Morigaon: Even as Asian countries meet in Russia to discuss ways to save the tiger, a Royal Bengal Tiger was shot dead by police on Tuesday after it killed a woman and mauled another sub-inspector at Nagabandha in Morigaon district in Assam.
The tiger, which swam across the Bhramhaputra from Orang National Park in Udalguri district to take shelter between Morigaon and Nagaon districts, killed a 38-year-old woman, police said.
When sub-inspector Tilak Chandra Bora and his team went to nab the tiger, it pounced on him in a paddy field, injuring the policeman critically, they added.
The tiger was finally shot dead to save the sub-inspector.
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/tiger-shot-dead-in-assam-68203?cp
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tiger death: Forest guard suspended in Sariska
A forest guard at Alwar's Sariska Tiger Sanctuary has been suspended by the Rajasthan government following the death of a tiger, officials said today.
"The guard Ramgopal was found guilty of dereliction of duty following which he was suspended recently," they said.
The government has so far suspended four personnel in the case of the tiger's death and transferred one official.
The carcass of "ST-1" was found by a forest department team in Sariska sanctuary on November 14.
"The guard Ramgopal was found guilty of dereliction of duty following which he was suspended recently," they said.
The government has so far suspended four personnel in the case of the tiger's death and transferred one official.
The carcass of "ST-1" was found by a forest department team in Sariska sanctuary on November 14.
Tigers vanishing, pooja continues in Uttara Kannada villages
Tue, 23 Nov 2010 - 19:59:00S.O. News Service |
Karwar: Tiger worship is century old tradition in many parts of Uttara Kannada district. This practice is still in vogue at Kanasgiri village near here and elsewhere in the district.
The pooja is held every year during the Hind month of 'Karteeka'. It was held at Kanasgiri on Friday evening. Each family brings an earthen pot painted with the tigers' face on it to nearby forest and keeps it on a particular place on the day of pooja. Various dishes are offered to the Tiger God on the occasion.
According to Deepak Naik, president of Yuvaka Sangha of the village, earlier the villagers used to carry the earthen idol of tiger for pooja. Since the past two decades this practice has been stopped. Instead the pots are worshipped.
The elders in the village recollect that the village was surrounded by thick forest around 50-60 years ago the forest was a natural habitat for tigers. Many villagers had noticed tigers roaming freely in the forest. But indiscriminate hunting and denudation for forest resulted in depletion of tiger population. According to them the cattle, grazing in the forest, used to be the easy target for the tigers. It was in this context tiger worship started on the belief that tigers would be pleased wit the worship and stop killing the cattle.
According retired chief mineral economist, hunting of tigers in the jungles of Uttara Kannada district was a pastime and a fun for royal families and the British. Joida forest area had thick tiger population then, Mining activity in Joida taluk also was responsible for the depletion of tiger population, he says.
If at all a few tigers still exist in the forest region of the district, the villagers, who worship tiger should be complimented, he said.
If at all a few tigers still exist in the forest region of the district, the villagers, who worship tiger should be complimented, he said.
In Sirsi, Siddapur and Yellapur taluks, one can find the statues of tigers in the thick forest. The villagers from surrounding areas offer pooja in those places once in a year.
Karwar: Tiger worship is century old tradition in many parts of Uttara Kannada district. This practice is still in vogue at Kanasgiri village near here and elsewhere in the district.
The pooja is held every year during the Hind month of 'Karteeka'. It was held at Kanasgiri on Friday evening. Each family brings an earthen pot painted with the tigers' face on it to nearby forest and keeps it on a particular place on the day of pooja. Various dishes are offered to the Tiger God on the occasion.
According to Deepak Naik, president of Yuvaka Sangha of the village, earlier the villagers used to carry the earthen idol of tiger for pooja. Since the past two decades this practice has been stopped. Instead the pots are worshipped.
The elders in the village recollect that the village was surrounded by thick forest around 50-60 years ago the forest was a natural habitat for tigers. Many villagers had noticed tigers roaming freely in the forest. But indiscriminate hunting and denudation for forest resulted in depletion of tiger population. According to them the cattle, grazing in the forest, used to be the easy target for the tigers. It was in this context tiger worship started on the belief that tigers would be pleased wit the worship and stop killing the cattle.
According retired chief mineral economist, hunting of tigers in the jungles of Uttara Kannada district was a pastime and a fun for royal families and the British. Joida forest area had thick tiger population then, Mining activity in Joida taluk also was responsible for the depletion of tiger population, he says.
If at all a few tigers still exist in the forest region of the district, the villagers, who worship tiger should be complimented, he said.
If at all a few tigers still exist in the forest region of the district, the villagers, who worship tiger should be complimented, he said.
In Sirsi, Siddapur and Yellapur taluks, one can find the statues of tigers in the thick forest. The villagers from surrounding areas offer pooja in those places once in a year.
Tiger skins, bones fetch $5 mn annually in black market
St. Petersburg, Nov 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Poachers sell about 150 tiger skins every year and the annual turnover of tiger skins and bones in the black market across the globe is some $5 million, a UN official has said.
'150 tiger skins and 150 kg of tiger bones are sold on the black market annually. In 2009, one (tiger) skin cost $20,000 and a kg of bones - $1,200,' said Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of United Nations office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The wild cats have been steadily pushed to the verge of extinction by poaching, illegal trade, and habitat loss, Fedotov said. About 150 tigers are killed by poachers every year, which is about 5 percent of world's tiger population.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) plans to spend $85 million in the next five years on programmes aimed at restoring the global tiger population, WWF head James Leape said at the International Tiger Conservation Forum Monday.
According to the WWF, about 3,200 tigers are left worldwide. A century ago, there were some 100,000 wild tigers across Asia and the Russian Far East.
The International Tiger Conservation Forum, hosted by the northwestern Russian city of St. Petersburg running Nov 21-24, is discussing a plan to double the animal's population in 12 years, which will require up to $350 million from the international community.
Keshav Varma, the director of the World Bank's Global Tiger Initiative (GTI), called on the international community Monday to donate more money to save the tigers.
