The state Forest department will be undertaking an exclusive project to keep a check on the incidents of man-animal conflict in the core tiger habitat zone in the state. The department, with support from the World Wildlife Fund, will be establishing two conflict and quick response camps at Katarniya Ghat in Bahraich and Dudhwa Wildlife Sanctuary in Lakhimpur Kheri districts. These camps will cover the area between Katarniya Ghat and Pilibhit forest reserves and check the movement of tigers and also, the incidents of man-animal conflict.
The decision to set up these base camps was taken at a meeting of the newly formed Project Management Committee for the Project Tiger, held at Pilibhit on Friday and Saturday. The committee, which has officials of the state Forest department and the WWF as its members, will be monitoring all the projects that the department will undertake for the protection of tigers. During the meeting, the committee decided to include Pilibhit in the core tiger habitat zone.
The need for setting up these base camps was felt because of the recent incidents of tiger killings. Since July last, there have been around 10 incidents of man-animal conflicts in several districts of the state. The latest attack was reported from Rae Bareli on Saturday, when 8 people including a deputy ranger, were injured while trying to catch the leopard. The incident occurred in Lachai village under Saraini police station around 7.30 am, when the leopard attacked four locals, including a woman, who were working in the field. Hearing their cries, other villagers rushed to the spot. The injured were rushed to the district hospital. Meanwhile, a forest team also reached the spot. The animal attacked deputy ranger Ram Naresh Shukla, who was also rushed to the hospital. The villagers then started hitting the animal with lathis and stones and finally, killed the animal. Three more people were injured during the fight
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/two-base-camps-to-check-mananimal-conflicts-in-terai/767885/
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Tiger reserve in Jharkhand ravaged by forest fire
Forest Ranger Ashok Kumar Singh said: " We are trying to bring the fire under control for several days. Our staff works all night and as per the latest report, we have almost controlled it. You will not find any new fire breaking out."
He also said that the fire may not harm big animals, but reptiles like snakes, lizards, etc. could be killed.
No one has been reported injured in the fire that has devastated about 72 square kilometers of the forest area.
Trackers and firefighters from the forest department are facing a lot of difficulty to carry out operations to douse the fire during the night due to low visibility and the complex nature of the terrain. (ANI)
http://www.sify.com/news/tiger-reserve-in-jharkhand-ravaged-by-forest-fire-news-national-ldzlEcebchf.html
He also said that the fire may not harm big animals, but reptiles like snakes, lizards, etc. could be killed.
No one has been reported injured in the fire that has devastated about 72 square kilometers of the forest area.
Trackers and firefighters from the forest department are facing a lot of difficulty to carry out operations to douse the fire during the night due to low visibility and the complex nature of the terrain. (ANI)
http://www.sify.com/news/tiger-reserve-in-jharkhand-ravaged-by-forest-fire-news-national-ldzlEcebchf.html
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tiger kills man, this time in Bhadrawati forest- TNN
CHANDRAPUR: A tiger claimed yet another life in Bhadrawati forest range taking the tally of human kills in the district to three this year. The incident took place in Gudgaon beat near Sawri village close to the Irai dam on Wednesday afternoon, but the body was discovered later in the same night. The second human kill by tiger in span of just one month in the jungles close the Irai dam in Bhadrawati tehsil has alarmed villages in the area.
Sources informed that deceased shepherd Natthu Kedar (60) from Sawri had taken his herd into the jungle for grazing in the morning. At around 5pm the herd came back to the village without its shepherd. As he did not return till dusk, the villagers went out in his search.
"The body was discovered in the farm of Baburao Kirtane close to the jungle of compartment No. 935 in Gudgaon beat near Irai dam by the villager. The body had several scratch marks on its back and was lying close the shrubs near the boundary of the farm. After getting information both forest and police personnel rushed to the spot," said RFO, Bhadrawati range, Arun Tikhe.
He informed that ACF TK Dhabekar and he reached the spot with his subordinates and sent the body for post-mortem after necessary inquest formalities.
Tikhe confirmed that it was the act of tiger. "We have recovered the pugmarks on the spot where the kill was made. Moreover, there is known presence of tiger in the area. Tiger might have killed the shepherd in the afternoon while he was grazing the animals, but body was discovered later in the evening," he said.
Replying to a query he denied the possibility of the beast being the same tiger which had killed an unidentified person on February 26 night in compartment No. 206 in same Bhadrawati range. He informed that there are quite a few tigers in Bhadrawati forest range and the two human kills have been made by different tigers.
"We have identified the tiger that killed Kedar on Wednesday and it is different from the one that had made human kill earlier," Tikhe stressed. He said that forest officers have given the ex-gratia aid of Rs 5000 to the kin of Kedar and compensation of Rs 2 lakh against the death would be paid after the necessary documental formalities are completed. Notably this is third instance when tigers had made human kill in the district this year. As many as 12 people were killed in tiger attacks in district last year.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-kills-man-this-time-in-Bhadrawati-forest/articleshow/7783530.cms
Sources informed that deceased shepherd Natthu Kedar (60) from Sawri had taken his herd into the jungle for grazing in the morning. At around 5pm the herd came back to the village without its shepherd. As he did not return till dusk, the villagers went out in his search.
"The body was discovered in the farm of Baburao Kirtane close to the jungle of compartment No. 935 in Gudgaon beat near Irai dam by the villager. The body had several scratch marks on its back and was lying close the shrubs near the boundary of the farm. After getting information both forest and police personnel rushed to the spot," said RFO, Bhadrawati range, Arun Tikhe.
He informed that ACF TK Dhabekar and he reached the spot with his subordinates and sent the body for post-mortem after necessary inquest formalities.
Tikhe confirmed that it was the act of tiger. "We have recovered the pugmarks on the spot where the kill was made. Moreover, there is known presence of tiger in the area. Tiger might have killed the shepherd in the afternoon while he was grazing the animals, but body was discovered later in the evening," he said.
Replying to a query he denied the possibility of the beast being the same tiger which had killed an unidentified person on February 26 night in compartment No. 206 in same Bhadrawati range. He informed that there are quite a few tigers in Bhadrawati forest range and the two human kills have been made by different tigers.
