With a budgetary allocation of Rs25 crore and financial assistance of Rs50 crore from the central government, the state forest department plans to promote tiger tourism in Vidarbha. The department has put together a plan to double the number of tourists visiting tiger reserves in Vidarbha in the near future.
Even before Union forest minister Jairam Ramesh announced plans to promote Nagpur as a ‘tiger gateway’, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had directed the finance department to provide additional funding for promotions.
With three notified tiger reserves in Vidarbha, the department identified a potential for tiger promotion. Ramesh announced a financial aid of Rs50 crore for the rehabilitation of nearly 25 hamlets and villages in Tadoba and Melghat reserves.
“The budgetary allocation this year was unprecedented. With the allocation of Rs50crore, we can now plan capacity expansion, promotion of domestic tourism facilities and packages for circuit trips to various tiger reserves. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and Forest Development Corporation Limited also have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote forest tourism. We may join hands for some projects,” an official said.
The Tadoba tiger reserve is the most popular among tourists with 1 lakh tourist footfalls last year. The number was merely 35,000 in 2003-04. The other reserves, Melghat and Pench, have also witnessed a rise in the number of tourists in the last few years.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_vidarbha-to-be-tiger-tourism-hub_1546774
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Govt working on Kudremukh tiger reserve project proposal, Soumita Majumdar
It’s official. The Union government has granted in-principle approval for constituting the Kudremukh National Park as a tiger reserve. Informing the state government of the approval, the deputy inspector general of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), under the Union ministry of environment and forests, has asked the chief wildlife warden of Karnataka to submit a detailed proposal in this regard at the earliest.
Kudremukh will be the sixth tiger reserve in the state and the 41st in the country. The state wildlife authorities have already begun working on the proposal, which has been sought under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
“Earlier, Kudremukh was a national park. Now that it has become a tiger reserve, some development activities need to be taken up. Unlike a national park scenario, now the entire forest has to be bifurcated into core and buffer areas. And tourism can be allowed only in the buffer areas,” said MH Swaminath, principal chief conservator of forest, Government of Karnataka.
The wildlife density is already good in Kudremukh park, that falls in Chikmagalur district. With the park turning into a tiger reserve, the potential is high, said sources from the wildlife department. The various species spotted in the Kudremukh National Park include macaque, langur, slender loris, squirrel, porcupine, black-naped hare, elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted dear, wild boar, pangolin, leopard, jungle cat, malabar civet, hyena, jackal, fox, sloth bear and otter.
The core area inside the forest, that will be off-limits for any kind of tourism, human habitat or intervention, will comprise 600.32 sq kms of area.
“As of now, there are about 6,244 people residing in this area. However, these families are ready to go out if they are paid suitable compensation as decided by the revenue authority,” said a source.
About 168 sq kms of area has been proposed to be kept as buffer area. This area is inhabited by a population of 5,816 people.
According to the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore, a survey of meta population by DNA analysis of carnivores has established that Kudremukh National Park is home to about eight tigers.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_govt-working-on-kudremukh-tiger-reserve-project-proposal_1546800
Kudremukh will be the sixth tiger reserve in the state and the 41st in the country. The state wildlife authorities have already begun working on the proposal, which has been sought under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
“Earlier, Kudremukh was a national park. Now that it has become a tiger reserve, some development activities need to be taken up. Unlike a national park scenario, now the entire forest has to be bifurcated into core and buffer areas. And tourism can be allowed only in the buffer areas,” said MH Swaminath, principal chief conservator of forest, Government of Karnataka.
The wildlife density is already good in Kudremukh park, that falls in Chikmagalur district. With the park turning into a tiger reserve, the potential is high, said sources from the wildlife department. The various species spotted in the Kudremukh National Park include macaque, langur, slender loris, squirrel, porcupine, black-naped hare, elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted dear, wild boar, pangolin, leopard, jungle cat, malabar civet, hyena, jackal, fox, sloth bear and otter.
The core area inside the forest, that will be off-limits for any kind of tourism, human habitat or intervention, will comprise 600.32 sq kms of area.
“As of now, there are about 6,244 people residing in this area. However, these families are ready to go out if they are paid suitable compensation as decided by the revenue authority,” said a source.
About 168 sq kms of area has been proposed to be kept as buffer area. This area is inhabited by a population of 5,816 people.
According to the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore, a survey of meta population by DNA analysis of carnivores has established that Kudremukh National Park is home to about eight tigers.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_govt-working-on-kudremukh-tiger-reserve-project-proposal_1546800
Monday, May 23, 2011
Tiger mauls woman to death in Kuhi forest Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: A woman was killed by a tiger at Velgaon near Dahegaon, under the Kuhi forest range in Nagpur division, on Sunday. The victim, Leelabai Dhanraj Shende (35), was a resident of Dahegaon and had gone to collect tendu leaves in nearby Velgaon forest.
The spot where she was mauled falls in compartment no. 458 in Mandhal round, and is 3km away from her house.
The last tiger attack had happened on April 16, 2010, when one Barjabai Bhoge was collecting mahua flowers in the jungle and was killed by a tiger in Ranmangli forest in Bhiwapur range. Although Ranmangli is far from the latest attack site, this hints at the tigers expanding their expand territory.
CR Gajbhiye, chief conservator of forests ( CCF), Nagpur Territorial Circle, said the incident took place at around 6am. "The attack may have occurred since the woman came within critical distance of the tiger," Gajbhiye said, "We are monitoring the situation and will take all necessary precautions to prevent such incidents."
With the latest death, the toll due to attack by tigers or leopards has mounted to 22 in a year in the region. In Chandrapur, 17 deaths were reported from January-December 2010. In 2011, this is the fifth death, with two each recorded in January and March 2011.
N Rambabu, conservator for Nagpur division, says Kuhi range is contiguous with Bhiwapur forest encompassing Ranbodi-Rannmangli-Kharangla areas spread across 25 sq km (2,500 hectares). "There are nine tigers in the area, which is too small to accommodate so many tigers. Since the tigers are in search of new areas, it is leading to conflict," he added.
Last year, a tigress with three cubs and one with two cubs were sighted in Bhiwapur range. There is presence of two male tigers also. Looking into the tiger dynamics, where each animal needs at least 10-15 sq km area, tiger experts fear Bhiwapur-Kuhi is emerging as the new man-animal conflict zone.
According to eyewitness accounts, Leelabai was collecting tendu leaves while her husband Dhanraj had climbed the tree to pluck leaves. After a while, Dhanraj heard his wife screaming 'tiger, tiger' in Marathi. "By the time Dhanraj and others rushed to Leelabai's help, the tiger had already dragged her body 25-30 feet. Dhanraj drove away the tiger by hurling stones," said RFO ST Londhe.
Rambabu fears the attack may be a case of mistaken identity. The victim must have bent to collect flowers on the ground, which is not advisable. "Our posters to create awareness among villagers suggest no bending or sitting in the forest," he said.
The victim is survived by two sons and a daughter. Forest officials released Rs 5,000 towards expenses for performing last rites of Leelabai. BJP MLA from Umrer Sudhir Parwe also visited the spot.
The post mortem was performed at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur. "We will pay Rs 2 lakh compensation to the kin of the victim after the case is finalized," said SS Chavan, assistant conservator (ACF).
