NAGPUR: After being thrown out from projects around Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), the mining lobby, in collusion with some forest officials, seems to be making last ditch efforts to see that reserve’s buffer zone is not notified.
Once the buffer zone is notified, mines will automatically not be permitted in the area. The 625 sq km TATR is proposed to have an additional buffer of over 1150 sq km that includes 79 villages. Notifying buffer around tiger reserves has become mandatory after September 4, 2006, amendment in Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Buffer areas with forest connectivity are imperative for tiger conservation as they foster tiger population. These areas also absorb poaching ‘shock’.
However, the state is not serious about notifying buffers. Forest minister Patangrao Kadam has called a meeting on February 25, in Chandrapur, to hear views of people representatives. The letter issued by the forest ministry on February 10 about the meeting doesn’t call it ‘public hearing’.
Yet, a section of forest officials, allegedly on behalf of by the mining lobby, are terming this as ‘public hearing’. It is being done to prompt opposition from villagers to the buffer zone. Actually, the process of consultation in all 79 villages in the proposed buffer has been done and people’s views have been submitted through a report to the committee on buffer.
The wildlife wing had promised to address their fuel wood and fodder issues through a comprehensive plan and finally the panel had recommended the buffer. Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation, an NGO working for tiger conservation in Central India, has strongly objected to such ‘public hearing’. He says ‘public hearing’ or ‘public consultation’ is conducted under the Environment Protection Act (EPA) 1986 for certain projects and TATR buffer does not fall under such projects.
“How can anybody call a ‘public hearing’ on this?” he asked. Rithe, who was also a member on the committee to notify buffer, has stated that TATR buffer has to be notified under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and not under the EPA, which needs a public hearing. Under WPA, the government can issue notification directly.
“We have already pointed out this delay to the forest secretary B P Pande in presence of union environment minister Jairam Ramesh during latter’s visit to Chandrapur last month,” Rithe said. Rithe felt arranging public hearing or public consultation again, may have legal implications.
“The possibility of some efforts by mining lobby to oppose the buffer by raising some irrelevant issues cannot be ruled out,” he apprehended. Sudhir Mungantiwar, BJP MLA from Ballarshah, agrees. “I’m not opposed to buffer. TATR buffer needs to be notified to keep mines away.
We have suffered a lot due to mining and people don’t want it. However, we want a written assurance from the state that even if buffer is notified, compensation towards cattle and human kills by tigers and damage to crop by wildlife will not be stopped. The government should also commit that villages coming in the buffer will be relocated in future,” Mungantiwar said.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Parambikulam Wildlife sanctuary to be made Tiger Reserve
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary in Palakkad district in Kerala, home to some of the most endangered species of animals and birds, will be declared a tiger reserve on February 19 by union environment minister Jairam Ramesh.
"It will then become the second 'tiger reserve' in Kerala after Thekkady wildlife sanctuary and 38th in the country," state forest minister Binoy Viswam told reporters here.
The sanctuary will have a core area of 390.88 sq km and a buffer area of 252.77 sq km coming under Chalakudy, Vazhachal and Nermara forest division, he said.
Viswam said the government had taken all steps to ensure that functioning of plantations in the area was not affected due to the sanctuary being declared a tiger reserve.
He said the government had also taken number of steps to protect the environment and bio-diversity of the state, but did not specify what they were.
The sanctuary is home to animals like lion tailed macaques, Nilgiri Tahr and Gaur, reptiles like Indian rock python, Malabar pit viper, Travancore tortoise, south Indian forest ground gecko, 134 species of rare birds and 47 varieties of fish, of which seven have been listed as endangered.
"It will then become the second 'tiger reserve' in Kerala after Thekkady wildlife sanctuary and 38th in the country," state forest minister Binoy Viswam told reporters here.
The sanctuary will have a core area of 390.88 sq km and a buffer area of 252.77 sq km coming under Chalakudy, Vazhachal and Nermara forest division, he said.
Viswam said the government had taken all steps to ensure that functioning of plantations in the area was not affected due to the sanctuary being declared a tiger reserve.
He said the government had also taken number of steps to protect the environment and bio-diversity of the state, but did not specify what they were.
The sanctuary is home to animals like lion tailed macaques, Nilgiri Tahr and Gaur, reptiles like Indian rock python, Malabar pit viper, Travancore tortoise, south Indian forest ground gecko, 134 species of rare birds and 47 varieties of fish, of which seven have been listed as endangered.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Nath proposes new circuitous route to avoid Pench tiger reserve
Road transport and highways minister Kamal Nath has finally proposed an alternative route that circumvents the Pench Tiger Reserve to complete the North-South corridor. Earlier, his ministry had suggested widening an existing 18-metre road passing through the reserve, but this was opposed by the environment ministry because it endangered the tigers’ natural habitat in Pench.
The project hit a legal hurdle with the Supreme Court asking its Central Empowered Committee to study the proposal. The CEC had recommended that widening of the road to 30 metres should be avoided at all cost. The new route that Nath’s ministry has proposed entails an additional investment of Rs 650 crore and it passes through his constituency Chhindwara, Seoni, Multai, Narsinghpur and Amarawada.
