TALA (BANDHAVGARH): All is not well with Bandhavgarh National Park. Just five months after a big cat was killed in a car crash right inside the park, a tigress was allegedly poisoned by local villagers and a male tiger was found with severe injury, apparently following a territory fight.
Around two weeks ago, a tigress, known as Aamnullahwali Sherni, was allegedly poisoned by a resident of Malagaon — a village bordering the reserve — after it killed one of his goats. According to forest officials, the animal had killed and eaten a portion of the goat and left the rest near a bush to have it later. The villager, Rewa Burman, found the carcass and allegedly laced it with poison, knowing that the tigress would return to her kill. After a few hours, a forest patrol found the unconscious tigress in the Kathli beat of Tala range. Senior officers, including forest department veterinarian Nitin Gupta, rushed to the spot. The tigress was administered an injection and soon it regained consciousness. "It's now doing quite fine," said range officer (tourism) S C Pandey.
"Initially we had thought that the animal was ill. But then our vet examined it and decided that the tigress had been poisoned. It had vomited copiously and maybe we could save it because of that only," Pandey added. The vomit samples have been sent to the forensic laboratory in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. The reports, however, are yet to reach Bandhavgarh, said the range officer.
Burman, meanwhile, has been languishing behind bars — in judicial custody. "It's the forest department which has prosecuted him and the charges under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act are non-bailable," said V C Verma, superintendent of police, Umaria district.
A section of villagers, however, claim that Burman is a just a scapegoat. "The tigress got caught in the wire fencing put up by the forest department while trying to enter the village. The forest officials are trying to cover it up and showing it as a case of poisoning," said a villager, refusing to reveal his identity.
The range officer, however, rejected the claim. "There was no injury mark on the tigress, which was lying unconscious. Its front legs had been tied up with a rope before it was administered the injection. And just a few minutes after the antidote was injected, the animal gained such strength that it snapped the rope and jumped away," said Pandey, who incidentally was not on the spot.
What kind of poison do the villagers use to kill the big cats? And what drugs are used to treat a poisoned tiger? The range officer is not aware. "Dr Gupta would be able to tell you," he says. But unfortunately, Gupta could not be contacted.
Wildlife painter Mahesh Jangam, who hails from Rajasthan's Ranthambore and runs an art school in Bandhavgarh, seems better-informed. "Generally, the villagers use a strong pesticide called Aldrin to kill the tigers. It's the same poison that had been used to kill two cubs in Ranthambore in March this year," he says.
Meanwhile, a male tiger has been found in Tala range with a four-inch wound on its neck. The tiger, identified as 13-year-old B2, is under observation. "But it could not be treated so far," says a forest official. The department came to know about the injury on October 29. "Later, trackers on elephant managed to spot it, but every time, the tiger managed to run away. And the wound is difficult to heal since it's on the neck and the animal cannot lick it," the official added. "It was probably injured in a territory fight with some other male tiger," said a forest guide.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
India bhutan to jointly monitor Manas tigers
India, Bhutan to jointly monitor Manas tigers
ROOPAK GOSWAMI
Manas National Park
Guwahati, Nov. 10: The forest authorities of India and Bhutan have agreed to start a joint initiative to “camera trap” tigers moving across the international border from November 20, marking the beginning of a new chapter in cooperation between the two countries for wildlife conservation.
This was decided at a meeting between representatives of Manas National Park India and Royal Manas National Park Bhutan at Bansbari in Manas today. The idea behind the exercise is to monitor the movement of tigers between the two parks having contiguous areas.
The field director of Manas National Park, A. Swargiari, told this correspondent that both the countries had decided to go ahead with the joint camera trapping from November 20. “This is a historic day for both the countries in wildlife cooperation, and both sides have assured their support,” he said.
Around 450 square km will be covered on both sides of the boundary and the exercise will continue for two months. In Manas India, the areas covered would be Bansbari and Bhuyanpara while in Bhutan, authorities would be covering the Manas range of Royal Manas National Park.
Bivash Pandav from WWF International, who was present at the meeting, said the results of the first-ever joint camera trapping should be out by February and a joint report would be brought out. “This would be the biggest area covered jointly with another country,” he said.
Royal Manas National Park manager Tenzi Wangchuk represented Bhutan, which has provided full support to the exercise.
The meeting discussed the concept of Greater Manas which has already got the support from World Heritage Committee. The need for trans-border property cooperation and for having regular joint meetings was also discussed. A resolution was passed for conservation of greater Manas landscape.
While Manas India has an area of 500 square km, Royal Manas Bhutan covers 1,057 square km and tigers move from Phibsoo wildlife sanctuary in Bhutan to Manas tiger reserve, Buxa tiger reserve and Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary in India.
Standard monitoring protocol will be followed for the entire exercise, a senior forest official said.
The meeting also discussed the idea of having a similar exercise for monitoring elephants.
Apart from WWF, Aaranyak and Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment also rendered their support.
The World Heritage Committee has been saying that the co-operation was highly valuable and even necessary for wildlife conservation for which Manas was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
The Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan has been saying that disturbance on the Indian side affects them and working together would be beneficial to both sides.
ROOPAK GOSWAMI
Manas National Park
Guwahati, Nov. 10: The forest authorities of India and Bhutan have agreed to start a joint initiative to “camera trap” tigers moving across the international border from November 20, marking the beginning of a new chapter in cooperation between the two countries for wildlife conservation.
This was decided at a meeting between representatives of Manas National Park India and Royal Manas National Park Bhutan at Bansbari in Manas today. The idea behind the exercise is to monitor the movement of tigers between the two parks having contiguous areas.
The field director of Manas National Park, A. Swargiari, told this correspondent that both the countries had decided to go ahead with the joint camera trapping from November 20. “This is a historic day for both the countries in wildlife cooperation, and both sides have assured their support,” he said.
Around 450 square km will be covered on both sides of the boundary and the exercise will continue for two months. In Manas India, the areas covered would be Bansbari and Bhuyanpara while in Bhutan, authorities would be covering the Manas range of Royal Manas National Park.
Bivash Pandav from WWF International, who was present at the meeting, said the results of the first-ever joint camera trapping should be out by February and a joint report would be brought out. “This would be the biggest area covered jointly with another country,” he said.
Royal Manas National Park manager Tenzi Wangchuk represented Bhutan, which has provided full support to the exercise.
The meeting discussed the concept of Greater Manas which has already got the support from World Heritage Committee. The need for trans-border property cooperation and for having regular joint meetings was also discussed. A resolution was passed for conservation of greater Manas landscape.
While Manas India has an area of 500 square km, Royal Manas Bhutan covers 1,057 square km and tigers move from Phibsoo wildlife sanctuary in Bhutan to Manas tiger reserve, Buxa tiger reserve and Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary in India.
Standard monitoring protocol will be followed for the entire exercise, a senior forest official said.
The meeting also discussed the idea of having a similar exercise for monitoring elephants.
Apart from WWF, Aaranyak and Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment also rendered their support.
The World Heritage Committee has been saying that the co-operation was highly valuable and even necessary for wildlife conservation for which Manas was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
The Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan has been saying that disturbance on the Indian side affects them and working together would be beneficial to both sides.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Illegal tiger trade 'killing 100 big cats each year'
The illegal trade in tiger parts has led to more than 1,000 wild tigers being killed over the past decade, a report suggests.
Traffic International, a wildlife trade monitoring network, found that skins, bones and claws were among the most common items seized by officials.
The trade continues unabated despite efforts to protect the cats, it warns.
Over the past century, tiger numbers have fallen from about 100,000 individuals to just an estimated 3,500.
