LUCKNOW: The number of adult tigers has increased in UP in the last over three years. While a February, 2008 report of MoEF showed 109 tigers in UP, Census-2011 has counted 118 tigers (with lower limit of 113 and upper limit of 124). An increase of nine adult tigers is being considered as good by forest officers.
"It is a good increase. This is a maximum population that the forest area in the state can support," said D N S Suman, principal chief conservator of Forest (PCCF), UP. The Census for tiger population recorded tigers above 1.5 years of age only. For this, the cameras tracking their movement were mounted at such a height in Census area that only adults got clicked. The cubs would now be counted through sightings.
Meanwhile, the density of tigers has gone down from the last time's 25.3 per cent to current 24.9 per cent. Though a detailed report on the tiger estimation showing region-wise count is yet to be released by the central ministry, Pilibhit has come up as "a promising tiger area". It lies outside protected area and tiger population there has been found to be increasing.
The tiger population between 2006 and 2010 in UP shows a stable trend. The state has a total forest area of 14,341 sq km. The tigers occupied a total area of 2,766 sq km as per the last Census. This time, tigers have been found occupying 2,948 sq km. However, an increase in tiger population in high human-use areas has heightened man-tiger conflict.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Nine-more-adult-tigers-spotted-in-UP-Census/articleshow/7847609.cms
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Tiger Census: Orissa rejects numbers
Bhubaneswar: Based on the method of counting tigers by their pug marks, Orissa until 2006 had claimed there were 192 tigers in the state including 101 in Simlipal.
But the 2006 National Tiger Census based on other methods found only 45 tigers in Orissa.
Now, the 2010 Tiger Census says there are only 32 tigers in Orissa outside the Sunabeda sanctuary which was inaccessible during the last census because of Maoist violence in the area.
Our tiger population is stable. However, the Government of India could not check the population of tigers in Sunabeda sanctuary. We are making big efforts to conserve the tigers in Orissa," said Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Orissa.
"I cannot accept the Government of India's figures because in Orissa it's a fact that tigers are there not only in Sunabeda, Satkosia and Simlipal but other parts of the state. So if we come out with this sort of report without making a detailed scientific analysis of all other tiger habitats, we are bound to commit mistakes," said PN Padhi, PCCF, Wildlife, Orissa.
The state government continues to claim there are 61 tigers in Simlipal.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/tiger-census-orissa-rejects-numbers-95597
The 2010 census report estimates there are only 23, but since it also says the actual number could be anything between 12 and 34, wildlife officials say the figures are not dependable.
"When the data is not very dependable or when the evaluator has doubts on the data, he goes for a wide range...this needs a re-verfication and I hope the NTCA orders a second kind of a survey," noted Biswajit Mohanty, Wildlife Expert.
There is little doubt that the pug-mark method of counting is unreliable but at the same time the new camera trap method must rise to the occasion and put all doubts at rest.
But the 2006 National Tiger Census based on other methods found only 45 tigers in Orissa.
Now, the 2010 Tiger Census says there are only 32 tigers in Orissa outside the Sunabeda sanctuary which was inaccessible during the last census because of Maoist violence in the area.
Our tiger population is stable. However, the Government of India could not check the population of tigers in Sunabeda sanctuary. We are making big efforts to conserve the tigers in Orissa," said Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Orissa.
"I cannot accept the Government of India's figures because in Orissa it's a fact that tigers are there not only in Sunabeda, Satkosia and Simlipal but other parts of the state. So if we come out with this sort of report without making a detailed scientific analysis of all other tiger habitats, we are bound to commit mistakes," said PN Padhi, PCCF, Wildlife, Orissa.
The state government continues to claim there are 61 tigers in Simlipal.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/tiger-census-orissa-rejects-numbers-95597
The 2010 census report estimates there are only 23, but since it also says the actual number could be anything between 12 and 34, wildlife officials say the figures are not dependable.
"When the data is not very dependable or when the evaluator has doubts on the data, he goes for a wide range...this needs a re-verfication and I hope the NTCA orders a second kind of a survey," noted Biswajit Mohanty, Wildlife Expert.
There is little doubt that the pug-mark method of counting is unreliable but at the same time the new camera trap method must rise to the occasion and put all doubts at rest.
Tiger sighted in Cavrem plantation- Rajendra P Kerkar TNN
KERI: Never was a cashew apple-plucking exercise so memorable, albeit frightening, for Latika Pandhari Velip.
The 45-year-old was hard at work in her cashew plantation at Cavrem on Tuesday evening when the unusual antics of her pet dog made her look around.
"There stood the tiger just a short way from where the dog and I were," says the still shaken up Latika.
Speechless and very frightened at the time, the mother-of-one says she calmed down only when the tiger moved away from them and into the forest around.
"I was very frightened, but the tiger only threw us a glance and went off majestically into the forest," says Latika.
Cavrem, a village in Quepem taluka, is no stranger to the presence of wild animals, including the big cat.
2009 the body of a bison supposedly killed by a tiger was found in a cashew plantation in the village. The incident was reported to the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) and the Goa forest department by local resident Tulshidas Velip through a memorandum.
When questioned about Latika's sighting of a tiger in the village on Tuesday, forest officials refused to comment.
Latika, however, told TOI, "Our forefathers have lived in this forested village in harmony with wild animals. On earlier occasions I have felt the presence of leopards, but the sight of the tiger in front of me is something I will never forget. It was indeed memorable."
Environmental activist Terence George, who works with the tribal Velip community in the region, adds, "Cavrem village has a rich forest cover which the local community protects through the tradition of sacred groves.
However, illegal mining activities in and around Cavrem has disturbed the forests and in turn the habitat of wild animals, including the tiger."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Tiger-sighted-in-Cavrem-plantation/articleshow/7847578.cms
The 45-year-old was hard at work in her cashew plantation at Cavrem on Tuesday evening when the unusual antics of her pet dog made her look around.
"There stood the tiger just a short way from where the dog and I were," says the still shaken up Latika.
Speechless and very frightened at the time, the mother-of-one says she calmed down only when the tiger moved away from them and into the forest around.
"I was very frightened, but the tiger only threw us a glance and went off majestically into the forest," says Latika.
Cavrem, a village in Quepem taluka, is no stranger to the presence of wild animals, including the big cat.
2009 the body of a bison supposedly killed by a tiger was found in a cashew plantation in the village. The incident was reported to the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) and the Goa forest department by local resident Tulshidas Velip through a memorandum.
When questioned about Latika's sighting of a tiger in the village on Tuesday, forest officials refused to comment.
Latika, however, told TOI, "Our forefathers have lived in this forested village in harmony with wild animals. On earlier occasions I have felt the presence of leopards, but the sight of the tiger in front of me is something I will never forget. It was indeed memorable."
Environmental activist Terence George, who works with the tribal Velip community in the region, adds, "Cavrem village has a rich forest cover which the local community protects through the tradition of sacred groves.
