Mudumalai tiger reserve to be out of bounds for visitors from March 5

TNN Mar 3, 2012, 02.33AM IST UDHAGAMANDALAM: The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) will be closed for visitors from March 5 due to the prolonged dry spell in the Nilgiris. "We have decided to close the reserve for visitors as the grasslands inside the forest have become very dry," A Ameer Haja, deputy director, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Mukurthi National Park, said. "However, water bodies inside the forest area have sufficient water to cater to the requirements of the animals," he added. The ban on tourists is mainly because the dry weather often causes fires which could put their lives at risk. A number of fires have been reported from various parts of the MTR in the past one month. According to P Raghuram Singh, chief conservator of forests and field director, MTR and Mukurthi National Park, there were a series of wild fires in the MTR forests last month. "Out of five ranges, three ranges in the forests of MTR suffered damages. However, only bushes and dry grasslands were damaged in the fires," he said. "No tree was burnt as the fire fighters attended to it quickly," he said. Last month, forest officials had cracked a major forest fire case that started on February 13 and destroyed at least 15 acres of dense forest. Two tribal men were arrested on Wednesday for starting the fire. One of the spy cameras installed inside the MTR jungles helped the forest officials to nab the culprits. The footage recorded by the camera revealed that on February 13 at around 10.22am, five persons were wandering inside the jungle collecting 'lichens' and while leaving the forest set fire inside the forest. Every year during the dry season, the MTR is closed for visitors for at least a month. The 312 sq km tiger reserve is home to at least 55 tigers and nearly 900 Asian elephants besides a wide variety of wildlife and vegetation. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-03/coimbatore/31118906_1_mtr-forest-fires

‘Clever’ tiger kills bait, doesn’t eat it

TNN | Mar 5, 2012, 02.11AM IST LUCKNOW: The tiger, which is roaming in the Rahmankhera forest for the past two months killed yet another calf on Sunday. However, it did not eat the kill. After killing the bait, it moved back to the scrub jungle. It was on January 8 that its presence was noticed in Rahmankhera, in the Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) premises, for the first time. Since then, there has been no headway in trapping the tiger, though forest officers have been present at the spot for all these months. The team, comprising forest officers and people from WTI are combing the area to tranquilise and trap the tiger, but, there has been no progress. On Saturday, the team had a close encounter with the tiger at Rahmankhera. But, instead of firing a dart at the feline, people who had spotted the tiger came back from the spot, said sources. On Friday, too, it was a similar experience for the team during the combing operation. The tiger had come out of its hide-out, following the elephant which was combing the area. The mahout who was combing the area all alone was scared away by the big cat. "The tiger is seen almost everyday now," said Kaushlendra Singh, from Tiger and Terrain. Wildlife experts have suggested using tiger calls, to bring the hiding tiger out. Tiger calls are recorded roars of the tiger, which when played in the wild, gives the impression about another tiger being present in the area. Since tiger is a territorial animal, it will certainly come out to know about another tiger present in its territory. "This tiger has grown clever over a period of time and knows its current habitat very well," said Rahul Shukla, from Tiger and Terrain. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Clever-tiger-kills-bait-doesnt-eat-it/articleshow/12139742.cms

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve may be closed

D. RADHAKRISHNAN A primate and a pachyderm looking for food in a dry part of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Photo: M. Sathyamoorthy Dry conditions cause concern With dry conditions becoming a source of concern at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) near Udhagamandlam, a proposal has been sent to the government to close it. Deputy Director, MTR, Ameer Haja, told the The Hindu on Wednesday that a detailed report with inputs from Range Officers had been submitted to the Field Director, MTR Raghuram Singh. It had been sent by the Field Director to the Chief Wildlife Warden along with a recommendation to close the reserve. If approved, the MTR would be closed around the first week of March and would remain closed till the situation improved. Tourists would not be allowed and elephant and van safaris would be suspended. During the period of closure, maintenance works would be stepped up. Pointing out that this season had so far seen one major bush fire and a couple of minor fires inside the reserve, he said that lantena, grass etc. had become extremely dry due to the frost and lack of rain. A considerable part of the total area of 321 square kilometres had become highly vulnerable to fire. Precautionary measures were being put in place. Though the flow in the Moyar river was sufficient, other water sources were drying up. Consequently animals, particularly elephants have become a common sight on roads cutting through the reserve. In view of the situation, the Disaster Management Centre in Theppakadu had been placed in a state of alert. Forest officials, particularly fire watchers and anti-poaching staff, would be on their toes round the clock at various points, including Morgan Betta,Upper Kargudi,Chikhallah. Inter-State coordination would be improved and highway patrolling conducted. http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2951436.ece