The study, which used data from 11 of the 13 countries that are home to populations of Panthera tigris, estimated that between 1,069 and 1,220 tigers were killed to supply the illicit demand for tiger parts.
'Poaching pressures'
Since October 1987, tigers have been listed as an Appendix I species (threatened with extinction) under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), which means all commercial trade in the animals or their parts is banned.
Some of the seizures revealed the shocking scale of the illegal trade
The figure was based on analysis of 481 seizures. More than 275 of the seizures were in India, which - the report's authors said - represented between 469 and 533 tigers.
China, with 40, had the second highest number of seizures, accounting for up to 124 animals, while Nepal reported 39 seizures, or 113-130 tigers, they added.
"Given half the world's Tigers live in India, it's no real surprise the country has the highest number of seizures," explained co-author Pauline Verheij, joint TRAFFIC and WWF tiger trade programme manager.
"While a high number of seizures could indicate high levels of trade or effective enforcement work, or a combination of both, it does highlight the nation's tigers are facing severe poaching pressure," she added.
"With parts of potentially more than 100 wild tigers actually seized each year, one can only speculate what the true numbers of animals are being plundered."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11718648
Traffic International, a wildlife trade monitoring network, found that skins, bones and claws were among the most common items seized by officials.
The trade continues unabated despite efforts to protect the cats, it warns.
Over the past century, tiger numbers have fallen from about 100,000 individuals to just an estimated 3,500.
The study, which used data from 11 of the 13 countries that are home to populations of Panthera tigris, estimated that between 1,069 and 1,220 tigers were killed to supply the illicit demand for tiger parts.
'Poaching pressures'
Since October 1987, tigers have been listed as an Appendix I species (threatened with extinction) under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), which means all commercial trade in the animals or their parts is banned.
Some of the seizures revealed the shocking scale of the illegal trade
The figure was based on analysis of 481 seizures. More than 275 of the seizures were in India, which - the report's authors said - represented between 469 and 533 tigers.
China, with 40, had the second highest number of seizures, accounting for up to 124 animals, while Nepal reported 39 seizures, or 113-130 tigers, they added.
"Given half the world's Tigers live in India, it's no real surprise the country has the highest number of seizures," explained co-author Pauline Verheij, joint TRAFFIC and WWF tiger trade programme manager.
"While a high number of seizures could indicate high levels of trade or effective enforcement work, or a combination of both, it does highlight the nation's tigers are facing severe poaching pressure," she added.
"With parts of potentially more than 100 wild tigers actually seized each year, one can only speculate what the true numbers of animals are being plundered."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11718648
Saturday, November 6, 2010
NTCA doubles allowance for staff in tiger states
NAGPUR: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body under the ministry of environment and forests ( MoEF), governing all tiger reserves in India, has doubled the allowance for staff in Project Tiger areas.
It is for the first time in 15 years that the allowance has been enhanced. A circular enhancing the allowance was issued on October 27 to all chief wildlife wardens and chief secretaries of the tiger range states. The revised pay will be applicable from September 1, 2009.
It has come as a morale booster for over 700 employees in the three tigers reserves in the state—Tadoba-Andhari , Melghat and Pench. Over 500 employees will benefit there. Under Project Tiger , reconstituted as NTCA in 2006, right from the field director to peon, everyone gets 'Project Tiger' allowance.
At present, the allowance ranges from a minimum Rs 200 to maximum Rs 1,000 per month.
It is for the first time in 15 years that the allowance has been enhanced. A circular enhancing the allowance was issued on October 27 to all chief wildlife wardens and chief secretaries of the tiger range states. The revised pay will be applicable from September 1, 2009.
It has come as a morale booster for over 700 employees in the three tigers reserves in the state—Tadoba-Andhari , Melghat and Pench. Over 500 employees will benefit there. Under Project Tiger , reconstituted as NTCA in 2006, right from the field director to peon, everyone gets 'Project Tiger' allowance.
At present, the allowance ranges from a minimum Rs 200 to maximum Rs 1,000 per month.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Folks shun diwali smoke for tiger's abode
NAGPUR: Diwali used to be about spending quality time at home. That may be changing. This year, thanks to festival coming near weekend and awareness about Diwali pollution, hundreds are opting for forest getaways. Forest officials and tour operators say tiger reserves in Central India are witnessing record bookings. This specially true for Kanha, Tadoba-Andhari, Pench and Bandhavgarh. Pachmarhi is also a hotspot.
This is in addition to traditional winter destinations like Goa and South. With the onset of tiger tourism season from October 16, tiger reserves in the region started picking up traffic. It really picked with Diwali and resorts at most of these places are fully booked till November 15 when the vacation ends.
"For us, it is peak season as many tourists from cities like Mumbai, Kolkata Pune, Gujarat and Hyderabad visit places like Bhedaghat, Mandu, Omkareshwar and Kanha, Bandhavgarh and surrounding places. This time, Pench (MP), Bandhavgarh, Kanha and surprisingly Satpuda Tiger Reserve near Pachmarhi is also being preferred," said VP Singh, a tour operator.
He added many local and other tourists from outside the state are preferring reserves in MP over Tadoba as accommodation at Tadoba is scarce. In MP Pench, over 200 rooms with private resorts, 500 rooms at Kanha and 150 rooms at Bandhavgarh are occupied till November 15. "These are tourists who had made bookings when the park opened on October 16," Singh said. Even regular visitors to forest areas failed to get accommodation. "I just returned from Kanha on November 1, but failed to get a room in Bandhavgarh for November 8, where I planned to go after Diwali," said Adv Kartik Shukul. He added, "there is nothing special about Diwali. We go because there is vacation to the high court."
This is in addition to traditional winter destinations like Goa and South. With the onset of tiger tourism season from October 16, tiger reserves in the region started picking up traffic. It really picked with Diwali and resorts at most of these places are fully booked till November 15 when the vacation ends.
"For us, it is peak season as many tourists from cities like Mumbai, Kolkata Pune, Gujarat and Hyderabad visit places like Bhedaghat, Mandu, Omkareshwar and Kanha, Bandhavgarh and surrounding places. This time, Pench (MP), Bandhavgarh, Kanha and surprisingly Satpuda Tiger Reserve near Pachmarhi is also being preferred," said VP Singh, a tour operator.
He added many local and other tourists from outside the state are preferring reserves in MP over Tadoba as accommodation at Tadoba is scarce. In MP Pench, over 200 rooms with private resorts, 500 rooms at Kanha and 150 rooms at Bandhavgarh are occupied till November 15. "These are tourists who had made bookings when the park opened on October 16," Singh said. Even regular visitors to forest areas failed to get accommodation. "I just returned from Kanha on November 1, but failed to get a room in Bandhavgarh for November 8, where I planned to go after Diwali," said Adv Kartik Shukul. He added, "there is nothing special about Diwali. We go because there is vacation to the high court."
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Jairam asks Gehlot to shut Sariska mines
JAIPUR: A day after Congress chief Sonia Gandhi declared environment as the main national concern, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday received yet another letter from environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh asking Gehlot to immediately close 32 operational mines within one km periphery of the core/critical tiger habitat of Sariska Tiger Reserve.
The letter finishes with a strong hand-written note to the CM: ''This is my third letter to you on this subject.'' It urges immediate action to notify the buffer zone of Sariska Tiger Reserve. According to a 2006 notification, the 881 sq km area clubbing the core and the buffer zone around Sariska was meant for ecologically sustainable land use. It aimed to provide habitat for the tiger population and other wild animals, besides foster co-existence between wildlife and human activity.
''Considering that Sariska has been revived at a great cost with the active collaboration between the state and the Centre, the state government's apathetic approach in checking mining could jeopardise the efforts to rehabilitate tigers,'' said Jairam.
