In Ranthambhore, tigers surprise visitors with their ability to survive in harsh habitats such as thorn forests and barren land of scrub and rocks.
THE oppressive summer heat touched 43°C, and the only good that came of it was a chance that we would find a tiger cooling itself at one of the waterholes along the roads in the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Tigers living in hot climes are known for their propensity to lie about in water, and the Ranthambhore tigers, habituated to vehicle-bound visitors, even allow themselves to be photographed at their pools.
On the evening of May 6, 2010, we came upon a young male approaching the Kachida waterhole, a rock pool made beautiful by its bluish-green water. By the time we managed a vantage point for photography, it was already neck-deep in the water, panting and lapping vigorously to satiate its thirst. It snarled repeatedly to demonstrate its displeasure at our intrusion. Before long, it got up and ambled off into the forest, back possibly to where it had hidden a kill.
The Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, made famous by the tiger expert Valmik Thapar in several of his books, gets its name from the Ranthambhore fort. The Chauhan Rajputs are thought to have begun construction of this fort nearly a thousand years ago. Rao Hammir (1283-1301) is reported to have been the most successful of the many kings who ruled Ranthambhore. Over the centuries the fort changed hands between the Mughals and the Rajputs, until, eventually, it came under the rule of the Kachwaha Maharajas of Jaipur. Under the Kachwahas, the forests around the fort became royal hunting grounds. Jaipur State acceded to the Indian Union in 1949 and became a part of the State of Rajasthan in 1950. The forests around the fort were declared the Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary in 1955. In effect, though, it remained a hunting reserve until 1970.
With the start of Project Tiger in 1973, 392 km2 of forests in and around the Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary were declared the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. In 1980, as much as 282 km2 of the tiger reserve was notified as a national park. Protection was further strengthened in 1984 with the declaration of the adjoining forests as the Sawai Mansingh Wildlife Sanctuary (113 km2) and the Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary (673 km2). In 1991, the tiger reserve was extended to 1,394 km2 to include all the above wildlife sanctuaries and key areas such as the Kualji Game Reserve (38 km2).
The remains of the fort, which are imposing in most places even now, bear witness to Ranthambhore's varied and fascinating history. There is one abiding problem, however, that tarnishes the glory of the fort – the accumulation of garbage brought in by the hundreds of pilgrims to the numerous temples (including the most famous one, a Ganesha temple) and a mosque inside the fort. The Forest Department regularly removes the garbage outside the fort, but that inside the fort is an eyesore. It would be most appropriate if the Archaeology Department were to put in place a functional mechanism to secure both the fort and its wild inhabitants from this hazard
My visit to Ranthambhore with Dr Aparajita Datta, Member, National Tiger Conservation Authority, was to help the Rajasthan Forest Department decide the suitability of two tigers for translocation to the Sariska Tiger Reserve, to augment the reintroduced population of three tigers there. It is well known that the small population of four or five tigers of Sariska had been wiped out by poachers in 2004.
In June-July 2008 and February 2009, the government reintroduced three tigers (a male and two females) into Sariska from the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Regretfully, these reintroductions were done without addressing suitably the enormous problems caused by the presence of numerous villages and increasing traffic and pilgrimage within the Sariska Tiger Reserve, which were steadily and gradually contributing to the decline of the tiger population in the reserve.
There were serious worries that the Ranthambhore tigers translocated to Sariska were too closely related, and there was no sign of breeding even after 18-24 months of the reintroduction. This is, however, a moot point because the Ranthambhore tigers are in any case all descendants of a small population of possibly 10 tigers from the time when Project Tiger was initiated. The population is also likely to have been further inbred because the population was isolated within a small area (c. 300 km2) with little possibility for tigers from other landscapes to immigrate there.
The positive outlook is that problems of inbreeding in tigers and in most other species can often be mitigated by the introduction of new animals, preferably males, from far-off habitats. Therefore, the best way to address the potential problem of inbreeding among Sariska's tigers would be to remove the male, reported to be very closely related to the females, and introduce a suitable, unrelated new male possibly from a far-off place such as the Tadoba Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra).
Our primary task was to explore the feasibility of capturing two tigers that had dispersed from the reserve. The prevalent belief is that such animals may only be related distantly to the animals in the core (national park area) and therefore more suitable for translocation. One of the tigers that had dispersed was reported to be a male and, according to the Forest Department, was living primarily in the Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary and ranging over a vast area of about 700 km2. The other was reported to be a female, which had its home on the banks of the Kalisindh river, a tributary of the Chambal, about 90 km from the Sawai Mansingh Wildlife Sanctuary from which it was supposed to have dispersed.
At the time of our visit, the female largely confined its activities to the right bank of the river along a distance of about 20 km. The river bank had a dense growth of mesquite, Prosopis juliflora, bordered by agricultural fields. Ten small villages with a sizable livestock population dot the length of the riverbank. The tigress survived on the sparse population of chital, nilgai and wild pigs that inhabit the Prosopis forests while also killing livestock.
Prosopis is an exotic species from Central America that has become an aggressive weed in India. People generally avoid Prosopis woodlands because of the plant's sharp and powerful thorns. The tigress was evidently left undisturbed in its thorny kingdom; an additional attraction for it, undoubtedly, was the presence of the river where it cooled itself at night
http://www.frontline.in/stories/20110701281306400.htm
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Two arrested with tiger skins in Varanasi
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), June 11 (IANS) Two people, allegedly involved in illegal wildlife trade, were arrested here with tiger skins, police said Saturday.
The accused, identified as Sartaj and Dilip, both in their mid-40s, were nabbed Friday from Bhelupur locality following a joint operation by district police and forest officials.
"Three tiger skins were recovered from the duo's possession. Acting on a tip-off, we intercepted the two men while they were on their way to hand over the skins to some of their clients," police inspector R.M. Yadav told reporters Saturday in Varanasi, some 300-km from Lucknow.
"We are yet to ascertain where the tigers were killed. According to the two men, their gang members in the state's Lakhimpur district had handed over the hides to them for selling," he added.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the two have been involved in the trade of wild animal skins, antlers and other body parts for the last over five years.
"The two are natives of Uttar Pradesh. We are trying to nab other members of their gang based on the information provided by the two men," added Yadav.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=244302
The accused, identified as Sartaj and Dilip, both in their mid-40s, were nabbed Friday from Bhelupur locality following a joint operation by district police and forest officials.
"Three tiger skins were recovered from the duo's possession. Acting on a tip-off, we intercepted the two men while they were on their way to hand over the skins to some of their clients," police inspector R.M. Yadav told reporters Saturday in Varanasi, some 300-km from Lucknow.
"We are yet to ascertain where the tigers were killed. According to the two men, their gang members in the state's Lakhimpur district had handed over the hides to them for selling," he added.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the two have been involved in the trade of wild animal skins, antlers and other body parts for the last over five years.
"The two are natives of Uttar Pradesh. We are trying to nab other members of their gang based on the information provided by the two men," added Yadav.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=244302
Ranthambore tiger plays 'doting dad' to orphaned cubs-PTI
NEW DELHI: In an extremely rare display of parenting, a male tiger seems to be palying a "doting dad" to two orphaned cubs in Ranthambore tiger reserve in Rajasthan.
Forest officials in the tiger reserve said the behaviour of the tiger, named T25, reflects a "complete role reversal" as male tigers are known not to be protecting their offspring.
"It's an extremely rare case where a male tiger seems to be playing the role of a doting dad to the motherless cubs," U M Sahai, Rajasthan's chief wildlife warden, said.
"Normally, the mother takes care of the cubs till they are at least two years old, while the father is a visitor. The male is seen off and on, especially when he comes to mate with the tigress," he said.
The cubs, which are about eight months old now, lost their mother in February this year. And T25 is believed to be their father, officials at the tiger reserve said.
The tiger's behaviour has been recorded by hidden cameras fitted in the reserve. The most recent images show that T25 is walking just a metre behind one of the cubs, said Rajesh Gupta, field director of Ranthambore.
Since the death of their mother, he said, the cubs are being raised in the wild by forest department staff.
As they are too young to make a kill, they are being provided food -- usually goat meat -- with a bait by the staff, he said.
"I have recently noticed one of the cubs eating the kill provided by our staff," Gupta said.
"They are seen in good health and it appears that the male tiger is allowing them to eat and not taking it for himself," he added.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/ranthambore-tiger-plays-doting-dad-to-orphaned-cubs/articleshow/8827671.cms
Forest officials in the tiger reserve said the behaviour of the tiger, named T25, reflects a "complete role reversal" as male tigers are known not to be protecting their offspring.
"It's an extremely rare case where a male tiger seems to be playing the role of a doting dad to the motherless cubs," U M Sahai, Rajasthan's chief wildlife warden, said.
"Normally, the mother takes care of the cubs till they are at least two years old, while the father is a visitor. The male is seen off and on, especially when he comes to mate with the tigress," he said.
The cubs, which are about eight months old now, lost their mother in February this year. And T25 is believed to be their father, officials at the tiger reserve said.
The tiger's behaviour has been recorded by hidden cameras fitted in the reserve. The most recent images show that T25 is walking just a metre behind one of the cubs, said Rajesh Gupta, field director of Ranthambore.
Since the death of their mother, he said, the cubs are being raised in the wild by forest department staff.
As they are too young to make a kill, they are being provided food -- usually goat meat -- with a bait by the staff, he said.
"I have recently noticed one of the cubs eating the kill provided by our staff," Gupta said.
"They are seen in good health and it appears that the male tiger is allowing them to eat and not taking it for himself," he added.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/ranthambore-tiger-plays-doting-dad-to-orphaned-cubs/articleshow/8827671.cms
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Two-fold increase in tiger population at KMTR
TIRUNELVELI: The Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) has witnessed two-fold increase in tiger population in 2010-11, when compared to the last estimate in 2006-07.
Speaking exclusively to Express, H Malleshappa, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, said the tiger population was around 15 to 18 as per the tiger estimate taken in 2010-11. “This is a two-fold increase when compared to the 2006-07 estimate of six to eight tigers,” he informed. Tigers that migrate from Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) might also be part of the new count as both tiger reserves were lying adjacent.
He said the steps initiated by Union Minister of Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh to boost community involvement in tiger conservation have paid rich dividends. “Unlike the earlier estimates where pugmarks were the mainstay, modern technologies like camera traps have been used this time,” Malleshappa said.