Ga-ga over tiger sightings, tourists toss rules into the wild

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Mar 2, 2012, 02.20AM IST NAGPUR: If vandalizing of tourists cars at Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) gate at Navegaon (Ramdegi) on February 25 was a blot on tiger tourism, the visitors gave a bad name to it on Wednesday by going berserk on spotting tigers in Pandharpaoni area of the reserve. More than 100 visitors in 30 vehicles, including those in the Chimur-Tadoba-Rajura state transport bus virtually scrambled and competed to have a glimpse of four tigers that had appeared on the Pandharpaoni-Tadoba road around 9am on Wednesday. According to Project Tiger guidelines, a distance of 30 metres should be maintained between vehicles and the animals but many were barely 10 metres away from the tigers. With Pandharpaoni becoming a hot spot for tiger sightings, the permitted 40 vehicles entering from Moharli, Khutwanda, Kolara and Navegaon gates head for the spot, causing not only congestion but complete chaos. On Wednesday, when the four sub-adult tiger cubs were sighted, vehicles rushed to the spot. Ostensibly scared by the noise, two cubs crossed the road and vanished inside the dense bamboo clusters while two continued to relax on the road for more than an hour. There were more than 30 vehicles at that time on the spot. Those at the back, upset at not getting a clear view, protested boisterously. The ST bus passengers and its drivers stepped out of the bus, which is completely against the rules, and climbed atop for a good view. Six van majoors with their bicycles too were there at the spot. Some who could not sight the tigers jumped off their vehicles and hollered to those in front. With time ticking away to the 10am deadline when the Moharli gate is shut, vehicles began speeding brazenly. Some stopped to click more pictures and one of the vehicles was just 6 feet away from the tiger. One of the tigers preying a nilgai, which had been released in Pandharpaoni after getting close to humans, was also disturbed by the vehicles. Some gypsies even stopped their vehicles on the attacking tiger's path. "A road hit, like what happened in Bandhavgarh recently, is imminent if the park officials don't take action soon," said Sandeep Dahat, a nature lover from Jaripatka and an eyewitness. Chief conservator of forests (CCF) & field director VK Sinha said the bus driver and some vehicle owners have been asked to show cause on why their entry into the park should not be banned. Sinha agreed that there is need to regulate tourism in the park for which additional staff is needed. "We will deploy more staff from Friday and see that vehicles do not stop at one spot for long durations," he said. "Tourism is an important economic activity and can link tigers to wider constituency and build conservation support. But when managed badly, it can lead to stress on tiger habitats," said Haseeb Badar, a wildlife lover and another eyewitness. What Project Tiger Says? * In place of open gypsies and cars, medium-sized buses, with a closed body and sliding windows may be used for park excursions. This will minimize risk of close encounters with animals and reduce number of vehicles * A minimum mandatory distance of 500 metres should be maintained between two vehicles plying on the same road * Tourists vehicles, while spotting a tiger or any other wild animal, should maintain a minimum mandatory distance of 30 metres * The route guides must be professionally trained and penalty should be imposed on visitors in case they violate rules http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Ga-ga-over-tiger-sightings-tourists-toss-rules-into-the-wild/articleshow/12103989.cms

Reviving Sariska's tiger footprints

Alexina Correya, Hindustan Times New Delhi, March 01, 2012 Tiger revival projects is an initiative taken by forest officials to help preserve the big cat in India. File Photo. HT Photo/Alexina Correya Wild boars, Sambar deer and jackals thrive in Sariska National Park in Alwar and leopards hunt without fear. The tiger is missing -- it is almost gone from the park. All that may change: Baghani, a young tigress from Ranthambhore, has been trans-located into Sariska. She is not alone: Rathore, a male tiger has been separately introduced into the park by the reserve officials in a hope that the two cats will meet and succeed in establishing a family of their own. Cinematographer and wildlife documentary maker Subbiah Nalla Muthu takes us through Baghani's uncertain exploration of her unfamiliar new home, a boost in her confidence, and her evolution into a skillful predator in his documentary Tiger Dynasty. The documentary is part of a five-documentary BBC series on endangered wildlife. Tiger tale Baghani, named after a village inside Sariska National Park, is one of the five big cats relocated into the park by the Rajasthan forest department as part of the tiger revival project. Sariska National Park used to be one of India's top tiger reserves until poachers ensured their local extinction. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Reviving-Sariska-s-tiger-footprints/Article1-819466.aspx