The letter finishes with a strong hand-written note to the CM: ''This is my third letter to you on this subject.'' It urges immediate action to notify the buffer zone of Sariska Tiger Reserve. According to a 2006 notification, the 881 sq km area clubbing the core and the buffer zone around Sariska was meant for ecologically sustainable land use. It aimed to provide habitat for the tiger population and other wild animals, besides foster co-existence between wildlife and human activity.
''Considering that Sariska has been revived at a great cost with the active collaboration between the state and the Centre, the state government's apathetic approach in checking mining could jeopardise the efforts to rehabilitate tigers,'' said Jairam.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
J''khand govt plans strategies to increase tigers in Palamau
Ranchi, Nov 2 (PTI) Alarmed over depletion of tiger population in Palamau Tiger Reserve, the Jharkhand government today said it will chalk out strategies for conservation of the big cats.
"This is an alarm bell for us. The number of tigers in PTR has definitely been reduced...A meeting at my level has been convened to draw up an action plan for the conservation of the endangered species," Jharkhand chief secretary A K Singh told reporters here.
According to official data, the number of tigers in PTR has gone down to six from 17 in 2007.
However, the positive side is that the situation in Palamau is not as worse as in Sariska, Singh said.
"We will not let Palamau become a (second) Sariska. The government will take whatever steps required to increase the number of the big cats," he said.
Set up in 1973, PTR had 44 tigers in 1993, 49 in 1994, 50 in 1995, 41 in 1996 and 44 in 1997.
"This is an alarm bell for us. The number of tigers in PTR has definitely been reduced...A meeting at my level has been convened to draw up an action plan for the conservation of the endangered species," Jharkhand chief secretary A K Singh told reporters here.
According to official data, the number of tigers in PTR has gone down to six from 17 in 2007.
However, the positive side is that the situation in Palamau is not as worse as in Sariska, Singh said.
"We will not let Palamau become a (second) Sariska. The government will take whatever steps required to increase the number of the big cats," he said.
Set up in 1973, PTR had 44 tigers in 1993, 49 in 1994, 50 in 1995, 41 in 1996 and 44 in 1997.
CJM dismisses Ranthambore noise pollution case
JAIPUR: The chief judicial magistrate at Sawai Madhopur on Tuesday dismissed a petition alleging violation of wildlife, environment and civic laws during the wedding of celebrity couple Russell Brand and Katy Perry held recently at Ranthambore.
The petition was filed by Ranthambore Park Bachao Samiti through its president and local lawyer Akshay Sharma. It was alleged that the forest officials and the district administration officials overlooked violations of noise and air pollution and different sections of the Wildlife Protection Act by the star couple and their guests during their stay at the tiger reserve.
The Samiti has now decided to move a revision petition before a higher court in an effort to bring the culprits to justice. "It's unfortunate that before dismissing it, the magistrate didn't even consider it proper to get the complaint investigated first," Sharma told TOI while reacting to the court decision. "I'll take the petition to the district judge tomorrow (Wednesday)," he asserted, adding that the Samiti would never cease fighting for the protection of Ranthambore tigers.
While arguing the petition before the chief judicial magistrate on October 31, Sharma accused the forest officials of causing territorial fights among the tigers just to please high-profile visitors and make illegal money. The Samiti holds the forest officials responsible for the death of a three-year-old male tiger, T-36, killed in a territorial fight with an older tiger, T-42. The fight was linked to the Russell-Katy marriage and the forest officials were accused of driving the big cats from their territories towards the celebrity couple's place of stay at a resort inside the national park.
The Samiti also accused the couple of breaking the rules against loud music after 10 pm, smoking, consuming liquor and carrying firearms in the forest area, disturbing the endangered animals, changing movement routes assigned to them by the forest authorities and getting into a scuffle with the paparazzi inside the park and thereby risking human lives in the tigers reserve.
Read more: CJM dismisses Ranthambore noise pollution case - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/CJM-dismisses-Ranthambore-noise-pollution-case/articleshow/6861564.cms#ixzz14D3olg5s
The petition was filed by Ranthambore Park Bachao Samiti through its president and local lawyer Akshay Sharma. It was alleged that the forest officials and the district administration officials overlooked violations of noise and air pollution and different sections of the Wildlife Protection Act by the star couple and their guests during their stay at the tiger reserve.
The Samiti has now decided to move a revision petition before a higher court in an effort to bring the culprits to justice. "It's unfortunate that before dismissing it, the magistrate didn't even consider it proper to get the complaint investigated first," Sharma told TOI while reacting to the court decision. "I'll take the petition to the district judge tomorrow (Wednesday)," he asserted, adding that the Samiti would never cease fighting for the protection of Ranthambore tigers.
While arguing the petition before the chief judicial magistrate on October 31, Sharma accused the forest officials of causing territorial fights among the tigers just to please high-profile visitors and make illegal money. The Samiti holds the forest officials responsible for the death of a three-year-old male tiger, T-36, killed in a territorial fight with an older tiger, T-42. The fight was linked to the Russell-Katy marriage and the forest officials were accused of driving the big cats from their territories towards the celebrity couple's place of stay at a resort inside the national park.
The Samiti also accused the couple of breaking the rules against loud music after 10 pm, smoking, consuming liquor and carrying firearms in the forest area, disturbing the endangered animals, changing movement routes assigned to them by the forest authorities and getting into a scuffle with the paparazzi inside the park and thereby risking human lives in the tigers reserve.
Read more: CJM dismisses Ranthambore noise pollution case - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/CJM-dismisses-Ranthambore-noise-pollution-case/articleshow/6861564.cms#ixzz14D3olg5s
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Conservation team opposes fencing - Experts feel construction along the border in Dampa will impact wildlife
Guwahati, Nov. 1: An expert team constituted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has opposed the construction of fencing and patrol road along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Dampa tiger reserve as it would have an impact on the movement of wildlife.
Dampa tiger reserve shares international boundary with Bangladesh for around 127km in the southern part of the reserve.
The team was asked by the NTCA to carry out an appraisal of the reserve as it has been categorised as “poor” because of its low tiger numbers.
“The team feels that if the border outpost and concrete road and fence are constructed, the movement of animals across the border to use the suitable forest areas for ecological needs of the species concerned would vastly reduce if not completely stopped. This could hamper conservation of tiger and other key species in Dampa tiger reserve. If migration of species is stopped because of the construction of border outposts and concrete patrolling roads and fences within the reserve, this could attract disrespect for the conservation of migratory species at global level,” the report submitted to the NTCA recently said.
Seven border outposts are planned to set up in the 62km stretch of the core of the reserve.
A senior official of Dampa tiger reserve said the proposal for construction of fencing and patrol road would hamper the movement of wildlife. The Kassalong reserve forest in Bangladesh is located on other side of the border.
“There should be talks between officials of India and Bangladesh on the issue of wildlife movement as has been done in case of India and Nepal,” the official said.
The team opined that any patrolling road and fence within the tiger reserve should not be encouraged and no concrete road and fence should be allowed within the reserve.
“If for security reasons, the establishment of border outpost is essential for the security of the country, a joint and formal patrolling strategy by the BSF and forest staff should be encouraged under the leadership of the field director of Dampa tiger reserve and the deputy inspector-general of the BSF of the region,” the report said.
The Mizoram forest department is also awaiting a team of the NTCA for conducting site inspection and suggest alternatives and precautionary measures.
Dampa tiger reserve has been categorised as poor by the earlier studies carried out by the Wildlife Institute of India and the NTCA.