'150 tiger skins and 150 kg of tiger bones are sold on the black market annually. In 2009, one (tiger) skin cost $20,000 and a kg of bones - $1,200,' said Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of United Nations office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The wild cats have been steadily pushed to the verge of extinction by poaching, illegal trade, and habitat loss, Fedotov said. About 150 tigers are killed by poachers every year, which is about 5 percent of world's tiger population.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) plans to spend $85 million in the next five years on programmes aimed at restoring the global tiger population, WWF head James Leape said at the International Tiger Conservation Forum Monday.
According to the WWF, about 3,200 tigers are left worldwide. A century ago, there were some 100,000 wild tigers across Asia and the Russian Far East.
The International Tiger Conservation Forum, hosted by the northwestern Russian city of St. Petersburg running Nov 21-24, is discussing a plan to double the animal's population in 12 years, which will require up to $350 million from the international community.
Keshav Varma, the director of the World Bank's Global Tiger Initiative (GTI), called on the international community Monday to donate more money to save the tigers.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Sunderbans tiger census report not before rains
KOLKATA: The nation will have to wait till monsoon to know the number of Royal Bengal Tigers in Sunderbans. While the numbers of wild tigers in rest of the nation are likely to come out in March, Sunderbans may not figure in that, as Wildlife Institute of India (WII) could complete only two phases of population estimation due to the mangrove forest's difficult ter-rain. Though, the distribution and occupancy data will be out soon.
"Humans are on the menu of tigers when they work in Sunderbans. While working we have found that one needs to be in a group and be very cautious. Overall, the nature of this mangrove forest makes the entire practice a time consuming matter," said WII's Qamar Qureshi, adding that the work of third phase has only started in September. WII, which is working in Sunderbans for almost three years has completed tiger signs collection, ungulate distribution and mapping of the forest. "We have collected scat information of the big cats, done camera traps and have radio collared a few tigers. Now, we are running the ungulate survey and sign survey of tigers to get the number. DNA sampling too will be done in this phase," said Qureshi.
According to him, it can come out with the number of tigers in Sunderbans only in the monsoon. "We are trying our best to make the numbers available by March with the figures of other parts of India, but it seems difficult," he said. Earlier, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), deputy inspector general, S P Yadav told TOI that the entire census report may get delayed by a couple of months as the Centre would not compromise on standard and reliability.
"Sunderbans is a habitat that is notoriously difficult to negotiate, apart from creek access at high tide. It is thus difficult to scientifically physically estimate the population of tigers here. This is why both the West Bengal forest department and WII are finding it justifiably difficult to arrive at a credible tiger estimate," said Bittu Sahgal, editor, Sanctuary Asia.
Meanwhile, WII will submit its preliminary report on distribution and occupancy of tigers to the Centre in a few weeks. Without divulging much, Qureshi said, forest occupancy of big cats in Sunderbans though will figure in the report. It may be noted that according to the last census in 2008, occupancy of tigers in Sunderbans was about 1586 square kilometres, though the numbers could not be assessed due to lack of reliability.
The last census done in Sunderbans in 2001-02, put the tiger numbers in Indian part of the mangrove forest at 274, of which, Sunderbans Tiger Re-serve had 249 and South 24-Parganas forest division had 25 big cats. But in 2006, Indian Statistical Institute claimed that the number is not more than 75, the report, however, was rejected by the state government. "I personally doubt that 274 cats ever existed in the Sunderbans. Nevertheless, the habitat is imminently suitable for tigers which, apart from herbivores, also feed on carrion washed down by rivers or thrown up by the sea. One way or the other I expect the Sunderbans tiger estimation to surprise everyone," added Sahgal.
"Population estimation is being done by a new methodology called Monitoring of Tigers, Co-predators, Prey and Habitat', developed by the Project Tiger. But work in the final phase is still left and we don't think the Centre will be able to come out with Sunderbans tiger numbers in time," said principal chief conservator of forests Atanu Raha. In Sunderbans, about 35 teams, with 250 forest personnel are taking part in the process.
"Humans are on the menu of tigers when they work in Sunderbans. While working we have found that one needs to be in a group and be very cautious. Overall, the nature of this mangrove forest makes the entire practice a time consuming matter," said WII's Qamar Qureshi, adding that the work of third phase has only started in September. WII, which is working in Sunderbans for almost three years has completed tiger signs collection, ungulate distribution and mapping of the forest. "We have collected scat information of the big cats, done camera traps and have radio collared a few tigers. Now, we are running the ungulate survey and sign survey of tigers to get the number. DNA sampling too will be done in this phase," said Qureshi.
According to him, it can come out with the number of tigers in Sunderbans only in the monsoon. "We are trying our best to make the numbers available by March with the figures of other parts of India, but it seems difficult," he said. Earlier, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), deputy inspector general, S P Yadav told TOI that the entire census report may get delayed by a couple of months as the Centre would not compromise on standard and reliability.
"Sunderbans is a habitat that is notoriously difficult to negotiate, apart from creek access at high tide. It is thus difficult to scientifically physically estimate the population of tigers here. This is why both the West Bengal forest department and WII are finding it justifiably difficult to arrive at a credible tiger estimate," said Bittu Sahgal, editor, Sanctuary Asia.
Meanwhile, WII will submit its preliminary report on distribution and occupancy of tigers to the Centre in a few weeks. Without divulging much, Qureshi said, forest occupancy of big cats in Sunderbans though will figure in the report. It may be noted that according to the last census in 2008, occupancy of tigers in Sunderbans was about 1586 square kilometres, though the numbers could not be assessed due to lack of reliability.
The last census done in Sunderbans in 2001-02, put the tiger numbers in Indian part of the mangrove forest at 274, of which, Sunderbans Tiger Re-serve had 249 and South 24-Parganas forest division had 25 big cats. But in 2006, Indian Statistical Institute claimed that the number is not more than 75, the report, however, was rejected by the state government. "I personally doubt that 274 cats ever existed in the Sunderbans. Nevertheless, the habitat is imminently suitable for tigers which, apart from herbivores, also feed on carrion washed down by rivers or thrown up by the sea. One way or the other I expect the Sunderbans tiger estimation to surprise everyone," added Sahgal.