Tiger found dead in eastern Maharashtra

PTI | Mar 1, 2012, 10.30PM IST CHANDRAPUR (MAHARASHTRA): A full-grown tiger was today found dead near a village under Moharli forest range here in eastern Maharashtra, officials said. This was the third tiger death reported from the district, which houses Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, this year. The carcass was located by a forest guard near village Kitadi this afternoon during a routine patrolling. The wild cat appeared to be 12-15 years old, said Kalyan Kumar, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF). "Circumstances indicate that the tiger died due to old age. Its body parts like claws were intact," he said. Kumar said there is no reason to suspect foul play in the tiger's death though the real cause will be known only after an autopsy scheduled for tomorrow. Earlier, tiger deaths were reported on January 23 and February 19. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Tiger-found-dead-in-eastern-Maharashtra/articleshow/12101637.cms

Tribals call off hunting spree

TNN | Mar 2, 2012, 06.55AM IST BARIPADA: About 100 tribal poachers, who had planned to enter the Bhanjabasa area in the Upper-Barha-Kamuda (UBK) Range in the core area of Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR) on Thursday, have finally cancelled their mass hunting excursion. Forest staff, however, allowed them to kill a giant squirrel and a yellow monitor lizard in the adjoining Nato reserved forest so that they could make animal sacrifices before their supreme deity, Marang Buru. The range officers and other forest staff of Baripada and Karanjia territorial divisions have taken adequate measures to prevent the poachers from sneaking into the animal-rich areas of STR. All entry points of the STR have beel sealed, they adeed. The deputy director of Similipal Tiger Reserve, Bikas Ranjan Dash , said the tribals were adamant about going on the mass hunting expedition, but forest staff managed to convince them after much persuation. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Tribals-call-off-hunting-spree/articleshow/12106134.cms

To protect tiger reserves, govt may acquire private estates

R Vasundara, TNN | Mar 1, 2012, 06.36AM IST CHENNAI: The Union ministry of environment and forests is planning to strengthen its tiger conservation programme in the Western Ghats and reduce man-animal conflicts by acquiring private estates that border or are within tiger reserves in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The proposal, put up during a meeting of the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife, includes acquisition of several estates in the Periyar Tiger Reserve area (in Thekkady, Kerala ) and Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu). Twelve private estates in the KMTR, measuring about 1,500 hectares, have been identified for acquisition, said Tamil Nadu officials. "Most estates are part of the core reserve and need to be acquired to reduce disturbance caused by the movement of human beings and vehicles," an official said. "The plan is still in the paperwork stages and yet to obtain the state government's approval . The funding for acquiring the estates, however, will come from the Central government." It was proposed during the meeting to eventually acquire 23 estates in Tamil Nadu and thus block 18 routes into the Periyar reserve. "This will reduce disturbance in the Periyar reserve," proposed Dr A J T John Singh, a member of the National Board for Wildlife, at the meeting. "This landscape has the potential to support 100 adult tigers, provided the wild prey are protected." In order to strengthen the tiger conservation programme, the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has proposed to acquire several private estates that border or stand within tiger reserves in the southern range of the Western Ghats . This was suggested during a meeting of the standing committee for the National Board for Wildlife with specific referencetoK alakkad MundanthuraiTiger Reserve (KMTR)in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, and Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady, Kerala . In Tamil Nadu, the forest departmenthascomeup with a list of twelve estates that lie in the coreof theKMTR andtherefore must be acquired . Spanning over 895sqkm,the reserveisone of the densest tiger reserves . A part of the reserve lies in the Agasthiyar hills of the Western Ghats . "We are yetto receive approval from the state government," said an official . "Paperwork and preliminary estimates are still going on . Some of the estate owners, who have been informed of the proposal, are trying to negotiate alternatives . Once the state government agrees, it will be forwarded to the Union ministry . The MoEF will be funding the acquisition . This is a long term process involving a large budget . It could take morethan five yearstocomplete ." The twelve estates put together would add up to 15.16 sqkm or 1,516 hectares to the reserve and the acquisition is expected to cost more than Rs 165 crore . "The people are cooperative, but human and vehicle movement in the core area disturbs animal habitations, so they have to be acquired," he said . "We are also looking at increasing the buffer zone for the Anamalai Tiger reserve ." However, environmentalists portray a different picture . "Thereisdegradation of theforest area in KMTR as many of the people living in these estates gather fuel wood from the reserve," said M Soubadra Devy of Ashoka Trustfor Researchin Ecology and the Environment (ATREE). Soubadra spends several months in a year in the reserve for canopy research . "There is also some small time poaching of creatures like jungle fowl that goes on in this area ." The presence of temples in the reserve also increases the footfallsin the area . "During the Adi Ammavasya festival, this area receives a couple of lakh visitors," she said . At least three temples have landin the reserves,butofficials hope for a solution that does not involve acquisition .They do not anticipate trouble with the cardamom and tea estates. "Under the guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, we can acquire these areas." However,there are voices of dissent. "Thisestatehasbeen in our family for 60 years andwe attach much sentimental value to it," said Vasanthi Murugadasan, one of the proprietors of Kattlamalai estate. ' The estate is one of the largest in the core reserve that figures in the state's acquisition list. "Besides,we never harm the animals and always help forest officials during the census." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/To-protect-tiger-reserves-govt-may-acquire-private-estates/articleshow/12092155.cms