These cameras were sent to the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun for stripe identification. “The stripes of each tiger differ from another and hence this technology has proved extremely helpful,” he detailed.
The forest conservator said World Bank had earlier announced KMTR as a role model, taking into account the community involvement in tiger conservation. “People and tribals have extended excellent co-operation in tiger conservation and it is a win-win situation for both the KMTR and its stakeholders,” he noted.
“We have around 110 anti-poaching watchers. Almost everyone in the area are informers for us,” Malleshappa said. Also due to community involvement, felling of trees for firewood and grazing of animals in KMTR has almost stopped.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/twofold-increase-in-tiger-population-at-kmtr/157070-60-118.html
Speaking exclusively to Express, H Malleshappa, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, said the tiger population was around 15 to 18 as per the tiger estimate taken in 2010-11. “This is a two-fold increase when compared to the 2006-07 estimate of six to eight tigers,” he informed. Tigers that migrate from Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) might also be part of the new count as both tiger reserves were lying adjacent.
He said the steps initiated by Union Minister of Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh to boost community involvement in tiger conservation have paid rich dividends. “Unlike the earlier estimates where pugmarks were the mainstay, modern technologies like camera traps have been used this time,” Malleshappa said.
These cameras were sent to the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun for stripe identification. “The stripes of each tiger differ from another and hence this technology has proved extremely helpful,” he detailed.
The forest conservator said World Bank had earlier announced KMTR as a role model, taking into account the community involvement in tiger conservation. “People and tribals have extended excellent co-operation in tiger conservation and it is a win-win situation for both the KMTR and its stakeholders,” he noted.
“We have around 110 anti-poaching watchers. Almost everyone in the area are informers for us,” Malleshappa said. Also due to community involvement, felling of trees for firewood and grazing of animals in KMTR has almost stopped.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/twofold-increase-in-tiger-population-at-kmtr/157070-60-118.html
Monday, June 6, 2011
Endangered tiger killed by poachers TNN
BAHRAICH: A rare wild tiger has been killed by poachers, on Indo-Nepal border a wildlife official said on Saturday.
The adult male tiger, which had been fitted with a collar carrying a GPS tracking system that allowed scientists to monitor its adaptation back into the wild, was killed two weeks ago, the official said.
Tikaram Adhikari, a warden at Bardia National Park in Nepal's southern plains where the endangered animal was released said, the tiger was last traced by the tracking system on May 9.
"Next two days, we could not locate it. Then, early this week, we found that it had been killed by poachers," he said.
"The tiger was moving towards human settlements. After seeing the tiger, the poachers offered him poisoned beef. It died after consuming the food," Adhikari said.
The tiger was named Namobuddha by park authorities. Four locals have been arrested on suspicion of poaching, Adhikari said.
The injured tiger was captured by wildlife officials when wandering into a tourist resort in southern Nepal.
Tiger was released into Bardia national park as it as an ideal home for the animal because it of its vast size, available prey and relatively low levels of poaching, authorities said.
"Using the tracking system we were hoping to gain valuable insights into its movement and habitat.But after this incident we feel that saving wild tigers will be more challenging," Adhikari said.
The project was part of Nepal's efforts to double its population of Royal Bengal tigers, which once roamed the country's southern plains in large numbers but have been depleted due to poaching. A WWF survey carried out in 2008 found just 121 adult tigers of breeding age in Nepal.
Experts say poverty and political instability in Nepal have created ideal conditions for poachers who kill animals for their skin, meat and bones, which are highly valued in Chinese traditional medicine.
The WWF says tigers worldwide are in serious danger of becoming extinct in the wild.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Endangered-tiger-killed-by-poachers/articleshow/8729681.cms
The adult male tiger, which had been fitted with a collar carrying a GPS tracking system that allowed scientists to monitor its adaptation back into the wild, was killed two weeks ago, the official said.
Tikaram Adhikari, a warden at Bardia National Park in Nepal's southern plains where the endangered animal was released said, the tiger was last traced by the tracking system on May 9.
"Next two days, we could not locate it. Then, early this week, we found that it had been killed by poachers," he said.
"The tiger was moving towards human settlements. After seeing the tiger, the poachers offered him poisoned beef. It died after consuming the food," Adhikari said.
The tiger was named Namobuddha by park authorities. Four locals have been arrested on suspicion of poaching, Adhikari said.
The injured tiger was captured by wildlife officials when wandering into a tourist resort in southern Nepal.
Tiger was released into Bardia national park as it as an ideal home for the animal because it of its vast size, available prey and relatively low levels of poaching, authorities said.
"Using the tracking system we were hoping to gain valuable insights into its movement and habitat.But after this incident we feel that saving wild tigers will be more challenging," Adhikari said.
The project was part of Nepal's efforts to double its population of Royal Bengal tigers, which once roamed the country's southern plains in large numbers but have been depleted due to poaching. A WWF survey carried out in 2008 found just 121 adult tigers of breeding age in Nepal.
Experts say poverty and political instability in Nepal have created ideal conditions for poachers who kill animals for their skin, meat and bones, which are highly valued in Chinese traditional medicine.
The WWF says tigers worldwide are in serious danger of becoming extinct in the wild.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Endangered-tiger-killed-by-poachers/articleshow/8729681.cms
Nearly 200 tigers fell prey to poaching in last 12 years -PTI
Nearly 200 tigers were killed by poachers in and around various forest reserves in the country, in the last 12 years, news that points out the danger that the national animal faces in its habitat.
Besides, 250 wild cats died of natural causes including old age, in fighting, starvation, road and rail accidents, electrocution and weakness during this period.
According to an RTI reply from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, 447 wild cats were reportedly found dead between 1999 and March 2011 in and around a number of natural habitats for tigers, of which 197 were poached.
The ministry also noted that poaching was the major cause behind disappearance of tigers from Sariska and Panna reserves.
“The cases of local extinction of tigers were reported in Sariska, Rajasthan (2005) and Panna, Madhya Pradesh (2008). As reported, poaching of tigers was the major cause of their extinction,” National Tiger Conservation Authority under the MoEF said in reply to an RTI query filed by PTI.
A highest of 36 each tigers were poached in 2001 and 2002, followed by 24 each in 1999 and in 2010, it said. Two tigers were found to be killed in poaching between January and March 17 this year, the reply said.
Whereas 20 wild cats were killed in 2003, 17 in 2009, 10 in 2007, nine each in 2000 and 2008, and five fell prey to hunters in 2006, it said.
The ministry, however, did not give details of action taken reports in the cases of poaching, saying that concerned state governments were the custodian of information.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article2079069.ece
Besides, 250 wild cats died of natural causes including old age, in fighting, starvation, road and rail accidents, electrocution and weakness during this period.
According to an RTI reply from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, 447 wild cats were reportedly found dead between 1999 and March 2011 in and around a number of natural habitats for tigers, of which 197 were poached.
The ministry also noted that poaching was the major cause behind disappearance of tigers from Sariska and Panna reserves.
“The cases of local extinction of tigers were reported in Sariska, Rajasthan (2005) and Panna, Madhya Pradesh (2008). As reported, poaching of tigers was the major cause of their extinction,” National Tiger Conservation Authority under the MoEF said in reply to an RTI query filed by PTI.
A highest of 36 each tigers were poached in 2001 and 2002, followed by 24 each in 1999 and in 2010, it said. Two tigers were found to be killed in poaching between January and March 17 this year, the reply said.
Whereas 20 wild cats were killed in 2003, 17 in 2009, 10 in 2007, nine each in 2000 and 2008, and five fell prey to hunters in 2006, it said.
The ministry, however, did not give details of action taken reports in the cases of poaching, saying that concerned state governments were the custodian of information.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article2079069.ece
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Bengaluru to be south hub for tiger protection
Picture for representational purposes only - AP
RELATED ARTICLES
Our ignorant war on animals
The tiger population may have gone up in Karnataka and elsewhere as a result of conservation efforts, but fortunately, the authorities have not become smug and are continuing to do more to save the big cat.
The Southern Regional Cell of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) will soon set up base in Bengaluru to work closely with all southern states with tiger populations and coordinate their efforts to protect the animal under constant threat from poachers.
The NTCA which is headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will now have three centres around the country, at Gawhathi, Nagpur and Bengaluru.
The Nagpur unit which is expected to oversee tiger protection efforts in Central India was inaugurated recently and the Bengaluru unit is also likely to be operational soon. It will be headed by an officer of the rank of Chief Conservator of Forests.”Once the centre is operational all wildlife wings in southern states which have tigers will work in coordination with it,” says an NCTA officer.
NTCA member secretary Dr Rajesh Gopal explains that such coordination is important to deal with poaching and tribal relocation from critical wildlife habitats and tiger reserves.
Tiger biologist Dr K Ullas Karanth welcomes the fact that the regional centre will involve qualified tiger experts and non-governmental groups working for tiger conservation. “Presently the tiger habitat management is more government centered,”he points out.
Praveen Bhargav, trustee, Wildlife First Organisation, hopes the authorities concerned will now reconsider the current guidelines issued for critical wildlife habitats, which in his view , encourage diversion of forest land for non- forestry activities even while talking of saving the tiger and other endangered wildlife.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/bengaluru-be-south-hub-tiger-protection-210
RELATED ARTICLES
Our ignorant war on animals
The tiger population may have gone up in Karnataka and elsewhere as a result of conservation efforts, but fortunately, the authorities have not become smug and are continuing to do more to save the big cat.
The Southern Regional Cell of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) will soon set up base in Bengaluru to work closely with all southern states with tiger populations and coordinate their efforts to protect the animal under constant threat from poachers.
The NTCA which is headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will now have three centres around the country, at Gawhathi, Nagpur and Bengaluru.
The Nagpur unit which is expected to oversee tiger protection efforts in Central India was inaugurated recently and the Bengaluru unit is also likely to be operational soon. It will be headed by an officer of the rank of Chief Conservator of Forests.”Once the centre is operational all wildlife wings in southern states which have tigers will work in coordination with it,” says an NCTA officer.
NTCA member secretary Dr Rajesh Gopal explains that such coordination is important to deal with poaching and tribal relocation from critical wildlife habitats and tiger reserves.
Tiger biologist Dr K Ullas Karanth welcomes the fact that the regional centre will involve qualified tiger experts and non-governmental groups working for tiger conservation. “Presently the tiger habitat management is more government centered,”he points out.
