Village vacated for big cats

SUNNY SEBASTIAN Almost five years after the first relocation of a village, inhabitants of another settlement inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan's Alwar district have moved out lock, stock and barrel, allowing more space for the wild animals and the existing population of tigers. The residents of Umri, village of Gujjar settlers, left last week for Rundh Mozpur, some 40 km away. “The village they cleared comes to some 2 sq km but that has facilitated some 50 sq km of inviolate space for the wild animals in Sariska,” said P.S. Somasekhar, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Rajasthan. “This is the second village to move out completely from the park. The whole process was peaceful with the full cooperation of the families involved,” he said. Sariska, much in the news in recent times for all the wrong reasons — perhaps, barring the experimental wild-to-wild re-introduction of tigers — is devoid of the status of a National Park because of the presence of 11 villages in the proposed area. Umri had a population of about 250, and cattle heads, double that number. “The families accepted the option of taking agricultural land as compensation. Each of the family gets six bighas of land and about Rs. 2 lakh as financial assistance in building a house. We have made arrangements for water supply and electricity to the new village,” said Mr. Somasekhar. The families have been divided into clusters of four for allotment of land. Mr. Somasekhar was the Field Director in Sariska when the first village, Baghani, moved out in 2007-08 to Barod Rundh, a locality in Alwar district not far from the Jaipur-Delhi stretch of the National Highway. After five years outside the forest, the residents of Barod Rundh are happy now about their decision. In fact, the good rehabilitation package given to the first village by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) seemingly helped others also to come forward. “We are finished with the work of clearing the settlement. The JCBs which brought down the houses have gone back. The villagers have collected what all they wanted from their settlements,” said Raghuveer Singh Shekhawat, Field Director, Sariska, speaking to The Hindu on phone. “Initially at least some families wanted more time. A little bit of persuasion from a visiting Forest Minister Bina Kak and the fact that the mustard crops they have planted in their newly allocated land are ripening made them go — rather happily, I would say,” Mr. Shekhawat noted. It appears that the shifting of Umri would have a cascading effect. “Rodkayla and Dabli villages are in the process of moving out. Eighty per cent of the families are done,” informed Mr. Shekhawat. Another four villages – Kiraska, Devri, Rourkala, and Hamirpur — are in various stages of relocation. In Kiraska, 80 families have moved out and 16 others have taken the second instalment of the package. “At this speed we expect the shifting to be complete in 2012-13,” Mr. Shekhawat observed. “February-March is the best time for shifting. Thereafter April-May-June.” There is a tailpiece to this happy ending. Mr. Shekhawat testifies that two big cats — ST 4 and ST 5 — were spotted in the habitation cleared by humans and the cattle. “They were there all these past three days rushing to the place as if they were waiting for the humans to leave,” he observed. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2893876.ece

Unseen tiger triggers jungle safari!

Source: DNA | Last Updated 04:16(14/02/12) Indore: Even as forest officials are yet to sight the tiger reported in Choral jungles by villages, the location around the forest has become a hot spot for visitors. Inquisitive animal lovers have started thronging the forest where the officials had found pug marks of the tiger. The unsolicited tourism started soon after the forest officers disclosed location of their findings while carrying out large-scale conservation efforts to save the big cat. Wildlife expert Dr Sudhir Khetawat told that the forest department should have ideally concealed exact location of the tiger. "They could have revealed information about presence of tiger but hidden where it was. This would have prevented people from visiting the jungles and disturbing the feline's territory," he suggested. However, a forest officer admitted that the department can't stop people from visiting the area. We know that movements of human beings might upset the tiger believed to be marking his territory, a senior forest officer on condition of anonymity said. In some cases, the forest department provided vehicles for VIP visitors to reach the exact spot where the evidence of tiger presence was collected. "We are bound by instructions from superiors," the forest officer said. The forest department had instructions to ensure that the tiger is preserved using all means possible. The officers were also told to prevent any kind of man-wildlife contact before the tiger settles down in the unprotected jungles. But the hype and hoopla created by the tiger sightings have led to binocular-trotting animal lovers from the city to spend weekends in nearby jungles. On how they plan to deal with a situation where they encounter the tiger in unprotected domain, the visitors had no answer. Dr Khetawat claimed that at present it is the animal lovers who are trying to locate the tiger. "Just imagine, if poachers also knew about the tiger's location in the unprotected jungles! We have lot of members from Pardhi community in the vicinity. They are infamous for tiger poaching," he added. http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MP-IND-unseen-tiger-triggers-jungle-safari-2860632.html

Forest dept to save injured wild tiger cub in Bandipur

February 14, 2012 DC Bengaluru The Forest Department will soon treat an ailing wild tiger cub inside the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The cub, aged little over a year, was sighted three days ago inside Bandipur game area with serious injuries. The department staff on a safari vehicle saw the cub and informed the higher-ups. On tracking the cub, the officials found out that it has been living its two siblings and the mother. The tracking team wanted to photograph the cub to know the extent and nature of the injury. But despite searching for the family whole of Sunday, they could not sight it and the operation had to be called off. An expert team from the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) was sent to Bandipur on Monday morning. By noon, the injured tiger was sighted on Somap-ura Road inside the forest. The search team photographed the cub and is trying to analyse the nature of the injury. “The tiger cub was lying near a water pond and we could take pictures of the injuries, which might have been caused either by a deer or by a tiger outside the family. We are waiting for orders to tranquilise the cub, so that the veterinarians can treat it. Till Monday evening, the tiger remained out of veterinarians’ reach, and the rescue operation will begin on Tuesday morning,” sources told Deccan Chronicle. “The tiger will be captured and treatment procedure will be initiated. Depending on the recovery, the cub will be released back in the same area where it is normally seen with its mother and two siblings,” the sour-ces added. But wildlife expert term have been opposing the forest department move, saying it is “intervention with the nature”. “Tigers have high mortality rate and one cannot intervene in the natural cycle of carnivores, such as tigers. But sometimes on humanitarian grounds such forced interventions become inevit-able,” said tiger biologist Dr K. Ullas Karanth. There have been such interventions earlier when researchers and forest officials have treated tigers and elephants. Last year, a team from the CID Forest Cell tried to save an ailing tusker on the banks of Kabini river after the mammoth refused to eat. But it failed, and the elephant died. In 2000, a male tiger caught in a jaw trap was treated by forest officials. But the tiger could not be released back into the wild as the doctors had to amputate its forelimb. The tiger, named Maasti, is now housed at a special enclosure in the Bannerghatta zoo. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/forest-dept-save-injured-wild-tiger-cub-bandipur-906

Row over prowling tiger at CISH as shooter called in

Controversy has erupted over a tiger prowling on the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) campus under Awadh Forest Division in Uttar Pradesh, barely 15 km from Lucknow. While the Forest Department and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) have failed to tranquilise it even after a month and a licensed shikari brought in to tackle it, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has stepped into protect the wild cat. A letter written by Deputy Director, NTCA and addressed to the Chief Wildlife Warden has stated that under no circumstances the straying tiger should be killed. Ironically, the move of NTCA comes only after certain wildlife activists including the former Environment Minister Maneka Gandhi raised hue and cry over the shikari’s arrival. The letter from NTCA says that the guidelines specified by the authority in handling man-tiger conflict must be strictly adhered to. The strayed animal should be monitored unobtrusively for tranquilising by trained personnel involving the Wildlife Institute of India for subsequent release in the wild after due examination with respect to disabilities, it said. The four-year-old tiger strayed into the campus from the Pilibhit forest, near River Gomti that runs across the forest reaching Lucknow. The tiger moved through the thick vegetation on either side of the river and sneaked into the CISH campus. The tiger is now trapped as it is unable to cross the highway due to heavy human pressures and traffic. After a month when the combined team of the State Forest Department and WTI have failed to tranquilise the animal, licensed shooter Nawab Shafath Ali Khan has been brought from Hyderabad. According to Chief Wildlife Warden, Mohammad Ehsaan, it is not easy to tranquilise a tiger. “The tranquilising gun can at best operate within a range of 25 metres, the process can only happen during the day. Khan has been summoned to tranquilise the animal,” he added. Well-placed sources pointed out that Khan is a national- level shooter, who carries a .458 Winchester Magnum. In 2009, Khan had been invited by the Awadh Forest division to shoot a tigress, which had killed five persons. However, this time, there has not been any such incident of either human or even cattle killing so far. “Hence, one fails to understand why the shooter had to be brought in the first place?” sources said. Reacting to the whole episode Maneka Gandhi asked, “Why did the NTCA have to wait for a month to sprig into action?” She said the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department should exercise utmost caution in dealing with the situation and not try to eliminate such strayed animals. http://dailypioneer.com/nation/42246-row-over-prowling-tiger-at-cish-as-shooter-called-in.html

Tiger foils tranquillising attempts

Efforts to tranquillise the tiger that strayed into the Central Institute of Sub Tropical Horticulture campus at Rehmankheda in the Awadh Forest Division of Lucknow proved futile, as it charged twice at the team tasked with sedating it. Hyderabadi shooter Nawab Shafat Ali Khan, was on the cow elephant, Roopkali, when the tiger charged at it on Friday, forcing the pachyderm to turn away in panic. After some time, when the elephant pressed ahead again, the feline came “dangerously close.” “Because of the high bushes, the view was not clear for using the tranquillising gun,” said Mr. Khan, who took charge of ‘Operation Rehmankheda Tiger.' There are thorny and lantana bushes 10-12 feet high on the CISTH campus, giving the tiger a natural cover. What is more, a nala flows through it. On Saturday, the elephant was not used, as the tiger moved 200-250 metres deeper into the bushes. A half-eaten buffalo calf was found. Officials waited through the day hoping the tiger would come out to gather the kill. “But it did not come near the machan or cages,” said Ashok Mishra, DFO, Awadh Forest Division. Four teams with as many tranquillising guns were on the job. No order to shoot has been issued as the tiger has not harmed any human. “We are hopeful of capturing it,” Mr. Mishra said. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2883536.ece