Camera trapping exercise in the tiger reserve could find other salient cat species like clouded leopard, leopard, leopard cat and others but so far failed to get a tiger trapped in those cameras.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101102/jsp/northeast/story_13128474.jsp
On the tiger trail
| Extending over 642 sq. km, the Nagarahole National Park shares an unfenced common boundary with the Bandipur Tiger Reserve that stretches over 700 sq. km, writes Shalini Satish | |
 “Tiger near boat point,” blared a voice over the walkie-talkie. Wasting no time after the tip-off we set out on a rugged track, soft and slushy due to the heavy overnight downpour. With thumping hearts and crossed fingers we looked around with eyes wide open. As the driver parked the jeep in a clearing near the boat point, another one screeched to a halt on our right. A third jeep pulled up to our left.While shutterbugs aligned their cameras in position, others scoured the surroundings anxiously with eyes and ears on high alert. After a short while, a tiger walked into our line of sight. Being in close proximity to a big cat in the wild had our adrenaline pumping and our hearts thumping. But the joy was short-lived as the tiger disappeared into a thicket and hid from our peering eyes. The glimpse of the tiger filled the atmosphere with an eerie calm as we waited with bated breath for the tiger to reappear. Five tense and intense minutes passed, then ten. The wait in stillness and silence made it seem much longer. The tiger probably sensed our intrusion into its space and stayed away from the glare of our eyes and lenses. Photographs later revealed that the tiger was watching and waiting for a suitable moment to set its foot forward. It emerged from the bushes and darted across the road oblivious to the fact that cameras captured its every move. Once the tiger crossed the road, it looked back to assess the situation and then disappeared without a trace. The tiger we spotted was in the Rajiv Gandhi National Park (formerly and popularly known as the Nagarahole National Park). “This is a big tiger,” remarked Prem, our driver and naturalist who has been driving into the forest twice a day for the past 22 years. In this time and age when survival of tigers in the wild is under threat, Prem’s remark was reassuring. Dance of the peacock Before the tiger trail we were entertained to a private dance performance by a peacock. Photographs do no justice to the spectacle that unfolds when a peacock decides to wear its dancing shoes. The peacock turned a full circle flaunting every angle of its feathery outfit, seldom brought to public view. The well-scripted tale of our journey in the jungle had an exciting twist prior to the peacock dance. A lone tusker mock charged our jeep. A herd of elephants led by a matriarch, playful and cherubic little ones snuggling between the senior members of the family and solitary tuskers displaying their might were a few memorable elephantine encounters during our safari. With swings, jumps, twists and turns, langurs, the ace trapeze artists of this forest entertained the onlookers with their stunts. Choreographed to perfection, the performance was flawless. While one hung from its tail, the other jumped from dizzying heights, the third leapt from one tree to another as we watched amazed and amused. Gaurs are perceived as being shy creatures and we were lucky to see them quenching their thirst at a water hole. While one member stayed on a higher ground to guard the herd from predators, the others enjoyed a dip in the water on a warm summer afternoon. Blue jays, woodpeckers, peacocks, peahens, elephants, wild boars, giant squirrels, stripe-necked mongoose, langurs and bonnet macaques are regular sightings on safaris in the Nagarahole National Park. Gaurs, tigers, leopards and wild dogs are also fairly well sighted. Malabar trogons, ospreys, white-bellied fishing eagles and black bazas are some rare birds seen in the forest. Crocodiles, cormorants, painted storks, grey-headed fishing eagles, egrets and spoonbills are regular sightings on boat safaris. The Nagarahole National Park gets its name from a meandering stream called Nagarahole (translates to “snake river”) that snakes its way through the forest and joins the river Kabini, a tributary of River Cauvery. River Vishanashini originates in Waynad and is called Kapila or Kabini as it flows through Karnataka. This moist deciduous forest has the rare distinction of being one of the few habitats where tigers, leopards and dholes (Indian wild dogs) - three aggressive predators co-exist. The tiger density is one of the highest in the country. Being at the apex of the food chain, a healthy tiger population is a fair indicator of the health of the forest. Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve  Extending over 642 sq. km, the Nagarahole National Park shares an unfenced common boundary with the Bandipur Tiger Reserve that stretches over 700 sq. km. The Nagarahole National Park and Bandipur National Park in Karnataka together with the Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu and Waynad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala are part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, home to several rare species of flora and fauna many of which are endemic to the region.Six miles to the edge of the Nagarahole National Park is a century-old property that once served as the hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore. Colonial bungalows beside the quietly flowing Kabini, antiques and black and white photographs that are reminiscent of an era bygone add to the rustic charm of the lodge. The renovated bungalows are a part of the Kabini River Lodge, the flagship property of Jungle Lodges and Resorts, a government of Karnataka undertaking. For over a century, this lodge located in Kharapur has been playing host to the high and mighty. Kharapur and the neighbouring Kakanakote forests were sites for elephant trapping operations called kheddas. In old photographs that show their age, Maharajas, dukes and viceroys are seen posing with their spoils after hunting expeditions and kheddas. Papa John’s legacy Colonel John Wakefield was the master of the Kabini River Lodge for three decades since its inception in 1980. ‘Papa’ as he was affectionately called was instrumental in the inception of Jungle Lodges and Resorts, an endeavour in the government’s efforts to promote tourism. Papa’s jungle tales date back to days when he shot a tiger at the age of nine and a leopard at ten. His rendezvous with the jungle continued for the rest of his life, 94 years in all, before he died in the summer of this year. An entry in the guest book by Oscar winning Hollywood actress Goldie Hawn reads, “I have fallen unexpectedly in love, with Papa! Of course, the wildlife too”. The area under forest cover is shrinking by the day. At present only three per cent of the total land mass of India is designated as protected forests. Despite the heavy inflow of tourists and hazards like forest fires, the forest officials have done well to maintain the sanctity of the Nagarahole National Park. The locals and naturalists laud the forest officials for the good maintenance of the park. During the hot summer months, one is spoilt for choice when it comes to wildlife sighting by the River Kabini. Birds add colour to the crystal clear waters. Herbivores are abundant. Carnivores are sighted often enough to lure the visitors to come back for another visit. The Kabini River Lodge is situated off the Mysore-Mananthavadi Road. It is located in the Kharapur village of the Heggadadevana Kote (HD Kote) taluk of the Mysore district of Karnataka. Getting there By road: It is a pleasurable drive from Bangalore and Mysore. Kabini River Lodge is at a distance of about 210 kms from Bangalore and 80 kms from Mysore. The roads are in good condition. By train: Mysore is the nearest railhead. You can hire a taxi for a one-way drop from Mysore. Season Kabini River Lodge is an all-year tourist destination. March through May is the best season for wildlife sighting. July though September is the rainy season when the forest is lush and the river is exuberant. The weather is at its best in the months of December and January. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/109514/on-tiger-trail.html | |
Monday, November 1, 2010
'Only six tigers in Palamau Reserve'
Much to the disappointment of conservationists, the number of big cats in the Maoist-infested Palamau Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand has declined from 17 to six, as confirmed by research carried out through scat analysis."The scat analysis by the Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology has confirmed the presence of six tigers only in the tiger reserve," Field Director of Palamau Tiger Reserve P Upadhaya said.
Scat analysis is an examination of the faeces of animals done in order to determine their biological and genetic details.
The census in 2007 had confirmed the presence of 17 tigers in the reserve, spread over an area of 1,026 square kilometres in Jharkhand's Palamau district, which was described by the National Tiger Conservation Authority as a low-density tiger reserve.
Upadhaya, however, admitted that the actual number of the big cats might be more since the analysis had not been done on the basis of exhaustive samples.