Praveen Bhargav, trustee, Wildlife First Organisation, hopes the authorities concerned will now reconsider the current guidelines issued for critical wildlife habitats, which in his view , encourage diversion of forest land for non- forestry activities even while talking of saving the tiger and other endangered wildlife.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/bengaluru-be-south-hub-tiger-protection-210
Friday, June 3, 2011
Cess on wildlife tourism on cards -HT
If the environment ministry have its way, tourist facilities around 600 protected areas including tiger reserves will have to pay an unspecified cess on their turnover to sustain conservation and local livelihood development from January 2012. The new draft eco-tourism guidelines are based on recomm
endations of a seven member government committee, whose member Bittu Sahgal, editor of Sanctuary magazine has questioned its implementability in a letter to environment minister Jairam Ramesh.
“Basically what was finally put into the draft was at variance from my perception of the discussions and understanding we had. Also the guidelines are un-implementable in their current form,” Sahgal told HT in an email response.
The guidelines said that the state governments should levy “local conservation cess” as a percentage of the turnover on all privately run tourist facilities within five kms of the protected areas and the money should be deposited in a special protected area management fund.
The fund can be used only for conservation and local livelihood development with an aim of ensuring local community participation in protecting wildlife and sharing of monetary benefits.
Once the guidelines are notified, all major hotel chains having tourist facilities around popular tiger reserves such as Corbett National Park, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Kanha Tiger Reserve will have to pay a cess.
“Adequate provisions must be made to ensure that ecotourism does not get relegated to purely high-end exclusive tourism leaving out local communities,” the guidelines state, adding that the first beneficiaries should be local people.
The guidelines also say that half of the energy requirement should come from renewable source and the vehicles used by tour operators should run on eco friendly fuel. It also imposes a ban on construction of tourism facilities on forestland and says financial incentive should be provided to convert revenue land outside the protected areas as forestland.
Such a move may impact number of private resorts that have come up in the green buffer zone of the Corbett, which as per government record is revenue land. Revenue land is under administrative control district collector whereas forestland is managed by district forest officer. It also gives powers to the state governments to impose restrictions on infrastructure in close proximity of tiger reserves or national parks.
For regulating tourism, the ministry has recommended a two tier structure --- a state level steering committee under Chief Minister and a district level advisory body with district collector as chairperson.
The ministry has given time till December 31, 2011 to the state governments to constitute various committees and create the fund so that the guidelines become applicable from January 2012.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Cess-on-wildlife-tourism-on-cards/Article1-704940.aspx
endations of a seven member government committee, whose member Bittu Sahgal, editor of Sanctuary magazine has questioned its implementability in a letter to environment minister Jairam Ramesh.
“Basically what was finally put into the draft was at variance from my perception of the discussions and understanding we had. Also the guidelines are un-implementable in their current form,” Sahgal told HT in an email response.
The guidelines said that the state governments should levy “local conservation cess” as a percentage of the turnover on all privately run tourist facilities within five kms of the protected areas and the money should be deposited in a special protected area management fund.
The fund can be used only for conservation and local livelihood development with an aim of ensuring local community participation in protecting wildlife and sharing of monetary benefits.
Once the guidelines are notified, all major hotel chains having tourist facilities around popular tiger reserves such as Corbett National Park, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Kanha Tiger Reserve will have to pay a cess.
“Adequate provisions must be made to ensure that ecotourism does not get relegated to purely high-end exclusive tourism leaving out local communities,” the guidelines state, adding that the first beneficiaries should be local people.
The guidelines also say that half of the energy requirement should come from renewable source and the vehicles used by tour operators should run on eco friendly fuel. It also imposes a ban on construction of tourism facilities on forestland and says financial incentive should be provided to convert revenue land outside the protected areas as forestland.
Such a move may impact number of private resorts that have come up in the green buffer zone of the Corbett, which as per government record is revenue land. Revenue land is under administrative control district collector whereas forestland is managed by district forest officer. It also gives powers to the state governments to impose restrictions on infrastructure in close proximity of tiger reserves or national parks.
For regulating tourism, the ministry has recommended a two tier structure --- a state level steering committee under Chief Minister and a district level advisory body with district collector as chairperson.
The ministry has given time till December 31, 2011 to the state governments to constitute various committees and create the fund so that the guidelines become applicable from January 2012.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Cess-on-wildlife-tourism-on-cards/Article1-704940.aspx
Experts want MP tigers for Sariska reserve forests -DNA
Jaipur: Six tigers have been relocated to the Sariska Tiger Reserve in last five years and four remain to be shifted to revitalize the eco system in Jaipur. Though Ranthambhore National Park is state government's most convenient option, wildlife experts are beginning to demand "careful" translocation to save the species.
Though authorities are keeping their cards close to the chest, tiger conservation experts are insisting that Rajasthan should try to get tigers from Kanha and Bandhavgarh reserves of Madhya Pradesh. This, they say, is important for ensuring that tigers have good genes.
"For genetically stronger progeny, it is important that tigers from the same family do not mate with each other. To ensure this, we must translocate tigers from MP. The state can send a few tigers from Ranthambhore to their tiger reserves, like Panna and Pench, and, in turn, get tigers from Kanha and Bandhavgarh reserves," said Senior Vice-President of Sariska Tiger Foundation Sunayan Sharma.
According to the translocation plan for Sariska, which has been approved by the Wildlife Institute of India, 10 tigers were supposed to be relocated to Sariska over a span of 10 years. However, tiger conservationist said that exchanging tigers is a temporary solution to a graver problem. They are of the opinion that corridors should be developed from Ranthambhore to Sariska via Keoladeo sanctuary for tigers to be able to naturally move from one reserve to another and maintain genetic variety.
"There are natural routes which facilitate movement of tigers from MP's Palpur-Kuno sanctuary to Ranthambhore via Keoladeo sanctuary. The tiger which strayed up to Mathura and finally reached Keoladeo was following the same centuries old route. The aim of tiger conservation should be to create a natural and sustainable habitat for tigers and not breed them in jungles by translocation and relocation," said Shatrunjai Singh Khandela, tiger conservationist.
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/RAJ-JPR-experts-want-mp-tigers-for-sariska-reserve-forests-2157619.html?D3-JAI=
Though authorities are keeping their cards close to the chest, tiger conservation experts are insisting that Rajasthan should try to get tigers from Kanha and Bandhavgarh reserves of Madhya Pradesh. This, they say, is important for ensuring that tigers have good genes.
"For genetically stronger progeny, it is important that tigers from the same family do not mate with each other. To ensure this, we must translocate tigers from MP. The state can send a few tigers from Ranthambhore to their tiger reserves, like Panna and Pench, and, in turn, get tigers from Kanha and Bandhavgarh reserves," said Senior Vice-President of Sariska Tiger Foundation Sunayan Sharma.
According to the translocation plan for Sariska, which has been approved by the Wildlife Institute of India, 10 tigers were supposed to be relocated to Sariska over a span of 10 years. However, tiger conservationist said that exchanging tigers is a temporary solution to a graver problem. They are of the opinion that corridors should be developed from Ranthambhore to Sariska via Keoladeo sanctuary for tigers to be able to naturally move from one reserve to another and maintain genetic variety.
"There are natural routes which facilitate movement of tigers from MP's Palpur-Kuno sanctuary to Ranthambhore via Keoladeo sanctuary. The tiger which strayed up to Mathura and finally reached Keoladeo was following the same centuries old route. The aim of tiger conservation should be to create a natural and sustainable habitat for tigers and not breed them in jungles by translocation and relocation," said Shatrunjai Singh Khandela, tiger conservationist.
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/RAJ-JPR-experts-want-mp-tigers-for-sariska-reserve-forests-2157619.html?D3-JAI=
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Tiger population gives birth to sister sanctuary, Rahul Karmakar
The success of the Kaziranga National Park in preserving rhinos and tigers has begotten more success — the development of a sister wildlife sanctuary. The idea is to take tourism pressure off Kaziranga. For 101 years, the one-horned rhino had been Kaziranga’s superstar. The focus began shifting to a
carnivore when it was made a Tiger Reserve in 2006, entailing stricter wildlife regulations. Last year’s animal census saw the rhino population rise to 2,200 (almost 60% of the world’s rhinoceros unicornis). But officials were more elated by the tiger estimate — the 860 square km Kaziranga recorded the striped cat’s density at 32 per 100 square km, the highest on earth.
The tiger count put pressure on the forest department to shift tourism activities from Kaziranga’s core area to provide “breathing space” to the animals. Officials were also asked to check “mushrooming” hotels around Kaziranga.
A major beneficiary of this shift of attention has been the 38 square km Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, 50 km east of Guwahati.
“Though Pobitora has been around for ages... It has really come up to be referred to as Kaziranga’s showroom, and more and more tourists are finding out why,” chief Assam wildlife warden Suresh Chand said.
Pobitora in essence is a microcosm of Kaziranga; the terrain, flora and the setting — kissing the southern bank of the river Brahm
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tiger-population-gives-birth-to-sister-sanctuary/Article1-704634.aspx
carnivore when it was made a Tiger Reserve in 2006, entailing stricter wildlife regulations. Last year’s animal census saw the rhino population rise to 2,200 (almost 60% of the world’s rhinoceros unicornis). But officials were more elated by the tiger estimate — the 860 square km Kaziranga recorded the striped cat’s density at 32 per 100 square km, the highest on earth.
The tiger count put pressure on the forest department to shift tourism activities from Kaziranga’s core area to provide “breathing space” to the animals. Officials were also asked to check “mushrooming” hotels around Kaziranga.
A major beneficiary of this shift of attention has been the 38 square km Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, 50 km east of Guwahati.
“Though Pobitora has been around for ages... It has really come up to be referred to as Kaziranga’s showroom, and more and more tourists are finding out why,” chief Assam wildlife warden Suresh Chand said.
Pobitora in essence is a microcosm of Kaziranga; the terrain, flora and the setting — kissing the southern bank of the river Brahm
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tiger-population-gives-birth-to-sister-sanctuary/Article1-704634.aspx
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Tiger found dead near Corbett park
In yet another death of a big cat in Ramnagar Forest Division near Corbett Tiger Reserve, a male tiger died on Tuesday while under observation, after it was rescued on Monday evening by local foresters. Cause of death was not known till late evening as postmortem was yet to take place. The tiger wa
s rescued in serious condition on Monday from Kota forest range of Ramnagar division.