Officials look for hurt tiger cub

Express News Service , The New Indian Express BANGALORE:� A 17-month-old male tiger cub was injured in a territorial fight near Somanakoppa in Bandipur National Park (BNP). The divisional forest officer of BNP was instructed to tranquillise the big cat immediately and treat its injuries before the wound worsens. “The safari on the� Somanakoppa side for tourists will be closed till the treatment is over,” said Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) B K Singh. He told Express that a tigress had given birth to four cubs - two males and two females - last year. The tigress was residing with its cubs inside the national park. Two days ago, a forest guard spotted a male tiger cub with injuries on its tail and other parts of the body. It is speculated the male cub got engaged in a territorial fight with another tiger and sustained injuries. Singh said there is an immediate need to treat the injured tiger else it would die of infection. Singh said, “The forest department is keen to protect the big cats across the state forests. The vigilance is upgraded by deploying more men in tiger core zones. This� helped� to reduce poaching cases in Karnataka.” http://ibnlive.in.com/news/officials-look-for-hurt-tiger-cub/229505-60-115.html

National network of tiger poachers busted

Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times A nation-wide network of poachers spanning across four tiger states has been unearthed with the arrest of six members of two separate gangs in the last fortnight. Six leopard and tiger skins and about five kilogram of bones have been recovered from them. But, their claim of killing eight to ten tigers in less than six months, which is about 40 percent of poaching incidents big cat deaths during the period, has caused panic. “Their claim is alarming and we are verifying it,” said a senior Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) official. About 18 tiger deaths, of which five were killed this January, have been reported in last one year. Increase in tiger population from 1,411 to 1,706 in less than years has pushed the big cats outside the protected core areas, thereby making them vulnerable to poaching. The big catch was on Thursday when the WCCB officers arrested Dharambir and four accomplices from Bijnore in Uttar Pradesh with four leopard and one tiger skin. The animals were apparently killed with the help of iron traps in Corbett Tiger Reserve and Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand when the elections were on. They have claimed to have already transported two consignments to international wildlife dealer in Delhi identified as Lavi Singh after the state assembly elections got over on January 30. They were unlucky third time when they were caught with the parts in Haridwar. The WCCB officials believe that the consignment was meant for sale in the international market. Belinda Wright of NGO Wildlife Protection Society of India said the international price of tiger parts has increased manifold. “We have seen a sudden spurt in demand in the last few weeks which may be cause of increase in poaching and seizures,” she said. The WCCB investigation has confirmed Wright’s apprehension with investigation into seizure of a tiger skin by customs officials in Siliguri, West Bengal revealing that tigers were killed in Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Chhattisgarh. The WCCB has been able to establish linkage with Siliguri seizure with the network of poachers in these three states. “The local poachers were employed to kill the tigers and then body parts were transported to Kolkatta. From there it was smuggled outside the country from Nepal and Myanmar borders,” the official said. The officials are also trying to link arrest of five persons in Kerala and recovery of a leopard and tiger skin from them with international wildlife smugglers. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/National-network-of-tiger-poachers-busted/Article1-809187.aspx

Hyderabad shikari called upon to tackle Lucknow tiger menace

TNN | Feb 10, 2012, 02.36AM IST HYDERABAD: The tiger menace has returned to Awadh Forest Division dangerously close to Lucknow and licensed shikari Nawab Shafath Ali Khan from the city has been invited by the authorities to tackle the menace. With the tiger on the prowl at the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) campus, barely 15km from the Lucknow, for more than a month, residents have been living in fear. All attempts by the Awadh Forest division and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) to track and tranquillise the big cat have been in vain. The four-year-old tiger got into the campus from Pilibhit forest, near river Gomti running from the forest to Lucknow. On either side of the river is thick forest like vegetation. The tiger entered the vegetation and travelled along the river. Unable to deviate, it reached the CISH campus. According to Khan, the forest department and WTI put together a six-member team to tranquillise the tiger so that it could be released back into its natural habitat. After 35 days, on February 7, the team of trackers used a buffalo calf as bait to lure the tiger. After realising that they had failed, the unsuspecting team went to release the calf only to be charged by the tiger. Khan received an invitation from Ashok Mishra, DFO Awadh Forest Division, on February 8 to tranquillise the animal. When contacted, DFO Ashok Mishra confirmed that Khan has indeed been invited by the Awadh Forest Department and will be leaving for Lucknow to tranquillise the tiger on February 10 at 10 am. "The CISH campus forest abuts the Lucknow-Haridwar highway. The tigeris trapped because it is unable to cross the highway into the proper forest due to heavy traffic," said Khan, who resides in Bazaar Guard area. Tigers move from one place to another with the change of season and the forest department is afraid that the wild cat might enter Lucknow anytime, he added. Tigers always charge towards the shooter when they are tranquillised. As a precautionary measure and for safety of his team, Khan will carry a .458 Winchester Magnum which has enough stopping power to take on a charging tiger in its tracks and a range of 100 metres. "The forest department doesn't have powerful weapons to tackle man-eaters or rogue elephants," he noted, adding this is the first time that a private individual has been called by the forest department to tranquilise the national animal. On February 24, 2009, Khan was invited by the Awadh Forest division to put down a tigress which turned man-eater and had killed five people and mauled many more. The tigress had travelled 350 km from Pilibheet to Faizabad and terrorised farmers. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Hyderabad-shikari-called-upon-to-tackle-Lucknow-tiger-menace/articleshow/11830002.cms

Buffer zone protects human habitation

Express News Service , The New Indian Express CHIKMAGALUR:� The conservation guild activists claimed that owing to buffer zone, the Project Tiger area in the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary will not affect human habitation around it. In a statement issued here on Thursday, activists of Wild Cat-C, Bhadra wildlife Conservation Trust and the Nature Conservation Guild, Sridev Hulikere and D V Girish, claimed that Project Tiger buffer zone formation would affect industrial units and construction of jungle resorts. According to them, there was no need for people around Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary to panic. The activists added that the cultivable lands, including plantations, are within a 10 km radius of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. The buffer zone area will be carved out of government lands and 90 per cent of it falls under the reserve forests. The� Environment Conservation Act states that� buffer zone should be formed in ecologically sensitive areas and care should be taken not to disturb areas of� human habitation. Sridev and Girish said that people residing within 10 km radius of the sanctuary would� willingly move out. Those moving out, would be rehabilitated suitably. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/buffer-zone-protects-human-habitation/228821-60-115.html

Huge haul of poached animal parts, 5 held

FRIDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2012 00:41 PNS | DEHRADUN HITS: 112 The pelts of one tiger, four leopards and about 3 kg big cat bones were seized from five persons who were arrested in Najibabad in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. The wildlife contraband is said to have been sourced from Uttarakhand. According to regional deputy director (northern region) of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau Ramesh K Pandey, a joint operation involving the WCCB, UP STF and Najibabad police arrested five persons based on intelligence provided by the bureau. The five were arrested with one tiger and four leopard pelts, bones and two iron traps used specifically for trapping big cats. The kingpin of the gang, Dharmveer Kanjar, was also among those arrested. The rest have been identified as Sunil Nath and Omar of Najibabad, Navi Singh of Dharchula and the car driver, Punit Chauhan. It is believed that Dharmveer received wildlife contraband from the plains and hilly regions of Uttarakhand. According to Pandey, Najibabad is a convenient town with links to both the hills and the plains due to which Dharmveer was able to source banned wildlife commodities from all parts of the State. The arrested persons confessed that while three leopard pelts have been sourced from Kugadda in Kalagarh forest range in Uttarakhand, the tiger skin and one leopard pelt were obtained from Rajaji National Park. http://dailypioneer.com/nation/41549-huge-haul-of-poached-animal-parts-5-held.html

Security scan at Corbett, 4 other tiger hubs on cards

THURSDAY, 09 FEBRUARY 2012 00:16 PNS | DEHRADUN HITS: 158 The National Tiger Conservation Authority will be conducting security audit in five tiger reserves across the country including the Corbett tiger reserve in Uttarakhand. Though the NTCA deputy inspector general SP Yadav said he was too busy to either recall the names of these tiger reserves or the parameters of the security audit, wildlife activists state that all wildlife and environment in addition to tigers could benefit greatly if the security audit is undertaken efficiently and its recommendations are executed effectively at the ground level. Apart from being India’s national animal, the tiger is also important because its conservation will ensure the conservation of many other animals and the environment. India also holds over half of the world’s tiger population (in the wild) with 1,706 living in the nation according to the latest tiger census report released by the NTCA in March 2011. This makes the security audit of tiger reserves all the more important because inspite of efforts undertaken by the authority and State forest departments, poaching of tigers and other big cats, their prey species and anthropogenic damage in protected areas has continued in many parts of the nation. According to the letter issued by the NTCA to five tiger reserves including Nagarhole tiger reserve in Karnataka, Tadoba-Andheri in Maharashtra, Bandavgarh in Madhya Pradesh, Kaziranga in Assam and Corbett in Uttarakhand in January this year, security audit of these reserves will be undertaken within six months. http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/41299-security-scan-at-corbett-4-other-tiger-hubs-on-cards.html

PTR tiger count stalled for want of equipment

TNN Feb 4, 2012, 10.35PM IST DALTONGANJ: The fourth phase of the tiger census in Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) is likely to be delayed. Sources said the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has asked for an estimate of tigers here but for want of infrastructural facilities, the process if likely to be delayed. The PTR does not have digital and trapping cameras in large numbers, global positioning system equipment and range finders. Sources said without these equipment, PTR cannot go for the fourth phase of the count. The tech support is necessary for accuracy of figures. Sources said the number of tigers in PTR has been fudged. In early 1994, there used to be 49 tigers whereas today the PTR struggles to count a little near a dozen big cats. The field director-cum-conservator, S E H Kazmi, conceded, " Right now these equipment are not with the PTR and hence it is difficult to go for any estimation. The fourth phase count is a sophisticated procedure in which all information is to be fed into a software and even a minor inaccuracy will be declared an error." DNA test of scat of tigers is now the main plank of counting its population but there are other things like a range finder. A range finder gives the exact position of wildlife in any tiger reserve. The PTR is segmented into 30 zones and sources said more than half the zones are in highly sensitive areas affected by extremism. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-04/ranchi/31024319_1_palamu-tiger-reserve-tiger-census-ptr