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-mauls-woman-to-death-in-Kuhi-forest/articleshow/8518913.cms
The spot where she was mauled falls in compartment no. 458 in Mandhal round, and is 3km away from her house.
The last tiger attack had happened on April 16, 2010, when one Barjabai Bhoge was collecting mahua flowers in the jungle and was killed by a tiger in Ranmangli forest in Bhiwapur range. Although Ranmangli is far from the latest attack site, this hints at the tigers expanding their expand territory.
CR Gajbhiye, chief conservator of forests ( CCF), Nagpur Territorial Circle, said the incident took place at around 6am. "The attack may have occurred since the woman came within critical distance of the tiger," Gajbhiye said, "We are monitoring the situation and will take all necessary precautions to prevent such incidents."
With the latest death, the toll due to attack by tigers or leopards has mounted to 22 in a year in the region. In Chandrapur, 17 deaths were reported from January-December 2010. In 2011, this is the fifth death, with two each recorded in January and March 2011.
N Rambabu, conservator for Nagpur division, says Kuhi range is contiguous with Bhiwapur forest encompassing Ranbodi-Rannmangli-Kharangla areas spread across 25 sq km (2,500 hectares). "There are nine tigers in the area, which is too small to accommodate so many tigers. Since the tigers are in search of new areas, it is leading to conflict," he added.
Last year, a tigress with three cubs and one with two cubs were sighted in Bhiwapur range. There is presence of two male tigers also. Looking into the tiger dynamics, where each animal needs at least 10-15 sq km area, tiger experts fear Bhiwapur-Kuhi is emerging as the new man-animal conflict zone.
According to eyewitness accounts, Leelabai was collecting tendu leaves while her husband Dhanraj had climbed the tree to pluck leaves. After a while, Dhanraj heard his wife screaming 'tiger, tiger' in Marathi. "By the time Dhanraj and others rushed to Leelabai's help, the tiger had already dragged her body 25-30 feet. Dhanraj drove away the tiger by hurling stones," said RFO ST Londhe.
Rambabu fears the attack may be a case of mistaken identity. The victim must have bent to collect flowers on the ground, which is not advisable. "Our posters to create awareness among villagers suggest no bending or sitting in the forest," he said.
The victim is survived by two sons and a daughter. Forest officials released Rs 5,000 towards expenses for performing last rites of Leelabai. BJP MLA from Umrer Sudhir Parwe also visited the spot.
The post mortem was performed at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur. "We will pay Rs 2 lakh compensation to the kin of the victim after the case is finalized," said SS Chavan, assistant conservator (ACF).
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-mauls-woman-to-death-in-Kuhi-forest/articleshow/8518913.cms
Tourism pressure on Kaziranga park to be shifted from core area
GUWAHATI: The unimpeded growth of tourism around Kaziranga would soon be shifted from the core area of this national park. The chairperson of the committee on forests, environment and eco-tourism under the Union ministry of environment and forests, Sujit Banerji, said this on Saturday.
Banerji, who was in the city to attend a convention of Tour Operators` Association of Assam (TOAA), said concrete structures and other infrastructure ringing forests should be regulated in such a way that wildlife is able to move freely in buffer zones of protected eco-systems. "Buffer areas need to be well forested and so once wildlife starts inhabiting these areas, pressure of tourism is shifted from the core areas. There has to be incentives for the local community to allow forest increase in buffer areas," Banerji observed.
The former Union secretary of tourism said the committee, formed after unregulated tourism was reported from tiger reserves across the country, would promoted other parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the state to reduce "pressure" on Kaziranga. He said the committee will soon come out with recommendations on tourism in tiger reserves.
Some of the structures in Kaziranga have come up on vital animal corridors. "It is important to make the local community a part of the conservation process. Then much of the poaching pressure on Kaziranga would be reduced. I am glad that NH-37 on southern Kaziranga has been spared the onslaught of the highway expansion project," said Banerji. There has been much apprehension among tour operators in Kaziranga that tourism would be hampered because of the tiger project. Banerji said tourism is as important as conservation but there has to be a balance. Early this year, jeep safari operators at Kaziranga agitated demanding removal of the tiger reserve status from the national park.
Assam tourism principal secretary, H S Das, said mushrooming tourism structures around Kaziranga has become a matter of concern for the park`s fragile eco-system. "The park`s fragile eco-system would be in danger if such structures were allowed to flourish without regulation," Das said.
The Kaziranga Biodiversity Conservation Committee has been formed to look into the mushrooming of resorts and ensure ecologically-compliant development outside the park. Das said the committee would come out with its report soon.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Tourism-pressure-on-Kaziranga-park-to-be-shifted-from-core-area/articleshow/8507496.cms
Banerji, who was in the city to attend a convention of Tour Operators` Association of Assam (TOAA), said concrete structures and other infrastructure ringing forests should be regulated in such a way that wildlife is able to move freely in buffer zones of protected eco-systems. "Buffer areas need to be well forested and so once wildlife starts inhabiting these areas, pressure of tourism is shifted from the core areas. There has to be incentives for the local community to allow forest increase in buffer areas," Banerji observed.
The former Union secretary of tourism said the committee, formed after unregulated tourism was reported from tiger reserves across the country, would promoted other parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the state to reduce "pressure" on Kaziranga. He said the committee will soon come out with recommendations on tourism in tiger reserves.
Some of the structures in Kaziranga have come up on vital animal corridors. "It is important to make the local community a part of the conservation process. Then much of the poaching pressure on Kaziranga would be reduced. I am glad that NH-37 on southern Kaziranga has been spared the onslaught of the highway expansion project," said Banerji. There has been much apprehension among tour operators in Kaziranga that tourism would be hampered because of the tiger project. Banerji said tourism is as important as conservation but there has to be a balance. Early this year, jeep safari operators at Kaziranga agitated demanding removal of the tiger reserve status from the national park.
Assam tourism principal secretary, H S Das, said mushrooming tourism structures around Kaziranga has become a matter of concern for the park`s fragile eco-system. "The park`s fragile eco-system would be in danger if such structures were allowed to flourish without regulation," Das said.
The Kaziranga Biodiversity Conservation Committee has been formed to look into the mushrooming of resorts and ensure ecologically-compliant development outside the park. Das said the committee would come out with its report soon.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Tourism-pressure-on-Kaziranga-park-to-be-shifted-from-core-area/articleshow/8507496.cms
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Machan census in TATR brings back old memories -TNN
NAGPUR: The lost memories of 'machan' census came alive at the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) on May 17. On Buddha Pournima day, over 95 wildlife buffs and forest staffers took part in the waterhole census exercise to count herbivores and carnivores.
This was the first time so many volunteers belonging to wildlife NGOs were involved after 2007, when the pugmark and waterhole census method to count animals was withdrawn by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
TATR field director VK Sinha says the reason to involve NGOs was to maintain transparency besides keeping a record for their own benefit. There had not been any such count after 2007.
"Although not required by NTCA, we conducted a five-day in-house pugmark exercise from May 12-16, followed by 'machan' (waterhole) census on Buddha Pournima, when there is a full moon night and better visibility. The exercise will help update our records," says Sinha.
Volunteers were allowed to take part only in the machan census. As per the waterhole estimation of animals in TATR, there were 790 gaurs, 823 sambars, 1,950 cheetals, 346 barking deer, 37 chousinghas, 214 nilgai, 1,759 wild boars, 44 jackals, 273 sloth bears and 192 wild dogs.