"We have identified the tiger that killed Kedar on Wednesday and it is different from the one that had made human kill earlier," Tikhe stressed. He said that forest officers have given the ex-gratia aid of Rs 5000 to the kin of Kedar and compensation of Rs 2 lakh against the death would be paid after the necessary documental formalities are completed. Notably this is third instance when tigers had made human kill in the district this year. As many as 12 people were killed in tiger attacks in district last year.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-kills-man-this-time-in-Bhadrawati-forest/articleshow/7783530.cms
PAC flays Environment Ministry''s "silence" on tiger protection -PTI
New Delhi, Mar 24 (PTI) Environment Ministry's claim on protection of tigers notwithstanding, a parliamentary committee has taken a dim view of its "silence" on the matter.In its report, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Chaired by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, "deplored the failure" on the part of the Ministry in "not outlining the follow-up action" taken by the states to fill up the field staff in spite of the matter being addressed at the level of the Prime Minister and the Environment Minister. "Worse, the Committee notes with distress that reply is conspicuously silent about the tiger conservation plan prepared by the individual states," said the report on conservation and protection of tigers in tiger reserves tabled in the Lok Sabha. The 22-member committee is of the considered view that mere issuance of guidelines would not help protect the tigers from poachers unless strict monitoring is done of the performance of staff detailed for saving the tigers. "The committee notes with regret that the Ministry has remained silent with regard to pattern of training, duration of training, arms and ammunition used during the training and experts engaged for imparting training to the patrolling staff in the tiger reserves," the report said. The committee recommended that staff be adequately trained and well equipped for ensuring effective patrolling so as to conserve the tigers apart from controlling illegal wildlife trade.
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/pac-flays-environment-ministrys-silence-on-tiger-protection/622224.html
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/pac-flays-environment-ministrys-silence-on-tiger-protection/622224.html
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tiger census to be made public on March 28: Ramesh
Expressing hope that the number of tigers in the country has increased, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh today said that the census of the big cats would be made public on March 28.
“Tiger census is being released to the people...to the nation on Monday, March 28. This was the most comprehensive and scientifically conducted census exercise,” the Minister told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
“I have no inside information. I can’t promise anything. I hope we will have good news,” the Minister said when asked about the nature of revelations that will be made.
He, however, expressed hope that the tiger population in the country turns out to be more than the existing figure of 1,411 after the results of the census exercise are out.
The census was carried out by installing cameras at strategic points like water bodies in the forests, as also in respective territories of the big cats and a computer analysis was done to collate the data.
The 2007 census had shown a sharp fall in the number of tigers in ‘protected areas’ - reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries - in 19 States across the country.
According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.
“Tiger census is being released to the people...to the nation on Monday, March 28. This was the most comprehensive and scientifically conducted census exercise,” the Minister told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
“I have no inside information. I can’t promise anything. I hope we will have good news,” the Minister said when asked about the nature of revelations that will be made.
He, however, expressed hope that the tiger population in the country turns out to be more than the existing figure of 1,411 after the results of the census exercise are out.
The census was carried out by installing cameras at strategic points like water bodies in the forests, as also in respective territories of the big cats and a computer analysis was done to collate the data.
The 2007 census had shown a sharp fall in the number of tigers in ‘protected areas’ - reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries - in 19 States across the country.
According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.
Locals in Bandipur spark off fires in tiger reserves: officials Published: Bosky Khanna, DNA
Several cases of forest fire have been reported in Bandipur and Nagarhole tiger reserves and, in most cases, it has been the locals — tribals and villagers —who have been behind this.
In a recent case at Bandipur’s Gopalaswamy Betta range, about two acres were gutted under ground fire.
According to Bandipur Tiger Reserve’s deputy conservator of forests (DCF), KT Hanumanthappa, it happened near a camp and the staffers were just in time to control it. He also revealed that two persons have been arrested in this connection, and search is on for four others.
Nagarhole Tiger Reserve also faces a similar situation. DCF Vijay Ranjan Singh said that there have been about seven cases of forest fire in Mettikuppe range and the last one occurred on March 19. He pointed out that the range is fire-prone as several tribals and locals are in the vicinity.
“Since the area is also dry, it is more vulnerable to fire, when compared to Nagarhole and DB Kuppe ranges,” he said. He also said thatseveral locals have been booked for setting forest fires, this year.
A forest official shared the reason for this mishap. “Last year, there was a dispute with respect to the fire-fighting wages. Since it was not in the favour of some locals, they try to seek vengeance by damaging the forest,” he said.
The other reason is the belief of locals that setting the forest on fire may give way to fresh blades of grass that is good for cattle-grazing.
Some ranges are targeted because of the effective setting up of trenches, to restrict elephant movements and also the movement of cattle inside the forest.
The department has been dousing fire by creating fire lines, undertaking controlled burning, beating the fire with bushes, and even throwing water. Locals are also being hired to ensure that they are employed and do not indulge in illegal practices.
There were several awareness camps to educate them. A helpline has also been set up for reporting fire incidents to the department.
Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) BK Singh said that the department has been taking all precautionary measures to ensure that there is no harm done to forests.
In all cases of forest fire, there have been no destruction of wildlife. The measures are also being strengthened to keep a tab on the locals.“We are now praying for early rains to help in making the work easy. However, patrolling has been intensified and additional staff has been deployed to manage the forests,” he said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_locals-in-bandipur-spark-off-fires-in-tiger-reserves-officials_1523138
In a recent case at Bandipur’s Gopalaswamy Betta range, about two acres were gutted under ground fire.
According to Bandipur Tiger Reserve’s deputy conservator of forests (DCF), KT Hanumanthappa, it happened near a camp and the staffers were just in time to control it. He also revealed that two persons have been arrested in this connection, and search is on for four others.
Nagarhole Tiger Reserve also faces a similar situation. DCF Vijay Ranjan Singh said that there have been about seven cases of forest fire in Mettikuppe range and the last one occurred on March 19. He pointed out that the range is fire-prone as several tribals and locals are in the vicinity.
“Since the area is also dry, it is more vulnerable to fire, when compared to Nagarhole and DB Kuppe ranges,” he said. He also said thatseveral locals have been booked for setting forest fires, this year.
A forest official shared the reason for this mishap. “Last year, there was a dispute with respect to the fire-fighting wages. Since it was not in the favour of some locals, they try to seek vengeance by damaging the forest,” he said.
The other reason is the belief of locals that setting the forest on fire may give way to fresh blades of grass that is good for cattle-grazing.
Some ranges are targeted because of the effective setting up of trenches, to restrict elephant movements and also the movement of cattle inside the forest.
The department has been dousing fire by creating fire lines, undertaking controlled burning, beating the fire with bushes, and even throwing water. Locals are also being hired to ensure that they are employed and do not indulge in illegal practices.
There were several awareness camps to educate them. A helpline has also been set up for reporting fire incidents to the department.
Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) BK Singh said that the department has been taking all precautionary measures to ensure that there is no harm done to forests.
In all cases of forest fire, there have been no destruction of wildlife. The measures are also being strengthened to keep a tab on the locals.“We are now praying for early rains to help in making the work easy. However, patrolling has been intensified and additional staff has been deployed to manage the forests,” he said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_locals-in-bandipur-spark-off-fires-in-tiger-reserves-officials_1523138
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Rajaji tiger count tops 32, no thanks to Van Gujjars
The number of tigers in Rajaji National Park (RNP) has risen to over 32 but biotic pressure, especially from the population of Van Gujjars living in the national park, is damaging environment in the protected area, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wild-Life Warden Shrikant Chandola said here on Monday.
