BHANDARA: A tigress mauled a forest labourer in the Sawarla reserve forest in Paoni range on Tuesday afternoon. The victim was admitted to the Paoni rural hospital and is reportedly out of danger.
The tigress recently delivered three cubs in Sawarla forest. One of the cubs came out of the bushes and went near the tank where the labourer was working. The tigress followed the cub and on seeing the labourer attacked him. Later, the tigress and the cub disappeared into the forest.
Paoni range forest officer U B Mahakalkar said that labourers go deep into the forests to collect tendu leaves. This may have disturbed the animal and forced her to attack.
"We have urged villagers and labourers not to go deep into the forests because apart from the tigress and her cubs, a male tiger too is doing the rounds in that area," said Mahakalkar.
There are seven tigers in Paoni range which has abundant prey base. "Humans staying away from the area helps in increasing the tiger population and also saves lives," added the forest official.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-mauls-forest-labourer/articleshow/8576092.cms
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tiger census from November: Ramesh
Bhopal: Tiger census will be carried out in 40 reserves across the country from November, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh Wednesday said. "The big cat census in the 40 tiger reserves of the country will commence from November and the exercise will end in a year's time," Jairam told reporters here. He said that the latest census was being done on the basis of tiger landscape, in which Madhya Pradesh lost its tiger state tag to Karnataka.
About the Madhya Pradesh government's claim that there were more tigers in the world-famous Kanha Reserve than revealed in the latest census, he said, "There was no politics in the census and nothing should be read into it."
About Madhya Pradesh's Panna Reserve that had become devoid of tigers two years ago, he said that the translocation of the striped animal to the reserve is underway and there were around eight big cats. "There are some issues regarding people, which need to be addressed in Panna," he said, adding people around the reserves play an important part in tiger conservation.
http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=9387557&programId=1073754912&pageTypeId=1073754893&contentType=EDITORIAL
About the Madhya Pradesh government's claim that there were more tigers in the world-famous Kanha Reserve than revealed in the latest census, he said, "There was no politics in the census and nothing should be read into it."
About Madhya Pradesh's Panna Reserve that had become devoid of tigers two years ago, he said that the translocation of the striped animal to the reserve is underway and there were around eight big cats. "There are some issues regarding people, which need to be addressed in Panna," he said, adding people around the reserves play an important part in tiger conservation.
http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=9387557&programId=1073754912&pageTypeId=1073754893&contentType=EDITORIAL
Tadoba may be closed for tourists this monsoon Mazhar Ali, TNN
CHANDRAPUR: After over 15 years of its creation, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) may, for the first time, close its gates for tourists during this monsoon season. TATR is the only tiger reserve in the state that remains open for tourists during rainy season. However, authorities have taken a cue from other reserves and now decided to close it for tourist during monsoon. A proposal to this effect has been forwarded to higher ups for approval.
TATR, spread over 625.40 sq km, was created in 1995 by merging Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. Tourist arrangements in Tadoba have seen several changes during the last few years. It began with removal of halting facility in Tadoba range and closure of tourist rest house in the heart of tiger land over three years back. Soon, open tourist gypsies started plying in the tiger reserve for convenience of the visitors. New entry gates were opened for easy access for visitors into the tiger reserve. Several tourist resorts mushroomed around the tiger reserve and forest department too constructed several facilities to serve the tourists. Timings of entry and exit were adjusted according to seasons. All these steps were taken in view of having better balance between tourism and protection and conservation of wildlife, particularly tigers in the TATR.
TATR field director Vinaykumar Sinha said, "All tiger reserves are closed for tourists during monsoon, but TATR is the exception. However, we have decided to close our park for tourists from this rainy season and have sought approval from PCCF office." If the proposal is cleared, the reserve would be closed for tourists between mid-June and first week of October. He held that though tourism would be hampered during monsoon, but closure would help the park managers in better management and protection.
Nitin Desai, wildlife activist and director (Central India) of Wildlife Protection Society of India, welcomed the move, but with some apprehensions. "Closure of park during rainy season has its pros and cons. While lesser tourism is good for flourishing of wildlife and forest, it is harmful from the point of view of protection as poachers may be encouraged to intrude into the reserve due to lesser tourist activity." Desai held that roads in tiger reserve are extensive damaged to the by vehicular movement during rainy season. Moreover, wildlife sighting is reduced due to spread of greenery everywhere. There is also a possibility accident with wildlife due thick growth of foliage during rainy season, hence closure could come handy. "With no tourists moving around for almost four months, forest thieves might take advantage. Hence, TATR authorities need to ensure enhanced protection if they close the park," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tadoba-may-be-closed-for-tourists-this-monsoon/articleshow/8561694.cms
TATR, spread over 625.40 sq km, was created in 1995 by merging Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. Tourist arrangements in Tadoba have seen several changes during the last few years. It began with removal of halting facility in Tadoba range and closure of tourist rest house in the heart of tiger land over three years back. Soon, open tourist gypsies started plying in the tiger reserve for convenience of the visitors. New entry gates were opened for easy access for visitors into the tiger reserve. Several tourist resorts mushroomed around the tiger reserve and forest department too constructed several facilities to serve the tourists. Timings of entry and exit were adjusted according to seasons. All these steps were taken in view of having better balance between tourism and protection and conservation of wildlife, particularly tigers in the TATR.
TATR field director Vinaykumar Sinha said, "All tiger reserves are closed for tourists during monsoon, but TATR is the exception. However, we have decided to close our park for tourists from this rainy season and have sought approval from PCCF office." If the proposal is cleared, the reserve would be closed for tourists between mid-June and first week of October. He held that though tourism would be hampered during monsoon, but closure would help the park managers in better management and protection.