According to officials, the big cat had serious injuries on neck and other parts indicating that he was engaged in some severe territorial fight with another tiger.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tiger-found-dead-near-Corbett-park/Article1-704243.aspx
s rescued in serious condition on Monday from Kota forest range of Ramnagar division.
According to officials, the big cat had serious injuries on neck and other parts indicating that he was engaged in some severe territorial fight with another tiger.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tiger-found-dead-near-Corbett-park/Article1-704243.aspx
Man-animal conflict intensifies in Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal, June 1 (IANS) Man-animal conflict is intensifying in Madhya Pradesh with regular incidents of attacks on humans as big cats stray into inhabited areas because they are forced to move out of their shrinking reserves for food, say wildlife officials.
‘It is a well-known fact that habitat of wild animals is shrinking and this is resulting in man-animal conflict. In Madhya Pradesh, on an average, at least 35 people are killed and 1,000 are injured every year in the attack by wild animals,’ H.S. Pabla, the state’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), told IANS.
The state has six tiger reserves, nine national parks and 23 wildlife sanctuaries.
A tiger had killed two people, including a woman, outside the boundary of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in the state’s Umaria district May 23.
In late April a panther had strayed into the Boat Club area of Bhopal.
It was captured and released in the Ratapani sanctuary, but another panther in Vidisha district was not so lucky. The animal was killed by angry villagers as it strayed into a human settlement and attacked some people.
‘When any wild animal strays into human habitat, we think it is encroaching upon our land. But actually the situation is just opposite,’ says Pabla.
The view is shared by other officials.
‘If you ask any historian of Bhopal, they will tell you that till the 1970s, the heart of the town used to be forest area and tigers roamed freely there but since then, things have changed completely leading to man-animal conflict,’ J.S.Chouhan, the director of Van Vihar in the heart of Bhopal, told IANS.
Wildlife officials also cite increasing development activities as being responsible for the shrinking wildlife habitat.
‘Developmental activities are leaving an adverse impact on the wildlife and jungles, which are under immense pressure,’ said C.K. Patil, director of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
R.S. Murthy, director of the Panna Tiger Reserve, also noted the habitat quality of wild animals, including panthers and tigers, is gradually declining, leading to the attacks.
‘Tigers stay in deep forest and attack only when humans confront them,’ he added.
The officials are concerned over the state government’s decision to give land tenure deeds to forest dwellers. ‘This will only increase human activities in the jungles and will add pressure on the wildlife,’ said a forest officer.
(Shahnawaz Akhtar can be contacted at shahnawaz.a@ians.in)
http://www.inewsone.com/2011/06/01/man-animal-conflict-intensifies-in-madhya-pradesh/54425
‘It is a well-known fact that habitat of wild animals is shrinking and this is resulting in man-animal conflict. In Madhya Pradesh, on an average, at least 35 people are killed and 1,000 are injured every year in the attack by wild animals,’ H.S. Pabla, the state’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), told IANS.
The state has six tiger reserves, nine national parks and 23 wildlife sanctuaries.
A tiger had killed two people, including a woman, outside the boundary of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in the state’s Umaria district May 23.
In late April a panther had strayed into the Boat Club area of Bhopal.
It was captured and released in the Ratapani sanctuary, but another panther in Vidisha district was not so lucky. The animal was killed by angry villagers as it strayed into a human settlement and attacked some people.
‘When any wild animal strays into human habitat, we think it is encroaching upon our land. But actually the situation is just opposite,’ says Pabla.
The view is shared by other officials.
‘If you ask any historian of Bhopal, they will tell you that till the 1970s, the heart of the town used to be forest area and tigers roamed freely there but since then, things have changed completely leading to man-animal conflict,’ J.S.Chouhan, the director of Van Vihar in the heart of Bhopal, told IANS.
Wildlife officials also cite increasing development activities as being responsible for the shrinking wildlife habitat.
‘Developmental activities are leaving an adverse impact on the wildlife and jungles, which are under immense pressure,’ said C.K. Patil, director of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
R.S. Murthy, director of the Panna Tiger Reserve, also noted the habitat quality of wild animals, including panthers and tigers, is gradually declining, leading to the attacks.
‘Tigers stay in deep forest and attack only when humans confront them,’ he added.
The officials are concerned over the state government’s decision to give land tenure deeds to forest dwellers. ‘This will only increase human activities in the jungles and will add pressure on the wildlife,’ said a forest officer.
(Shahnawaz Akhtar can be contacted at shahnawaz.a@ians.in)
http://www.inewsone.com/2011/06/01/man-animal-conflict-intensifies-in-madhya-pradesh/54425
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sariska to test samples of tiger scat TNN
JAIPUR: Tired of the wait and watch game, the state forest department has decided to send scat samples to laboratories based in Hyderabad for investigating into the reasons why the tigresses at the Sariska tiger reserve are not bearing cubs.
It has been three years since the tigresses were relocated to the Sariska reserve from Ranthambore and till now no cubs have been born.
"We have collected scat (feces, a waste product produced in the digestive tract) samples of the tigress and we will be sending them to a laboratory based in Hyderabad to check if the big cats at Sariska are suffering from any hormonal imbalances. The samples will be send in three batches at intervals of 10 days," U M Sahai, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan, said.
Currently, there are three tigresses and two male tigers at the Sariska national park but despite having mated several times, the tigresses have not been able to produce any offspring. One of the male tigers ST-1, the first to be relocated to Sariska, died last year after it was poisoned by villagers.
Sariska's irony lies in the fact that the Panna tiger reserve that followed the example of Sariska in relocating tigers, has already seen cubs being born. Sariska continues to wait.
"These scat samples will be of male and female tigers. The purpose is to see if any of them are suffering from any hormonal imbalance," a source said.
The issue gathered steam in a workshop organised on the Challenges Ahead for rebuilding Sariska by the Sariska Tiger Foundation. Most of the speakers harped on the non-birth of cubs at the reserve.
Principal secretary forest and environment VS Singh felt that the portion of the reserve that was open to tourism was a very small fraction of the park. "What happens is that there are too many tourists that come into the arena resulting in stress for the tigers," he said.
Others felt that the tigers being sibling to each other has deterred them from producing any offspring despite having mated with each other. And yet others were of the opinion that the big cats were not mature enough to produce any off spring and felt that new ones will be born within a couple of years.
Even R N Mehrotra, head of the forest force, Rajasthan was hopeful. "The tigers have been mating. Even ST-1 would have fathered some cubs had he been alive. But now, we have ST-4 and with time I am sure Sariska would see cubs," he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Sariska-to-test-samples-of-tiger-scat/articleshow/8654698.cms
It has been three years since the tigresses were relocated to the Sariska reserve from Ranthambore and till now no cubs have been born.
"We have collected scat (feces, a waste product produced in the digestive tract) samples of the tigress and we will be sending them to a laboratory based in Hyderabad to check if the big cats at Sariska are suffering from any hormonal imbalances. The samples will be send in three batches at intervals of 10 days," U M Sahai, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan, said.
Currently, there are three tigresses and two male tigers at the Sariska national park but despite having mated several times, the tigresses have not been able to produce any offspring. One of the male tigers ST-1, the first to be relocated to Sariska, died last year after it was poisoned by villagers.
Sariska's irony lies in the fact that the Panna tiger reserve that followed the example of Sariska in relocating tigers, has already seen cubs being born. Sariska continues to wait.
"These scat samples will be of male and female tigers. The purpose is to see if any of them are suffering from any hormonal imbalance," a source said.
The issue gathered steam in a workshop organised on the Challenges Ahead for rebuilding Sariska by the Sariska Tiger Foundation. Most of the speakers harped on the non-birth of cubs at the reserve.
Principal secretary forest and environment VS Singh felt that the portion of the reserve that was open to tourism was a very small fraction of the park. "What happens is that there are too many tourists that come into the arena resulting in stress for the tigers," he said.
Others felt that the tigers being sibling to each other has deterred them from producing any offspring despite having mated with each other. And yet others were of the opinion that the big cats were not mature enough to produce any off spring and felt that new ones will be born within a couple of years.
Even R N Mehrotra, head of the forest force, Rajasthan was hopeful. "The tigers have been mating. Even ST-1 would have fathered some cubs had he been alive. But now, we have ST-4 and with time I am sure Sariska would see cubs," he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Sariska-to-test-samples-of-tiger-scat/articleshow/8654698.cms
Three tiger cubs Bor's new guests Vijay Pinjarkar /, TNN
NAGPUR: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have estimated the presence of 12 tigers in and around the Bor wildlife sanctuary, 60 km from Nagpur, but the number may be pegged at 15, with three new cubs being sighted recently.
A tigress with two-month-old three cubs - one male and two females - was first sighted in the Bor sanctuary by the field staff in March in the sanctuary's 'no-go' zone. The news was kept under wraps to ensure safety of the animals. The cubs are healthy and now four months old.
The entry of new tiger cubs shows that the 62 sq km Bor is becoming a breeding ground for tigers with cubs being born every year. In 2008, a tigress with three cubs, then one more tigress with two cubs in 2009, followed by another tigress with a cub in 2010 and three cubs in 2011.
Talking to TOI, A Ashraf, field director and conservator of forests, Pench tiger reserve, said this seems to be the first litter of the tigress. "Better protection, good prey base and availability of water are three key factors why Bor is becoming a safe haven for tigers," Ashraf stressed.
The results of the 2010 national tiger assessment, conducted nationally every four years by the NTCA and WII, says that Bor has 12 tigers in the 560 sq km area. However, experts say most of the tigers are Bor residents and move in the 10-15 km periphery of the sanctuary.
"Even if the tiger presence is shown in the 560 sq km area around Bor, it is the result of WII's extrapolation technique implemented on the basis of data collected from a high tiger density area," conservationists explained.
It is not only the tigers that have been multiplying but the herbivore population has also seen a jump. During a visit, flock of peacocks, herds of chital, nilgais, wild boars and sambars and a variety of bird species were sighted.
Although improved wildlife sightings in Bor is a good indication, the sanctuary needs enhanced protection and habitat management, especially in the forest areas surrounding it. The biggest threat that Bor faces today is from forest fires. Tendu collection in the 5 km area around the sanctuary needs to be banned completely. This season around 800 hectares of forest was destroyed in the ground fire.