He said that they had sent about 15 to 20 scat samples apart from general observation data from areas in different ranges in the reserve to the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India.
The Field Director said that the presence of Maoists in the area posed problems for free movement of forest personnel due to which proper monitoring could not be carried out in the interiors of the reserve.
"90 per cent of our field staff consists of local people who somehow manage to visit the interior ranges. However, our field staff is scared to visit the areas where there are maximum concentrations of the extremists," Upadhaya said.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Only-six-tigers-in-Palamau-Reserve/Article1-620254.aspx
Tigers may get right of passage in Vidarbha habitat corridors Read more: Tigers may get right of passage in Vidarbha habitat corridors
PUNE: The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Maharashtra government will draw up a feasibility plan to secure a tiger habitat corridor between Nagzira wildlife sanctuary and Navegaon national park which is 50 km away in Vidarbha.
"National highway 6 passes through this corridor and the plan will look at how to protect it,'' said Sandeep Kumar Tiwari, head of WTI's Wildlands division. WTI is a non-profit conservation organisation.
Wildlife experts want such corridors to be declared eco-fragile areas or included in the buffer zone if they are along tiger reserves to strengthen the forest habitat link.
A habitat corridor is a strip of land that helps the movement of species between disconnected areas. An animal's habitat includes wetlands, burrowing sites, food, and breeding grounds. Urbanisation can split up such areas, causing animals to lose both their natural habitat and the ability to move between regions to use the resources for survival.
Corridors help animals to move and occupy new areas when food sources go scarce in their core habitat. Species can relocate safely when there is no human interference and animals can find new mates in neighbouring regions so that genetic diversity can increase and impact the population.
At present, there are no funds or legal means to protect the tiger corridor and it has put the wildlife population at risk, ensured almost no exchange of genetic material and increased human-animal conflict.
Since a majority of the wildlife corridors fall in private land areas and are also used by humans, the trust has sought legal protection from the Centre.
Minister of environment and forests Jairam Ramesh wrote to chief minister Ashok Chavan recently about the importance of Nagzira and Navegaon.
The letter spoke about their proximity and source population of the tigers. They are linked with another tiger reserve in Pench-Tadoba and are significant for ensuring the gene flow.
According to Tiwari, wildlife corridors have no legal protection. "We have requested the Centre and state governments to provide corridor protection by either extending the protected areas or declaring them eco-fragile. Educating the locals and placing signages near the state and national highways and reduction of dependence on corridors by acquiring land for highways can secure the corridors,'' he said.
At present, the corridor is cut off from all sides for the tigers in Bor wildlife sanctuary located between Tadoba-Andhari and Pench tiger reserves. Chidanand Reddy, range forest officer of Bor wildlife sanctuary, said corridor management should be made intensive.
"The industrial area in Butigori has cut off the corridor between Tadoba and Bor. Similarly, the upper Wardha dam has cut off the corridor between Melghat and Bor. The four-lane under-construction highway 7 between Bor and Pench will cut off another part. Underpasses would have left animal movement undisturbed,'' he said.
"Urban developments will worsen the situation. Tigers and other species will stop dispersing and will get stranded. Their connectivity ensures gene flow and no exchange of genetic material will make them vulnerable to diseases,'' said Reddy.
Vinay Kumar Sinha, conservator of forest, Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserve said that wildlife corridors are under threat. The last census shows that there are around 42 tigers in the reserve and an sizeable number outside the reserve too. Hence, the corridor needs protection.
There is large-scale mining in Chandrapur district and other industries are coming up. The Human dam project across Andhari river in the northeast of Tadoba will affect the corridor, said Sinha.
Some step are being taken by the National Tiger Conservation Authority. It has started a programme for corridor conservation programme in Tadoba which includes documentation of wildlife movement in adjoining areas, research on the corridor's use, man-animal conflict and educating the locals about the importance of the species and how to react during conflicts.
Read more: Tigers may get right of passage in Vidarbha habitat corridors - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/-Tigers-may-get-right-of-passage-in-Vidarbha-habitat-corridors/articleshow/6849144.cms#ixzz140WU2EPi
"National highway 6 passes through this corridor and the plan will look at how to protect it,'' said Sandeep Kumar Tiwari, head of WTI's Wildlands division. WTI is a non-profit conservation organisation.
Wildlife experts want such corridors to be declared eco-fragile areas or included in the buffer zone if they are along tiger reserves to strengthen the forest habitat link.
A habitat corridor is a strip of land that helps the movement of species between disconnected areas. An animal's habitat includes wetlands, burrowing sites, food, and breeding grounds. Urbanisation can split up such areas, causing animals to lose both their natural habitat and the ability to move between regions to use the resources for survival.
Corridors help animals to move and occupy new areas when food sources go scarce in their core habitat. Species can relocate safely when there is no human interference and animals can find new mates in neighbouring regions so that genetic diversity can increase and impact the population.
At present, there are no funds or legal means to protect the tiger corridor and it has put the wildlife population at risk, ensured almost no exchange of genetic material and increased human-animal conflict.
Since a majority of the wildlife corridors fall in private land areas and are also used by humans, the trust has sought legal protection from the Centre.
Minister of environment and forests Jairam Ramesh wrote to chief minister Ashok Chavan recently about the importance of Nagzira and Navegaon.
The letter spoke about their proximity and source population of the tigers. They are linked with another tiger reserve in Pench-Tadoba and are significant for ensuring the gene flow.
According to Tiwari, wildlife corridors have no legal protection. "We have requested the Centre and state governments to provide corridor protection by either extending the protected areas or declaring them eco-fragile. Educating the locals and placing signages near the state and national highways and reduction of dependence on corridors by acquiring land for highways can secure the corridors,'' he said.
At present, the corridor is cut off from all sides for the tigers in Bor wildlife sanctuary located between Tadoba-Andhari and Pench tiger reserves. Chidanand Reddy, range forest officer of Bor wildlife sanctuary, said corridor management should be made intensive.
"The industrial area in Butigori has cut off the corridor between Tadoba and Bor. Similarly, the upper Wardha dam has cut off the corridor between Melghat and Bor. The four-lane under-construction highway 7 between Bor and Pench will cut off another part. Underpasses would have left animal movement undisturbed,'' he said.
"Urban developments will worsen the situation. Tigers and other species will stop dispersing and will get stranded. Their connectivity ensures gene flow and no exchange of genetic material will make them vulnerable to diseases,'' said Reddy.
Vinay Kumar Sinha, conservator of forest, Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserve said that wildlife corridors are under threat. The last census shows that there are around 42 tigers in the reserve and an sizeable number outside the reserve too. Hence, the corridor needs protection.
There is large-scale mining in Chandrapur district and other industries are coming up. The Human dam project across Andhari river in the northeast of Tadoba will affect the corridor, said Sinha.
Some step are being taken by the National Tiger Conservation Authority. It has started a programme for corridor conservation programme in Tadoba which includes documentation of wildlife movement in adjoining areas, research on the corridor's use, man-animal conflict and educating the locals about the importance of the species and how to react during conflicts.
Read more: Tigers may get right of passage in Vidarbha habitat corridors - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/-Tigers-may-get-right-of-passage-in-Vidarbha-habitat-corridors/articleshow/6849144.cms#ixzz140WU2EPi
Tiger losing way in jungle of dubious economic development
Sometime this November, the Government is expected to release the new tiger population figure. With the apprehension that it could be lower than the currently adopted official number of 1,411 tigers — in itself arrived at following an estimation way back in 2006-07 by the Wildlife Institute of India — experts believe the official campaign to save the striped cats has been hit in recent years.
This is primarily due to a shift in focus from habitat recovery and strengthening ground protection forces to questionable eco-development activities within the forest areas.