The road ministry has just filed an affidavit suggesting the new route with the Supreme Court. The apex court will study it. A Bench had earlier asked officials of the two ministries to thrash out the differences and present a composite plan.
Government officials said the new route is proposed to leave the Pench Tiger Reserve untouched and would pass through Multai-Chhindwara-Seoni (National Highway 69A) and Narsinghpur-Amarawada-Chhindwara (NH 26B). The total cost for multi-laning the single-lane road is estimated to be Rs 1,575 crore now, and is likely to be awarded as an EPC project. About Rs 776 crore will be made available from the resources of the present Five-Year Plan. The ministry will soon approach the Public Investment Board with the fresh proposal.
“The new route will not only protect the reserve but also serve as a vehicle for economic development of the region. It has been charted out in a way so as to address the concerns of the CEC set up to take a look into the issue,” a government official said.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Tiger found dead at Kaziranga
The carcass of a full-grown Royal Bengal tiger was found on a sand isle of the Brahmaputra to the north of the core area of the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) on Sunday.
A senior park official said the carcass would be sent for post-mortem on Monday.
A team of park officials, a veterinarian and an NGO worker would reach the location on Monday for a detailed investigation, the official said.
Ramesh locks horns with NCP in tiger territory
Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh is taking on the NCP again - this time in its den in Maharashtra. And the bone of contention is a proposed coal mining project inside a tiger reserve.
In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the minister has clearly stated that permission cannot be granted for coal mining in the buffer zone of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in the state.
This is the second instance of Ramesh not giving in to the NCP. He recently opposed the commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal, a proposal that had the support of Union Agriculture Minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
The environment minister has been under tremendous pressure to permit mining in the Lohara West and Lohara Extension areas that lie within the TATR. The Adani group of industries was allotted captive coal mines at the sites in November 2007, when the prime minister himself held the coal portfolio.
The coal extracted from Tadoba will fuel a power plant to be set up by the Adani group in Tiroda in Gondia district. This is the constituency of civil aviation minister and NCP leader Praful Patel.
He has been vociferously demanding a captive coal mine because his constituency is reeling under a severe power crunch. A power plant is, therefore, urgently required in the region. But the environment minister clearly begs to differ.
Ramesh told Mail Today: "There is a rejection letter from my ministry saying that these mines cannot be permitted. I also visited the site on January 26 and have given the same opinion in a letter to the PM." Ramesh said mining could not be permitted in the region on four grounds. Firstly, the TATR was a tiger reserve and needed to be protected. Secondly, the entire region was thickly forested and rich in teak. The third reason cited by the minister was that even locals were strongly opposed to the project.
In addition to this, Chandrapur - the town closest to the TATR - was already an extremely polluted industrial cluster.
"Chandrapur is actually the fourth most polluted industrial cluster in the country with a large number of cement factories. Coal mining will add to this problem. The Western Coalfields, which carry out mining in the area, also have a very poor pollution record," Ramesh said.
The minister, however, has managed to stave off opposition from the NCP by seeking alternative coal mines for the Adani power plant in Gondia. "We have written to the coal ministry asking them to find an alternative site for the captive mines," he stated.
For his part, Patel told Mail Today: "We do need a power plant in Gondia, for which a captive coal mine is necessary. Alternative mines can be allotted to Adani and the respective ministries will take a call on the issue. I do not wish any harm to be caused to the environment." Earlier, Congress MPs from the Vidarbha region had written letters to party chief Sonia Gandhi, asking her to intervene and stop the mining project.
The BJP units in the area are part of the ongoing agitation against it.
When the Prime Minister's Office was apprised of the matter, Ramesh was asked to look into it. The environment ministry had earlier, too, refused permission to the mining project on January 7. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) also raised serious objections to it.
This is also the second time in the recent past that Ramesh has taken on his Cabinet colleagues over an environmental issue. He had opposed the project of another Cabinet colleague, road transport and highways minister Kamal Nath, to widen a national highway stretch that goes through the Pench tiger reserve.
The road connects Nagpur to Jabalpur and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was very keen to widen it. The Supreme Court's central empowered committee (CEC) had observed that the widening of the road would cause harm to the sanctuary.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Tiger Farms in China Feed Thirst for Parts- NY Times
GUILIN, China — The crowd-pleasing Year of the Tiger, which begins Sunday, could be a lousy year for the estimated 3,200 tigers that still roam the world’s diminishing forests.
With as few as 20 in the wild in China, the country’s tigers are a few gun blasts away from extinction, and in India poachers are making quick work of the tiger population, the world’s largest. The number there, around 1,400, is about half that of a decade ago and a fraction of the 100,000 that roamed the subcontinent in the early 20th century.
Shrinking habitat remains a daunting challenge, but conservationists say the biggest threat to Asia’s largest predator is the Chinese appetite for tiger parts. Despite a government ban on the trade since 1993, there is a robust market for tiger bones, traditionally prized for their healing and aphrodisiac qualities, and tiger skins, which have become cherished trophies among China’s nouveau riche.
With pelts selling for $20,000 and a single paw worth as much as $1,000, the value of a dead tiger has never been higher, say those who investigate the trade. Last month the Indian government announced a surge in killings of tigers by poachers, with 88 found dead in 2009, double the previous year. Because figures are based on carcasses found on reserves or tiger parts seized at border crossings, conservationists say the true number is far higher.
