New Delhi, March 1 (IANS) As many as 14 tigers have died in the country till February this year alone, including two due to poaching, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh told Lok Sabha Tuesday.
Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Ramesh said 161 tigers - 51 due to poaching -- have died since 2008.
'About 14 tigers have died, 12 due to natural and other causes and two due to poaching, till Feb 22 this year,' Ramesh told the upper house.
From projections done on the basis of the last tiger census done in 2008, there are less than 1400 tigers left in India.
http://www.sify.com/news/14-tigers-died-in-two-months-in-india-news-national-ldbsEqacffj.html
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
CID preparing data bank to tackle wildlife crime in Karnataka - DNA
With the arrest of notorious poacher Durru, who set a jaw trap to capture a three-legged tiger — Maasti — in Maastigudi in Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, the CID Forest Cell has confirmed the prevalence of inter-state wildlife crime since 1982. They have now decided to maintain a DNA profile of all the seizures.
The measure would help them bust cases in a better way and maintain a scientific data bank. Additional-director general of police (forests), KSN Chikkerur, said that samples in all cases, irrespective of what was seized, would be sent to the head office in Bangalore, from where they would be sent to National Centre for Biological Sciences for DNA profiling. “To begin with, we are doing DNA profiling of tiger, leopard and other skins. As the next step, we will start with ivory,” he said.
Chikkerur said that DNA profiling had been done for the 23 leopards, 43 small claw-less and smooth-coated other pelts and a tiger skin, seized from the house and guest house of Prabhakar Keshav Gajakosh in Haliyal and Hubli, a wildlife product dealer, in 2007.
The biggest seizure by the CID Forest Cell sleuths established that Durra, an associate of poacher Sansar Chand who is in Tihar jail, was supplying pelts to Prabhakar. The sleuths arrested Prabhakar and 10 others, including Sansar Chand’s brothers Rajkumar and Narayan, in July in 2009.
Durru, alias Kanka Lal, 38, who has been sent to Bhavnagar in Gujarat to appear in a trial, would be brought back to Bangalore on March 17. Durru is the son of Hariprasad Lasakchand, another notorious poacher and a resident of Birahuli village in Madhya Pradesh.
Durru has been booked in three cases — two for seizures in Hubli and Haliyal in 2007 and for escaping from judicial custody in 2009.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_cid-preparing-data-bank-to-tackle-wildlife-crime-in-karnataka_1514376
The measure would help them bust cases in a better way and maintain a scientific data bank. Additional-director general of police (forests), KSN Chikkerur, said that samples in all cases, irrespective of what was seized, would be sent to the head office in Bangalore, from where they would be sent to National Centre for Biological Sciences for DNA profiling. “To begin with, we are doing DNA profiling of tiger, leopard and other skins. As the next step, we will start with ivory,” he said.
Chikkerur said that DNA profiling had been done for the 23 leopards, 43 small claw-less and smooth-coated other pelts and a tiger skin, seized from the house and guest house of Prabhakar Keshav Gajakosh in Haliyal and Hubli, a wildlife product dealer, in 2007.
The biggest seizure by the CID Forest Cell sleuths established that Durra, an associate of poacher Sansar Chand who is in Tihar jail, was supplying pelts to Prabhakar. The sleuths arrested Prabhakar and 10 others, including Sansar Chand’s brothers Rajkumar and Narayan, in July in 2009.
Durru, alias Kanka Lal, 38, who has been sent to Bhavnagar in Gujarat to appear in a trial, would be brought back to Bangalore on March 17. Durru is the son of Hariprasad Lasakchand, another notorious poacher and a resident of Birahuli village in Madhya Pradesh.
Durru has been booked in three cases — two for seizures in Hubli and Haliyal in 2007 and for escaping from judicial custody in 2009.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_cid-preparing-data-bank-to-tackle-wildlife-crime-in-karnataka_1514376
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Tiger carcass found in Sunderbans, TNN
SAJNEKHALI: Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (STR) officials discovered the carcass of a tiger at Pirkhali Jungle near Sajnekhali in the Sunderbans on Monday afternoon. There are indications that the animal died of old age.
Forest officials said the STR team stumbled upon the carcass around 2.30pm while on a regular patrol. A four-member medical team, three NGO members, forest officials and a videographer have started out for the spot for a detailed inquiry. Primary probe indicated the tiger had died 15 days ago. "No injury mark was found on its body, though we are investigating if it was poisoned or shot," said Subrat Mukherjee, STR director.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Tiger-carcass-found-in-Sunderbans/articleshow/7598064.cms
Forest officials said the STR team stumbled upon the carcass around 2.30pm while on a regular patrol. A four-member medical team, three NGO members, forest officials and a videographer have started out for the spot for a detailed inquiry. Primary probe indicated the tiger had died 15 days ago. "No injury mark was found on its body, though we are investigating if it was poisoned or shot," said Subrat Mukherjee, STR director.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Tiger-carcass-found-in-Sunderbans/articleshow/7598064.cms
Tiger mauls two troopers in Bihar
Patna, Feb 28 (IANS) A tiger injured two paramilitary troopers in Valmiki National Park in West Champaran district of Bihar Monday, police said.
The injured troopers of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) were admitted in a hospital in district headquarters Bettiah, a police officer said.
Valmiki National Park, Bihar's only tiger project, is over 250 km from here.
The incident has created panic among the security personnel who move about freely in the national park despite warnings by forest officials.
A few years ago, a SSB trooper was killed by a tiger in the park.
The tiger population in the Valmiki National Park has been decreasing at an alarming rate, according reports.
There were 56 tigers in the park in 2002, but their number came down to 10-12 in 2010, the reports said.
http://www.sify.com/news/tiger-mauls-two-troopers-in-bihar-news-national-lc2uOpdjihc.html
The injured troopers of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) were admitted in a hospital in district headquarters Bettiah, a police officer said.
Valmiki National Park, Bihar's only tiger project, is over 250 km from here.
The incident has created panic among the security personnel who move about freely in the national park despite warnings by forest officials.
A few years ago, a SSB trooper was killed by a tiger in the park.
The tiger population in the Valmiki National Park has been decreasing at an alarming rate, according reports.
There were 56 tigers in the park in 2002, but their number came down to 10-12 in 2010, the reports said.
http://www.sify.com/news/tiger-mauls-two-troopers-in-bihar-news-national-lc2uOpdjihc.html
Mating of tigers affects pilgrimage, Deccan Chronicle
Feb. 28: What can mating of tigers have to do with a religious pilgrimage? A lot it seem as devotees from north Karnataka and south Maharastra may have to tip-toe through the forests of Kadali and Nallamala, which support one of the largest tiger reserves in the country, on their way to the Srisailam temples in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh this year to allow the big cats to procreate in peace.
Not only may the entry of pilgrims into the Nallamala forests be banned after 6 pm but they may also not to be allowed make noise during the day while travelling through the forests on foot. The authorities may permit the singing of bhajans but not the playing of musical instruments.
Afraid that the tigresses which mated in November and December, will find it difficult to give birth if they are disturbed this time of the year, Atmakur forest officials have shot off letters to the Union and state governments not to allow devotees to enter these forests from April onwards. If the governments give their go ahead the devotees may prefer to travel to Srisailam via Dornala from Atmakur for the Ugadi celebrations and give the forests a miss altogether considering the restrictions imposed.
More than three lakh pilgrims from north Karnataka and neighbouring Maharashtra visit the Srishaila temples during Ugadi.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/bengaluru/mating-tigers-affects-pilgrimage-687
Not only may the entry of pilgrims into the Nallamala forests be banned after 6 pm but they may also not to be allowed make noise during the day while travelling through the forests on foot. The authorities may permit the singing of bhajans but not the playing of musical instruments.