Ashraf admits fires are a big threat. More funds have been sought this year for various works like habitat management, water conservation, fire line tracing, meadows etc. "Our focus will be on rejuvenating natural water sources instead of more saucer-shaped water holes," he added. Sources said Rs 45 lakh has been sought for Bor this year.
Tourist Robin Sonkar says the sanctuary needs better road connectivity to ease congestion on one single road. Guides need to be well-dressed and trained properly.
At present, roads upto 20 km are meant for tourism. There is scope to develop roads by another 20 km from Salaikala-Bhulaidoh-Karai and Gavhankhedi-Manoli-Sukli. This will help better movement of vehicles. Roads for monitoring by the field staff also need to be developed. "There is a need to develop circulating roads for better vehicle distribution," demanded Sonkar. Ashraf says the proposal to develop roads in the sanctuary and in the 'no-go' zone of Khorikhapa is under consideration.
A section of field staff stressed the need for revising the beat area as one guard handles an area of around 1,000 hectares. Ashraf informed that the proposal to revise beats is also under consideration.
The check-posts at Bor need basic equipment like chair, cots, table etc. The staff has not received uniform since 2007. The life of staff quarters, owned by the irrigation department, is crumbling and badly needs renovation. However, officials say funds are a problem.
The number of tigers going up has led to sporadic rise in attacks. In the last one month three villagers have been attacked outside the sanctuary. The area belongs to the territorial department. Compensation has not been paid.
G B Mahure, president of Bor Foundation, says that of late, villagers have been speaking against tigers owing to attacks and cattle kills. Delay in compensation will go against tigers, he cautioned.
WHY TIGERS BREED IN BOR
NO VILLAGES: No village inside the reserve. Hence, human presence minimum leading to good breeding
WATER: Good water availability is the basic requirement. Bor is surrounded by a dam. There is plenty of water. Backwaters have dense bushes and water round the year make it a good habitat
PROTECTION: Breeding of tigers is an indication that protection has increased. However, there is need to increase staff instead of reducing it due to hike in wages
PREY BASE: One more reason for good breeding is increase in prey base. There is increase in number of animals. Herds of chitals are sighted even outside the sanctuary. Besides, surrounded by farms from all sides, cattle is easily available.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Three-tiger-cubs-Bors-new-guests/articleshow/8651890.cms
A tigress with two-month-old three cubs - one male and two females - was first sighted in the Bor sanctuary by the field staff in March in the sanctuary's 'no-go' zone. The news was kept under wraps to ensure safety of the animals. The cubs are healthy and now four months old.
The entry of new tiger cubs shows that the 62 sq km Bor is becoming a breeding ground for tigers with cubs being born every year. In 2008, a tigress with three cubs, then one more tigress with two cubs in 2009, followed by another tigress with a cub in 2010 and three cubs in 2011.
Talking to TOI, A Ashraf, field director and conservator of forests, Pench tiger reserve, said this seems to be the first litter of the tigress. "Better protection, good prey base and availability of water are three key factors why Bor is becoming a safe haven for tigers," Ashraf stressed.
The results of the 2010 national tiger assessment, conducted nationally every four years by the NTCA and WII, says that Bor has 12 tigers in the 560 sq km area. However, experts say most of the tigers are Bor residents and move in the 10-15 km periphery of the sanctuary.
"Even if the tiger presence is shown in the 560 sq km area around Bor, it is the result of WII's extrapolation technique implemented on the basis of data collected from a high tiger density area," conservationists explained.
It is not only the tigers that have been multiplying but the herbivore population has also seen a jump. During a visit, flock of peacocks, herds of chital, nilgais, wild boars and sambars and a variety of bird species were sighted.
Although improved wildlife sightings in Bor is a good indication, the sanctuary needs enhanced protection and habitat management, especially in the forest areas surrounding it. The biggest threat that Bor faces today is from forest fires. Tendu collection in the 5 km area around the sanctuary needs to be banned completely. This season around 800 hectares of forest was destroyed in the ground fire.
Ashraf admits fires are a big threat. More funds have been sought this year for various works like habitat management, water conservation, fire line tracing, meadows etc. "Our focus will be on rejuvenating natural water sources instead of more saucer-shaped water holes," he added. Sources said Rs 45 lakh has been sought for Bor this year.
Tourist Robin Sonkar says the sanctuary needs better road connectivity to ease congestion on one single road. Guides need to be well-dressed and trained properly.
At present, roads upto 20 km are meant for tourism. There is scope to develop roads by another 20 km from Salaikala-Bhulaidoh-Karai and Gavhankhedi-Manoli-Sukli. This will help better movement of vehicles. Roads for monitoring by the field staff also need to be developed. "There is a need to develop circulating roads for better vehicle distribution," demanded Sonkar. Ashraf says the proposal to develop roads in the sanctuary and in the 'no-go' zone of Khorikhapa is under consideration.
A section of field staff stressed the need for revising the beat area as one guard handles an area of around 1,000 hectares. Ashraf informed that the proposal to revise beats is also under consideration.
The check-posts at Bor need basic equipment like chair, cots, table etc. The staff has not received uniform since 2007. The life of staff quarters, owned by the irrigation department, is crumbling and badly needs renovation. However, officials say funds are a problem.
The number of tigers going up has led to sporadic rise in attacks. In the last one month three villagers have been attacked outside the sanctuary. The area belongs to the territorial department. Compensation has not been paid.
G B Mahure, president of Bor Foundation, says that of late, villagers have been speaking against tigers owing to attacks and cattle kills. Delay in compensation will go against tigers, he cautioned.
WHY TIGERS BREED IN BOR
NO VILLAGES: No village inside the reserve. Hence, human presence minimum leading to good breeding
WATER: Good water availability is the basic requirement. Bor is surrounded by a dam. There is plenty of water. Backwaters have dense bushes and water round the year make it a good habitat
PROTECTION: Breeding of tigers is an indication that protection has increased. However, there is need to increase staff instead of reducing it due to hike in wages
PREY BASE: One more reason for good breeding is increase in prey base. There is increase in number of animals. Herds of chitals are sighted even outside the sanctuary. Besides, surrounded by farms from all sides, cattle is easily available.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Three-tiger-cubs-Bors-new-guests/articleshow/8651890.cms
Latest technologies to support wildlife conservation
BANGALORE/CHENNAI: India's wildlife and forest management officials are finding a new way of dealing with endangered fauna - by using simple but effective technology tools such as radio sensor tagging that helps in tracking the movement and breeding of these animals. A pitched battle is being waged by conservationists, the government and non-government organisations to save India's national animal, the magnificent tiger, from extinction and technology is at the centre of the efforts being made. Simple technology is being used extensively to estimate, track and protect the remaining 1,706 tigers across the country.
To the surprise and dismay of many, the 2006 tiger census said there were only 1,411 tigers left in the country. The 2010 census found the numbers going up to 1706 but habitats were shrinking rapidly. The technology aided census has been useful in coming up with a fairly realistic number that drives home the gravity of the problem, which was hitherto little known. Until the 'project tiger' efforts of 2006, tiger habitats in India were relatively unknown. With the use of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS), the government was able to identify potential tiger habitats. In the same project, with the use of camera traps, reliable population estimation of this elusive species was made. "These are landmark developments in integrating technology with mainstream conservation," said PR Sinha, director, Wild Life Institute of India.
During the survey, officials used radio telemetry, satellite tracking, geographical information systems and global positioning systems to count tigers. In the first phase of the Rs 9.1-crore tiger census, field data was collected by trained people. In the second phase, tiger habitats were analysed using satellite data while in the third, hi-tech cameras were installed at strategic points to count tigers. "This was a massive exercise we undertook in which technology played a major role," says Sinha. Nearly six lakh square kilometres of forest was assessed in 17 states using remote sensing data.
The Wild Life Institute of India is also helping authorities to prosecute offenders by churning out forensic data. "We do DNA analysis and other forensic studies to help law enforcement nail poachers," he added.
SIMPLE TOOLS
Radio telemetry is a simple technology used extensively by wildlifers. The technology -- which uses radio waves emitted from a transmitter attached to an animal to track and monitor them -- was developed in the United States in the 1960s. "Radio tagging has been a real break through in tracking cats, nocturnal animals, or to track long distance migrations like that of turtles or whales," says Ullas Karanth , tiger expert and conservation zoologist.
Using telemetry, it was found that the Oilve Ridley sea turtle travels all the way to Sri Lanka from the Orissa coast where they have mass nests. It was also used to identify migratory pathways of Siberian Cranes, trans-boundary movement of tiger, snow leopard and elephant, and homing-instincts of relocated mammals from as far as 400km away.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/latest-technologies-to-support-wildlife-conservation/articleshow/8655719.cms
To the surprise and dismay of many, the 2006 tiger census said there were only 1,411 tigers left in the country. The 2010 census found the numbers going up to 1706 but habitats were shrinking rapidly. The technology aided census has been useful in coming up with a fairly realistic number that drives home the gravity of the problem, which was hitherto little known. Until the 'project tiger' efforts of 2006, tiger habitats in India were relatively unknown. With the use of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS), the government was able to identify potential tiger habitats. In the same project, with the use of camera traps, reliable population estimation of this elusive species was made. "These are landmark developments in integrating technology with mainstream conservation," said PR Sinha, director, Wild Life Institute of India.
During the survey, officials used radio telemetry, satellite tracking, geographical information systems and global positioning systems to count tigers. In the first phase of the Rs 9.1-crore tiger census, field data was collected by trained people. In the second phase, tiger habitats were analysed using satellite data while in the third, hi-tech cameras were installed at strategic points to count tigers. "This was a massive exercise we undertook in which technology played a major role," says Sinha. Nearly six lakh square kilometres of forest was assessed in 17 states using remote sensing data.
The Wild Life Institute of India is also helping authorities to prosecute offenders by churning out forensic data. "We do DNA analysis and other forensic studies to help law enforcement nail poachers," he added.
SIMPLE TOOLS
Radio telemetry is a simple technology used extensively by wildlifers. The technology -- which uses radio waves emitted from a transmitter attached to an animal to track and monitor them -- was developed in the United States in the 1960s. "Radio tagging has been a real break through in tracking cats, nocturnal animals, or to track long distance migrations like that of turtles or whales," says Ullas Karanth , tiger expert and conservation zoologist.