Speaking at a meeting on the occasion of World Forestry Day, Chandola said 32 tigers had been counted in the park though their population is believed to be around 40. The national park has one of the richest sambhar populations in India, which is favourable for tigers.
But Van Gujjars living in the park are disturbing peace in the area, Chandola said.
Eight tiger deaths have been recorded in the State since April 1, 2010, of which one tiger was shot after being marked a ‘man-eater’. The other deaths were due to natural causes. However, referring to the man killed by a tiger in Corbett National Park on March 11, the CWLW said it was not a man-eater and that the death, though unfortunate, occurred because “the man was in the tiger’s area and hence an easy prey”.
Since Van Gujjars occupy the best lands and utilise water inside Rajaji, it has a negative impact on wildlife, Chandola said. He added that though the Van Gujjars in the past were sensitive towards environment and wildlife, their presence in the park was now associated with the rise in poaching.
Grazing by domestic animals has also led to the spread of lantana throughout the park and, for ensuring the success of conservation efforts, it is essential to relocate humans outside the national park, Chandola said. Moreover, developing the forests of Lansdowne division as a dedicated wildlife corridor is vital for ensuring genetic diversity and allowing free movement of animals between Corbett and Rajaji.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/325977/Rajaji-tiger-count-tops-32-no-thanks-to-Van-Gujjars.html
Speaking at a meeting on the occasion of World Forestry Day, Chandola said 32 tigers had been counted in the park though their population is believed to be around 40. The national park has one of the richest sambhar populations in India, which is favourable for tigers.
But Van Gujjars living in the park are disturbing peace in the area, Chandola said.
Eight tiger deaths have been recorded in the State since April 1, 2010, of which one tiger was shot after being marked a ‘man-eater’. The other deaths were due to natural causes. However, referring to the man killed by a tiger in Corbett National Park on March 11, the CWLW said it was not a man-eater and that the death, though unfortunate, occurred because “the man was in the tiger’s area and hence an easy prey”.
Since Van Gujjars occupy the best lands and utilise water inside Rajaji, it has a negative impact on wildlife, Chandola said. He added that though the Van Gujjars in the past were sensitive towards environment and wildlife, their presence in the park was now associated with the rise in poaching.
Grazing by domestic animals has also led to the spread of lantana throughout the park and, for ensuring the success of conservation efforts, it is essential to relocate humans outside the national park, Chandola said. Moreover, developing the forests of Lansdowne division as a dedicated wildlife corridor is vital for ensuring genetic diversity and allowing free movement of animals between Corbett and Rajaji.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/325977/Rajaji-tiger-count-tops-32-no-thanks-to-Van-Gujjars.html
Custody of tiger skin accused extended-TNN
NAGPUR: The forest custody remand (FCR) of two youths attempting to sell 53-year-old licensed tiger skin online has been extended till March 23.
Devesh Raut (29) and Kapil Devke (31) from Daryapur near Amravati were arrested on March 16 by the crime branch for attempting to sell a licensed tiger skin for Rs 50 lakh. Their initial FCR was until March 20.
Devesh and Kapil were on Monday taken to their hometown Daryapur by assistant conservator of forest ( ACF) and investigating officer Avinash Anjikar.
"We did not find any additional animal trophies or tiger skins during the search of house of the accused persons. The website launched by the culprits to sell tiger skin mentioned that they dealt in seven wildlife products but this fact, too, could not be established," Anjikar said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Custody-of-tiger-skin-accused-extended/articleshow/7758204.cms
Devesh Raut (29) and Kapil Devke (31) from Daryapur near Amravati were arrested on March 16 by the crime branch for attempting to sell a licensed tiger skin for Rs 50 lakh. Their initial FCR was until March 20.
Devesh and Kapil were on Monday taken to their hometown Daryapur by assistant conservator of forest ( ACF) and investigating officer Avinash Anjikar.
"We did not find any additional animal trophies or tiger skins during the search of house of the accused persons. The website launched by the culprits to sell tiger skin mentioned that they dealt in seven wildlife products but this fact, too, could not be established," Anjikar said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Custody-of-tiger-skin-accused-extended/articleshow/7758204.cms
Soon, female tourist guides at Tadoba Mazhar Ali, TNN
CHANDRAPUR: Tourists visiting Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) with families would have a pleasant surprise this summer. They might just be accompanied by female tourist guides for the safari.
Three enthusiastic girls from villages in the reserve's buffer zone have enrolled for the training camp for tourist guides that began in Moharli on Monday to mark International Forest Day. It would be the first instance in Maharashtra, probably in the country, when women tour guides would take tourists on safari in tiger reserves. Kanchan Joshi and Shaila Ramteke, both from Palasgaon village, and Sonali Meshram from Mamla village in the buffer area will be qualified as tour guides after the training currently under way.
The management of TATR has taken up an extensive capacity building programme for villagers living in its buffer zone to develop their earning capabilities. A five-day-long skill upgradation camp for tourist guides began from Monday in Moharli village as a part of the same programme.
What came as a surprise for the authorities was that these three girls turned up to join the training. "Basically it is a skill upgradation camp for existing tourist guides. But the girls were so keen to become tourist guides that we accepted them for training," said CF and field director of TATR Vinaykumar Sinha. At present, there are 60 tourist guides in TATR and they are paid Rs 200 per trip into the tiger reserve. Thirty tourist guides, including the girls, began training in the camp from Monday.
The idea of training women as tourist guides first came up in the concluding programme of a tailoring and leather-bag making training camp for women at the training centre of Indian Institute of Youth Welfare (IIYF) here a fortnight back. Sinha was guest of honour for the programme and all 22 trainee women present in the programme agreed to take up tour-guide as a profession, when the subject came up during an informal discussion.
Impressed by their enthusiasm, Sinha agreed to offer them the opportunity and asked them to forward their application through IIYF centre in-charge Vijay Takey for the training camp scheduled to begin from International Forest Day.
"They would be given both theoretical and field knowledge about basic ecology and ecotourism. Details about behaviour and habitat of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and even the species of the plants found in TATR would be given by experts during the training. The female guides would be ideal to accompany families or group of girls or women coming on their own for safari in TATR," said Sinha. He said that the girls are Std XII pass and if worked on their English speaking skills, they could also escort foreign tourists.
He said that Prof Adwait Adgaonkar and Yogesh Dubey from Indian Institute of Forest Management, senior wildlife expert Prachi Mehta, insect expert Radhesham Sharma and reptile expert Sanjay Thakur from WWF would train the tourist guides.
With the forest department planning to develop two more tourist zones in the buffer area to reduce tourism pressure from the core area of TATR, the idea of taking up tourist guide as a profession may be a good idea for the women of the villages.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Soon-female-tourist-guides-at-Tadoba/articleshow/7757263.cms
Three enthusiastic girls from villages in the reserve's buffer zone have enrolled for the training camp for tourist guides that began in Moharli on Monday to mark International Forest Day. It would be the first instance in Maharashtra, probably in the country, when women tour guides would take tourists on safari in tiger reserves. Kanchan Joshi and Shaila Ramteke, both from Palasgaon village, and Sonali Meshram from Mamla village in the buffer area will be qualified as tour guides after the training currently under way.