“All of the demand for tiger parts is coming from China,” said Belinda Wright, executive director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India. “Unless the Chinese change their attitude, the tiger has no future on this earth.”
Goa tribals killed tiger after trapping it in wire snare
The investigation into a tiger poaching case in Goa has revealed that the big cat was shot dead by tribals of Majik community after trapping it into a wire snare.
The state forest department, which is investigating the case, in its probe report has reconstructed the entire sequence of incidents that led to the killing. “Three women were amongst the half a dozen Majik community members, who witnessed the killing, which happened in February last year. While two main accused shot the tiger to death after trapping it in wire snare, others witnessed the cold-blooded killing sitting atop a tree fearing that the tiger may jump on them,” the report said.
A Royal Bengal Tiger was killed at Keri February last year and the incident was brought to light in April after a picture of the dead animal was published in a local newspaper.
“The group of villagers fearing the aftermath later burnt the tiger by dragging it for almost 250 metres in the same cashew plantation,” the probe further stated.
A senior forest department official said that the killing might not have been exposed, if not for the act of one of the local youth to click the dead tiger on his mobile.
Forest department officials stated that it took almost one-and-a-half months for the forest officials to locate the spot, which borders Mhadei wildlife sanctuary in state’s Sattari taluka.
The department officials, accompanied by volunteers, had to comb the entire area to locate the two boulders visible in the photograph. “Finally when the spot was identified the task became more arduous because there was no evidence to establish the poaching,” a senior officer stated. It was only after thorough interrogation of the accused that the sequel to the killing in the form of burning the carcass was revealed.
Forest department’s records indicate that the two accused, Ganesh and Naguesh Majik, killed the tiger. Both have however feigned innocence in the case stating that they were not involved and instead had not even visited the cashew the area on the fateful day, officials said.
Investigation records mention that nearly twenty samples like burnt bones, fur, broken lower jaw were recovered from the site.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Corbett steadily turning into disaster zone
As the Union Minister of Forest and Environment, Jairam Ramesh, gets ready to preside over the inauguration of the two-day All India Tiger conference to be attended on Friday by top forest officials and wildlife experts from various Indian States in Jim Corbett National Park, wildlife poaching and environmental degeneration will not only be part of the discussion but appear as practical problems affecting the very venue of the meet.
According to a survey undertaken recently on the directions of the Union Tourism Secretary, Sujeet Banerjee, the tigers and other wildlife in Corbett Tiger Reserve area are facing problems resulting from uncontrolled human activities in the adjoining 77 tourist lodges.
While land in the Sunderkhal corridor linked with CTR has been taken over by those relocated from Tehri, another corridor area has been taken over by the tourist lodges, greatly affecting the movements of wildlife in CTR.
The survey revealed that though a maximum of 600 persons are allowed in a day to enter the CTR area, the tourist lodges provide boarding and lodging facility to 3,197. About 70 per cent of the visitors arriving in these tourists lodges aren’t here for ecotourism but for attending dance parties and other recreational activities which create noise and light pollution.
In addition, the garbage generated in 31 per cent of the lodges which are built on agricultural land adjoining CTR is dumped improperly in the ecologically sensitive region while garbage generated in 26 per cent of the lodges is simply burnt without any scientific regulation.
Even the Forest Department fleet of vehicles, used to ferry people in and out of the CTR area, consists of 26 diesel vehicles which cause unnecessary vehicular pollution in CTR.
Observers point out that although Uttarakhand claims to be encouraging ecotourism to capitalise on its environmental resources, unregulated tourist activities taking place have been causing damage to the environment and increased stress on wildlife including elephants.
The survey, which concluded in January, shows that unregulated human activities in the CTR area are damaging not only the environment but also increasing the threats faced by wildlife right in areas where they are meant to be protected.
While Ramesh presides over discussions involving top forest officials from 17 Indian States in the Jim Corbett National Park, it remains to be seen whether the conference is able to reach concrete decisions to stop the irreversible damage to our unique national wealth and environmental resources.
According to a survey undertaken recently on the directions of the Union Tourism Secretary, Sujeet Banerjee, the tigers and other wildlife in Corbett Tiger Reserve area are facing problems resulting from uncontrolled human activities in the adjoining 77 tourist lodges.
While land in the Sunderkhal corridor linked with CTR has been taken over by those relocated from Tehri, another corridor area has been taken over by the tourist lodges, greatly affecting the movements of wildlife in CTR.
The survey revealed that though a maximum of 600 persons are allowed in a day to enter the CTR area, the tourist lodges provide boarding and lodging facility to 3,197. About 70 per cent of the visitors arriving in these tourists lodges aren’t here for ecotourism but for attending dance parties and other recreational activities which create noise and light pollution.
In addition, the garbage generated in 31 per cent of the lodges which are built on agricultural land adjoining CTR is dumped improperly in the ecologically sensitive region while garbage generated in 26 per cent of the lodges is simply burnt without any scientific regulation.
Even the Forest Department fleet of vehicles, used to ferry people in and out of the CTR area, consists of 26 diesel vehicles which cause unnecessary vehicular pollution in CTR.
