December 26, 2010 10:50:05 AM
Moushumi Basu | New Delhi
Close on the heels of a controversy over relocation of villages from Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan and the death of a translocated tiger there recently, the Centre has allotted Rs 18.60 crore to the tiger reserve.
Against a demand of Rs 38.13 crore from the State Government, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has approved Rs 37.20 crore to the reserve for shifting of villages. According to figures obtained from MoEF sources, no fund allocation was made in 2009-10 and till the end of the current fiscal for the relocation of villages in Sariska.
Former chief conservator of forests (Sariska) KK Garg, who was transferred out during the last week of November after the tiger’s death, said, “Nearly Rs 8 crore were left unspent from the earlier funds, and the amount was fully spent by June-July 2010.” After that, the relocation process was affected due to paucity of funds, he pointed out. The next lot of funds arrived after Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh visited the reserve following the death of the tiger.
Following the complete extinction of tigers in Sariska, a major recommendation of Tiger Task Force in 2005 was the relocation of villages from within the reserve. There are 28 villages within the tiger reserve and the task force had listed certain villages that were to be relocated on priority.
The MoEF sources pointed out that the State had not been successful in following the task force’s recommendations, particularly the one about making the core/critical areas of the tiger habitat inviolate by expediting village relocation.
There has been only token relocation in Sariska. “Only one village, Badhani, the smallest of them all, has been relocated completely since the process began in the 1980s,” the sources said. The remaining six-seven villages, though claimed by the State forest department as partial, are actually only nominal and are inhabited by only a handful of families.
Former field director of Ranthambhore and tiger expert Fateh Singh Rathore contended that village relocation should have been completed before the tiger translocation process started. “The reserve is obviously not safe for big cats and one cannot blame the local villagers solely for the recent incident of tiger poisoning,” he said.
Tigers often stray to the villages and the State Government has failed to keep track of the damage caused to the villagers and compensation to be paid.
Meanwhile, five tigers were translocated from Ranthambhore National Park in the State to Sariska between 2008 and 2010. One of the two males — ST-1 — went missing on November 11 this year. The other male — ST-4 — was already missing since October 30, though it has since been found. On November 14, reserve officials discovered the decomposed body of ST-1 near Kalakhet village on the reserve’s
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Lesser tiger deaths in 2010; need for a safer new year
LUCKNOW: Only two tiger mortalities reported from the state in 2010 show it has been a good year for the tigers. The big cats remain the most critically endangered of all the wildlife species, though there are other species as well which have been clubbed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, as critically endangered. There is no denying that providing a safer haven to big cats is the fulcrum of all conservation talk.
The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), an agency that has a database of wildlife crime and also works with forest departments in some of the states, has compiled tiger mortalities for the ongoing year. The tiger mortalities have been lesser in 2010 as compared to the previous year. In 2009, 85 tiger deaths were reported in the country. In 2010, 53 tigers have died so far. The mortalities include natural deaths, poaching and also seizures. While 27 big cats were found dead, as many as 26 mortalities were found to be due to poaching and seizures. (As per assumption, 10 kgs of tiger bones seized are taken to be as one adult tiger killed).
"It is difficult to say how many tigers died natural deaths out of 27," said Tito Joseph, from WPSI. When contacted, deputy director, Dudhwa, Sanjay Pathak said, "Security mechanisms have been effectively put into place in Dudhwa." The lesser number of deaths is also a reason to rejoice for Dudhwa security staff. Out of the two tiger deaths reported from UP, one has been a case of poaching. Recently, an adult tiger was killed by another during an infighting in Pilibhit and a tiger was found dead in north Kheri in January in which poaching was the cause of death.
Even if the tigers are poisoned to death it is difficult to establish so, if the carcasses are found after a gap of few days. The poisoning is mostly not established in autopsy report. It is only within a few hours of the death that poisoning, as a cause of death, can be established in the report. It is because of this that in a lot of cases, cause of death could not be established. Even the post-mortem reports remain inconclusive.
The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), an agency that has a database of wildlife crime and also works with forest departments in some of the states, has compiled tiger mortalities for the ongoing year. The tiger mortalities have been lesser in 2010 as compared to the previous year. In 2009, 85 tiger deaths were reported in the country. In 2010, 53 tigers have died so far. The mortalities include natural deaths, poaching and also seizures. While 27 big cats were found dead, as many as 26 mortalities were found to be due to poaching and seizures. (As per assumption, 10 kgs of tiger bones seized are taken to be as one adult tiger killed).
"It is difficult to say how many tigers died natural deaths out of 27," said Tito Joseph, from WPSI. When contacted, deputy director, Dudhwa, Sanjay Pathak said, "Security mechanisms have been effectively put into place in Dudhwa." The lesser number of deaths is also a reason to rejoice for Dudhwa security staff. Out of the two tiger deaths reported from UP, one has been a case of poaching. Recently, an adult tiger was killed by another during an infighting in Pilibhit and a tiger was found dead in north Kheri in January in which poaching was the cause of death.
Even if the tigers are poisoned to death it is difficult to establish so, if the carcasses are found after a gap of few days. The poisoning is mostly not established in autopsy report. It is only within a few hours of the death that poisoning, as a cause of death, can be established in the report. It is because of this that in a lot of cases, cause of death could not be established. Even the post-mortem reports remain inconclusive.
Tiger death: Suspect took away whiskers
ALWAR: The polygraph test on Parsadi Lal Gujjar in Sariska tiger death case is out. The suspect reportedly confessed that he cut the whiskers from the carcass of the tiger. However, he did not throw any light on the killer. Meanwhile, Rajgarh court refused to give permission to forest department for a brain mapping test of the suspect.
According to a Supreme Court order, the consent of the accused is a must in polygraph, narco analysis and brain mapping tests. However, none of these tests are admissible in the court as evidence and may only be used for further investigation.
"But we will appeal against the decision at the district judge's court," forest officials said.
The officials said, "The results of the polygraph tests arrived on Thursday. In the test, the suspect has confirmed that he along with his brother and son had taken the whiskers of the tiger but did not say anything on who killed it. However, his body language is suspicious and CBI officers therefore advised us to go for the brain mapping."
Gujjar said he, along with his brother Bhagwan and son Mithu, were returning after cutting wood when they found the tiger. "He confessed that they cut off the whiskers and took it but when asked whether he was involved in killing the tiger, he said no," said officials.
The state forest department had earlier planned to take Gujjar to Ahmedabad for a brain mapping test between December 27 to 31.
According to a Supreme Court order, the consent of the accused is a must in polygraph, narco analysis and brain mapping tests. However, none of these tests are admissible in the court as evidence and may only be used for further investigation.
"But we will appeal against the decision at the district judge's court," forest officials said.
The officials said, "The results of the polygraph tests arrived on Thursday. In the test, the suspect has confirmed that he along with his brother and son had taken the whiskers of the tiger but did not say anything on who killed it. However, his body language is suspicious and CBI officers therefore advised us to go for the brain mapping."
Gujjar said he, along with his brother Bhagwan and son Mithu, were returning after cutting wood when they found the tiger. "He confessed that they cut off the whiskers and took it but when asked whether he was involved in killing the tiger, he said no," said officials.