The management of TATR has taken up an extensive capacity building programme for villagers living in its buffer zone to develop their earning capabilities. A five-day-long skill upgradation camp for tourist guides began from Monday in Moharli village as a part of the same programme.
What came as a surprise for the authorities was that these three girls turned up to join the training. "Basically it is a skill upgradation camp for existing tourist guides. But the girls were so keen to become tourist guides that we accepted them for training," said CF and field director of TATR Vinaykumar Sinha. At present, there are 60 tourist guides in TATR and they are paid Rs 200 per trip into the tiger reserve. Thirty tourist guides, including the girls, began training in the camp from Monday.
The idea of training women as tourist guides first came up in the concluding programme of a tailoring and leather-bag making training camp for women at the training centre of Indian Institute of Youth Welfare (IIYF) here a fortnight back. Sinha was guest of honour for the programme and all 22 trainee women present in the programme agreed to take up tour-guide as a profession, when the subject came up during an informal discussion.
Impressed by their enthusiasm, Sinha agreed to offer them the opportunity and asked them to forward their application through IIYF centre in-charge Vijay Takey for the training camp scheduled to begin from International Forest Day.
"They would be given both theoretical and field knowledge about basic ecology and ecotourism. Details about behaviour and habitat of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and even the species of the plants found in TATR would be given by experts during the training. The female guides would be ideal to accompany families or group of girls or women coming on their own for safari in TATR," said Sinha. He said that the girls are Std XII pass and if worked on their English speaking skills, they could also escort foreign tourists.
He said that Prof Adwait Adgaonkar and Yogesh Dubey from Indian Institute of Forest Management, senior wildlife expert Prachi Mehta, insect expert Radhesham Sharma and reptile expert Sanjay Thakur from WWF would train the tourist guides.
With the forest department planning to develop two more tourist zones in the buffer area to reduce tourism pressure from the core area of TATR, the idea of taking up tourist guide as a profession may be a good idea for the women of the villages.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Soon-female-tourist-guides-at-Tadoba/articleshow/7757263.cms
No decline in tigers in Similipal forest-PTI
Bhubaneswar: There has been no decline in the population of tigers in Similipal forests in Mayurbhanj district, where their number was 61, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said today.
Of the 61 tigers in Similipal, 16 were males, 31 females and 14 cubs, he said replying to a written question in the assembly.
Patnaik, who also holds the forest and environment departments, said the number of tigers in the forest was found during the a census by the state government in 2009 by adopting the pug mark method.
The outcome of the 2010 census conducted by the Ministry of Forest and Environment with help of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, was not known as all the four phases associated with the head count were yet to be completed.
The economic survey of 2010-11 had, however, said there were 192 tigers and 487 leopards in the state as per the 2004 census as against 173 tigers and 457 leopards counted in 2002.
The WII census of 2006-2007 using the camera trap method had put the number of tigers between 17 and 23 besides tiger cubs in Similipal area but had not given any figure based on gender, he said.
Orissa has two notified tiger reserves - one at Similipal in Mayurbhanj district and another at Satkosia in Angul district.
http://www.zeenews.com/news694719.html
Of the 61 tigers in Similipal, 16 were males, 31 females and 14 cubs, he said replying to a written question in the assembly.
Patnaik, who also holds the forest and environment departments, said the number of tigers in the forest was found during the a census by the state government in 2009 by adopting the pug mark method.
The outcome of the 2010 census conducted by the Ministry of Forest and Environment with help of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, was not known as all the four phases associated with the head count were yet to be completed.
The economic survey of 2010-11 had, however, said there were 192 tigers and 487 leopards in the state as per the 2004 census as against 173 tigers and 457 leopards counted in 2002.
The WII census of 2006-2007 using the camera trap method had put the number of tigers between 17 and 23 besides tiger cubs in Similipal area but had not given any figure based on gender, he said.
Orissa has two notified tiger reserves - one at Similipal in Mayurbhanj district and another at Satkosia in Angul district.
http://www.zeenews.com/news694719.html
Monday, March 21, 2011
Tigers to set get back lost space: T.S.Sreenivasa Raghavan DC
The forest department will soon unveil a 10-year plan for the conservation of the remaining tigers in Periyar Tiger Reserve in the state.
Sources said, an effective plan was being finalised aimed at ensuring the safety of the endangered cats and the rapidization of their breeding.
“The tigers will soon get back the space they lost due to human activity. Of the 950 square kilometer tiger reserve, we’ve observed human activity in an area of about 150 square kilometers. As a result, the tiger population didn’t witness any dramatic increase,” sources said.
Interestingly, Periyar Tiger Reserve has population of 45 tigers according to the census done last year based on camera-trap technology. Implementation of Sabarimala Master Plan which runs through the reserve and expected regulation of crowds thronging the hill shrine are also expected to benefit the tigers.
The 10-year plan which will take a holistic view of tourism activities will also ban entry to private vehicles into the reserve. Officials have observed that increasing vehicular traffic inside the reserve was damaging the eco-system.
“Without a doubt increasing human activity is endangering wildlife. Tourists are also equally in danger when they stray into the reserve in the absence of proper guides and precautions,” sources said.
According to the 10-year plan, the forest department will ply its own vehicles to ensure a guided tour into the reserve areas.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/kochi/tigers-set-get-back-lost-space-555
Sources said, an effective plan was being finalised aimed at ensuring the safety of the endangered cats and the rapidization of their breeding.
“The tigers will soon get back the space they lost due to human activity. Of the 950 square kilometer tiger reserve, we’ve observed human activity in an area of about 150 square kilometers. As a result, the tiger population didn’t witness any dramatic increase,” sources said.
Interestingly, Periyar Tiger Reserve has population of 45 tigers according to the census done last year based on camera-trap technology. Implementation of Sabarimala Master Plan which runs through the reserve and expected regulation of crowds thronging the hill shrine are also expected to benefit the tigers.
The 10-year plan which will take a holistic view of tourism activities will also ban entry to private vehicles into the reserve. Officials have observed that increasing vehicular traffic inside the reserve was damaging the eco-system.
“Without a doubt increasing human activity is endangering wildlife. Tourists are also equally in danger when they stray into the reserve in the absence of proper guides and precautions,” sources said.
According to the 10-year plan, the forest department will ply its own vehicles to ensure a guided tour into the reserve areas.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/kochi/tigers-set-get-back-lost-space-555
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Tiger kills man in Nagbhid tehsil TNN
CHANDRAPUR: A tiger killed a person and partially ate his body in the fields near Menha Kirmiti village in Nagbhid tehsil during midnight hours of Friday. Body of Shriram Atram (55) was recovered later in the same night by the villagers, but the reason of his visit to the remote area away from the village could not be ascertained.