"Population estimation is being done by a new methodology called Monitoring of Tigers, Co-predators, Prey and Habitat', developed by the Project Tiger. But work in the final phase is still left and we don't think the Centre will be able to come out with Sunderbans tiger numbers in time," said principal chief conservator of forests Atanu Raha. In Sunderbans, about 35 teams, with 250 forest personnel are taking part in the process.
Tiger sparks panic in Assam
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Nagaon, Nov. 22. A full grown Royal Bengal tiger has created panic in central Assam’s Morigaon district for the past six days.
The tiger, from Orang National Park, crossed the Brahmaputra and entered the district on November 17.
A Nagaon forest department source said villagers of Kandhulimari tracked the movement of the tiger in the area on Wednesday and reported the matter to a local forest department official. It killed a cow in that area and was spotted near Habi Barangabari.
“The tiger has been in Habi Barangabari for the past five days. It killed a pig last night. Our forest department officials are stationed there. All possible attempts are being made to send it back to its original habitat,” said Nagaon divisional forest officer Aftabuddin Ahmed.
Royal Bengal tigers crossing the Brahmaputra and entering villages have become common in the past two years.
Nagaon, Nov. 22. A full grown Royal Bengal tiger has created panic in central Assam’s Morigaon district for the past six days.
The tiger, from Orang National Park, crossed the Brahmaputra and entered the district on November 17.
A Nagaon forest department source said villagers of Kandhulimari tracked the movement of the tiger in the area on Wednesday and reported the matter to a local forest department official. It killed a cow in that area and was spotted near Habi Barangabari.
“The tiger has been in Habi Barangabari for the past five days. It killed a pig last night. Our forest department officials are stationed there. All possible attempts are being made to send it back to its original habitat,” said Nagaon divisional forest officer Aftabuddin Ahmed.
Royal Bengal tigers crossing the Brahmaputra and entering villages have become common in the past two years.
Needed, global action to save the tiger
EDITS | Tuesday, November 23, 2010 | Email | Print | | Back
Stop illicit trade in tiger body parts
The summit hosted by Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and attended by his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao among other top leaders from 13 tiger-range countries underscores how serious a concern tiger conservation has become globally. The decline of the wild tiger population has been alarming: From 100,000 big cats the jungles a century ago, only 3,200 tigers are left in the forests of these 13 countries. Three subspecies — Bali, Javan and Caspian — have become extinct. With 104 to 119 tigers falling prey to poachers every year, the forecast by the World Wildlife Fund that there won’t be any tigers left to celebrate the next Chinese Year of the Tiger (2022) doesn’t seem to be unduly alarming. This is all the more so because apart from Russia, all other countries have failed to increase the number of tigers in the wild. India is a case in point. The country continues to witness a steady decline in the number of big cats although the Government launched Project Tiger way back in 1973 to identify and address the limiting factors in tiger reserves. The ongoing decline of the tiger population is, in essence, a comment on the loss of forest cover in Asia. Clearly, tigers are fighting a losing battle for their survival as human beings encroach into their natural habitat and the prey base declines. Shrinking forest cover on account of ill-planned development projects and expanding human habitation is one of the reasons behind the rapidly declining tiger population. But the major factor behind the depletion is poaching. Tigers continue to be killed for their body parts which fetch a fortune; those living near or within tiger reserves are easily lured into this illicit trade with hideous consequences: Casual poaching has now turned into organised crime that transcends national borders.
If the political leaders of the countries concerned take a united and firm stand to combat poaching and marshal all necessary resources to prevent tigers from becoming an extinct species, perhaps the big cat may yet survive in the wild. Those attending the tiger summit are expected to discuss ways to strengthen law-enforcement and management of protected wildlife areas. Needless to add, they should focus on putting an end to cross-border illegal trade in tiger body parts by adopting stringent deterrent measures. Simultaneously, there is need for launching a massive awareness campaign as well as involving local populations in protecting tigers. However, there cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach towards conservation of this endangered animal. Local conditions differ from country to country and require solutions that are region and area specific. For instance, in India the Government can no longer delay relocating human population within tiger reserves and making access to the animal’s habitat as difficult as possible.
Stop illicit trade in tiger body parts
The summit hosted by Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and attended by his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao among other top leaders from 13 tiger-range countries underscores how serious a concern tiger conservation has become globally. The decline of the wild tiger population has been alarming: From 100,000 big cats the jungles a century ago, only 3,200 tigers are left in the forests of these 13 countries. Three subspecies — Bali, Javan and Caspian — have become extinct. With 104 to 119 tigers falling prey to poachers every year, the forecast by the World Wildlife Fund that there won’t be any tigers left to celebrate the next Chinese Year of the Tiger (2022) doesn’t seem to be unduly alarming. This is all the more so because apart from Russia, all other countries have failed to increase the number of tigers in the wild. India is a case in point. The country continues to witness a steady decline in the number of big cats although the Government launched Project Tiger way back in 1973 to identify and address the limiting factors in tiger reserves. The ongoing decline of the tiger population is, in essence, a comment on the loss of forest cover in Asia. Clearly, tigers are fighting a losing battle for their survival as human beings encroach into their natural habitat and the prey base declines. Shrinking forest cover on account of ill-planned development projects and expanding human habitation is one of the reasons behind the rapidly declining tiger population. But the major factor behind the depletion is poaching. Tigers continue to be killed for their body parts which fetch a fortune; those living near or within tiger reserves are easily lured into this illicit trade with hideous consequences: Casual poaching has now turned into organised crime that transcends national borders.