Using telemetry, it was found that the Oilve Ridley sea turtle travels all the way to Sri Lanka from the Orissa coast where they have mass nests. It was also used to identify migratory pathways of Siberian Cranes, trans-boundary movement of tiger, snow leopard and elephant, and homing-instincts of relocated mammals from as far as 400km away.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/latest-technologies-to-support-wildlife-conservation/articleshow/8655719.cms
Monday, May 30, 2011
Radio collars a mating impediment? Rachna Singh, TNN
JAIPUR: It has been about three years since the first tiger was re-located to Sariska National Park from Ranthambhore. But so far, despite reports of tigers mating, the mystery is that they are not breeding.
This is one of the issues that the Sariska Tiger Foundation is going to discuss in Jaipur, at a technical workshop on Rebuilding Sariska: Challenges Ahead.' The workshop will include lectures on tiger reserve management, tiger monitoring and protection by various wildlife experts and delegates from wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun on Monday.
According to Sunayan Sharma senior vice president Sariska Tiger Foundation, "All matings have failed in delivering any litter. This is a matter of serious concern. On the other hand Panna is a success story. There must be some scientific explanation behind this mystery. Scientists should find answers to this question. May be that can give input to the reserve management which help the tigresses breed. If the radio collar is causing any kind of disturbance than may be it can be removed early as the animal gets settled in the new location."
The thought echoes similar opinion expressed earlier by K L Saini (retd) IFS and former field director Tiger Project Sariska from 1984 to 88 who felt that even while the radio collars were one of the best ways to monitor tiger movement, once the tiger establishes its territory and before the start of mating season, the radio collars should be removed from at least the female's neck.
"My submission that the radio collars might be a hindrance at the time of mating is on the basis of dealing with tigers in national parks, Wildlife sanctuaries and zoos' during my service of 30 years. And a little knowledge about the sexual behaviour of tigers and all other cats would justify that radio collars be removed from the neck of the female cats after they settle in their territories for successful revival of tigers in Sariska," said Saini.
Among the other issues is also the rehabilitation of Bawarias the hunter gatherer community which is skilled only in hunting and till date this is the main source of their livelihood.
"Surprisingly they have been kept deprived of the benefits of various governmental schemes, basically launched to benefit such poor sections of the society. They have not been issued Voter I.D./B.P.L.cards. They are even deprived of employment under Narega. In this matter I have been trying hard from this organisation s side for last one yr. with the district administration but of no avail," said Dinesh Durrani founder and general secretary Sariska Tiger Foundation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Radio-collars-a-mating-impediment/articleshow/8641440.cms
This is one of the issues that the Sariska Tiger Foundation is going to discuss in Jaipur, at a technical workshop on Rebuilding Sariska: Challenges Ahead.' The workshop will include lectures on tiger reserve management, tiger monitoring and protection by various wildlife experts and delegates from wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun on Monday.
According to Sunayan Sharma senior vice president Sariska Tiger Foundation, "All matings have failed in delivering any litter. This is a matter of serious concern. On the other hand Panna is a success story. There must be some scientific explanation behind this mystery. Scientists should find answers to this question. May be that can give input to the reserve management which help the tigresses breed. If the radio collar is causing any kind of disturbance than may be it can be removed early as the animal gets settled in the new location."
The thought echoes similar opinion expressed earlier by K L Saini (retd) IFS and former field director Tiger Project Sariska from 1984 to 88 who felt that even while the radio collars were one of the best ways to monitor tiger movement, once the tiger establishes its territory and before the start of mating season, the radio collars should be removed from at least the female's neck.
"My submission that the radio collars might be a hindrance at the time of mating is on the basis of dealing with tigers in national parks, Wildlife sanctuaries and zoos' during my service of 30 years. And a little knowledge about the sexual behaviour of tigers and all other cats would justify that radio collars be removed from the neck of the female cats after they settle in their territories for successful revival of tigers in Sariska," said Saini.
Among the other issues is also the rehabilitation of Bawarias the hunter gatherer community which is skilled only in hunting and till date this is the main source of their livelihood.
"Surprisingly they have been kept deprived of the benefits of various governmental schemes, basically launched to benefit such poor sections of the society. They have not been issued Voter I.D./B.P.L.cards. They are even deprived of employment under Narega. In this matter I have been trying hard from this organisation s side for last one yr. with the district administration but of no avail," said Dinesh Durrani founder and general secretary Sariska Tiger Foundation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Radio-collars-a-mating-impediment/articleshow/8641440.cms
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Jairam announces shifting guidelines from tiger areas
New Delhi: Environment and Forests Ministry has notified draft guidelines for voluntary relocation and rehabilitation of villages and dwellers from notified core or critical tiger habitats of tiger reserves, providing a fixed compensation of Rs 10 lakhs to each family under Project Tiger.
Minister Jairam Ramesh has stressed that the relocation should be entirely voluntary and not forced, respecting the rights of forest dwellers, in the process to be followed for effective conservation and protection of tigers. The 13-page draft is available on the ministry website to seek inputs from stakeholders in the next 30 days, up to June 26.
The draft makes it clear that the relocation should be limited to the “critical tiger habitats” as defined under The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and not in the buffer or peripheral areas where the co-existence of human activity is permitted but to a lesser degree.
It requires State Governments to first identify critical tiger habitats as laid down by National Tiger Conservation Authority and then go for relocation of families and villages from such areas. It stresses that even in case of voluntary relocation, “the rights of people should be recognised and settled before relocation”.
The draft lays down detailed operational guidelines for relocating villages and involving the local Gram Sabha at every stage, right from preparing record of forest rights to verification of dwellers, delineation on a map, prioritising villages, cut off date for residing families and choice of options.
It requires that a meeting of the concerned Gram Sabha be convened with active participation of villagers to be relocated and they must be informed about the details of the critical tiger habitat, its importance, man-tiger conflict, options available under voluntary resettlement for payment, process of relocation and rehabilitation and a grievance redressal system.
Whether a dweller opts for cash compensation of Rs 10 lakhs per family without wanting any rehabilitation or relocation by forest department or agrees for relocation and rehabilitation, Centre will be providing only Rs 10 lakhs per family and it would be up to State Government to provide more compensation if felt necessary in the second option.
The cash option to families wishing to settle elsewhere also has checks and balances as the money will be released by the district collector only after they produce evidence of procuring alternate land. Only after villagers give due consent that Government will proceed with valuation of recognised rights and assets of villagers.
The draft also envisages that a minimum Rs 3 lakhs out of cash compensation will be in fixed deposit for three years to ensure interest payment to relocated villagers. Also, the lump-sum payment of Rs 10 lakhs will be deposited in beneficiary’s joint account with spouse in case of a married individual.
In case, the villagers through Gram Sabha do not agree for the lump-sum payment and demand due compensation for their assets, the draft lays down that they will get compensation proportionate to their assets as per valuation by the collector and the balance amount will be distributed equally to all eligible families.
However, those wanting Forest Department to relocate and rehabilitate them, the draft envisages allocation of two hectares of agriculture land per family and diversion of degraded forest land for the purpose with due clearance if revenue land is not available. Thirty per cent of total package of Rs 10 lakhs will be given as compensation for their assets. If the assets of an entire village exceeds 30 per cent of the package, the balance has to be funded by the State Government.
In case of agricultural land made available free of cost, the draft provides for 35 per cent of total package spent on creating community facilities. The draft also recommends dovetailing relocation of villages in a state-level rehabilitation act for project affected persons as done for national parks and sanctuaries by Maharashtra Government through its Act passed in 2001 to ensure development benefits to relocated families.
http://oheraldo.in/news/Main%20Page%20News/Jairam-announces-shifting-guidelines-from-tiger-areas/48604.html
Minister Jairam Ramesh has stressed that the relocation should be entirely voluntary and not forced, respecting the rights of forest dwellers, in the process to be followed for effective conservation and protection of tigers. The 13-page draft is available on the ministry website to seek inputs from stakeholders in the next 30 days, up to June 26.
The draft makes it clear that the relocation should be limited to the “critical tiger habitats” as defined under The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and not in the buffer or peripheral areas where the co-existence of human activity is permitted but to a lesser degree.
It requires State Governments to first identify critical tiger habitats as laid down by National Tiger Conservation Authority and then go for relocation of families and villages from such areas. It stresses that even in case of voluntary relocation, “the rights of people should be recognised and settled before relocation”.
The draft lays down detailed operational guidelines for relocating villages and involving the local Gram Sabha at every stage, right from preparing record of forest rights to verification of dwellers, delineation on a map, prioritising villages, cut off date for residing families and choice of options.
It requires that a meeting of the concerned Gram Sabha be convened with active participation of villagers to be relocated and they must be informed about the details of the critical tiger habitat, its importance, man-tiger conflict, options available under voluntary resettlement for payment, process of relocation and rehabilitation and a grievance redressal system.
Whether a dweller opts for cash compensation of Rs 10 lakhs per family without wanting any rehabilitation or relocation by forest department or agrees for relocation and rehabilitation, Centre will be providing only Rs 10 lakhs per family and it would be up to State Government to provide more compensation if felt necessary in the second option.
The cash option to families wishing to settle elsewhere also has checks and balances as the money will be released by the district collector only after they produce evidence of procuring alternate land. Only after villagers give due consent that Government will proceed with valuation of recognised rights and assets of villagers.
The draft also envisages that a minimum Rs 3 lakhs out of cash compensation will be in fixed deposit for three years to ensure interest payment to relocated villagers. Also, the lump-sum payment of Rs 10 lakhs will be deposited in beneficiary’s joint account with spouse in case of a married individual.
In case, the villagers through Gram Sabha do not agree for the lump-sum payment and demand due compensation for their assets, the draft lays down that they will get compensation proportionate to their assets as per valuation by the collector and the balance amount will be distributed equally to all eligible families.
However, those wanting Forest Department to relocate and rehabilitate them, the draft envisages allocation of two hectares of agriculture land per family and diversion of degraded forest land for the purpose with due clearance if revenue land is not available. Thirty per cent of total package of Rs 10 lakhs will be given as compensation for their assets. If the assets of an entire village exceeds 30 per cent of the package, the balance has to be funded by the State Government.
In case of agricultural land made available free of cost, the draft provides for 35 per cent of total package spent on creating community facilities. The draft also recommends dovetailing relocation of villages in a state-level rehabilitation act for project affected persons as done for national parks and sanctuaries by Maharashtra Government through its Act passed in 2001 to ensure development benefits to relocated families.
http://oheraldo.in/news/Main%20Page%20News/Jairam-announces-shifting-guidelines-from-tiger-areas/48604.html
Saturday, May 28, 2011
New guidelines to resettle tribals near tiger parks TNN
NEW DELHI: Scarred by the controversy over the environment ministry's attempt to brazenly relocate tribals from wildlife sanctuaries and parks, Jairam Ramesh has now proposed guidelines to resettle people specifically from tiger reserves.