Eco-Pro activists stage agitation

TNN | Feb 9, 2012, 06.15AM IST CHANDRAPUR: Wildlife organization Eco-Pro staged a day-long sit-in agitation before the office of chief conservator of forests (CCF) on Wednesday to press the demand of initiating fire protection works in the forest. However, it turned out that fire protection works have been stranded across the state for lack of grants. The organization is now planning to the take up the matter with the state forest minister. Incidents of fire in forests generally begin in March, and therefore forest authorities accomplish their preparation to tackle the fires by February 15 every year. However, this year, no initiative in this regard has been taken so far due to lack of funds. Alarmed by the delay, Eco-Pro had raised the issue with APCCF (planning and development) Shri Bhagwan during his recent visit here. But as no grants were released for fire protection, Eco-Pro activists led by their president Bandu Dhotre staged the sit-in. "Lack of fire protection works such as fire line cutting and deployment of fire watchers, puts entire forest and wildlife in danger. While precious forest is lost in fires, herbivores too are deprived of their food in the area. Uncontrolled fires also lead to the death of newborns and cubs of wild animals, as they are unable to move away swiftly. Only fire protection measures can help checking this problem, but thanks to lack of funds its works are withheld," said Bandu Dhotre. CCF of Chandrapur circle BSK Reddy agreed that fire protection works are held up due to lack of grants. "The situation is the same across the state as grants are not available to take up fire protection work. We have received a part of aid on Wednesday itself, and it would be immediately released to start the work," he said. Reddy said that they have sought help from Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) for taking up fire protection works in the buffer zone of tiger reserve. TATR is going provide some aid from its tiger protection foundation for fire protection in buffer, he added. Dhotre said that as fire protection works are held up across the state, his organization would take up the issue with the forest minister Patangrao Kadam. More than two dozen activists of Eco-Pro participated in the agitation. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Eco-Pro-activists-stage-agitation/articleshow/11817708.cms

NGOs kept out of tiger census

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Feb 8, 2012, 07.20AM IST NAGPUR: SK Khetarpal, the state's principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), has shut the door on NGOs but kept it open for individuals to participate in the phase IV tiger monitoring exercise beginning on Friday. "But it's up to the park managers to decide on the participation of individuals. I won't interfere in this matter," Khetarpal told TOI on Tuesday. The exercise, which was to start earlier from February 2 to 7, will now be held between February 10 and 17 in tiger reserves and their buffer areas, and sanctuaries and national parks. Khetarpal had told TOI in January that only volunteers with wildlife and genuine credentials would be allowed to take part in the monitoring. On Monday, TOI received several calls from wildlife buffs on being denied participation by park managers. The wildlife chief said the department has enough staff to conduct the exercise. "The real field work can be done in a better way by forest staffers who are familiar with the areas. It's also an opportunity for the new forest recruits to learn techniques," he said. On transparency, the chief wildlife warden said, "What can be more transparent than the cameras. We've good number of tigers that are spilling over in non-protected areas. The camera traps cannot be tampered with. Moreover, the Wildlife Institute of India ( WII) will check the data which cannot be distorted." VK Sinha, field director & chief conservator (CCF) of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), said the first lot of compass and rangefinders needed on transact lines has been received. More are expected in a few days. Unavailability of these gears, along with zilla parishad and panchayat polls, was one of the reasons to postpone the monitoring exercise. The exercise will go on even without rangefinders in the hilly terrain and dense forests of Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) as it difficult to sight animals beyond 30-40 metres. "MTR needed 275 rangefinders but considering the topography I have sought only 10," said A K Mishra, field director of MTR. MTR will allow the participation of wildlife lovers. "They need to produce a photo identity card for verification," said Mishra. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) are among the NGOs which have been denied permission. WWF coordinator for Satpuda Maikal Landscape Project, Chhitaranjan Dave, has expressed disappointment over the move. SP Yadav, the deputy inspector general (DIG) of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), confirmed that it has left the participation of NGOs to PCCFs. "All we insist is that the national monitoring protocol be followed," he said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NGOs-kept-out-of-tiger-census/articleshow/11802640.cms

CBI probe for Panna tiger debacle stuck at the lowest level

MAHIM PRATAP SINGH The Hindu A tiger seen at the Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh. File photo: R. Sreenivasa Murthy Three years after the entire tiger population of the Panna Tiger Reserve was decimated, the Madhya Pradesh government has neither been able to fix responsibility for the disaster, nor has it handed over the enquiry to the Central Bureau of Investigation inspite of requests from the Ministry of Environment and forests and even the Prime Minister's Office. A new string of official communication, copies of which are available with The Hindu, suggests that a CBI investigation into the Panna debacle is being held up due to non-communication from the ground i.e. office of the Field Director, Panna Tiger Reserve. Last year, the Prime Minister's Office forwarded a complaint regarding CBI enquiry into the Panna debacle to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). On 20th July 2011, the NTCA wrote to the Madhya Pradesh government asking for an update on the matter. The state government sent the NTCA request to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) who in turn asked the Field Director, Panna Tiger Reserve to send the details of available evidence required for the CBI probe. Since then, the PCCF (Wildlife) office has sent repeated reminders in May, August, September and December 2011―to the Field Director, PTR, asking him to make available the evidence for three poaching cases that the state government had identified for CBI enquiry in 2010. But there has been no response from the Field Director. In March 2010, in response to a letter from NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal advising for a CBI enquiry into the Panna debacle, the state government had identified three poaching cases and had admitted the need for a CBI probe. The latest reminder to the FD was sent in December 2011, which unequivocally stated: “Regarding CBI probe in the disappearance of Panna tigers...in spite of repeated reminders, you have not provided us with the details and evidences relating to three cases identified by the government.. we are receiving constant reminders from the government from the government...please send the details as soon as possible” (translated from Hindi). Interestingly, the Field Director (FD) R.S. Murthy had only recently exposed the official-poacher nexus in the PTR in a confidential report last year, which was accessed by wildlife activist Ajay Dube under the Right to Information Act (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2487974.ece). In the report, Mr. Murthy had indicted the forest staff for acting in collusion with local hunting communities such as the Pardhis and the Bahelias as well as with national and international poaching mafia by suppressing cases or not registering one at all. “We believe that the FD is under pressure from some senior officials responsible for the loss of tiger population in Panna. This is the same officer who had exposed the official-poacher nexus through his report, why is he silent now inspite of repeated reminders,” asked Mr. Ajay dube, who obtained the entire chain of correspondence under the Right to Information Act. Not only has the state government not been able to fix responsibility in the case, it has failed to demarcate a buffer zone for the Panna Tiger Reserve, a requirement under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, amended in 2006. In such a situation, the future of the national animal appears bleak at the Panna Tiger Reserve, which is constantly under attack from poaching and illegal mining. http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article2869203.ece

Fighting chance for India's tigers: Poaching declines

Last Updated: Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 12:16 100 0 New Delhi: In cheering news for wildlife conservationists, tiger poaching dropped nearly 60 percent in 2011 as compared to the previous year, though it continues to pose a major threat to the survival of the big cat in the country, a leading NGO said. According to the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), 13 tigers were hunted last year as compared to 30 in 2010 - a decline of 57 percent. The bodies of poached tigers, seized bones and skins were computed to arrive at the figures. Adding other factors like road accidents, infighting, fighting with other animals, electrocution, found dead, and rescue and treatment, the overall toll rises to 61. In 2010, it was 58. However, top on the list of WPSI's tiger mortality is the found dead figure, 21. The toll from infighting was the same as that of poaching. In the previous year, 10 tigers died in such fights. "There has been definitely a decrease in poaching cases in 2011 compared to 2010, but it does not mean poaching has stopped," WPSI's Tito Joseph said. This could be "due to effective patrolling strategies adopted by the tiger authority (National Tiger Conservation Authority) in coordination with other agencies," Joseph said. The illegal wildlife trade continues to be a major threat to tigers. Joseph said traders were offering huge amounts of money in black markets for tiger body parts. "Recently trade activities were detected in Vietnam and Cambodia. The threat is not only from China (a known hub for such trade) but also from Southeast Asian countries," he said. "We need to be vigilant 24 hours 365 days," Joseph said. "Wildlife articles always have a very premium market and prices are not going to come down easily," U.C. Tiwari, wildlife warden of the Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, told IANS. The 1,200-plus sq km Corbett sanctuary is one of the 39 tiger reserves in the country. The poaching figure only reflects the cases that come to light and it may not truly reflect the ground condition, said Tiwari. He warned that the situation could turn alarming if the mortality rate of adult tigers rises. "Because adult tigers don't die easily,... there has to be some extraordinary circumstance." According to WPSI, of the 21 tigers found dead in 2011 many were adult tigers. In 2010, 15 tigers were found dead. "The fact that many poachers are now lodged in jails has surely contributed to the decrease. They are still cooling their heels in different jails," the official added. Acknowledging this, Ashok Kumar, an eminent tiger conservationist and vice chairman of the NGO Wildlife Trust of India, said poaching has reduced considerably as many poachers were jailed. "Our lawyers fight against them in court so they do not come out of jails. "All Alwar (Rajasthan)-based poachers are today in jails," said Kumar, referring to a gang blamed for extermination of tigers in the Sariska reserve, one of the two tiger sanctuaries in the state. Kumar has been at the forefront of the fight against poachers and illegal trade of wildlife for over two decades. He was the first director of Traffic India, which studies wildlife trade. Rajasthan is also home to the famed Ranthambore National Park. Sariska currently has five tigers, all shifted from Ranthambore as part of a government attempt to repopulate tigers in the reserve. The latest official tiger census report released in March 2011 estimated about 1,700 tigers in the country. IANS http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/fighting-chance-for-india-s-tigers-poaching-declines_757335.html

Evidence of presence of tiger found in Choral forest

PTI | Feb 6, 2012, 07.14PM IST INDORE: Initial survey and evidence collected by the forest department have indicated presence of a tiger in Choral forest, spread over 10 sq km area in Barwah-Devas-Indore region, official sources today said. A ten-member team from district forest department, led by Sub-Divisional forest officer Abhay Jain, found carcasses of two bulls with bite-marks on the neck, and pugmarks of a sole tiger, in the range of Bagoda, Pitambari and Naniya, sources said here. "The team has not sighted the tiger so far, but villagers have claimed to have seen it," an official said, adding "we do not attribute credence to that unless it is sighted by the experts". A cave, suspected to be the tiger's den, was also seen,sources said. The pugmarks were estimated to be fortnight-old. The area is home to wild animals such as cheetal and neelgai. Wild Life Institute of India had earlier indicated presence of at least five to seven big cats in the Choral forest, the sources said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Evidence-of-presence-of-tiger-found-in-Choral-forest/articleshow/11780439.cms

Govt sees Nandhor valley as next tiger reserve!