If the political leaders of the countries concerned take a united and firm stand to combat poaching and marshal all necessary resources to prevent tigers from becoming an extinct species, perhaps the big cat may yet survive in the wild. Those attending the tiger summit are expected to discuss ways to strengthen law-enforcement and management of protected wildlife areas. Needless to add, they should focus on putting an end to cross-border illegal trade in tiger body parts by adopting stringent deterrent measures. Simultaneously, there is need for launching a massive awareness campaign as well as involving local populations in protecting tigers. However, there cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach towards conservation of this endangered animal. Local conditions differ from country to country and require solutions that are region and area specific. For instance, in India the Government can no longer delay relocating human population within tiger reserves and making access to the animal’s habitat as difficult as possible.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tiger death: Sariska caught in translocation, relocation tussle
The death of a translocated tiger from the Ranthambore National Park (RNP) to the Sariska Tiger Sanctuary, which lost all its tigers in 2005, has brought to the fore the tug-of-war between the two sanctuaries and the need to fast-track relocation of villagers residing in the vicinity.
Senior forest officials maintain that a lobby, primarily made up of hoteliers and travel operators based in the RNP, were against the translocation process from the beginning. “Sariska is only around 190 km from New Delhi while RNP is close to 400 km. There is a lobby which believes that increasing the tiger population in Sariska will mean the decline of tourists to the RNP. Incidentally, ST-1, the translocated tiger which died, was the most visible tiger when tourists visited Sariska,” said a senior official, adding that such issues were never discussed earlier.
However, Union Minister Jairam Ramesh has vowed to go ahead with the translocation process, and announced a Rs 30-crore package to Sariska to aid the relocation of villagers in the tiger habitat area. Though the first tiger was translocated to Sariska in June 2008, the Rajasthan Forest Department began the process of rehabilitating villages in 2006. But since then only one complete hamlet has been shifted while four others are in various stages of completion.
Senior forest officials maintain that a lobby, primarily made up of hoteliers and travel operators based in the RNP, were against the translocation process from the beginning. “Sariska is only around 190 km from New Delhi while RNP is close to 400 km. There is a lobby which believes that increasing the tiger population in Sariska will mean the decline of tourists to the RNP. Incidentally, ST-1, the translocated tiger which died, was the most visible tiger when tourists visited Sariska,” said a senior official, adding that such issues were never discussed earlier.
However, Union Minister Jairam Ramesh has vowed to go ahead with the translocation process, and announced a Rs 30-crore package to Sariska to aid the relocation of villagers in the tiger habitat area. Though the first tiger was translocated to Sariska in June 2008, the Rajasthan Forest Department began the process of rehabilitating villages in 2006. But since then only one complete hamlet has been shifted while four others are in various stages of completion.
WWF issues appeal as tiger summit starts
WWF issues appeal as tiger summit starts
Moscow, Nov 21 (DPA) An international conference on saving the world's tigers from extinction got underway in St. Petersburg Sunday.
Kicking off the four-day conference, animal protection group World Wildlife Fund (WWF) warned that the planet's last free-roaming tigers faced extinction by 2022, the next Chinese Year of the Tiger after this year.
WWF general director James Leape said that only around 3,200 tigers are still roaming freedom in 13 countries.
By WWF accounts, the St. Petersburg meeting is the first one in which government leaders will be debating the fate of a single animal species.
Among others, Russian Premier Vladimir Putin, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were due to take part in the conference.
Tigers are coveted as trophies by hunters and for making questionable medications in some countries, Leape noted.
What is needed is to persuade those people who inhabit regions together with tigers to join the cause of protecting the animals, he said.
The St. Petersburg conference is due to discuss proposals for protecting the world's largest predatory cats, with the aim of doubling the tigers' worldwide numbers.
On the agenda for Tuesday is a vote proposing a programme of at least $350 million to rescue the world's tigers.
Moscow, Nov 21 (DPA) An international conference on saving the world's tigers from extinction got underway in St. Petersburg Sunday.
Kicking off the four-day conference, animal protection group World Wildlife Fund (WWF) warned that the planet's last free-roaming tigers faced extinction by 2022, the next Chinese Year of the Tiger after this year.
WWF general director James Leape said that only around 3,200 tigers are still roaming freedom in 13 countries.
By WWF accounts, the St. Petersburg meeting is the first one in which government leaders will be debating the fate of a single animal species.
Among others, Russian Premier Vladimir Putin, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were due to take part in the conference.
Tigers are coveted as trophies by hunters and for making questionable medications in some countries, Leape noted.
What is needed is to persuade those people who inhabit regions together with tigers to join the cause of protecting the animals, he said.
The St. Petersburg conference is due to discuss proposals for protecting the world's largest predatory cats, with the aim of doubling the tigers' worldwide numbers.
On the agenda for Tuesday is a vote proposing a programme of at least $350 million to rescue the world's tigers.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Four tiger deaths in one month in Kaziranga
Guwahati: An adult tigress has been found dead at Agratoli range of Kaziranga National Park in Assam, the fourth such death in this month in the sanctuary.
Park officials said the carcass of the tigress was found on Friday in a highly decomposed state.
The reason behind the death is yet to be ascertained, they said.
It is the fourth tiger carcass to be found this month in Kaziranga National Park, which is a World Heritage Site.
Earlier, carcasses of three tigers, all in decomposed state, was found at Kohora, Agratoli and Bagori ranges of the Park. Officials had claimed that all deaths were natural.
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/four-tiger-deaths-in-one-month-in-kaziranga-67446?
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/four-tiger-deaths-in-one-month-in-kaziranga-67446?cp
Park officials said the carcass of the tigress was found on Friday in a highly decomposed state.
The reason behind the death is yet to be ascertained, they said.
It is the fourth tiger carcass to be found this month in Kaziranga National Park, which is a World Heritage Site.
Earlier, carcasses of three tigers, all in decomposed state, was found at Kohora, Agratoli and Bagori ranges of the Park. Officials had claimed that all deaths were natural.
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/four-tiger-deaths-in-one-month-in-kaziranga-67446?
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/four-tiger-deaths-in-one-month-in-kaziranga-67446?cp
Sariska Tiger death not due to territorial fight or gun shot: Report
JAIPUR: The postmortem report of "ST-1", a translocated tiger found dead recently at Rajasthan's Sariska reserve, has ruled out any territorial fight or poaching as the cause of the death of the big cat.
"The postmortem report says that neigther it was a territorial fight or shooting which led to the tiger's death," Principal Chief Wildife Warden H M Bhatia said.