Afraid that the tigresses which mated in November and December, will find it difficult to give birth if they are disturbed this time of the year, Atmakur forest officials have shot off letters to the Union and state governments not to allow devotees to enter these forests from April onwards. If the governments give their go ahead the devotees may prefer to travel to Srisailam via Dornala from Atmakur for the Ugadi celebrations and give the forests a miss altogether considering the restrictions imposed.
More than three lakh pilgrims from north Karnataka and neighbouring Maharashtra visit the Srishaila temples during Ugadi.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/bengaluru/mating-tigers-affects-pilgrimage-687
Monday, February 28, 2011
Central Govt releases Rs 5.73 Crore for Tiger reserves in Assam: Tiger of Assam : Luit Chaliha,
The Central Govt has released the first instalment of conservation funds sanctioned for three tiger reserves in Assam with the rider that they utilise it according to the agreement signed with it and Dispur last year. The Central Govt has released Rs. 573.08 lakh for the current fiscal, of which Rs 272.72 lakh will go to Kaziranga, Rs 237.50 lakh will go to Manash and Rs 63.58
http://www.timesofassam.com/headlines/central-govt-releases-rs-5-73-crore-for-tiger-reserves-in-assam
http://www.timesofassam.com/headlines/central-govt-releases-rs-5-73-crore-for-tiger-reserves-in-assam
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Project Tiger gets more area in Anashi forest: TNN
KARWAR: The 850 sq km area that covers Project Tiger in Anashi forest in Uttara Kannada district will be extended by adding another 270 sq. km buffer area, according to the forest department.
The conservator of forest has already issued the notification in this regard. Project Tiger has gained importance in the country of late and about 7,748 hectares in Kadra range and 16,333 hectares in Diggi forest range was added to the existing project area. And this 270 sq. km area is already handed over to the wild life division of the forest department, according to Sunil Panwar, deputy conservator of forest.
The villages Kadra, Balemane and Birkol-Sulageri on the left bank of Kali River were added to Project Tiger. According to G K Shet, the range forest officer of Balni in Karwar taluk, he saw a tiger on the road of Balni village during mid-night recently. The importance of the Balni forest is enhanced by the presence of the tigers in the region, he said. For last two years no poaching incidence was reported from the forest. Tigers, panthers, black panthers and bison are being spotted in the Balemane-Sulageri forest, Shet said.
Meanwhile, the forest department with the help of NGOs has taken up a novel programme of creating awareness among the students about wild life protection. About 1,400 students of 52 villages that fall under the Anashi-Dandeli protected forest were made to participate in the nature camp. These students are creating awareness among their family members and this has considerably reduced poaching in the area, Panwar said. At their homes these students were successful in stopping the preparation of food using the meat of the wild animals. Now local people have almost stopped poaching, he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Project-Tiger-gets-more-area-in-Anashi-forest/articleshow/7582859.cms
The conservator of forest has already issued the notification in this regard. Project Tiger has gained importance in the country of late and about 7,748 hectares in Kadra range and 16,333 hectares in Diggi forest range was added to the existing project area. And this 270 sq. km area is already handed over to the wild life division of the forest department, according to Sunil Panwar, deputy conservator of forest.
The villages Kadra, Balemane and Birkol-Sulageri on the left bank of Kali River were added to Project Tiger. According to G K Shet, the range forest officer of Balni in Karwar taluk, he saw a tiger on the road of Balni village during mid-night recently. The importance of the Balni forest is enhanced by the presence of the tigers in the region, he said. For last two years no poaching incidence was reported from the forest. Tigers, panthers, black panthers and bison are being spotted in the Balemane-Sulageri forest, Shet said.
Meanwhile, the forest department with the help of NGOs has taken up a novel programme of creating awareness among the students about wild life protection. About 1,400 students of 52 villages that fall under the Anashi-Dandeli protected forest were made to participate in the nature camp. These students are creating awareness among their family members and this has considerably reduced poaching in the area, Panwar said. At their homes these students were successful in stopping the preparation of food using the meat of the wild animals. Now local people have almost stopped poaching, he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Project-Tiger-gets-more-area-in-Anashi-forest/articleshow/7582859.cms
Illegal villas in critical wilderness, Subhash Chandra N S, DHNS
The wolf is at Bandipur’s door. Already plagued by immense tourist pressure, the Bandipur National Park — a critical tiger reserve — is now faced with a new threat: Allegedly violating all norms, a gated community resort / villa project is all ready to come up barely 700 meters from the Park.
The project, called “NSB Wild Hunt Resort”, is being developed near Mangala village along the Bandipur-Mudhumalai road, on a patch of 19.13 acres in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). The project potentially interrupts the movement of large mammals (including elephant, tigers and other animals).
The project, which will house over 50 villas and 200 cottages once complete, is allegedly in violation of Section 3 of the Environment Protection Act 1986.
Wildlife experts say the project is right on the path used by animals as a corridor to migrate. Such building constructions require the permission of the State Board for Wildlife, National Board for Wildlife, Ministry of Environment and Forests. Construction work has been initiated without any of the mandatory permits by the Pune-based promoters.
Besides being in the ESZ, the project location comes under the notified buffer zone of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve where construction activities are clearly regulated. Resorts and other properties have been threatening the wildlife habitat in this region for some time now. Some of these resorts are built near natural water bodies and act as barriers for animals when they want to use water, especially during the dry summer months.
The guidelines for ESZs mandate that change of land use from green (orchards, horticulture, etc) to non-green uses need clearance from the Environment Ministry.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests B K Singh confirmed that the proposed villa is in the buffer zone where there is tiger and elephant movement. “This is the place known for human-animal conflicts,” he said.
The project, called “NSB Wild Hunt Resort”, is being developed near Mangala village along the Bandipur-Mudhumalai road, on a patch of 19.13 acres in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). The project potentially interrupts the movement of large mammals (including elephant, tigers and other animals).
The project, which will house over 50 villas and 200 cottages once complete, is allegedly in violation of Section 3 of the Environment Protection Act 1986.
Wildlife experts say the project is right on the path used by animals as a corridor to migrate. Such building constructions require the permission of the State Board for Wildlife, National Board for Wildlife, Ministry of Environment and Forests. Construction work has been initiated without any of the mandatory permits by the Pune-based promoters.
Besides being in the ESZ, the project location comes under the notified buffer zone of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve where construction activities are clearly regulated. Resorts and other properties have been threatening the wildlife habitat in this region for some time now. Some of these resorts are built near natural water bodies and act as barriers for animals when they want to use water, especially during the dry summer months.
The guidelines for ESZs mandate that change of land use from green (orchards, horticulture, etc) to non-green uses need clearance from the Environment Ministry.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests B K Singh confirmed that the proposed villa is in the buffer zone where there is tiger and elephant movement. “This is the place known for human-animal conflicts,” he said.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Workshop calls for beefing up protection in Tadoba, Mazhar Ali, TNN
CHANDRAPUR: As many as 28 tiger cubs were born in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in 2010. But since many tigers also move out of TATR, protection in core area as well as corridors in imperative. This was one of the main issues highlighted at a workshop 'Vision Tadoba' to mark the 16th foundation day of TATR on Wednesday.