TUESDAY, 07 FEBRUARY 2012 00:10 PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | NEW DELHI Located at the heart of Terai Arc Landscape along the Himalayan foothills, Nandhor valley in Uttarakhand has caught the attention of National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) for its potential of a good tiger habitat. The Standing Committee of the board in its last meeting favoured its declaration into a protected area at the earliest. In its recent camera trapping WWF studies found at least four tigers in the area. According to Dr AJT Johnsingh, member of the NBWL Standing Committee, Nandhor area has been found to have good tiger presence and if protected, it can become as successful as Corbett National Park. “Protection was crucial, as a particular local community inhabiting the area was known to indulge in hunting.” he added. Spanning an area of about 18,00sq. km is spread out in Haldwani, Terai east and Champawat forest divisions, with the Gola, Kilpura-Khatima-Surai and Boom-Bhramdev wildlife corridors. The vegetation of the Nandhor valley forests comprises a mosaic of dry and moist deciduous forests with traces of temperate forests towards the higher elevation areas. “This landscape still holds potential for the conservation of tigers, as it has nearly 1,000 sqkm of tiger habitat that needs better protection”, the experts pointed out. The area is also well connected with the forests in Nepal across the Sharada river on the eastern side and it continues till the eastern part of Sukhlaphanta Wildlife Reserve, they added. According to Joseph Vattakaven, Tiger-Coordinator, WWF-India, “Tigers once had a wide distribution across the Nandhor valley. They have, however, been exterminated due to various causes driven by adverse human impacts. But with protection and connectivity in place, tigers will rebound and provide us with a wonderful opportunity to increase their numbers.” Occupancy surveys and camera trapping completed in parts of Chakata and Nandhor ranges of Haldwani forest division have revealed tigers in both the ranges with multiple captures of four tiger individuals being recorded. A large male tiger along with the trapping of a tigress with her two sub-adult cubs indicates the great potential of the area as a breeding ground for tigers. Among the other significant species caught on the cameras are the Himalayan black bear amongst others which are usually found at higher altitudes. “This landscape can house a breeding population of 40-50 tigers, but poaching by local communities of prey species and occasionally tigers is potentially a major cause of absence of tigers in this area”, Joseph added. http://dailypioneer.com/nation/40753-govt-sees-nandhor-valley-as-next-tiger-reserve.html

Tigress Spotted at Kudremukh National park: Will It Be Declared a Tiger Reserve ?

By: Rang7 Team February 6, 2012 Wildlife conservationists feared the re-introduction of mining in Kudremukh National Park in Karnataka. But the recent sighting of a tiger family at the park may help put these fears at rest. One of the forest staff on his regular patrol duty spotted a tigress with her three cubs at a pond in the Pandarmakki area of the Bhagavathi forest range of the National Park. This new sighting has only further strengthened the call for ban against mining in the park area. In fact wildlife conservationist and forest officers have noted that wildlife and fauna have been regenerating and flourishing after the mining activity had been stopped in the National Park. The cat family of four including mother and three cubs were spotted on January 26. The patrol officer followed the tigress and her family for almost 20 minutes. Kudremukh means horse face and Kudremukh National Park is named after a peak in the park forest range which is shaped like a horse face. Situated in a mountainous area and comprised of a thick forest range comprising of wide variety of fauna, the park is home to many a endangered animals and rare avian species including the Malabar giant squirrel, common langur, sloth bear, lion tailed macaque, barking deer and others. Now the sighting of a tigress and her cubs has added to the list of animals that can be sighted here and this has prompted the need to notify the area as Tiger Reserve which will further add security to the area while at the same time keeping a more vigilant eye on the poachers. “The sighting of a tiger is welcome and shows that the area has great potential to carry tiger population. Two months ago, during a routine visit, we had sighted close to 50 sambar deer in one herd, which is rare even in tiger reserves of the state," said B. K. Singh, Wildlife PCCF. After the incident was reported wildlife activist are increasing their tempo to declare Kudremukh National Park as a Tiger Reserve which will help keep illegal tourism activities in check. “The reported sighting of four tigers definitely brings some cheer. The process of natural recovery is slowly kicking in and it is vitally important to ensure that Kudremukh National Park is fully insulated from the pressures of tourism and allowed to recover. The current tourism policies adopted in deciduous forests like Bandipur and Nagarahole cannot be introduced in the sensitive rain forest ecosystem of Kudremukh," said Praveen Bhargav, Trustee, Wildlife First Organisation. However local political leaders who have a vested interest in mining are against the idea of the National Park being declared or notified as a Tiger Reserve. They are fighting on the basis that notifying the area as a Tiger Reserve will lead to it being a wildlife protected area and this means evicting forest dwellers in large numbers. However according to the forest department more than 100 families have already agreed for a re-settlement programme out of Kudremeukh National Park in a voluntary eviction programme sponsored by the centre. So all the other allegations are baseless. Kudremukh National Park is divided into four ranges Kudremukh, Kerekatte, Kalasa, Shimoga. The park is situated in the Western Ghats and spread over three districts of Karnataka; Dakshin Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur. Kudremukh National Park has many tourist attractions including waterfalls, pilgrimage shrines and is considered a trekker’s paradise. http://www.rang7.com/news/national-park/tigress-spotted-kudremukh-national-park:-will-declared-tiger-reserve-1011.htm

TATR to establish baseline water quality system

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Feb 7, 2012, 02.32AM IST NAGPUR: The Tadoda-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is fast adapting to environment-friendly water technology. After portable instant water purifiers Neeri-Zars and 'Phytorid' wastewater treatment technology, the park has decided to establish baseline water quality by collecting samples from artificial and natural water holes. VK Sinha, chief conservator of forests ( CCF) & field director of TATR, confirmed that water samples will be collected from water holes and Tadoba lake in TATR by scientists from National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). "The idea is to have descriptive water quality information in a format usable for park planning and management. It will ensure the integrity of park water quality, due to its importance in sustaining natural and park ecosystems," Sinha told TOI. The project will be implemented with the help of water technology and management division (WTMD) of NEERI. Principal scientist and head of WTMD Pawankumar Labshetwar said NEERI has already collected water samples of Tadoba lake. The samples from artificial water holes will be collected in April when they are filled. "We will establish a baseline of water quality. Although wild animals have good resistance power, we will find out whether such water can affect health of animals. No such studies have been done in the past," said Labshetwar. The TATR is surrounded by many industrial units, power plant and coal mines. Besides, there is pressure from tourists. How pollution from all these elements affect TATR water is not known. The project includes retrieve water quality and related data and develop a complete inventory of all retrieved data park-based water quality data management system, it seems. The TATR has already installed portable instant water purification system Neeri-Zars developed by NEERI at its protection huts. Besides, it is working on installing environment-friendly 'Phytorid' treatment technology system for disposal of waste water for rest houses and staff quarters. Sewage water entering the forests spoils its virginity and puts pressure on the eco-system, Sinha says. Labshetwar said NEERI has also collected water from villages inside TATR. "We are compiling report on the samples taken," he added. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/TATR-to-establish-baseline-water-quality-system/articleshow/11785317.cms

Pugmarks confirm tiger’s presence in Choral forest

Bagish K Jha, TNN | Feb 6, 2012, 01.15AM IST INDORE: A day after confirming the presence of tiger in Choral forest area, the forest department says that the analysis of the pugmark found from the forests indicates that they belong to a tiger. The department will now be initiating a programme to create awareness among the villagers to save tigers and to keep themselves safe from the animal. Chief conservator of forest P C Dubey said, "Experts suggested that the pugmark found on Saturday belonged to a tiger which is likely to be around 10 years old. The pugmark is of five inch by five inch in square shape". Dubey said that local villagers have been talking about the presence of tiger in the region for long, but this is the first time the department has got proof about its presence. They believe the tiger has not migrated from any other forest. "Forest belt of Indore, Dewas, Brwah, Choral and Udainagar is very dense and rich with herbivore population, besides, there is plenty of water resources. All these are ideal habitat for tiger," said Dubey adding that Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradoon has indicated about presence of seven tigers in this area in their recent survey. The forest department has convened a meeting of the Deputy Forest Conservators to monitor the situation. The department has also convened a meeting of DFOs of Indore, Dewas and Barwaha, forest guards and rangers, Van Samitis and villagers at Naniya village where the tiger's pugmark was found on February 4 to brief the forest officials and villagers about the landscape management strategy for the protection of tiger. Department has also alerted the forest officials and Van Samitis to keep an eye on movement of strangers in the forest area. "Villagers have been asked to inform forest official instantly in case they see any stranger in the area," said Dubey adding that conservation and protection of tiger is now priority of the department. Besides, for the conservation of tiger in the area, the department has chalk out multi-prong strategy under landscape management. Wherein Indore, Dewas and Badwani will work together and share information about tiger movement. "It is important to adopt an integrated approach as a tiger moves in area of 1500 square kilometers," said Dubey. To avoid man and animal conflict and engage maximum people in conservation and protection of tiger forest department is also relaxing its compensation rule. The department has instructed its officials to make instant payment and take considerate view in case of any damage to crop and cattle of villagers due to wildlife. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/Pugmarks-confirm-tigers-presence-in-Choral-forest/articleshow/11771353.cms