Except in the first few years after the Central Government launched Project Tiger in the early 70s, when the tiger number went up to more than 3,000 from a low of 1,200 or so, the tiger population has consistently plunged despite various efforts taken to address the issue. Either these measures proved inadequate, failed to sustain or were misdirected.
K Ullas Karanth, one of the country’s most respected wildlife conservationists and director of the Bangalore-based Centre for Wildlife Studies, is concerned by the enormous “expenditure-oriented activities within the Forest Department” that has been harming tiger conservation.
He told The Pioneer, “Tiger conservation has floundered because of a mission-drift away from focus on ground protection and habitat recovery, towards eco-development and other expenditure-oriented activities within the Forest Department.”
Also a senior conservation scientist with the Wildlife Conversation Society, New York and pioneer of the camera trap method that more accurately counts tigers, Karanth strongly advocated the need to re-fix priorities. “Abandon expenditure-oriented activities such as eco-development and bring back focused protection,” he said.
One of the biggest hurdles in creating safe havens for these big cats to flourish has been the slow relocation of human settlements away from tiger habitats, a process that has been mired in controversy over allegations of favouritism and low compensations. “In my opinion, the Governments (Central and State) should promote fair and generous voluntary relocation of human settlements away from tiger habitats,” he said.
The role of State Governments was paramount in saving tigers, he pointed out and added that non-compliance with Central directives had been among the causes for a less-than-satisfactory tiger conservation record.
In that context, he said a recent suggestion to bifurcate Forests & Wildlife Department from the Environment Department, while welcome, would not directly address the issue. Karanth said, “I agree it would be helpful to have this but primarily conservation actions are implemented by State Governments. This separation does not address their lack of interest or non-compliance with Central directives.”
Wildlife filmmaker and conservationist Shekar Dattatri too believes the delay in the proposed bifurcation is not the problem since it has nothing to do directly with tiger conservation. He said, “The decision to create two departments within the Ministry of Environment & Forests came about thanks to a plea made to the Prime Minister by conservationist Valmik Thapar during a meeting of the National Board for Wildlife in mid-2010. The delay in implementing it is not the cause for the problems in tiger reserves.”
The real problems lay elsewhere, he stated, pointing to the unchecked ‘developmental’ activities within forest areas, including tiger habitats. Also a former member of the National Board for Wildlife, Dattatri told The Pioneer that national park managers had turned into some sort of civil contractors.
“The main priority and preoccupation of most park managers today is not protection but lucrative civil works, such as making more forest roads, building culverts, watchtowers, renovating resthouses, digging rainwater harvesting ditches, weed eradication and creating more waterholes. Despite all the hype surrounding tigers, it is business as usual on ground, with little being done to benefit tiger conservation,” he noted.
Much of these occupations, he added, were entirely unnecessary and drained public funds. Most importantly, as he pointed out in a short film ‘Truth about Tigers’ — which he made and distributed on a CD — these works disturbed tigers and affected their conservation.
Dattatri was emphatic that “no money should be released for frivolous construction or unscientific habitat manipulation activities. All resources should be focused on strengthening the protection mechanism and relocation of villages where necessary”.
Ruing that relocation of villages from tiger reserves was moving at a glacial pace, “even in instances where villagers themselves are vigorously demanding to be resettled”, he said the stakeholders, including State Governments, should move swiftly to promote relocation of human settlements away from tiger habitats.
The involvement of State Governments is crucial, for instance, in creating buffer zones to protect wildlife from human conflicts and activities that endanger the reserves. According to a report, more than 25 of the 39 reserves do not have the buffer areas, simply because State Governments have not notified them for fear of losing out on various dubious ‘developmental’ activities that could fetch them revenue from those regions.
Upset that “plenty has gone wrong” in tiger conservation over recent years, Dattatri said several of the big cat reserves suffered from poor leadership and shortage of frontline field staff.
“Anti-poaching watchers are usually employed as daily wagers but their wages are often not paid for months. Field staff lack even basic training and equipment. Senior officers in many parks do not go to the field regularly and are out of touch with ground realities,” he added.
Dattatri said protection-oriented officials should be posted at reserves with freedom to perform “without fear or favour” and people from local tribal communities should be appointed for anti-poaching work and compensated adequately and promptly.
This is primarily due to a shift in focus from habitat recovery and strengthening ground protection forces to questionable eco-development activities within the forest areas.
Except in the first few years after the Central Government launched Project Tiger in the early 70s, when the tiger number went up to more than 3,000 from a low of 1,200 or so, the tiger population has consistently plunged despite various efforts taken to address the issue. Either these measures proved inadequate, failed to sustain or were misdirected.
K Ullas Karanth, one of the country’s most respected wildlife conservationists and director of the Bangalore-based Centre for Wildlife Studies, is concerned by the enormous “expenditure-oriented activities within the Forest Department” that has been harming tiger conservation.
He told The Pioneer, “Tiger conservation has floundered because of a mission-drift away from focus on ground protection and habitat recovery, towards eco-development and other expenditure-oriented activities within the Forest Department.”
Also a senior conservation scientist with the Wildlife Conversation Society, New York and pioneer of the camera trap method that more accurately counts tigers, Karanth strongly advocated the need to re-fix priorities. “Abandon expenditure-oriented activities such as eco-development and bring back focused protection,” he said.
One of the biggest hurdles in creating safe havens for these big cats to flourish has been the slow relocation of human settlements away from tiger habitats, a process that has been mired in controversy over allegations of favouritism and low compensations. “In my opinion, the Governments (Central and State) should promote fair and generous voluntary relocation of human settlements away from tiger habitats,” he said.
The role of State Governments was paramount in saving tigers, he pointed out and added that non-compliance with Central directives had been among the causes for a less-than-satisfactory tiger conservation record.
In that context, he said a recent suggestion to bifurcate Forests & Wildlife Department from the Environment Department, while welcome, would not directly address the issue. Karanth said, “I agree it would be helpful to have this but primarily conservation actions are implemented by State Governments. This separation does not address their lack of interest or non-compliance with Central directives.”
Wildlife filmmaker and conservationist Shekar Dattatri too believes the delay in the proposed bifurcation is not the problem since it has nothing to do directly with tiger conservation. He said, “The decision to create two departments within the Ministry of Environment & Forests came about thanks to a plea made to the Prime Minister by conservationist Valmik Thapar during a meeting of the National Board for Wildlife in mid-2010. The delay in implementing it is not the cause for the problems in tiger reserves.”
The real problems lay elsewhere, he stated, pointing to the unchecked ‘developmental’ activities within forest areas, including tiger habitats. Also a former member of the National Board for Wildlife, Dattatri told The Pioneer that national park managers had turned into some sort of civil contractors.
“The main priority and preoccupation of most park managers today is not protection but lucrative civil works, such as making more forest roads, building culverts, watchtowers, renovating resthouses, digging rainwater harvesting ditches, weed eradication and creating more waterholes. Despite all the hype surrounding tigers, it is business as usual on ground, with little being done to benefit tiger conservation,” he noted.
Much of these occupations, he added, were entirely unnecessary and drained public funds. Most importantly, as he pointed out in a short film ‘Truth about Tigers’ — which he made and distributed on a CD — these works disturbed tigers and affected their conservation.
Dattatri was emphatic that “no money should be released for frivolous construction or unscientific habitat manipulation activities. All resources should be focused on strengthening the protection mechanism and relocation of villages where necessary”.
Ruing that relocation of villages from tiger reserves was moving at a glacial pace, “even in instances where villagers themselves are vigorously demanding to be resettled”, he said the stakeholders, including State Governments, should move swiftly to promote relocation of human settlements away from tiger habitats.