Sources in forest department informed that Atram left his house at around 11pm and went into the fields around a kilometre away from the village. As he reached the nullah near the farm, a tiger lurking there pounced on him. The beast later dragged the body to some distance and devoured it before going back into the jungle.
"Later the villagers found his mutilated body lying near the nullah. The tiger had eaten some part of the body. Why he went to a distant farm (not owned by him) that too late in the night is still not clear," said DCF, Bhrahmapuri division, Sanjay Thawre.
Thawre informed that the family members of Atram have confirmed that he was in home till late night watching television, but later he went out without informing any one.
Thawre confirmed that it was the act of a tiger. "The place is close to the jungle. The tiger might have come there to drink water in the nullah. As Atram reached there at the same time, the beast attacked and killed him. We have recovered pugmarks of a tiger near the kill," said Thawre.
He informed that forest officials reached the spot on Saturday morning and sent the body for post mortem. An ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 has been paid to the kin for funeral formalities and the compensation of Rs 2 lakh against the death would paid later after the completion of documental formalities. Notably it is second instance when tiger had made human kill in the district this year. As many as 12 people were killed in tiger attacks in the district last year.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-kills-man-in-Nagbhid-tehsil/articleshow/7745652.cms
Sources in forest department informed that Atram left his house at around 11pm and went into the fields around a kilometre away from the village. As he reached the nullah near the farm, a tiger lurking there pounced on him. The beast later dragged the body to some distance and devoured it before going back into the jungle.
"Later the villagers found his mutilated body lying near the nullah. The tiger had eaten some part of the body. Why he went to a distant farm (not owned by him) that too late in the night is still not clear," said DCF, Bhrahmapuri division, Sanjay Thawre.
Thawre informed that the family members of Atram have confirmed that he was in home till late night watching television, but later he went out without informing any one.
Thawre confirmed that it was the act of a tiger. "The place is close to the jungle. The tiger might have come there to drink water in the nullah. As Atram reached there at the same time, the beast attacked and killed him. We have recovered pugmarks of a tiger near the kill," said Thawre.
He informed that forest officials reached the spot on Saturday morning and sent the body for post mortem. An ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 has been paid to the kin for funeral formalities and the compensation of Rs 2 lakh against the death would paid later after the completion of documental formalities. Notably it is second instance when tiger had made human kill in the district this year. As many as 12 people were killed in tiger attacks in the district last year.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-kills-man-in-Nagbhid-tehsil/articleshow/7745652.cms
Pune cops seize two live tortoises, tiger paw Published: Vaishali Balajiwale, DNA
Two live tortoises and a tiger paw with nails were confiscated from a dhaba on Mumbai-Agra highway near Nashik in the wee hours of Thursday.
Acting on a tip-off, the police raided Aditya Dhaba in Talegaon Shivar, near Igatpuri, at midnight and confiscated two live tortoises and a tiger paw with nails.
The owner of the dhaba, Dinesh Kolekar, was held by the police under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Further investigation in the case is underway.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_pune-cops-seize-two-live-tortoises-tiger-paw_1522053
Acting on a tip-off, the police raided Aditya Dhaba in Talegaon Shivar, near Igatpuri, at midnight and confiscated two live tortoises and a tiger paw with nails.
The owner of the dhaba, Dinesh Kolekar, was held by the police under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Further investigation in the case is underway.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_pune-cops-seize-two-live-tortoises-tiger-paw_1522053
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Quick relief for tiger attack victims now Vijay Pinjarkar
NAGPUR: At a time when man-animal conflict is at its peak, the state government has come out with relief to tiger attack victims by providing compensation without waiting for funds.
A GR issued by the state government recently states that legal heir of victims who die in attack by wild animals will get immediate relief. Even those injured in such attacks will get quick compensation.
The GR states that even if funds are not available and the balance sheet is in minus, victim will get immediate aid. There are many complaints that kin of victims don't get financial relief in time.
The demand was made by chief wildlife warden DC Pant during a meeting with deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar during the assembly session in Nagpur. Pant pursued the matter.
"There have been compensation cases pending for years. This not only puts forest department in bad light but the field staff too has to face the ire of villagers. It also leads to locals turning against tigers," a senior official said.
The government pays Rs 2 lakh to the kin of victims who die in wild animal attack or suffer permanent disability. Besides, Rs 50,000 is paid to those injured. The government also bears the medical expenses of the injured.
During the last four years (2006-10), the man-conflict has increased in Vidarbha from 30% to 70%. At least 69 persons have been killed by tigers and leopards in Chandrapur district alone in the past six years from January 2005. In many cases compensation has still not been paid. However, the situation is expected to change in the current financial year.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Quick-relief-for-tiger-attack-victims-now/articleshow/7740116.cms
A GR issued by the state government recently states that legal heir of victims who die in attack by wild animals will get immediate relief. Even those injured in such attacks will get quick compensation.
The GR states that even if funds are not available and the balance sheet is in minus, victim will get immediate aid. There are many complaints that kin of victims don't get financial relief in time.
The demand was made by chief wildlife warden DC Pant during a meeting with deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar during the assembly session in Nagpur. Pant pursued the matter.
"There have been compensation cases pending for years. This not only puts forest department in bad light but the field staff too has to face the ire of villagers. It also leads to locals turning against tigers," a senior official said.
The government pays Rs 2 lakh to the kin of victims who die in wild animal attack or suffer permanent disability. Besides, Rs 50,000 is paid to those injured. The government also bears the medical expenses of the injured.
During the last four years (2006-10), the man-conflict has increased in Vidarbha from 30% to 70%. At least 69 persons have been killed by tigers and leopards in Chandrapur district alone in the past six years from January 2005. In many cases compensation has still not been paid. However, the situation is expected to change in the current financial year.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Quick-relief-for-tiger-attack-victims-now/articleshow/7740116.cms
Friday, March 18, 2011
Tiger Census to be released on March 28: Jairam Ramesh
India's 'Tiger Census' will be released on March 28, environment minister Jairam Ramesh announced on Thursday and hoped that the country will be able to report that the big cat's population is more than the existing figure of 1,411 after the results of the exercise are out.
"It is the most comprehensive census we have done so far and very systematically, involving a large number of people. We are releasing it on March 28," Jairam said.
The census was carried out by installing cameras at strategic points, like water bodies in the forests, as also in the respective territories of the big cats and a computer analysis was done to collate the data.
The 2007 census had shown a sharp fall in the number of tigers in 'protected areas' - reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries - in 19 states across the country. According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.
"I hope that on March 28 we will be able to report that tiger population figure of 1,411 in India is infact more than 1,411," Jairam told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
However, he expressed concern over the threat to the forest eco-system from multitude of sources, a true representation of the tigers.