Observers point out that although Uttarakhand claims to be encouraging ecotourism to capitalise on its environmental resources, unregulated tourist activities taking place have been causing damage to the environment and increased stress on wildlife including elephants.
The survey, which concluded in January, shows that unregulated human activities in the CTR area are damaging not only the environment but also increasing the threats faced by wildlife right in areas where they are meant to be protected.
While Ramesh presides over discussions involving top forest officials from 17 Indian States in the Jim Corbett National Park, it remains to be seen whether the conference is able to reach concrete decisions to stop the irreversible damage to our unique national wealth and environmental resources.
Gujarat opposes shifting Lions to MP
Amid the growing concern over the depleting tiger population in the country, Gujarat today opposed in the Supreme Court, the Centre’s proposal to shift the Asiatic lions from the Gir forest to the Kuno tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
The Gujarat government warned that relocating lions from Gir was fraught with “irreparable damage to the sociology of lions” and asserted that MP cannot manage the relocation as it had failed to protect its own tiger sanctuary.
“MP’s tigers are dying. It will be highly improper to shift the lions to Kuno reserve,” Mukul Rohtagi, the counsel for Gujarat told a bench of Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and justices B S Chauhan and Chandramouli Prasad.
The Modi government argued that the people of the state take pride in the lion sanctuary. Any attempt to translocate them to Kuno “against the will of the people of Gujarat will cause irreparable damage to their conservation and cultural ethos.”
The Union Ministry for Environment and the Wildlife Board had come out with the relocation proposal on the ground that the lion population could diminish in the event of an epidemic outbreak as witnessed elsewhere in 1994.
“There were eight tigers at Kuno in 1992 and as stated by the July 21, 2009 affidavit by Madhya Pradesh, there is no significant population of tigers at Kuno,” argued the Gujarat government.
The state governemnt said that shifting the lions to Kuno will cause health problems to them as they would be prone to immune deficiency disorders. According to the Gujarat, government, the proposal for the translocation of lions is based on a false alarm/fear of an epidemic calamity on the specious arguments of the Gir lion’s genetic weakness.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/State-opposes-shifting-of-Gir-lions-to-MP-tiger-reserve/578860
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Corrupt cops implicate activist as abettor in Goa Tiger Killing case
Panaji: The investigation into the last year's tiger killing in the state, has named state’s renowned environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar as abettor in the crime as he (Kerkar) did not reveal the source of information.
The investigation document mentions that Kerkar, who initially exposed the case through a newspaper, did not reveal the source of information and claimed it as a "secret source."
The State government has got the formal confirmation about the tiger killing from the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII). It has confirmed that the animal killed in the forest of Keri village, 60 kms away from here, was a tiger. The tiger poaching case was brought to light by Kerkar through his writing in the newspaper and had carried the picture of an animal carcass lying between two boulders.
The investigation document mentions that Kerkar, who initially exposed the case through a newspaper, did not reveal the source of information and claimed it as a "secret source."
The State government has got the formal confirmation about the tiger killing from the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII). It has confirmed that the animal killed in the forest of Keri village, 60 kms away from here, was a tiger. The tiger poaching case was brought to light by Kerkar through his writing in the newspaper and had carried the picture of an animal carcass lying between two boulders.
"He had to be made abettor as he was not cooperating with the officers. Initially for almost one-and-half-months, we were scouting through vast jungle to get a clue based on the photograph carried in the newspaper," a senior Forest officer said. The tiger was killed in last week of February last year, the incident was reported in April.
The Forest Department has said that they had made Kerkar as abettor as they wanted to confirm the computer in which the picture of tiger was downloaded. "Kerkar also claimed that the tiger was seen in the area for last two years and it had killed the cattle. We wanted to see whether there were any report of cattle killed during the period," the officer stated.
Forest Department has already zeroed on two accused belonging to Majik community who allegedly shot the wounded tiger who had got entangled in the wire snares. When questioned Chief Conservator of Forest Shashi Kumar said that he would not like to comment on Kerkar being made abettor as 'case is being investigated.’
Kerkar said today that the Forest Department’s action was expected. "The department is more interested in covering up the incident," he alleged.
He said that as a journalist, he had carried the picture in the newspaper and had not told about the origin of picture so as to protect the source.
Forest Department has already zeroed on two accused belonging to Majik community who allegedly shot the wounded tiger who had got entangled in the wire snares. When questioned Chief Conservator of Forest Shashi Kumar said that he would not like to comment on Kerkar being made abettor as 'case is being investigated.’
Kerkar said today that the Forest Department’s action was expected. "The department is more interested in covering up the incident," he alleged.
He said that as a journalist, he had carried the picture in the newspaper and had not told about the origin of picture so as to protect the source.
Tiger census in Madhya Pradesh starts Wednesday
Seven months after the shocking revelation that the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh had no tiger left, the state is set to conduct the a much-awaited big cat census.
The census was originally scheduled Jan 18-23. However, the task would now be undertaken Feb 10-16 and after the collection and compilation of data, a report would be submitted to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) by March 10.
"The tiger census, which was initially slated to start Jan 18, was postponed as the state was witnessing three-tier panchayat polls during the period," said Chief Conservator of Forest (Coordination) Shivendu Srivastava.
