only in the last week of April and the beginning of May. So we submitted our report almost six months late. Our report is expected to come in about a fortnight," Prakash said.
Suspected tiger faeces were found at Surla and Nandran within the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary at Mollem and pugmarks of a tigress and two cubs discovered along the water's edge in Anjunem dam near the Goa-Karnataka border in recent times.
"The tiger-related findings from Goa will have to be correlated with those from Karnataka to ensure we are not counting the same tiger twice," Prakash said.
Wildlife and environmental activists have long been campaigning that Goa's sanctuaries be notified as tiger reserves. They have accused the forest department of denying the presence of tigers to appease the politically and economically strong mining lobby.
Following strict directives from the ministry of environment and forests, the Goa forest department in the past has had to initiate probes into mining near the Netravali wildlife sanctuary in eastern Goa, a known tiger corridor.
The mining lobby fears that the confirmed presence of the country's most endangered animal could force a halt to their highly lucrative ore extraction operations. More than two dozen mining leases ring the sanctuary area.
Noted wildlife activist Rajendra Kerkar has said top forest officials were dithering from admitting to the presence of the tiger in Goa's forests because of pressure from the Rs.6,000- crore mining industry in Goa, which has nearly 100 open cast mining pits, most of which border the wildlife sanctuaries.
A tiger was poached in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary, 70 km from here in 2009.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-may-add-to-Indias-tiger-numbers/articleshow/8004576.cms
Ramesh praises tiger revival project in Panna - PTI
Panna (MP), Apr 16 (PTI) Union Environment and Forests Minister, Jairam Ramesh today praised the ongoing programme of tiger population revival at Panna Tiger Reserve here, and announced a grant of Rs 200 crore for tiger conservation in Madhya Pradesh. "Madhya Pradesh will get Rs 200 crore as the first instalment for the tiger conservation, and I am happy with the progress of the translocation of tigers in the the Panna Tiger Reserve," Ramesh, here to review the project, told reporters. To a question he said that MOEF would not give nod to Ken-Betwa river linking scheme, as it would affect the wildlife and ecology of the reserve. The Ministry would also not give clearance to a proposed railway line through the Reserve, Ramesh said. Panna had become completely devoid of tigers two years back. To revive the big cat population, three tigresses and a tiger were translocated here from outside. Two tigresses have already given birth to around five cubs; two of them today celebrated their birthday in the minister's presence.
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/ramesh-praises-tiger-revival-project-in-panna/650979.html
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/ramesh-praises-tiger-revival-project-in-panna/650979.html
Saturday, April 16, 2011
3 more tiger reserves to come up in Maharashtra
Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh on Friday announced that three new tiger reserves would be notified in Maharashtra — in Navegaon, Nagzira and Bor — and rehabilitation of villages at Tadoba and Melghat would be taken up on priority.
He also said Nagpur, Maharashtra’s second capital, would be promoted as the “gateway to tiger reserves” as it is the entry point to 13 of the 39 tiger reserves in the country. The “Orange City” would also be the first to get a field office of the National Tiger Conservation Authority; two other offices are to be set up elsewhere in the country.
The minister said the Central government had approved an initial grant of Rs 50 crore for the rehabilitation of villages in Melghat and Tadoba tiger reserves.
“Next week, I will be going to Gadchiroli to launch a new scheme. It will open a new era in the relation of forest with people. The paradigm of forest conservation has to change and must make tribals partners in forest management. All rich, mineral, tribal and violence areas overlap. The Forest Department has an important role to play in anti-Naxal actions,” said Ramesh.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/3-more-tiger-reserves-to-come-up-in-Maharashtra/776901/
He also said Nagpur, Maharashtra’s second capital, would be promoted as the “gateway to tiger reserves” as it is the entry point to 13 of the 39 tiger reserves in the country. The “Orange City” would also be the first to get a field office of the National Tiger Conservation Authority; two other offices are to be set up elsewhere in the country.
The minister said the Central government had approved an initial grant of Rs 50 crore for the rehabilitation of villages in Melghat and Tadoba tiger reserves.