"Tiger is a representation of our forest eco-system is under severe threat from our eco-system which is underserious threat from variety of sources, severe threat from poachers, hoteliers, hotels, from mining mafias, from political networks and from people who in made rush of inda becoming the next economic super power," he said.
Jairam said the government's endeavour would be to see tigers in the wild rather than in captivity.
"Over 50% of 3500 tigers in the wild are in India and 17,000 are in captivity. We dont want to see tigers in captivity but in wild," he said.
Asked about the rising cases of man-animal conflict in the Corbett National Park, Jairam expressed hope the government will be able to solve the problem with the state government there.
"I have given a detailed action plan for Corbett to the chief minister. I hope he will take action on that," he said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_tiger-census-to-be-released-on-march-28-jairam-ramesh_1521248
"It is the most comprehensive census we have done so far and very systematically, involving a large number of people. We are releasing it on March 28," Jairam said.
The census was carried out by installing cameras at strategic points, like water bodies in the forests, as also in the respective territories of the big cats and a computer analysis was done to collate the data.
The 2007 census had shown a sharp fall in the number of tigers in 'protected areas' - reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries - in 19 states across the country. According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.
"I hope that on March 28 we will be able to report that tiger population figure of 1,411 in India is infact more than 1,411," Jairam told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
However, he expressed concern over the threat to the forest eco-system from multitude of sources, a true representation of the tigers.
"Tiger is a representation of our forest eco-system is under severe threat from our eco-system which is underserious threat from variety of sources, severe threat from poachers, hoteliers, hotels, from mining mafias, from political networks and from people who in made rush of inda becoming the next economic super power," he said.
Jairam said the government's endeavour would be to see tigers in the wild rather than in captivity.
"Over 50% of 3500 tigers in the wild are in India and 17,000 are in captivity. We dont want to see tigers in captivity but in wild," he said.
Asked about the rising cases of man-animal conflict in the Corbett National Park, Jairam expressed hope the government will be able to solve the problem with the state government there.
"I have given a detailed action plan for Corbett to the chief minister. I hope he will take action on that," he said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_tiger-census-to-be-released-on-march-28-jairam-ramesh_1521248
Rathore opposed rampant construction at anthambore - TNN
JAIPUR: Rampant construction at the Ranthambore national park seemed to have irked tiger man, the late Fateh Singh Rathore. In a document prepared last year on "Issues and Challenges of Ranthambore" the former director of the park has highlighted unnecessary civil construction in the park as one of the major challenges in it.
Interestingly, his warnings had come much before the recent curbs on construction inside the park by the Central Empowered Committee ( CEC) of the Supreme Court on a petition by Belinda Wright, executive director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India.
In his document, Singh has pointed out the tendency of the forest department to built chowkis whereever there is a need to monitor the tiger or the forest.
Terming this as a new human interference, he wrote: "Forest guards use the same water sources for various requirements like bathing, washing clothes and drinking, which keeps animals away. In order to monitor the forest and tiger it is not required to build new guard posts each time, this can easily be done with the help of monitoring vehicles. The forest department admits due to the conflict with the villagers the guard posts on the periphery remain vacant. But this does not mean that the prime areas which are the central areas of the park be colonised by such choukies."
Singh also took exception to many roads being constructed as many trees had been cut down.
"The park has several roads; tourists use some of them and disturb the animals. Moreover, Ranthambore already has enough roads, hence there is no need for more," he wrote. In particular, he mentioned the road in the heart of the park at Nalghati and said, "uch unnecessary roads should be blocked and new construction should not be encouraged."
Fateh Singh had opposed the moves by the forest department in building annicuts and artificial water bodies. This time the CEC's objection was against those proposed to be build.
"There is a place called Sukhi Talai (dry pond) in Ranthambore, which gives fantastic tiger sightings, but in spite of the name there is water in this place until December. Today there are 50 - 60 such dry ponds created in Ranthambore by the forest department but with no water!" he wrote.
He had also warned of alternation in the habitat due to building of such waterbodies.
Most notable in his advice was to refrain setting up foundation stones in lieu of donations from various bodies. "This is a tiger reserve but it looks like a memorial now in many places!," he wrote.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Rathore-opposed-rampant-construction-at-anthambore/articleshow/7731578.cms
Interestingly, his warnings had come much before the recent curbs on construction inside the park by the Central Empowered Committee ( CEC) of the Supreme Court on a petition by Belinda Wright, executive director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India.
In his document, Singh has pointed out the tendency of the forest department to built chowkis whereever there is a need to monitor the tiger or the forest.
Terming this as a new human interference, he wrote: "Forest guards use the same water sources for various requirements like bathing, washing clothes and drinking, which keeps animals away. In order to monitor the forest and tiger it is not required to build new guard posts each time, this can easily be done with the help of monitoring vehicles. The forest department admits due to the conflict with the villagers the guard posts on the periphery remain vacant. But this does not mean that the prime areas which are the central areas of the park be colonised by such choukies."
Singh also took exception to many roads being constructed as many trees had been cut down.
"The park has several roads; tourists use some of them and disturb the animals. Moreover, Ranthambore already has enough roads, hence there is no need for more," he wrote. In particular, he mentioned the road in the heart of the park at Nalghati and said, "uch unnecessary roads should be blocked and new construction should not be encouraged."
Fateh Singh had opposed the moves by the forest department in building annicuts and artificial water bodies. This time the CEC's objection was against those proposed to be build.
"There is a place called Sukhi Talai (dry pond) in Ranthambore, which gives fantastic tiger sightings, but in spite of the name there is water in this place until December. Today there are 50 - 60 such dry ponds created in Ranthambore by the forest department but with no water!" he wrote.
He had also warned of alternation in the habitat due to building of such waterbodies.
Most notable in his advice was to refrain setting up foundation stones in lieu of donations from various bodies. "This is a tiger reserve but it looks like a memorial now in many places!," he wrote.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Rathore-opposed-rampant-construction-at-anthambore/articleshow/7731578.cms
A tiger in a bird sanctuary - Amit Sengupta
At the declining Koeladeo National Park, also popular as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, the Siberian Cranes have not arrived for quite a while. Nor have rare long-distance bird species, who would fill the water bodies and trees with their exquisite crackling and colourful wings as spring arrives in the forest. However, surprisingly, a new guest has arrived from the dark: a big cat in full bloom.
The tiger from Ranthambhore, T-7, after a long, adventurous journey beyond the national park, hitting the highway literally around the Mathura Refinery, and some rather unsavoury encounters with humans and habitations, has finally found a comfort zone in the deeper interiors of the bird sanctuary. This is because of the rich prey base with not only an abundant nilgai population, but also the hundreds of cows (who are productively useless) abandoned in the wild by their owners to fend for themselves and thereby wait for death. (Incidentally, Hindu religious centre Mathura is the mythical epicentre of the cow-belt, with legends of Krishna around cows, milk, butter and ghee, intrinsic to its memory and culture.)