The environment ministry had to withdraw the controversial regulations when it came under flak from tribal groups and re-issue a fresh set of rules.
The guidelines issued on Friday are specifically intended for tiger reserves. The relocation of people from tiger reserves as well as other sanctuaries has always been a controversial process but this got mired in greater conflict when the Forest Rights Act was promulgated. Just before the Act was enacted, the environment ministry moved swiftly to amend the Wildlife Protection Act and create a special dispensation for tiger reserves as different from other wildlife parks and sanctuaries.
The overlap of the two laws created a piquant situation requiring the government to get the existing wildlife parks and sanctuaries to be re-christened as 'critical wildlife habitats' if the forest department wanted to keep them free of people through a process set in the Forest Rights Act. This process is yet to begin.
For the tiger-bearing areas – whether national parks or sanctuaries – the environment ministry is required to get them declared as 'tiger reserves' by demarcating the lands and resettling people after settling the rights of the people under the Forest Rights Act.
The regulations are intended to set a formal protocol for such relocations from the identified tiger reserves. In the last meeting of the apex National Tiger Conservation Authority, several non-official members had raised concerns about cases where rights of the people were not respected while attempting to relocate them and declare the site as tiger reserve.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/New-guidelines-to-resettle-tribals-near-tiger-parks/articleshow/8612638.cms
The environment ministry had to withdraw the controversial regulations when it came under flak from tribal groups and re-issue a fresh set of rules.
The guidelines issued on Friday are specifically intended for tiger reserves. The relocation of people from tiger reserves as well as other sanctuaries has always been a controversial process but this got mired in greater conflict when the Forest Rights Act was promulgated. Just before the Act was enacted, the environment ministry moved swiftly to amend the Wildlife Protection Act and create a special dispensation for tiger reserves as different from other wildlife parks and sanctuaries.
The overlap of the two laws created a piquant situation requiring the government to get the existing wildlife parks and sanctuaries to be re-christened as 'critical wildlife habitats' if the forest department wanted to keep them free of people through a process set in the Forest Rights Act. This process is yet to begin.
For the tiger-bearing areas – whether national parks or sanctuaries – the environment ministry is required to get them declared as 'tiger reserves' by demarcating the lands and resettling people after settling the rights of the people under the Forest Rights Act.
The regulations are intended to set a formal protocol for such relocations from the identified tiger reserves. In the last meeting of the apex National Tiger Conservation Authority, several non-official members had raised concerns about cases where rights of the people were not respected while attempting to relocate them and declare the site as tiger reserve.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/New-guidelines-to-resettle-tribals-near-tiger-parks/articleshow/8612638.cms
State wants spl training for Similipal tiger guards TNN
BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Thursday asked the Centre to train youths recruited for the special tiger protection force ( STPF) at Similipal, at CRPF or BSF bases.
At a meeting with Union environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh in New Delhi, state forest and environment minister Debi Prasad Mishra also requested him to release Rs 10 crore for Similipal Biosphere Reserve. The Union minister agreed to do so within July.
Earlier, the state government had submitted a Management Action Plan for the Similipal Biosphere Reserve under the Central Plan scheme. Mishra also sought Rs170 crore more under the CAMPA fund stating that the state has already utilized a substantive part of it. Ramesh promised to release the money in July. The state minister took up proposals for conservation of wetlands like Daha, Kanjia, Kuanria and Ansupa, beside the mangroves of Bhitarkanika with Ramesh.
He discussed the establishment of National Wetlands Development and Eco System Research and Training Centre at Bhubaneswar for which Ramesh said Rs 10 crore has already been approved. Mishra told Ramesh that coal washeries had been causing lot of pollution in the state and suggested the MoEF review the condition. Among other issues discussed included removal of dry bamboo from Satkosia Tiger Reserve and sanction of 5,000 eco-clubs for the state. Ramesh said he has plans to visit Similipal in the first week of July.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/State-wants-spl-training-for-Similipal-tiger-guards/articleshow/8593111.cms
At a meeting with Union environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh in New Delhi, state forest and environment minister Debi Prasad Mishra also requested him to release Rs 10 crore for Similipal Biosphere Reserve. The Union minister agreed to do so within July.
Earlier, the state government had submitted a Management Action Plan for the Similipal Biosphere Reserve under the Central Plan scheme. Mishra also sought Rs170 crore more under the CAMPA fund stating that the state has already utilized a substantive part of it. Ramesh promised to release the money in July. The state minister took up proposals for conservation of wetlands like Daha, Kanjia, Kuanria and Ansupa, beside the mangroves of Bhitarkanika with Ramesh.
He discussed the establishment of National Wetlands Development and Eco System Research and Training Centre at Bhubaneswar for which Ramesh said Rs 10 crore has already been approved. Mishra told Ramesh that coal washeries had been causing lot of pollution in the state and suggested the MoEF review the condition. Among other issues discussed included removal of dry bamboo from Satkosia Tiger Reserve and sanction of 5,000 eco-clubs for the state. Ramesh said he has plans to visit Similipal in the first week of July.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/State-wants-spl-training-for-Similipal-tiger-guards/articleshow/8593111.cms
Friday, May 27, 2011
NTCA office starts operation sans a head- TNN
NAGPUR: Nearly a month after it was inaugurated, the regional office of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) started its operation on Thursday from Ravi Nagar.
The NTCA office was inaugurated by union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh and chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on April 27, since then the office was locked.
TOI's visit to the office on Thursday found that wildlife veterinarian Dr A D Kholkute, who has been appointed as a consultant, was sitting in the office. The furniture has been hired from the adjoining working plan office and arrangement for fans has also been made.
NTCA sources said they have already appointed Ravikiran Govekar, assistant inspector general (AIG), forests, on May 11. The state government has been informed about it but has not yet relieved Govekar. Govekar is deputy conservator of forests with Allapalli wildlife division.
In the meanwhile, the MoEF has taken no steps to appoint an inspector general (IG), a rank of chief conservator of forests (CCF), to head the NTCA office.
General manager of Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) Shree Bhagwan was tipped to head the office but the MoEF has not issued a notification yet. Bhagwan was not available for comments.
The state government delay in relieving Govekar and MoEF in appointing an officer to head the NTCA office here may cost dear. A section of officials feared that it may not happen that the regional office is shifted to Bhopal.
Earlier, the central office of MoEF and later the office of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) were proposed to come up at Nagpur. However, MoEF office was set up in Bhopal and WCCB in Jabalpur. "MP still considers itself to be a tiger state and must be eyeing the NTCA office," state forest officials feared.
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 the 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, its opening seems to be a futile exercise.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NTCA-office-starts-operation-sans-a-head/articleshow/8594202.cms
The NTCA office was inaugurated by union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh and chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on April 27, since then the office was locked.
TOI's visit to the office on Thursday found that wildlife veterinarian Dr A D Kholkute, who has been appointed as a consultant, was sitting in the office. The furniture has been hired from the adjoining working plan office and arrangement for fans has also been made.
NTCA sources said they have already appointed Ravikiran Govekar, assistant inspector general (AIG), forests, on May 11. The state government has been informed about it but has not yet relieved Govekar. Govekar is deputy conservator of forests with Allapalli wildlife division.
In the meanwhile, the MoEF has taken no steps to appoint an inspector general (IG), a rank of chief conservator of forests (CCF), to head the NTCA office.
General manager of Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) Shree Bhagwan was tipped to head the office but the MoEF has not issued a notification yet. Bhagwan was not available for comments.
The state government delay in relieving Govekar and MoEF in appointing an officer to head the NTCA office here may cost dear. A section of officials feared that it may not happen that the regional office is shifted to Bhopal.
Earlier, the central office of MoEF and later the office of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) were proposed to come up at Nagpur. However, MoEF office was set up in Bhopal and WCCB in Jabalpur. "MP still considers itself to be a tiger state and must be eyeing the NTCA office," state forest officials feared.
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 the 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, its opening seems to be a futile exercise.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NTCA-office-starts-operation-sans-a-head/articleshow/8594202.cms
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tiger mauls forest labourer TNN
BHANDARA: A tigress mauled a forest labourer in the Sawarla reserve forest in Paoni range on Tuesday afternoon. The victim was admitted to the Paoni rural hospital and is reportedly out of danger.
The tigress recently delivered three cubs in Sawarla forest. One of the cubs came out of the bushes and went near the tank where the labourer was working. The tigress followed the cub and on seeing the labourer attacked him. Later, the tigress and the cub disappeared into the forest.
Paoni range forest officer U B Mahakalkar said that labourers go deep into the forests to collect tendu leaves. This may have disturbed the animal and forced her to attack.
"We have urged villagers and labourers not to go deep into the forests because apart from the tigress and her cubs, a male tiger too is doing the rounds in that area," said Mahakalkar.
There are seven tigers in Paoni range which has abundant prey base. "Humans staying away from the area helps in increasing the tiger population and also saves lives," added the forest official.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-mauls-forest-labourer/articleshow/8576092.cms
The tigress recently delivered three cubs in Sawarla forest. One of the cubs came out of the bushes and went near the tank where the labourer was working. The tigress followed the cub and on seeing the labourer attacked him. Later, the tigress and the cub disappeared into the forest.
Paoni range forest officer U B Mahakalkar said that labourers go deep into the forests to collect tendu leaves. This may have disturbed the animal and forced her to attack.
"We have urged villagers and labourers not to go deep into the forests because apart from the tigress and her cubs, a male tiger too is doing the rounds in that area," said Mahakalkar.
There are seven tigers in Paoni range which has abundant prey base. "Humans staying away from the area helps in increasing the tiger population and also saves lives," added the forest official.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-mauls-forest-labourer/articleshow/8576092.cms
Tiger census from November: Ramesh
Bhopal: Tiger census will be carried out in 40 reserves across the country from November, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh Wednesday said. "The big cat census in the 40 tiger reserves of the country will commence from November and the exercise will end in a year's time," Jairam told reporters here. He said that the latest census was being done on the basis of tiger landscape, in which Madhya Pradesh lost its tiger state tag to Karnataka.