During the workshop, wildlife activists expressed concern over protection of tigers and constriction of corridors in Tadoba landscape, and gave valuable suggestions over sustainable development of buffer area of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
The state forest department, under the banner of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Conservation Foundation, had organised the workshop with the objective of seeking, suggesting and roping in the support of NGOs in chalking out the development plan for 79 villages in buffer area and its implementation in coming days, said CF and field director, TATR, Vinaykumar Sinha. Regional manager, North FDCM, SH Patil, who is former field director of TATR, pointed out issues hindering better management of wildlife in Tadoba landscape.
Key issues like steps needed for protection of ecology, regulation for conservation and protection of wildlife, and socioeconomic measures for development of TATR and its buffer area were discussed during the programme.
NGO activist Yogesh Doodhpachare strongly opposed the move of tourism ministry to open three more entrance gates in TATR, while Sachin Wazalwar demanded regular updating of checklist of flora and fauna and satellite mapping of landscape and maintaining standard records to analyse the shifting perception of landscape.
Ex-wildlife warden (honorary) Uday Patel voiced concern over constricting tiger corridors and pressed for active involvement of NGOs in protection and conservation of wildlife. He also stressed for effective control of forest fires and prohibition of illegal plucking of tendu leaves and bamboo felling to prevent habitat degradation.
"As many as 28 tiger cubs were born in TATR during 2010, but the spill over rate of tiger from TATR too is high. Around 8-10 tigers move out of core area into buffer and forest ahead. Hence, conservation of speedily degrading corridors is necessary," said Patel.
Wildlife activist Bandu Dhotre expressed concern over the blockage passages out of tiger reserve for wildlife due to mushrooming tourist resorts and demanded shifting all resorts out of buffer area. He gave suggestions for economical development of villagers living in buffer area.
Around 50 wildlife activists connected to different NGOs along with the representative of tourist resorts, tourist vehicle operators and guides took part in the workshop. CF, Chandrapur circle, GRK Rao, DCF Madan Kulkarni, DCF Ravi Govekar along with senior NGOs activists like Sanjay Karkare, Harshawardhan Dhanwatey and others guided the attendees.
Forest authorities assured to document the valuable suggestions of NGO activists given in the workshop and forward it to higher authorities and government for consideration.
The forest officials assured to consider demands such as Promotion of village oriented ecotourism, checking of mushrooming of tourist resorts around TATR and better residential facility and additional incentive for staff.
However, forest officers responded in negative to some suggestions such as shifting core area of TATR to minimise human pressure on forestand building boundary wall to prevent movement of wildlife in non-forest areas from TATR.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Workshop-calls-for-beefing-up-protection-in-Tadoba/articleshow/7565906.cms
During the workshop, wildlife activists expressed concern over protection of tigers and constriction of corridors in Tadoba landscape, and gave valuable suggestions over sustainable development of buffer area of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
The state forest department, under the banner of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Conservation Foundation, had organised the workshop with the objective of seeking, suggesting and roping in the support of NGOs in chalking out the development plan for 79 villages in buffer area and its implementation in coming days, said CF and field director, TATR, Vinaykumar Sinha. Regional manager, North FDCM, SH Patil, who is former field director of TATR, pointed out issues hindering better management of wildlife in Tadoba landscape.
Key issues like steps needed for protection of ecology, regulation for conservation and protection of wildlife, and socioeconomic measures for development of TATR and its buffer area were discussed during the programme.
NGO activist Yogesh Doodhpachare strongly opposed the move of tourism ministry to open three more entrance gates in TATR, while Sachin Wazalwar demanded regular updating of checklist of flora and fauna and satellite mapping of landscape and maintaining standard records to analyse the shifting perception of landscape.
Ex-wildlife warden (honorary) Uday Patel voiced concern over constricting tiger corridors and pressed for active involvement of NGOs in protection and conservation of wildlife. He also stressed for effective control of forest fires and prohibition of illegal plucking of tendu leaves and bamboo felling to prevent habitat degradation.
"As many as 28 tiger cubs were born in TATR during 2010, but the spill over rate of tiger from TATR too is high. Around 8-10 tigers move out of core area into buffer and forest ahead. Hence, conservation of speedily degrading corridors is necessary," said Patel.
Wildlife activist Bandu Dhotre expressed concern over the blockage passages out of tiger reserve for wildlife due to mushrooming tourist resorts and demanded shifting all resorts out of buffer area. He gave suggestions for economical development of villagers living in buffer area.
Around 50 wildlife activists connected to different NGOs along with the representative of tourist resorts, tourist vehicle operators and guides took part in the workshop. CF, Chandrapur circle, GRK Rao, DCF Madan Kulkarni, DCF Ravi Govekar along with senior NGOs activists like Sanjay Karkare, Harshawardhan Dhanwatey and others guided the attendees.
Forest authorities assured to document the valuable suggestions of NGO activists given in the workshop and forward it to higher authorities and government for consideration.
The forest officials assured to consider demands such as Promotion of village oriented ecotourism, checking of mushrooming of tourist resorts around TATR and better residential facility and additional incentive for staff.
However, forest officers responded in negative to some suggestions such as shifting core area of TATR to minimise human pressure on forestand building boundary wall to prevent movement of wildlife in non-forest areas from TATR.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Workshop-calls-for-beefing-up-protection-in-Tadoba/articleshow/7565906.cms
Friday, February 25, 2011
Chinese national arrested in Nepal with tiger skin
Kathmandu, Feb 24 (PTI) Nepalese authorities have arrested a Chinese national and seized four pieces of tiger skin from his possession.
Gama Tumeng was arrested from the Tribhuvan International Airport here yesterday as he landed from a Thai Airline flight carrying four pieces of tiger skin, police said today.
Nepal has been used by international illegal wildlife traders as transit country for smuggling parts of endangered wildlife species including tigers brought from India and other third countries into Chinese market, they said.
Tiger parts have high demand in China''s black market as it is used for manufacturing traditional Chinese medicine.
Gama Tumeng was arrested from the Tribhuvan International Airport here yesterday as he landed from a Thai Airline flight carrying four pieces of tiger skin, police said today.
Nepal has been used by international illegal wildlife traders as transit country for smuggling parts of endangered wildlife species including tigers brought from India and other third countries into Chinese market, they said.
Tiger parts have high demand in China''s black market as it is used for manufacturing traditional Chinese medicine.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tiger translocated to Sariska
Alwar, Feb 23 (PTI) A tiger was translocated to Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar district from Bharatpur''s Keoladev area tonight.
"The big cat T-7, who was shifted to Bharatpur range from Sawaimadhopur''s Ranthambore national park, was tranquillised and brought to Alwar in a canter by road under the supervision of teams of experts and was shifted to the park," Sariska Field Director R S Shekhawat said.
This is the sixth big cat translocated to Sariska but one of the tiger was poisoned to death in November last year.
Now there are two tigers and three tigress in the Sariska sanctuary.
"The big cat T-7, who was shifted to Bharatpur range from Sawaimadhopur''s Ranthambore national park, was tranquillised and brought to Alwar in a canter by road under the supervision of teams of experts and was shifted to the park," Sariska Field Director R S Shekhawat said.
This is the sixth big cat translocated to Sariska but one of the tiger was poisoned to death in November last year.
Now there are two tigers and three tigress in the Sariska sanctuary.
Tiger cub, elephant calf born at National Park
A tiger cub and a baby elephant were born at Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) yesterday. The cub was born to nine-year-old tigress Menaka. According to BBP officials, the cub is healthy and the mother is taking good care of it.
Meanwhile, Veda, a 12-year-old elephant, gave birth to the calf around 5.30 pm in the forest outside the park limits. The forest guards informed the BBP officers, who are expected to bring back the mother and calf to the BBP today.