Nitin Desai, wildlife activist and director (Central India) of Wildlife Protection Society of India, welcomed the move, but with some apprehensions. "Closure of park during rainy season has its pros and cons. While lesser tourism is good for flourishing of wildlife and forest, it is harmful from the point of view of protection as poachers may be encouraged to intrude into the reserve due to lesser tourist activity." Desai held that roads in tiger reserve are extensive damaged to the by vehicular movement during rainy season. Moreover, wildlife sighting is reduced due to spread of greenery everywhere. There is also a possibility accident with wildlife due thick growth of foliage during rainy season, hence closure could come handy. "With no tourists moving around for almost four months, forest thieves might take advantage. Hence, TATR authorities need to ensure enhanced protection if they close the park," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tadoba-may-be-closed-for-tourists-this-monsoon/articleshow/8561694.cms
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Hunt begins for the big cat - First comprehensive tiger survey in Karbi Anglong district
Guwahati, May 24: Is it there? Or is it not? It is time for some answers as WWF India officials have for the first time begun a hunt for tigers in Karbi Anglong.
Twenty-five cameras are being placed at the Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary for this study to find big cats, the first comprehensive tiger sign survey in Karbi Anglong.
The Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong has been identified as a priority tiger landscape and is among the top 12 in the world.
The work on the survey, which will encompass nearly 2,000 square km in Karbi Anglong and will take around a month, has started from Monday with the forest department providing all necessary support to the team.
“There is hope for finding tiger signs,” Jimmy Borah, assistant coordinator Tiger programme WWF India, said. Kaziranga, bordering Karbi Anglong, has the world’s highest density of tigers at 32.64 tigers per 100 square km. The WWF team had just returned from Arunachal Pradesh.
The survey also holds importance for tigers in Kaziranga as it is shares a border with Karbi Anglong. “For the survival of tigers in Kaziranga, Karbi Anglong is important as we would like to know the habitat there,” tiger expert Firoz Ahmed of Aaranyak said.
The 451square km Marat Longri, which was declared a wildlife sanctuary in April 2003, is an important component of Dhansiri-Lumding elephant reserve. The survey will also examine the elephant status and habitat.
Last year, forest department authorities of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India, had started a reforestation drive to restore parts of encroached land in the Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary.
Karbi Anglong, the largest district in Assam with its five wildlife sanctuaries and two elephant reserves, plays a vital role in the protection and conservation of natural resources of the state.
A forest official said the corridors linking Kaziranga with the forests of Karbi Anglong have suffered extensive degradation because of encroachment, illegal logging, stone mining, growing settlements and tourist movements, which have severely disrupted wildlife movement, particularly during the flood season.
A report on Monitoring Tiger and Prey Animals of Kaziranga National Park, by Aaranyak, with technical support from Wildlife Institute of India last year, said gaur — one of the major prey species of tigers — which was common in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape, has nearly disappeared from the Kaziranga National Park.
The primary reason for this depletion could be hunting in Karbi Anglong.
The report has suggested a scientific study in the hills of Karbi Anglong to address the issue of establishment of protected areas and protection of wildlife from hunting.
The State of the Forest Report, 2009, had found that the district had lost 37 square km of forest cover, compared to the 2007. Insurgency and shifting cultivation are the main reasons for this decline of forest cover in the district.
After covering Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary, the WWF team will then go to Lumding and Dhansiri areas.
Firoz Ahmed, a tiger expert with Aaranyak, said a lot of research work needed to be done on tigers in Assam as issues like genetic diversity are yet to be delved into.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110525/jsp/northeast/story_14023661.jsp
Twenty-five cameras are being placed at the Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary for this study to find big cats, the first comprehensive tiger sign survey in Karbi Anglong.
The Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong has been identified as a priority tiger landscape and is among the top 12 in the world.
The work on the survey, which will encompass nearly 2,000 square km in Karbi Anglong and will take around a month, has started from Monday with the forest department providing all necessary support to the team.
“There is hope for finding tiger signs,” Jimmy Borah, assistant coordinator Tiger programme WWF India, said. Kaziranga, bordering Karbi Anglong, has the world’s highest density of tigers at 32.64 tigers per 100 square km. The WWF team had just returned from Arunachal Pradesh.
The survey also holds importance for tigers in Kaziranga as it is shares a border with Karbi Anglong. “For the survival of tigers in Kaziranga, Karbi Anglong is important as we would like to know the habitat there,” tiger expert Firoz Ahmed of Aaranyak said.
The 451square km Marat Longri, which was declared a wildlife sanctuary in April 2003, is an important component of Dhansiri-Lumding elephant reserve. The survey will also examine the elephant status and habitat.
Last year, forest department authorities of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India, had started a reforestation drive to restore parts of encroached land in the Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary.
Karbi Anglong, the largest district in Assam with its five wildlife sanctuaries and two elephant reserves, plays a vital role in the protection and conservation of natural resources of the state.
A forest official said the corridors linking Kaziranga with the forests of Karbi Anglong have suffered extensive degradation because of encroachment, illegal logging, stone mining, growing settlements and tourist movements, which have severely disrupted wildlife movement, particularly during the flood season.
A report on Monitoring Tiger and Prey Animals of Kaziranga National Park, by Aaranyak, with technical support from Wildlife Institute of India last year, said gaur — one of the major prey species of tigers — which was common in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape, has nearly disappeared from the Kaziranga National Park.
The primary reason for this depletion could be hunting in Karbi Anglong.
The report has suggested a scientific study in the hills of Karbi Anglong to address the issue of establishment of protected areas and protection of wildlife from hunting.
The State of the Forest Report, 2009, had found that the district had lost 37 square km of forest cover, compared to the 2007. Insurgency and shifting cultivation are the main reasons for this decline of forest cover in the district.
After covering Marat Longri wildlife sanctuary, the WWF team will then go to Lumding and Dhansiri areas.
Firoz Ahmed, a tiger expert with Aaranyak, said a lot of research work needed to be done on tigers in Assam as issues like genetic diversity are yet to be delved into.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110525/jsp/northeast/story_14023661.jsp
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Vidarbha to be tiger tourism hub, Surendra Gangan,DNA
With a budgetary allocation of Rs25 crore and financial assistance of Rs50 crore from the central government, the state forest department plans to promote tiger tourism in Vidarbha. The department has put together a plan to double the number of tourists visiting tiger reserves in Vidarbha in the near future.