However, illegal mining activities in and around Cavrem has disturbed the forests and in turn the habitat of wild animals, including the tiger."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Tiger-sighted-in-Cavrem-plantation/articleshow/7847578.cms
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Deficiencies in tiger enumeration methods, says expert
How can we justify claims that the decline in tiger population has been reversed when various threats to the animal still persist?
Renowned wildlife biologist and tiger expert Ullas Karanth expressed serious reservations about the methodology adopted in the national tiger population estimation exercise. The results were released in Delhi on Monday, as per which the number of tigers across the country had increased from 1411 in 2006, to 1706.
He called for an end to the government monopoly on tiger monitoring, and suggested that outside expertise and resources be harnessed so as to ensure greater reliability, transparency and credibility in monitoring the fate of the national animal.
Responding to the national tiger estimation figures, Dr. Karanth, Director, Centre for Wildlife Studies, said that it was difficult to justify claims that the decline of the tiger population had been reversed when the various threats faced by the animal had not diminished in the last four years. “The full process of how these tiger numbers are generated for individual tiger populations and landscapes has not been made public in a scientifically acceptable manner. Only one scientific paper, which explains only a part of this protocol, has been published in 2011, based on data from the last round of estimation in 2007,” said Dr. Karanth. “I see serious deficiencies in the methodology which has been published.”
In a release, he said the monitoring of tracks by forest guards was not a substitute for more reliable methods of monitoring — using camera traps or DNA sampling — as had already been proven earlier in cases where tigers had vanished despite guards having done similar patrol-based monitoring. “To me the most serious flaw in the present government effort is the basic futility of trying to generate all-India-level tiger counts once in four years, even while ignoring the critical task of intensively monitoring key source populations year after year,” said Dr. Karanth.
CAMERA TRAP METHODS
He said the time had now come to switch from these four-yearly national estimation exercises and focus on intensive camera trap or DNA monitoring of tiger source populations so that one could track the fate of individual tigers, and estimate survival and recruitment rates to gauge how each of these populations was faring.
Citing works done by the Centre for Wildlife Studies, which has monitored tigers rigorously in Karnataka over an area that holds about 15% of the country's tigers, Dr. Karanth said an area of about 3,000 sq. km was camera-trapped every year and more than 100 tigers photographed out of a population of about 250 tigers. “On the basis of these data, we believe that the tiger population in Karnataka is holding out, and even increasing in some areas like Bhadra and Kudremukh thanks to the good work by government and NGOs. We believe that similar intensive monitoring of all key source populations can be easily done to generate similarly useful results across the country. This would not cost more than what the present ‘once-in-four-year' national estimation costs,” he said.
CAUTION
Dr. Karanth cautioned that if there was no shift to such focused, intensive monitoring approaches, the country was at serious risk of losing more and more key populations even as it celebrated supposed ‘increases'. He drew attention to the fact that many reserves had lost most of their tigers despite these national counts in the past decades.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article1579810.ece
Renowned wildlife biologist and tiger expert Ullas Karanth expressed serious reservations about the methodology adopted in the national tiger population estimation exercise. The results were released in Delhi on Monday, as per which the number of tigers across the country had increased from 1411 in 2006, to 1706.
He called for an end to the government monopoly on tiger monitoring, and suggested that outside expertise and resources be harnessed so as to ensure greater reliability, transparency and credibility in monitoring the fate of the national animal.
Responding to the national tiger estimation figures, Dr. Karanth, Director, Centre for Wildlife Studies, said that it was difficult to justify claims that the decline of the tiger population had been reversed when the various threats faced by the animal had not diminished in the last four years. “The full process of how these tiger numbers are generated for individual tiger populations and landscapes has not been made public in a scientifically acceptable manner. Only one scientific paper, which explains only a part of this protocol, has been published in 2011, based on data from the last round of estimation in 2007,” said Dr. Karanth. “I see serious deficiencies in the methodology which has been published.”
In a release, he said the monitoring of tracks by forest guards was not a substitute for more reliable methods of monitoring — using camera traps or DNA sampling — as had already been proven earlier in cases where tigers had vanished despite guards having done similar patrol-based monitoring. “To me the most serious flaw in the present government effort is the basic futility of trying to generate all-India-level tiger counts once in four years, even while ignoring the critical task of intensively monitoring key source populations year after year,” said Dr. Karanth.
CAMERA TRAP METHODS
He said the time had now come to switch from these four-yearly national estimation exercises and focus on intensive camera trap or DNA monitoring of tiger source populations so that one could track the fate of individual tigers, and estimate survival and recruitment rates to gauge how each of these populations was faring.
Citing works done by the Centre for Wildlife Studies, which has monitored tigers rigorously in Karnataka over an area that holds about 15% of the country's tigers, Dr. Karanth said an area of about 3,000 sq. km was camera-trapped every year and more than 100 tigers photographed out of a population of about 250 tigers. “On the basis of these data, we believe that the tiger population in Karnataka is holding out, and even increasing in some areas like Bhadra and Kudremukh thanks to the good work by government and NGOs. We believe that similar intensive monitoring of all key source populations can be easily done to generate similarly useful results across the country. This would not cost more than what the present ‘once-in-four-year' national estimation costs,” he said.
CAUTION
Dr. Karanth cautioned that if there was no shift to such focused, intensive monitoring approaches, the country was at serious risk of losing more and more key populations even as it celebrated supposed ‘increases'. He drew attention to the fact that many reserves had lost most of their tigers despite these national counts in the past decades.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article1579810.ece
Tiger numbers in Maharashtra underestimated? Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: Even if number of tigers in Maharashtra has gone up by 66 in latest estimation, experts in state are not happy with the result.
They have questioned the Wildlife Institute of India ( WII) technique of extrapolation on the basis of data collected from a high tiger density area.
In 2006, the tiger occupancy was reported in 4,273 sq km area in Maharashtra. In 2010, it jumped to 10,350 sq km, a two-and-half-times increase.
"Since various threats faced by tigers do not appear to have diminished in last four years, it is difficult to explain the claimed reversal in decline of tigers. Has the forest increased or tigers?" asked Nitin Desai, Central India director for Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI).
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-numbers-in-state-underestimated/articleshow/7822470.cms
They have questioned the Wildlife Institute of India ( WII) technique of extrapolation on the basis of data collected from a high tiger density area.
In 2006, the tiger occupancy was reported in 4,273 sq km area in Maharashtra. In 2010, it jumped to 10,350 sq km, a two-and-half-times increase.
"Since various threats faced by tigers do not appear to have diminished in last four years, it is difficult to explain the claimed reversal in decline of tigers. Has the forest increased or tigers?" asked Nitin Desai, Central India director for Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI).
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-numbers-in-state-underestimated/articleshow/7822470.cms
Meet discusses problem of straying tigers TNN
JAIPUR: The problem of tigers straying from the Ranthambore National Park came up for discussion during the on-going International Conference on Tiger Conservation in Delhi. The ministry of forest and environment is to take steps to ensure safety of tigers that stray from Ranthambore.
Usually, tigers straying from the park face threats of being poached or being killed in revenge by villagers staying on the periphery of the park after the big cats feed on their livestock.