Tiger data base ready, to prevent poaching

By: Jagdish Bhatt Dehradun : Taking a cue from South Africa where a database of wild elephants has been created that are being poached by hunters for their tusks, Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under a National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) sponsored project is creating a database of the tigers in the 41 reserves of the country to prevent their being hunted. Initially a database of 11 tiger reserves, including Corbett National Park, Ranthambore, Dudhwa and Kanha has been created and is under power test. If the tests come out successful, the process is going to be repeated to create a database for the remaining 30 tiger reserves. Incidentally, though the Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand is not a tiger reserve, but it has been included in the data base as 15 tigers are reported to be in the Park. Despite all efforts to preserve the tiger, and a constant vigil in most of the tiger habitats in the country, yet the big cat is being poached and killed year after year. According to figures available, 32 tigers were killed in 2009, 30 in 2010, 13 in 2011 and seven till February, this year.. Informed sources here said that it was almost impossible to say from which tiger reserve, a feline was poached upon whose skin and other parts are recovered say in Mumbai or Calcutta or Delhi . In the absence of vital information it is almost impossible to zero in on the tiger habitat and the poachers in the vicinity, who may have been responsible for killing the big cat. However, with the database of 11 tiger reserves ready, it can be used to match the DNA profile from the skin or other remains recovered with those in the database. This will give the exact reserve from which the feline had been killed and help nab the poachers, against whom stringent action can then be taken under the Wildlife Act. This should serve as a deterrent to others involved in the trade. The data base which was prepared by forensic experts of the Wildlife Institute of India here and is ready to be put under trial. The trial process will continue for a few months and on seeing the practical possibilities after the results, it will be expanded to the remaining tiger reserves of the country also, sources pointed out. http://hillpost.in/2012/02/29/tiger-data-base-ready-to-prevent-poaching/

Notorious tiger poacher nabbed in Sawai Madhopur

TNN | Feb 29, 2012, 01.50AM IST JAIPUR: In a major breakthrough against poaching of tigers, the flying squad of the forest department along with Tiger Watch on Monday nabbed a wanted poacher from Sawai Madhopur. He was involved in poaching of two tigers in Ranthambore and Sariska. Acting on a tip-off, a team of forest officials raided an area near Sawai Man Singh sanctuary and arrested Saalma alias Badri alias Jagdish on Monday evening. "We were on the look out for him for a long time. He is wanted in two cases of poaching of tigers and runs a gang of poachers," Dharmendra Khandal of Tiger Watch said. The forest officials confirming arrest of the poacher added that since 2005 he was residing in and around Dumaria village in Bharatpur district of the state and Ranthambore National Park and Sariska Tiger Reserve were on his target. "Though he was keeping a low profile for the last couple of years, he is an accused in two poaching cases in 1992 and 2005," a forest official said. Tiger Watch claimed they had specific information on the whereabouts of Saalma which they shared with the forest department officials. "After efforts to locate him since morning, he was finally nabbed in the evening by our team," Sunder Sharma, assistant conservator, forest, said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Notorious-tiger-poacher-nabbed-in-Sawai-Madhopur/articleshow/12076074.cms

