International Year of the Tiger to kick off on V-Day: Ramesh
Sunday, October 4, 2009
International Tiger Year to be launched on Valentine's day
With the objective of spreading awareness about conservation of forests and wildlife in them, the forest ministry has decided to celebrate international year of the tiger starting Valentine's day in 2010 culminating into the World Tiger meet at Ranthambore in Nov next year. With Chinese demand for tiger parts in the danger of peaking next year on account of the Chinese year of the tiger, it might be a good time to bring the issue of loosing tigers into international limelight.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Centre acts fast on relocation - Funds released for Ranthambore and Manas
Just a month after Rajasthan and Assam signed the tripartite agreement with centre, funds have been cleared for relocation of villagers living in and around the tiger reserves in the two states. According to reports in TOI and Assam Tribune, Ranthambore is set to get a sum of over 100 crs and Manas Nattional park in Assam another 6.5 Crs. Humans living in and around tiger reserves has been cited as the biggest reason for decline in forest cover and wild animal numbers. With poachers getting easy shelter and know how from these communities and villagers themselves sometimes poisoning wild animals to save their cattle, moving human settlements out of sanctuaries has become top priority for conservationists. The new minister MOEF having recognizing the gravity of the problem has moved swiftly and has within months of taking over streamlined the system to ensure money is no more an obstacle and adequate legal provisions are in place to prevent misuse of funds. With these two states taking the lead hopefully other states like MP, Karnataka, Kerala and Uttarakhand will follow.
Rs 104 crore grant for Ranthambore
Move to relocate human settlement
Tadoba activists decry villagers move as Sonia Gandhi takes note
After villagers around Lohara, the location of Adani mines, came out in support of the project, green activists questioned their stand as per a report on TOI. According to activists the company has managed to lure a handful of people through money power to get them to endorse setting up the plant at the expense of the forest. As pointed out by some NGO activists, the forests are not the property of villagers living in the area but a natural resource that belongs to the country and saving it is of prime importance. It is relevant to note that residents of Chandrapur, the distt headquarters, a few months back had come out strongly against the mines having suffered the ill effects of mines in their area for decades.
In a related development Sonia Gandhi has taken note of a letter written by Rajya Sabha MP Shri Vijay Darda for pointing out adverse effects of the mine. He has also suggested setting up a committee to look into granting of the license. Mr Darda had used his offices to good effect last year when a similar letter by him to Sonia Gandhi against widening of Nagpur-Jabalpur highway cutting thru Pench tiger reserve saw the scrapping of the ecologically disastrous project.
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Man Tiger conflict continues across the country as two more die
In separate incidents, two people were killed, apparently by tigers, one in Sunderbans and another in Almora Distt. Sunderbans has recently been in news for increased tiger attacks on humans. The forest department had had suggested that cycloe Aila earlier this year had killed prey in large numbers making tigers attack humans more often. Do study the issue in detail, forest dept had also initiated a study of prey base in the area but months after the first incidents were reported, there is no sign of the study. Sunderbans is also going to be included this year in the tiger census survey to be carried out starting next month.
Tiger kills fisherman in Sunderban
Tiger kills child in Simalkhet
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Let down by govt, villagers around Tadoba back Adani Mines
The fight going on between environmentalists on one side and Adani corp & state govt on the other, took a new twist on Wednesday when villagers from Lohara, the location of mines addressed a press conference in support of the mines. It is clear that the villagers donot see any future for themselves in preserving the forest and wildlife esp given how other families in and around Tadoba have been shoddily treated on resettlement matters. It is a shocking case of govt failure that locals are willing for their surroundings to be destroyed rather than let tourism drive the economy and become stake holders in development. As pointed out by them during the meet, there are many other mines in the area right on the edge of the park and perhaps they have seen the economic benefits those mines have brought to people in those areas, notwithstanding the damage it has caused to the ecology as a whole. The govt needs to provide alternate employment and means of livelihood if locals have to be made stakeholders in preservation of wildlife and forests. As long as villagers see forest conservation as an urban cause, india's efforts will be doomed. In a related development a bunch of NGOs filed petitions in the high court asking for the govt to stay granting of mining licenses to Adani. The high court has issued notices to the govt asking for status on the project. As no go ahead has been given yet, the court termed the petitions untimely.