The ministry sought suggestions from the state government at the conference to ensure safety of straying tigers. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot has announced in his budget speech proposals to develop the area connecting Ranthambore with the Mukundra hills sanctuary as a corridor for tiger movement. The area is frequently used by straying tigers from Ranthambore and developing it would give the big cats a safer passage.
The Ranthambore National Park has been suffering from a problem of plenty for some time now. Though the total area of Ranthambore tiger reserve is about 1,394.478 sq km but about 31 resident tigers are confined to an area of less than 400 sq km of the core area. The rapid multiplication of tigers in the reserve has been posing a bigger problem for foresters.
Recently, two tigers had strayed as far as Mathura while another managed to get away to Madhya Pradesh and finally to the Kuno-palpur area. Currently, at least two ---T2 and T 40 ---have not been seen since October.
"The problem is due to rising population of tigers. The semi-adults find it difficult to chalk out their territory and stray from the sanctuary. Sometimes, tigers also take to fighting among themselves over territory, often resulting in the death of one. The answer may lie in developing other areas of the park like the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary to house the rising number of tigers," sources said.
The Wildlife Institute of India estimation of tigers released on Monday put the number of tigers at Ranthambore at 31. But 12 more cubs have been born between the time the census took place and now bringing up the problem of plenty once again at the park. Tigers are fiercely protective of their territories. A tigress may have a territory of 20 sq km, while the male may cover 40-80 sq km and even more.
The state has deployed a large number of personnel to keep a watch straying tigers. Border home guards, ex-Army personnel, Van Mitras have been deputed for the purpose. For the first time the state has also deployed cadres from the Rajasthan Administrative Service who can speak the local language.
Forest officials are also trying to make more room for tigers by relocating villages located in the forest. "Last year we relocated one village from Ranthambore. This year too we are relocating about 10 villages from the forest and to make room for more tigers," officials said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Meet-discusses-problem-of-straying-tigers/articleshow/7821533.cms
Usually, tigers straying from the park face threats of being poached or being killed in revenge by villagers staying on the periphery of the park after the big cats feed on their livestock.
The ministry sought suggestions from the state government at the conference to ensure safety of straying tigers. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot has announced in his budget speech proposals to develop the area connecting Ranthambore with the Mukundra hills sanctuary as a corridor for tiger movement. The area is frequently used by straying tigers from Ranthambore and developing it would give the big cats a safer passage.
The Ranthambore National Park has been suffering from a problem of plenty for some time now. Though the total area of Ranthambore tiger reserve is about 1,394.478 sq km but about 31 resident tigers are confined to an area of less than 400 sq km of the core area. The rapid multiplication of tigers in the reserve has been posing a bigger problem for foresters.
Recently, two tigers had strayed as far as Mathura while another managed to get away to Madhya Pradesh and finally to the Kuno-palpur area. Currently, at least two ---T2 and T 40 ---have not been seen since October.
"The problem is due to rising population of tigers. The semi-adults find it difficult to chalk out their territory and stray from the sanctuary. Sometimes, tigers also take to fighting among themselves over territory, often resulting in the death of one. The answer may lie in developing other areas of the park like the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary to house the rising number of tigers," sources said.
The Wildlife Institute of India estimation of tigers released on Monday put the number of tigers at Ranthambore at 31. But 12 more cubs have been born between the time the census took place and now bringing up the problem of plenty once again at the park. Tigers are fiercely protective of their territories. A tigress may have a territory of 20 sq km, while the male may cover 40-80 sq km and even more.
The state has deployed a large number of personnel to keep a watch straying tigers. Border home guards, ex-Army personnel, Van Mitras have been deputed for the purpose. For the first time the state has also deployed cadres from the Rajasthan Administrative Service who can speak the local language.
Forest officials are also trying to make more room for tigers by relocating villages located in the forest. "Last year we relocated one village from Ranthambore. This year too we are relocating about 10 villages from the forest and to make room for more tigers," officials said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Meet-discusses-problem-of-straying-tigers/articleshow/7821533.cms
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The tiger census counts 1,706; finds 12 per cent growth
NEW DELHI: There is reason for tiger enthusiasts to celebrate: India's wild tiger population has grown 12 per cent in the last four years.
According to the 2010 tiger census, whose results were declared on Monday, there are approximately 1,706 of the big cats in the country, which includes about 70 in the marshes of the Sunderbans, which have never been scientifically surveyed before. The 2006 census had estimated that there were 1,411 tigers, without including any from the Sunderbans.
Thirty per cent of the tiger population lives in areas outside the government's reserves, giving conservationists a new challenge in the effort to protect them.
The celebrations, however, were muted by the decrease in land area where tigers can thrive. “Tiger occupancy areas shrunk from 9 million hectares to less than 7.5 million hectares over the last four years,” said Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh. “This means that tiger corridors are under severe threat, especially in central India…in Madhya Pradesh and northern Andhra Pradesh.”
Not surprisingly, these are the two States that have fared the worst in the census, with tiger populations falling to 213 in Madhya Pradesh and 65 in Andhra Pradesh.
Successful efforts
The largest number of tigers lives in Karnataka – about 280 – and conservation efforts have been successful in the entire Western Ghats area, with Tamil Nadu and Kerala also seeing good results. The Terai belt of grasslands at the Himalayan foothills in Uttarakhand have also done surprisingly well in nurturing their tiger populations.
While Kaziranga in Assam has 100 tigers, the largest in a single reserve, there are worrying signs from the North Eastern area. These forested hills are capable of supporting far more than the number of tigers that were found in the area, but poaching and the pressure of developmental activities have kept the numbers low.
Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Water Resources Minister Salman Khursheed flanked Mr. Ramesh as he announced the census results.“We can deal with the threat of poachers, of the real estate and mining mafias, but it's much harder to deal with the developmental dynamic,” said Mr. Ramesh, pointing to energy projects — whether coal, hydel or nuclear — irrigation schemes, and highway proposals as among the developments endangering tigers and their ecosystem.
“A country of 1.4 billion cannot survive on solar, wind and biogas alone, so we do need commercial sources of energy, but we also need to conserve these forests,” he told Mr. Ahluwalia. “We must decide whether we can afford a 9 per cent growth agenda which would destroy our forests and the cultures and livelihoods that depend on them.” He added that river linking, hydel and irrigation projects could destroy the Panna, Buxa and Valmiki tiger reserves.
According to the 2010 tiger census, whose results were declared on Monday, there are approximately 1,706 of the big cats in the country, which includes about 70 in the marshes of the Sunderbans, which have never been scientifically surveyed before. The 2006 census had estimated that there were 1,411 tigers, without including any from the Sunderbans.
Thirty per cent of the tiger population lives in areas outside the government's reserves, giving conservationists a new challenge in the effort to protect them.
The celebrations, however, were muted by the decrease in land area where tigers can thrive. “Tiger occupancy areas shrunk from 9 million hectares to less than 7.5 million hectares over the last four years,” said Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh. “This means that tiger corridors are under severe threat, especially in central India…in Madhya Pradesh and northern Andhra Pradesh.”