Even before Union forest minister Jairam Ramesh announced plans to promote Nagpur as a ‘tiger gateway’, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had directed the finance department to provide additional funding for promotions.
With three notified tiger reserves in Vidarbha, the department identified a potential for tiger promotion. Ramesh announced a financial aid of Rs50 crore for the rehabilitation of nearly 25 hamlets and villages in Tadoba and Melghat reserves.
“The budgetary allocation this year was unprecedented. With the allocation of Rs50crore, we can now plan capacity expansion, promotion of domestic tourism facilities and packages for circuit trips to various tiger reserves. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and Forest Development Corporation Limited also have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote forest tourism. We may join hands for some projects,” an official said.
The Tadoba tiger reserve is the most popular among tourists with 1 lakh tourist footfalls last year. The number was merely 35,000 in 2003-04. The other reserves, Melghat and Pench, have also witnessed a rise in the number of tourists in the last few years.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_vidarbha-to-be-tiger-tourism-hub_1546774
Even before Union forest minister Jairam Ramesh announced plans to promote Nagpur as a ‘tiger gateway’, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had directed the finance department to provide additional funding for promotions.
With three notified tiger reserves in Vidarbha, the department identified a potential for tiger promotion. Ramesh announced a financial aid of Rs50 crore for the rehabilitation of nearly 25 hamlets and villages in Tadoba and Melghat reserves.
“The budgetary allocation this year was unprecedented. With the allocation of Rs50crore, we can now plan capacity expansion, promotion of domestic tourism facilities and packages for circuit trips to various tiger reserves. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and Forest Development Corporation Limited also have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote forest tourism. We may join hands for some projects,” an official said.
The Tadoba tiger reserve is the most popular among tourists with 1 lakh tourist footfalls last year. The number was merely 35,000 in 2003-04. The other reserves, Melghat and Pench, have also witnessed a rise in the number of tourists in the last few years.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_vidarbha-to-be-tiger-tourism-hub_1546774
Govt working on Kudremukh tiger reserve project proposal, Soumita Majumdar
It’s official. The Union government has granted in-principle approval for constituting the Kudremukh National Park as a tiger reserve. Informing the state government of the approval, the deputy inspector general of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), under the Union ministry of environment and forests, has asked the chief wildlife warden of Karnataka to submit a detailed proposal in this regard at the earliest.
Kudremukh will be the sixth tiger reserve in the state and the 41st in the country. The state wildlife authorities have already begun working on the proposal, which has been sought under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
“Earlier, Kudremukh was a national park. Now that it has become a tiger reserve, some development activities need to be taken up. Unlike a national park scenario, now the entire forest has to be bifurcated into core and buffer areas. And tourism can be allowed only in the buffer areas,” said MH Swaminath, principal chief conservator of forest, Government of Karnataka.
The wildlife density is already good in Kudremukh park, that falls in Chikmagalur district. With the park turning into a tiger reserve, the potential is high, said sources from the wildlife department. The various species spotted in the Kudremukh National Park include macaque, langur, slender loris, squirrel, porcupine, black-naped hare, elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted dear, wild boar, pangolin, leopard, jungle cat, malabar civet, hyena, jackal, fox, sloth bear and otter.
The core area inside the forest, that will be off-limits for any kind of tourism, human habitat or intervention, will comprise 600.32 sq kms of area.
“As of now, there are about 6,244 people residing in this area. However, these families are ready to go out if they are paid suitable compensation as decided by the revenue authority,” said a source.
About 168 sq kms of area has been proposed to be kept as buffer area. This area is inhabited by a population of 5,816 people.
According to the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore, a survey of meta population by DNA analysis of carnivores has established that Kudremukh National Park is home to about eight tigers.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_govt-working-on-kudremukh-tiger-reserve-project-proposal_1546800
Kudremukh will be the sixth tiger reserve in the state and the 41st in the country. The state wildlife authorities have already begun working on the proposal, which has been sought under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
“Earlier, Kudremukh was a national park. Now that it has become a tiger reserve, some development activities need to be taken up. Unlike a national park scenario, now the entire forest has to be bifurcated into core and buffer areas. And tourism can be allowed only in the buffer areas,” said MH Swaminath, principal chief conservator of forest, Government of Karnataka.
The wildlife density is already good in Kudremukh park, that falls in Chikmagalur district. With the park turning into a tiger reserve, the potential is high, said sources from the wildlife department. The various species spotted in the Kudremukh National Park include macaque, langur, slender loris, squirrel, porcupine, black-naped hare, elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted dear, wild boar, pangolin, leopard, jungle cat, malabar civet, hyena, jackal, fox, sloth bear and otter.
The core area inside the forest, that will be off-limits for any kind of tourism, human habitat or intervention, will comprise 600.32 sq kms of area.
“As of now, there are about 6,244 people residing in this area. However, these families are ready to go out if they are paid suitable compensation as decided by the revenue authority,” said a source.
About 168 sq kms of area has been proposed to be kept as buffer area. This area is inhabited by a population of 5,816 people.
According to the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore, a survey of meta population by DNA analysis of carnivores has established that Kudremukh National Park is home to about eight tigers.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_govt-working-on-kudremukh-tiger-reserve-project-proposal_1546800
Monday, May 23, 2011
Tiger mauls woman to death in Kuhi forest Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: A woman was killed by a tiger at Velgaon near Dahegaon, under the Kuhi forest range in Nagpur division, on Sunday. The victim, Leelabai Dhanraj Shende (35), was a resident of Dahegaon and had gone to collect tendu leaves in nearby Velgaon forest.
The spot where she was mauled falls in compartment no. 458 in Mandhal round, and is 3km away from her house.
The last tiger attack had happened on April 16, 2010, when one Barjabai Bhoge was collecting mahua flowers in the jungle and was killed by a tiger in Ranmangli forest in Bhiwapur range. Although Ranmangli is far from the latest attack site, this hints at the tigers expanding their expand territory.
CR Gajbhiye, chief conservator of forests ( CCF), Nagpur Territorial Circle, said the incident took place at around 6am. "The attack may have occurred since the woman came within critical distance of the tiger," Gajbhiye said, "We are monitoring the situation and will take all necessary precautions to prevent such incidents."