The state forest department had earlier planned to take Gujjar to Ahmedabad for a brain mapping test between December 27 to 31.
Chhattisgarh Police arrest nine tribals for killing a tiger
Chhattisgarh Police has arrested nine tribals for killing a tiger of the famous Kanha Rashtriya Udyan in Chhattisgarh's Kabirdham District.
R. K. Tiwari, sub-divisional officer, Pandariya Forest Range, disclosed this to the media persons at Kawardha on Friday.
The police swung into action after a forest ranger complained to his officials about foul smell of some dead animal.
A thorough probe resulted after authorities learnt that some local tribals had poisoned and killed a tiger for monetary gains.
"They have told us this only that they used a cow on which they sprayed indosulphan an insecticide. By this they were sure that by eating this the tiger would be killed. Till now we have arrested nine persons," said Tiwari.
Tiwari informed that they have seized many body parts of the dead tiger, which the tribals had buried in a field.
"We seized tiger's skull, which was not found at the site, we along with all the police officials seized its skull, teeth and then hair of moustache, nails, jaw bones and along with all this we have seized fat of tiger, we have succeeded in seizing all this from last night till the morning," he said. (ANI)
All About: Kabirdham (Chhattisgarh), Chhattisgarh Police
R. K. Tiwari, sub-divisional officer, Pandariya Forest Range, disclosed this to the media persons at Kawardha on Friday.
The police swung into action after a forest ranger complained to his officials about foul smell of some dead animal.
A thorough probe resulted after authorities learnt that some local tribals had poisoned and killed a tiger for monetary gains.
"They have told us this only that they used a cow on which they sprayed indosulphan an insecticide. By this they were sure that by eating this the tiger would be killed. Till now we have arrested nine persons," said Tiwari.
Tiwari informed that they have seized many body parts of the dead tiger, which the tribals had buried in a field.
"We seized tiger's skull, which was not found at the site, we along with all the police officials seized its skull, teeth and then hair of moustache, nails, jaw bones and along with all this we have seized fat of tiger, we have succeeded in seizing all this from last night till the morning," he said. (ANI)
All About: Kabirdham (Chhattisgarh), Chhattisgarh Police
Madhya Pradesh loses 10 tigers this year
Bhopal, Dec 24, PTI:
Although Madhya Pradesh is popularly known as a ''tiger state'', it has lost as many as ten striped animals including cubs this year.
However, what is more satisfying for the wildlife lovers is that it is four less than the big cats' total casualties reported last year.
"We have lost 10 tigers including cubs this year so far while last year, 14 big cats' death were reported," Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF), Wildlife, T R Sharma told PTI.
He said that another satisfying aspect in this is that no tiger had been poached in Madhya Pradesh this year so far, while last year, two tigers were killed due to poisoning in Seoni and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves, he added.
"This year seven tigers were lost in the wilds of different tiger reserves while three striped animals died of diseases in Van Vihar Animal Rescue Centre where old and sick animals are brought for keeping in protected environment," the APCCF said.
Last year 13 big cats died in the wilds and one at Van Vihar Animal Rescue Centre, Sharma said.
The first tiger death was reported from drowning as the animal was trapped in a pit inside a water body in the Pench Tiger Reserve on January 27, officials said adding that this striped animal was around seven-years-old.
After this, a nine-month old tigress died due to suspected cannibalism in Kanha Tiger Reserve on April 20. Thereafter, a 10-year-old tigress died after being hit by a jeep in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve on May 19. This incident was being probed by the state's CID.
In a separate incident, a one-month old cub died after being attacked by other animal in Kanha Tiger Reserve on June six, officials said.
In Pench Tiger Reserve, nails of around six-month-old cub were recovered from some people on June 20 and during interrogation the accused said that they found the striped animal dead in the protected area.
The four people arrested and sent to jail in this connection during quizzing, told investigators that they were practising black magic with the cub's nails, officials said.
A 10-year-old tiger died in territorial fight in the buffer zone of Kanha on October six and the seven-year-old tiger was lost for the same reason in Pench Tiger Reserve on October 20, officials said.
Two tigresses in June and one tiger in October died due to diseases in Van Vihar Animal Rescue Centre this year so far, he added.
The mortality rate among tigers was very high, and it was around 50 per cent, Sharma said adding that the mortality rate was high among the animal having short gestation period. The tigress gestation period was three and a half months, the APCCF said.
Besides, old age related deaths amount to 20 to 25 per cent in the wild, he added.
"Tiger protection was the top agenda of our department," Sharma said adding "a slew of measures have been taken in this regard."
Tiger protection force has been constituted to protect the big cat, he said adding that night patrolling was being carried out in and around the reserves and forest areas.
The forest ground duty staff have been equipped with wireless and guns and chowkies have been erected to protect big cats, Sharma said.
Ex-servicemen have been recruited and were manning the protected areas in Madhya Pradesh, he added.
Although Madhya Pradesh is popularly known as a ''tiger state'', it has lost as many as ten striped animals including cubs this year.
However, what is more satisfying for the wildlife lovers is that it is four less than the big cats' total casualties reported last year.
"We have lost 10 tigers including cubs this year so far while last year, 14 big cats' death were reported," Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF), Wildlife, T R Sharma told PTI.
He said that another satisfying aspect in this is that no tiger had been poached in Madhya Pradesh this year so far, while last year, two tigers were killed due to poisoning in Seoni and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves, he added.
"This year seven tigers were lost in the wilds of different tiger reserves while three striped animals died of diseases in Van Vihar Animal Rescue Centre where old and sick animals are brought for keeping in protected environment," the APCCF said.
Last year 13 big cats died in the wilds and one at Van Vihar Animal Rescue Centre, Sharma said.
The first tiger death was reported from drowning as the animal was trapped in a pit inside a water body in the Pench Tiger Reserve on January 27, officials said adding that this striped animal was around seven-years-old.
After this, a nine-month old tigress died due to suspected cannibalism in Kanha Tiger Reserve on April 20. Thereafter, a 10-year-old tigress died after being hit by a jeep in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve on May 19. This incident was being probed by the state's CID.
In a separate incident, a one-month old cub died after being attacked by other animal in Kanha Tiger Reserve on June six, officials said.
In Pench Tiger Reserve, nails of around six-month-old cub were recovered from some people on June 20 and during interrogation the accused said that they found the striped animal dead in the protected area.
The four people arrested and sent to jail in this connection during quizzing, told investigators that they were practising black magic with the cub's nails, officials said.
A 10-year-old tiger died in territorial fight in the buffer zone of Kanha on October six and the seven-year-old tiger was lost for the same reason in Pench Tiger Reserve on October 20, officials said.
Two tigresses in June and one tiger in October died due to diseases in Van Vihar Animal Rescue Centre this year so far, he added.
The mortality rate among tigers was very high, and it was around 50 per cent, Sharma said adding that the mortality rate was high among the animal having short gestation period. The tigress gestation period was three and a half months, the APCCF said.
Besides, old age related deaths amount to 20 to 25 per cent in the wild, he added.