However, he said, it is not the final report and the exact reason for its death could be known only after the FSL report comes.
The carcass of "ST-1" was found by a forest department team in Sariska sanctuary on Sunday night.
On the other hand, Bhatia claimed, link through radio signals with the missing tiger ST-4 continues and the big cat is moving in the dense forest.
"We are constantly receiving radio signals but the tiger is not visible yet as the animal is moving in dense forest," he added.
"The postmortem report says that neigther it was a territorial fight or shooting which led to the tiger's death," Principal Chief Wildife Warden H M Bhatia said.
However, he said, it is not the final report and the exact reason for its death could be known only after the FSL report comes.
The carcass of "ST-1" was found by a forest department team in Sariska sanctuary on Sunday night.
On the other hand, Bhatia claimed, link through radio signals with the missing tiger ST-4 continues and the big cat is moving in the dense forest.
"We are constantly receiving radio signals but the tiger is not visible yet as the animal is moving in dense forest," he added.
Tiger corridor linking 3 states proposed
Authorities of the Palamau Reserve, which reportedly has only six tigers left, have suggested that a new corridor linking forests of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh be set up to give more space to the endangered animal and boost its population.
"A proposal is being sent to the Centre requesting for sanction of a corridor connecting forests in the three states, which will help increase tiger population," Field Director Paritosh Upadhaya told PTI here today.
"We have also proposed to make the 10 km radius around the 1026 square km Reserve as an eco-sensitive zone," he said.Tiger census had taken place in 60 percent of Reserve area, which had put the big cat's population at six, he said, adding, another census will be taken up in the rest of the area soon to ascertain the exact number of the tigers there.
"The Centre for Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, has confirmed the scats sent by us were of six different species of tigers," he said.
In 2007, there were 17 tigers, he said."We have sent another proposal to the government to make arrangements for a three-month training at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradoon for field officers and employees of the forest department," Upadhaya said.
The Reserve has only one wildlife expert based in Latehar's Chhipadohar and it required more experts, he said.
"A proposal is being sent to the Centre requesting for sanction of a corridor connecting forests in the three states, which will help increase tiger population," Field Director Paritosh Upadhaya told PTI here today.
"We have also proposed to make the 10 km radius around the 1026 square km Reserve as an eco-sensitive zone," he said.Tiger census had taken place in 60 percent of Reserve area, which had put the big cat's population at six, he said, adding, another census will be taken up in the rest of the area soon to ascertain the exact number of the tigers there.
"The Centre for Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, has confirmed the scats sent by us were of six different species of tigers," he said.
In 2007, there were 17 tigers, he said."We have sent another proposal to the government to make arrangements for a three-month training at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradoon for field officers and employees of the forest department," Upadhaya said.
The Reserve has only one wildlife expert based in Latehar's Chhipadohar and it required more experts, he said.
New way to track tigers in the wild to ensure survival
Washington, Nov 19 (ANI): Indian experts have discovered that it is possible to accurately predict the number of tigers in the wild by monitoring both paw prints and feces.
“Tigers are cryptic, nocturnal and occur at low densities so they are extremely difficult to monitor. Unless we know how many tigers are left in the wild, and whether their numbers are increasing or decreasing, we will not be able to conserve them,” said Dr Yadvendradev Jhala of the Wildlife Institute of India, who led the study.
The big cats are among the most threatened species in the world, with less than 3,200 left in the wild. More than half live in India.
Jhala and colleagues assessed their method by collecting paw prints and faeces at 21 forest sites in central and northern India.
“Tiger faeces are the size of large beetroot and have a characteristic pungent, musky odour. Fresh tiger faeces are normally accompanied by urine sprays that smell like well-cooked basmati rice,” said Jhala.
When they compared this data with that from camera traps at the same sites, they found they could estimate tiger numbers as accurately by using the two tiger signs as they could with camera traps, but for a fraction of the price. By showing that it is possible to accurately estimate tiger numbers from their paw prints and faeces, we have opened up a new way of cost-effectively keeping our finger on the pulse of tiger populations and gauging the success of conservation programmes.”
He added that the finding could have crucial implications for conserving tigers and other endangered species worldwide.
The study is published in the Journal of Applied Ecology. (ANI)
“Tigers are cryptic, nocturnal and occur at low densities so they are extremely difficult to monitor. Unless we know how many tigers are left in the wild, and whether their numbers are increasing or decreasing, we will not be able to conserve them,” said Dr Yadvendradev Jhala of the Wildlife Institute of India, who led the study.
The big cats are among the most threatened species in the world, with less than 3,200 left in the wild. More than half live in India.
Jhala and colleagues assessed their method by collecting paw prints and faeces at 21 forest sites in central and northern India.
“Tiger faeces are the size of large beetroot and have a characteristic pungent, musky odour. Fresh tiger faeces are normally accompanied by urine sprays that smell like well-cooked basmati rice,” said Jhala.
When they compared this data with that from camera traps at the same sites, they found they could estimate tiger numbers as accurately by using the two tiger signs as they could with camera traps, but for a fraction of the price. By showing that it is possible to accurately estimate tiger numbers from their paw prints and faeces, we have opened up a new way of cost-effectively keeping our finger on the pulse of tiger populations and gauging the success of conservation programmes.”
He added that the finding could have crucial implications for conserving tigers and other endangered species worldwide.
The study is published in the Journal of Applied Ecology. (ANI)
World leaders to gather in St.Petersburg to save the tiger
Moscow, Nov 19 (DPA) World leaders and top politicians, including from India, are set to gather in St. Petersburg Sunday in an effort to wrestle out an agreement on how to protect the world's approximately remaining 3,200 wild tigers.
The conference's organisers want the 13 countries in which the world's biggest cats still live in the wild to promise to try to double their numbers by 2022.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's guests at the four-day summit include US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, World Bank President Robert Zoellick and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) the conference will be the first at which leaders will discuss the preservation of a single species.
The adoption of an agreement is expected to take place Tuesday.
An estimated $350 million are needed to increase the tigers' habitat and up the fight against poachers and illegal traders in tiger parts.