Villages to be relocated but VIP guesthouse stays

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Feb 6, 2012, 01.14AM IST NAGPUR: The relocation of five villages inside Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is being expedited because the critical tiger habitats (CTHs) need to be inviolate for tigers. But in sharp contrast to this the huge VIP complex right inside Tadoba's core is being renovated instead of phasing it out. From April 1, 2008, when former PCCF (wildlife) B Majumdar banned entry for tourists and VIPs to complex, it was decided to keep bare minimum structures by phasing out remaining quarters. However, after four years, these structures stay and instead of removing them, suites have been renovated with better facilities for VIPs. At present, there are four suites in the VIP guesthouse, an 18-bedded youth hostel, two holiday homes, forest department's own colony of 15 quarters, a canteen and field director's bungalow. All structures are situated on southern shore of Tadoba lake and are major source of disturbance to wildlife. Conservationists have alleged that shifting of complex is being purposefully delayed as this complex consists support staff of VIP guesthouse that is on a hillock overlooking Tadoba lake and that VIPs and their kin want to continue enjoying exclusive privilege of staying inside a tiger reserve. Interestingly, in 1995, when Tadoba was declared a tiger reserve, basic condition of 'Project Tiger', now National Tiger Conservation Authority was to remove pucca structures. It was also mentioned in management plan of TATR. As it is, as per Wildlife Protection Act 1972 amended in 2006, a reserve has to be inviolate. "Why should the department waste public money on renovation? Officials can make a halt at Moharli. If a field director or wildlife official needs a halt, there are quarters inside. Who knows who's staying in the name of officials? Why a VIP guesthouse needed?" asks Avinash Prabhune, a RTI & consumer rights activist. On the contrary, chief wildlife warden SK Khetarpal says, "There is no proposal to shift VIP guesthouse. It has been converted into a camp office. Only officers will only be allowed to stay there. The guesthouse is not being fully renovated but petty repair works are being done." He adds that field staff stationed in Tadoba means better protection of the area. "Finally, I've left such decisions with respective field directors as they are second line of command and should build confidence," he said. CCF & TATR field director VK Sinha justifies VIP guesthouse and quarters at Tadoba saying, 'We need it for stay of recently appointed researchers. Quarters have been whitewashed as staff needs a better place for living. As per rules, the structures are not being used for tourists." Sinha further said the old canteen has been converted into range office and toilets have been repaired for tourists so that they need not relieve themselves anywhere inside the park. All said and done, demolishing the concrete structures was a long-pending demand of conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts. The decision to stop using VIP guesthouse was raised several times by conservationist Harshawardhan Dhanwatey in state wildlife board (SWB) meetings. The decision was taken accordingly by B Majumdar. Bandu Dhotre of Eco-Pro, NGO working for tiger conservation in Chandrapur says, "The focus in tiger reserves is to increase infrastructure for protection. Till date, increasing protection has been considered equivalent of increasing the infrastructure for protection." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Villages-to-be-relocated-but-VIP-guesthouse-stays/articleshow/11771346.cms

PTR tiger count stalled for want of equipment

TNN Feb 4, 2012, 10.35PM IST DALTONGANJ: The fourth phase of the tiger census in Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) is likely to be delayed. Sources said the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has asked for an estimate of tigers here but for want of infrastructural facilities, the process if likely to be delayed. The PTR does not have digital and trapping cameras in large numbers, global positioning system equipment and range finders. Sources said without these equipment, PTR cannot go for the fourth phase of the count. The tech support is necessary for accuracy of figures. Sources said the number of tigers in PTR has been fudged. In early 1994, there used to be 49 tigers whereas today the PTR struggles to count a little near a dozen big cats. The field director-cum-conservator, S E H Kazmi, conceded, " Right now these equipment are not with the PTR and hence it is difficult to go for any estimation. The fourth phase count is a sophisticated procedure in which all information is to be fed into a software and even a minor inaccuracy will be declared an error." DNA test of scat of tigers is now the main plank of counting its population but there are other things like a range finder. A range finder gives the exact position of wildlife in any tiger reserve. The PTR is segmented into 30 zones and sources said more than half the zones are in highly sensitive areas affected by extremism. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-04/ranchi/31024319_1_palamu-tiger-reserve-tiger-census-ptr

Tell-tale tiger signs excite activists, lovers

Express News Service , The New Indian Express BHUBANESWAR/ROURKELA: As tiger population continues to be a raging controversy in Odisha, pug marks of a Royal Bengal Tigress and two cubs along the borders of Sundargarh and Jharkhand have cheered up wildlife experts and lovers. On Wednesday evening, a tigress reportedly attacked and killed two buffaloes in South Chirubera Forest of Bisra block under Rourkela Forest Division of Sundargarh. DFO Atish Behera confirmed that only the heads of the bovines were found and pug marks of an adult tiger and two cubs, which are not less a year-and-a-half-old, detected. �Between January 16 and 23, a tigress was spotted near SAIL mines at Tensa of the Bonai Forest Division of Sundargarh. Bonai DFO AK Mishra confirmed it to be a tigress and measured the pug marks at 12.5 cm in width and 13.5 cm in length. While the recurrence of the pug marks and the killings of cattle have aroused excitement, Wildlife officials are guarded in their reaction to appearance of the big cats in the region. “We need to ascertain whether the big cat is marking its territory or has strayed into the forests from a contiguous habitat. We will keep a watch,” Chief Wildlife Warden Janardan Dibakar Sharma said. �Although speculations are rife about increasing population of Royal Bengal Tigers (RBTs) in Saranda forest, there have been no visual or DNA evidences yet. The Wildlife Wing now plans to maintain samples of the pug marks, their GPS records and timing to understand if the big cat is indeed marking its territory, Sharma said. �He said Bonai Forest Division is an ideal habitat given its forest density, prey base and herbivore population but there has to be a definite evidence of tiger. �Although tiger population occurred in Saranda, the increased proliferation of Left Wing ultras in the bordering regions of Odisha and Jharkhand has been a major problem for monitoring. Due to Naxal fear, Forest field staff have rarely ventured into the remote pockets in the last several years. �Besides, mining is another cause behind increasing fragmentation of habitats and disturbances for the big cats. The growing clout of the ultras in the region may just have given the tigers a safe haven. Meanwhile, AK Choudhary, Forest Range Officer of Sasangada in Jharkhand, said in August last year a big cat was spotted in Saranda. RBTs, he said, occurred in Saranda which is known as ‘Heaven of Sal’ and ‘Land of 700 hills’ spread over 850 sq km. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/telltale-tiger-signs-excite-activists-lovers/227156-60-117.html

Kawal awaits tiger reserve tag

TNN | Feb 3, 2012, 02.29AM IST HYDERABAD: More than four months have passed since the Centre gave its nod to the Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary in Adilabad district but the project is still waiting on the 'tiger reserve' tag. And while authorities have long cited the crisis in tribal affairs as the primary reason behind the delay, wildlife experts suggest that the story is something else. According to them it is an uninterested forest department and an equally complacent state government, which is dithering on the proposal that needs to be cleared to give Kawal the distinction of being the 42nd tiger reserve in the country. The wait, experts say, is fast becoming a cause for concern as Kawal has seen a sharp rise in anti-social activities in the last five months. Apart from hundreds of trees being felled everyday by the timber mafia, attacks by poachers, too, is becoming more frequent, according to experts. That apart, there has also been a rise in the tiger population in the area (there have been seven sightings of late), which, according to experts, calls for immediate attention. "This is a very important tiger zone and, if protected well, can open up a continuous corridor with central India, especially Tadoba (100km away), thereby helping in tiger conservation efforts," said Imran Siddiqui, member of the advisory board for Kawal and a local wildlife activist. However, experts maintain that better security for the sanctuary would only be sanctioned after it has bagged the 'tiger reserve' tag. Experts said that that notification will lead to more funds through the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and help Kawal grow as a tiger habitat. "Poaching will come down drastically. Fewer trees felled would mean an improving herbivorous population leading to better tiger breeding. So, it is very important that it be given the tag soon," reiterated Rajeev Mathew, a wildlife expert. While Mathew agrees that there are tribal issues that need to be addressed before the initiation of any such proposal, he believes that it is not something that cannot be resolved in a few months. However, considering how little the progress has been so far in government offices, activists feel that the plan might well hit a dead end. Their fears are perhaps rooted in the indifference amongst senior forest officials who seem least interested in the Kawal story. In fact, when contacted, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF- head of the forest force), Hitesh Malhotra said that branding the wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve would do it little good. He argued that the department was already doing all it could to protect Kawal and that any more it could not do. "We have enough mobile guards and camps in the sanctuary area. Even without it being a tiger reserve, we are giving it maximum protection. The tag will change nothing," Malhotra said, dismissing the hoopla around the tiger reserve notification. The ground reality, though, is very different according to locals. Not only has the area been given only four base camps - as against the 16 promised last year - there is also a good portion of the sanctuary that is lying in neglect. "More than one-third of the core Kawal area falls under Nirmal (also in Adilabad district), which does not have a regular forest officer to monitor it. Once declared a reserve, this will get corrected and the entire area will come under the unified command of a forest conservator," a local said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Kawal-awaits-tiger-reserve-tag/articleshow/11734154.cms

Project Tiger: Bhadra, Kudremukh dropped

Bangalore, Feb 2, 2012, DHNS: The State government has dropped a proposal to expand the Bhadra Tiger Reserve as well as include Kudremukh National Park under Project Tiger after local people opposed it, Law Minister Suresh Kumar told the Assembly on Thursday. Replying to the issue raised by Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah, the minister said the government shelved the plan in the interest of tribals and other forest dwellers. The State government had proposed to expand the area of Bhadra tiger reserve from the existing 500.16 sq km to 848.62 sq km. Besides, 600 sq km of Kudremukh Park was proposed to be brought under Project Tiger. In the wake of strong protests from people in Chikmagalur district, the decision to drop the proposal has been notified, the minister said. Suresh Kumar said the re-classification of protected areas under Bannerghatta National Park, Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary will continue as planned. Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda had recently announced that he had written to the Centre to drop expansion plan of Project Tiger in the contiguous Bhadra reserve. The move comes ahead of the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha by-poll as the Bhadra reserve is in the constituency. Earlier, legislators, especially from the Malnad region, cutting across party lines, said there was stiff opposition to the proposal. “There is no public consultation. People are worried about their livelihood”, Sringeri MLA D N Jeevaraj said. Siddaramaiah said people displaced by the Bhadra reservoir had been rehabilitated. “They will be displaced again if Project Tiger is expanded across the region,” he said. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/224187/project-tiger-bhadra-kudremukh-dropped.html