Not surprisingly, these are the two States that have fared the worst in the census, with tiger populations falling to 213 in Madhya Pradesh and 65 in Andhra Pradesh.
Successful efforts
The largest number of tigers lives in Karnataka – about 280 – and conservation efforts have been successful in the entire Western Ghats area, with Tamil Nadu and Kerala also seeing good results. The Terai belt of grasslands at the Himalayan foothills in Uttarakhand have also done surprisingly well in nurturing their tiger populations.
While Kaziranga in Assam has 100 tigers, the largest in a single reserve, there are worrying signs from the North Eastern area. These forested hills are capable of supporting far more than the number of tigers that were found in the area, but poaching and the pressure of developmental activities have kept the numbers low.
Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Water Resources Minister Salman Khursheed flanked Mr. Ramesh as he announced the census results.“We can deal with the threat of poachers, of the real estate and mining mafias, but it's much harder to deal with the developmental dynamic,” said Mr. Ramesh, pointing to energy projects — whether coal, hydel or nuclear — irrigation schemes, and highway proposals as among the developments endangering tigers and their ecosystem.
“A country of 1.4 billion cannot survive on solar, wind and biogas alone, so we do need commercial sources of energy, but we also need to conserve these forests,” he told Mr. Ahluwalia. “We must decide whether we can afford a 9 per cent growth agenda which would destroy our forests and the cultures and livelihoods that depend on them.” He added that river linking, hydel and irrigation projects could destroy the Panna, Buxa and Valmiki tiger reserves.
Forest official disputes tiger census figures TNN
HYDERABAD: There was a dispute over the number of tigers at the Nagarjuna-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) in the 2010 tiger census. While the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) put the tiger population at the reserve between 53 and 66, K Tulsi Rao, head, biodiversity research, Project Tiger, Srisailam, claimed that the number of cats in NSTR would be around 100.
While agreeing that there was a decline in the number of tigers in the state due to poaching and shrinking of their habitat, Tulsi attributed the rise in tiger population in NSTR to ertain measures introduced by his department.
The NTCA has given a bleak picture of the tiger population in the state. It said that AP and Madhya Pradesh were the only states in the country that have shown decline in tiger population. While giving no figures for the East and West Godavari districts, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram the census claimed that there were only five tigers in the districts of Adilabad, Warangal, Karimnagar and Khammam.
According to forest department officials, the tiger population rose from 102 in 2008 to 106 in 2009.
The figures released by the forest department in 2009 had put the number of tigers in NSTR at 72 as against 65 in 2008. The remaining 24 tigers were spread over other sanctuaries.
Commenting on the present situation Rao said, "At NSTR we have introduced special measures. Chenchus were roped in to act as tiger trackers. They are also protecting them."
Rao, who is also the deputy conservator of forest, put the number of tigers in NSTR at 100, including cubs. "We have captured 25-30 cubs on camera, claimed Rao.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Forest-official-disputes-tiger-census-figures/articleshow/7811037.cms
While agreeing that there was a decline in the number of tigers in the state due to poaching and shrinking of their habitat, Tulsi attributed the rise in tiger population in NSTR to ertain measures introduced by his department.
The NTCA has given a bleak picture of the tiger population in the state. It said that AP and Madhya Pradesh were the only states in the country that have shown decline in tiger population. While giving no figures for the East and West Godavari districts, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram the census claimed that there were only five tigers in the districts of Adilabad, Warangal, Karimnagar and Khammam.
According to forest department officials, the tiger population rose from 102 in 2008 to 106 in 2009.
The figures released by the forest department in 2009 had put the number of tigers in NSTR at 72 as against 65 in 2008. The remaining 24 tigers were spread over other sanctuaries.
Commenting on the present situation Rao said, "At NSTR we have introduced special measures. Chenchus were roped in to act as tiger trackers. They are also protecting them."
Rao, who is also the deputy conservator of forest, put the number of tigers in NSTR at 100, including cubs. "We have captured 25-30 cubs on camera, claimed Rao.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Forest-official-disputes-tiger-census-figures/articleshow/7811037.cms
Two tiger attacks in two days leaves villagers in fear- TNN
CHANDRAPUR: Two tiger attacks in two days have terrorised villagers of Saygata in the Bramhapuri forest range. A villager was mauled in Saygata on Saturday, while another was killed in Mayar on Sunday night by the same tiger.
Sources informed that deceased Anantrao Sondawle (50) from village Mayar had gone to answer nature's call at around 8 pm in his farm on Sunday. The lurking tiger killed him and took his body to the shrubs around 20 feet away.
When Sondawle did not return, villagers searched and found his mutilated body. "The farm is on the fringes of the forest area. Our staff found pug marks near the body. As part of the compensation, we have given Rs 10,000 as ex-gratia to his family. The remaining amount of Rs 2 lakh would be paid after the necessary formalities are completed," said RFO of Bramhapuri range, BJ Mandhre.
Earlier on Saturday, the same tiger had mauled one Murari Ganvir (50) from village Saygata, 5 km from Mayar. Ganvir was collecting mouha flowers in the forest area close to his farm.
After hearing Ganvir's cries for help, farm labourers working in the fields nearby rushed to rescue him. On hearing the alarm raised by the labourers, the tiger left the wounded Ganvir and fled. Ganvir has been admitted to the local government hospital for treatment.
Mandhre informed that jungle patrolling was on when the incident occurred. He added that patrolling has been intensified after the same tiger was spotted in the forest area.
"Since the two villages (Mayar and Saygata) are close to each other, the possibility of the involvement of the same tiger in both the attacks cannot be ruled out," said Mandhre. DCF, Bramhapuri forest division, Sanjay Thawre too claimed that it's the same tiger.
"The jungle is thin and degraded. Moreover, the landscape is knitted with closely-located villages. As it's the season of collecting tendu leaves and mouha flowers, this jungle is frequented by villagers. This could have disturbed the tiger," said Thawre.
Meanwhile, forest officials have advised villagers to remain alert. Efforts are also on to send the beast deep into the forest so that it remains far away from villages.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Two-tiger-attacks-in-two-days-leaves-villagers-in-fear/articleshow/7807756.cms
Sources informed that deceased Anantrao Sondawle (50) from village Mayar had gone to answer nature's call at around 8 pm in his farm on Sunday. The lurking tiger killed him and took his body to the shrubs around 20 feet away.
When Sondawle did not return, villagers searched and found his mutilated body. "The farm is on the fringes of the forest area. Our staff found pug marks near the body. As part of the compensation, we have given Rs 10,000 as ex-gratia to his family. The remaining amount of Rs 2 lakh would be paid after the necessary formalities are completed," said RFO of Bramhapuri range, BJ Mandhre.
Earlier on Saturday, the same tiger had mauled one Murari Ganvir (50) from village Saygata, 5 km from Mayar. Ganvir was collecting mouha flowers in the forest area close to his farm.