"Tiger protection was the top agenda of our department," Sharma said adding "a slew of measures have been taken in this regard."
Tiger protection force has been constituted to protect the big cat, he said adding that night patrolling was being carried out in and around the reserves and forest areas.
The forest ground duty staff have been equipped with wireless and guns and chowkies have been erected to protect big cats, Sharma said.
Ex-servicemen have been recruited and were manning the protected areas in Madhya Pradesh, he added.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tiger conservation project promoted by Rashtrapati Bhawan
A public art project that aims to raise funds for the conservation of tigers in India, Artiger, began in Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
Christy L. Fernandez, a secretary to President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, said the exhibition sports 56 life-sized fiberglass tiger sculptures created by various well-known artists.
It is an attempt to promote the cause of tiger conservation, and also to create awareness about the falling numbers of the national animal.
"We in Rashtrapati Bhawan personally felt that the Rashtrapati Bhawan should have its own share in promoting the cause of tiger conservation. That is the reason why we have welcomed them and this exhibition would be open for next one week," said Fernandez.
Aprajita Jain, Nandita Baig and Swapan Seth, the brains behind the project, said they drew inspiration from London's Elephant Parade that took place earlier this year and raised four million pounds by placing elephant sculptures all around the city.
Organisers further stated that the money from this special exhibition of tiger sculptures would go to the Ranthambore Foundation.
"We have given this money to Ranthambore Foundation to use it in different manners. It would be decided on how we would allocate the funds, after which we are hoping to do the next project. We are thinking of certain ideas and as soon as we know what it is, we definitely will announce it," said Jain.
From December 27, the tiger sculptures would be displayed at over 50 locations across Delhi.
The exhibition would continue to go on for next six weeks. (ANI)
Christy L. Fernandez, a secretary to President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, said the exhibition sports 56 life-sized fiberglass tiger sculptures created by various well-known artists.
It is an attempt to promote the cause of tiger conservation, and also to create awareness about the falling numbers of the national animal.
"We in Rashtrapati Bhawan personally felt that the Rashtrapati Bhawan should have its own share in promoting the cause of tiger conservation. That is the reason why we have welcomed them and this exhibition would be open for next one week," said Fernandez.
Aprajita Jain, Nandita Baig and Swapan Seth, the brains behind the project, said they drew inspiration from London's Elephant Parade that took place earlier this year and raised four million pounds by placing elephant sculptures all around the city.
Organisers further stated that the money from this special exhibition of tiger sculptures would go to the Ranthambore Foundation.
"We have given this money to Ranthambore Foundation to use it in different manners. It would be decided on how we would allocate the funds, after which we are hoping to do the next project. We are thinking of certain ideas and as soon as we know what it is, we definitely will announce it," said Jain.
From December 27, the tiger sculptures would be displayed at over 50 locations across Delhi.
The exhibition would continue to go on for next six weeks. (ANI)
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Five held for killing tiger
Raipur, Dec 22 (IANS) A day after the decomposed body of a tiger was found with its head and claws missing, five villagers in Chhattisgarh were Wednesday arrested with the big cat's claws, police said.
The arrests were made from a remote village Amnia, a forested zone under Kawardha district, some 300 km from here. 'The main accused Govind was arrested along with his four associates in a raid,' a police officer said.
The arrests were made from a remote village Amnia, a forested zone under Kawardha district, some 300 km from here. 'The main accused Govind was arrested along with his four associates in a raid,' a police officer said.
REHABILITATION is a complex issue
A wildlife enthusiast, Mausam Noor has been a regular at various tiger reserves across the country. A first-time MP (from Malda, West Bengal), Noor is never without her Nikon N-67 during her numerous forest escapades. Mesmerised with the beauty of the tiger, she has been a tiger lover since her young days. Hardnews spoke to Noor on tiger conservation and what has gone wrong with it
How important is tiger conservation for India?
No doubt it is of utmost importance. In fact, it is one of the foremost priorities of the government as we have the largest population of this magnificent wild cat. The government is trying out every possible means to save the tiger.
What are the deterrents to tiger conservation?
I have visited more than 16 tiger reserves across the country. What I have understood is that if people are not shifted out from the tiger reserves across the country and rehabilitated elsewhere, we would not have any tigers left in the forests. I recently visited a national park and was told that people settled inside the park are not ready to move out of it. Activists, who supposedly work for the rights of these people, are actually misguiding them - they have political ends on their mind. Therefore, although the people are offered ample compensation, they always demand more.
Rehabilitation is a complex issue. The process followed by the government is slow and is in a complete mess. To resolve this, the government should consult wildlife experts and implement their suggestions.
The government should try to educate the people still living inside tiger reserves. They must be made to understand the importance of tigers and their natural habitats. Moreover, it is a fact that some of these villagers also indulge in poaching. The government should try to wean them away from this criminal way of life by offering them jobs. The forest department can take the lead in recruiting them.
You have visited many tiger reserves. Your views on the tourism around these reserves?
Tourism should be allowed, but only to a certain extent. It should not exploit nature or disturb the animals. However, if tourism is coupled with an ecological perspective, it could help generate awareness among the masses. Tourism also helps in curbing poaching as guards are more vigilant when the tourists come. Also, I have noticed that although some of the forest guards are sincere and honest, most are there only because of the commercial interests arising out of tourism.
Recently, a tiger relocated to Sariska was killed. Your comments.
There were no tigers in Sariska, anyway, and the ones that have been shifted there are being killed. Tigers have no sense of boundaries and once they move out of the park limits, they are always under the risk of being poached or killed. To address this, forest guards should be given more incentives and their working conditions must be improved.
Mining is threatening the tiger habitat. Your views.
This, indeed, is a major threat. If this continues unabated, a time would come when mining would still be going on but the tigers would have vanished. If this great predator goes extinct, it would be a big burden to live with. Our conscience would not let us live with the fact that we had the largest population of tigers, but we let them go extinct.
How important is tiger conservation for India?
No doubt it is of utmost importance. In fact, it is one of the foremost priorities of the government as we have the largest population of this magnificent wild cat. The government is trying out every possible means to save the tiger.
What are the deterrents to tiger conservation?
I have visited more than 16 tiger reserves across the country. What I have understood is that if people are not shifted out from the tiger reserves across the country and rehabilitated elsewhere, we would not have any tigers left in the forests. I recently visited a national park and was told that people settled inside the park are not ready to move out of it. Activists, who supposedly work for the rights of these people, are actually misguiding them - they have political ends on their mind. Therefore, although the people are offered ample compensation, they always demand more.
Rehabilitation is a complex issue. The process followed by the government is slow and is in a complete mess. To resolve this, the government should consult wildlife experts and implement their suggestions.
The government should try to educate the people still living inside tiger reserves. They must be made to understand the importance of tigers and their natural habitats. Moreover, it is a fact that some of these villagers also indulge in poaching. The government should try to wean them away from this criminal way of life by offering them jobs. The forest department can take the lead in recruiting them.
You have visited many tiger reserves. Your views on the tourism around these reserves?