However, there was a bit of bad news too. The condition of Guru, a 15-year-old lion suffering from renal failure since January 1, is said to be critical. The lion has not been eating for the past week and is being given a liquid diet.
Meanwhile, Veda, a 12-year-old elephant, gave birth to the calf around 5.30 pm in the forest outside the park limits. The forest guards informed the BBP officers, who are expected to bring back the mother and calf to the BBP today.
However, there was a bit of bad news too. The condition of Guru, a 15-year-old lion suffering from renal failure since January 1, is said to be critical. The lion has not been eating for the past week and is being given a liquid diet.
Curious case of 40 ‘missing’ Simlipal tigers
A controversy rages over the count of big cats in Simlipal Tiger Reserve. At its entrance gate at Tulsiboni, the reserve flaunts the number of “Royal Bengal Tigers” as 101. But the claim of the State forest department is disputed by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
In the backdrop of such disputes, uncertainty prevails over the outcome of the ongoing nation-wide census, whose results are expected next month. The first phase of the census work has been so far completed in the reserve. The WII has so far not landed there to conduct its part of the exercise so far.
However amidst these confusions, members of the Simlipal Tiger Protection Force (STPF) — founded by wildlife activist Bhanoo Mitra Acharya — are ground-tracking the predators in the reserve. The STPF comprises local youths who are passionate of forest and wildlife.
According to PCCF PN Padhi, “The data collected from first phase of our survey work was sent to WII last year.” This was based on various signages, including direct and indirect evidence of predators as pug marks, scratches on ground, scrapes on trees, scat, calls, etc, he said.
In addition, prey density with dung pellet count and vegetation survey of the habitat of herbivores, etc, have been analysed and forwarded to WII, he said.
Padhi would like to keep his fingers crossed over the census in the reserve wondering how the WII would be able to complete its job, which involves using camera traps and other elaborate methods. “They were supposed to come in October,” he said.
Member Secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Rajesh Gopal, however, told The Pioneer that the March report of the tiger census would have the figures from across the country, including Simlipal.
Confusions started over the number of tigers in the reserve when the State Forest department, in its 2004 census report, claimed presence of 101 tigers citing pug mark method.
These included 94 in the core area and seven others in the buffer and its immediate periphery.
However, these figures were not accepted by the WII when it conducted a census by using the camera trap method in 2008. The WII put the total number of big cats in Orissa STR at 20. Upset over the dismal figure reported by the WII, it conducted a repeat survey in Simlipal in 2009 and came out with the figures of 61, using the same old pugmark method.
“What happened to the missing 40 big cats in the STR remains unanswered till date,” quipped Sanjukta Basa, Honorary Wildlife Warden, Mayurbhanj. “Were the earlier figures of 101 tigers furnished by the State fudged or is it that 40 tigers disappeared from Simlipal during 2004 and 2009?
Padhi avoided joining the issue about the “missing tigers”, but quipped, “WII census in 2009 had covered a very small area, it certainly did not reflect the total tiger population of the reserve spread over 2,750 sqkm.”
Despite Padhi’s claims, tigers have become illusive for the local villagers. Village elder Rohidas Giri from Lulong in the reserve claimed, “I have not seen a tiger for the past 10-12 years.” He further said that far from tigers even leopards are spotted rarely these days.
“The situation could have been better had the forest department accorded more importance to the STPF and worked with better coordination,” said environmentalist Biswajit Mohanty, one of the members of NTCA team on Simlipal. The plight of STPF, their erratic and poor service conditions find a prominent mention in the report.
While there is vacancy in the various cadre of the reserve, a large number of personnel are above the age of 50, so these local youths of STPF are the “ears and eyes” of the reserve today, bringing out incidents of poaching and killing of animals here, he added.
There is certainly a trust deficit and lack of coordination between the STPF and forest department which need to be rectified for the betterment of the park, said Bhanoo Mitra Acharya.
The members are terminated, their salaries deducted without any reason, especially when they unearth instances of poaching and killing of animals in the reserve, Acharya charged.
STPF member Sonaram Saiyan from Naona range echoed his views. “Instead of being engaged in wildlife protection work, I am being given casual work as trench cutting, digging, etc. This is not for which I have been deputed,” Sonaram said.
In the backdrop of such disputes, uncertainty prevails over the outcome of the ongoing nation-wide census, whose results are expected next month. The first phase of the census work has been so far completed in the reserve. The WII has so far not landed there to conduct its part of the exercise so far.
However amidst these confusions, members of the Simlipal Tiger Protection Force (STPF) — founded by wildlife activist Bhanoo Mitra Acharya — are ground-tracking the predators in the reserve. The STPF comprises local youths who are passionate of forest and wildlife.
According to PCCF PN Padhi, “The data collected from first phase of our survey work was sent to WII last year.” This was based on various signages, including direct and indirect evidence of predators as pug marks, scratches on ground, scrapes on trees, scat, calls, etc, he said.
In addition, prey density with dung pellet count and vegetation survey of the habitat of herbivores, etc, have been analysed and forwarded to WII, he said.
Padhi would like to keep his fingers crossed over the census in the reserve wondering how the WII would be able to complete its job, which involves using camera traps and other elaborate methods. “They were supposed to come in October,” he said.
Member Secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Rajesh Gopal, however, told The Pioneer that the March report of the tiger census would have the figures from across the country, including Simlipal.
Confusions started over the number of tigers in the reserve when the State Forest department, in its 2004 census report, claimed presence of 101 tigers citing pug mark method.
These included 94 in the core area and seven others in the buffer and its immediate periphery.
However, these figures were not accepted by the WII when it conducted a census by using the camera trap method in 2008. The WII put the total number of big cats in Orissa STR at 20. Upset over the dismal figure reported by the WII, it conducted a repeat survey in Simlipal in 2009 and came out with the figures of 61, using the same old pugmark method.
“What happened to the missing 40 big cats in the STR remains unanswered till date,” quipped Sanjukta Basa, Honorary Wildlife Warden, Mayurbhanj. “Were the earlier figures of 101 tigers furnished by the State fudged or is it that 40 tigers disappeared from Simlipal during 2004 and 2009?
Padhi avoided joining the issue about the “missing tigers”, but quipped, “WII census in 2009 had covered a very small area, it certainly did not reflect the total tiger population of the reserve spread over 2,750 sqkm.”
Despite Padhi’s claims, tigers have become illusive for the local villagers. Village elder Rohidas Giri from Lulong in the reserve claimed, “I have not seen a tiger for the past 10-12 years.” He further said that far from tigers even leopards are spotted rarely these days.
“The situation could have been better had the forest department accorded more importance to the STPF and worked with better coordination,” said environmentalist Biswajit Mohanty, one of the members of NTCA team on Simlipal. The plight of STPF, their erratic and poor service conditions find a prominent mention in the report.
While there is vacancy in the various cadre of the reserve, a large number of personnel are above the age of 50, so these local youths of STPF are the “ears and eyes” of the reserve today, bringing out incidents of poaching and killing of animals here, he added.
There is certainly a trust deficit and lack of coordination between the STPF and forest department which need to be rectified for the betterment of the park, said Bhanoo Mitra Acharya.
The members are terminated, their salaries deducted without any reason, especially when they unearth instances of poaching and killing of animals in the reserve, Acharya charged.