After hearing Ganvir's cries for help, farm labourers working in the fields nearby rushed to rescue him. On hearing the alarm raised by the labourers, the tiger left the wounded Ganvir and fled. Ganvir has been admitted to the local government hospital for treatment.
Mandhre informed that jungle patrolling was on when the incident occurred. He added that patrolling has been intensified after the same tiger was spotted in the forest area.
"Since the two villages (Mayar and Saygata) are close to each other, the possibility of the involvement of the same tiger in both the attacks cannot be ruled out," said Mandhre. DCF, Bramhapuri forest division, Sanjay Thawre too claimed that it's the same tiger.
"The jungle is thin and degraded. Moreover, the landscape is knitted with closely-located villages. As it's the season of collecting tendu leaves and mouha flowers, this jungle is frequented by villagers. This could have disturbed the tiger," said Thawre.
Meanwhile, forest officials have advised villagers to remain alert. Efforts are also on to send the beast deep into the forest so that it remains far away from villages.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Two-tiger-attacks-in-two-days-leaves-villagers-in-fear/articleshow/7807756.cms
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Census of Wild Tiger of The Country will be Unveiled Tomorrow
New population estimation figures on wild tiger numbers of India will be unveiled tomorrow here. A 3-Day International Conference on Tiger Conservation, Global Workshop on Implementation of the Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP) and General Assembly of the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) will also begin here tomorrow. India is a key player in the global tiger conservation agenda and has established a leadership position with more than 45,000 sq km area under 39 designated tiger reserves. India is also on a rapid economic growth path, faced with the challenging task of striking a balance between conservation and development. Eliciting the support of communities living in and around tiger reserves is also an imperative for mainstreaming tiger concerns in India at the landscape level with livelihood options to reduce the resource dependency on wildlife habitats.
The conference marks the first follow up of meeting countries that still have wild tigers following November 2010’s tiger summit at St. Petersburg, Russia. The historic Russian summit drew world leaders and produced the groundbreaking Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP), a worldwide plan to bring the species back from the brink of extinction. The GTRP adopted St. Petersburg outlines the priorities for national, regional, and global actions for the next 12 years. The GTRP Implementation workshop will set the stage for the first year actions. Participants from all tiger range countries will present their national priority actions for 2011 and the international partners will outline their support to assist TRCs in their implementation needs. The overall goal is to have an essential on-the-ground impact in tiger conservation and management of tiger ecosystems in 2011.
Objectives of this conference include sharing of the refined methodology and best practices in conserving tigers in India, open the dialog on conservation and infrastructure sector through Smart Green Infrastructure that promises adding value to rather than adversely impacting tiger ecosystems, experience sharing vis-a-vis the implementation of the GTRP/NTRPs across all Tiger Range Countries & launch and financial support to the TRCs, discuss a framework of national tiger and prey monitoring systems through the GTF and plan for the first Annual GTRP Stocktaking meeting in December, 2011.
With sessions on the global programme’s implementation and monitoring scheduled, the conference will serve as an update on its progress, achievements and challenges, detailing the state of the tiger in 2011. Sessions on India’s challenges in achieving conservation and economic development, as well as experiences from the frontlines of tiger conservation are also scheduled. In addition to high-level officials from the 13 countries that still have tigers, the conference is expected to hear from key NGOs and global partners in the GTRP, including the World Bank’s Global Tiger Initiative, the Global Tiger Forum, WWF, WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), the Smithsonian Institute, the wildlife trade network TRAFFIC, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
The International Tiger Conference will be followed by a meeting of the General Assembly of the Global Tiger Forum (GTF). The GTF is the only inter-governmental body focused on promoting the conservation of the tiger. Currently, India is the host country for the GTF.
Numbering more than 100,000 at the turn of the last century, tigers have lost more than 97 percent of their population and 94 percent of their home range in just 100 years. They live in increasingly isolated habitats in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Viatnam. The Global Tiger Recovery Programme marks the first formalized international initiative to save the species from extinctin.
This conference is an important first step in bringing all 13 tiger range countries together again to build on the Global Tiger Recovery Programme and stop the tiger’s decline. The conference has been hosted by the national Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India and Co-organized and co-sponsored by the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) and Global Tiger Initiative (GTI).
KP/RK
(Release ID :71290)
The conference marks the first follow up of meeting countries that still have wild tigers following November 2010’s tiger summit at St. Petersburg, Russia. The historic Russian summit drew world leaders and produced the groundbreaking Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP), a worldwide plan to bring the species back from the brink of extinction. The GTRP adopted St. Petersburg outlines the priorities for national, regional, and global actions for the next 12 years. The GTRP Implementation workshop will set the stage for the first year actions. Participants from all tiger range countries will present their national priority actions for 2011 and the international partners will outline their support to assist TRCs in their implementation needs. The overall goal is to have an essential on-the-ground impact in tiger conservation and management of tiger ecosystems in 2011.
Objectives of this conference include sharing of the refined methodology and best practices in conserving tigers in India, open the dialog on conservation and infrastructure sector through Smart Green Infrastructure that promises adding value to rather than adversely impacting tiger ecosystems, experience sharing vis-a-vis the implementation of the GTRP/NTRPs across all Tiger Range Countries & launch and financial support to the TRCs, discuss a framework of national tiger and prey monitoring systems through the GTF and plan for the first Annual GTRP Stocktaking meeting in December, 2011.
With sessions on the global programme’s implementation and monitoring scheduled, the conference will serve as an update on its progress, achievements and challenges, detailing the state of the tiger in 2011. Sessions on India’s challenges in achieving conservation and economic development, as well as experiences from the frontlines of tiger conservation are also scheduled. In addition to high-level officials from the 13 countries that still have tigers, the conference is expected to hear from key NGOs and global partners in the GTRP, including the World Bank’s Global Tiger Initiative, the Global Tiger Forum, WWF, WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), the Smithsonian Institute, the wildlife trade network TRAFFIC, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
The International Tiger Conference will be followed by a meeting of the General Assembly of the Global Tiger Forum (GTF). The GTF is the only inter-governmental body focused on promoting the conservation of the tiger. Currently, India is the host country for the GTF.
Numbering more than 100,000 at the turn of the last century, tigers have lost more than 97 percent of their population and 94 percent of their home range in just 100 years. They live in increasingly isolated habitats in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Viatnam. The Global Tiger Recovery Programme marks the first formalized international initiative to save the species from extinctin.
This conference is an important first step in bringing all 13 tiger range countries together again to build on the Global Tiger Recovery Programme and stop the tiger’s decline. The conference has been hosted by the national Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India and Co-organized and co-sponsored by the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) and Global Tiger Initiative (GTI).
KP/RK
(Release ID :71290)
Panna Reserve in Madhya Pradesh gets another tigress
A tigress was today relocated to Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, as a part of the ongoing efforts to revive the tiger population there, a top forest official said.
"A six-year old tigress from Kanha Tiger Reserve was put in the wild of the park directly this morning," Panna Tiger Reserve's field director, RS Murthy, said.
"It is for the first time in the country that a tigress has been put in the wild directly," he said, adding that normally animals are first kept in an enclosure before shifting them to the wilderness.