AV Vaidya, range forest officer (RFO) research, who conducted the exercise in Tadoba, said there were 148 'machans' in three ranges of TATR; 51 in Kolsa, 50 in Moharli and 48 in Tadoba. In all, 95 volunteers attached to NGOs working for wildlife conservation took part in the census. Many women trainee forest guards from Rangers College, Chandrapur, also took part.
Although officials said they were still compiling the data, volunteers who were part of the exercise said there were direct sightings of 10 tigers, including cubs in Tadoba, a couple of leopards and five sloth bears.
"We are simply thrilled to see wildlife so closely," said Prakash Kamble, president of Wild Cat, Chandrapur.
Bandu Dhotre, president of Eco-Pro, whose 30 volunteers were involved in the exercise, said he doesn't see any threat in allowing genuine wildlife lovers to take part in the exercise. "It will help develop young generations of conservationists and also create love and awareness for wildlife," Dhotre said.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-20/nagpur/29563733_1_moharli-tatr-waterhole
This was the first time so many volunteers belonging to wildlife NGOs were involved after 2007, when the pugmark and waterhole census method to count animals was withdrawn by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
TATR field director VK Sinha says the reason to involve NGOs was to maintain transparency besides keeping a record for their own benefit. There had not been any such count after 2007.
"Although not required by NTCA, we conducted a five-day in-house pugmark exercise from May 12-16, followed by 'machan' (waterhole) census on Buddha Pournima, when there is a full moon night and better visibility. The exercise will help update our records," says Sinha.
Volunteers were allowed to take part only in the machan census. As per the waterhole estimation of animals in TATR, there were 790 gaurs, 823 sambars, 1,950 cheetals, 346 barking deer, 37 chousinghas, 214 nilgai, 1,759 wild boars, 44 jackals, 273 sloth bears and 192 wild dogs.
AV Vaidya, range forest officer (RFO) research, who conducted the exercise in Tadoba, said there were 148 'machans' in three ranges of TATR; 51 in Kolsa, 50 in Moharli and 48 in Tadoba. In all, 95 volunteers attached to NGOs working for wildlife conservation took part in the census. Many women trainee forest guards from Rangers College, Chandrapur, also took part.
Although officials said they were still compiling the data, volunteers who were part of the exercise said there were direct sightings of 10 tigers, including cubs in Tadoba, a couple of leopards and five sloth bears.
"We are simply thrilled to see wildlife so closely," said Prakash Kamble, president of Wild Cat, Chandrapur.
Bandu Dhotre, president of Eco-Pro, whose 30 volunteers were involved in the exercise, said he doesn't see any threat in allowing genuine wildlife lovers to take part in the exercise. "It will help develop young generations of conservationists and also create love and awareness for wildlife," Dhotre said.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-20/nagpur/29563733_1_moharli-tatr-waterhole
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Scientist points out loopholes in tiger census Bahar Dutt, Juhi Chaudhary, CNN-IBN
New Delhi: It was a moment of celebration when the Environment Minister announced that India's tiger population has increased by almost 16 per cent. But now, leading tiger scientist Ullas Karanth has questioned if there were problems with the methodology used.
In a published paper, Karanth has stated, "Details now in public domain do not reveal critical information on tiger photo-captures at sampled locations, density estimation protocols used, and how these local tiger numbers were extrapolated across wider regions".
Karanth an expert in the tiger ecology is in fact credited with developing the famous camera trap method for counting tigers instead of the earlier method of using pugmarks which was scientifically inaccurate. He has also questioned the mathematics of the
Government in arriving at the magic numbers.
"What I find a bit unconvincing across the country is the fact that on one hand it is claimed that the habitat is actually shrunk by 22 per cent, while the population density has gone up by 50 per cent in the remaining occupied area. I don't think there was enough data to come to this conclusion," said Ullas Karanth.
Dr Gopal of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, responding to Karanth, has stated that four states of Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka have shown increase in tiger density thereby pushing tiger numbers higher.
On the allegation of not putting reports in the public domain, he said that the detailed reports are available on the Environment Ministry website.
"Dr Karanth and his associates consider anything that has not originated from them as 'Substandard Science' and fake selective amnesia," said Dr Gopal.
Even as the war of words continues between the tiger scientists, the Environment Ministry maintains that the figures are correct, while others say the focus needs to shift to active protection on the ground.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/scientist-points-out-loopholes-in-tiger-census/152710-3.html
In a published paper, Karanth has stated, "Details now in public domain do not reveal critical information on tiger photo-captures at sampled locations, density estimation protocols used, and how these local tiger numbers were extrapolated across wider regions".
Karanth an expert in the tiger ecology is in fact credited with developing the famous camera trap method for counting tigers instead of the earlier method of using pugmarks which was scientifically inaccurate. He has also questioned the mathematics of the
Government in arriving at the magic numbers.
"What I find a bit unconvincing across the country is the fact that on one hand it is claimed that the habitat is actually shrunk by 22 per cent, while the population density has gone up by 50 per cent in the remaining occupied area. I don't think there was enough data to come to this conclusion," said Ullas Karanth.
Dr Gopal of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, responding to Karanth, has stated that four states of Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka have shown increase in tiger density thereby pushing tiger numbers higher.
On the allegation of not putting reports in the public domain, he said that the detailed reports are available on the Environment Ministry website.
"Dr Karanth and his associates consider anything that has not originated from them as 'Substandard Science' and fake selective amnesia," said Dr Gopal.
Even as the war of words continues between the tiger scientists, the Environment Ministry maintains that the figures are correct, while others say the focus needs to shift to active protection on the ground.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/scientist-points-out-loopholes-in-tiger-census/152710-3.html
The Tiger Paradox: Tiger area shrinks, number increases Subhro Niyogi, TNN
KOLKATA: Call it a tiger paradox. The number of tigers in India has increased from 1,411 to 1,706 in four years but the total no. of tiger area has shrunk from 9 million hectare to 7 million hectare. Tiger estimation based on camera trap and DNA testing was done after a gap of four years and new areas such as Sunderbans and parts of Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and North-east were included for the first time.
Despite that, south India and terrai region in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh accounted for about 40% of tigers in India. South India now has the highest concentration of tigers anywhere in the world in a region whereas Corbett with around 220 tigers having highest tiger density in a reserve. There was no change in number of big cats in central India, touted as tiger capital, with decline in their numbers in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand and an increase in Maharashtra, which has surprised wildlife experts.
"We don't agree with the number as of now," said PS Pable, MP's chief wildlife warden. There was also dissent on the estimation from Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Sunderbans, who doubted the methodology of the study. There were 150 tigers in Sunderbans as compared to 70 in present estimation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/The-Tiger-Paradox-Tiger-area-shrinks-number-increases/articleshow/8390798.cms
Despite that, south India and terrai region in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh accounted for about 40% of tigers in India. South India now has the highest concentration of tigers anywhere in the world in a region whereas Corbett with around 220 tigers having highest tiger density in a reserve. There was no change in number of big cats in central India, touted as tiger capital, with decline in their numbers in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand and an increase in Maharashtra, which has surprised wildlife experts.