A tiger was poisoned in the Sariska tiger reserve in northern India, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) said Wednesday, while another was shot dead by poachers in far eastern Russia. There are only 450 left in the region.
Gamekeepers arrested the poachers, but the punishment for killing tigers remains relatively lenient. They could receive a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of $20,000, according to IFAW.
'We can't save the tigers unless we combat rampant poaching, which is the single greatest threat to the survival of this species,' said Masha Vorontsova, the director of IFAW in Russia.
'The summit is a last chance for tigers,' she added. We must make sure that talk translates into concrete action and effective, binding agreements that save tigers on the ground.'
Research by the WWF and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has shown that the border region between Myanmar, Thailand and China is playing a pivotal role in the illegal trade in tiger parts.
And a report by the WWF and conservationist group TRAFFIC published Friday to coincide with the upcoming conference reported that tiger parts were being offered openly on black markets in the region, especially in parts of Myanmar not under the direct control of the government.
'Tigers are easy money for everyone from mafia types to anti-government opposition groups,' TRAFFIC's south-east Asia regional director William Schaedla said.
The markets are particularly attractive to Chinese tourists, who want to buy tiger parts for use in herbal medicines, as lucky charms or simply for their fur.
Conservationists are particularly hopeful that the US, where 10,000 tigers live in captivity, will play a large part in pushing next week's conference forward.
Clinton's presence is regarded as a token of how seriously Washington is taking the issue.
The conference's organisers want the 13 countries in which the world's biggest cats still live in the wild to promise to try to double their numbers by 2022.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's guests at the four-day summit include US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, World Bank President Robert Zoellick and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) the conference will be the first at which leaders will discuss the preservation of a single species.
The adoption of an agreement is expected to take place Tuesday.
An estimated $350 million are needed to increase the tigers' habitat and up the fight against poachers and illegal traders in tiger parts.
A tiger was poisoned in the Sariska tiger reserve in northern India, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) said Wednesday, while another was shot dead by poachers in far eastern Russia. There are only 450 left in the region.
Gamekeepers arrested the poachers, but the punishment for killing tigers remains relatively lenient. They could receive a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of $20,000, according to IFAW.
'We can't save the tigers unless we combat rampant poaching, which is the single greatest threat to the survival of this species,' said Masha Vorontsova, the director of IFAW in Russia.
'The summit is a last chance for tigers,' she added. We must make sure that talk translates into concrete action and effective, binding agreements that save tigers on the ground.'
Research by the WWF and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has shown that the border region between Myanmar, Thailand and China is playing a pivotal role in the illegal trade in tiger parts.
And a report by the WWF and conservationist group TRAFFIC published Friday to coincide with the upcoming conference reported that tiger parts were being offered openly on black markets in the region, especially in parts of Myanmar not under the direct control of the government.
'Tigers are easy money for everyone from mafia types to anti-government opposition groups,' TRAFFIC's south-east Asia regional director William Schaedla said.
The markets are particularly attractive to Chinese tourists, who want to buy tiger parts for use in herbal medicines, as lucky charms or simply for their fur.
Conservationists are particularly hopeful that the US, where 10,000 tigers live in captivity, will play a large part in pushing next week's conference forward.
Clinton's presence is regarded as a token of how seriously Washington is taking the issue.
Tiger census results to be out by month end
New Delhi, Nov 19 (IANS) The preliminary results of the tiger census will be released by the end of November, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said Friday.
'The broad preliminary numbers of the tiger population in the country will be available by the end of November. The final results will only be possible by early next year,' Ramesh told reporters here.
The last census in 2005-06 showed a sharp fall in tiger numbers. The census then conducted with an improved method revealed India had just 1,411 tigers left in the wild, raising serious concern about their survival.
'The broad preliminary numbers of the tiger population in the country will be available by the end of November. The final results will only be possible by early next year,' Ramesh told reporters here.
The last census in 2005-06 showed a sharp fall in tiger numbers. The census then conducted with an improved method revealed India had just 1,411 tigers left in the wild, raising serious concern about their survival.
Tiger deaths: BJP seeks judicial probe
JAIPUR: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded a judicial inquiry into the deaths of missing tigers from the Sariska and Ranthambore tiger reserves. Demanding a white paper on the incidents from chief minister Ashok Gehlot, the BJP raised nine questions.
Taking a cue from Union forest and environment minister Jairam Ramesh's official communications with the state government on the subject, the BJP's state spokesperson Sunil Bhargava alleged on Friday the chief minister was shirking responsibility for the mysterious killings and disappearance of tigers by just suspending forest officials.
"Can the government be absolved of its inaction and carelessness, as alleged by the Union minister, in tiger conservation simply by suspending two officials," Bhargava asked.
The BJP wanted the chief minister to tell people what steps his government took on the six letters that the union forest and environment minister has dispatched to him (Gehlot) in the past six months.
"Let us hear what the chief minister has to say on the Union minister holding the inactive and directionless' state government responsible for the carelessness towards tiger conservation," said Bhargava.
The spokesperson stated the Union minister has accused the Gehlot government of not sticking to the Centre's policy. "The Union minister has alleged that the state government was ignoring tiger conservation under pressure from the mine-mafia and influential persons," Bhargava pointed out, asking the chief minister to explain his position on the allegations from his own party minister.
Referring to the Union minister's statement the tiger at Sariska could have been a victim of poisoning, the BJP has asked the state government to tell if it was ready to own up responsibility for the same. Bhargava emphasised that even though the Centre has doubled the strength of forest officers in the state, why adequate number of inspectors were not deployed at the two tiger reserves. "The government is keen to translocate tigers, but it is indifferent in ensuring proper rehabilitation of the big cats. Why is this so?" the BJP wanted to know.
The BJP demanded the state government make it public its' scheme for shifting and rehabilitating the villagers from the tiger reserve areas, since the Centre has agreed to pay Rs 30 crore for the purpose.
Meanwhile, the Ranthambore Bachao Andolan made a representation before the Bharatpur divisional commissioner Rajeshwar Singh complaining against the Sawai Madhopur district administration apathy towards the killing and missing of tigers at Ranthambore. Singh was at Ranthambore to monitor the "Prashashan gaon ke sang" camp on Friday.