Poacher trio named, hunt on

OUR CORRESPONDENT The arrested villager with the leopard skin on Sunday Ranchi, Feb. 28: Forest officials are on the trail of three accomplices who have been named by a villager held on Saturday with the skin of a leopard they had poached in the Palamau Tiger Reserve. Amarka Singh, who was arrested while trying to strike a deal with smugglers at Satbarwa on the Jharkhand-Bihar border, has confessed that he was aided by his nephews Krishna and Chatur Singh and Rajeshwar Singh, also a relative. “During interrogation, Amarka revealed that brothers Krishna and Chatur killed the leopard. Rajeshwar was in charge of identifying buyers while Amarka was the transporter,” said divisional forest officer (core) Premjit Anand. The forest department is preparing a case against Amarka who has been sent to Latehar jail. “We will leave no stone unturned to prepare a strong case against him,” he said. Amarka told officials they (the four) were involved in poaching animals, including deer and cheetal, in the reserve for years. “They recently killed a deer and were looking for buyers. However, Amarka told us he wasn’t aware of where the skin was. We are trying to trace it,” said the DFO. The seized leopard skin was estimated to fetch more than Rs 5 lakh in the international market. The poachers trapped the animal before firing at it. “When you trap an aggressive wild animal like the leopard, there are chances of severe injuries. The skin that we recovered had the portion of a leg missing. It bore holes, which suggested that bullets had pierced the leopard’s body,” Anand said. The nails of the leopard were also missing. Forest officials suspect the nails were also sold off along with some other body parts. “Unlike the skin, nails aren’t priced high and buyers are easy to get. Nails are used in making accessories such as lockets and bracelets. These find takers, as many believe that evil spirits are kept at bay if one wears lockets made of tiger and leopard body parts,” the DFO explained. All four involved in the poaching are from Phulwari village in Palamau. Officials are keeping a close watch on the village to trace the absconding trio. As per norms, the leopard skin along with photographic evidence and the statement of Amarka have been sent to court. Once the court puts its stamp, the forest department will reclaim the skin from judicial custody and arrange for its disposal. “According to government of India rules, wildlife trophies can no longer be kept in museums. They have to be burnt or destroyed to prevent their misuse or smuggling,” Anand clarified. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120229/jsp/frontpage/story_15192783.jsp

Tiger conservation: Maharashtra villagers get first instalment of rehab package

PTI CHANDRAPUR (MAHARASHTRA), FEB. 29: Over 104 families from village Jamni, located inside the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in the district, received the first instalment of Rs 1 lakh, out of the total of Rs 10 lakh declared as part of their rehabilitation from the Government, a release from the District Information Office said. In order to clear the land for the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), 222 families in the village inside the TATR, have been given two options by the Government’s NTCA Rehabilitation Package. Under the first option, each family will be given Rs 10 lakh, so that people can shift and settle at any place of their choice without any further Government aid. A104 families have opted for this total cash compensation. Under the second alternative, each family would be rehabilitated by the Government, that will also provide them land in a nearby village, construct a house for them, besides giving them cash of Rs 50,000. A 114 families have opted for this, the release said. They will be relocated to Ambdi village, which is located around 30 km from their village, on the Khadsangi-Samudrapur Road in Chimur tehsil of the district. The Minister for Environment and Cultural Affairs, Mr Sanjay Deotale, distributed the cheques to the beneficiaries. Forest officials, including the Forest Secretary (Maharashtra State), Mr Praveen Pardeshi, were present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Deotale called upon the villagers to take active part in the rehabilitation process and apprise the administration of any shortcomings so that corrective measures are incorporated during execution of the work. Mr Pardeshi said none of the eligible families from the village would be denied the compensation package. Hence, the list of beneficiaries would be verified by the Gram Sabha itself. Around four years back, the entire Botezari village and 49 families of the Kolsa village within the TATR were rehabilitated at Bhagwanpur village, during the first phase of relocation. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/government-and-policy/article2945242.ece

Forester suspects foul play

H M Aravind & G RAJENDRA, TNN | Feb 29, 2012, 12.51AM IST MYSORE/MADIKERI: The raging wildfire at Nagarahole tiger reserve has abated, even as it is seen as an act of revenge to hit out at the forest department. Fire management by officials has come into sharp focus, with wildlife activists holding them responsible for the major damage - now estimated at some 3,000 acres of forest cover destroyed - even as they agreed with the forest department that it is a man-made calamity. As PCCF (wildlife) B K Singh arrived at the tiger reserve on Tuesday, questions are being raised over the management of the national park. "There is a human element to the fire tragedy. Miscreants are at work. But there is also failure on the part of the officials in fire management," said a wildlife activist who did not wish to be named. According to the PCCF, tribals are involved. "Our investigations suggest that some tribals are involved and we'll book cases against them. They were opposing relocation out of the tiger reserve," Singh told TOI. The fire mishap occurred at Bommadahalli, where the tribals are opposing the creation of elephant-proof trenches. The forest dept is taking satellite images from Isro to assess the damage, and find out the extent of the fire. Of the seven ranges in the park stretch, spread over 643 sqkm in Mysore and Kodagu districts, four ranges were on fire, which indicates human involvement, officials said. In Nagarahole range, which forms the heart of the tiger reserve, the fire was first noticed at Marappanakere and later engulfed the area. There is a tribal colony 2km from here, and a village 5km away, the activist explained. Chances are high that those nursing a grouse against the forest staff set off the fire, and it happened in more than one place. They may have been booked for some forest offence, and started the fire out of vengeance, he added. There has been a delay in taking preventive measures to check a possible wildfire, allege some of the wildlife activists. According to them, this could have led to the fire break out. Fire lines to control wildfires are formed during December and January; and from February, when summer peaks, fire watchers are put on duty. But the PCCF countered this, saying that sometimes, drawing fire lines early becomes ineffective. Activists said that dried bamboo catch fire quickly and help it spread. Officials and environmentalists said larger animals, including big cats, will have moved to safety, but reptiles and ground nesting birds would have lost their lives. Assistant conservator of forests ( Hunsur wildlife division) K A Belliappa said the loss is yet to be estimated. "The situation is under control, though in some places, the fire is still on and the staff are trying hard to douse it. Around 120 forest staff were deputed to control the fire in all the areas," he said. "Teakwood trees have been reduced to cinders, though the total loss is yet to be estimated," he added. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Forester-suspects-foul-play/articleshow/12075549.cms