The project of wild animal census 2009-10 is being undertaken on the directive of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), New Delhi, Srivastava said, adding that the officials of the state "spearhead team" were trained for the purpose in Ranthambhore (Rajasthan) Oct 21-23 last year.
After the sudden disappearance of tigers from the Panna Tiger Reserve, the WII conducted an intensive tiger census at the reserve from November 2008 to June 2009. Initially only one tiger was traced and that too disappeared later.
Some other famous tiger reserves in the state include Kanha, Bandhavgarh an
The census was originally scheduled Jan 18-23. However, the task would now be undertaken Feb 10-16 and after the collection and compilation of data, a report would be submitted to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) by March 10.
"The tiger census, which was initially slated to start Jan 18, was postponed as the state was witnessing three-tier panchayat polls during the period," said Chief Conservator of Forest (Coordination) Shivendu Srivastava.
The project of wild animal census 2009-10 is being undertaken on the directive of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), New Delhi, Srivastava said, adding that the officials of the state "spearhead team" were trained for the purpose in Ranthambhore (Rajasthan) Oct 21-23 last year.
After the sudden disappearance of tigers from the Panna Tiger Reserve, the WII conducted an intensive tiger census at the reserve from November 2008 to June 2009. Initially only one tiger was traced and that too disappeared later.
Some other famous tiger reserves in the state include Kanha, Bandhavgarh an
Maneaters on loose around Corbett park ?
About this time last February, the Corbett National Reserve declared a tiger a maneater. The big cat had killed a woman in the buffer zone. It was yet another testimony in blood to a rise in the man-animal conflict. Last Friday, the reserve again awoke to the news of a tiger attack on humans. Three local youths had been walking along the park boundary when they were attacked. One of them was wounded and is undergoing treatment at the Forest Hospital in Haldwani. The reserve was already neck deep in questions raised by the mysterious death of four tigers within one-and-a-half months. Friday's attack has added another to the long list: Was there a maneater on prowl? Tigers are recorded to have killed more people than any other big cat. But unlike leopards and lions, maneating tigers rarely enter human habitations in order to acquire prey. The majority of victims are reportedly in the tiger's territory when the attack takes place. Ranjan Kumar Mishra, the director of the Jim Corbett National Park, said it cannot yet be termed a deliberate attack on humans. "The tiger must have been on the prowl when the three went into the forest," he said. But the recovery of a body on Saturday, apparently mauled by a wild animal, has deepened doubts. "It seems some wild animal had attacked the man. Flesh had been eaten off his back. But we believe it was a leopard that had attacked as pugmarks found next to the body indicated," a forest official said. Early on Monday, blood stains were found on a pathway in the park. This raised fears that a third attack had taken place, although officials said they were "not necessarily human blood stains". According to wildlife enthusiast Ajay Suri, the attacks were the result of a rise in human incursion into animal territory. "Five star hotels have come up around the area. Such structures have blocked the movement of wild animals. ...Four tigers have died and the authorities still don't know why they died," said Suri who was shooting for a film on tigers in the reserve. Forest officials said they were trying to ascertain why the tigers had died. "Of the four tiger deaths, only one is suspicious. Three tigers seem to have died of natural causes -- old age or fights. In the fourth case, though, we are awaiting the results of the viscera examination. Poisoning or other reasons cannot be ruled out in that case," an official said. Mishra could not be contacted for his comments on the fourth case, but other officials confirmed that viscera of the dead tigers had been sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly. "It normally takes IVRI about a month to prepare their reports. We are awaiting their reports," a Corbett official said. | ||
Man-animal conflict: Corbett Park officials seek help
Aligarh, Feb 9 (PTI) Faced with mounting public anger over attacks by tigers in areas adjoining the Jim Corbett National Park, authorities have placed a cage inside the forest to trap the man-eaters and sought the help of people in tackling the problem.
A woman was recently killed and three youths were injured in two separate incidents of tiger attacks in the sanctuary area, officials said.
After protesting villagers blocked roads in the past few days demanding adequate safety measures, park authorities sought to mollify them and conceded to their demands by placing a cage inside the forest to trap the man-eaters.
"We have put in place a crisis management plan and two teams of forest rangers are now patrolling roads passing through the park to prevent any further attacks," Deputy Director of the Park, Kabi Dayal, told PTI.
A woman was recently killed and three youths were injured in two separate incidents of tiger attacks in the sanctuary area, officials said.
After protesting villagers blocked roads in the past few days demanding adequate safety measures, park authorities sought to mollify them and conceded to their demands by placing a cage inside the forest to trap the man-eaters.
"We have put in place a crisis management plan and two teams of forest rangers are now patrolling roads passing through the park to prevent any further attacks," Deputy Director of the Park, Kabi Dayal, told PTI.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Goa poaching case: Forensic report confirms tiger's remains
PANAJI: The investigations into Goa's tiger poaching case got a boost with forensic report confirming that the remains collected from a plantation were of a striped cat.
Chief conservator of forest Dr Shashi Kumar told reporters that Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has confirmed that the sample matches to that of a tiger.
"One of the seven samples has matched. Seven samples were found of which the sixth one matched to that of a tiger. Even if one matches it proves that the animal is a tiger," he said.