State govts told to ban tourism in key tiger areas

Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times Several resorts in and around tiger reserves may cease to exist as the Centre has asked state governments to acquire 800 to 1,000 square kilometers to provide core inviolate (empty) area for tigers and ban tourism there. In new guidelines issued to relocate 6,000 families in 41 tiger reserves in India, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has told the state governments that even private land includes estates should be acquired for creating inviolate space. "The above component has been included under the Project Tiger scheme for providing 100 % central assistance to states to acquire such areas, if necessary, for making the core/critical tiger habitat inviolate," the NTCA guidelines issued last week said. A study by Dehradun based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has shown that this much inviolate area is required for a viable population of 20 breeding tigresses. The NTCA believes that having them in core area will help in sustaining a population of 75-100 tigers in a reserve. "We can have a sustainable tiger population of 3,000," a NTCA official said. In a bid to achieve the goal, the NTCA told the state governments to acquire land and relocate people by paying a compensation of up to Rs 10 lakh from the core area for declaring it inviolate. "A detailed guideline has been issued on how to relocate people in conformation with the Forest Rights Act and rejuvenate the land," the official said. Resorts and guest houses around smaller tiger reserves such as Kanha in Madhya Pradesh and Ranthambore in Uttar Pradesh would get acquired, if the state governments implement the guideline. However, hospitability industry around bigger reserves such as Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand will not be affected. Tourism may further suffer as the guideline asks shifting of tourism from the core tiger areas to the buffer zone so check adverse impact of human interference on animals. The NTCA has blamed excessive unregulated tourism for falling tiger population in many reserves. Vishal Singh of Travel Operators for Tigers, a body of lodge owners around tiger reserves in India said their data showed that tiger population had either increased or stabilised where tourism was allowed and accused NTCA of failing to put its house in order. "Falling tiger population is not because of tourism but other conservation issues which NTCA has failed to address," he said. The NTCA has linked further release of funds for tiger conservation with implementation of these guidelines. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/State-govts-told-to-ban-tourism-in-key-tiger-areas/Article1-805335.aspx

Prowling big cat remains elusive even after a month

TNN | Feb 2, 2012, 05.06AM IST LUCKNOW: A month has finished since the forest officials began efforts to trap the prowling tiger in Kakori. However, no success has come their way yet. The forest officials are still camping in the area. The department is being assisted by a team from the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) as well. The WTI team had joined the operation on January 10 to provide technical assistance to the forest department to trap the tiger. However, neither department nor WTI team has been able to locate the tiger. The sources in the department claim that it has cost government a good amount of money already. "And an additional amount has been asked for too," said sources. The last kill made by the tiger, about two days back, was located 2 km away from the CISH campus, where the tiger had taken refuge for the last 20 days or so. It indicated that the feline could have moved away from the spot. On Wednesday, however, the forest department could not find out the current location of the big cat. The department has planned to lay one big net to trap the wandering tiger, as enclosures have proved to be almost futile. The enclosures have been put at the same place where the tiger had killed a blue bull, inside the CISH campus. "We had set up a 'machaan' also but the tiger did not come out of the dense cover. It had instead dragged the kill inside the forest area," said a forest official in Kakori. The tiger is believed to have strayed from south Kheri and covered more than 250 km, to have reached its present location. The operation seems to be heading the same way, as the one in 2009, in which a stray tigress from Pilibhit was shot dead, after forest department failed to trap it safely. Meanwhile, the change of guard at the forest department might give the operation a fresh lease of life. Chief wildlife warden (CWW) B K Patnaik retired on Tuesday. Mohammad Ehsan has taken the charge of CWW now. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Prowling-big-cat-remains-elusive-even-after-a-month/articleshow/11721472.cms

Wildlife Institute team probes death of tiger cubs

TNN | Feb 1, 2012, 11.10PM IST KANPUR: A two-member team from Wildlife Institute of India (WII) visited Kanpur zoo on Wednesday to ascertain why the tiger cubs died of kidney failure. The team had been sent by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), which is probing the matter as to how did the three tiger cubs born to Tigress Trusha died of a similar disease. The cubs were born on May 30 last year but died one after the other. The post-mortem examinations of all the three cubs had one thing in common. The cause of death was renal failure. The team members inspected the enclosures of the tiger cubs. Pradeep K Malik and Pradeep Chandra Tyagi, the two scientists from WII inspected Kanpur zoo and stated the conditions to be satisfactory. Talking to mediapersons on Wednesday evening, the two scientists mentioned that they were satisfied with the condition of the enclosures. There are ample chances of improvement, they added. The WII scientists also saw the IVRI reports which stated that the tiger cubs had died due to kidney failure. It was to be probed how the cubs contracted the disease. "We will talk to scientists in Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) to know why the cubs contracted infection in the kidneys. We will seek a detailed report from them," Malik said. Zoo director K Praveen Rao said that the scientists from WII, Dehradun, saw the enclosure of the tiger cubs and suggested that improvements can be made. The two scientists spoke to the zoo veterinarians and discussed with them how the cubs contracted infection in the kidneys. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Wildlife-Institute-team-probes-death-of-tiger-cubs/articleshow/11718332.cms

Tiger census put off due to elections

TNN | Feb 1, 2012, 01.37AM IST NAGPUR: Owing to multiple reasons, the annual tiger estimation exercise to be taken up in four tiger reserves, national parks and sanctuaries has been rescheduled. The eight-day exercise, which was to be held from February 2 to 7, will now be held from February 10 to 17. A fresh schedule was issued by the PCCF (wildlife) office on Tuesday. "Officials concerned sought some time to procure essential material like cameras and rangefinders needed to conduct the census exercise. Hence, the date has been rescheduled," said SK Khetarpal, the principal chief conservator of forests for wildlife. Khetarpal added that another problem was about the zilla parishad elections on February 7. Absence of forest staff on poll duty might affect census work. "By postponing the exercise, we might be able to do it in a better way," he added. The NTCA is yet to release funds for the census exercise. "We expect it in a day or two. We also want to sign an MOU with the NTCA. All this will be completed before February 10," said Khetarpal. The PCCF said the fourth phase will help know tiger numbers in each reserve with the help of mark recapture based camera traps. The cameras will be two-sided and placed at 4 sq km each for 45-60 days i.e. 1,000 nights. After the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) adopted the new tiger census methodology in 2006, figures of individual tiger reserves have not been declared. The numbers included estimation of a protected area (PA) and its entire landscape. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-census-put-off-due-to-elections/articleshow/11706058.cms

Tiger traps in G'chiroli trigger alarm bells

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Jan 31, 2012, 01.17AM IST NAGPUR: The two steel traps found in Venkatapetha in Pranhita forest range in Gadchiroli district a few days ago are a wake up call for the state forest department. They are also a refutation of forest officials' claim that there were no tigers in the tribal district. The steel traps were detected by the forest staff on Wednesday in Venkatapetha-Muyaboynapetha forests but the information was kept under wraps. Sources said the matter came to light when field staff found a steel trap in a bag hanging on a tree. Further search of the area led to another trap. Besides, three holes to lay traps were also found. Sources said the traps were similar to the ones made by Baheliyas of Katni in Madhya Pradesh. These traps are laid to poach tiger, leopard and sloth bears. Baheliyas were notorious for poaching and have entered Vidarbha forests in a big way. On December 23, a jackal died after it was caught in a similar trap near Loni village on Amravati-Akola highway near Karanja-Sohol sanctuary. "Baheliyas operate at multiple locations. They carry tools to slaughter an animal and extract useful parts on the spot," an expert said. TSK Reddy, chief conservator of forests (CCF), Gadchiroli, did not respond to calls or SMS. This is not the first instance of poachers targeting Gadchiroli. Honorary wildlife warden of Gadchiroli MS Chouhan said forest officials always try to get away by claiming there are no tigers in Gadchiroli but the traps show poachers know of their presence. Nitin Desai, Central India director of WPSI, says, "This is the hardest evidence of tiger presence in Gadchiroli. The suspected Baheliya gangs have a history of going to this area. Earlier also, there have been cases up to Eturunagram wildlife sanctuary in Warangal." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-traps-in-Gchiroli-trigger-alarm-bells/articleshow/11692156.cms

Tiger reserve to get monitoring system

January 31, 2012 By B. Ravichandran DC Ooty The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) will soon have a tiger monitoring system that will include camera traps in and around its 321sq.km area, throughout the year, for regular updates on the health and population of tigers. The move is in line with the guidelines of the Wildlife Institute of India and the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the deputy director of MTR, A. Ameer Haja, told DC. “Preliminary training for staff in the MTR has been held recently in this regard and a field study was conducted during which 110 sites were selected for fixing double-sided cameras that would automatically photograph the big cats crossing the zone. The process of procuring cameras for the purpose is underway,” Haja said. This scheme paves the way for the intensive and annual monitoring of tigers at the MTR, he said. This is part of the comprehensive tiger conservation strategy designed by the Centre and this type of activity will allow the MTR administration to regularly get the latest updates regarding the population and health of the tigers, Haja said. The field forest staff in the jungles will regularly monitor the camera traps to ascertain whether the big cats visited that area and to get further details about the tigers, cubs, sex ratio and prey base in the zone and the health of the tigers, he said. This will help in getting data about the potential tiger spots inside the jungles, strengthen anti-poaching activities, strengthen the conservation efforts, he said. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/others/tiger-reserve-get-monitoring-system-784

'Insulation, underground cabling to curb wildlife electrocution'