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Pleas early, but HC wants status of Adani mines
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Forest dept indicates presence of tigers in Shivpuri
Shivpuri: There are indications of presence of tigers and their cubs in this district's Pohari subdivision's forest as a tribal shepherd claimed to have seen the big cats in the jungle.
Ramhet Adivasi, a resident of Umrai village, said he had sighted a tiger, a tigress and their two cubs moving in the jungle about a fortnight back, and when he went to the forest for grazing cattle on September 25, the tigers killed one of his cattle. He also informed the forest officials about the incident.
Some journalists, who visited the area along with forest officials of Pohari, also found bones of the cattle scattered in the forest. The villagers also confirmed that cattle were being killed by the tigers.
Pohari region is situated adjacent to Kuno-Palanpur forest that has been set up for providing habitat to tigers and other animals.
The presence of the tiger family in this region is being considered significant due to the dwindling population of big cats, cheetahs and leopards over the past few years.
The forest department sources said after confirmation of the presence of tiger family in the forest and gathering other related information, they would initiate further action.
http://www.mynews.in/News/Forest_dept_indicates_presence_of_tigers_in_Shivpuri_N26869.html
Centre’s aid to relocate villages from tiger habitats
New Delhi: The Centre has released nearly Rs 100 crore to five states to relocate villages in tiger reserves to free the animals from human interference with Madhya Pradesh getting almost half of the total fund share.
Besides, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Manas sanctuary in Assam have been given financial package for the purpose for the year 2008-09, according to a senior official in Environment Ministry.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Dreaded poacher let out on bail by court - India cant enforce its laws
In a shocking case of apathy displayed by public prosecutors and police, India's most famous and dreaded poachers has been granted bail by the Supreme court pending final decision of a case against him in the apex court. It is relevant to note that Sansar Chand has numerous cases going on against him in trial courts across India for having killed numerous tigers, leopards and other wildlife. He is behind bars in Jaipur after being convicted in one case by a trail court a judgement that was upheld by the Rajasthan. Releasing such a dreaded criminal on bail smacks of insensitivity towards protection of wildlife. Despite all the media pressure and hype such criminals getting away using loopholes in the justice delivery system smacks of unwillingness to tackle serious crime head on. If the govt was serious of restraining him they would have vociferously appealed against granting of bail to a person who has and still has potential to afflict enormous damage to the country's wildlife. One hopes the central MOEF takes note of this development and a petition is filed at the earliest to revoke the bail order.
Wildlife activists shocked at jail suspension of Sansar Chan
Orrisa asks centre for more money for Similipal as it refutes WII tiger census numbers
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik met Central MOEF Jairam Ramesh and is reported to have requested for expediting sanctioning of funds for Similipal Tiger reserve as part of the annual plan according to Orrisadiary.com. This blog yesterday highlighted the tug of war going on between state govt and Centre appointed Tiger Conservation bodies on number of tigers inside Similipal tiger reserve. For the last couple of years WII has been indicating decline in population of big cats where as state govt has been repeatedly denying the facts. State govt officials apparently have no reason to feel accountable to either the centre or tiger conservationists as the chief minister himself has been speaking against WII numbers to avoid publicly accepting the embarrassing truth of not being able to save the national animal from slaughter. Similar denials in Panna over the last few years ensured the disappearance of tigers from the reserve and orrisa seems to be following in the footsteps of MP govt.