The state forest department, which received the report two weeks back, had maintained uncanny silence over it until a local English newspaper leaked the report last week.
The final report which was received by deputy conservator of forest (North division) G T Kumar has overruled the preliminary report, which had raised doubts on whether the animal remains found in a cashew plantation of Keri village were really of tiger.
Chief conservator of forest Dr Shashi Kumar told reporters that Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has confirmed that the sample matches to that of a tiger.
"One of the seven samples has matched. Seven samples were found of which the sixth one matched to that of a tiger. Even if one matches it proves that the animal is a tiger," he said.
The state forest department, which received the report two weeks back, had maintained uncanny silence over it until a local English newspaper leaked the report last week.
The final report which was received by deputy conservator of forest (North division) G T Kumar has overruled the preliminary report, which had raised doubts on whether the animal remains found in a cashew plantation of Keri village were really of tiger.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Mumbai Park puts up Tigers for adoption
Mumbai, Feb. 5: The officials of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) are planning to put up animals inside the park for adoption to corporates as well as individuals. However, the proposal is yet to get an approval.
"We have a proposal to put up animals of the national park for adoption," said Dr P.N. Munde, chief conservator of forests and director of the SGNP. However, the adoption scheme would be limited to animals that are in captivity. The adoption scheme is still on paper and the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife division), who is based in Nagpur, is the concerned authority to give a green signal.
Depending on the feasibility, the adoption proposal may be approved later this year and from 2011 onwards, the scheme
would be open to animal lovers.
"By coming out with this kind of a scheme, the financial burden on the forest department would be reduced to a certain extent," added, Mr V.L. Rathod, assistant conservator of forest, SGNP.
According to the proposal, a total of 46 animals would be put up for adoption for a year. The money would take care of the animal’s food, maintenance of the enclosures as well as the medical treatment needed in the entire year.
The animals that would be put up for adoption include four lions, two white tigers, four tigers, 23 leopards, six leopard cats, four cheetals (deers), two nilgais and a barking deer.
The adoption of a white tiger would be the most expensive at Rs 3,15,000 per annum, while the cheapest would be a barking deer at the cost of Rs 10,000 per annum. "The cost is based on the calculation that we have done for each and every animal," Dr Munde said. Apart from the adoption, the national park authorities are also planning to get sponsors to treat injured or sick animals.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Poachers use electrocution to hunt
New Delhi, Feb. 2: Poachers have found that electrocution is the easiest way to kill elephants, tigers and leopards in the wild. All they have to do is steal electricity from an overhead line by hooking a wire and then laying a live line across an animal track. In January 2010 alone, five elephants and one tiger are reported to have been killed by electrocution.
Wild elephants head the list of electrocuted animals and the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) found that 30 elephants were electrocuted in 2009. In 2008, it was 24 and in 2007 it was 33. Alarmed by the rising numbers, Belinda Wright who heads WPSI pointed out that her organisation conducted a detailed nation-wide investigation and data compilation which has revealed that more than 300 animals have been killed in this fashion.
In 2009, WPSI’s statistics revealed four leopards were electrocuted, in 2008 it was one and in 2007 the number was two. Two tigers were killed in this horrendous fashion in 2009, two in 2008 and one in 2007. In 2003, the WPSI found the 28 elephants and six tigers had died due to electrocution. But wild life activists feel that WPSI’s data has erred on the conservative side. An Orissa-based activist feels the numbers are much larger claiming that in Orissa alone during the last five years, 280 elephants have been electrocuted.
Ms Wright petitioned the Supreme Court giving a state and species-wise mortality count, showing that the commonest victims were highly endangered species such as the elephant, the tiger, the leopard and the Indian rhinoceros. Detailed information on poaching methods and video evidence of poaching were filed, along with recommendations on how to solve the problem. Supreme Court appointed-CEC asked the respondents which included the ministry of power and the Central electricity board and the ministry of environment to resolve this issue.
"We suggested the use of providing insulation on the wires running through the national reserve parks and sanctuaries but this has not happened. There is a non-seriousness in their approach to this urgent issue," said Ms Wright.
Rashme Sehgal
After Sariska fiasco, DNA tests for tigers before shifting
Following a Hindustan Timesreport on the genetic incompatibility of tigers that were shifted to Sariska National Park in Rajasthan last year, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has ordered DNA tests on tigers of Ranthambore and Sariska, to ascertain breeding compatibility before shifting any more of them.
The investigation (Rajasthan govt sent tiger siblings to repopulate Sariska, June 29, 2009) exposed how tigers were picked up arbitrarily for translocation without genetic or spatial analysis. Following the report, the translocation process in Rajasthan was put on hold.
Between June 2008 and February 2009, two sisters and their half-brother were sent to Sariska. These tigers have so far failed to breed.
Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh didn’t make this mistake. With two tigers sourced from Bandhavgarh and Kanha reserves, it got a third one from Pench in November last year — five months after the HT investigation — to ensure genetic diversity.
The decision on mandatory DNA testing of Ranthambore tigers was taken an NTCA meeting last month, attended by Forests and Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh. The NTCA has already issued an order, designating Bangalore’s National Centre for Biological Science to conduct the tests to identify individual tigers with breeding compatibility.