"We don't agree with the number as of now," said PS Pable, MP's chief wildlife warden. There was also dissent on the estimation from Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Sunderbans, who doubted the methodology of the study. There were 150 tigers in Sunderbans as compared to 70 in present estimation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/The-Tiger-Paradox-Tiger-area-shrinks-number-increases/articleshow/8390798.cms
This Ranthambore papa takes motherhood seriously-Moushumi Basu
Takes care of two orphaned tiger cubs
In a rare sight in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, a male tiger has been spotted ‘fathering’ two orphaned cubs. The cubs had gone missing soon after the mother tigress had died in February. The forest officials took a sigh of relief recently when they found the cubs in the safe custody of the male tiger-T-25, believed to be their father.
“Such behaviour of the tiger has been unheard of,” said PCCF Rajasthan, RN Mehrotra.
The two cubs are being reared in the wild under close monitoring of the forest department. A forest staff has been deputed full time to keep watch on the cubs. They are largely being fed with goat meat by the forest department.
Mother Tigress T-5 from Kachida valley died in February after suffering from maggot-infested wounds below her tail. When the cubs disappeared after the death of the mother, worst was feared about their survival. But the officials had a pleasant surprise when they found the cubs in perfectly safe condition with the male tiger.
The known behaviour of male tigers is that of killing and preying upon the cubs, especially to take away the mother for mating. However, contrary to the above, “this unique sense of acceptance of the male tiger towards the cubs, is indeed amazing,” pointed out Mehrotra.
“This has led us to believe that he could be their father,” said Mehrotra. Incidentally, T-5 tigress had been seen mating with him, but Mehrotra said no certainty can be established about their parentage.
Much to the surprise of the experts, it was found that T-25 has even reduced its territory, confining itself largely in Kachida valley to ensure protection of the cubs. Further, the food served to the cubs by the forest department is not snatched away by the male tiger either. On the contrary, they have been seen sharing kills made by the latter.
“We are yet lot to learn on the behaviour of the tigers,” pointed out Mehrotra. They are nocturnal animals and what ever activities have so far been recorded have largely been done during day. But this time, due to the extensive use of camera trapping and “intimate monitoring of these tigers, we could discover this new trait,” he added
http://www.dailypioneer.com/339469/This-Ranthambore-papa-takes-motherhood-seriously.html
In a rare sight in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, a male tiger has been spotted ‘fathering’ two orphaned cubs. The cubs had gone missing soon after the mother tigress had died in February. The forest officials took a sigh of relief recently when they found the cubs in the safe custody of the male tiger-T-25, believed to be their father.
“Such behaviour of the tiger has been unheard of,” said PCCF Rajasthan, RN Mehrotra.
The two cubs are being reared in the wild under close monitoring of the forest department. A forest staff has been deputed full time to keep watch on the cubs. They are largely being fed with goat meat by the forest department.
Mother Tigress T-5 from Kachida valley died in February after suffering from maggot-infested wounds below her tail. When the cubs disappeared after the death of the mother, worst was feared about their survival. But the officials had a pleasant surprise when they found the cubs in perfectly safe condition with the male tiger.
The known behaviour of male tigers is that of killing and preying upon the cubs, especially to take away the mother for mating. However, contrary to the above, “this unique sense of acceptance of the male tiger towards the cubs, is indeed amazing,” pointed out Mehrotra.
“This has led us to believe that he could be their father,” said Mehrotra. Incidentally, T-5 tigress had been seen mating with him, but Mehrotra said no certainty can be established about their parentage.
Much to the surprise of the experts, it was found that T-25 has even reduced its territory, confining itself largely in Kachida valley to ensure protection of the cubs. Further, the food served to the cubs by the forest department is not snatched away by the male tiger either. On the contrary, they have been seen sharing kills made by the latter.
“We are yet lot to learn on the behaviour of the tigers,” pointed out Mehrotra. They are nocturnal animals and what ever activities have so far been recorded have largely been done during day. But this time, due to the extensive use of camera trapping and “intimate monitoring of these tigers, we could discover this new trait,” he added
http://www.dailypioneer.com/339469/This-Ranthambore-papa-takes-motherhood-seriously.html
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Kaziranga tiger on way to Bhopal zoo
GUWAHATI, May 16 – It is a journey with a difference, of a rare and endangered animal, travelling across several States. The aim is to provide it with a safe refuge, and if possible expand the gene pool in the destination site.
The traveller, an adult male tiger is being moved from the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Assam where it was hand-raised, to near-wild environment at the Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
The 2,012-km journey from CWRC, Kaziranga, to Van Vihar that started today will be completed in four days. The tiger has been confined inside a specially-designed enclosure loaded on a truck for the journey. Two veterinarians and two animal keepers will be travelling alongside to ensure safety of the tiger.
“The team has made all arrangements to ensure that the stress on the tiger is minimal, and it reaches Van Vihar safe,” said Surajit Dutta, Director of Kaziranga National Park, and Project Leader of CWRC.
Overseeing the initiative, CWRC In-Charge and WTI Coordinator, Dr Rathin Barman revealed that the enclosure has been specially designed to moderate inside temperature if required.
A WTI press release stated, Vivek the tiger, was rescued from a tea estate in December 2007. Barely six-month old then, the cub was found poisoned and in critical condition. Its female sibling was found dead nearby and the mother could not be located.
Dr NVK Ashraf, Chief Veterinarian, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), said, “Since Van Vihar National Park is a CZA-recognised breeding centre for tigers, it was decided that Vivek could contribute to the gene pool there.”
The traveller, an adult male tiger is being moved from the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Assam where it was hand-raised, to near-wild environment at the Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
The 2,012-km journey from CWRC, Kaziranga, to Van Vihar that started today will be completed in four days. The tiger has been confined inside a specially-designed enclosure loaded on a truck for the journey. Two veterinarians and two animal keepers will be travelling alongside to ensure safety of the tiger.
“The team has made all arrangements to ensure that the stress on the tiger is minimal, and it reaches Van Vihar safe,” said Surajit Dutta, Director of Kaziranga National Park, and Project Leader of CWRC.
Overseeing the initiative, CWRC In-Charge and WTI Coordinator, Dr Rathin Barman revealed that the enclosure has been specially designed to moderate inside temperature if required.
A WTI press release stated, Vivek the tiger, was rescued from a tea estate in December 2007. Barely six-month old then, the cub was found poisoned and in critical condition. Its female sibling was found dead nearby and the mother could not be located.
Dr NVK Ashraf, Chief Veterinarian, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), said, “Since Van Vihar National Park is a CZA-recognised breeding centre for tigers, it was decided that Vivek could contribute to the gene pool there.”
Sunday, May 15, 2011
India Announces Phase IV in Tiger Conservation, JATINDER KAUR
New Delhi (ABC Live): India on Friday has taken next step in tiger conservation by announcing Phase IV of tiger conservation
This will initiate intensive, annual monitoring of tigers at the tiger reserve level, across 41 protected areas in the country, commencing from November 2011.
Welcoming the decision, Minister of State (I/C), Environment and Forests, Shri Jairam Ramesh said: “This marks an important milestone in our comprehensive tiger conservation strategy. Annual monitoring, (instead of only a four-year cycle) at the tiger reserve level will allow us to get regular updates on the number and health of tiger populations across the country, and will strengthen our tiger conservation efforts”.
What is “Phase IV”?
Phase IV of the All India Tiger Estimation exercise will begin the process of intensive, annual monitoring of important ‘source’ populations of tigers.