“Next week, I will be going to Gadchiroli to launch a new scheme. It will open a new era in the relation of forest with people. The paradigm of forest conservation has to change and must make tribals partners in forest management. All rich, mineral, tribal and violence areas overlap. The Forest Department has an important role to play in anti-Naxal actions,” said Ramesh.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/3-more-tiger-reserves-to-come-up-in-Maharashtra/776901/
Friday, April 15, 2011
Karnataka CM writes to centre on Tiger reserve
Chief Minister Mr BS Yeddyurappa has urged the Centre to take an 'urgent decision' on the fate of buildings and structures belonging to the defunct Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd to enable the State government speed up the process of declaring the Kudremukh National Park as a Tiger Reserve.
In a letter to Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh, Yeddyurappa said that the State Forest Department was examining the Centre’s proposal to notify the Kudremukh National Park as a Tiger Reserve under Section 38(V) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
In a letter to Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh, Yeddyurappa said that the State Forest Department was examining the Centre’s proposal to notify the Kudremukh National Park as a Tiger Reserve under Section 38(V) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Finance Dept stalls tiger force formation Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: Four months after deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar cleared the formation of special tiger protection force (STPF) for Pench and Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserves, the state finance department has put spanner in the STPF works.
Considering the danger tigers in the wild face and the need for stepping up protection in sensitive areas having source populations of tigers with active involvement of forest dwelling communities, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in February 2009 mandated setting up of STPFs in tiger reserves in the country with 100% central assistance.
However, the state is yet to respond. On December 15, while in the city to attend winter session of the assembly, Pawar had cleared setting up of STPF by sanctioning 224 posts (two battalions of 112 personnel each) after discussing the issue with forest officials. So far, the decision remains on paper. STPF would be headed by an officer of the rank of assistant conservator of forest (ACF) and have RFOs, foresters and forest guards. In the STPF, 30% guards would be from communities around the reserves. They will be entitled to same salary and emoluments as others.
Sources said the finance department has put hurdles in the process by making some irrelevant queries. The department has asked whether the 224 posts will be created temporarily. It has also asked that if Centre stopped giving 100% grants, who will bear the expenses. It wants to know whether these posts would be absorbed in the forest department and if yes, how.
The finance officials have further asked whether there is a provision to relax educational qualification for 30% of the STPF staff that would be from local communities as they would be paid salary equivalent to foresters and forest guards. Sources said, these queries appear frivolous in nature and some (like educational qualification bit) have nothing to do with finance department.
As per the NTCA guidelines, STPF personnel will have to undergo training from police and para military forces. "There is a need to take home ministry's view on the issue," the finance department has said. It has also stated that as per the norms, the STPF recruits should not be above 40 years. On this condition, the NTCA approval will be needed, they mentioned.
Senior forest officials are upset by the irrelevant queries. All the issues were sorted out in the meeting with Pawar. Finance department officials were also present. "Why did they not raise these queries then," they asked. Former PCCF (wildlife) D C Pant had written to additional director general of police (DGP), training, about training STPF personnel. However, police department showed inability to train them.
Top forest officials said money towards salaries of the staff would come from the NTCA. "If, after 10 years, the Centre stops grants, by that time many employees in the department would have retired. Hence, there will be no additional burden on the exchequer. Pawar was convinced and only after that he gave a go ahead to STPF," they said.
Apart from Pench and Tadoba, STPF is to be set up in Dudhwa-Katerniaghat and Corbett in Uttar Pradesh, Ranthambhore in Rajasthan, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench in Madhya Pradesh, Pakke in Arunachal Pradesh, Bandipore in Karnataka, Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu, Kaziranga in Assam and Similipal in Orissa.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Finance-Dept-stalls-tiger-force-formation/articleshow/7967450.cms
Considering the danger tigers in the wild face and the need for stepping up protection in sensitive areas having source populations of tigers with active involvement of forest dwelling communities, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in February 2009 mandated setting up of STPFs in tiger reserves in the country with 100% central assistance.