In the past, inside the back of the sanctuary, where tourists don't go, through the solitary shadows, there was always a surreal sight waiting for adventure-seekers. Dead cows, their skeletons sprawled all over, across the zigzag landscape. In this eerie, tragic landscape, you could see dead cows all over, and living cows waiting to die. This was the dominant memory of these forests, where, suddenly, even the birds stop chirping. As if the graveyard in green has chosen to become speechless.
In this eerie terrain, the Ranthambhore tiger, T-7, has found an ephemeral, happy refuge. Precisely because of the rich prey base. Forest officials say, not less than 1,000 cows have been released in the forests by locals. They are all out there, chewing grass in peace. Suddenly aware that a predator has arrived amidst them.However, the cows have found relief. T-7 was tranquilised and shifted to Sariska, like four of his mates. There, he will have his own, huge, private territory. A new forest home. And a big prey base.
http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2011/03/3882
The tiger from Ranthambhore, T-7, after a long, adventurous journey beyond the national park, hitting the highway literally around the Mathura Refinery, and some rather unsavoury encounters with humans and habitations, has finally found a comfort zone in the deeper interiors of the bird sanctuary. This is because of the rich prey base with not only an abundant nilgai population, but also the hundreds of cows (who are productively useless) abandoned in the wild by their owners to fend for themselves and thereby wait for death. (Incidentally, Hindu religious centre Mathura is the mythical epicentre of the cow-belt, with legends of Krishna around cows, milk, butter and ghee, intrinsic to its memory and culture.)
In the past, inside the back of the sanctuary, where tourists don't go, through the solitary shadows, there was always a surreal sight waiting for adventure-seekers. Dead cows, their skeletons sprawled all over, across the zigzag landscape. In this eerie, tragic landscape, you could see dead cows all over, and living cows waiting to die. This was the dominant memory of these forests, where, suddenly, even the birds stop chirping. As if the graveyard in green has chosen to become speechless.
In this eerie terrain, the Ranthambhore tiger, T-7, has found an ephemeral, happy refuge. Precisely because of the rich prey base. Forest officials say, not less than 1,000 cows have been released in the forests by locals. They are all out there, chewing grass in peace. Suddenly aware that a predator has arrived amidst them.However, the cows have found relief. T-7 was tranquilised and shifted to Sariska, like four of his mates. There, he will have his own, huge, private territory. A new forest home. And a big prey base.
http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2011/03/3882
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Bid to sell tiger skin online lands two youths behind bars- TNN Vijay Pinjarkar & Soumittra S Bose
NAGPUR: The lure of fast bucks landed two youths from well-to-do families behind bars on Wednesday, when they were caught selling a 53-year-old trophy tiger skin online.
Devesh Subhashrao Raut (29) and Kapil Gangadharrao Devke (31), both residents of Civil Lines, Daryapur, Amravati district, were trying to sell the trophied skin of a full-grown tigress from a city hotel on Wardha Road.
The skin is 8ft 4 four inch in length and it could fetch more than Rs 25 lakh in the international market. The two youths were quoting a price of $400,000 or Rs 2 crore to sell the skin. Undercover cops trapped the duo in room no. 209 of Hotel Airport Centre Point by posing as buyers from America and fixing a deal through a local agent via the Internet.
It is perhaps the first case of cyber crime against wildlife exposed by city crime branch sleuths, who acted on a tip-off by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), western region.
Devesh and Kapil hit upon the idea to sell the tiger skin after reading about popular online shopping mall bazee.com and the new that a tiger skin was under the hammer for $1 million on the site. This particular skin was being touted as the world's largest tiger skin, at 11 feet 7 inches.
Devesh, an MSc in computers, and Kapil, a BSc graduate, also opened an online account and mentioned details about the skin and its genuineness. The Raut family had been in possession of the skin since 1958, when tiger hunting was still a sport. The skin had a mounted skull with eyes and jaws intact.
Police sources said their advertisement was spotted on 'tradeindia.com', where the duo had bragged about their business, including claiming the ability to supply various types of tiger skins and trophies for different purposes. They had advertised seven types of products on 'tigerskin.tradeindia.com'. Devesh had mentioned his surname as 'Patil' on the website.
The skin had been inherited by Devesh's father Subhashrao from his grandfather Vitthalrao, who was a hunter and had shot seven tigers in the forests of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The tigress, whose skin was being traded, was shot by Vitthalrao in the forests of Warud in Amravati in 1958.
"We have an ownership certificate of the skin. It was renewed in 2003 by Amravati divisional forest officer (DFO)," Devesh said.
While Devesh is jobless, Kapil runs a computer institute in Daryapur. The idea behind selling the skin was to make fast bucks. Both the accused denied they were settling a deal for the skin at Rs 50 lakh.
"We wanted to gift the tiger skin and hence wanted to verify the credentials of the persons to whom handed over the skin. Hence, we came to the city hotel where we were called. Under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972, gifting of tiger skin is allowed," Devesh told TOI.
Wildlife wing officials said Section 43 of the WPA, which deals with regular transfer of animals etc states that persons in possession of captive animals, trophies, articles cannot transfer or sell them. "You can inherit them but cannot gift. The vehicle used in the crime has also been seized," a senior wildlife officer said. The accused had come to the city in a Santro car owned by Kapil. The car has been seized.
Subhashrao, father of the accused, says Devesh and Kapil were going to gift the skin. "The seven tiger skins which were in our possession earlier were also gifted to other relatives," he said.
City police chief Ankush Dhanvijay had directed deputy commissioner of police Dilip Zalke of crime branch to supervise the trap after the WCCB sought their help. Assistant commissioner of police, crime branch, Nilesh Sawant led the team to conduct the operation. "The probe would be handed over to the forest department," said senior PI Sampatrao Bhosle of Sonegaon police station where the offence was registered.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Bid-to-sell-tiger-skin-online-lands-two-youths-behind-bars/articleshow/7723537.cms
Devesh Subhashrao Raut (29) and Kapil Gangadharrao Devke (31), both residents of Civil Lines, Daryapur, Amravati district, were trying to sell the trophied skin of a full-grown tigress from a city hotel on Wardha Road.
The skin is 8ft 4 four inch in length and it could fetch more than Rs 25 lakh in the international market. The two youths were quoting a price of $400,000 or Rs 2 crore to sell the skin. Undercover cops trapped the duo in room no. 209 of Hotel Airport Centre Point by posing as buyers from America and fixing a deal through a local agent via the Internet.
It is perhaps the first case of cyber crime against wildlife exposed by city crime branch sleuths, who acted on a tip-off by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), western region.
Devesh and Kapil hit upon the idea to sell the tiger skin after reading about popular online shopping mall bazee.com and the new that a tiger skin was under the hammer for $1 million on the site. This particular skin was being touted as the world's largest tiger skin, at 11 feet 7 inches.