TNN | Jan 31, 2012, 01.47AM IST CHANDRAPUR: Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) SK Khetrapal on Monday directed forest officials in Chandrapur to take up stringent measures to curb poaching through electrocution. He admitted that staff crunch in FDCM and lack of adequate attention towards wildlife led to the poaching of a tiger in FDCM Jharan range recently. Khetrapal was here to review preventive measures taken up following the tiger poaching incident. "I directed the officials to stress on foot patrolling in the jungle. We are also considering urging the state power company to ensure that no electrocution takes place, before allowing erection of any new transmission line through forests in Chandrapur. Other counter measures such as insulation of electric cables, bunching and underground cabling to prevent electrocution were discussed in the meeting," he said. Khetrapal, however, maintained that underground cabling is a costly affair and costs around Rs25 lakh per km, while overhead transmission line costs around Rs4 lakh per km. "I have also directed officials to keep close watch on unauthorized electric lines in private areas. There are chances of poachers laying electrocution trap on such unauthorized lines for wildlife," he told. Talking about the tiger poaching incident in Jharan range, he agreed that forest staffers of FDCM failed to take up adequate protection measures. "They are running short of almost 50% of the total staff. The beat guard of the particular forest beat where poaching took place holds charge of two beats and additional charge of round officer. I have talked with the managing director of FDCM and asked him to recruit daily wage fire watchers and intensify patrolling in their areas," he said. He claimed that induction of fire watchers starts from February 15 and they will continue their services until the onset of monsoon. Khetrapal also stressed on keeping a close tab on the trip record of electricity supply lines. He said, "We have asked MSEDCL to send an SMS immediately to concerned officers, whenever any incident of supply line tripping takes place." He added that it would help the foresters to check for electrocution if any in the concerned area. I have also directed the officers to intensify the patrolling in the forests, 2-3 days prior to the weekly market villages around. Even sniffer dog would be patrolled around in the weekly markets to detect if any wildlife meat is kept for sale." Officers also discussed the condition of water holes and availability of water in them, monitoring of tiger population and rehabilitation of village Kolsa, Ramdegi and Jamni out of TATR. Officers from Chandrapur circle, FDCM North Chandrapur and TATR were present in the meeting. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Insulation-underground-cabling-to-curb-wildlife-electrocution/articleshow/11692342.cms

Free run for choppers in Satkosia tiger reserve?

TUESDAY, 31 JANUARY 2012 00:00 MOUSHUMI BASU | NEW DELHI HITS: 229 Despite the twin instances of a low-flying chopper carrying a ruling BJD MP in Satkosia Tiger Reserve in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act having triggered a major controversy, the Odisha Government is yet to register a case against either the pilot or the owner of the helicopter. The violations took place in 2009 and 2010 and even forced the then Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh to intervene. However, with no action being taken so far, the Wildlife Society of Odisha (WSO), member organiation of National Board for Wildlife, has recently written to the Director General Civil Aviation and PCCF Wildlife Odisha, for re-investigating the matter. WSO secretary, Biswajit Mohanty, has threatened to take the issue to the court, alleging that a deliberate attempt is being made to shield the sitting Lok Sabha MP Baijayant Panda, who was flying in the helicopter. However, the State Government despite intervention by the then Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for a proper investigation into the matter has not taken any cognizance in this regard. In fact, in his letter written to the Principal Secretary, the PCCF Wildlife Odisha has observed, “Since the helicopter has not injured/killed any wild animal nor destroyed/damaged the wildlife habitat hence no offence case has been booked as no violation of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has occurred.” Mohanty in his letter countered saying that the role of the MP needs to be investigated specifically. “The entire enquiry process was vitiated, partial and without application of mind. As a result, a serious wildlife crime committed inside a Tiger Reserve was not investigated properly and no culpability was fixed as no case was filed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972”, The State Government found no violation of Wildlife Protection Act, but ironically, the DFO Satkosia Wildlife Division, Angul in his earlier letter to RCCF had expressed concern over the two incidents of the low-flying helicopter with a call sign ET1MF on November 2009 and September 2010. He had stated that such “low flying aircrafts could cause disturbance to the ecosystem and wild animals of the tiger reserves.” Ramesh had called for immediate intervention of the Minister of Civil Aviation stating that “such low flights over wildlife habitats amount to hunting under Wildlife Protection Act as it causes disturbance to wild animals”. Pointing to the lapses in the investigation, Mohanty noted that though the identity of the pilot and the aircraft was known, no attempt was made by the enquiring officers to question the owner of the helicopter No action has been taken by your office against the Park management for failing to notice the illegal entry and file a report in this regard. The Park management only acted after the complaint was filed by Mohanty to NTCA/Minister for Environment and Forests, which were later forwarded for action. Even the call sign of the helicopter was wrongly entered. Instead of “ETIMF”, it was actually “VTIMF”, pointed out Mohanty. The Mahanadi River has basking crocodiles and turtles-the elephants regularly drink and bathe in the river. The roar of the low flying helicopter over such areas is immensely disturbing to wild life, he added. http://dailypioneer.com/nation/39016-free-run-for-choppers-in-satkosia-tiger-reserve.html

Poachers took four limbs, two canines of Jharan tiger

TNN | Jan 25, 2012, 03.25AM IST CHANDRAPUR: Now it is official that the dead tiger found in Jharan range of FDCM North Chandrapur on Monday evening was poached by electrocution. Postmortem of the carcass and the circumstantial evidences gathered from the spot on Tuesday have confirmed that tiger had died due to electrocution. While poachers hacked and took away all four limbs and two canine of the beast, they left behind the metal wire used for electrocution. Not much was left of the tiger's carcass as it turned out that beast was killed more than five days back. "It was adult male tiger aged around 6 years. A black injury mark, caused due to contact with electric wire, was found near the neck. Only four nails were recovered near the carcass," said veterinary doctor PD Kadukar, who conducted the postmortem. Earlier FDCM officers had planned to take the carcass to Chandrapur but owing to its deteriorating condition, they finally decided to carry out autopsy at the same spot on Tuesday morn Following the recovery of carcass an extensive search was carried out in compartment No. 122 of Jharan range. The search had revealed several signs which substantiate that the place was a haven for local poachers. Foresters recovered over 300 metre long metal wire from the jungle which was used for electrocution of the tiger. Small ropes were found tied to the lower parts of the trees standing across the forest tracks to hold the electric wire which is laid low just above the ground, so that any wild animal walking along the track comes in the contact with the live wire. Internal sources in forest department claimed that, both 11 KV and 66 KV electric line passes over the place where the carcass was found. "Poachers might have used the 11 KV line for electrocuting the animal, as use of 66 KV line would have destroyed the wire as well as the carcass by its high voltage current," forest officers said. The trip record of the electric supply line summoned form the MSEDCL, too have helped in confirming the time of poaching. As per records, the Aksapur electricity feeder, that regulates the electricity supply in all the villages around had tripped at 3am of January 19, the probable time when the tiger was electrocuted, sources claimedForest officers are confident that it is the work of local poachers who were after a herbivore, but accidentally tiger was killed by the live wire. "The way tiger's claws were hacked, suggests that it was the work of non-professional poachers. They went on to axe the right jaw of the tiger to remove the right upper and lower canine tooth. But, they left four nails behind, failed to remove left upper and lower canine and even did not bother to go after the skin," sources said. Entire circumstantial evidences put together, it is apparent that poachers belong to some nearby villages and were actively poaching the herbivores in the area with electric wire since last few months. Meanwhile, senior forest officers including FDCM MD SK Sood, APCCF Anmol Kumar, regional manager FDCM Sanjay Thakre, CCF Chandrapur circle BSK Reddy, divisional manager, FDCM MA Ghoshal along with PCCF's representative Bandu Dhotre and NTCA's representative Poonam Dhanwatey were present during the postmortem of the tiger. Veterinary doctor Kadukar has removed the available viscera to forward it to forensic lab. The carcass was later burnt at the same spot before the witnesses. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Poachers-took-four-limbs-two-canines-of-Jharan-tiger/articleshow/11622633.cms

Canal will hurt top reserve’s tigers

Jan 25, 2012 - Rashme Sehgal | Age Correspondent | New Delhi The Rajasthan state government’s determination to construct a canal which will slice through the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) is going to take a heavy toll on the tiger population of this high-profile sanctuary. The canal will severe the crucial corridor that links RTR to the Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary. The problem is made more complex because the state government had sought permission for this canal construction from the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBW). The NBW turned down the proposal twice. Prerna Bindra, a member of the standing committee of the NBW pointed out, “The channel will sever and finish the corridor between RNP and the Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary. If this linkage is broken, the tigers have a doubtful future. The corridor needs to be protected at all cost.” Ms Bindra added, “Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary has finally after a long period, seen signs of breeding tigers. According to reports, the presence of six adult tigers and four cubs have been recorded in this sanctuary.” The foundation stone for the canal was laid by Namo Narain Meena, Lok Sabha MP from Sawai Madhopur, in April 2011. When National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) member P.K. Sen visited the RTR, he found a large number of trees had been cut in order to build this canal. Rajasthan’s former chief wildlife warden R.N. Mehrotra (retired a fortnight ago) explained, “The reason why the canal was being constructed was because major siltation had taken place in the Mansarovar Lake located in RTR. Extra water was required in order to remove the silt.” But water experts point out that an attempt to connect the Kushalipura nalla to the Mansarovar Lake will hardly provide a solution to the siltation problem. The state forest department has now suggested to the ministry of environment and forests that they should go in for underground pipes that can pump water to the lake and are awaiting a green signal from them. http://www.asianage.com/india/canal-will-hurt-top-reserve-s-tigers-797

Census records rise in vulture count in Panna

MAHIM PRATAP SINGH The Hindu The Longbilled vulture. Photo: Special Arrangement The results of the vulture census in the Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) will definitely provide wildlife enthusiasts with a reason to cheer. The count in the third annual estimation exercise that concluded on Monday has registered an increase of 39 per cent over the last year's figures. While the maximum vulture population this year stood at 1797 (as against 1340 in 2011), the minimum number was 1054 (814 last year) while the average count recorded was 1510 (1079 last year). Vultures were found in 38 of the 39 sites earmarked for counting, as against 21 of 25 sites last year. The PTR is home to seven vulture species — long-billed, white-backed, Egyptian, red-headed, Eurasian griffon, Himalayan griffon and cinereous. The first four are permanent residents of the park while the last three are migratory. A significant decline was seen in the numbers of the long-billed (502 from 775) and the cinereous vulture (1 from 6) but that could be because of lack of technical expertise on the part of the enumerators, explained park officials. 97 birds not identified “Because of the difficulty in distinguishing between the long-billed vulture and the Himalayan griffon vulture, 97 birds could only be identified as “unknown” by the observers due to lack of technical expertise,” PTR Field Director R.S. Murthy told The Hindu. Based on a public-private partnership model, the enumeration exercise is being carried at PTR for the last three years. This time, 110 participants from 9 States and two Union Territories, including two foreign citizens, had registered for the exercise. Finally 65 people actually participated in the event. While the PTR is evidently a great vulture habitat with ample feeding opportunities for the avian scavengers, some areas of concern have emerged recently. “The use of the banned diclofenac for cattle around the Patori village and the cutting of the Arjun tree, which serves as a good nesting site for the white-backed vulture, are two areas of concerns we have identified as threats to vultures. Efforts are needed to stop such activities,” Mr. Murthy said. http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article2829228.ece