However, the state is yet to respond. On December 15, while in the city to attend winter session of the assembly, Pawar had cleared setting up of STPF by sanctioning 224 posts (two battalions of 112 personnel each) after discussing the issue with forest officials. So far, the decision remains on paper. STPF would be headed by an officer of the rank of assistant conservator of forest (ACF) and have RFOs, foresters and forest guards. In the STPF, 30% guards would be from communities around the reserves. They will be entitled to same salary and emoluments as others.
Sources said the finance department has put hurdles in the process by making some irrelevant queries. The department has asked whether the 224 posts will be created temporarily. It has also asked that if Centre stopped giving 100% grants, who will bear the expenses. It wants to know whether these posts would be absorbed in the forest department and if yes, how.
The finance officials have further asked whether there is a provision to relax educational qualification for 30% of the STPF staff that would be from local communities as they would be paid salary equivalent to foresters and forest guards. Sources said, these queries appear frivolous in nature and some (like educational qualification bit) have nothing to do with finance department.
As per the NTCA guidelines, STPF personnel will have to undergo training from police and para military forces. "There is a need to take home ministry's view on the issue," the finance department has said. It has also stated that as per the norms, the STPF recruits should not be above 40 years. On this condition, the NTCA approval will be needed, they mentioned.
Senior forest officials are upset by the irrelevant queries. All the issues were sorted out in the meeting with Pawar. Finance department officials were also present. "Why did they not raise these queries then," they asked. Former PCCF (wildlife) D C Pant had written to additional director general of police (DGP), training, about training STPF personnel. However, police department showed inability to train them.
Top forest officials said money towards salaries of the staff would come from the NTCA. "If, after 10 years, the Centre stops grants, by that time many employees in the department would have retired. Hence, there will be no additional burden on the exchequer. Pawar was convinced and only after that he gave a go ahead to STPF," they said.
Apart from Pench and Tadoba, STPF is to be set up in Dudhwa-Katerniaghat and Corbett in Uttar Pradesh, Ranthambhore in Rajasthan, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench in Madhya Pradesh, Pakke in Arunachal Pradesh, Bandipore in Karnataka, Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu, Kaziranga in Assam and Similipal in Orissa.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Finance-Dept-stalls-tiger-force-formation/articleshow/7967450.cms
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tiger dies in Kaziranga National Park PTI
GOLAGHAT: A tiger was found dead in Assam's Kaziranga National Park on Tuesday, park officials said.
The tiger was found dead in Kachpara area of Kohora range of the park by forest guards this morning, Park director Surajit Dutta said.
The cause of death appeared to be natural and was due to old age, he said.
The tiger was found dead in Kachpara area of Kohora range of the park by forest guards this morning, Park director Surajit Dutta said.
The cause of death appeared to be natural and was due to old age, he said.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
More green cover for Corbett tigers
The indomitable tigers of Corbett are set to get more breathing space with the environment ministry sanctioning Rs 65 crore for relocating 1,000 homes in Sundherkhal village. Sunderkhal falls in the tiger corridor connecting dense forest on two sides of the Kosi river. Now, in a bid to check
man-tiger conflict — tigers have killed at least a dozen people in the village in the last four months — the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has decided to release R65 crore for relocation of the village and implementing the annual action plan of Corbett in the current financial year.
With the tiger population in Corbett rising to 214 from 164 in last four years, the village has borne the maximum onslaught. After Kaziranga, Corbett witnessed maximum increase in tiger population.
“I agree the man-tiger conflict is a very sensitive and major issue in Uttarakhand as in some other states,” environment minister Jairam Ramesh said in a letter to Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal.
Over 40 people have died in tiger-human conflict in the state in the last six months, which also resulted in death of about eight tigers.
The digital mapping of tigers in Corbett shows the new tiger population has spread to the outskirts of 2,295-sq km big reserve, especially in the Ram Nagar forest division, where the Sunderkhal village is located.
Under the plan, each household will get either Rs 10 lakh as compensation or an alternative land. The relocation, however, will be voluntary in nature.
NCTA’s generosity may fall short of expectations as there is no plan to check the growth of hotels/resorts on the banks of Kosi around Sunderkhal. “Most of these resorts have come up on revenue land which is not under the forest department’s jurisdiction,” said a state forest department official.