Orissa asks centre to approve forest clearance for irrigation project
Friday, September 25, 2009
72 tigers killed this year, highest in a decade
An HT report today quotes figures circulated by WPSI claiming 72 tigers having been killed this year and 150 since 2006. NTCA's estimates are lower at 54 and 100 respectively but unmistakably point out to the alarming situation. These numbers of course would not include cubs who have lost their mothers to poaching and are unable to survive in the wild. Hence the actual numbers of tigers lost would be even higher. Given the pressures on wildlife and forest and ever expanding human encroachment it is a tough challenge for central govt to stem the slide. With most states apathetic towards the cause time is running out for the stripped cats.
Orrisa refuses to trust WII tiger count for Similipal - Orders another one
Despite two surveys by credible organisations over as many years pointing out to decline in tiger numbers in Similipal Tiger reserve, state govt of Orrisa refuses to believe the news. After the 2007 tiger census pointed out low tiger density, Chief minister Navin Patnaik himself had questioned the validity of the numbers. Now after another count conducted by WII recently found tiger population to have fallen to just 41, down from almost 100, the chief wildlife officer taking a cue from his boss has questioned the figures again. Similipal has been in news recently due to maoist problems and local mafia along with villagers having taken over the park. In fact chief minister Navin Patnaik himself had asked the centre to deploy CRPF to protect the park from being raided by poaching gangs. Now that a credible nodal body has laid bare the facts, the least state govt can do is get out of its denial mode. Our readers would remember similar denials issued by park directors of Panna in MP doomed the tigers there. One hopes a similar story is not unfolding in Similipal. The centre should push Orrisa govt to sign the tripartite agreement which will put an end to such blatant attempts at cover ups.
Orissa to recount Tigers in Similipal Tiger Reserv
Thursday, September 24, 2009
8yr old caught Poaching tiger!
Times of India reports a boy and his grand mother caught around the Valmiki national park in Bihar waiting for a tiger to walk into a metal trap laid by them. The duo apparently belong to a tribe of hunters most famous of whom goes by the name of Dhariya who is in jail for a poaching case. According to forest officials quoted in the report the entire family is involved in poaching and smuggling along the Indo-Nepal border and is key to preventing trade in banned wildlife parts.
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Melghat tiger reserve conflict symbolic of botched up conservation efforts
The Indian express reports villagers around Melghat Tiger reserve in Maharashtra pressurizing politicians to allow cattle grazing inside the park despite it being a notified tiger sanctuary. With elections in the state around the corner, public servants are caught in a bind. After Maharasthra recently signed a tripartite agreement with Centre and NTCA for conservation of tiger reserves, cattle grazing inside reserves which hitherto attracted a penalty has been made a punishable offence and the forest director has made accountable to prevent it. Officers are hence caught in a bin, with politicians on one hand pressurizing them to allow villagers to use the park whereas the new law makes them accountable for such illegal acitivities. The conflicts also highlights the poor planning underneath tiger conservation plans in India. Villagers have been living around the area for generations and to suddenly ask them to discontinue activities linked to earning their livelihood without providing any alternate means of sustenance is criminal negligence. With the centre having cleared a lucrative resettlement package for each family to be relocated, Melghat park officials would be well advised to quickly implement it rather than let the issue simmer and reach a flash point. For the recently formed committee under NTCA tasked to evaluate conservation efforts inside sanctuaries, proper resettlement of villagers should be a priority area.
Another tiger cub found abandoned in Tadoba
Days after two cubs were caught by wildlife officials apparently after having lost their mother to poachers,wildlife officials trapped another 3rd cub around the same area in Tadoba reports The Indian Express. The story also quotes wildlife officials having seen pugmarks of a big tiger around the area where the 3rd cub was caught indicating the mother's presence there till recently. DNA samples are being sent for examination to verify if the three cubs are siblings. As this blog posted yesterday,NTCa officials have sent a detailed set of guidelines to the park director for immediate action to prevent any further loss of tigers.
Works starts on Pilibhit Tiger reserve creation
The Times of India reports initiation of work with regards to creation of Pilibhit tiger reserve. Creation of the park was notified last year. With Dudhwa & Corbett being the other tiger reserves in the region addition of Pilibhit could turn out to be an important milestone in preserving the nothern population of Indian tigers.