Hunting in STR, a tradition?

Express News Service BARIPADA: Tribals of Mayurbhanj district are protesting the arrest of fellowmen by the forest officials for alleged illegal hunting inside the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR). They instead complain that they are being prevented from observing their age-old tradition, Akhand Sikar (mass hunting), on the pretext of wildlife protection. A tribal leader said over two dozen elephants have been killed inside the STR and their tusks stolen by professional poachers in the last two years, but the forest officials are yet to make any breakthrough in the cases. “Innocent tribals, who go hunting as part of the tradition, are often arrested and tortured. The unsuspecting tribals are branded as poachers while the real culprits go scot-free,” he charged. Recently, the forest officials led by the Deputy Director of STR and DFOs of two forest divisions - Baripada and Karanjia in Mayurbhanj district - arrested 35 tribals from STR and seized 21 guns, bows and arrows besides nearly a quintal of meat. As per the tradition, the tribals celebrate the month-long Akhand Sikar after Damodar jatra. The village priest offers a hen to the god and then suggests to them the direction to go for hunting. The tribals use traditional weapons and the hunted animals are distributed in the clan, a local Sadananda Murmu said. Baripada DFO Bijay Kumar Panda, however, said mass hunting in the name of tradition cannot be tolerated. “Earlier they would celebrate with cocks, hens and goats. Now, they are killing precious animals and the hunting is on all through the year,” he added. Meanwhile, the tribals have decided to collect� ` 300 from each household and get the arrested released on bail. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hunting-in-str-a-tradition/234800-60-117.html

Frequent fires destroy forest land in Nilgiris

Shantha Thiagarajan, TNN | Feb 29, 2012, 06.10AM IST UDHAGAMANDALAM: Forest fires broke out in five to six areas in the Nilgiris on Monday. A series of forest fires that occurred during February, in the three forest divisions besides the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) has damaged at least 100 hectares of forest land. According to officials, most of the incidents of forest fire were man-made. Fire fighters have been deputed inside forest areas and are vigilant. As recently as Monday, a fire broke out at two or three locations at Valley View near Ooty. Fire service personnel rushed to the spots and fought the fire which was spreading rapidly due to the winds. Forest watchers and fire fighters made their way through thick jungles inside the MTR to clear the fire lines so that fire reported at the Kerala border on Monday would not spread. "A forest fire has been reported at the Keral-Nilgiris border adjoining the MTR forests. A team of fire fighters are clearing the fire line deep inside the forest area adjoining the border," said A Pushpakaran, Forest Range Officer. According to P Raghuram Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director, MTR, there were a series of wild fires in the MTR forests this month. "Out of five ranges, three of them have suffered damages. However, only bushes and dry grass lands were damaged due. No tree was burnt as the fire was put out quickly. Fire patrolling work is in place in the MTR. Fire fighters along with anti-poaching watchers are combing the forest throughout the day and if any smoke is identified the fighters will attend to it immediately," Singh said. At least, eleven incidents of forest fire were reported in the North division of the Nilgiris forests since February 12. According to forest officials, the 11 incidents occurred in six ranges except in the Coonoor range in the division. Last Saturday, alone, fire broke out in Sigur, Singara and north range of the North division simultaneously damaging at least over 20 hectares. "Most of the fire incidents are man-made. It is festival season in a temple located in the Sigur range. People from various parts of the hill district visit it. Some miscreants set fire to the dry bushes in the forests," said S Ramasubramanian, District Forest Officer (North Division). According to records, at least 43.75 hectares of forest lands were damaged since February 12 in the North division. According to records, the South Division of the Nilgiris forests suffered damages due to fire at seven different places in the division since February 10. Two ranges, Ooty south range and Kundha range were damaged due to fire. On February 24 alone three incidents were reported in the division. Around 6 hectares of forest land was damaged due to wild fire, on Monday, at 'gene pool area' in the Gudalur division of the Nilgiri forests. This dry season the first fire in the Gudalur division was reported on January 14. "Around 35 incidents of wild fire in various areas in the four ranges in the Gudalur division were reported in the past one month. Only dry grass land and bushes were damaged in the fire," said a forest official. Over 50 hectares of forest land was ravaged in the fire in the Gudalur division. On February 22, MTR officials arrested two tribal men in connection with a wild fire on February 13. The fire destroyed at least 15 acres of dense forest land in the MTR. One of the spy cameras installed inside the MTR jungles helped the forest officials to nab the culprits. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Frequent-fires-destroy-forest-land-in-Nilgiris/articleshow/12078088.cms