Tourism should be allowed, but only to a certain extent. It should not exploit nature or disturb the animals. However, if tourism is coupled with an ecological perspective, it could help generate awareness among the masses. Tourism also helps in curbing poaching as guards are more vigilant when the tourists come. Also, I have noticed that although some of the forest guards are sincere and honest, most are there only because of the commercial interests arising out of tourism.
Recently, a tiger relocated to Sariska was killed. Your comments.
There were no tigers in Sariska, anyway, and the ones that have been shifted there are being killed. Tigers have no sense of boundaries and once they move out of the park limits, they are always under the risk of being poached or killed. To address this, forest guards should be given more incentives and their working conditions must be improved.
Mining is threatening the tiger habitat. Your views.
This, indeed, is a major threat. If this continues unabated, a time would come when mining would still be going on but the tigers would have vanished. If this great predator goes extinct, it would be a big burden to live with. Our conscience would not let us live with the fact that we had the largest population of tigers, but we let them go extinct.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
TATR abolishes zone system
CHANDRAPUR: In some good news for tourists of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), the forest authorities have abolished the one-year-old zone system inside the park. Visitors are now free to roam in entire reserve. However TATR management has laid down some regulations to avoid congregation of tourists on one particular spot.
The zone system had come into the force early this year to regulate the traffic of tourists inside the tiger reserve. Likewise TATR was divided into three zones - Moharli, Tadoba and Kolsa - and the tourists were allowed to move in only one zone at a time. But, authorities have now come up with new plans under which zone restriction will be abolished but tourist movement will be regulated.
Confirming the abolishment of zone system field director and CF of TATR Vinay Sinha said, "The new regulation will come into force from Wednesday. Tourists will be allowed to move in the entire reserve, but they will have to follow some rules. There will be defined routes for every vehicle entering into the tiger reserve and one-way route pattern would be followed. Sinha said that the new plan is according to the NTCA guidelines.
Sources claimed that few other regulations such as restriction on use of mobile phones inside TATR, keeping a distance of at least 30 metres between two vehicles would be observed to ensure that place of tiger sighting is not crowded disturbing the tranquility of the wildlife.
Officials have also defined the carrying capacity in the tiger reserve. Only 60 vehicles would be allowed inside the tiger reserve during morning hours, while 57 vehicles would be allowed during evening shift. TATR management plans to decrease the number of entry gates gradually in coming months. At present tourists enter TATR through Moharli, Pangdi, Kolara, Jhari, Khutwanda and Navegaon gates, however three of these - Jhari, Khutwanda and Navegaon gates - will be closed in phases.
As per NTCA guidelines, park management needs to ensure maximum inviolate zones for the wildlife inside the tiger reserve. Authorities are chalking out two new tourists zones in buffer area. Once circuit routes and infrastructural development is accomplished in buffer, tourism would be gradually shifted to buffer zone.
The zone system had come into the force early this year to regulate the traffic of tourists inside the tiger reserve. Likewise TATR was divided into three zones - Moharli, Tadoba and Kolsa - and the tourists were allowed to move in only one zone at a time. But, authorities have now come up with new plans under which zone restriction will be abolished but tourist movement will be regulated.
Confirming the abolishment of zone system field director and CF of TATR Vinay Sinha said, "The new regulation will come into force from Wednesday. Tourists will be allowed to move in the entire reserve, but they will have to follow some rules. There will be defined routes for every vehicle entering into the tiger reserve and one-way route pattern would be followed. Sinha said that the new plan is according to the NTCA guidelines.
Sources claimed that few other regulations such as restriction on use of mobile phones inside TATR, keeping a distance of at least 30 metres between two vehicles would be observed to ensure that place of tiger sighting is not crowded disturbing the tranquility of the wildlife.
Officials have also defined the carrying capacity in the tiger reserve. Only 60 vehicles would be allowed inside the tiger reserve during morning hours, while 57 vehicles would be allowed during evening shift. TATR management plans to decrease the number of entry gates gradually in coming months. At present tourists enter TATR through Moharli, Pangdi, Kolara, Jhari, Khutwanda and Navegaon gates, however three of these - Jhari, Khutwanda and Navegaon gates - will be closed in phases.
As per NTCA guidelines, park management needs to ensure maximum inviolate zones for the wildlife inside the tiger reserve. Authorities are chalking out two new tourists zones in buffer area. Once circuit routes and infrastructural development is accomplished in buffer, tourism would be gradually shifted to buffer zone.
Jim Corbett Special tiger force to become reality
Shishir Prashant / New Delhi/ Dehra Dun December 22, 2010, 0:06 IST
When the Jim Corbett National Park, one of the world’s most popular wildlife reserves, celebrates its platinum jubilee next year, it will get a gift that it absolutely needed — a special tiger protection force.
With the Uttarakhand cabinet headed by Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today giving its approval to the new force, the forest department is now hoping that the force will become a reality when the Corbett park, famous for its healthy tiger density, turns 75. Special functions will be organised in the first few months of 2011 to mark the 75th birth anniversary of the Corbett park.
After the cabinet meeting, top officials said the new tiger force will have one company comprising three platoons which will be headed by a forest officer of the rank of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF). Each platoon will have one ranger, six foresters and 30 special guards. The hallmark of the new force will be the 30 per cent of the forest guards will be from the local communities living in the vicinity of the park like Van Gujjars, the nomadic tribes.
The main task of the force will be to protect the tigers from poachers and will be given similar role like police and will enjoy power under 197 section of the criminal procedure code (CrPC) where a case is only registered after proper magisterial inquiry. With the mounting concern over the dwindling tiger population, the Centre approved the plan for such a force last year and would spend Rs 4 crore every year on it.
There are only about 1,400 tigers left in the country, as a result of poaching, shrinking habitats and a decline in the prey base. The Jim Corbett National Park — named after the celebrated hunter-writer who shot dead many a maneater in both Kumaon and Garhwal regions of the hill state — has nearly 160 tigers. This is one of the highest populations of tigers anywhere in the country. The government, animal lovers and even some corporations are working overtime to save the animal.
When the Jim Corbett National Park, one of the world’s most popular wildlife reserves, celebrates its platinum jubilee next year, it will get a gift that it absolutely needed — a special tiger protection force.
With the Uttarakhand cabinet headed by Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today giving its approval to the new force, the forest department is now hoping that the force will become a reality when the Corbett park, famous for its healthy tiger density, turns 75. Special functions will be organised in the first few months of 2011 to mark the 75th birth anniversary of the Corbett park.
After the cabinet meeting, top officials said the new tiger force will have one company comprising three platoons which will be headed by a forest officer of the rank of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF). Each platoon will have one ranger, six foresters and 30 special guards. The hallmark of the new force will be the 30 per cent of the forest guards will be from the local communities living in the vicinity of the park like Van Gujjars, the nomadic tribes.
The main task of the force will be to protect the tigers from poachers and will be given similar role like police and will enjoy power under 197 section of the criminal procedure code (CrPC) where a case is only registered after proper magisterial inquiry. With the mounting concern over the dwindling tiger population, the Centre approved the plan for such a force last year and would spend Rs 4 crore every year on it.