STPF member Sonaram Saiyan from Naona range echoed his views. “Instead of being engaged in wildlife protection work, I am being given casual work as trench cutting, digging, etc. This is not for which I have been deputed,” Sonaram said.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
15 tiger deaths in less than two months Neha Shukla
LUCKNOW: All is certainly not well with the big cats, as 15 tigers have died in less than two months this year. According to Project Tiger officials, the number of deaths is much higher as compared to the previous year. Most of the deaths have been termed as natural.
In 2010, 55 tiger deaths were reported (38 mortalities and 17 seizures) from across the country.
The consolation for Uttar Pradesh is that of the 15 deaths, none have been reported from the state.
Out of the 17 tiger states, deaths have been reported from nine. According to the MoEF, Uttarakhand has topped the chart with four tiger deaths reported between January 5 and February 19 this year. Three deaths took place in Corbett Tiger Reserve and one in West Terai Forest Division.
Kerala, Maharashtra and TN have reported two tiger deaths each, while one tiger died in Orissa, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Assam. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and West Bengal did not report any tiger death.
As per the data of tiger mortalities and seizures in 2011 obtained from the ministry of environment and forest, seven deaths were reported each in January and February, a tiger skin was also seized from Chandrapur in Maharashtra in January.
When contacted, SP Yadav, deputy IG, Project Tiger, said, "Most of the deaths are natural. But, this does not mean that crime against the big cats has gone down. The average age of tigers in the wild is anywhere close to 10 years and it is natural that they die after a certain age,'' he said.
Wildlife experts, however, said it was difficult to say how many deaths are natural. Even if a tiger is poisoned it is difficult to establish it. If the carcass is found after a gap of few days poisoning is mostly not established in autopsy report.
It is only within few hours of the death that poisoning as a cause of death can be established in the report. For this reason, in many cases the exact cause of death could not be established. Even the post-mortem reports could be inconclusive.
As per the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), an agency which works with the state forest departments and enforcement agencies, out of the 15 tiger deaths in 2011, there has been one case of seizure, two suspected cases of poisoning, four cases of natural deaths and one case of shooting down of a tiger by the forest department.
In addition to this, four cases of infighting, one case of leopard-tiger clash in which both died, a case of a tiger being killed by an elephant and one case of tiger carcass being recovered (reason of death not known), were cited by the WPSI.
"We collect information through our own workers, from forest and police officers,'' said Tito Joseph, programme manager, WPSI. MoEF's database is recent but WPSI has been compiling data for several years.
In 2010, 55 tiger deaths were reported (38 mortalities and 17 seizures) from across the country.
The consolation for Uttar Pradesh is that of the 15 deaths, none have been reported from the state.
Out of the 17 tiger states, deaths have been reported from nine. According to the MoEF, Uttarakhand has topped the chart with four tiger deaths reported between January 5 and February 19 this year. Three deaths took place in Corbett Tiger Reserve and one in West Terai Forest Division.
Kerala, Maharashtra and TN have reported two tiger deaths each, while one tiger died in Orissa, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Assam. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and West Bengal did not report any tiger death.
As per the data of tiger mortalities and seizures in 2011 obtained from the ministry of environment and forest, seven deaths were reported each in January and February, a tiger skin was also seized from Chandrapur in Maharashtra in January.
When contacted, SP Yadav, deputy IG, Project Tiger, said, "Most of the deaths are natural. But, this does not mean that crime against the big cats has gone down. The average age of tigers in the wild is anywhere close to 10 years and it is natural that they die after a certain age,'' he said.
Wildlife experts, however, said it was difficult to say how many deaths are natural. Even if a tiger is poisoned it is difficult to establish it. If the carcass is found after a gap of few days poisoning is mostly not established in autopsy report.
It is only within few hours of the death that poisoning as a cause of death can be established in the report. For this reason, in many cases the exact cause of death could not be established. Even the post-mortem reports could be inconclusive.
As per the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), an agency which works with the state forest departments and enforcement agencies, out of the 15 tiger deaths in 2011, there has been one case of seizure, two suspected cases of poisoning, four cases of natural deaths and one case of shooting down of a tiger by the forest department.
In addition to this, four cases of infighting, one case of leopard-tiger clash in which both died, a case of a tiger being killed by an elephant and one case of tiger carcass being recovered (reason of death not known), were cited by the WPSI.
"We collect information through our own workers, from forest and police officers,'' said Tito Joseph, programme manager, WPSI. MoEF's database is recent but WPSI has been compiling data for several years.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tiger census report to be out next month
The tiger census report will be released by prime minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on March 27 or 28.
This was decided at a meeting held by officials under Project Tiger, recently. While tabulating the tiger census data, the Centre has asked the state governments to strengthen steps to protect wildlife.
Scientists from Wildlife Institute of India, YV Jhala, said the mapping and tabulation of data, based on region and state, is being completed. To ensure accuracy in findings, GIS formatting has been used.
All states have been covered except north eastern states where the terrain is different and difficult. Most areas there cannot be accessed by road and scientists have to walk for miles together. So the tiger census there, except Assam where it was conducted, will be done from March to July and the report will be released later.
According to the initial plan, the census report was to be released by July. But the National Tiger Conservation Authority and ministry of environment and forests wanted the report to be ready by the end of May. The report is finally being released in March.
The three-day census was conducted in January 2009 by forest department officials along with two NGOs, Centre for Wildlife Studies and Nature Conservation Foundation, using field survey and camera trapping.
All eyes are on the census results since the World Bank has appreciated the conservation measures taken by the state where 20% of India’s tiger population live in 5% of its forest areas. The rise in tiger population is adding to the burden of the state in protecting them.
According to the previous survey report, Karnataka houses 290 tigers after Madhya Pradesh with 300 tigers. On an average, India has 1,411 tigers.
Forest cover in Karnataka is put at 40,236 sq km. Tigers occupy 18,715 sq km in three tiger constituted areas. Nagarhole-Madhumalai-Wynad patch of forest spread across 10,800 sq km is estimated to house 190 tigers.
Kudremukh-Bhadra forest patch occupying 7,054 sq km houses 58 tigers. Sharavathi Valley-Dandeli- Khanapur belt spread across 7,309 sq km has an average of 33 tigers.
This was decided at a meeting held by officials under Project Tiger, recently. While tabulating the tiger census data, the Centre has asked the state governments to strengthen steps to protect wildlife.
Scientists from Wildlife Institute of India, YV Jhala, said the mapping and tabulation of data, based on region and state, is being completed. To ensure accuracy in findings, GIS formatting has been used.
All states have been covered except north eastern states where the terrain is different and difficult. Most areas there cannot be accessed by road and scientists have to walk for miles together. So the tiger census there, except Assam where it was conducted, will be done from March to July and the report will be released later.
According to the initial plan, the census report was to be released by July. But the National Tiger Conservation Authority and ministry of environment and forests wanted the report to be ready by the end of May. The report is finally being released in March.
The three-day census was conducted in January 2009 by forest department officials along with two NGOs, Centre for Wildlife Studies and Nature Conservation Foundation, using field survey and camera trapping.
All eyes are on the census results since the World Bank has appreciated the conservation measures taken by the state where 20% of India’s tiger population live in 5% of its forest areas. The rise in tiger population is adding to the burden of the state in protecting them.
According to the previous survey report, Karnataka houses 290 tigers after Madhya Pradesh with 300 tigers. On an average, India has 1,411 tigers.
Forest cover in Karnataka is put at 40,236 sq km. Tigers occupy 18,715 sq km in three tiger constituted areas. Nagarhole-Madhumalai-Wynad patch of forest spread across 10,800 sq km is estimated to house 190 tigers.