With the latest death, the toll due to attack by tigers or leopards has mounted to 22 in a year in the region. In Chandrapur, 17 deaths were reported from January-December 2010. In 2011, this is the fifth death, with two each recorded in January and March 2011.
N Rambabu, conservator for Nagpur division, says Kuhi range is contiguous with Bhiwapur forest encompassing Ranbodi-Rannmangli-Kharangla areas spread across 25 sq km (2,500 hectares). "There are nine tigers in the area, which is too small to accommodate so many tigers. Since the tigers are in search of new areas, it is leading to conflict," he added.
Last year, a tigress with three cubs and one with two cubs were sighted in Bhiwapur range. There is presence of two male tigers also. Looking into the tiger dynamics, where each animal needs at least 10-15 sq km area, tiger experts fear Bhiwapur-Kuhi is emerging as the new man-animal conflict zone.
According to eyewitness accounts, Leelabai was collecting tendu leaves while her husband Dhanraj had climbed the tree to pluck leaves. After a while, Dhanraj heard his wife screaming 'tiger, tiger' in Marathi. "By the time Dhanraj and others rushed to Leelabai's help, the tiger had already dragged her body 25-30 feet. Dhanraj drove away the tiger by hurling stones," said RFO ST Londhe.
Rambabu fears the attack may be a case of mistaken identity. The victim must have bent to collect flowers on the ground, which is not advisable. "Our posters to create awareness among villagers suggest no bending or sitting in the forest," he said.
The victim is survived by two sons and a daughter. Forest officials released Rs 5,000 towards expenses for performing last rites of Leelabai. BJP MLA from Umrer Sudhir Parwe also visited the spot.
The post mortem was performed at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur. "We will pay Rs 2 lakh compensation to the kin of the victim after the case is finalized," said SS Chavan, assistant conservator (ACF).
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-mauls-woman-to-death-in-Kuhi-forest/articleshow/8518913.cms
The spot where she was mauled falls in compartment no. 458 in Mandhal round, and is 3km away from her house.
The last tiger attack had happened on April 16, 2010, when one Barjabai Bhoge was collecting mahua flowers in the jungle and was killed by a tiger in Ranmangli forest in Bhiwapur range. Although Ranmangli is far from the latest attack site, this hints at the tigers expanding their expand territory.
CR Gajbhiye, chief conservator of forests ( CCF), Nagpur Territorial Circle, said the incident took place at around 6am. "The attack may have occurred since the woman came within critical distance of the tiger," Gajbhiye said, "We are monitoring the situation and will take all necessary precautions to prevent such incidents."
With the latest death, the toll due to attack by tigers or leopards has mounted to 22 in a year in the region. In Chandrapur, 17 deaths were reported from January-December 2010. In 2011, this is the fifth death, with two each recorded in January and March 2011.
N Rambabu, conservator for Nagpur division, says Kuhi range is contiguous with Bhiwapur forest encompassing Ranbodi-Rannmangli-Kharangla areas spread across 25 sq km (2,500 hectares). "There are nine tigers in the area, which is too small to accommodate so many tigers. Since the tigers are in search of new areas, it is leading to conflict," he added.
Last year, a tigress with three cubs and one with two cubs were sighted in Bhiwapur range. There is presence of two male tigers also. Looking into the tiger dynamics, where each animal needs at least 10-15 sq km area, tiger experts fear Bhiwapur-Kuhi is emerging as the new man-animal conflict zone.
According to eyewitness accounts, Leelabai was collecting tendu leaves while her husband Dhanraj had climbed the tree to pluck leaves. After a while, Dhanraj heard his wife screaming 'tiger, tiger' in Marathi. "By the time Dhanraj and others rushed to Leelabai's help, the tiger had already dragged her body 25-30 feet. Dhanraj drove away the tiger by hurling stones," said RFO ST Londhe.
Rambabu fears the attack may be a case of mistaken identity. The victim must have bent to collect flowers on the ground, which is not advisable. "Our posters to create awareness among villagers suggest no bending or sitting in the forest," he said.
The victim is survived by two sons and a daughter. Forest officials released Rs 5,000 towards expenses for performing last rites of Leelabai. BJP MLA from Umrer Sudhir Parwe also visited the spot.
The post mortem was performed at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur. "We will pay Rs 2 lakh compensation to the kin of the victim after the case is finalized," said SS Chavan, assistant conservator (ACF).
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-mauls-woman-to-death-in-Kuhi-forest/articleshow/8518913.cms
Tourism pressure on Kaziranga park to be shifted from core area
GUWAHATI: The unimpeded growth of tourism around Kaziranga would soon be shifted from the core area of this national park. The chairperson of the committee on forests, environment and eco-tourism under the Union ministry of environment and forests, Sujit Banerji, said this on Saturday.
Banerji, who was in the city to attend a convention of Tour Operators` Association of Assam (TOAA), said concrete structures and other infrastructure ringing forests should be regulated in such a way that wildlife is able to move freely in buffer zones of protected eco-systems. "Buffer areas need to be well forested and so once wildlife starts inhabiting these areas, pressure of tourism is shifted from the core areas. There has to be incentives for the local community to allow forest increase in buffer areas," Banerji observed.
The former Union secretary of tourism said the committee, formed after unregulated tourism was reported from tiger reserves across the country, would promoted other parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the state to reduce "pressure" on Kaziranga. He said the committee will soon come out with recommendations on tourism in tiger reserves.
Some of the structures in Kaziranga have come up on vital animal corridors. "It is important to make the local community a part of the conservation process. Then much of the poaching pressure on Kaziranga would be reduced. I am glad that NH-37 on southern Kaziranga has been spared the onslaught of the highway expansion project," said Banerji. There has been much apprehension among tour operators in Kaziranga that tourism would be hampered because of the tiger project. Banerji said tourism is as important as conservation but there has to be a balance. Early this year, jeep safari operators at Kaziranga agitated demanding removal of the tiger reserve status from the national park.