There are only about 1,400 tigers left in the country, as a result of poaching, shrinking habitats and a decline in the prey base. The Jim Corbett National Park — named after the celebrated hunter-writer who shot dead many a maneater in both Kumaon and Garhwal regions of the hill state — has nearly 160 tigers. This is one of the highest populations of tigers anywhere in the country. The government, animal lovers and even some corporations are working overtime to save the animal.
Manhunt launched after tiger killing in Chhattisgarh
After a headless tiger carcass was found in Kawardha district of Chhattisgarh, state police have formed several squads to arrest the poachers, an official said on Tuesday. The killing was reported from Amnia village, a forested zone under Kawardha, the home district of Chief Minister Raman Singh.
The forest department has suspended two local forest officers and ordered an enquiry.
The forest department has also asked its senior officer Rakesh Chaturvedi to rush to the site, about 300 km from Raipur, to investigate the tiger kiling.
"Yes, a decomposed body of a tiger was found in Amnia village in Kawardha's Pandaria block. Prima facie it looks the tiger was killed by a poacher several days or may be weeks earlier," Chaturvedi told IANS on phone.
The forest department has lodged a complaint of tiger's killing with police in Kawardha district. "We are dealing the case with utmost seriousness and urgency, we are interrogating a few villagers to apprehend the poachers or anyone who hunted down the tiger," said HS Rathore, Kawardha district police chief.
An official source here at the forest department headquarters said that a few officials tried to cover up the tiger's killing by projecting it as a case of death. But when enough evidences emerged about the tiger's death, they suspended the two local forest staff - a deputy ranger and a forest beat guard - and decided to order an enquiry.
The source added that poachers have easy access to the state's vast forested areas, including all the three Project Tiger reserves of Indravati, Udanti-Sitanadi and Achanakmar. A total of 219 posts of the sanctioned 420 lie vacant at the reserves.
The forest department has suspended two local forest officers and ordered an enquiry.
The forest department has also asked its senior officer Rakesh Chaturvedi to rush to the site, about 300 km from Raipur, to investigate the tiger kiling.
"Yes, a decomposed body of a tiger was found in Amnia village in Kawardha's Pandaria block. Prima facie it looks the tiger was killed by a poacher several days or may be weeks earlier," Chaturvedi told IANS on phone.
The forest department has lodged a complaint of tiger's killing with police in Kawardha district. "We are dealing the case with utmost seriousness and urgency, we are interrogating a few villagers to apprehend the poachers or anyone who hunted down the tiger," said HS Rathore, Kawardha district police chief.
An official source here at the forest department headquarters said that a few officials tried to cover up the tiger's killing by projecting it as a case of death. But when enough evidences emerged about the tiger's death, they suspended the two local forest staff - a deputy ranger and a forest beat guard - and decided to order an enquiry.
The source added that poachers have easy access to the state's vast forested areas, including all the three Project Tiger reserves of Indravati, Udanti-Sitanadi and Achanakmar. A total of 219 posts of the sanctioned 420 lie vacant at the reserves.
Sariska Tiger killing: Suspect to undergo brain mapping test on Dec 27
ALWAR: The brain mapping test of Parsadilal Gujjar, suspected in the killing of the tiger, ST-1, will be held on December 27. He will be in Ahmedabad till December 31.
Officials of the forest department said that the department will be seeking production warrant of the suspect on Wednesday when he will appear at a court in Rajgarh. They will be seeking his custody from December 26 to January 1. The brain-mapping test will be done at Gujarat Rajya Vidhi Science laboratory. Assistant conservator of forests, Bhagvan Singh Nathawat, is in touch with the laboratory for the same.
"However, narco analysis test will not be done now. For that we will have to seek separate permission," said an official.
Meanwhile, test report of the polygrah test done on Parsadi is expected on Wednesday. "Prima facie it seems that the test report is in favour of the forest department. Officials have hinted that the suspect may be hiding facts in his confession," said a source.
Officials of the forest department said that the department will be seeking production warrant of the suspect on Wednesday when he will appear at a court in Rajgarh. They will be seeking his custody from December 26 to January 1. The brain-mapping test will be done at Gujarat Rajya Vidhi Science laboratory. Assistant conservator of forests, Bhagvan Singh Nathawat, is in touch with the laboratory for the same.
"However, narco analysis test will not be done now. For that we will have to seek separate permission," said an official.
Meanwhile, test report of the polygrah test done on Parsadi is expected on Wednesday. "Prima facie it seems that the test report is in favour of the forest department. Officials have hinted that the suspect may be hiding facts in his confession," said a source.
NTCA panel to study leopard mortality in state
NAGPUR: There have been several studies and projects to look into the man-tiger conflict, but the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which monitors tiger reserves in the country, has for the first time set up a five-member panel for an appraisal of leopard mortality due to conflict with humans.
Sources said the committee, constituted on December 15, besides looking into the mortality of leopard arising out of conflict will suggest mitigation measures. The panel consists of NTCA members Brijendra Singh and Valmik Thapar, experts Vidya Atherya of Pune, Raghu Chundawat, Kartick Satyanarayan and NTCA member-secretary Rajesh Gopal.
S P Yadav, deputy inspector general (NTCA), told TOI that the scope of the committee is to look into causes of high leopard mortality and suggesting mitigating measures. "The study also includes Maharashtra and other vulnerable states. A meeting will be called soon in which chief wildlife wardens of problem states will also be invited," he added.
Although inclusion of noted experts in the committee will make a difference, in Maharashtra, man-leopard conflict has gone down while man-tiger problem continues to be more severe than leopards. Two-three years ago, around 40-50 leopards were trapped but now it has come down to 8-10 animals.
Chandrapur district in Vidarbha is the worst-affected. If the official figures for last five years from April 2005 to December 2010 are considered, then only five villagers have been killed by leopards and around 10 have been killed owing to conflict in leopard-dominated areas like Junnar, Nashik and Borivali. On the other side, 62 persons have been mauled by tigers during the same period in the region.
If not by conflict, leopard deaths due to poaching are increasing in the state. In 2010, from January to December, 35 leopards have died in the state. Of this, 18 deaths were from Vidarbha while other deaths were reported in villages near Ratnagiri, Sinnar, Junnar, Jalgaon, Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SNGP), Borivali, Pune and Hingoli.
Last year (2009), 48 leopards had died in the state. Despite the crisis, the entire focus has been on tigers by the authorities. This is for the first time that leopard mortality reasons will be studied. Both tigers and leopards are listed under the Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
Wildlife biologist Vidya Atherya says she is delighted to be included in the panel. She has studied the problem of leopards in Junnar for three years and measures suggested by her have come handy to curb leopard-human conflict in the state.
Atherya said, "My experience in Maharashtra will help in getting solutions in states like Uttrakhand and Gujarat where problem of leopard conflict is severe."
"We've found that leopard attacks on people are an aberration governed by complex factors which require us to increase our level of understanding. Leopards have always lived outside forests, be it tea gardens, fringes of forests, in croplands, and have also been reported from urban areas," Atherya said.
She added that people have not yet accepted that non-wilderness areas can support wildlife. Hence, they expect all leopards be confined in forests. So, leopards found outside forested areas are often trapped and moved to nearby forests.