Fire halts safari at Nagarahole tiger reserve T

TNN | Feb 28, 2012, 12.06PM IST MYSORE: The forest fire at Nagarahole tiger reserve has put it out of bounds for tourists. The forest department on Monday banned safari in the national park even as the fire continued to rage at the park, destroying vast tracts of land. There are now concerns about the big cats as the forest fire has occurred at the critical tiger habitat of Kallahalla. A wildlife activist said the fire is raging and spreading in the tiger habitat. The forest department is suspecting the involvement of tribals in the fire. PCCF (wildlife) B K Singh told TOI that the safari has been banned. "We will review the situation and take a call on resuming the safari," he explained. Singh is visiting the tiger reserve spread over Mysore and Kodagu districts on Tuesday to take stock of the situation. He said fire has been noticed near Bommadhaadi, which, he said, is in the core area. This happened in the afternoon, after which the forest officials brought the forest fire under control. He suspects it could be an act of persons who are familiar with the forest. "Miscreants have put fire near bamboo groves to cause damage on a large scale," he stated. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Fire-halts-safari-at-Nagarahole-tiger-reserve/articleshow/12067186.cms

Tiger poacher nabbed in Sawai Madhopur

JAIPUR: In a major breakthrough against poaching of tigers, the flying squad of the forest department along with Tiger Watch on Monday nabbed a wanted poacher from Sawai Madhopur. He was involved in poaching of two tigers in Ranthambore and Sariska. Acting on a tip-off, a team of forest officials raided an area near Sawai Man Singh sanctuary and arrested Saalma alias Badri alias Jagdish on Monday evening. "We were on the look out for him for a long time. He is wanted in two cases of poaching of tigers and runs a gang of poachers," Dharmendra Khandal of Tiger Watch said. The forest officials confirming arrest of the poacher added that since 2005 he was residing in and around Dumaria village in Bharatpur district of the state and Ranthambore National Park and Sariska Tiger Reserve were on his target. "Though he was keeping a low profile for the last couple of years, he is an accused in two poaching cases in 1992 and 2005," a forest official said. Tiger Watch claimed they had specific information on the whereabouts of Saalma which they shared with the forest department officials. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Tiger-poacher-nabbed-in-Sawai-Madhopur/articleshow/12064165.cms

Tadoba tourists’ cars damaged, robbed at forest gates

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Feb 28, 2012, 07.39AM IST NAGPUR: In the sort of thing which will give a bad name to tiger tourism, two vehicles of tourists were badly damaged and the valuables inside stolen at Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve's (TATR) Navegaon (Ramdegi) gate on Saturday. Chimur police have arrested Dashrath Chouke, the accused and a habitual offender, from Navegaon village near the gate. He has been remanded to police custody till March 2. But, no action has been taken against forest guard RM Vankar whose role seems to be suspicious in the entire episode. Narrating the harrowing experience, Aakash Gupta, a city lawyer and son of leading lawyer Avinash Gupta, said that he had gone to Tadoba with his family through Navegaon gate on Saturday afternoon. Before entering the park for a round in a Gypsy, he had parked his Innova near the gate, as told by Vankar. Two other tourists including a wildlife photographer Ravi Naidu and his colleague Vijay Sardesai from Hyderabad had also parked their car near Gupta's vehicle. When Gupta and Naidu returned after the excursion at 6.30pm, they found the front and side windscreens of their cars smashed and the valuables and cash stolen. "My suitcase and Rs 7,000 cash were was missing. Naidu's laptop and three bags, one having Rs 10,000, were also missing. The culprit had deflated the front tyres of both cars," said Gupta. When Gupta and Naidu went to the village, they were told by some villagers that it might be the handiwork of Chouke. Both went to Chouke's home and found the stolen material in his house. "When I talked to Vankar, he pleaded ignorance. He was very rude and told us that he was not responsible for what happens outside the gate," alleged Gupta. Gupta later called up Chimur police. When police reached the spot, Vankar was conspicuous by his absence. Cops quizzed Chouke and seized the material that was hidden in a drum. Police failed to recover the cash. Chimur PI Panjabrao Madavi admitted that Vankar's role is suspicious. "It was his moral responsibility to protect tourists' vehicles. When the incident came to light, it should have been informed to senior officials through wireless. The incident should have also been recorded in the logbook. We have issued a notice to Vankar to remain present for an inquiry on Tuesday," said Madavi. A query sent via e-mail to V K Sinha, field director of TATR, was not immediately answered. A message in this regard was also left with his steno in the afternoon. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tadoba-tourists-cars-damaged-robbed-at-forest-gates/articleshow/12065169.cms