Murthy said that this tigress had been raised in an enclosure in Kanha, after her mother died shortly after the delivery.
The new entrant of Panna has been radio-collared for the purpose of monitoring.
With this, the number of translocated tigresses to this reserve has increased to three.
Last year, two tigresses and a tiger were shifted to Panna, which is spread over 543 sq km across Panna and Chhatarpur districts.
A tigress from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was brought in March 2009 and another one was translocated from Kanha in the same month.
Thereafter, a tiger was brought from Pench Tiger Reserve. The two translocated tigresses gave birth to cubs last year, officials said, adding that five cubs had been spotted so far.
Panna Tiger Reserve, which once had more than 35 tigers, had become devoid of the big cat, allegedly due to poaching, by 2009.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_panna-reserve-in-madhya-pradesh-gets-another-tigress_1525062
"A six-year old tigress from Kanha Tiger Reserve was put in the wild of the park directly this morning," Panna Tiger Reserve's field director, RS Murthy, said.
"It is for the first time in the country that a tigress has been put in the wild directly," he said, adding that normally animals are first kept in an enclosure before shifting them to the wilderness.
Murthy said that this tigress had been raised in an enclosure in Kanha, after her mother died shortly after the delivery.
The new entrant of Panna has been radio-collared for the purpose of monitoring.
With this, the number of translocated tigresses to this reserve has increased to three.
Last year, two tigresses and a tiger were shifted to Panna, which is spread over 543 sq km across Panna and Chhatarpur districts.
A tigress from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was brought in March 2009 and another one was translocated from Kanha in the same month.
Thereafter, a tiger was brought from Pench Tiger Reserve. The two translocated tigresses gave birth to cubs last year, officials said, adding that five cubs had been spotted so far.
Panna Tiger Reserve, which once had more than 35 tigers, had become devoid of the big cat, allegedly due to poaching, by 2009.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_panna-reserve-in-madhya-pradesh-gets-another-tigress_1525062
Two base camps to check man-animal conflicts in Terai
The state Forest department will be undertaking an exclusive project to keep a check on the incidents of man-animal conflict in the core tiger habitat zone in the state. The department, with support from the World Wildlife Fund, will be establishing two conflict and quick response camps at Katarniya Ghat in Bahraich and Dudhwa Wildlife Sanctuary in Lakhimpur Kheri districts. These camps will cover the area between Katarniya Ghat and Pilibhit forest reserves and check the movement of tigers and also, the incidents of man-animal conflict.
The decision to set up these base camps was taken at a meeting of the newly formed Project Management Committee for the Project Tiger, held at Pilibhit on Friday and Saturday. The committee, which has officials of the state Forest department and the WWF as its members, will be monitoring all the projects that the department will undertake for the protection of tigers. During the meeting, the committee decided to include Pilibhit in the core tiger habitat zone.
The need for setting up these base camps was felt because of the recent incidents of tiger killings. Since July last, there have been around 10 incidents of man-animal conflicts in several districts of the state. The latest attack was reported from Rae Bareli on Saturday, when 8 people including a deputy ranger, were injured while trying to catch the leopard. The incident occurred in Lachai village under Saraini police station around 7.30 am, when the leopard attacked four locals, including a woman, who were working in the field. Hearing their cries, other villagers rushed to the spot. The injured were rushed to the district hospital. Meanwhile, a forest team also reached the spot. The animal attacked deputy ranger Ram Naresh Shukla, who was also rushed to the hospital. The villagers then started hitting the animal with lathis and stones and finally, killed the animal. Three more people were injured during the fight
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/two-base-camps-to-check-mananimal-conflicts-in-terai/767885/
The decision to set up these base camps was taken at a meeting of the newly formed Project Management Committee for the Project Tiger, held at Pilibhit on Friday and Saturday. The committee, which has officials of the state Forest department and the WWF as its members, will be monitoring all the projects that the department will undertake for the protection of tigers. During the meeting, the committee decided to include Pilibhit in the core tiger habitat zone.
The need for setting up these base camps was felt because of the recent incidents of tiger killings. Since July last, there have been around 10 incidents of man-animal conflicts in several districts of the state. The latest attack was reported from Rae Bareli on Saturday, when 8 people including a deputy ranger, were injured while trying to catch the leopard. The incident occurred in Lachai village under Saraini police station around 7.30 am, when the leopard attacked four locals, including a woman, who were working in the field. Hearing their cries, other villagers rushed to the spot. The injured were rushed to the district hospital. Meanwhile, a forest team also reached the spot. The animal attacked deputy ranger Ram Naresh Shukla, who was also rushed to the hospital. The villagers then started hitting the animal with lathis and stones and finally, killed the animal. Three more people were injured during the fight
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/two-base-camps-to-check-mananimal-conflicts-in-terai/767885/
Tiger reserve in Jharkhand ravaged by forest fire
Forest Ranger Ashok Kumar Singh said: " We are trying to bring the fire under control for several days. Our staff works all night and as per the latest report, we have almost controlled it. You will not find any new fire breaking out."
He also said that the fire may not harm big animals, but reptiles like snakes, lizards, etc. could be killed.
No one has been reported injured in the fire that has devastated about 72 square kilometers of the forest area.
Trackers and firefighters from the forest department are facing a lot of difficulty to carry out operations to douse the fire during the night due to low visibility and the complex nature of the terrain. (ANI)
http://www.sify.com/news/tiger-reserve-in-jharkhand-ravaged-by-forest-fire-news-national-ldzlEcebchf.html
He also said that the fire may not harm big animals, but reptiles like snakes, lizards, etc. could be killed.
No one has been reported injured in the fire that has devastated about 72 square kilometers of the forest area.
Trackers and firefighters from the forest department are facing a lot of difficulty to carry out operations to douse the fire during the night due to low visibility and the complex nature of the terrain. (ANI)
http://www.sify.com/news/tiger-reserve-in-jharkhand-ravaged-by-forest-fire-news-national-ldzlEcebchf.html
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tiger kills man, this time in Bhadrawati forest- TNN
CHANDRAPUR: A tiger claimed yet another life in Bhadrawati forest range taking the tally of human kills in the district to three this year. The incident took place in Gudgaon beat near Sawri village close to the Irai dam on Wednesday afternoon, but the body was discovered later in the same night. The second human kill by tiger in span of just one month in the jungles close the Irai dam in Bhadrawati tehsil has alarmed villages in the area.
Sources informed that deceased shepherd Natthu Kedar (60) from Sawri had taken his herd into the jungle for grazing in the morning. At around 5pm the herd came back to the village without its shepherd. As he did not return till dusk, the villagers went out in his search.
"The body was discovered in the farm of Baburao Kirtane close to the jungle of compartment No. 935 in Gudgaon beat near Irai dam by the villager. The body had several scratch marks on its back and was lying close the shrubs near the boundary of the farm. After getting information both forest and police personnel rushed to the spot," said RFO, Bhadrawati range, Arun Tikhe.