"However, our work also found that leopards which had been living in village areas without attacking people started attacking them when they were released away from their territory. This was likely due to the stress they face during capture, release in an unknown area, and as we also found many instances, of translocated leopards homing back from where they were originally caught," Atherya stressed.
Sources said the committee, constituted on December 15, besides looking into the mortality of leopard arising out of conflict will suggest mitigation measures. The panel consists of NTCA members Brijendra Singh and Valmik Thapar, experts Vidya Atherya of Pune, Raghu Chundawat, Kartick Satyanarayan and NTCA member-secretary Rajesh Gopal.
S P Yadav, deputy inspector general (NTCA), told TOI that the scope of the committee is to look into causes of high leopard mortality and suggesting mitigating measures. "The study also includes Maharashtra and other vulnerable states. A meeting will be called soon in which chief wildlife wardens of problem states will also be invited," he added.
Although inclusion of noted experts in the committee will make a difference, in Maharashtra, man-leopard conflict has gone down while man-tiger problem continues to be more severe than leopards. Two-three years ago, around 40-50 leopards were trapped but now it has come down to 8-10 animals.
Chandrapur district in Vidarbha is the worst-affected. If the official figures for last five years from April 2005 to December 2010 are considered, then only five villagers have been killed by leopards and around 10 have been killed owing to conflict in leopard-dominated areas like Junnar, Nashik and Borivali. On the other side, 62 persons have been mauled by tigers during the same period in the region.
If not by conflict, leopard deaths due to poaching are increasing in the state. In 2010, from January to December, 35 leopards have died in the state. Of this, 18 deaths were from Vidarbha while other deaths were reported in villages near Ratnagiri, Sinnar, Junnar, Jalgaon, Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SNGP), Borivali, Pune and Hingoli.
Last year (2009), 48 leopards had died in the state. Despite the crisis, the entire focus has been on tigers by the authorities. This is for the first time that leopard mortality reasons will be studied. Both tigers and leopards are listed under the Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
Wildlife biologist Vidya Atherya says she is delighted to be included in the panel. She has studied the problem of leopards in Junnar for three years and measures suggested by her have come handy to curb leopard-human conflict in the state.
Atherya said, "My experience in Maharashtra will help in getting solutions in states like Uttrakhand and Gujarat where problem of leopard conflict is severe."
"We've found that leopard attacks on people are an aberration governed by complex factors which require us to increase our level of understanding. Leopards have always lived outside forests, be it tea gardens, fringes of forests, in croplands, and have also been reported from urban areas," Atherya said.
She added that people have not yet accepted that non-wilderness areas can support wildlife. Hence, they expect all leopards be confined in forests. So, leopards found outside forested areas are often trapped and moved to nearby forests.
"However, our work also found that leopards which had been living in village areas without attacking people started attacking them when they were released away from their territory. This was likely due to the stress they face during capture, release in an unknown area, and as we also found many instances, of translocated leopards homing back from where they were originally caught," Atherya stressed.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tiger census gets under way at Kaziranga
KOHORA, Dec 20 – The first phase of Tiger Census 2010, has been inaugurated by the Director of Kaziranga National Park Surajit Dutta today at Mihimukh.
The first phase of census is going to determine the basic factors such as availability of tiger habitat in all the ranges of Kaziranga National Park, any presence of co-predators, prey base, vegetation cover for scientific analysis for final phase of tiger census.
The first phase will continue till December 26. Altogether the Park is categorised into 38 blocks where the enumerators will survey the sign viz. pugmarks and rake marks of the tigers during the first initial three days followed by the determination of vegetation cover, transit mark.
The first phase of census is going to determine the basic factors such as availability of tiger habitat in all the ranges of Kaziranga National Park, any presence of co-predators, prey base, vegetation cover for scientific analysis for final phase of tiger census.
The first phase will continue till December 26. Altogether the Park is categorised into 38 blocks where the enumerators will survey the sign viz. pugmarks and rake marks of the tigers during the first initial three days followed by the determination of vegetation cover, transit mark.
MP CM opposes converting Ratapani sanctuary into tiger reserve
Bhopal, Dec 19 (PTI) Opposing the Centre''s plan to convert Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary into a tiger reserve, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said he is not against protection of tigers but would not do it "at the cost of the poor".
"Madhya Pradesh is a tiger state. We are not averse to tiger and its protection. But we do not want it at the cost of the poor, especially tribals. Many villages will need to be shifted for turning Ratapani into a tiger reserve," Chouhan said at the 15th national conference of Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad here.
Chouhan said that Union Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh has been talking about turning Ratapani into Tiger Reserve but that would call for shifting large numbers of villages.
The land of tribals can not be taken away in Madhya Pradesh, which has tough laws to check it, he added.
Listing several steps taken for the tribals, he said that 21 per cent of the state budget was earmarked for tribal development.
"Madhya Pradesh is a tiger state. We are not averse to tiger and its protection. But we do not want it at the cost of the poor, especially tribals. Many villages will need to be shifted for turning Ratapani into a tiger reserve," Chouhan said at the 15th national conference of Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad here.
Chouhan said that Union Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh has been talking about turning Ratapani into Tiger Reserve but that would call for shifting large numbers of villages.
The land of tribals can not be taken away in Madhya Pradesh, which has tough laws to check it, he added.
Listing several steps taken for the tribals, he said that 21 per cent of the state budget was earmarked for tribal development.
Monday, December 20, 2010
'Tigers attack livestock due to poor prey base in Molem'
PANAJI: Goa's wildlife sanctuaries, especially Molem and Mhadei, are part of a corridor for tigers, but a poor prey base makes it attack livestock, says A J T Johnsingh, wildlife advisor, wildlife institute of India (WII).
"They come here occassionally because there is good forest cover, but rampant poaching forces them to go for livestock, and people come to know about it," says Johnsingh, eminent wildlife biologist.
Last week, a sambar was killed near Anjunem dam and forest officials were shown the carcass and pug marks of the tiger. A buffalo and a cow had been killed in February and September this year in ghat areas of Chorla. A tiger had been shot dead after being trapped near a stream in Keri last year.
"Tigers come occasionally and they are reported in Mhadei and Molem. They are looking for a home and keep migrating," he said.
But Johnsingh is concerned about the weakened prey base due to rampant poaching in Goa and Karnataka.
"The condition of sambar, the largest deer in Asia ,is very dismal and the barking deer and bison (Gaur) are affected by lot of poaching over the years," he said.
The wildlife biologist is conducting a study through Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore, which has been funded by the Union ministry of environment and forests.
"The effort is aimed at looking at the landscape and corridor for large mammals, focussing on sambars, tiger, elephant, gaur among others, from Kanyakumari to Sahyadris," he said.
Johnsingh visited four wildlife sanctuaries of Mhadei, Bhagwan Mahaveer in Molem, Neturlim and Cotigao for his rapid survey. "There are a lot of settlements inside sanctuaries, and the residents wield political influence," he added.
The forest department census in 2004 had enumerated five tigers in Goa. But wildlife enthusiasts have been critical of forest department's denial mode of the tiger's existence in Goa in the past.