Devesh, an MSc in computers, and Kapil, a BSc graduate, also opened an online account and mentioned details about the skin and its genuineness. The Raut family had been in possession of the skin since 1958, when tiger hunting was still a sport. The skin had a mounted skull with eyes and jaws intact.
Police sources said their advertisement was spotted on 'tradeindia.com', where the duo had bragged about their business, including claiming the ability to supply various types of tiger skins and trophies for different purposes. They had advertised seven types of products on 'tigerskin.tradeindia.com'. Devesh had mentioned his surname as 'Patil' on the website.
The skin had been inherited by Devesh's father Subhashrao from his grandfather Vitthalrao, who was a hunter and had shot seven tigers in the forests of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The tigress, whose skin was being traded, was shot by Vitthalrao in the forests of Warud in Amravati in 1958.
"We have an ownership certificate of the skin. It was renewed in 2003 by Amravati divisional forest officer (DFO)," Devesh said.
While Devesh is jobless, Kapil runs a computer institute in Daryapur. The idea behind selling the skin was to make fast bucks. Both the accused denied they were settling a deal for the skin at Rs 50 lakh.
"We wanted to gift the tiger skin and hence wanted to verify the credentials of the persons to whom handed over the skin. Hence, we came to the city hotel where we were called. Under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972, gifting of tiger skin is allowed," Devesh told TOI.
Wildlife wing officials said Section 43 of the WPA, which deals with regular transfer of animals etc states that persons in possession of captive animals, trophies, articles cannot transfer or sell them. "You can inherit them but cannot gift. The vehicle used in the crime has also been seized," a senior wildlife officer said. The accused had come to the city in a Santro car owned by Kapil. The car has been seized.
Subhashrao, father of the accused, says Devesh and Kapil were going to gift the skin. "The seven tiger skins which were in our possession earlier were also gifted to other relatives," he said.
City police chief Ankush Dhanvijay had directed deputy commissioner of police Dilip Zalke of crime branch to supervise the trap after the WCCB sought their help. Assistant commissioner of police, crime branch, Nilesh Sawant led the team to conduct the operation. "The probe would be handed over to the forest department," said senior PI Sampatrao Bhosle of Sonegaon police station where the offence was registered.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Bid-to-sell-tiger-skin-online-lands-two-youths-behind-bars/articleshow/7723537.cms
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Vidarbha may soon become the tiger capital - PTI
Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, which has several tiger projects and wild life sanctuaries in close proximity is fast shaping up as the potential Tiger Capital of the country.
Former Union Minister and Nagpur MP Vilas Muttemwar, who wrested the initiative in this direction has approached all the top ministers at the State and Central level to push for the tiger capital project.
According to him, since Tadoba Tiger project is situated about 160 kms from the city and Bor sanctuary (about 90 kms), Navegaon and Nagzira wild life sanctuaries (about 150 kms) are located in Vidarbha, besides the Kanha National Park in neighbouring Seoni district (about 200 kms from Nagpur), the region can be well-developed as the tiger capital.
More than 250 tigers out of total population of 1,400 in the country inhabit in the Vidarbha region.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has liked the concept and agreed to take up the issue with Centre. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai and Union Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh, have also evinced interest in the project.
Last week, Mr. Muttemwar wrote to the PM who has acknowledged the concept. Mr. Ramesh went a step ahead and said the Government of India has decided to open three regional offices of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) with the first expected to be opened in Nagpur next month.
“The regional office of NTCA would take forward the work of tiger conservation in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh which are very important tiger habitats where close to 40 percent of India’s tiger population reside,” Mr. Ramesh said recently in a communication to Mr. Muttemwar.
Mr. Ramesh further said the Centre is in touch with Maharashtra government to notify two more tiger reserves in the State in Nagzira/Navegaon and Bor.
Also, it is taking many measures to protect the Tadoba-Andhari habitat in Chandrapur district, he said.
Mr. Sahai in a communication last Friday told Mr. Muttemwar that Vidarbha has got all the potential to develop as a wild and adventure tourism destination.
The region could also attract productive investments besides creating employment opportunities, he said.
Mr. Muttemwar said about 80 million tourists visit India and a majority of them are interesting in seeing the wild cat roaming freely in the jungles. If they can be attracted to Vidarbha with good infrastructure like accommodation, transport and tourist guides and other facilities, a good amount of revenue from tourism can be earned here.
There can be employment opportunities for about 20,000 to 30,000 youth in various support staff like drivers for tourist vehicles, guides, hotel staff and travel and tourism agencies operating here, he said.
The MP said a two-day conference on tiger project capital is being organised in early April and said both Central ministers along with Mr. Chavan and Maharashtra Forest Minister Patangrao Kadam are being invited along with stake holders to discuss threadbare the project.
Former Union Minister and Nagpur MP Vilas Muttemwar, who wrested the initiative in this direction has approached all the top ministers at the State and Central level to push for the tiger capital project.
According to him, since Tadoba Tiger project is situated about 160 kms from the city and Bor sanctuary (about 90 kms), Navegaon and Nagzira wild life sanctuaries (about 150 kms) are located in Vidarbha, besides the Kanha National Park in neighbouring Seoni district (about 200 kms from Nagpur), the region can be well-developed as the tiger capital.
More than 250 tigers out of total population of 1,400 in the country inhabit in the Vidarbha region.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has liked the concept and agreed to take up the issue with Centre. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai and Union Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh, have also evinced interest in the project.
Last week, Mr. Muttemwar wrote to the PM who has acknowledged the concept. Mr. Ramesh went a step ahead and said the Government of India has decided to open three regional offices of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) with the first expected to be opened in Nagpur next month.
“The regional office of NTCA would take forward the work of tiger conservation in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh which are very important tiger habitats where close to 40 percent of India’s tiger population reside,” Mr. Ramesh said recently in a communication to Mr. Muttemwar.
Mr. Ramesh further said the Centre is in touch with Maharashtra government to notify two more tiger reserves in the State in Nagzira/Navegaon and Bor.
Also, it is taking many measures to protect the Tadoba-Andhari habitat in Chandrapur district, he said.
Mr. Sahai in a communication last Friday told Mr. Muttemwar that Vidarbha has got all the potential to develop as a wild and adventure tourism destination.
The region could also attract productive investments besides creating employment opportunities, he said.
Mr. Muttemwar said about 80 million tourists visit India and a majority of them are interesting in seeing the wild cat roaming freely in the jungles. If they can be attracted to Vidarbha with good infrastructure like accommodation, transport and tourist guides and other facilities, a good amount of revenue from tourism can be earned here.
There can be employment opportunities for about 20,000 to 30,000 youth in various support staff like drivers for tourist vehicles, guides, hotel staff and travel and tourism agencies operating here, he said.
The MP said a two-day conference on tiger project capital is being organised in early April and said both Central ministers along with Mr. Chavan and Maharashtra Forest Minister Patangrao Kadam are being invited along with stake holders to discuss threadbare the project.
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