Assam tourism principal secretary, H S Das, said mushrooming tourism structures around Kaziranga has become a matter of concern for the park`s fragile eco-system. "The park`s fragile eco-system would be in danger if such structures were allowed to flourish without regulation," Das said.
The Kaziranga Biodiversity Conservation Committee has been formed to look into the mushrooming of resorts and ensure ecologically-compliant development outside the park. Das said the committee would come out with its report soon.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Tourism-pressure-on-Kaziranga-park-to-be-shifted-from-core-area/articleshow/8507496.cms
Banerji, who was in the city to attend a convention of Tour Operators` Association of Assam (TOAA), said concrete structures and other infrastructure ringing forests should be regulated in such a way that wildlife is able to move freely in buffer zones of protected eco-systems. "Buffer areas need to be well forested and so once wildlife starts inhabiting these areas, pressure of tourism is shifted from the core areas. There has to be incentives for the local community to allow forest increase in buffer areas," Banerji observed.
The former Union secretary of tourism said the committee, formed after unregulated tourism was reported from tiger reserves across the country, would promoted other parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the state to reduce "pressure" on Kaziranga. He said the committee will soon come out with recommendations on tourism in tiger reserves.
Some of the structures in Kaziranga have come up on vital animal corridors. "It is important to make the local community a part of the conservation process. Then much of the poaching pressure on Kaziranga would be reduced. I am glad that NH-37 on southern Kaziranga has been spared the onslaught of the highway expansion project," said Banerji. There has been much apprehension among tour operators in Kaziranga that tourism would be hampered because of the tiger project. Banerji said tourism is as important as conservation but there has to be a balance. Early this year, jeep safari operators at Kaziranga agitated demanding removal of the tiger reserve status from the national park.
Assam tourism principal secretary, H S Das, said mushrooming tourism structures around Kaziranga has become a matter of concern for the park`s fragile eco-system. "The park`s fragile eco-system would be in danger if such structures were allowed to flourish without regulation," Das said.
The Kaziranga Biodiversity Conservation Committee has been formed to look into the mushrooming of resorts and ensure ecologically-compliant development outside the park. Das said the committee would come out with its report soon.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Tourism-pressure-on-Kaziranga-park-to-be-shifted-from-core-area/articleshow/8507496.cms
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Machan census in TATR brings back old memories -TNN
NAGPUR: The lost memories of 'machan' census came alive at the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) on May 17. On Buddha Pournima day, over 95 wildlife buffs and forest staffers took part in the waterhole census exercise to count herbivores and carnivores.
This was the first time so many volunteers belonging to wildlife NGOs were involved after 2007, when the pugmark and waterhole census method to count animals was withdrawn by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
TATR field director VK Sinha says the reason to involve NGOs was to maintain transparency besides keeping a record for their own benefit. There had not been any such count after 2007.
"Although not required by NTCA, we conducted a five-day in-house pugmark exercise from May 12-16, followed by 'machan' (waterhole) census on Buddha Pournima, when there is a full moon night and better visibility. The exercise will help update our records," says Sinha.
Volunteers were allowed to take part only in the machan census. As per the waterhole estimation of animals in TATR, there were 790 gaurs, 823 sambars, 1,950 cheetals, 346 barking deer, 37 chousinghas, 214 nilgai, 1,759 wild boars, 44 jackals, 273 sloth bears and 192 wild dogs.
AV Vaidya, range forest officer (RFO) research, who conducted the exercise in Tadoba, said there were 148 'machans' in three ranges of TATR; 51 in Kolsa, 50 in Moharli and 48 in Tadoba. In all, 95 volunteers attached to NGOs working for wildlife conservation took part in the census. Many women trainee forest guards from Rangers College, Chandrapur, also took part.
Although officials said they were still compiling the data, volunteers who were part of the exercise said there were direct sightings of 10 tigers, including cubs in Tadoba, a couple of leopards and five sloth bears.
"We are simply thrilled to see wildlife so closely," said Prakash Kamble, president of Wild Cat, Chandrapur.
Bandu Dhotre, president of Eco-Pro, whose 30 volunteers were involved in the exercise, said he doesn't see any threat in allowing genuine wildlife lovers to take part in the exercise. "It will help develop young generations of conservationists and also create love and awareness for wildlife," Dhotre said.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-20/nagpur/29563733_1_moharli-tatr-waterhole
This was the first time so many volunteers belonging to wildlife NGOs were involved after 2007, when the pugmark and waterhole census method to count animals was withdrawn by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
TATR field director VK Sinha says the reason to involve NGOs was to maintain transparency besides keeping a record for their own benefit. There had not been any such count after 2007.
"Although not required by NTCA, we conducted a five-day in-house pugmark exercise from May 12-16, followed by 'machan' (waterhole) census on Buddha Pournima, when there is a full moon night and better visibility. The exercise will help update our records," says Sinha.
Volunteers were allowed to take part only in the machan census. As per the waterhole estimation of animals in TATR, there were 790 gaurs, 823 sambars, 1,950 cheetals, 346 barking deer, 37 chousinghas, 214 nilgai, 1,759 wild boars, 44 jackals, 273 sloth bears and 192 wild dogs.
AV Vaidya, range forest officer (RFO) research, who conducted the exercise in Tadoba, said there were 148 'machans' in three ranges of TATR; 51 in Kolsa, 50 in Moharli and 48 in Tadoba. In all, 95 volunteers attached to NGOs working for wildlife conservation took part in the census. Many women trainee forest guards from Rangers College, Chandrapur, also took part.
Although officials said they were still compiling the data, volunteers who were part of the exercise said there were direct sightings of 10 tigers, including cubs in Tadoba, a couple of leopards and five sloth bears.
"We are simply thrilled to see wildlife so closely," said Prakash Kamble, president of Wild Cat, Chandrapur.
Bandu Dhotre, president of Eco-Pro, whose 30 volunteers were involved in the exercise, said he doesn't see any threat in allowing genuine wildlife lovers to take part in the exercise. "It will help develop young generations of conservationists and also create love and awareness for wildlife," Dhotre said.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-20/nagpur/29563733_1_moharli-tatr-waterhole
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Scientist points out loopholes in tiger census Bahar Dutt, Juhi Chaudhary, CNN-IBN
New Delhi: It was a moment of celebration when the Environment Minister announced that India's tiger population has increased by almost 16 per cent. But now, leading tiger scientist Ullas Karanth has questioned if there were problems with the methodology used.