The methodology will be developed by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in consultation with experts, and will use statistically sound procedures to estimate numbers of both tigers and their prey.
The tiger monitoring protocol will use camera traps, at a density of 25 double-sided cameras per 100 square kilometres, and a minimum trapping effort of 1000 trap nights per 100 square kilometres.
This will provide a yearly indication of the status of critical tiger populations
around the country, and will be critical to long-term management and conservation of tiger populations.
Prey population monitoring will be conducted simultaneously, using Distance sampling protocols. Distance sampling will be conducted along line transects already established in phase I, and will use a minimum of 30 spatial replicates for 2 km each, and a total effort of 300 km.
The decision to begin Phase IV monitoring was made at a workshop on‘Best Management Practices in Tiger Conservation’, held from May 9th to 11th.
Framework of All India Tiger Estimation The All India Tiger Estimation exercise is one of the most crucial components of our national tiger conservation efforts. Monitoring efforts began in 2006, and are undertaken every four years, through a
three-phase approach.
Phase I: Field data collection at the beat-level, by trained personnel and using a standardised protocol.
Phase II: Analysis of habitat status of tiger forests using satellite data
Phase III: Camera trapping to identify individual tigers from their unique stripe patterns. This information was used to estimate tiger numbers in sampled sites.
The 2010 National Tiger Assessment involved three phases, and was
carried out between December 2009 and December 2010. The previous
assessment was done in 2006.
India’s Tigers 60 percent of the world’s wild tiger population is found in India.
Across a system of 41 tiger reserves, the 2010 National Tiger Assessment estimates that there are 1706 tigers (range between 1571 and 1875). This is an improvement from the 2006 estimates of 1411 tigers (range between 1165 and 1657). However, the increase is largely because the survey was expanded to the entire country in 2010. Other key outcomes of the workshop The NTCA and the WII will decide a uniform protocol for Phase IV monitoring, and will facilitate, train and provide a panel of outside experts to be involved in the same. The annual monitoring will be
carried out by the respective Chief Wildlife Wardens in tiger States.
In addition to Phase IV monitoring, the ‘snapshot’ country-level estimation will continue, and will be carried out every 4 years, covering all tiger areas. This will be implemented by the NTCA and WII.
All technical publications and data relating to tiger estimation and conservation will be placed in the public domain by the end of June, 2011.
Special initiatives will be taken to strengthen the management in problematic reserves like Indravati, Similipal, Palamau and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserves.
http://abclive.in/environment/373-india-phase-iv-tiger-conservation.html
This will initiate intensive, annual monitoring of tigers at the tiger reserve level, across 41 protected areas in the country, commencing from November 2011.
Welcoming the decision, Minister of State (I/C), Environment and Forests, Shri Jairam Ramesh said: “This marks an important milestone in our comprehensive tiger conservation strategy. Annual monitoring, (instead of only a four-year cycle) at the tiger reserve level will allow us to get regular updates on the number and health of tiger populations across the country, and will strengthen our tiger conservation efforts”.
What is “Phase IV”?
Phase IV of the All India Tiger Estimation exercise will begin the process of intensive, annual monitoring of important ‘source’ populations of tigers.
The methodology will be developed by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in consultation with experts, and will use statistically sound procedures to estimate numbers of both tigers and their prey.
The tiger monitoring protocol will use camera traps, at a density of 25 double-sided cameras per 100 square kilometres, and a minimum trapping effort of 1000 trap nights per 100 square kilometres.
This will provide a yearly indication of the status of critical tiger populations
around the country, and will be critical to long-term management and conservation of tiger populations.
Prey population monitoring will be conducted simultaneously, using Distance sampling protocols. Distance sampling will be conducted along line transects already established in phase I, and will use a minimum of 30 spatial replicates for 2 km each, and a total effort of 300 km.
The decision to begin Phase IV monitoring was made at a workshop on‘Best Management Practices in Tiger Conservation’, held from May 9th to 11th.
Framework of All India Tiger Estimation The All India Tiger Estimation exercise is one of the most crucial components of our national tiger conservation efforts. Monitoring efforts began in 2006, and are undertaken every four years, through a
three-phase approach.
Phase I: Field data collection at the beat-level, by trained personnel and using a standardised protocol.
Phase II: Analysis of habitat status of tiger forests using satellite data
Phase III: Camera trapping to identify individual tigers from their unique stripe patterns. This information was used to estimate tiger numbers in sampled sites.
The 2010 National Tiger Assessment involved three phases, and was
carried out between December 2009 and December 2010. The previous
assessment was done in 2006.
India’s Tigers 60 percent of the world’s wild tiger population is found in India.
Across a system of 41 tiger reserves, the 2010 National Tiger Assessment estimates that there are 1706 tigers (range between 1571 and 1875). This is an improvement from the 2006 estimates of 1411 tigers (range between 1165 and 1657). However, the increase is largely because the survey was expanded to the entire country in 2010. Other key outcomes of the workshop The NTCA and the WII will decide a uniform protocol for Phase IV monitoring, and will facilitate, train and provide a panel of outside experts to be involved in the same. The annual monitoring will be
carried out by the respective Chief Wildlife Wardens in tiger States.
In addition to Phase IV monitoring, the ‘snapshot’ country-level estimation will continue, and will be carried out every 4 years, covering all tiger areas. This will be implemented by the NTCA and WII.
All technical publications and data relating to tiger estimation and conservation will be placed in the public domain by the end of June, 2011.
Special initiatives will be taken to strengthen the management in problematic reserves like Indravati, Similipal, Palamau and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserves.
http://abclive.in/environment/373-india-phase-iv-tiger-conservation.html
Govt got its math on tigers wrong? Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times
India may have got its latest tiger population estimation wrong. On Friday, eight top wildlife experts, in a letter published in the Science magazine, said environment minister Jairam Ramesh's announcement that the tiger population had increased from 1,411 in 2006 to 1,706 in 2010 was based on "unrel
iable" data.
The letter added to the pressure on the government to adopt a new comprehensive methodology to count the tigers. K Ullas Karanth and seven Indian and international scientists said in their letter, "These (government's) assertions cannot be verified because details of tiger photo-captures at sampled locations, as well as of spatial extrapolations from these data, are incomplete."
Ramesh hit back by accusing Karanth, a member of the ministry's National Tiger Conservation Authority, of being intellectually dishonest and said the tiger estimation was correct. "Karanth is like the species (tiger) he studies -- extremely territory-conscious and essentially a loner," he said in an email to HT.
However, the day Karanth's letter was published, asking the government to overhaul its method of estimation, Ramesh approved a new scientific plan for counting the big cat population.
The environment minister Jairam Ramesh incorporated some of Karanth's suggestions in the new plan such as annual monitoring and tiger estimation in 41 tiger reserves, wider coverage of camera-traps to capture in-depth tiger demography and greater reliability of data.
Karanth described the decision as "practical, cost-effective and useful".
Agreeing with him, Ramesh said this important milestone in the tiger conservation strategy will allow regular updates on the number and health of the tigers across India.
India has 70% of the world's tigers but most of them live in 15 reserves, constituting a mere 10% of the remaining tiger habitat.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Govt-got-its-math-on-tigers-wrong/Article1-697690.aspx
iable" data.
The letter added to the pressure on the government to adopt a new comprehensive methodology to count the tigers. K Ullas Karanth and seven Indian and international scientists said in their letter, "These (government's) assertions cannot be verified because details of tiger photo-captures at sampled locations, as well as of spatial extrapolations from these data, are incomplete."