Kudremukh-Bhadra forest patch occupying 7,054 sq km houses 58 tigers. Sharavathi Valley-Dandeli- Khanapur belt spread across 7,309 sq km has an average of 33 tigers.
Monday, February 21, 2011
With tiger protection, poachers eye leopards
With the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) working overtime to protect the tiger population, poachers have now shifted their attention to killing leopards and selling their body parts as tiger parts.
The states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are the epicentre of this illicit trade and the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) confirms that over 291 leopard deaths were reported in India in 2010. Another 235 and 201 leopards were killed in 2009 and 2008 respectively.
Conservationists conclude that for every tiger killed, there are 10 leopard deaths. The scale of the killing can be estimated from the fact that recently the skins of over 1,200 dead leopard were captured in Ghaziabad.
A senior researcher in WPSI believes this is just the tip of the iceberg and with the illicit international demand for big cat skins and body parts on the rise, the leopard could soon be extinct like the cheetah.
He expressed surprise that while the government has been pursuing a tiger census with great seriousness, while no effort has been made to conduct a leopard census to arrive at the exact number existing within and outside protected areas.
Figures released by the MoEF in 2008 show that there are not more than 11,000 leopards left in the country.
“Leopards live on the periphery of the forests and that makes them more vulnerable,” a senior forest official in the MoEF pointed out. With a declining prey base, leopards are being forced to move to places of high human density where they feed on domestic animals and dogs.
When it attacks livestock, it faces a backlash with communities in and around forest areas supporting poaching and the poisoning of leopards.
The states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are the epicentre of this illicit trade and the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) confirms that over 291 leopard deaths were reported in India in 2010. Another 235 and 201 leopards were killed in 2009 and 2008 respectively.
Conservationists conclude that for every tiger killed, there are 10 leopard deaths. The scale of the killing can be estimated from the fact that recently the skins of over 1,200 dead leopard were captured in Ghaziabad.
A senior researcher in WPSI believes this is just the tip of the iceberg and with the illicit international demand for big cat skins and body parts on the rise, the leopard could soon be extinct like the cheetah.
He expressed surprise that while the government has been pursuing a tiger census with great seriousness, while no effort has been made to conduct a leopard census to arrive at the exact number existing within and outside protected areas.
Figures released by the MoEF in 2008 show that there are not more than 11,000 leopards left in the country.
“Leopards live on the periphery of the forests and that makes them more vulnerable,” a senior forest official in the MoEF pointed out. With a declining prey base, leopards are being forced to move to places of high human density where they feed on domestic animals and dogs.
When it attacks livestock, it faces a backlash with communities in and around forest areas supporting poaching and the poisoning of leopards.
Sunderbans big cats shrink as mangroves swell? Prithvijit Mitra, TNN,
KOLKATA: Is the Sunderbans turning denser than ever before, making it difficult for tigers to hunt? A yearlong study by researchers indicates that the mangroves have indeed turned thicker due to the proliferation of species which are dense, making it difficult for animals to penetrate them easily. It might be a reason why tigers in the forest are losing weight and could even have contributed to their leaner look, according to the study done by a team from Jadavpur University's School of Oceanography.
While studying the salinity of water in the rivers of the mangrove forest, researchers found that the mangroves in the core area appeared denser. A scrutiny revealed that two species which are particularly dense avicennia marina and avicennia alba have multiplied in areas like Satjelia in the south and the entire western side of the forest from Namkhana to Kalas. These are within the core area where tiger population is believed to be among the highest in the forest and have recorded frequent straying over the last two years. About 15-cm long and 5-cm wide, the dark green leaves of these shrubs grow very close and make movement through very them difficult. "These are about 20% thicker than the other major mangrove variety. It's difficult to spot prey animals and hunt them down through these shrubs. This could be one of the major reasons why tigers have been finding it difficult to procure food easily in the forest. But this is an assumption since we haven't yet done enough study on tigers to conclude that their physical appearance has changed due to geographical factors," said Pranabesh Sanyal, member of the research team and former director of Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (STR).
Studies are, however, on to co-relate the weight and size of Sunderbans tigers to alteration in the nature of mangroves. While the average weight of an adult male should be around 180 kg, straying Sunderbans tigers have been found to weigh only around 100 kg. A minimum of six tigers need to be observed and studied to draw a definite conclusion. So far, five have been studied.
"We are on the verge of what could be a significant finding. Whatever be the other reasons, geographical factors are indeed responsible for tigers straying so frequently. And perhaps, even for their shrinking size," said a member.
There are others who feel that thicker mangroves could have just a marginal impact on tigers in terms of either hunting or their physical appearance. "It's physical stress due to food shortage that could be a bigger cause. And an inadequate prey base seems to be a more logical reason. A lower body weight is more likely to be the fallout of hunger than anything else. Size can't shrink in 20-30 years. This is the period when the forest has got reduced in size and prey animals have been dwindling," said Gautam Sen, oceanographer.
While dense mangroves could be a cause of worry, there was also good news for the fragile ecological system. Fiddler crabs have been found to be acting as a fertiliser, enriching the soil composition.
While studying the salinity of water in the rivers of the mangrove forest, researchers found that the mangroves in the core area appeared denser. A scrutiny revealed that two species which are particularly dense avicennia marina and avicennia alba have multiplied in areas like Satjelia in the south and the entire western side of the forest from Namkhana to Kalas. These are within the core area where tiger population is believed to be among the highest in the forest and have recorded frequent straying over the last two years. About 15-cm long and 5-cm wide, the dark green leaves of these shrubs grow very close and make movement through very them difficult. "These are about 20% thicker than the other major mangrove variety. It's difficult to spot prey animals and hunt them down through these shrubs. This could be one of the major reasons why tigers have been finding it difficult to procure food easily in the forest. But this is an assumption since we haven't yet done enough study on tigers to conclude that their physical appearance has changed due to geographical factors," said Pranabesh Sanyal, member of the research team and former director of Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (STR).
Studies are, however, on to co-relate the weight and size of Sunderbans tigers to alteration in the nature of mangroves. While the average weight of an adult male should be around 180 kg, straying Sunderbans tigers have been found to weigh only around 100 kg. A minimum of six tigers need to be observed and studied to draw a definite conclusion. So far, five have been studied.
"We are on the verge of what could be a significant finding. Whatever be the other reasons, geographical factors are indeed responsible for tigers straying so frequently. And perhaps, even for their shrinking size," said a member.
There are others who feel that thicker mangroves could have just a marginal impact on tigers in terms of either hunting or their physical appearance. "It's physical stress due to food shortage that could be a bigger cause. And an inadequate prey base seems to be a more logical reason. A lower body weight is more likely to be the fallout of hunger than anything else. Size can't shrink in 20-30 years. This is the period when the forest has got reduced in size and prey animals have been dwindling," said Gautam Sen, oceanographer.
While dense mangroves could be a cause of worry, there was also good news for the fragile ecological system. Fiddler crabs have been found to be acting as a fertiliser, enriching the soil composition.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Tiger, elephant carcasses recovered from Corbett
DEHRADUN: Panic gripped Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) on Saturday as forest guards recovered carcasses of a tusker and a tiger from different locations of the CTR area .
Wildlife warden Umesh Tiwari said the six-year-old tiger was apparently killed during a fight over mating with another tiger in the Kalagarh forest division . Sources, however, said poachers could have been involved in the killing. A gang of poachers has been active in the CTR and adjoining areas for some weeks, sources said.
Tiwari said the exact cause of death will be known after a postmortem, which will be conducted by veterinary surgeon, R K Singh.