“The Hon’ble Minister for Environment and Forests has directed DNA testing of all three tigers already translocated to Sariska… through fecal samples, besides similar testing for the two tigers earmarked at Ranthambore for translocation to Sariska,” says the note.
“The process of DNA analysis will take time. However, the translocation programme will continue and our priority is to determine the compatibility of a couple of young tigers that have been moving in the outskirts of Ranthambore. The future of these tigers is uncertain due to heavy biotic pressure (human presence) in these areas and they will definitely have a better chance of survival in Sariska,” added NTCA member-secretary Dr Rajesh Gopal.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Tiger meal: Decision to release deer in Sunderbans evokes criticism
The state government’s decision to release 63 deer in the Sunderbans to supplement the prey base for tigers has been questioned by an NGO, specialising in wildlife.
Expressing doubt whether the Sunderbans, which according to the last census in 2001 had 274 tigers, the NGO — Nature, Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) — in a letter to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) said there should be a scientific study to ascertain the number of the big cats and to determine the prey base.
Claiming that the release of the deer was being done in an unscientific manner, NEWS secretary Biswajit Roy Chowdhury said, “Determination of the root cause for decline in prey base through a scientific basis is the need of the hour. How is such a step justified when looked at in the long-term?”
But the Field Director of Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (STR) Subrat Mukhjeree defended the government’s decision saying it was done after calls from different quarters that the big cats were straying into human habitation because of a shortage in prey base in the forests.
The state forest department also said that it was done in consultation with the state wildlife advisory board, the apex body which included representatives of wildlife NGOs.
“Nobody raised any objection when the decision was taken to release deer in the Sunderbans. In fact, deer were also released in Buxa tiger reserve and Jaldapara Wildlife sanctuary which has tigers,” Pradeep Vyas, Director Sunderban Biosphere Reserve told PTI.
Admitting that the prey base might not be uniform in all the islands in the Sunderbans as it depended on the vegetation, Vyas said shortage of prey base could not be the only reason for tigers straying. There were other factors for it as well, he added.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Pench Tiger reserve: Cabinet divided on road through tiger reserve
With two Union Ministers Kamal Nath and Jairam Ramesh on warpath over a contentious highway expansion project through Madhya Pradesh's Pench tiger reserve, the Centre on Friday bought time from the Supreme Court to resolve differences.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had opposed the Surface Transport Ministry's proposal to widen the road linking Nagpur to Jabalpur through Pench forest reserve from existing 18 m to 30 m, but the fight does not seem to be over just environmental concerns. The Centre dropped sufficient hints during the proceedings in court to indicate something was amiss between the two Union Ministers, who do not see eye to eye on this issue.
This comes a week after the court had asked the Government to make up its mind on whether its effort was to save tigers or to save costs involved in the project. “You can't have both. If you want to save the animals, you cannot save money,” the Bench observed on the previous occasion.
Appearing for the Centre, Attorney-General Goolam E Vahanvati on Friday told a Special Bench, comprising Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan, Justices SH Kapadia and Aftab Alam, that a solution was underway as Additional Solicitor-General (ASG) Vivek Tankha representing Surface Transport Ministry in the court had met Environment Minister Ramesh. Seeking time to take fresh instructions, the matter was posted for hearing on February 19.
In a related development, senior advocate Harish Salve appearing as amicus curiae was granted permission by the court to withdraw his note in favour of the road expansion.
The 8.7 km-road running through the forest reserve forms part of a 250-km national highway expansion project, which the National Highways Authority of India is keen to undertake. But since the matter involved forests, the Special Apex Bench referred the project plan to its expert body, the Central Empowered Committee. In its report submitted in July 2009, the CEC favoured an elevated corridor along the stretch, giving the Environment Ministry a handle to oppose the proposal.
With Salve's opinion coming in the way of implementing CEC recommendation, even the Attorney-General supported his offer to withdraw. “It is unfortunate that the amicus is being personally attacked over his opinion,” Vahanvati said, referring to the criticism over Salve being an interested party in the expansion of road.
Finding the criticism against him in bad taste, Salve asked the court to consider the matter independent of his view. Having opposed the elevated corridor, Salve had supported an alternative plan of fencing and construction of 13 bridges and underpasses to facilitate smooth movement of animals. This would cost the Government Rs 600 crore, as against the elevated corridor project that would have cost beyond Rs 900 crore.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had opposed the Surface Transport Ministry's proposal to widen the road linking Nagpur to Jabalpur through Pench forest reserve from existing 18 m to 30 m, but the fight does not seem to be over just environmental concerns. The Centre dropped sufficient hints during the proceedings in court to indicate something was amiss between the two Union Ministers, who do not see eye to eye on this issue.
This comes a week after the court had asked the Government to make up its mind on whether its effort was to save tigers or to save costs involved in the project. “You can't have both. If you want to save the animals, you cannot save money,” the Bench observed on the previous occasion.
Appearing for the Centre, Attorney-General Goolam E Vahanvati on Friday told a Special Bench, comprising Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan, Justices SH Kapadia and Aftab Alam, that a solution was underway as Additional Solicitor-General (ASG) Vivek Tankha representing Surface Transport Ministry in the court had met Environment Minister Ramesh. Seeking time to take fresh instructions, the matter was posted for hearing on February 19.