Work on new tiger reserve may start by year end
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Marooned Tadoba cubs force NTCA into action
After reports of two tigers cubs having been found around Tadoba tiger sanctuary NTCa has written to local park authorities suggesting a series of measures to be undertaken to unearth the wildlife killings going on in and around the park, reports The Indian Express. According to the report, this is the 4th such instance of tiger cubs being found in the area this year indicating their mothers have all been killed either by poachers or poisoned by villagers. Two days back CNN IBN published pictures of a wild dog caught in snare inside the sanctuary against pointing to lax security and presence of armed poaching gangs. NTCA has also recommended carrying out a detailed survey of tiger and prey population, marking territories of the big cats, strengthening intelligence set up in and around villages adjoining the park. With Maharashtra having signed the tripartite agreement with centre and NTCA, one hopes measures to tackle poaching will be put in place immediately.
Male Tiger to be relocated to Panna
After two tigresses were shifted to Panna Tiger Reserve early this year a male tiger is to set to arrive to give them company. According to a PTI report, WII scientists are in search of a suitable companion from Bandhavgarh national park. Panna reserve which was estimated to have around 35 tigers a few years ago was declared having lost all its striped cats earlier. One solitary male tiger was sighted earlier this year which too was apparently killed by poachers. Panna has been a disaster of enormous proportions for wildlife in India with the park authorities continuously turning a blind eye to warning signs of poaching inside the park over the years. In fact as late as last year the park director had claimed that tigers were safe and the park had a healthy population. Shifting of tigers from other reserves is important to repopulate the park but unless the reserves are made more secure and reasons for earlier loss of tigers are identified with long term solutions in place and accountability fixed, there is no guarantee of repeats not happening. MP govt is also yet to sign the tripartite agreement with the centre and NTCA. Perhaps it is time for them to put political differences aside and work towards contributing to a national cause.
Hunt for suitable male companion for Panna tigresses
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Tiger kills elephant
The tigers of Munnar are safe for now
In a rare incident recently a tiger is reported to have killed a tusker in the Eravikulam National Park near Munnar, intriguing forest officials and wildlife enthusiasts alike. For tigers have never been known to attack elephants — let alone kill them — being physically no match for the pachyderms. Perhaps, this was a territorial feud — common in the wilds — and the tusker presumably was ailing and weak. Yet it’s hard to imagine a tiger taking on an elephant and besting it.
Monday, September 21, 2009
CNN IBN exposes continued poaching inside TATR
A story posted on ibnlive.com shows a wild dog caught in a snare inside Tadoba Tiger Sanctuary. If the picture indeed was taken inside the park it is a sad comment on the govt's criminal negligence towards protecting animals inside designated forest sanctuaries. TATR has been in news recently for suspected cases of tigers being poached. Obviously no hard evidence has come to light so far with the park being left open to poachers after the govt took almost 2 months to appoint a new field director post removing the earlier one. Relocation of villagers, granting mining licenses in teh vicinity,TATR's wildlife is not just battling poaching mafia but also the so called protectors.
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve hit by poaching
NTCA reconsituted 3 years after it was set up
In a move aimed at strengthning oversight on tiger conservation NTCA, the nodal body created after Sariksa Fiasco has been reconstituted as per a report in The Times of India. The body will now be chaired by Union MOEF Jairam Ramesh with Menaka Gandhi has one of its members. Other wildife experts like Valmik Thapar are also amongst the 8 experts apart from members drawn from public life. It worth noting that NTCa has been extremely active ever since it was set up in place of the disbanded Project Tiger after CBI investigations confirmed Sarika had been shorn of all its stiped cats. With states gradually falling in line on the revised mechanism set up by NTCa recently, there is some hope that tiger conservation in India is on the right track.
Govt reconstitutes tiger conservation body
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/environment/flora-fauna/Govt-reconstitutes-tiger-conservation-body-/articleshow/5037698.cms
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