Wildlife warden Umesh Tiwari said the six-year-old tiger was apparently killed during a fight over mating with another tiger in the Kalagarh forest division . Sources, however, said poachers could have been involved in the killing. A gang of poachers has been active in the CTR and adjoining areas for some weeks, sources said.
Tiwari said the exact cause of death will be known after a postmortem, which will be conducted by veterinary surgeon, R K Singh.
'Dire need to save Goa's tiger woods' Rajendra P Kerkar, TNN
KERI: Once considered an essential part of the food chain, as it kept herbivores out of locals' fields and plantations, the tiger, since the last decade, is not faring too well in Goa, say wildlife enthusiasts.
"Deforestation and even poaching are on the rise. The forest department too is not sincere or serious about protecting the tiger's habitat," says wildlife activist Ramesh Zarmekar. Hailing from Surla in Sattari taluka, his village lies at the highest point of Goa, in the lap of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary.
In 1993, the forest department's wildlife census recorded the presence of three tigers in Goa. This grew to five in 1997. By 2002, there were four big cats in the wildlife division and one in the north division. The census report for 2010 is yet to be declared.
KERI: Once considered an essential part of the food chain, as it kept herbivores out of locals' fields and plantations, the tiger, since the last decade, is not faring too well in Goa, say wildlife enthusiasts.
"Deforestation and even poaching are on the rise. The forest department too is not sincere or serious about protecting the tiger's habitat," says wildlife activist Ramesh Zarmekar. Hailing from Surla in Sattari taluka, his village lies at the highest point of Goa, in the lap of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary.
In 1993, the forest department's wildlife census recorded the presence of three tigers in Goa. This grew to five in 1997. By 2002, there were four big cats in the wildlife division and one in the north division. The census report for 2010 is yet to be declared.
Deputy conservator of forests Debendra Dalai says, "The wildlife census of 2005 recorded the presence of five tigers in Goa's forests."
A forest official from Sattari, on condition of anonymity, adds, "The presence of three tigers has been confirmed in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary."
Vagheri,the third highest mountain peak in Goa at 3,500 ft was once known as the best habitat for the tiger. Etymologically, Vagheri means 'abode of the tiger'.
"However, deforestation and poaching have today threatened this tiger habitat," says wildlife enthusiast Pankaj Laad. He has been working in this area for the last decade. "The plantation of exotic species a quarter of a century ago by the social forestry division and cashew plantations belonging to the locals of Zarme and Thane villages have also proved to be dangerous for the tiger," he adds.
Tulsidas Velip of Velipwada-Cavrem in Quepem taluka had informed the forest department through a memorandum in 2009 that the forests of deva panndongar and zori dongar have tigers and he had personally seen a tiger attack a grazing cow, while a bison had also been killed by a tiger in the area.
"Increasing mining activities in Cavrem and Maina villages should be curtailed immediately and the tiger habitat in the area should be protected," says Velip.
Between Verle and Salgini villages inside the Netravali wildlife sanctuary lies a hill named vagh dongar, literally tiger hill.
Netorlim-Sanguem resident Puti Gaonkar, 57, says, "Villagers of Verle and Salgini have seen tigers at vagh dongar and have even lost their grazing cattle to the big cat." Salgini panch Narayan Gaonkar adds, "Our villagers have seen tigers on many occasions. We respect the presence of the big cat in the jungle and try to protect it."
Range forest officer at the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary Vishwas Chodankar says, "We are aware about tiger movement in this area and have already planned a strategy to protect it and its habitat."
Deputy conservator of forests, South Goa division, M K Shambu says, "Our staff and officials are vigilant and are coordinating efforts to protect tigers in the wild"
Places like Vagh-Colamb in Mandrem, Vaghure in Pissurlem of Sattari taluka, Vaghurme in Savoi Verem of Ponda are etymologically linked to the tiger.
Similarly, Dongurli, Shirsode and Ugem in Sanguem taluka; Gaondongari in Canacona; Mauxii in Sattari; and Auchitwada in Bicholim have shrines dedicated to the tiger god.
Bittu Sahgal of Save Tiger campaign says, "There is need to constitute a tiger team which should include forest officers, community leaders and non-government organizations, which will work together to save the tiger from extinction."
Renowned conservationist Valmiki Thapar says, "The Bhagwan Mahaveer wildlife sanctuary and Molem national park cover a total area of 240 sq km of moist deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen forests, and boast of a rich diversity of fauna including the tiger."
"The Netravali sanctuary which has been notified will adjoin this area on one side covering an area of 200 sq km and the Mhadei sanctuary on the other, covering an equal area. If this happens, Goa will be one of the few states in India to cover its entire stretch of forests in the Western Ghats as a protected area," he adds.
Also connected through a forest patch is the tiny Bondla wildlife sanctuary. At the far end of Goa's forests, Cotigao sanctuary hugs the border with Karnataka and even a part of Dandeli sanctuary of Karnataka touches Goa. "This provides a vital corridor for tigers-from Maharashtra to Goa to Karnataka. But for how long?" asks Thappar.
In Mhadei wildlife sanctuary near the Anjunem dam's reservoir, assistant conservator of forests Subhash Henriques recently noticed pugmarks of a tigress and a cub. Speaking to reporters after the incident, he said efforts would be made to protect the tiger habitat.
However, no step has been taken by the forest department in this direction yet.
"There is no doubt that Goa is the land of the tiger. But mining activities have threatened the habitat of the tiger. We have recently submitted a proposal to the western ghats panel headed by noted Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil to consider areas of Mhadei sanctuary as Mhadei tiger reserve," says NGO Goa Foundation's Claude Alvares.
He adds, "The wildlife sanctuaries of Sattari and Sanguem are the only corridors for tigers to move from Karnataka into the reserve forests of Dodamarg in Maharashtra."
Pune-based tiger conservationist Anant Zanjale, on a recent visit to Charavane in Sattari where a tiger killed two buffaloes, said, "An adult tiger requires about 80 deers in a year as food. In comparison to the tough to catch deer, a solitary buffalo is an easy target. The Mhadei sanctuary is the apt habitat for tigers and needs to be protected on a priority."
"Deforestation and even poaching are on the rise. The forest department too is not sincere or serious about protecting the tiger's habitat," says wildlife activist Ramesh Zarmekar. Hailing from Surla in Sattari taluka, his village lies at the highest point of Goa, in the lap of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary.
In 1993, the forest department's wildlife census recorded the presence of three tigers in Goa. This grew to five in 1997. By 2002, there were four big cats in the wildlife division and one in the north division. The census report for 2010 is yet to be declared.
KERI: Once considered an essential part of the food chain, as it kept herbivores out of locals' fields and plantations, the tiger, since the last decade, is not faring too well in Goa, say wildlife enthusiasts.
"Deforestation and even poaching are on the rise. The forest department too is not sincere or serious about protecting the tiger's habitat," says wildlife activist Ramesh Zarmekar. Hailing from Surla in Sattari taluka, his village lies at the highest point of Goa, in the lap of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary.
In 1993, the forest department's wildlife census recorded the presence of three tigers in Goa. This grew to five in 1997. By 2002, there were four big cats in the wildlife division and one in the north division. The census report for 2010 is yet to be declared.
Deputy conservator of forests Debendra Dalai says, "The wildlife census of 2005 recorded the presence of five tigers in Goa's forests."
A forest official from Sattari, on condition of anonymity, adds, "The presence of three tigers has been confirmed in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary."
Vagheri,the third highest mountain peak in Goa at 3,500 ft was once known as the best habitat for the tiger. Etymologically, Vagheri means 'abode of the tiger'.