The involvement of State Governments is crucial, for instance, in creating buffer zones to protect wildlife from human conflicts and activities that endanger the reserves. According to a report, more than 25 of the 39 reserves do not have the buffer areas, simply because State Governments have not notified them for fear of losing out on various dubious ‘developmental’ activities that could fetch them revenue from those regions.
Upset that “plenty has gone wrong” in tiger conservation over recent years, Dattatri said several of the big cat reserves suffered from poor leadership and shortage of frontline field staff.
“Anti-poaching watchers are usually employed as daily wagers but their wages are often not paid for months. Field staff lack even basic training and equipment. Senior officers in many parks do not go to the field regularly and are out of touch with ground realities,” he added.
Dattatri said protection-oriented officials should be posted at reserves with freedom to perform “without fear or favour” and people from local tribal communities should be appointed for anti-poaching work and compensated adequately and promptly.
Jharkhand tribals protest against relocation away from tiger reserve area
Villagers in Jharkhand Palamu district protested on Friday against the government's proposal to resettle them away from the core area of tiger reserve.
Paritosh Upadhyay, Vice-President, Tiger Project, Palamu said that the forest department has already started the talks with eight villages in the area to relocate them at other places.
"There should be no human population in the core area, so that the wild animals get an interference-free area. Therefore, there should be minimum human interference; for this the small human habitation, which is present in the core area, is being relocated. There are provisions and orders to relocate them. There is also a provision of a package for relocation," said Upadhyay.
According to the officials of National Tiger Conservation Authority provisions, the resettlement package will include an amount of one million rupees for every household in village.
The reserve was entirely dedicated to the tigers but gradually it has now been reduced to a cluster of villagers, a hideout for Maoists and grazing grounds for cattle.
However, the proposal of relocation has provoked the villagers against Reserve authorities.
According media reports out of the human population has grown manifold with around 94 households including 700 people in the core region. (ANI)
NTCA calls for four new tiger reserves
SARISKA: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has advised three states to create four new tiger reserves. With this the number of reserves in the country will go up to 47.
According to SP Yadav, DIG, NTCA, "We have recently advised three states to create four new tiger reserves. These are Suhelva in Uttar Pradesh, Satyamangalam in Tamil Nadu, Navegaon and Bor in Maharashtra."
Yadav's disclosure came during the presentation of the revised national tiger conservation plan of the country during the Global Tiger Forum meet in Sariska on Tuesday.
"Already we have given an in-principal nod on the creation of four other tiger ranges. They are Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, Sunabeda in Orissa, Ratapani in Madhya Pradesh and Biligiri Ranganatha temple sanctuary in Karnataka," he added. Yadav accepted that tiger is one of the most endangered species in the country. "There is as lot of habitat destruction, poaching, man-animal conflict and revenge killing in the country," he said.
The action plan stressed there is a need for a more focussed approach in tiger conservation. "There is a need for better infrastructural facilities and better ways of involving local communities," he said and stressed on the deployment of anti-poaching squads and the setting up of patrolling parties and chowkis in various reserves.
The plan also highlighted the increase in allowance for Project Tiger officers that the ministry has cleared but also pointed out the need felt by officers to further increase it.
The national conservation plan of Thailand was much appreciated by the gathering.The plan, instead of talking on a long term development, chalks out short-term targets. The plan marks two-year and five-year targets set up by the country instead of very long period like 10 or more years as planned by others.
Read more: NTCA calls for four new tiger reserves - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6832527.cms#ixzz140VwROj9
According to SP Yadav, DIG, NTCA, "We have recently advised three states to create four new tiger reserves. These are Suhelva in Uttar Pradesh, Satyamangalam in Tamil Nadu, Navegaon and Bor in Maharashtra."
Yadav's disclosure came during the presentation of the revised national tiger conservation plan of the country during the Global Tiger Forum meet in Sariska on Tuesday.
"Already we have given an in-principal nod on the creation of four other tiger ranges. They are Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, Sunabeda in Orissa, Ratapani in Madhya Pradesh and Biligiri Ranganatha temple sanctuary in Karnataka," he added. Yadav accepted that tiger is one of the most endangered species in the country. "There is as lot of habitat destruction, poaching, man-animal conflict and revenge killing in the country," he said.
The action plan stressed there is a need for a more focussed approach in tiger conservation. "There is a need for better infrastructural facilities and better ways of involving local communities," he said and stressed on the deployment of anti-poaching squads and the setting up of patrolling parties and chowkis in various reserves.
The plan also highlighted the increase in allowance for Project Tiger officers that the ministry has cleared but also pointed out the need felt by officers to further increase it.
The national conservation plan of Thailand was much appreciated by the gathering.The plan, instead of talking on a long term development, chalks out short-term targets. The plan marks two-year and five-year targets set up by the country instead of very long period like 10 or more years as planned by others.
Read more: NTCA calls for four new tiger reserves - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6832527.cms#ixzz140VwROj9
Tiger lover sues Katy for wedding roar
A Green activist and founder of an organisation to protect tigers has filed a case against celebrity couple Katy Perry and Russell Brand for flouting wildlife rules during their stay in a luxury resort near Rajasthan’s Ranthambhore National Park, famous for its big cats.
The American singer and the British comedian got married at the resort on Saturday in a traditional Hindu ceremony that included walking around the fire before leaving in a helicopter yesterday.
Ranthambhore Bagh Bachao Andolan founder Akshay Sharma today told The Telegraph he had complained to the chief judicial magistrate’s court in Sawai Madhopur that Perry, Brand and their guests violated Green laws, the Wildlife Protection Act and rules laid down by the Supreme Court. But nobody from the Rajasthan government or the forest department tried to stop them. So he had no option but to move court.
The court will hear the complaint on October 30.
Sharma said Brand and four of his friends went on a tiger safari a day after the wedding and smoked, drank and even carried arms.
They also changed their allotted route and visited areas frequented by tigers but where tourists are not allowed. The human presence, he said, scared the tigers and other animals.
The guests, Sharma alleged, also played loud music.
Earlier, journalists, too, had drawn attention to the noisy wedding celebrations just outside the tiger sanctuary that went past midnight.
Sharma said he had filed complaints against the celebrity visitors and forest and state officials as well for not taking any action.
The complaint came a day after Perry and Brand, intoxicated with everything Indian, got a taste of Indian mismanagement too.
Their helicopter was recalled mid-flight because the star couple’s Indian tour operators had not taken permission from authorities to fly.
They had to sit in the chopper for over half an hour before finally getting clearance for take-off.
Now the court complaint has taken a bit more sheen off their Indian tryst. Seems the tigers are having the last laugh — er, growl.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101027/jsp/nation/story_13105951.jsp
'Holy' man, son held for selling ivory and tiger skin Read more: 'Holy' man, son held for selling ivory and tiger skin
NEW DELHI: A self-proclaimed religious guru and his son were arrested by Sahibabad police on Wednesday night after People for Animals (PFA) alleged that the accused were in possession of a tiger skin, five tiger teeth, two tiger claws and one elephant tusk.
PFA sources said the guru, known as Acharya Rajendra Shukla, was identified by one Harminder Singh who was also arrested in a PFA undercover operation on Tuesday for trying to sell an ivory necklace to Maneka Gandhi. "We had been on his trail for a while and had identified ourselves as commission agents operating out of Chandni Chowk. He initially said that he was a holy man and had nothing to do with ivory trade, but when he grew to trust us he not only offered us tiger skins and ivory but also promised to supply us with Russian call girls. We settled our deal on a 5% commission,'' said a PFA official.