Now man-tiger conflict on the anvil

By: Jagdish Bhatt Dehradun : Uttarakhand is already facing massive man-elephant conflict as the corridors meant for the migration of the pachyderms have been lost to rampant and illegal constructions. It appears to now be heading for a tiger-man conflict as rampant constructions threaten to close the corridors of migration for the felines in the Corbett National Park area, which the home of the tigers. Informed sources told the Hill Post that about 100 hotels and resorts had been constructed in and around the Corbett National Park. The tragedy was the constructions had gone ahead without taking a no objection certificate (NOC) from the forest department, which is considered essential for construction in the area. How did the concerned authorities sanction the maps for the resorts or hotels, is anyone’s guess. While admitting that the major reason for the hotels and resorts coming up in the region was to attract tourists to the Park, they said that the ecological constraints of the region, the rights of the local residents and the damage to the tiger corridors should also have been taken into consideration before plans for the hotels and resorts were sanctioned by the concerned authorities. They said that during the past few years there had been an increase in poaching activities in the region and one could rule out the involvement of staff and management of the hotels and resorts in the illegal practice. It is not only herbivores used for the pot that are being killed but even leopards and tigers are falling to poachers who then sell the bones and hides to smugglers. Sources said that while the administration was closing its eyes to the number of resorts and hotels opening up in the region, a plan was being evolved to remove the van gujjars, who have been living in these forests for generations, from the Corbett Park area, as they were now being considered a danger to preservation of wild life in the Park. http://hillpost.in/2012/02/27/now-man-tiger-conflict-on-the-anvil/

Tiger leaves trail, gives tormentors the slip

TUESDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 2012 00:34 MOUSHUMI BASU | NEW DELHI Pugmarks, rumours, 20 forest men, and a desperate tiger on the move have been the talking point at the Central Tropical Institute of Horticulture, about 15 kms from Lucknow, under Awadh Forest Division, in Uttar Pradesh for nearly two months. This has all the elements of a thriller, which is keeping elephant trackers and forest staff on their toes. The tiger continues to elude them all, and so far efforts to tranquilise the big cat have come a cropper. With the area just about 10-12 kms away from a busy railway track, the tiger is giving the forest department sleepless nights. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is, however, yet to be invited to tackle the big cat. Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW) Mohammad Ehsaan said, “The tiger seems very comfortable in the area, which is ideal for its habitat with dense scrubland, water bodies and blue bulls.” He said that pugmarks are being regularly observed to track its presence in the area. Fortunately, it has not ventured out and there has been no attack on humans so far, he added. He, however, claimed that no shikari or hunter had been brought to fell the tiger. National Tiger Conservation Authority Deputy Director SP Yadav, who had earlier shot a letter to the CWW against the elimination of the tiger, pointed out, “The operation should be conducted in a very low profile manner.” DFO Awadh Ashok Mishra added, “Our aim is either to cage the tiger or tranquilise it. But this is turning to be a tough task, because, there are thorny lantana bushes as high as10-12 feet high, giving the tiger a natural cover. The high bushes, obstructs the view for using the tranquilising gun,” he said, adding no order to shoot the tiger had been issued as the Big Cat had not harmed any human. He said two camouflaged cages had been laid to lure the tiger. The four-year-old tiger has been roaming inside the 400-acre farm of the Central Subtropical Horticulture Institute of the Union Agriculture Ministry at Rahmankheda, since the first week of January. It had entered the campus from the nearby Pilibhit forest, following the course of River Gomti running across the forest. http://www.dailypioneer.com/home/online-channel/360-todays-newspaper/46153-tiger-leaves-trail-gives-tormentors-the-slip.html