"However, deforestation and poaching have today threatened this tiger habitat," says wildlife enthusiast Pankaj Laad. He has been working in this area for the last decade. "The plantation of exotic species a quarter of a century ago by the social forestry division and cashew plantations belonging to the locals of Zarme and Thane villages have also proved to be dangerous for the tiger," he adds.
Tulsidas Velip of Velipwada-Cavrem in Quepem taluka had informed the forest department through a memorandum in 2009 that the forests of deva panndongar and zori dongar have tigers and he had personally seen a tiger attack a grazing cow, while a bison had also been killed by a tiger in the area.
"Increasing mining activities in Cavrem and Maina villages should be curtailed immediately and the tiger habitat in the area should be protected," says Velip.
Between Verle and Salgini villages inside the Netravali wildlife sanctuary lies a hill named vagh dongar, literally tiger hill.
Netorlim-Sanguem resident Puti Gaonkar, 57, says, "Villagers of Verle and Salgini have seen tigers at vagh dongar and have even lost their grazing cattle to the big cat." Salgini panch Narayan Gaonkar adds, "Our villagers have seen tigers on many occasions. We respect the presence of the big cat in the jungle and try to protect it."
Range forest officer at the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary Vishwas Chodankar says, "We are aware about tiger movement in this area and have already planned a strategy to protect it and its habitat."
Deputy conservator of forests, South Goa division, M K Shambu says, "Our staff and officials are vigilant and are coordinating efforts to protect tigers in the wild"
Places like Vagh-Colamb in Mandrem, Vaghure in Pissurlem of Sattari taluka, Vaghurme in Savoi Verem of Ponda are etymologically linked to the tiger.
Similarly, Dongurli, Shirsode and Ugem in Sanguem taluka; Gaondongari in Canacona; Mauxii in Sattari; and Auchitwada in Bicholim have shrines dedicated to the tiger god.
Bittu Sahgal of Save Tiger campaign says, "There is need to constitute a tiger team which should include forest officers, community leaders and non-government organizations, which will work together to save the tiger from extinction."
Renowned conservationist Valmiki Thapar says, "The Bhagwan Mahaveer wildlife sanctuary and Molem national park cover a total area of 240 sq km of moist deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen forests, and boast of a rich diversity of fauna including the tiger."
"The Netravali sanctuary which has been notified will adjoin this area on one side covering an area of 200 sq km and the Mhadei sanctuary on the other, covering an equal area. If this happens, Goa will be one of the few states in India to cover its entire stretch of forests in the Western Ghats as a protected area," he adds.
Also connected through a forest patch is the tiny Bondla wildlife sanctuary. At the far end of Goa's forests, Cotigao sanctuary hugs the border with Karnataka and even a part of Dandeli sanctuary of Karnataka touches Goa. "This provides a vital corridor for tigers-from Maharashtra to Goa to Karnataka. But for how long?" asks Thappar.
In Mhadei wildlife sanctuary near the Anjunem dam's reservoir, assistant conservator of forests Subhash Henriques recently noticed pugmarks of a tigress and a cub. Speaking to reporters after the incident, he said efforts would be made to protect the tiger habitat.
However, no step has been taken by the forest department in this direction yet.
"There is no doubt that Goa is the land of the tiger. But mining activities have threatened the habitat of the tiger. We have recently submitted a proposal to the western ghats panel headed by noted Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil to consider areas of Mhadei sanctuary as Mhadei tiger reserve," says NGO Goa Foundation's Claude Alvares.
He adds, "The wildlife sanctuaries of Sattari and Sanguem are the only corridors for tigers to move from Karnataka into the reserve forests of Dodamarg in Maharashtra."
Pune-based tiger conservationist Anant Zanjale, on a recent visit to Charavane in Sattari where a tiger killed two buffaloes, said, "An adult tiger requires about 80 deers in a year as food. In comparison to the tough to catch deer, a solitary buffalo is an easy target. The Mhadei sanctuary is the apt habitat for tigers and needs to be protected on a priority."
Indo-Bangla forum to save Sunderbans TNN
KOLKATA: With 40% of the Sundarbans in India and the remaining area of the sprawling mangrove forest in Bangladesh, it requires joint initiatives, overlooking border and political issues, to conserve this very unique ecology of the world. Keeping this in mind, Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh is likely to visit the neighbouring country to formally launch the Indo-Bangla Sundarbans Ecological Forum that will take up joint management programmes for better preservation.
"The forum will look into a lot of issues like census, research and guarding. For instance, on either side of Sundarbans, there is an element of doubt in ascertaining tiger population. The excuse is that big cats often cross borders. The only way to ascertain their population is to carry out tiger census programmes simultaneously across the Sundarbans in India and Bangladesh," said a state forest department officer.
In Kolkata last year, Ramesh and his Bangladesh counterpart, Dr Hasan Mahmud, had pledged to put up a joint effort to protect and preserve the Sunderbans. "Such steps will help deal with issues such as mangrove management, tiger conservation and livelihood protection," said an official of the Union forest ministry.
"When Ramesh had gone to the Sunderbans, the first thing that struck him was that one country alone could do nothing as the forest covered both countries. So, there has to be a joint initiative... However, a new vista will open up if we exchange our experiences and learn from each other before taking up joint projects like tiger census, which will never be complete without taking Bangladesh into account," said a senior ministry official.
Describing the Sunderbans as unique, Mahmud told TOI on the phone, "The mangrove forest has saved the huge hinterland from calamities such as Aila and Sidr in both countries. But over the past few decades, there have been a lot of human interference in the Surderbans on either side of the border. We must protect it together otherwise our children will never forgive us."
Mahmud also appealed to the people of India to vote for the Sunderbans and make it one of the seven ecological wonders of the world. "If India pitches in, the Sunderbans has no reason to worry about its place among the seven wonders. Only the Amazon rainforest can match its stature," he added.
Ramesh couldn't have agreed more when he said that in the global context of eco-sensitivity, the Sunderbans would always top the agenda.
"The forum will look into a lot of issues like census, research and guarding. For instance, on either side of Sundarbans, there is an element of doubt in ascertaining tiger population. The excuse is that big cats often cross borders. The only way to ascertain their population is to carry out tiger census programmes simultaneously across the Sundarbans in India and Bangladesh," said a state forest department officer.
In Kolkata last year, Ramesh and his Bangladesh counterpart, Dr Hasan Mahmud, had pledged to put up a joint effort to protect and preserve the Sunderbans. "Such steps will help deal with issues such as mangrove management, tiger conservation and livelihood protection," said an official of the Union forest ministry.
"When Ramesh had gone to the Sunderbans, the first thing that struck him was that one country alone could do nothing as the forest covered both countries. So, there has to be a joint initiative... However, a new vista will open up if we exchange our experiences and learn from each other before taking up joint projects like tiger census, which will never be complete without taking Bangladesh into account," said a senior ministry official.
Describing the Sunderbans as unique, Mahmud told TOI on the phone, "The mangrove forest has saved the huge hinterland from calamities such as Aila and Sidr in both countries. But over the past few decades, there have been a lot of human interference in the Surderbans on either side of the border. We must protect it together otherwise our children will never forgive us."
Mahmud also appealed to the people of India to vote for the Sunderbans and make it one of the seven ecological wonders of the world. "If India pitches in, the Sunderbans has no reason to worry about its place among the seven wonders. Only the Amazon rainforest can match its stature," he added.
Ramesh couldn't have agreed more when he said that in the global context of eco-sensitivity, the Sunderbans would always top the agenda.
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