Ramesh hit back by accusing Karanth, a member of the ministry's National Tiger Conservation Authority, of being intellectually dishonest and said the tiger estimation was correct. "Karanth is like the species (tiger) he studies -- extremely territory-conscious and essentially a loner," he said in an email to HT.
However, the day Karanth's letter was published, asking the government to overhaul its method of estimation, Ramesh approved a new scientific plan for counting the big cat population.
The environment minister Jairam Ramesh incorporated some of Karanth's suggestions in the new plan such as annual monitoring and tiger estimation in 41 tiger reserves, wider coverage of camera-traps to capture in-depth tiger demography and greater reliability of data.
Karanth described the decision as "practical, cost-effective and useful".
Agreeing with him, Ramesh said this important milestone in the tiger conservation strategy will allow regular updates on the number and health of the tigers across India.
India has 70% of the world's tigers but most of them live in 15 reserves, constituting a mere 10% of the remaining tiger habitat.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Govt-got-its-math-on-tigers-wrong/Article1-697690.aspx
Tiger treks 280km in search of own territory Amit Bhattacharya, TNN
NEW DELHI: A young male tiger, wandering through Karnataka's forests in search of a patch to call its own, has achieved a feat that will put it in the record books. In 15 months, the tiger travelled 280km as the crow flies, more than the straight-line distance between Delhi and Shimla, the longest documented distance traversed by a tiger anywhere in the world.
This came to light after a tiger was caught in Gama village near Shikaripur town of Karnataka's Shimoga district on May 1. It had strayed into a betelnut plantation and was stoned by a mob. The cornered tiger attacked and killed a man before it was tranquilized by forest officials.
On May 7, at an event watched by Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh, the tiger was released in the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. Photographs taken during the tiger's release were analysed by scientists of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, a wildlife NGO which has been camera-trapping in Karnataka's forests for around two decades.
"Photo-matching with our database, the animal was reliably identified as male tiger BPT-241, last camera-trapped in Gundre, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, on February 11 and February 18, 2010," said Dr K Ullas Karanth, head of CWS India.
"A GIS map showed that the straight line distance moved by this tiger since its photo-capture from Bandipur to Shikaripur is about 280km. The actual distance travelled by it would be more than 350km," Karanth said.
Looking at the map, one could say the tiger would have generally moved through forest patches but would also have traversed through coffee plantations, he added.
Karanth said though young male tigers were known to travel long distances to establish their territory, this is the longest dispersal documented through camera-trapping or radio-telemetry.
In 2006, a young male tiger, BDT-130, was camera trapped in Bhadra forests and then again in Dandeli in 2008. The straight line dispersal in that case was 197km. A radio-collared tiger in Russia was found to have travelled 195km.
Late last year, a young male tiger created a scare among villagers near Mathura in western UP, which experts at the Wildlife Institute of India said, had come from Ranthambore. The tiger then made its way to the Bharatpur bird sanctuary, from where it was relocated to Sariska.
"We have not seen any documentary evidence of the distance travelled by that tiger," said Karanth. " WII has been running a camera-trapping project in Ranthambore for the past five years. If there is proof that this tiger came from there, the evidence should be made public,"Karanth added.
Meanwhile, more camera traps have been placed in Bhadra to track the fate of BPT-241. Like all tigers, he will have to compete with other males to establish his territory, Karanth said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/wild-wacky/Tiger-treks-280km-in-search-of-own-territory/articleshow/8331667.cms
This came to light after a tiger was caught in Gama village near Shikaripur town of Karnataka's Shimoga district on May 1. It had strayed into a betelnut plantation and was stoned by a mob. The cornered tiger attacked and killed a man before it was tranquilized by forest officials.
On May 7, at an event watched by Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh, the tiger was released in the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. Photographs taken during the tiger's release were analysed by scientists of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, a wildlife NGO which has been camera-trapping in Karnataka's forests for around two decades.
"Photo-matching with our database, the animal was reliably identified as male tiger BPT-241, last camera-trapped in Gundre, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, on February 11 and February 18, 2010," said Dr K Ullas Karanth, head of CWS India.
"A GIS map showed that the straight line distance moved by this tiger since its photo-capture from Bandipur to Shikaripur is about 280km. The actual distance travelled by it would be more than 350km," Karanth said.
Looking at the map, one could say the tiger would have generally moved through forest patches but would also have traversed through coffee plantations, he added.
Karanth said though young male tigers were known to travel long distances to establish their territory, this is the longest dispersal documented through camera-trapping or radio-telemetry.
In 2006, a young male tiger, BDT-130, was camera trapped in Bhadra forests and then again in Dandeli in 2008. The straight line dispersal in that case was 197km. A radio-collared tiger in Russia was found to have travelled 195km.
Late last year, a young male tiger created a scare among villagers near Mathura in western UP, which experts at the Wildlife Institute of India said, had come from Ranthambore. The tiger then made its way to the Bharatpur bird sanctuary, from where it was relocated to Sariska.
"We have not seen any documentary evidence of the distance travelled by that tiger," said Karanth. " WII has been running a camera-trapping project in Ranthambore for the past five years. If there is proof that this tiger came from there, the evidence should be made public,"Karanth added.
Meanwhile, more camera traps have been placed in Bhadra to track the fate of BPT-241. Like all tigers, he will have to compete with other males to establish his territory, Karanth said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/wild-wacky/Tiger-treks-280km-in-search-of-own-territory/articleshow/8331667.cms
States squabble over who has most tigers, Amit S. Upadhye and Ambarish B Bengaluru
The latest tiger census has caused tiffs between states.
Barely a month after the Ministry of Environment and Forests released the tiger numbers for the country and its states, two states have written to the Centre seeking a re-survey of the findings on tiger numbers.
The Karnataka Forest Department has written a letter stating that the tigers from their state have been added in the numbers of Tamil Nadu. The Madhya Pradesh government has also sought a revised list of tigers, after it was reported that they had 50 tigers less than the tiger census figures of 2006.
According to officials from Karnataka, the present census count has 50 tigers less than the total number of tigers mentioned in the previous tiger census held in 2010.
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, had conducted the census during 2010 and Karnataka was declared the new Tiger State of India, with 300 tigers out in the wild. It was followed by Madhya Pradesh, which has 257 tigers in the wild.
During the earlier, 2007 census Madhya Pradesh had close to 300 tigers. The decline of 43 tigers has worried the officials in that state. A official from MoEF said that both Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh forest departments have sought a re-survey since the numbers appear low, despite a higher number of direct sightings in the last few years.
Wildlife officials from Karnataka Forest Department said that a re-survey has been sought in Bandipur Forests, which abuts the Tamil Nadu forest area.
“The river Moyar divides Bandipur in Karnataka and Mudhumalai in Tamil Nadu geographically, but hundreds of animals including tigers and elephants move from one part to the other. Unlike Bandipur, which is one of the first tiger reserves in the country and well protected, the neighbouring Mudhumalai has no protection for tigers. Also the numbers which Tamil Nadu is showing, need to be checked,” said a forest official.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/states-squabble-over-who-has-most-tigers-683
Barely a month after the Ministry of Environment and Forests released the tiger numbers for the country and its states, two states have written to the Centre seeking a re-survey of the findings on tiger numbers.