Tiger census from Feb 2 to 7, parks to stay open

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Jan 24, 2012, 06.20AM IST NAGPUR: The mega tiger estimation exercise with the help of scientific transect line method will be carried out from February 2 to 7. The principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), S K Khetarpal, issued official directions in this regard on January 19. Earlier, Khetarpal had declared that the exercise would be held in the first week of February but dates were not declared. The exercise will be taken up in four tiger reserves: Tadoba-Andhari, Pench, Melghat and Sahyadri and their buffer areas. Tiger-bearing sanctuaries like Bor, Nagzira, Navegaon and Mansingdeo will also be included. A K Saxena, APCCF (East), will be in charge of Vidarbha while Sahyadri and other areas will be looked after by A K Nigam, APCCF (West). The parks will not be kept closed for tourists during the exercise. V K Sinha, CCF and field director of TATR, said that the exercise, which will include collection of data on transect lines, can be completed between 6am and 9am. "The entry can be delayed but parks will not remain closed," Sinha told TOI. Similarly, A K Mishra, CCF and field director of Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR), said, "There is hardly any tourist pressure here and hence there is no need to close the reserve for tourists." Saxena said that as of now, there are no directions to allow individual volunteers or NGOs to participate in the exercise but it has been left to the respective field director of the parks. Mishra said Melghat and its buffer is big. "Only volunteers with wildlife credentials will be allowed to take part," he added. As per two transects in one beat, there will be around 550 transect lines in MTR. Mishra said two camera traps will be deployed in every 5 sq km. "We will need around 600 cameras," he said. Similarly, Sinha said that TATR and its buffer will also require over 600 camera traps. "There will be over 68 transect lines in 625 sq km TATR," he added. The cameras will be two-sided and placed for 45-60 days. Khetarpal has chalked out the entire programme systematically. Training of field staff has already started and will continue till January 25. Between January 27 and January 29, transect lines will be identified while on January 30 and 31, all doubts of field staff will be cleared. On February 1, stationery and other material will be distributed to the staff. The first three days will be for data collection about presence of herbivores while next three days will be for carnivores. The new tiger census methodology will help know figures of individual tiger reserves. Till now, the numbers included estimation of a protected area and its entire landscape. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-census-from-Feb-2-to-7-parks-to-stay-open/articleshow/11610820.cms

Tiger poached in Jharan forest

TNN | Jan 24, 2012, 06.07AM IST CHANDRAPUR: A suspected case of tiger poaching was discovered in compartment No. 121 of Jharan range under FDCM north Chandrapur. Foresters on Monday evening found a partially decomposed carcass of a full grown tiger with several of its body parts including nails and teeth missing. The carcass is around 48 hours old. Forest officers suspect electrocution as cause of death. Confirmed the death regional manager of FDCM north Chandrapur, Sanjay Thakre said, "An electric line passes over the place were the carcass was found, but the exact reason of the death can only be confirmed after the post-mortem," he said. The carcass will be brought to Chandrapur and post-mortem will be carried out at Rambagh Nursery on Tuesday morning. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-poached-in-Jharan-forest/articleshow/11610726.cms

Rantalodhi villagers relent, agree for rehab

TNN | Jan 24, 2012, 06.07AM IST CHANDRAPUR: With the relocation exercise going on in full gear in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Rantalohi village, which so far was most reluctant towards rehabilitation, too has responded positively to the rehabilitation call. Around 100 families from Rantalodhi have expressed their consent for relocation out of the tiger reserve. Out of six villages located inside TATR, Rantalodhi and Kolsa villages were most averse to relocation out of tiger reserve. However, 38 families from the partially relocated Kolsa village recently agreed to move out of the reserve with a cash compensation package of Rs10 lakh each. Five of them have practically moved out of Kolsa. Taking the cue, around 100 families of Rantalohi approached the authorities, expressing willingness for relocation. "There are around 140 families in Rantalodhi. Of these, around 100 have approached the rehabilitation department. While some have asked for cash compensation option under Rs10 lakh rehabilitation package, others have opted for rehabilitation with full residential and civic amenities out of TATR. A few of them have also expressed their willingness to go to Bhagwanpur," said field director and CCF, TATR, Vinaykumar Sinha. He said that the initial relocation site selected for Rantalodhi was near Golabhuj village in Sindewahi forest range. However, now they have refused to move to Golabhuj and seeking new site near village Belgata in the same range. This new site is along the Mul-Sindewahi road. There is, however, a hurdle. "A patch of this site falls in the wildlife corridor, while a big chunk of the site is dense jungle and cannot be made available for rehabilitation. Only 100 hectares of open patch is available at this place. Therefore, this place can be considered for relocation only if the families that want to move here make do with the open patch," Sinha said. With some families seeking cash compensation, while others seeking relocation at Bhagwanpur, there is a possibility of managing the remaining families at new site near Belgata. However, if the number of families increases, then people of Rantalodhi will have to look for some other site for relocation. Bhagwanpur a preferred choice Since the commencement of three lift irrigation schemes to provide irrigation facility to Bhagwanpur, this model rehabilitation site of two TATR villages has become the centre of attraction for villagers seeking rehabilitation out of tiger reserve. Some families from Rantalodhi village have asked for rehabilitation at Bhagwanpur, instead of a new site elsewhere. Similarly, five of the families in Kolsa village too have approached forest authorities, seeking relocation at Bhagwanpur. Strong opponent of rehabilitation at Bhagwanpur, Sudhakar Madavi of Kolsa village, too has expressed his willingness to go to Bhagwanpur, after the launch of irrigation schemes. The work of construction of lift irrigation scheme is underway on war-footing at Bhagwanpur and irrigation department is determined to complete its construction before onset of the next summer. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Rantalodhi-villagers-relent-agree-for-rehab/articleshow/11610724.cms

Case against tribals for attacking offices in Dudhwa reserve

PTI | 02:01 PM,Jan 24,2012 Lakhimpur, Jan 24 (PTI) A case has been registered against more than 150 tribals in connection with attacking the office of Bankati range in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and damaging the houses and properties of the range staff. Those who have been named in the FIR include Ram Chandra Rana, head of tribal village Surma and member of state forest rights monitoring committee and one Rajneesh. In the FIR, it has been alleged that hundreds of Tharus tribals, including men and women living inside the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve stormed into the protected tiger reserve area in Bankati Range to collect fire-woods and other forest produce in the name of Forest Rights Act. When prevented by the DTR staff, they manhandled the authorities, sabotaged the Bankati forest range office and the residences of range staff and took away precious belongings from the staff houses. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has taken strong note of illegal encroachment into protected tiger areas by unauthorised mob of people and asked the government to check such incidents. Irked over the assault by the alleged enchroachers upon the Bankati range office and staff residences there, the Federation of Forest Association has sent a memorandum to the district authorities as well as state forest authorities to arrest the accused and those who provoked the Tharus in the name of Forest Rights Act. Field director, DTR Shailesh Prasad said, "the Bankati incident was the result of nefarious designs by some local influentials, who misguided the people of revenue villages about the Forest Rights Act". He said that a probe from all angles was on in the incident and appropriate action will be taken thereafter. PTI COR AVA PG PMS

'Male tigers do double up as mothers for their cubs'

Bhanu Pratap Singh, TNN | Jan 23, 2012, 03.03AM IST JAIPUR: Wildlife enthusiasts may have finally found an answer to the longstanding question if male big cats reared their cubs whose mothers were dead. Pictures taken at the Ranthambore National Park on Saturday evening by wildlife conservator and photographer Balendu Singh show that the male tigers do double up as mothers for their cubs. "These are pictures of the T25 tiger looking after the two cubs that he fathered," said tiger expert Valmik Thapar, as he announced to enthralled audience at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) that this doubtful behaviour of the wild cats now stood confirmed in the Ranthambore forests. "This was unheard of in the tiger literature of the world. Only the female tigers were known to raise the cubs, but T25 has shown that the males also do it," Thapar asserted. Until now the tiger was 'suspected' to be playing a 'doting dad' to the two cubs after their mother died in February 2011. The state wildlife authorities, too, had been keeping a watch on the tiger and the orphaned cubs since June 2011 when first indications were picked up that T25 could be doubling up as mother. Thapar and Jaisal Singh, another wildlife enthusiast and avid photographer, took the audiences at the JLF session on "Tiger Tales from Ranthambore" on a video and pictorial journey to the Ranthambore of 1970s and 1980s when the reserve area boosted of greater number of tigers. "It was a time when I spotted as many as 16 different tigers in a single day at Ranthambore," said Thapar, recounting from the 1980s, while former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, theatre and film actor Sanjana Kapoor and the Bhutan queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuk listened among the audiences. Thapar highlighted how the Ranthambore tigers 'stopped shying' of humans and roamed around freely once 12 villages within the national park were relocated between 1976 and 1979. "Tigers are emotional and react to situations," Thapar said, as he explained the changed behaviour of the tigers. The wildlife expert hit out at the state governments, especially the bureaucrats, for having a rigid attitude and carrying on with the "British traditions" in wildlife matters. "The conditions have come to a level where the governments and NGOs now live in world of mutual distrust and where the tiger is the sufferer ultimately," Thapar said on passionate note. Raje, though, later tried to explain the political and financial constraints of the governments on such issues. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Male-tigers-do-double-up-as-mothers-for-their-cubs/articleshow/11595894.cms