"The divisional commissioner assured us of action in the matter. We will now organise a mahapanchayat of locals to save the tigers and decide on shifting of villagers from the reserve," Andolan's president Akshay Sharma said.
Taking a cue from Union forest and environment minister Jairam Ramesh's official communications with the state government on the subject, the BJP's state spokesperson Sunil Bhargava alleged on Friday the chief minister was shirking responsibility for the mysterious killings and disappearance of tigers by just suspending forest officials.
"Can the government be absolved of its inaction and carelessness, as alleged by the Union minister, in tiger conservation simply by suspending two officials," Bhargava asked.
The BJP wanted the chief minister to tell people what steps his government took on the six letters that the union forest and environment minister has dispatched to him (Gehlot) in the past six months.
"Let us hear what the chief minister has to say on the Union minister holding the inactive and directionless' state government responsible for the carelessness towards tiger conservation," said Bhargava.
The spokesperson stated the Union minister has accused the Gehlot government of not sticking to the Centre's policy. "The Union minister has alleged that the state government was ignoring tiger conservation under pressure from the mine-mafia and influential persons," Bhargava pointed out, asking the chief minister to explain his position on the allegations from his own party minister.
Referring to the Union minister's statement the tiger at Sariska could have been a victim of poisoning, the BJP has asked the state government to tell if it was ready to own up responsibility for the same. Bhargava emphasised that even though the Centre has doubled the strength of forest officers in the state, why adequate number of inspectors were not deployed at the two tiger reserves. "The government is keen to translocate tigers, but it is indifferent in ensuring proper rehabilitation of the big cats. Why is this so?" the BJP wanted to know.
The BJP demanded the state government make it public its' scheme for shifting and rehabilitating the villagers from the tiger reserve areas, since the Centre has agreed to pay Rs 30 crore for the purpose.
Meanwhile, the Ranthambore Bachao Andolan made a representation before the Bharatpur divisional commissioner Rajeshwar Singh complaining against the Sawai Madhopur district administration apathy towards the killing and missing of tigers at Ranthambore. Singh was at Ranthambore to monitor the "Prashashan gaon ke sang" camp on Friday.
"The divisional commissioner assured us of action in the matter. We will now organise a mahapanchayat of locals to save the tigers and decide on shifting of villagers from the reserve," Andolan's president Akshay Sharma said.
Maneater' fear stalks Corbett after 2 deaths
Two incidents of local women being mauled and partially eaten by a tiger in and around the Corbett National Park have thrown the area into panic and left forest officials fearing that a big cat in India's most famous reserve may have turned maneater.
The key question officials are seeking to answer is whether the attacks came from the same tiger. They say if that is indeed the case, Corbett may have a maneater problem to deal with. ''At the moment, we have no conclusive evidence either way,'' park warden U C Tiwari told TOI on Friday, after spending the day in the field trying to track the killer.
The incidents have come within six days of each other; the spots separated by just 8-10km as the crow flies.
Reports said on Thursday 30-year-old Kalpha Mehra was mauled to death at Chukam village near the eastern boundary of Corbett when she had gone to the jungle to collect fodder. The site falls under the Ramnagar forest division.
The first incident took place in the Corbett buffer zone on November 12. The victim, Nanda Devi, was attacked in daylight as she was returning to Sundarkhal village with two other women. Significantly, both bodies were half-eaten when villagers found them.
Read more: 'Maneater' fear stalks Corbett after 2 deaths - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Maneater-fear-stalks-Corbett-after-2-deaths/articleshow/6957144.cms#ixzz15nnyn4RP
The key question officials are seeking to answer is whether the attacks came from the same tiger. They say if that is indeed the case, Corbett may have a maneater problem to deal with. ''At the moment, we have no conclusive evidence either way,'' park warden U C Tiwari told TOI on Friday, after spending the day in the field trying to track the killer.
The incidents have come within six days of each other; the spots separated by just 8-10km as the crow flies.
Reports said on Thursday 30-year-old Kalpha Mehra was mauled to death at Chukam village near the eastern boundary of Corbett when she had gone to the jungle to collect fodder. The site falls under the Ramnagar forest division.
The first incident took place in the Corbett buffer zone on November 12. The victim, Nanda Devi, was attacked in daylight as she was returning to Sundarkhal village with two other women. Significantly, both bodies were half-eaten when villagers found them.
Read more: 'Maneater' fear stalks Corbett after 2 deaths - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Maneater-fear-stalks-Corbett-after-2-deaths/articleshow/6957144.cms#ixzz15nnyn4RP
Maneater' fear stalks Corbett after 2 deaths
Two incidents of local women being mauled and partially eaten by a tiger in and around the Corbett National Park have thrown the area into panic and left forest officials fearing that a big cat in India's most famous reserve may have turned maneater.
The key question officials are seeking to answer is whether the attacks came from the same tiger. They say if that is indeed the case, Corbett may have a maneater problem to deal with. ''At the moment, we have no conclusive evidence either way,'' park warden U C Tiwari told TOI on Friday, after spending the day in the field trying to track the killer.
The incidents have come within six days of each other; the spots separated by just 8-10km as the crow flies.
Reports said on Thursday 30-year-old Kalpha Mehra was mauled to death at Chukam village near the eastern boundary of Corbett when she had gone to the jungle to collect fodder. The site falls under the Ramnagar forest division.
The first incident took place in the Corbett buffer zone on November 12. The victim, Nanda Devi, was attacked in daylight as she was returning to Sundarkhal village with two other women. Significantly, both bodies were half-eaten when villagers found them.
Read more: 'Maneater' fear stalks Corbett after 2 deaths - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Maneater-fear-stalks-Corbett-after-2-deaths/articleshow/6957144.cms#ixzz15nnyn4RP
The key question officials are seeking to answer is whether the attacks came from the same tiger. They say if that is indeed the case, Corbett may have a maneater problem to deal with. ''At the moment, we have no conclusive evidence either way,'' park warden U C Tiwari told TOI on Friday, after spending the day in the field trying to track the killer.