Although Jairam Ramesh has emphasised on a check on unregulated growth of hotel industry around Corbett, he has pushed the ball into the state’s court to take action.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/More-green-cover-for-Corbett-tigers/Article1-683923.aspx
man-tiger conflict — tigers have killed at least a dozen people in the village in the last four months — the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has decided to release R65 crore for relocation of the village and implementing the annual action plan of Corbett in the current financial year.
With the tiger population in Corbett rising to 214 from 164 in last four years, the village has borne the maximum onslaught. After Kaziranga, Corbett witnessed maximum increase in tiger population.
“I agree the man-tiger conflict is a very sensitive and major issue in Uttarakhand as in some other states,” environment minister Jairam Ramesh said in a letter to Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal.
Over 40 people have died in tiger-human conflict in the state in the last six months, which also resulted in death of about eight tigers.
The digital mapping of tigers in Corbett shows the new tiger population has spread to the outskirts of 2,295-sq km big reserve, especially in the Ram Nagar forest division, where the Sunderkhal village is located.
Under the plan, each household will get either Rs 10 lakh as compensation or an alternative land. The relocation, however, will be voluntary in nature.
NCTA’s generosity may fall short of expectations as there is no plan to check the growth of hotels/resorts on the banks of Kosi around Sunderkhal. “Most of these resorts have come up on revenue land which is not under the forest department’s jurisdiction,” said a state forest department official.
Although Jairam Ramesh has emphasised on a check on unregulated growth of hotel industry around Corbett, he has pushed the ball into the state’s court to take action.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/More-green-cover-for-Corbett-tigers/Article1-683923.aspx
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Tiger tally dips in Madhya Pradesh, govt demands census re-evaluation
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government has rejected the latest 2011 tiger census calling for a re-evaluation following a decline in the tiger tally.
Earlier tagged as the Tiger State with the highest number of big cats, it has now lost that status to Karnataka.
The state now has 257 tigers vis-Ã -vis the 300 recorded during the previous census.
The situation is especially worrisome at the famous Kanha National Park which now has just 60 tigers.
The government though has trashed the findings of the census.
"We don't agree with the numbers as survey at the Kanha National Park is yet to be completed. Once that happens, the tiger population figure will surely change", said state Forest Minister Sartaaj Singh.
As per the wildlife institute data, the tiger habitat in the state has shrunk by nearly 3000 square kilometres. The Opposition is blaming the government for the decline in the numbers.
"The falling numbers of wild animals in Madhya Pradesh is a cause for concern. Our state had the highest numbers of tigers at one point. The Forest Minister and the Chief Minister are responsible for this", said Choudhary Rakesh Singh, Acting Leader of the Opposition, Madhya Pradesh.
Even as the overall tiger count has gone up in the latest census, the falling numbers in the state has emerged as a big concern.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/tiger-tally-dips-in-madhya-pradesh-govt-demands-census-re-evaluation-97472
Earlier tagged as the Tiger State with the highest number of big cats, it has now lost that status to Karnataka.
The state now has 257 tigers vis-Ã -vis the 300 recorded during the previous census.
The situation is especially worrisome at the famous Kanha National Park which now has just 60 tigers.
The government though has trashed the findings of the census.
"We don't agree with the numbers as survey at the Kanha National Park is yet to be completed. Once that happens, the tiger population figure will surely change", said state Forest Minister Sartaaj Singh.
As per the wildlife institute data, the tiger habitat in the state has shrunk by nearly 3000 square kilometres. The Opposition is blaming the government for the decline in the numbers.
"The falling numbers of wild animals in Madhya Pradesh is a cause for concern. Our state had the highest numbers of tigers at one point. The Forest Minister and the Chief Minister are responsible for this", said Choudhary Rakesh Singh, Acting Leader of the Opposition, Madhya Pradesh.
Even as the overall tiger count has gone up in the latest census, the falling numbers in the state has emerged as a big concern.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/tiger-tally-dips-in-madhya-pradesh-govt-demands-census-re-evaluation-97472
Maharashtra mulls tiger tourism
The Maharashtra government is proposing to tag Nagpur as the ‘tiger capital’ of the state to gain more visitors as it gears up to promote the state on India’s tourist map.