About the Madhya Pradesh government's claim that there were more tigers in the world-famous Kanha Reserve than revealed in the latest census, he said, "There was no politics in the census and nothing should be read into it."
About Madhya Pradesh's Panna Reserve that had become devoid of tigers two years ago, he said that the translocation of the striped animal to the reserve is underway and there were around eight big cats. "There are some issues regarding people, which need to be addressed in Panna," he said, adding people around the reserves play an important part in tiger conservation.
http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=9387557&programId=1073754912&pageTypeId=1073754893&contentType=EDITORIAL
About the Madhya Pradesh government's claim that there were more tigers in the world-famous Kanha Reserve than revealed in the latest census, he said, "There was no politics in the census and nothing should be read into it."
About Madhya Pradesh's Panna Reserve that had become devoid of tigers two years ago, he said that the translocation of the striped animal to the reserve is underway and there were around eight big cats. "There are some issues regarding people, which need to be addressed in Panna," he said, adding people around the reserves play an important part in tiger conservation.
http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=9387557&programId=1073754912&pageTypeId=1073754893&contentType=EDITORIAL
Tadoba may be closed for tourists this monsoon Mazhar Ali, TNN
CHANDRAPUR: After over 15 years of its creation, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) may, for the first time, close its gates for tourists during this monsoon season. TATR is the only tiger reserve in the state that remains open for tourists during rainy season. However, authorities have taken a cue from other reserves and now decided to close it for tourist during monsoon. A proposal to this effect has been forwarded to higher ups for approval.
TATR, spread over 625.40 sq km, was created in 1995 by merging Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. Tourist arrangements in Tadoba have seen several changes during the last few years. It began with removal of halting facility in Tadoba range and closure of tourist rest house in the heart of tiger land over three years back. Soon, open tourist gypsies started plying in the tiger reserve for convenience of the visitors. New entry gates were opened for easy access for visitors into the tiger reserve. Several tourist resorts mushroomed around the tiger reserve and forest department too constructed several facilities to serve the tourists. Timings of entry and exit were adjusted according to seasons. All these steps were taken in view of having better balance between tourism and protection and conservation of wildlife, particularly tigers in the TATR.
TATR field director Vinaykumar Sinha said, "All tiger reserves are closed for tourists during monsoon, but TATR is the exception. However, we have decided to close our park for tourists from this rainy season and have sought approval from PCCF office." If the proposal is cleared, the reserve would be closed for tourists between mid-June and first week of October. He held that though tourism would be hampered during monsoon, but closure would help the park managers in better management and protection.
Nitin Desai, wildlife activist and director (Central India) of Wildlife Protection Society of India, welcomed the move, but with some apprehensions. "Closure of park during rainy season has its pros and cons. While lesser tourism is good for flourishing of wildlife and forest, it is harmful from the point of view of protection as poachers may be encouraged to intrude into the reserve due to lesser tourist activity." Desai held that roads in tiger reserve are extensive damaged to the by vehicular movement during rainy season. Moreover, wildlife sighting is reduced due to spread of greenery everywhere. There is also a possibility accident with wildlife due thick growth of foliage during rainy season, hence closure could come handy. "With no tourists moving around for almost four months, forest thieves might take advantage. Hence, TATR authorities need to ensure enhanced protection if they close the park," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tadoba-may-be-closed-for-tourists-this-monsoon/articleshow/8561694.cms
TATR, spread over 625.40 sq km, was created in 1995 by merging Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. Tourist arrangements in Tadoba have seen several changes during the last few years. It began with removal of halting facility in Tadoba range and closure of tourist rest house in the heart of tiger land over three years back. Soon, open tourist gypsies started plying in the tiger reserve for convenience of the visitors. New entry gates were opened for easy access for visitors into the tiger reserve. Several tourist resorts mushroomed around the tiger reserve and forest department too constructed several facilities to serve the tourists. Timings of entry and exit were adjusted according to seasons. All these steps were taken in view of having better balance between tourism and protection and conservation of wildlife, particularly tigers in the TATR.
TATR field director Vinaykumar Sinha said, "All tiger reserves are closed for tourists during monsoon, but TATR is the exception. However, we have decided to close our park for tourists from this rainy season and have sought approval from PCCF office." If the proposal is cleared, the reserve would be closed for tourists between mid-June and first week of October. He held that though tourism would be hampered during monsoon, but closure would help the park managers in better management and protection.
Nitin Desai, wildlife activist and director (Central India) of Wildlife Protection Society of India, welcomed the move, but with some apprehensions. "Closure of park during rainy season has its pros and cons. While lesser tourism is good for flourishing of wildlife and forest, it is harmful from the point of view of protection as poachers may be encouraged to intrude into the reserve due to lesser tourist activity." Desai held that roads in tiger reserve are extensive damaged to the by vehicular movement during rainy season. Moreover, wildlife sighting is reduced due to spread of greenery everywhere. There is also a possibility accident with wildlife due thick growth of foliage during rainy season, hence closure could come handy. "With no tourists moving around for almost four months, forest thieves might take advantage. Hence, TATR authorities need to ensure enhanced protection if they close the park," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tadoba-may-be-closed-for-tourists-this-monsoon/articleshow/8561694.cms
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Hunt begins for the big cat - First comprehensive tiger survey in Karbi Anglong district
Guwahati, May 24: Is it there? Or is it not? It is time for some answers as WWF India officials have for the first time begun a hunt for tigers in Karbi Anglong.
Twenty-five cameras are being placed at the Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary for this study to find big cats, the first comprehensive tiger sign survey in Karbi Anglong.
The Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong has been identified as a priority tiger landscape and is among the top 12 in the world.
The work on the survey, which will encompass nearly 2,000 square km in Karbi Anglong and will take around a month, has started from Monday with the forest department providing all necessary support to the team.
“There is hope for finding tiger signs,” Jimmy Borah, assistant coordinator Tiger programme WWF India, said. Kaziranga, bordering Karbi Anglong, has the world’s highest density of tigers at 32.64 tigers per 100 square km. The WWF team had just returned from Arunachal Pradesh.
The survey also holds importance for tigers in Kaziranga as it is shares a border with Karbi Anglong. “For the survival of tigers in Kaziranga, Karbi Anglong is important as we would like to know the habitat there,” tiger expert Firoz Ahmed of Aaranyak said.
The 451square km Marat Longri, which was declared a wildlife sanctuary in April 2003, is an important component of Dhansiri-Lumding elephant reserve. The survey will also examine the elephant status and habitat.
Last year, forest department authorities of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India, had started a reforestation drive to restore parts of encroached land in the Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary.
Karbi Anglong, the largest district in Assam with its five wildlife sanctuaries and two elephant reserves, plays a vital role in the protection and conservation of natural resources of the state.
A forest official said the corridors linking Kaziranga with the forests of Karbi Anglong have suffered extensive degradation because of encroachment, illegal logging, stone mining, growing settlements and tourist movements, which have severely disrupted wildlife movement, particularly during the flood season.
A report on Monitoring Tiger and Prey Animals of Kaziranga National Park, by Aaranyak, with technical support from Wildlife Institute of India last year, said gaur — one of the major prey species of tigers — which was common in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape, has nearly disappeared from the Kaziranga National Park.
The primary reason for this depletion could be hunting in Karbi Anglong.
The report has suggested a scientific study in the hills of Karbi Anglong to address the issue of establishment of protected areas and protection of wildlife from hunting.
The State of the Forest Report, 2009, had found that the district had lost 37 square km of forest cover, compared to the 2007. Insurgency and shifting cultivation are the main reasons for this decline of forest cover in the district.
After covering Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary, the WWF team will then go to Lumding and Dhansiri areas.
Firoz Ahmed, a tiger expert with Aaranyak, said a lot of research work needed to be done on tigers in Assam as issues like genetic diversity are yet to be delved into.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110525/jsp/northeast/story_14023661.jsp
Twenty-five cameras are being placed at the Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary for this study to find big cats, the first comprehensive tiger sign survey in Karbi Anglong.
The Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong has been identified as a priority tiger landscape and is among the top 12 in the world.
The work on the survey, which will encompass nearly 2,000 square km in Karbi Anglong and will take around a month, has started from Monday with the forest department providing all necessary support to the team.
“There is hope for finding tiger signs,” Jimmy Borah, assistant coordinator Tiger programme WWF India, said. Kaziranga, bordering Karbi Anglong, has the world’s highest density of tigers at 32.64 tigers per 100 square km. The WWF team had just returned from Arunachal Pradesh.
The survey also holds importance for tigers in Kaziranga as it is shares a border with Karbi Anglong. “For the survival of tigers in Kaziranga, Karbi Anglong is important as we would like to know the habitat there,” tiger expert Firoz Ahmed of Aaranyak said.
The 451square km Marat Longri, which was declared a wildlife sanctuary in April 2003, is an important component of Dhansiri-Lumding elephant reserve. The survey will also examine the elephant status and habitat.
Last year, forest department authorities of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India, had started a reforestation drive to restore parts of encroached land in the Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary.
Karbi Anglong, the largest district in Assam with its five wildlife sanctuaries and two elephant reserves, plays a vital role in the protection and conservation of natural resources of the state.
A forest official said the corridors linking Kaziranga with the forests of Karbi Anglong have suffered extensive degradation because of encroachment, illegal logging, stone mining, growing settlements and tourist movements, which have severely disrupted wildlife movement, particularly during the flood season.
A report on Monitoring Tiger and Prey Animals of Kaziranga National Park, by Aaranyak, with technical support from Wildlife Institute of India last year, said gaur — one of the major prey species of tigers — which was common in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape, has nearly disappeared from the Kaziranga National Park.
The primary reason for this depletion could be hunting in Karbi Anglong.
The report has suggested a scientific study in the hills of Karbi Anglong to address the issue of establishment of protected areas and protection of wildlife from hunting.
The State of the Forest Report, 2009, had found that the district had lost 37 square km of forest cover, compared to the 2007. Insurgency and shifting cultivation are the main reasons for this decline of forest cover in the district.
After covering Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary, the WWF team will then go to Lumding and Dhansiri areas.
Firoz Ahmed, a tiger expert with Aaranyak, said a lot of research work needed to be done on tigers in Assam as issues like genetic diversity are yet to be delved into.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110525/jsp/northeast/story_14023661.jsp
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Vidarbha to be tiger tourism hub, Surendra Gangan,DNA
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
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
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
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