In a published paper, Karanth has stated, "Details now in public domain do not reveal critical information on tiger photo-captures at sampled locations, density estimation protocols used, and how these local tiger numbers were extrapolated across wider regions".
Karanth an expert in the tiger ecology is in fact credited with developing the famous camera trap method for counting tigers instead of the earlier method of using pugmarks which was scientifically inaccurate. He has also questioned the mathematics of the
Government in arriving at the magic numbers.
"What I find a bit unconvincing across the country is the fact that on one hand it is claimed that the habitat is actually shrunk by 22 per cent, while the population density has gone up by 50 per cent in the remaining occupied area. I don't think there was enough data to come to this conclusion," said Ullas Karanth.
Dr Gopal of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, responding to Karanth, has stated that four states of Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka have shown increase in tiger density thereby pushing tiger numbers higher.
On the allegation of not putting reports in the public domain, he said that the detailed reports are available on the Environment Ministry website.
"Dr Karanth and his associates consider anything that has not originated from them as 'Substandard Science' and fake selective amnesia," said Dr Gopal.
Even as the war of words continues between the tiger scientists, the Environment Ministry maintains that the figures are correct, while others say the focus needs to shift to active protection on the ground.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/scientist-points-out-loopholes-in-tiger-census/152710-3.html
In a published paper, Karanth has stated, "Details now in public domain do not reveal critical information on tiger photo-captures at sampled locations, density estimation protocols used, and how these local tiger numbers were extrapolated across wider regions".
Karanth an expert in the tiger ecology is in fact credited with developing the famous camera trap method for counting tigers instead of the earlier method of using pugmarks which was scientifically inaccurate. He has also questioned the mathematics of the
Government in arriving at the magic numbers.
"What I find a bit unconvincing across the country is the fact that on one hand it is claimed that the habitat is actually shrunk by 22 per cent, while the population density has gone up by 50 per cent in the remaining occupied area. I don't think there was enough data to come to this conclusion," said Ullas Karanth.
Dr Gopal of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, responding to Karanth, has stated that four states of Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka have shown increase in tiger density thereby pushing tiger numbers higher.
On the allegation of not putting reports in the public domain, he said that the detailed reports are available on the Environment Ministry website.
"Dr Karanth and his associates consider anything that has not originated from them as 'Substandard Science' and fake selective amnesia," said Dr Gopal.
Even as the war of words continues between the tiger scientists, the Environment Ministry maintains that the figures are correct, while others say the focus needs to shift to active protection on the ground.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/scientist-points-out-loopholes-in-tiger-census/152710-3.html
The Tiger Paradox: Tiger area shrinks, number increases Subhro Niyogi, TNN
KOLKATA: Call it a tiger paradox. The number of tigers in India has increased from 1,411 to 1,706 in four years but the total no. of tiger area has shrunk from 9 million hectare to 7 million hectare. Tiger estimation based on camera trap and DNA testing was done after a gap of four years and new areas such as Sunderbans and parts of Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and North-east were included for the first time.
Despite that, south India and terrai region in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh accounted for about 40% of tigers in India. South India now has the highest concentration of tigers anywhere in the world in a region whereas Corbett with around 220 tigers having highest tiger density in a reserve. There was no change in number of big cats in central India, touted as tiger capital, with decline in their numbers in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand and an increase in Maharashtra, which has surprised wildlife experts.
"We don't agree with the number as of now," said PS Pable, MP's chief wildlife warden. There was also dissent on the estimation from Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Sunderbans, who doubted the methodology of the study. There were 150 tigers in Sunderbans as compared to 70 in present estimation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/The-Tiger-Paradox-Tiger-area-shrinks-number-increases/articleshow/8390798.cms
Despite that, south India and terrai region in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh accounted for about 40% of tigers in India. South India now has the highest concentration of tigers anywhere in the world in a region whereas Corbett with around 220 tigers having highest tiger density in a reserve. There was no change in number of big cats in central India, touted as tiger capital, with decline in their numbers in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand and an increase in Maharashtra, which has surprised wildlife experts.
"We don't agree with the number as of now," said PS Pable, MP's chief wildlife warden. There was also dissent on the estimation from Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Sunderbans, who doubted the methodology of the study. There were 150 tigers in Sunderbans as compared to 70 in present estimation.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/The-Tiger-Paradox-Tiger-area-shrinks-number-increases/articleshow/8390798.cms
This Ranthambore papa takes motherhood seriously-Moushumi Basu
Takes care of two orphaned tiger cubs
In a rare sight in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, a male tiger has been spotted ‘fathering’ two orphaned cubs. The cubs had gone missing soon after the mother tigress had died in February. The forest officials took a sigh of relief recently when they found the cubs in the safe custody of the male tiger-T-25, believed to be their father.
“Such behaviour of the tiger has been unheard of,” said PCCF Rajasthan, RN Mehrotra.
The two cubs are being reared in the wild under close monitoring of the forest department. A forest staff has been deputed full time to keep watch on the cubs. They are largely being fed with goat meat by the forest department.
Mother Tigress T-5 from Kachida valley died in February after suffering from maggot-infested wounds below her tail. When the cubs disappeared after the death of the mother, worst was feared about their survival. But the officials had a pleasant surprise when they found the cubs in perfectly safe condition with the male tiger.
The known behaviour of male tigers is that of killing and preying upon the cubs, especially to take away the mother for mating. However, contrary to the above, “this unique sense of acceptance of the male tiger towards the cubs, is indeed amazing,” pointed out Mehrotra.
“This has led us to believe that he could be their father,” said Mehrotra. Incidentally, T-5 tigress had been seen mating with him, but Mehrotra said no certainty can be established about their parentage.