The Karnataka Forest Department has written a letter stating that the tigers from their state have been added in the numbers of Tamil Nadu. The Madhya Pradesh government has also sought a revised list of tigers, after it was reported that they had 50 tigers less than the tiger census figures of 2006.
According to officials from Karnataka, the present census count has 50 tigers less than the total number of tigers mentioned in the previous tiger census held in 2010.
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, had conducted the census during 2010 and Karnataka was declared the new Tiger State of India, with 300 tigers out in the wild. It was followed by Madhya Pradesh, which has 257 tigers in the wild.
During the earlier, 2007 census Madhya Pradesh had close to 300 tigers. The decline of 43 tigers has worried the officials in that state. A official from MoEF said that both Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh forest departments have sought a re-survey since the numbers appear low, despite a higher number of direct sightings in the last few years.
Wildlife officials from Karnataka Forest Department said that a re-survey has been sought in Bandipur Forests, which abuts the Tamil Nadu forest area.
“The river Moyar divides Bandipur in Karnataka and Mudhumalai in Tamil Nadu geographically, but hundreds of animals including tigers and elephants move from one part to the other. Unlike Bandipur, which is one of the first tiger reserves in the country and well protected, the neighbouring Mudhumalai has no protection for tigers. Also the numbers which Tamil Nadu is showing, need to be checked,” said a forest official.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/states-squabble-over-who-has-most-tigers-683
Despite ban, construction of canal on at Ranthambore Anindo Dey, TNN
JAIPUR: Despite an order from the Central Empowered Committee earlier in the year banning all construction work at the Ranthambore tiger reserve, a huge canal is being dug threatening to affect its ecological balance.
As environmentalists raised questions over the construction, the state government sprang into action on Saturday. The forest officials said the project has been temporarily stayed with an intervention from chief secretary S Ahmed.
Sources at the park said a100-feet wide and 5-7 km long canal is being dug between Khushalidarra and Mansarovar lake.
"The new canal has stopped the flow of water to Khushalidarra nullah and diverted it to Mansarovar," said conservation biologist Dharmendra Khandal of the Tiger Watch.
Over the past 20 days, nearly 20,000 Dhonk trees spread across at least five kms have been uprooted. The canal, Khandal said, will also destroy one of the most important tiger corridors between Ranthambore National Park and Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary.
Khandal has written to the CEC and the state government to take action in this regard.
CEC, in March, in response to a letter by conservationist Belinda Wright, had stopped all construction work at the sanctuary. Wright had complained about construction of some dams and anicuts in the sanctuary.
When contacted, officials of the state forest department expressed shock at the ongoing construction work in the reserve. Sources from the department however, revealed that the project is undertaken by the irrigation department.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Despite-ban-construction-of-canal-on-at-Ranthambore/articleshow/8327040.cms
As environmentalists raised questions over the construction, the state government sprang into action on Saturday. The forest officials said the project has been temporarily stayed with an intervention from chief secretary S Ahmed.
Sources at the park said a100-feet wide and 5-7 km long canal is being dug between Khushalidarra and Mansarovar lake.
"The new canal has stopped the flow of water to Khushalidarra nullah and diverted it to Mansarovar," said conservation biologist Dharmendra Khandal of the Tiger Watch.
Over the past 20 days, nearly 20,000 Dhonk trees spread across at least five kms have been uprooted. The canal, Khandal said, will also destroy one of the most important tiger corridors between Ranthambore National Park and Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary.
Khandal has written to the CEC and the state government to take action in this regard.
CEC, in March, in response to a letter by conservationist Belinda Wright, had stopped all construction work at the sanctuary. Wright had complained about construction of some dams and anicuts in the sanctuary.
When contacted, officials of the state forest department expressed shock at the ongoing construction work in the reserve. Sources from the department however, revealed that the project is undertaken by the irrigation department.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Despite-ban-construction-of-canal-on-at-Ranthambore/articleshow/8327040.cms
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Reserves to conduct annual tiger monitoring, using camera traps
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has asked states that are home to tigers that the big cat should be monitored annually using camera traps in all reserves, beginning November this year. This was conveyed to all tiger reserve field directors by Minister Jairam Ramesh at a three-day meeting held in New Delhi from May 9 to 11.
“A protocol will be developed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institute of India for the monitoring soon and forest personnel will be trained in undertaking the programme,” Melghat Tiger Reserve field director A K Mishra told The Indian Express .
The MoEF calls this Phase IV of its tiger monitoring programme. “This will initiate intensive, annual monitoring of tigers at the tiger reserve level, across 41 protected areas in the country, commencing from November 2011,” a statement from the ministry says. “This marks an important milestone in our comprehensive tiger conservation strategy. Annual monitoring at the tiger reserve level will allow us to get regular updates on the number and health of tiger populations across the country, and will strengthen our conservation efforts,” Ramesh said. Until now, the monitoring was done over a four-year cycle.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/reserves-to-conduct-annual-tiger-monitoring-using-camera-traps/790568/
“A protocol will be developed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institute of India for the monitoring soon and forest personnel will be trained in undertaking the programme,” Melghat Tiger Reserve field director A K Mishra told The Indian Express .
The MoEF calls this Phase IV of its tiger monitoring programme. “This will initiate intensive, annual monitoring of tigers at the tiger reserve level, across 41 protected areas in the country, commencing from November 2011,” a statement from the ministry says. “This marks an important milestone in our comprehensive tiger conservation strategy. Annual monitoring at the tiger reserve level will allow us to get regular updates on the number and health of tiger populations across the country, and will strengthen our conservation efforts,” Ramesh said. Until now, the monitoring was done over a four-year cycle.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/reserves-to-conduct-annual-tiger-monitoring-using-camera-traps/790568/
Thursday, May 12, 2011
R'bore saga: Have money, see tiger Anindo Dey, TNN
JAIPUR: Next time out on a safari to the Ranthambore national park curse not your luck if the tiger remains elusive. Instead let the money do the work!
Sources at the park, revealed that at the national park tips can create magic! The larger the tis to the tourist guide, or even promise of it, the brighter the chances of spotting a tiger or two.
"Spotting or even trailing is just a matter of effort. One has to carefully monitor the tell-tale signs left behind by the animal. And it is here that promises of tips make all the difference," the source said.
The countdown for an encounter with the tiger during a safari in fact begins right from the time tourists board a vehicle.
"The tourist guide strikes up a conversation with the passengers. And he subtly puts forth that in the event of spotting a tiger he would like to be tipped. The instant reaction of the tourist is a give away for him," the surce added.
Typically such a conversation stretches like this: "Sir, aap tiger dekhoge toh kush ho jaoge. Phir hamee bhi kush kar dena." (Sir, you'll be delighted on spotting a tiger. Then please me too.)
The tips can vary from anything between Rs 100 to Rs 1,000 per person depending on the size of the vehicle and hence the number of heads in it. The tips are apart his usual fee of Rs 150 which is deducted as part of the ticket money for the safari. Tips are collected by the driver and the guide once the vehicle is out of the park and is heading for the hotel.
"It is the tourists who are to be blamed for introducing the practice of paying tips to the guides. The tourists guides follow a roaster system for allotment of guides to vehicles. But sometimes tourists, specially those who are on their second or third trip to Ranthambore, prefer guides of their choice. Here the preferred guide often sacrifices his fee of Rs 150, giving it to person whose turn it really was, because he knows that the tips he collects at the end of the trip will be much higher than the fee," the source said.