The incidents have come within six days of each other; the spots separated by just 8-10km as the crow flies.
Reports said on Thursday 30-year-old Kalpha Mehra was mauled to death at Chukam village near the eastern boundary of Corbett when she had gone to the jungle to collect fodder. The site falls under the Ramnagar forest division.
The first incident took place in the Corbett buffer zone on November 12. The victim, Nanda Devi, was attacked in daylight as she was returning to Sundarkhal village with two other women. Significantly, both bodies were half-eaten when villagers found them.
Read more: 'Maneater' fear stalks Corbett after 2 deaths - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Maneater-fear-stalks-Corbett-after-2-deaths/articleshow/6957144.cms#ixzz15nnyn4RP
Friday, November 19, 2010
Process on for big cat relocation to Panna
November 19, 2010 9:20:44 AM
Vivek Trivedi | Bhopal
Unfazed with the glaring controversy over notification of buffer zone at Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR), the Forest department is all set to translocate two tigresses to Panna next month, as part of the ambitious big cat revival plan.
Park Field Director RS Murthy told the media on Thursday that two semi-adult tigresses will be brought from Kanha Tiger Reserve to Panna next month. These are the hand-reared tigresses; aged between 5 to 6 years had lost their mother days after their birth in Kanha Tiger Reserve.
After sending these two tigresses to Panna, one more male will be translocated to Panna, which is infamous across the country for tiger wipe out. However, the Forest Department is yet to finalise the date of the tiger's translocation.
Under the ongoing big cat revival plan at Panna, two tigresses - one female feline from Bandhavgarh and another from Kanha were shifted to Panna on March 6 and 9 respectively last year. Besides, a male from Pench tiger reserve was also released in the wild of Panna in November last year.
According to the original big cat revival plan, Panna is scheduled to receive total half a dozen big cats, to re-populate this ignominious tiger reserve, which once had more than 30 tigers but lost all of them due to poaching and other reasons by the end of 2008.
The plan had received a major shot in the arm earlier this year, as the tigress brought from Bandhavgarh gave birth to four cubs in May. This was the first instance, in the country, when a translocated tigress gave birth to a litter.
However, out of these four cubs, only two have survived while the others are nowhere to be seen.
Under the ongoing ambitious big cat revival plan, the State Forest Department also plans to translocate one more male to Panna in future. The State Government has the permission for translocating six big cats to Panna; four females and two males.
Significantly, the Forest Department is pursuing the process to notify the buffer zones at tiger reserves of the State but the matter of Panna along with Satpura and Sanjay tiger reserves is yet to be decided. The notification of buffer zone in Panna has got embroiled in the controversy due to the opposition of mines' operators.
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Vivek Trivedi | Bhopal
Unfazed with the glaring controversy over notification of buffer zone at Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR), the Forest department is all set to translocate two tigresses to Panna next month, as part of the ambitious big cat revival plan.
Park Field Director RS Murthy told the media on Thursday that two semi-adult tigresses will be brought from Kanha Tiger Reserve to Panna next month. These are the hand-reared tigresses; aged between 5 to 6 years had lost their mother days after their birth in Kanha Tiger Reserve.
After sending these two tigresses to Panna, one more male will be translocated to Panna, which is infamous across the country for tiger wipe out. However, the Forest Department is yet to finalise the date of the tiger's translocation.
Under the ongoing big cat revival plan at Panna, two tigresses - one female feline from Bandhavgarh and another from Kanha were shifted to Panna on March 6 and 9 respectively last year. Besides, a male from Pench tiger reserve was also released in the wild of Panna in November last year.
According to the original big cat revival plan, Panna is scheduled to receive total half a dozen big cats, to re-populate this ignominious tiger reserve, which once had more than 30 tigers but lost all of them due to poaching and other reasons by the end of 2008.
The plan had received a major shot in the arm earlier this year, as the tigress brought from Bandhavgarh gave birth to four cubs in May. This was the first instance, in the country, when a translocated tigress gave birth to a litter.
However, out of these four cubs, only two have survived while the others are nowhere to be seen.
Under the ongoing ambitious big cat revival plan, the State Forest Department also plans to translocate one more male to Panna in future. The State Government has the permission for translocating six big cats to Panna; four females and two males.
Significantly, the Forest Department is pursuing the process to notify the buffer zones at tiger reserves of the State but the matter of Panna along with Satpura and Sanjay tiger reserves is yet to be decided. The notification of buffer zone in Panna has got embroiled in the controversy due to the opposition of mines' operators.
Email | Print | Rate: 12345
Woman mauled to death by tiger
18/11/2010
Rishikesh, Nov 18 (PTI) A 30-year-old woman was mauled to death by a tiger at Chukam village near the eastern boundary of the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, the second such incident in the area within a week, officials said today.
Kalpha Mehra had gone to the jungle to collect fodder for cattle, when she was attacked by the tiger, said R K Mishra, Director of Jim Corbett National Park.
Half-eaten body of the woman has been recovered and sent for postmortem, he said, adding the park administration has put up a cage to catch the tiger.
Senior forest officials have reached the spot and are trying to ascertain whether the killer is the same tiger that had killed another woman on November 12, park sources said.
Last week, Nandi Devi was returning after collecting fodder when, she was attacked by a tiger in broad daylight, leading to panic among villagers living near the park.
Rishikesh, Nov 18 (PTI) A 30-year-old woman was mauled to death by a tiger at Chukam village near the eastern boundary of the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, the second such incident in the area within a week, officials said today.
Kalpha Mehra had gone to the jungle to collect fodder for cattle, when she was attacked by the tiger, said R K Mishra, Director of Jim Corbett National Park.
Half-eaten body of the woman has been recovered and sent for postmortem, he said, adding the park administration has put up a cage to catch the tiger.
Senior forest officials have reached the spot and are trying to ascertain whether the killer is the same tiger that had killed another woman on November 12, park sources said.
Last week, Nandi Devi was returning after collecting fodder when, she was attacked by a tiger in broad daylight, leading to panic among villagers living near the park.
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