“We have decided to make Nagpur the gateway to the tiger land as Maharashtra and Gujarat have the highest tiger population (in the country). States like Gujarat and Kerala are already promoting their assets... in order to stay in competition we will now promote what we have in abundance,” Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan told reporters who visited the state recently as part of a tour organised by the Maharashtra government.
Maharashtra has a tiger population of 169 as per the 2010 census, Nagpur being the highest scorer with 148 tigers.
The total number of tigers has gone up from 103 to 169 in a period of four years.
“Nagpur is the major store house of tigers as the city alone has three tiger reserves and more than five sanctuaries. In all Maharashtra has four reserves and 34 sanctuaries,” A K Khetrapal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) told PTI.
“The tiger population has gone up from 53 to 69 in Tadoba reserve and from 30 to 35 in Melghat reserve since 2006. Besides this, the tiger population has seen an increase in the sanctuaries of Sahadyri -- Sindhudurg with 21 tigers, Nagjira-Navegaon -- 20 tigers and Bor -- 12 tigers,” said Khetrapal.
Maharashtra ranks after Uttarakhand in terms of increase in the tiger population, followed by Assam, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The tiger-census carried out in three phases across the country in 2010 reported the number of tigers to have gone up from 1411 (in 2006) to 1706.
Among various enhanced conservation and protection measures undertaken by the state to provide a safe shelter to India’s national animal include creation of buffer zones ranging from eight to ten kilometres around the boundary of these reserves and sanctuaries.
“These buffer zones help in keeping the human population living around that region away from tiger attacks,” adds Khetrapal. Besides this, certain sanctuaries in Maharashtra have been declared as critical habitat areas.
“The concept behind such a habitat is to remove the entire human population dwelling there and provide them an alternate shelter. Thus providing enough space and security to the tigers,” said the official.
A protection force has also been introduced to save the animal from poachers. In addition to that, both artificial and natural water holes have been dug out to provide enough water for them during summer season.
Besides this, Archaeological Survey of India has collaborated with the Japanese Bank for International Co- operation (JBIC) to save the 1000-year-old paintings at the Ajanta Caves which are facing severe issues of water leakage and colour fading as part of the steps to rope in more tourists.
Buddhist architecture comprising 30 caves was rediscovered by a British Army Officer John Smith in 1819. Out of the 30 caves, 12 have been closed down by ASI due to water leakage.
“The leakage of water was a major issue some time ago but the problem has been resolved now. The ASI team has created separate pipes to divert the route of the leaking water thereby saving the antique wall paintings from decay,” says Abrar Hussain, a government approved tourist guide at the Ajanta caves.
The installation of fibre optic lights has proved to be the most remarkable step till date to preserve the Buddhist paintings depicting the entire life of Lord Buddha.
Perfect for light-sensitive exhibits, use of fibre optic lighting is harmless and also does not produce heat. .
“Earlier normal lighting methods which were installed inside the caves resulted in the discolouration and melting of the texture of the paintings,” adds Hussain.
Private vehicles have been banned within the periphery of about five kilometres. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has started eco-friendly CNG buses to carry tourists. The fair too has been kept nominal, ranging from Rs seven to Rs 15 for air conditioned and non-airconditioned buses respectively.
“ASI in collaboration with the Japanese Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) is currently building a replica of the entire monument for further research on the caves and its history,” adds Hussain.
Apart from this, the government is planning to raise the standard of guest houses at all tourist places to provide comfortable stay and experience to the visitors, Mr. Chavan said.
It has also been decided to focus on the rich heritage of forts in the state by allotting a separate fund for their conservation.
“Maharashtra has a large number of forts which speak about the rich Maratha lineage. It has become important to put forth this history of warriors and hence promote the state,” Mr. Chavan said.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article1684769.ece
“We have decided to make Nagpur the gateway to the tiger land as Maharashtra and Gujarat have the highest tiger population (in the country). States like Gujarat and Kerala are already promoting their assets... in order to stay in competition we will now promote what we have in abundance,” Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan told reporters who visited the state recently as part of a tour organised by the Maharashtra government.