In a related development, senior advocate Harish Salve appearing as amicus curiae was granted permission by the court to withdraw his note in favour of the road expansion.
The 8.7 km-road running through the forest reserve forms part of a 250-km national highway expansion project, which the National Highways Authority of India is keen to undertake. But since the matter involved forests, the Special Apex Bench referred the project plan to its expert body, the Central Empowered Committee. In its report submitted in July 2009, the CEC favoured an elevated corridor along the stretch, giving the Environment Ministry a handle to oppose the proposal.
With Salve's opinion coming in the way of implementing CEC recommendation, even the Attorney-General supported his offer to withdraw. “It is unfortunate that the amicus is being personally attacked over his opinion,” Vahanvati said, referring to the criticism over Salve being an interested party in the expansion of road.
Finding the criticism against him in bad taste, Salve asked the court to consider the matter independent of his view. Having opposed the elevated corridor, Salve had supported an alternative plan of fencing and construction of 13 bridges and underpasses to facilitate smooth movement of animals. This would cost the Government Rs 600 crore, as against the elevated corridor project that would have cost beyond Rs 900 crore.
In Corbett, tiger & elephant deaths remain whodunits - TOI
CORBETT TIGER RESERVE (RAMGAGAR): The Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) authorities have made no serious attempt to find out the causes for the deathsof 13 tigers, six leopards and 17 elephants that perished in the Corbett landscape in the last three years.
Four of the tigers were found dead in CTR in less than two months, since December 13 last. The carcass of yet another leopard was found in the Ramgagar forest division, bordering the CTR, early on Wednesday morning.
Yet, no autopsy has been carried out on the dead leopard till this report was filed, late Friday evening. CTR director R K Mishra said, "We are not responsible for anything in the neighbouring forest divisions."
He could not comment on the possibility of the cats that died in forest divisions neighboring the CTR having strayed from the reserve.
Mishra did say that the Bareilly-based Indian Veterinary Research Institute, to which viscera of all 33 dead animals have been sent for forensic examination, "has not sent reports of a single viscera examination, despite reminders". He said, "Now, we will send a team to IVRI to make inquiries."
CTR warden, Umesh Chand Tiwari, however, said that two reports had been received. "Reports of two viscera had arrived. One said the concerned tiger did not die of any disease while the other said the viscera was not fit for examination."
The problem, according to a senior official of the Central government-run IVRI, is not that the reports are not being delivered. "We have sent to CTR reports of all the viscera sent to us. These have been sent either by registered post or by hand," he said. But the nub was that the viscera were too decomposed for any meaningful examination.
"The trouble is that they have sent us only viscera that are too decomposed or otherwise unfit for examination. We have repeatedly been advising Corbett that we can train their officials on how to collect and preserve viscera. But, they have never bothered to respond," said the IVRI official.
"While Uttar Pradesh forest divisions send us entire carcasses of wild animals, Corbett has not bothered to do so," IVRI sources said.
D Swarup, head of the veterinary medicine division at IVRI, said, "If the CTR were serious, they would have formed a panel, including government and private facilities and NGOs, to carry out the autopsies and viscera tests."
Swarup said IVRI also often carried out examinations in the presence of NGO representatives. CTR warden Tiwari, however, did not respond to these statements.
Four of the tigers were found dead in CTR in less than two months, since December 13 last. The carcass of yet another leopard was found in the Ramgagar forest division, bordering the CTR, early on Wednesday morning.
Yet, no autopsy has been carried out on the dead leopard till this report was filed, late Friday evening. CTR director R K Mishra said, "We are not responsible for anything in the neighbouring forest divisions."
He could not comment on the possibility of the cats that died in forest divisions neighboring the CTR having strayed from the reserve.
Mishra did say that the Bareilly-based Indian Veterinary Research Institute, to which viscera of all 33 dead animals have been sent for forensic examination, "has not sent reports of a single viscera examination, despite reminders". He said, "Now, we will send a team to IVRI to make inquiries."
CTR warden, Umesh Chand Tiwari, however, said that two reports had been received. "Reports of two viscera had arrived. One said the concerned tiger did not die of any disease while the other said the viscera was not fit for examination."
The problem, according to a senior official of the Central government-run IVRI, is not that the reports are not being delivered. "We have sent to CTR reports of all the viscera sent to us. These have been sent either by registered post or by hand," he said. But the nub was that the viscera were too decomposed for any meaningful examination.
"The trouble is that they have sent us only viscera that are too decomposed or otherwise unfit for examination. We have repeatedly been advising Corbett that we can train their officials on how to collect and preserve viscera. But, they have never bothered to respond," said the IVRI official.
"While Uttar Pradesh forest divisions send us entire carcasses of wild animals, Corbett has not bothered to do so," IVRI sources said.
D Swarup, head of the veterinary medicine division at IVRI, said, "If the CTR were serious, they would have formed a panel, including government and private facilities and NGOs, to carry out the autopsies and viscera tests."
Swarup said IVRI also often carried out examinations in the presence of NGO representatives. CTR warden Tiwari, however, did not respond to these statements.
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