PFA reportedly recorded all their conversations which they have submitted to police as proof. Meanwhile, they called Shukla and his son, Kunal, to a mall in Sahibabad, SM World, for sealing the deal. There, police arrested the father-son duo and compounded their Scorpio car that contained the confiscated items. Cases were registered against the two under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Rashid Ali, station officer of Sahibabad police station said: "Shukla is claiming that he was framed and since the confiscated items were handed over to us by PFA members, we are trying to establish that Shukla was indeed dealing in the prohibited items. He was operating in western UP and selling illegal goods. His modus operandi was to claim that he was very close to Sonia Gandhi and Sheila Dikshit and then convince people to buy off him.''
Read more: 'Holy' man, son held for selling ivory and tiger skin - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Holy-man-son-held-for-selling-ivory-and-tiger-skin/articleshow/6831660.cms#ixzz140VNpKNN
PFA sources said the guru, known as Acharya Rajendra Shukla, was identified by one Harminder Singh who was also arrested in a PFA undercover operation on Tuesday for trying to sell an ivory necklace to Maneka Gandhi. "We had been on his trail for a while and had identified ourselves as commission agents operating out of Chandni Chowk. He initially said that he was a holy man and had nothing to do with ivory trade, but when he grew to trust us he not only offered us tiger skins and ivory but also promised to supply us with Russian call girls. We settled our deal on a 5% commission,'' said a PFA official.
PFA reportedly recorded all their conversations which they have submitted to police as proof. Meanwhile, they called Shukla and his son, Kunal, to a mall in Sahibabad, SM World, for sealing the deal. There, police arrested the father-son duo and compounded their Scorpio car that contained the confiscated items. Cases were registered against the two under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Rashid Ali, station officer of Sahibabad police station said: "Shukla is claiming that he was framed and since the confiscated items were handed over to us by PFA members, we are trying to establish that Shukla was indeed dealing in the prohibited items. He was operating in western UP and selling illegal goods. His modus operandi was to claim that he was very close to Sonia Gandhi and Sheila Dikshit and then convince people to buy off him.''
Read more: 'Holy' man, son held for selling ivory and tiger skin - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Holy-man-son-held-for-selling-ivory-and-tiger-skin/articleshow/6831660.cms#ixzz140VNpKNN
Allowance doubled for staff of tiger reserves
NEW DELHI: In what will be a major morale booster to thousands of staff deployed in the country's tiger reserves, government has approved their long-pending demand to double their existing monetary allowance.
According to a senior official of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the revised rates of project allowance would be applicable from September 2008.
The allowance is an incentive for officials who work in very harsh and deficient conditions and the recent move to double it is in keeping with Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's promise made last year in this regard.
With the new order, the increase in the allowances will be in the range of Rs 2000 to Rs 700 for field directors, assistant directors, research officers/ veterinary officers, forest rangers, foresters and forest guards posted in remote areas.
There are around 39 tiger reserves in 17 states across the country providing home to around 1,411 big cats.
The move is also expected to attract the best talent and dedicated staff to work in the remote and rough terrain in the tiger reserves, the NTCA official said.
The government has also been taking steps to ensure staff welfare inputs like residential accommodation for the children of frontline staff in nearby towns and villages and other basic needs.
Read more: Allowance doubled for staff of tiger reserves - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Allowance-doubled-for-staff-of-tiger-reserves/articleshow/6836132.cms#ixzz140V9ChCV
According to a senior official of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the revised rates of project allowance would be applicable from September 2008.
The allowance is an incentive for officials who work in very harsh and deficient conditions and the recent move to double it is in keeping with Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's promise made last year in this regard.
With the new order, the increase in the allowances will be in the range of Rs 2000 to Rs 700 for field directors, assistant directors, research officers/ veterinary officers, forest rangers, foresters and forest guards posted in remote areas.
There are around 39 tiger reserves in 17 states across the country providing home to around 1,411 big cats.
The move is also expected to attract the best talent and dedicated staff to work in the remote and rough terrain in the tiger reserves, the NTCA official said.
The government has also been taking steps to ensure staff welfare inputs like residential accommodation for the children of frontline staff in nearby towns and villages and other basic needs.
Read more: Allowance doubled for staff of tiger reserves - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Allowance-doubled-for-staff-of-tiger-reserves/articleshow/6836132.cms#ixzz140V9ChCV
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tigress poisoned in Bandhavgarh reserve, rescued
Bhopal, Oct 27 (PTI) A tigress in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was rescued after it was poisoned allegedly by some villagers, officials said. "The tigress is now fine and we are in the process of sending the samples of her vomiting for test," the Reserve Deputy Field Director Mridul Pathak told PTI today. The tigress was found unwell near Mala-Kathali villages close to park fencing yesterday morning, after it ate the remains of a prey it hunted down a day ago, Pathak said. The tigress had hunted a goat on October 25 in Mala village and devoured half of it, officials said. By the time it reached to eat its kill again, somebody had laced the prey with poison, a practise often used by the villagers to eliminate carnivores out of fear or by poachers, officials said. "Now the tigress is fine and at Chakradhara area," Pathak said. "We have collected the samples of the tigress vomiting from the spot where it killed the goat. Besides, we have collected the sample of what the tigress vomited after she was found in the park," the reserve deputy director, said. Forest officials have detained some villagers, including the owner of the goat for interrogation, sources said.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Is Sunderban tiger a different sub-species?
Sunderban tiger was perhaps separated about 500 to 1,000 years ago: Dr. Jhalla
‘The leaner frame and lesser body-mass is an advantage for the Sunderban tiger in its habitat'
KOLKATA: Scientists and officials of the Sunderban Tiger Reserve are investigating whether the Sunderban tiger is a different sub-species compared to those found in the sub-continent, officials told The Hindu on Sunday.
The Sunderban tiger exhibits certain distinctive morphological adaptations that make it particularly suited to the mangrove habitat of the Sunderban islands.
The average size of the adult tigers there is much smaller and it weighs about only 100 kilograms, compared to the heavier tigers elsewhere.
A six-year-old male tiger that strayed into the inhabited areas and captured by reserve officials over the weekend weighed only 98 kilograms.
Measurements of its body parts confirmed that the animal has a smaller frame than the tigers on the mainland, said Subrat Mukherjee, Sunderban Tiger Reserve Field Director.
Besides DNA analysis of the cat, Mr. Mukherjee will also study the skeletons of tigers as part of the research.
DNA analysis
“We will have to see whether these adaptations are only morphological or whether they are genetic adaptations that will qualify them to be listed as a separate sub-species. For this purpose, the mitochondrial and nuclear DNA of the tigers will have to be studied,” said Y. Jhalla, an expert at the Wildlife Institute of India.
Dr. Jhalla explained that considering the mutation rates that led to a genetic change, usually an animal that was isolated for a period of one million years was classified as a different species and one that was genetically isolated for between 20,000 and 50,000 years was a different sub-species.
“In the case of the Sunderban tiger, it was part of a contiguous region with others and was perhaps separated about 500 to 1,000 years ago,” he said.
Advantage
The leaner frame and lesser body-mass was an advantage for the Sunderban tiger in its habitat, he added.
A smaller animal needed lesser food.
Since the main prey of the Sunderban tiger (spotted deer) was a lean animal that weighed only about 50 kg, compared to much heavier sambar or gaur that were eaten by other tigers, the animal could make do with lesser food, he said.
Muddy terrain
“Secondly, less body weight makes it easier for the animal to move around in the muddy terrain of the Sunderbans. If the tiger is heavier, its feet will sink further into the soil as it walks and it will have to expend more energy,” Dr. Jhalla said.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/25/stories/2010102558242000.htm
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