Maharashtra has a tiger population of 169 as per the 2010 census, Nagpur being the highest scorer with 148 tigers.
The total number of tigers has gone up from 103 to 169 in a period of four years.
“Nagpur is the major store house of tigers as the city alone has three tiger reserves and more than five sanctuaries. In all Maharashtra has four reserves and 34 sanctuaries,” A K Khetrapal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) told PTI.
“The tiger population has gone up from 53 to 69 in Tadoba reserve and from 30 to 35 in Melghat reserve since 2006. Besides this, the tiger population has seen an increase in the sanctuaries of Sahadyri -- Sindhudurg with 21 tigers, Nagjira-Navegaon -- 20 tigers and Bor -- 12 tigers,” said Khetrapal.
Maharashtra ranks after Uttarakhand in terms of increase in the tiger population, followed by Assam, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The tiger-census carried out in three phases across the country in 2010 reported the number of tigers to have gone up from 1411 (in 2006) to 1706.
Among various enhanced conservation and protection measures undertaken by the state to provide a safe shelter to India’s national animal include creation of buffer zones ranging from eight to ten kilometres around the boundary of these reserves and sanctuaries.
“These buffer zones help in keeping the human population living around that region away from tiger attacks,” adds Khetrapal. Besides this, certain sanctuaries in Maharashtra have been declared as critical habitat areas.
“The concept behind such a habitat is to remove the entire human population dwelling there and provide them an alternate shelter. Thus providing enough space and security to the tigers,” said the official.
A protection force has also been introduced to save the animal from poachers. In addition to that, both artificial and natural water holes have been dug out to provide enough water for them during summer season.
Besides this, Archaeological Survey of India has collaborated with the Japanese Bank for International Co- operation (JBIC) to save the 1000-year-old paintings at the Ajanta Caves which are facing severe issues of water leakage and colour fading as part of the steps to rope in more tourists.
Buddhist architecture comprising 30 caves was rediscovered by a British Army Officer John Smith in 1819. Out of the 30 caves, 12 have been closed down by ASI due to water leakage.
“The leakage of water was a major issue some time ago but the problem has been resolved now. The ASI team has created separate pipes to divert the route of the leaking water thereby saving the antique wall paintings from decay,” says Abrar Hussain, a government approved tourist guide at the Ajanta caves.
The installation of fibre optic lights has proved to be the most remarkable step till date to preserve the Buddhist paintings depicting the entire life of Lord Buddha.
Perfect for light-sensitive exhibits, use of fibre optic lighting is harmless and also does not produce heat. .
“Earlier normal lighting methods which were installed inside the caves resulted in the discolouration and melting of the texture of the paintings,” adds Hussain.
Private vehicles have been banned within the periphery of about five kilometres. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has started eco-friendly CNG buses to carry tourists. The fair too has been kept nominal, ranging from Rs seven to Rs 15 for air conditioned and non-airconditioned buses respectively.
“ASI in collaboration with the Japanese Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) is currently building a replica of the entire monument for further research on the caves and its history,” adds Hussain.
Apart from this, the government is planning to raise the standard of guest houses at all tourist places to provide comfortable stay and experience to the visitors, Mr. Chavan said.
It has also been decided to focus on the rich heritage of forts in the state by allotting a separate fund for their conservation.
“Maharashtra has a large number of forts which speak about the rich Maratha lineage. It has become important to put forth this history of warriors and hence promote the state,” Mr. Chavan said.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article1684769.ece
Wildlife corridor in eastern Maharashtra threatened
Ongoing construction of a canal is threatening a sprawling wildlife corridor spread over Chandrapur and Bhandara districts in eastern Maharashtra, the Forest Department officials have said. The department, rattled over the recent incidents of tiger attacks on humans, deaths of a couple of leopards,
fears possible breach of wildlife corridor between Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), Protected Forest Area under Brahmapuri Division and the forests in adjoining Paoni area of Bhandara district due to the ongoing work on Gosikhurd Right Canal.
Two persons were killed and one was seriously injured in tiger attacks between March 18 and March 27, while two leopards were found dead in Brahmapuri Division between April 4 and April 7.