Much to the surprise of the experts, it was found that T-25 has even reduced its territory, confining itself largely in Kachida valley to ensure protection of the cubs. Further, the food served to the cubs by the forest department is not snatched away by the male tiger either. On the contrary, they have been seen sharing kills made by the latter.
“We are yet lot to learn on the behaviour of the tigers,” pointed out Mehrotra. They are nocturnal animals and what ever activities have so far been recorded have largely been done during day. But this time, due to the extensive use of camera trapping and “intimate monitoring of these tigers, we could discover this new trait,” he added
http://www.dailypioneer.com/339469/This-Ranthambore-papa-takes-motherhood-seriously.html
In a rare sight in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, a male tiger has been spotted ‘fathering’ two orphaned cubs. The cubs had gone missing soon after the mother tigress had died in February. The forest officials took a sigh of relief recently when they found the cubs in the safe custody of the male tiger-T-25, believed to be their father.
“Such behaviour of the tiger has been unheard of,” said PCCF Rajasthan, RN Mehrotra.
The two cubs are being reared in the wild under close monitoring of the forest department. A forest staff has been deputed full time to keep watch on the cubs. They are largely being fed with goat meat by the forest department.
Mother Tigress T-5 from Kachida valley died in February after suffering from maggot-infested wounds below her tail. When the cubs disappeared after the death of the mother, worst was feared about their survival. But the officials had a pleasant surprise when they found the cubs in perfectly safe condition with the male tiger.
The known behaviour of male tigers is that of killing and preying upon the cubs, especially to take away the mother for mating. However, contrary to the above, “this unique sense of acceptance of the male tiger towards the cubs, is indeed amazing,” pointed out Mehrotra.
“This has led us to believe that he could be their father,” said Mehrotra. Incidentally, T-5 tigress had been seen mating with him, but Mehrotra said no certainty can be established about their parentage.
Much to the surprise of the experts, it was found that T-25 has even reduced its territory, confining itself largely in Kachida valley to ensure protection of the cubs. Further, the food served to the cubs by the forest department is not snatched away by the male tiger either. On the contrary, they have been seen sharing kills made by the latter.
“We are yet lot to learn on the behaviour of the tigers,” pointed out Mehrotra. They are nocturnal animals and what ever activities have so far been recorded have largely been done during day. But this time, due to the extensive use of camera trapping and “intimate monitoring of these tigers, we could discover this new trait,” he added
http://www.dailypioneer.com/339469/This-Ranthambore-papa-takes-motherhood-seriously.html
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Kaziranga tiger on way to Bhopal zoo
GUWAHATI, May 16 – It is a journey with a difference, of a rare and endangered animal, travelling across several States. The aim is to provide it with a safe refuge, and if possible expand the gene pool in the destination site.
The traveller, an adult male tiger is being moved from the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Assam where it was hand-raised, to near-wild environment at the Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
The 2,012-km journey from CWRC, Kaziranga, to Van Vihar that started today will be completed in four days. The tiger has been confined inside a specially-designed enclosure loaded on a truck for the journey. Two veterinarians and two animal keepers will be travelling alongside to ensure safety of the tiger.
“The team has made all arrangements to ensure that the stress on the tiger is minimal, and it reaches Van Vihar safe,” said Surajit Dutta, Director of Kaziranga National Park, and Project Leader of CWRC.
Overseeing the initiative, CWRC In-Charge and WTI Coordinator, Dr Rathin Barman revealed that the enclosure has been specially designed to moderate inside temperature if required.
A WTI press release stated, Vivek the tiger, was rescued from a tea estate in December 2007. Barely six-month old then, the cub was found poisoned and in critical condition. Its female sibling was found dead nearby and the mother could not be located.
Dr NVK Ashraf, Chief Veterinarian, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), said, “Since Van Vihar National Park is a CZA-recognised breeding centre for tigers, it was decided that Vivek could contribute to the gene pool there.”
The traveller, an adult male tiger is being moved from the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Assam where it was hand-raised, to near-wild environment at the Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
The 2,012-km journey from CWRC, Kaziranga, to Van Vihar that started today will be completed in four days. The tiger has been confined inside a specially-designed enclosure loaded on a truck for the journey. Two veterinarians and two animal keepers will be travelling alongside to ensure safety of the tiger.
“The team has made all arrangements to ensure that the stress on the tiger is minimal, and it reaches Van Vihar safe,” said Surajit Dutta, Director of Kaziranga National Park, and Project Leader of CWRC.
Overseeing the initiative, CWRC In-Charge and WTI Coordinator, Dr Rathin Barman revealed that the enclosure has been specially designed to moderate inside temperature if required.
A WTI press release stated, Vivek the tiger, was rescued from a tea estate in December 2007. Barely six-month old then, the cub was found poisoned and in critical condition. Its female sibling was found dead nearby and the mother could not be located.
Dr NVK Ashraf, Chief Veterinarian, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), said, “Since Van Vihar National Park is a CZA-recognised breeding centre for tigers, it was decided that Vivek could contribute to the gene pool there.”
Sunday, May 15, 2011
India Announces Phase IV in Tiger Conservation, JATINDER KAUR
New Delhi (ABC Live): India on Friday has taken next step in tiger conservation by announcing Phase IV of tiger conservation
This will initiate intensive, annual monitoring of tigers at the tiger reserve level, across 41 protected areas in the country, commencing from November 2011.
Welcoming the decision, Minister of State (I/C), Environment and Forests, Shri Jairam Ramesh said: “This marks an important milestone in our comprehensive tiger conservation strategy. Annual monitoring, (instead of only a four-year cycle) at the tiger reserve level will allow us to get regular updates on the number and health of tiger populations across the country, and will strengthen our tiger conservation efforts”.
What is “Phase IV”?
Phase IV of the All India Tiger Estimation exercise will begin the process of intensive, annual monitoring of important ‘source’ populations of tigers.
The methodology will be developed by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in consultation with experts, and will use statistically sound procedures to estimate numbers of both tigers and their prey.
The tiger monitoring protocol will use camera traps, at a density of 25 double-sided cameras per 100 square kilometres, and a minimum trapping effort of 1000 trap nights per 100 square kilometres.