Human intervention in the form of mining, deforestation and growing settlement areas are seen as the biggest threats to this global bio-diversity hotspot. "For this reason, environmental bodies from three states had proposed to MOEF the creation of Sahyadri Ecologically Sensitive Area (SESA) in three states," Claude Alvares, an environmentalist said.
Nitin Sawant, director world wide fund for nature (WWF) Goa said the stress should be on saving the tiger habitat instead of saving the big cat. "Mining activities should not be allowed in and around the vicinity of the tiger corridor," he said.
Johnsingh said he had conveyed to Goa's chief wildlife warden Shashi Kumar his observation about the poor prey base. "We could see the bison only in Molem and not any other sanctuaries," he said.
Johnsingh, who will submit his report shortly, said the state has a good forest cover with the state's wildlife sanctuaries spanning a protective cover of 755 sq km. Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary and other forest areas in Karnataka form a contiguous passage for wildlife. Tigers from nearby Anshi tiger reserve are known to stray into Goa.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has recognised the Goa corridor as Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) mark 2, whereas major tiger habitats (Bandipur, Madamalai, Nagarhole) are graded on a higher scale."Goa is an important buffer zone if Anshi comes under some threat ," sources said.
Additional principal chief conservator, Shashi Kumar confirmed he had discussions with Johnsingh.
"We are waiting for assessment of preliminary data from WII," he said, and added. "A camera trap method as part of second phase of wildlife census will help clear a few aspects regarding tiger's movement in Goa."
But the WII advisor called for curbs on poaching. "Not much attention is given to it," he said, recalling Keri tiger poaching case. Further, he said any effort to increase the wild life will need lot of conservation.
"If the habitat is given good protection, it will take several years for the population to increase."
"They come here occassionally because there is good forest cover, but rampant poaching forces them to go for livestock, and people come to know about it," says Johnsingh, eminent wildlife biologist.
Last week, a sambar was killed near Anjunem dam and forest officials were shown the carcass and pug marks of the tiger. A buffalo and a cow had been killed in February and September this year in ghat areas of Chorla. A tiger had been shot dead after being trapped near a stream in Keri last year.
"Tigers come occasionally and they are reported in Mhadei and Molem. They are looking for a home and keep migrating," he said.
But Johnsingh is concerned about the weakened prey base due to rampant poaching in Goa and Karnataka.
"The condition of sambar, the largest deer in Asia ,is very dismal and the barking deer and bison (Gaur) are affected by lot of poaching over the years," he said.
The wildlife biologist is conducting a study through Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore, which has been funded by the Union ministry of environment and forests.
"The effort is aimed at looking at the landscape and corridor for large mammals, focussing on sambars, tiger, elephant, gaur among others, from Kanyakumari to Sahyadris," he said.
Johnsingh visited four wildlife sanctuaries of Mhadei, Bhagwan Mahaveer in Molem, Neturlim and Cotigao for his rapid survey. "There are a lot of settlements inside sanctuaries, and the residents wield political influence," he added.
The forest department census in 2004 had enumerated five tigers in Goa. But wildlife enthusiasts have been critical of forest department's denial mode of the tiger's existence in Goa in the past.
Human intervention in the form of mining, deforestation and growing settlement areas are seen as the biggest threats to this global bio-diversity hotspot. "For this reason, environmental bodies from three states had proposed to MOEF the creation of Sahyadri Ecologically Sensitive Area (SESA) in three states," Claude Alvares, an environmentalist said.
Nitin Sawant, director world wide fund for nature (WWF) Goa said the stress should be on saving the tiger habitat instead of saving the big cat. "Mining activities should not be allowed in and around the vicinity of the tiger corridor," he said.
Johnsingh said he had conveyed to Goa's chief wildlife warden Shashi Kumar his observation about the poor prey base. "We could see the bison only in Molem and not any other sanctuaries," he said.
Johnsingh, who will submit his report shortly, said the state has a good forest cover with the state's wildlife sanctuaries spanning a protective cover of 755 sq km. Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary and other forest areas in Karnataka form a contiguous passage for wildlife. Tigers from nearby Anshi tiger reserve are known to stray into Goa.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has recognised the Goa corridor as Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) mark 2, whereas major tiger habitats (Bandipur, Madamalai, Nagarhole) are graded on a higher scale."Goa is an important buffer zone if Anshi comes under some threat ," sources said.
Additional principal chief conservator, Shashi Kumar confirmed he had discussions with Johnsingh.
"We are waiting for assessment of preliminary data from WII," he said, and added. "A camera trap method as part of second phase of wildlife census will help clear a few aspects regarding tiger's movement in Goa."
But the WII advisor called for curbs on poaching. "Not much attention is given to it," he said, recalling Keri tiger poaching case. Further, he said any effort to increase the wild life will need lot of conservation.
"If the habitat is given good protection, it will take several years for the population to increase."
Naxal threat affects tigers too
The national tiger reserve which is situated in this backward district has been affected by the activities of the Maoists. And now nobody knows whether there are any tigers left in the reserve.
Nationwide drive
Established in 1973 and spread across 1,014 sq.km., the reserve had 22 tigers. In spite of a nationwide drive to conserve tigers, the big cat's population in this district has been dwindling. The 2007 census put the Palamu tiger population at 17. This has further reduced to 13, according to a forest guard. However the actual figures are not known as the Maoist presence impeded survey.
Increased naxal activities are also affecting routine forest management. A senior official says more than 70 per cent of the reserve remains unprotected as the officials and staff have come under attack from the Maoists.
According to him, in May 1999 a ranger was abducted and robbed, in August 2003 a forest tracker was killed and in September 2004 a forester and driver were killed in a landmine blast. Last year the rebels killed a forest ranger and robbed him. A forest guard says: “Earlier the reserve used to be open till late at night but as the animal's eyes were being affected by the torch used by the guide to point at the animals, we close the reserve early.”
Water scarcity
Scarcity of water is also affecting the reserve. It is one of the poorest districts in India and classified by the State government as “food insecure.”
Keywords: Palamu tiger reserve, naxal threat
Nationwide drive
Established in 1973 and spread across 1,014 sq.km., the reserve had 22 tigers. In spite of a nationwide drive to conserve tigers, the big cat's population in this district has been dwindling. The 2007 census put the Palamu tiger population at 17. This has further reduced to 13, according to a forest guard. However the actual figures are not known as the Maoist presence impeded survey.
Increased naxal activities are also affecting routine forest management. A senior official says more than 70 per cent of the reserve remains unprotected as the officials and staff have come under attack from the Maoists.
According to him, in May 1999 a ranger was abducted and robbed, in August 2003 a forest tracker was killed and in September 2004 a forester and driver were killed in a landmine blast. Last year the rebels killed a forest ranger and robbed him. A forest guard says: “Earlier the reserve used to be open till late at night but as the animal's eyes were being affected by the torch used by the guide to point at the animals, we close the reserve early.”
Water scarcity
Scarcity of water is also affecting the reserve. It is one of the poorest districts in India and classified by the State government as “food insecure.”