He informed that ACF TK Dhabekar and he reached the spot with his subordinates and sent the body for post-mortem after necessary inquest formalities.
Tikhe confirmed that it was the act of tiger. "We have recovered the pugmarks on the spot where the kill was made. Moreover, there is known presence of tiger in the area. Tiger might have killed the shepherd in the afternoon while he was grazing the animals, but body was discovered later in the evening," he said.
Replying to a query he denied the possibility of the beast being the same tiger which had killed an unidentified person on February 26 night in compartment No. 206 in same Bhadrawati range. He informed that there are quite a few tigers in Bhadrawati forest range and the two human kills have been made by different tigers.
"We have identified the tiger that killed Kedar on Wednesday and it is different from the one that had made human kill earlier," Tikhe stressed. He said that forest officers have given the ex-gratia aid of Rs 5000 to the kin of Kedar and compensation of Rs 2 lakh against the death would be paid after the necessary documental formalities are completed. Notably this is third instance when tigers had made human kill in the district this year. As many as 12 people were killed in tiger attacks in district last year.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-kills-man-this-time-in-Bhadrawati-forest/articleshow/7783530.cms
Sources informed that deceased shepherd Natthu Kedar (60) from Sawri had taken his herd into the jungle for grazing in the morning. At around 5pm the herd came back to the village without its shepherd. As he did not return till dusk, the villagers went out in his search.
"The body was discovered in the farm of Baburao Kirtane close to the jungle of compartment No. 935 in Gudgaon beat near Irai dam by the villager. The body had several scratch marks on its back and was lying close the shrubs near the boundary of the farm. After getting information both forest and police personnel rushed to the spot," said RFO, Bhadrawati range, Arun Tikhe.
He informed that ACF TK Dhabekar and he reached the spot with his subordinates and sent the body for post-mortem after necessary inquest formalities.
Tikhe confirmed that it was the act of tiger. "We have recovered the pugmarks on the spot where the kill was made. Moreover, there is known presence of tiger in the area. Tiger might have killed the shepherd in the afternoon while he was grazing the animals, but body was discovered later in the evening," he said.
Replying to a query he denied the possibility of the beast being the same tiger which had killed an unidentified person on February 26 night in compartment No. 206 in same Bhadrawati range. He informed that there are quite a few tigers in Bhadrawati forest range and the two human kills have been made by different tigers.
"We have identified the tiger that killed Kedar on Wednesday and it is different from the one that had made human kill earlier," Tikhe stressed. He said that forest officers have given the ex-gratia aid of Rs 5000 to the kin of Kedar and compensation of Rs 2 lakh against the death would be paid after the necessary documental formalities are completed. Notably this is third instance when tigers had made human kill in the district this year. As many as 12 people were killed in tiger attacks in district last year.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-kills-man-this-time-in-Bhadrawati-forest/articleshow/7783530.cms
PAC flays Environment Ministry''s "silence" on tiger protection -PTI
New Delhi, Mar 24 (PTI) Environment Ministry's claim on protection of tigers notwithstanding, a parliamentary committee has taken a dim view of its "silence" on the matter.In its report, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Chaired by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, "deplored the failure" on the part of the Ministry in "not outlining the follow-up action" taken by the states to fill up the field staff in spite of the matter being addressed at the level of the Prime Minister and the Environment Minister. "Worse, the Committee notes with distress that reply is conspicuously silent about the tiger conservation plan prepared by the individual states," said the report on conservation and protection of tigers in tiger reserves tabled in the Lok Sabha. The 22-member committee is of the considered view that mere issuance of guidelines would not help protect the tigers from poachers unless strict monitoring is done of the performance of staff detailed for saving the tigers. "The committee notes with regret that the Ministry has remained silent with regard to pattern of training, duration of training, arms and ammunition used during the training and experts engaged for imparting training to the patrolling staff in the tiger reserves," the report said. The committee recommended that staff be adequately trained and well equipped for ensuring effective patrolling so as to conserve the tigers apart from controlling illegal wildlife trade.
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/pac-flays-environment-ministrys-silence-on-tiger-protection/622224.html
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/pac-flays-environment-ministrys-silence-on-tiger-protection/622224.html
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tiger census to be made public on March 28: Ramesh
Expressing hope that the number of tigers in the country has increased, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh today said that the census of the big cats would be made public on March 28.
“Tiger census is being released to the people...to the nation on Monday, March 28. This was the most comprehensive and scientifically conducted census exercise,” the Minister told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
“I have no inside information. I can’t promise anything. I hope we will have good news,” the Minister said when asked about the nature of revelations that will be made.
He, however, expressed hope that the tiger population in the country turns out to be more than the existing figure of 1,411 after the results of the census exercise are out.
The census was carried out by installing cameras at strategic points like water bodies in the forests, as also in respective territories of the big cats and a computer analysis was done to collate the data.
The 2007 census had shown a sharp fall in the number of tigers in ‘protected areas’ - reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries - in 19 States across the country.
According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.
“Tiger census is being released to the people...to the nation on Monday, March 28. This was the most comprehensive and scientifically conducted census exercise,” the Minister told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
“I have no inside information. I can’t promise anything. I hope we will have good news,” the Minister said when asked about the nature of revelations that will be made.
He, however, expressed hope that the tiger population in the country turns out to be more than the existing figure of 1,411 after the results of the census exercise are out.
The census was carried out by installing cameras at strategic points like water bodies in the forests, as also in respective territories of the big cats and a computer analysis was done to collate the data.
The 2007 census had shown a sharp fall in the number of tigers in ‘protected areas’ - reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries - in 19 States across the country.
According to it, India had only 1,411 wild cats left in its forests.
Locals in Bandipur spark off fires in tiger reserves: officials Published: Bosky Khanna, DNA
Several cases of forest fire have been reported in Bandipur and Nagarhole tiger reserves and, in most cases, it has been the locals — tribals and villagers —who have been behind this.
In a recent case at Bandipur’s Gopalaswamy Betta range, about two acres were gutted under ground fire.
According to Bandipur Tiger Reserve’s deputy conservator of forests (DCF), KT Hanumanthappa, it happened near a camp and the staffers were just in time to control it. He also revealed that two persons have been arrested in this connection, and search is on for four others.
Nagarhole Tiger Reserve also faces a similar situation. DCF Vijay Ranjan Singh said that there have been about seven cases of forest fire in Mettikuppe range and the last one occurred on March 19. He pointed out that the range is fire-prone as several tribals and locals are in the vicinity.
“Since the area is also dry, it is more vulnerable to fire, when compared to Nagarhole and DB Kuppe ranges,” he said. He also said thatseveral locals have been booked for setting forest fires, this year.
A forest official shared the reason for this mishap. “Last year, there was a dispute with respect to the fire-fighting wages. Since it was not in the favour of some locals, they try to seek vengeance by damaging the forest,” he said.
The other reason is the belief of locals that setting the forest on fire may give way to fresh blades of grass that is good for cattle-grazing.
Some ranges are targeted because of the effective setting up of trenches, to restrict elephant movements and also the movement of cattle inside the forest.