The second leopard was found trapped in the stack of centering materials used in the construction of canal under Gosikhurd Irrigation Project (GIP) near village Bhujgaon.
The officials said TATR is like a nucleus of wildlife which keep migrating to the adjoining areas for various natural reasons from time to time.
As per official data, the tiger population in territorial area is more than that in TATR. As per the recent Census, there are 28 tigers in Chandrapur Division in addition to another six tigers which keep migrating from and to TATR followed by 20 tigers in Brahmapuri Division and 11-12 tigers in Central Chanda Division, informed G R K Rao, Conservator of Forests, Chandrapur Division.
There is an alarming rise in man-animal conflict in the recent times. A careful observation and study points the needle at the recent activities of construction of Gosikhurd Right Canal in Brahmapuri Division, he said.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Wildlife-corridor-in-eastern-Maharashtra-threatened/Article1-683501.aspx
fears possible breach of wildlife corridor between Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), Protected Forest Area under Brahmapuri Division and the forests in adjoining Paoni area of Bhandara district due to the ongoing work on Gosikhurd Right Canal.
Two persons were killed and one was seriously injured in tiger attacks between March 18 and March 27, while two leopards were found dead in Brahmapuri Division between April 4 and April 7.
The second leopard was found trapped in the stack of centering materials used in the construction of canal under Gosikhurd Irrigation Project (GIP) near village Bhujgaon.
The officials said TATR is like a nucleus of wildlife which keep migrating to the adjoining areas for various natural reasons from time to time.
As per official data, the tiger population in territorial area is more than that in TATR. As per the recent Census, there are 28 tigers in Chandrapur Division in addition to another six tigers which keep migrating from and to TATR followed by 20 tigers in Brahmapuri Division and 11-12 tigers in Central Chanda Division, informed G R K Rao, Conservator of Forests, Chandrapur Division.
There is an alarming rise in man-animal conflict in the recent times. A careful observation and study points the needle at the recent activities of construction of Gosikhurd Right Canal in Brahmapuri Division, he said.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Wildlife-corridor-in-eastern-Maharashtra-threatened/Article1-683501.aspx
Tiger cubs found in Tripura
Confirming government information wrong that there are no tigers in the wild in Tripura, villagers in the state found two tiger cubs in a forest, officials said on Saturday. "When villagers went to a forest on Friday to collect wood at Harina in southern Tripura, 140 km south of here, they found the
two tiger cubs and later handed them over to forest officials," a forest department official told reporters.
Quoting the villagers, the official said : "A tigress was protecting her cubs under a tree. Seeing the villagers she ran away leaving the cubs."
The cubs are believed to be 13 to 15 days old.
The forest official said that as per the latest (in 2002) tiger census there are no tigers in the northeastern state that borders the Chittagong hill tracts (CHT) of southeast Bangladesh.
The official said they would hand over the cubs to the Sepahijala Zoo in western Tripura. The Sepahijala Zoo was categorized by the Central Zoo Authority as one of the 22 large zoos in India.
The Sepahijala sanctuary and zoo have more than 46 species of wild animals kept for their conservation, protection and breeding.
The sanctuary has also been tagged as the national park for clouded leopards.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tiger-cubs-found-in-Tripura/Article1-683195.aspx
two tiger cubs and later handed them over to forest officials," a forest department official told reporters.
Quoting the villagers, the official said : "A tigress was protecting her cubs under a tree. Seeing the villagers she ran away leaving the cubs."
The cubs are believed to be 13 to 15 days old.
The forest official said that as per the latest (in 2002) tiger census there are no tigers in the northeastern state that borders the Chittagong hill tracts (CHT) of southeast Bangladesh.
The official said they would hand over the cubs to the Sepahijala Zoo in western Tripura. The Sepahijala Zoo was categorized by the Central Zoo Authority as one of the 22 large zoos in India.
The Sepahijala sanctuary and zoo have more than 46 species of wild animals kept for their conservation, protection and breeding.
The sanctuary has also been tagged as the national park for clouded leopards.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tiger-cubs-found-in-Tripura/Article1-683195.aspx
Big cats unsafe in India’s Tiger Capital
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
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
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
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