Keywords: Palamu tiger reserve, naxal threat
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Jairam writes to Orissa on low-flying chopper over tiger reserve
Union Minister for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh has written two separate letters to Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel, requesting their intervention in the matter of a chopper flying low inside a tiger reserve of the state.
In December 2009, National Board for Wildlife member Biswajit Mohanty had sent a letter to member-secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority, complaining about a low-flying helicopter inside Satkosia tiger reserve.
In his reminder to the NTCA sent this month, the NBW member referred to a video aired by a local TV channel that showed the videos of the low-flying helicopter inside the tiger reserve. The report alleged that the chopper was being flown by an MP of the ruling BJD.
“The complaint regarding low-flying helicopters is a very serious one, since this causes considerable disturbance to wild animals and is an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act,” Jairam’s letter to Naveen said.
Taking objection to the reports that a tourist resort was operating inside the core area of the tiger reserve, Ramesh said that the core area of the tiger reserve needs to remain inviolate for tigers and its co-predators under Wildlife Protection Amendment Act, 2006. “Therefore it may please be ensured that the said Act may be implemented in letter and spirit by fostering eco-tourism ventures in the fringe/buffer area of Satkoisa as per the guidelines of Project Tiger,” he wrote.
In the letter to the Civil Aviation Minister, Ramesh said that low flight over wildlife habitats amount to hunting under the WP Act since it causes disturbance to wild animals. Referring to a complaint of the Orissa government lodged with Civil Aviation Ministry’s Calcutta-based Air Traffic Management Unit, he urged him for his intervention.
In December 2009, National Board for Wildlife member Biswajit Mohanty had sent a letter to member-secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority, complaining about a low-flying helicopter inside Satkosia tiger reserve.
In his reminder to the NTCA sent this month, the NBW member referred to a video aired by a local TV channel that showed the videos of the low-flying helicopter inside the tiger reserve. The report alleged that the chopper was being flown by an MP of the ruling BJD.
“The complaint regarding low-flying helicopters is a very serious one, since this causes considerable disturbance to wild animals and is an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act,” Jairam’s letter to Naveen said.
Taking objection to the reports that a tourist resort was operating inside the core area of the tiger reserve, Ramesh said that the core area of the tiger reserve needs to remain inviolate for tigers and its co-predators under Wildlife Protection Amendment Act, 2006. “Therefore it may please be ensured that the said Act may be implemented in letter and spirit by fostering eco-tourism ventures in the fringe/buffer area of Satkoisa as per the guidelines of Project Tiger,” he wrote.
In the letter to the Civil Aviation Minister, Ramesh said that low flight over wildlife habitats amount to hunting under the WP Act since it causes disturbance to wild animals. Referring to a complaint of the Orissa government lodged with Civil Aviation Ministry’s Calcutta-based Air Traffic Management Unit, he urged him for his intervention.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Tiger pugmarks sighted at Anjunem
KERI: Despite the government so far refusing to admit it, there is once again evidence that Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary on the eastern border of Goa, is a tiger habitat. Pugmarks of the big cat were discovered by the remains of a fully grown sambhar at Anjunem last week. A forest department survey team on a visit to Anjunem noticed the sambhar carcass and the pugmarks on the hilly areas of Anjunem. Local guide Vithoba Gawas of Shiroli who accompanied the survey team said, "A carcass of a sambhar was lying on the ground and pugmarks of the big cat were near it."
When contacted Keri range forest officer Deepak Betkikar said, "I will inform the officials of the department and immediately visit the site in Anjunem where the sambhar's carcass is lying." Forest dept is likely to survey the area on Saturday. Earlier in Charavane village, situated within the Mhadei Sanctuary, a buffalo belonging to shepherd Babu Mano Phale was killed by a tiger on February 4, 2009.
Also on September 27, 2009 a cow belonging to Sai Pingle of Bamanwada-Vagheri was killed by a tiger at Ponsule. Findings of both incidents were documented by forest officials. Assistant conservator of forests Subhash Henrique had last year recorded pugmarks of a tigress and a cub in Anjunem dam area and the tiger census last summer had recorded pugmarks of the big cat. People travelling through Chorla Ghat area of the sanctuary at night have reported sighting a tiger several times.
When contacted Keri range forest officer Deepak Betkikar said, "I will inform the officials of the department and immediately visit the site in Anjunem where the sambhar's carcass is lying." Forest dept is likely to survey the area on Saturday. Earlier in Charavane village, situated within the Mhadei Sanctuary, a buffalo belonging to shepherd Babu Mano Phale was killed by a tiger on February 4, 2009.
Also on September 27, 2009 a cow belonging to Sai Pingle of Bamanwada-Vagheri was killed by a tiger at Ponsule. Findings of both incidents were documented by forest officials. Assistant conservator of forests Subhash Henrique had last year recorded pugmarks of a tigress and a cub in Anjunem dam area and the tiger census last summer had recorded pugmarks of the big cat. People travelling through Chorla Ghat area of the sanctuary at night have reported sighting a tiger several times.
Tiger pugmarks sighted at Anjunem
KERI: Despite the government so far refusing to admit it, there is once again evidence that Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary on the eastern border of Goa, is a tiger habitat. Pugmarks of the big cat were discovered by the remains of a fully grown sambhar at Anjunem last week. A forest department survey team on a visit to Anjunem noticed the sambhar carcass and the pugmarks on the hilly areas of Anjunem. Local guide Vithoba Gawas of Shiroli who accompanied the survey team said, "A carcass of a sambhar was lying on the ground and pugmarks of the big cat were near it."
When contacted Keri range forest officer Deepak Betkikar said, "I will inform the officials of the department and immediately visit the site in Anjunem where the sambhar's carcass is lying." Forest dept is likely to survey the area on Saturday. Earlier in Charavane village, situated within the Mhadei Sanctuary, a buffalo belonging to shepherd Babu Mano Phale was killed by a tiger on February 4, 2009.
Also on September 27, 2009 a cow belonging to Sai Pingle of Bamanwada-Vagheri was killed by a tiger at Ponsule. Findings of both incidents were documented by forest officials. Assistant conservator of forests Subhash Henrique had last year recorded pugmarks of a tigress and a cub in Anjunem dam area and the tiger census last summer had recorded pugmarks of the big cat. People travelling through Chorla Ghat area of the sanctuary at night have reported sighting a tiger several times.
When contacted Keri range forest officer Deepak Betkikar said, "I will inform the officials of the department and immediately visit the site in Anjunem where the sambhar's carcass is lying." Forest dept is likely to survey the area on Saturday. Earlier in Charavane village, situated within the Mhadei Sanctuary, a buffalo belonging to shepherd Babu Mano Phale was killed by a tiger on February 4, 2009.
Also on September 27, 2009 a cow belonging to Sai Pingle of Bamanwada-Vagheri was killed by a tiger at Ponsule. Findings of both incidents were documented by forest officials. Assistant conservator of forests Subhash Henrique had last year recorded pugmarks of a tigress and a cub in Anjunem dam area and the tiger census last summer had recorded pugmarks of the big cat. People travelling through Chorla Ghat area of the sanctuary at night have reported sighting a tiger several times.
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