The department has been dousing fire by creating fire lines, undertaking controlled burning, beating the fire with bushes, and even throwing water. Locals are also being hired to ensure that they are employed and do not indulge in illegal practices.
There were several awareness camps to educate them. A helpline has also been set up for reporting fire incidents to the department.
Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) BK Singh said that the department has been taking all precautionary measures to ensure that there is no harm done to forests.
In all cases of forest fire, there have been no destruction of wildlife. The measures are also being strengthened to keep a tab on the locals.“We are now praying for early rains to help in making the work easy. However, patrolling has been intensified and additional staff has been deployed to manage the forests,” he said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_locals-in-bandipur-spark-off-fires-in-tiger-reserves-officials_1523138
In a recent case at Bandipur’s Gopalaswamy Betta range, about two acres were gutted under ground fire.
According to Bandipur Tiger Reserve’s deputy conservator of forests (DCF), KT Hanumanthappa, it happened near a camp and the staffers were just in time to control it. He also revealed that two persons have been arrested in this connection, and search is on for four others.
Nagarhole Tiger Reserve also faces a similar situation. DCF Vijay Ranjan Singh said that there have been about seven cases of forest fire in Mettikuppe range and the last one occurred on March 19. He pointed out that the range is fire-prone as several tribals and locals are in the vicinity.
“Since the area is also dry, it is more vulnerable to fire, when compared to Nagarhole and DB Kuppe ranges,” he said. He also said thatseveral locals have been booked for setting forest fires, this year.
A forest official shared the reason for this mishap. “Last year, there was a dispute with respect to the fire-fighting wages. Since it was not in the favour of some locals, they try to seek vengeance by damaging the forest,” he said.
The other reason is the belief of locals that setting the forest on fire may give way to fresh blades of grass that is good for cattle-grazing.
Some ranges are targeted because of the effective setting up of trenches, to restrict elephant movements and also the movement of cattle inside the forest.
The department has been dousing fire by creating fire lines, undertaking controlled burning, beating the fire with bushes, and even throwing water. Locals are also being hired to ensure that they are employed and do not indulge in illegal practices.
There were several awareness camps to educate them. A helpline has also been set up for reporting fire incidents to the department.
Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) BK Singh said that the department has been taking all precautionary measures to ensure that there is no harm done to forests.
In all cases of forest fire, there have been no destruction of wildlife. The measures are also being strengthened to keep a tab on the locals.“We are now praying for early rains to help in making the work easy. However, patrolling has been intensified and additional staff has been deployed to manage the forests,” he said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_locals-in-bandipur-spark-off-fires-in-tiger-reserves-officials_1523138
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Rajaji tiger count tops 32, no thanks to Van Gujjars
The number of tigers in Rajaji National Park (RNP) has risen to over 32 but biotic pressure, especially from the population of Van Gujjars living in the national park, is damaging environment in the protected area, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wild-Life Warden Shrikant Chandola said here on Monday.
Speaking at a meeting on the occasion of World Forestry Day, Chandola said 32 tigers had been counted in the park though their population is believed to be around 40. The national park has one of the richest sambhar populations in India, which is favourable for tigers.
But Van Gujjars living in the park are disturbing peace in the area, Chandola said.
Eight tiger deaths have been recorded in the State since April 1, 2010, of which one tiger was shot after being marked a ‘man-eater’. The other deaths were due to natural causes. However, referring to the man killed by a tiger in Corbett National Park on March 11, the CWLW said it was not a man-eater and that the death, though unfortunate, occurred because “the man was in the tiger’s area and hence an easy prey”.
Since Van Gujjars occupy the best lands and utilise water inside Rajaji, it has a negative impact on wildlife, Chandola said. He added that though the Van Gujjars in the past were sensitive towards environment and wildlife, their presence in the park was now associated with the rise in poaching.
Grazing by domestic animals has also led to the spread of lantana throughout the park and, for ensuring the success of conservation efforts, it is essential to relocate humans outside the national park, Chandola said. Moreover, developing the forests of Lansdowne division as a dedicated wildlife corridor is vital for ensuring genetic diversity and allowing free movement of animals between Corbett and Rajaji.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/325977/Rajaji-tiger-count-tops-32-no-thanks-to-Van-Gujjars.html
Speaking at a meeting on the occasion of World Forestry Day, Chandola said 32 tigers had been counted in the park though their population is believed to be around 40. The national park has one of the richest sambhar populations in India, which is favourable for tigers.
But Van Gujjars living in the park are disturbing peace in the area, Chandola said.
Eight tiger deaths have been recorded in the State since April 1, 2010, of which one tiger was shot after being marked a ‘man-eater’. The other deaths were due to natural causes. However, referring to the man killed by a tiger in Corbett National Park on March 11, the CWLW said it was not a man-eater and that the death, though unfortunate, occurred because “the man was in the tiger’s area and hence an easy prey”.
Since Van Gujjars occupy the best lands and utilise water inside Rajaji, it has a negative impact on wildlife, Chandola said. He added that though the Van Gujjars in the past were sensitive towards environment and wildlife, their presence in the park was now associated with the rise in poaching.
Grazing by domestic animals has also led to the spread of lantana throughout the park and, for ensuring the success of conservation efforts, it is essential to relocate humans outside the national park, Chandola said. Moreover, developing the forests of Lansdowne division as a dedicated wildlife corridor is vital for ensuring genetic diversity and allowing free movement of animals between Corbett and Rajaji.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/325977/Rajaji-tiger-count-tops-32-no-thanks-to-Van-Gujjars.html
Custody of tiger skin accused extended-TNN
NAGPUR: The forest custody remand (FCR) of two youths attempting to sell 53-year-old licensed tiger skin online has been extended till March 23.
Devesh Raut (29) and Kapil Devke (31) from Daryapur near Amravati were arrested on March 16 by the crime branch for attempting to sell a licensed tiger skin for Rs 50 lakh. Their initial FCR was until March 20.
Devesh and Kapil were on Monday taken to their hometown Daryapur by assistant conservator of forest ( ACF) and investigating officer Avinash Anjikar.
"We did not find any additional animal trophies or tiger skins during the search of house of the accused persons. The website launched by the culprits to sell tiger skin mentioned that they dealt in seven wildlife products but this fact, too, could not be established," Anjikar said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Custody-of-tiger-skin-accused-extended/articleshow/7758204.cms
Devesh Raut (29) and Kapil Devke (31) from Daryapur near Amravati were arrested on March 16 by the crime branch for attempting to sell a licensed tiger skin for Rs 50 lakh. Their initial FCR was until March 20.
Devesh and Kapil were on Monday taken to their hometown Daryapur by assistant conservator of forest ( ACF) and investigating officer Avinash Anjikar.
"We did not find any additional animal trophies or tiger skins during the search of house of the accused persons. The website launched by the culprits to sell tiger skin mentioned that they dealt in seven wildlife products but this fact, too, could not be established," Anjikar said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Custody-of-tiger-skin-accused-extended/articleshow/7758204.cms
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)