Such tourists are mostly English-speaking and naturally seek English-speaking guides, which is a rarity in Ranthambore. The tips paid in these cases are often in dollars.
Divided into five zones, tigers in Ranthambore can be easily spotted in some zones. But due to rules of allowing a maximum of eight vehicles per zone at a time, zone numbers are allotted on a random basis by the computer. Even here tips to the right person can allow for switching from a zone that is not so conducive to spotting a tiger to one that is.
"Despite an online reservation system for going into the park, tour agents manage to book all seats before hand. Therefore, going into the park without the help of an agent is next to impossible. It is these agents who manage to convince the right person in the forest department and allow tourists to switch zone. The fees for such a service starts from Rs 500 and can stretch on depending on the urgency of the tourist and the season," the source added.
Tourists guides too often manage to fool unsuspecting tourist and switch zones among themselves taking those tourist willing to payhigher tips to zones that are more conducive to tiger spotting.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Rbore-saga-Have-money-see-tiger/articleshow/8255201.cms
Sources at the park, revealed that at the national park tips can create magic! The larger the tis to the tourist guide, or even promise of it, the brighter the chances of spotting a tiger or two.
"Spotting or even trailing is just a matter of effort. One has to carefully monitor the tell-tale signs left behind by the animal. And it is here that promises of tips make all the difference," the source said.
The countdown for an encounter with the tiger during a safari in fact begins right from the time tourists board a vehicle.
"The tourist guide strikes up a conversation with the passengers. And he subtly puts forth that in the event of spotting a tiger he would like to be tipped. The instant reaction of the tourist is a give away for him," the surce added.
Typically such a conversation stretches like this: "Sir, aap tiger dekhoge toh kush ho jaoge. Phir hamee bhi kush kar dena." (Sir, you'll be delighted on spotting a tiger. Then please me too.)
The tips can vary from anything between Rs 100 to Rs 1,000 per person depending on the size of the vehicle and hence the number of heads in it. The tips are apart his usual fee of Rs 150 which is deducted as part of the ticket money for the safari. Tips are collected by the driver and the guide once the vehicle is out of the park and is heading for the hotel.
"It is the tourists who are to be blamed for introducing the practice of paying tips to the guides. The tourists guides follow a roaster system for allotment of guides to vehicles. But sometimes tourists, specially those who are on their second or third trip to Ranthambore, prefer guides of their choice. Here the preferred guide often sacrifices his fee of Rs 150, giving it to person whose turn it really was, because he knows that the tips he collects at the end of the trip will be much higher than the fee," the source said.
Such tourists are mostly English-speaking and naturally seek English-speaking guides, which is a rarity in Ranthambore. The tips paid in these cases are often in dollars.
Divided into five zones, tigers in Ranthambore can be easily spotted in some zones. But due to rules of allowing a maximum of eight vehicles per zone at a time, zone numbers are allotted on a random basis by the computer. Even here tips to the right person can allow for switching from a zone that is not so conducive to spotting a tiger to one that is.
"Despite an online reservation system for going into the park, tour agents manage to book all seats before hand. Therefore, going into the park without the help of an agent is next to impossible. It is these agents who manage to convince the right person in the forest department and allow tourists to switch zone. The fees for such a service starts from Rs 500 and can stretch on depending on the urgency of the tourist and the season," the source added.
Tourists guides too often manage to fool unsuspecting tourist and switch zones among themselves taking those tourist willing to payhigher tips to zones that are more conducive to tiger spotting.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Rbore-saga-Have-money-see-tiger/articleshow/8255201.cms
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tiger that strayed into MP, spotted back in Rajasthan -PTI
Morena (MP), May 10 (PTI) After being on the prowl in the Chambal ravines of Madhya Pradesh for the past six months, Mohan- a tiger from the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, has finally returned to Rajasthan, officials said. After straying into Madhya Pradesh from Rajasthan, Mohan killed cattle and created a terror in villages in the region, they said. "Mohan was not been spotted in the ravines since March. None of his traces could be found during our search operation in the region," Morena Divisional Forest Officer R S Sikarwar told PTI. He said that the Rajasthan forest officials have confirmed the tiger's return to Rajasthan as it was spotted in Kareli jungle last month. The official said that the tiger could have returned to Rajasthan in search of a mating partner.
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/tiger-that-strayed-into-mp-spotted-back-in-rajasthan/679144.html
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/tiger-that-strayed-into-mp-spotted-back-in-rajasthan/679144.html
Nod to border fence near tiger reserve - National security fears prompt move
Guwahati, May 10: The National Board for Wildlife has given its nod to the construction of a 62-km fence and patrol road along the Bangladesh boundary near Dampa tiger reserve in Mizoram keeping in view the interest of national security.
Last year, an expert team constituted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority had opposed the construction of the fence and patrol road near the tiger reserve, stressing that it would impact the movement of animals.
A source said a site inspection team in its report, submitted to the National Board for Wildlife, has called for a detailed survey which needs to be undertaken by the BSF, involving representatives of the state government and the tiger reserve authorities.
It said the fence and road should be built as close as possible along the international boundary to minimise the loss of animal habitat at the 500 square km tiger reserve, which was brought under Project Tiger in 1994.
The ministry of home affairs had plans to construct a three-line wire fencing, besides seven border outposts.
The inspection team also recommended that road and border outposts should be on the Bangladesh side to ensure that the Dampa tiger reserve habitat remains sacrosanct and free from disturbance.
The team said the requisite forest clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, should be obtained only after the exact area involved in the project is worked out.
The ministry of home affairs has informed the National Board for Wildlife that the road as well as the fencing was of utmost importance to stop the infiltration from Bangladesh.
Besides, the spot had been chosen from three alternatives because it involved minimal destruction of forestland and trees, besides being technically feasible.
The National Board for Wildlife has now written to the ministry of home affairs about the recommendations of the site inspection team.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110511/jsp/northeast/story_13955790.jsp
Last year, an expert team constituted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority had opposed the construction of the fence and patrol road near the tiger reserve, stressing that it would impact the movement of animals.
A source said a site inspection team in its report, submitted to the National Board for Wildlife, has called for a detailed survey which needs to be undertaken by the BSF, involving representatives of the state government and the tiger reserve authorities.
It said the fence and road should be built as close as possible along the international boundary to minimise the loss of animal habitat at the 500 square km tiger reserve, which was brought under Project Tiger in 1994.
The ministry of home affairs had plans to construct a three-line wire fencing, besides seven border outposts.
The inspection team also recommended that road and border outposts should be on the Bangladesh side to ensure that the Dampa tiger reserve habitat remains sacrosanct and free from disturbance.
The team said the requisite forest clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, should be obtained only after the exact area involved in the project is worked out.
The ministry of home affairs has informed the National Board for Wildlife that the road as well as the fencing was of utmost importance to stop the infiltration from Bangladesh.
Besides, the spot had been chosen from three alternatives because it involved minimal destruction of forestland and trees, besides being technically feasible.
The National Board for Wildlife has now written to the ministry of home affairs about the recommendations of the site inspection team.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110511/jsp/northeast/story_13955790.jsp
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Ranthambore census to focus on five 'missing' tigers Anindo Dey, TNN
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
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
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
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