This will provide a yearly indication of the status of critical tiger populations
around the country, and will be critical to long-term management and conservation of tiger populations.
Prey population monitoring will be conducted simultaneously, using Distance sampling protocols. Distance sampling will be conducted along line transects already established in phase I, and will use a minimum of 30 spatial replicates for 2 km each, and a total effort of 300 km.
The decision to begin Phase IV monitoring was made at a workshop on‘Best Management Practices in Tiger Conservation’, held from May 9th to 11th.
Framework of All India Tiger Estimation The All India Tiger Estimation exercise is one of the most crucial components of our national tiger conservation efforts. Monitoring efforts began in 2006, and are undertaken every four years, through a
three-phase approach.
Phase I: Field data collection at the beat-level, by trained personnel and using a standardised protocol.
Phase II: Analysis of habitat status of tiger forests using satellite data
Phase III: Camera trapping to identify individual tigers from their unique stripe patterns. This information was used to estimate tiger numbers in sampled sites.
The 2010 National Tiger Assessment involved three phases, and was
carried out between December 2009 and December 2010. The previous
assessment was done in 2006.
India’s Tigers 60 percent of the world’s wild tiger population is found in India.
Across a system of 41 tiger reserves, the 2010 National Tiger Assessment estimates that there are 1706 tigers (range between 1571 and 1875). This is an improvement from the 2006 estimates of 1411 tigers (range between 1165 and 1657). However, the increase is largely because the survey was expanded to the entire country in 2010. Other key outcomes of the workshop The NTCA and the WII will decide a uniform protocol for Phase IV monitoring, and will facilitate, train and provide a panel of outside experts to be involved in the same. The annual monitoring will be
carried out by the respective Chief Wildlife Wardens in tiger States.
In addition to Phase IV monitoring, the ‘snapshot’ country-level estimation will continue, and will be carried out every 4 years, covering all tiger areas. This will be implemented by the NTCA and WII.
All technical publications and data relating to tiger estimation and conservation will be placed in the public domain by the end of June, 2011.
Special initiatives will be taken to strengthen the management in problematic reserves like Indravati, Similipal, Palamau and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserves.
http://abclive.in/environment/373-india-phase-iv-tiger-conservation.html
This will initiate intensive, annual monitoring of tigers at the tiger reserve level, across 41 protected areas in the country, commencing from November 2011.
Welcoming the decision, Minister of State (I/C), Environment and Forests, Shri Jairam Ramesh said: “This marks an important milestone in our comprehensive tiger conservation strategy. Annual monitoring, (instead of only a four-year cycle) at the tiger reserve level will allow us to get regular updates on the number and health of tiger populations across the country, and will strengthen our tiger conservation efforts”.
What is “Phase IV”?
Phase IV of the All India Tiger Estimation exercise will begin the process of intensive, annual monitoring of important ‘source’ populations of tigers.
The methodology will be developed by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in consultation with experts, and will use statistically sound procedures to estimate numbers of both tigers and their prey.
The tiger monitoring protocol will use camera traps, at a density of 25 double-sided cameras per 100 square kilometres, and a minimum trapping effort of 1000 trap nights per 100 square kilometres.
This will provide a yearly indication of the status of critical tiger populations
around the country, and will be critical to long-term management and conservation of tiger populations.
Prey population monitoring will be conducted simultaneously, using Distance sampling protocols. Distance sampling will be conducted along line transects already established in phase I, and will use a minimum of 30 spatial replicates for 2 km each, and a total effort of 300 km.
The decision to begin Phase IV monitoring was made at a workshop on‘Best Management Practices in Tiger Conservation’, held from May 9th to 11th.
Framework of All India Tiger Estimation The All India Tiger Estimation exercise is one of the most crucial components of our national tiger conservation efforts. Monitoring efforts began in 2006, and are undertaken every four years, through a
three-phase approach.
Phase I: Field data collection at the beat-level, by trained personnel and using a standardised protocol.
Phase II: Analysis of habitat status of tiger forests using satellite data
Phase III: Camera trapping to identify individual tigers from their unique stripe patterns. This information was used to estimate tiger numbers in sampled sites.
The 2010 National Tiger Assessment involved three phases, and was
carried out between December 2009 and December 2010. The previous
assessment was done in 2006.
India’s Tigers 60 percent of the world’s wild tiger population is found in India.
Across a system of 41 tiger reserves, the 2010 National Tiger Assessment estimates that there are 1706 tigers (range between 1571 and 1875). This is an improvement from the 2006 estimates of 1411 tigers (range between 1165 and 1657). However, the increase is largely because the survey was expanded to the entire country in 2010. Other key outcomes of the workshop The NTCA and the WII will decide a uniform protocol for Phase IV monitoring, and will facilitate, train and provide a panel of outside experts to be involved in the same. The annual monitoring will be
carried out by the respective Chief Wildlife Wardens in tiger States.
In addition to Phase IV monitoring, the ‘snapshot’ country-level estimation will continue, and will be carried out every 4 years, covering all tiger areas. This will be implemented by the NTCA and WII.
All technical publications and data relating to tiger estimation and conservation will be placed in the public domain by the end of June, 2011.
Special initiatives will be taken to strengthen the management in problematic reserves like Indravati, Similipal, Palamau and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserves.
http://abclive.in/environment/373-india-phase-iv-tiger-conservation.html
Govt got its math on tigers wrong? Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times
India may have got its latest tiger population estimation wrong. On Friday, eight top wildlife experts, in a letter published in the Science magazine, said environment minister Jairam Ramesh's announcement that the tiger population had increased from 1,411 in 2006 to 1,706 in 2010 was based on "unrel
iable" data.
The letter added to the pressure on the government to adopt a new comprehensive methodology to count the tigers. K Ullas Karanth and seven Indian and international scientists said in their letter, "These (government's) assertions cannot be verified because details of tiger photo-captures at sampled locations, as well as of spatial extrapolations from these data, are incomplete."
Ramesh hit back by accusing Karanth, a member of the ministry's National Tiger Conservation Authority, of being intellectually dishonest and said the tiger estimation was correct. "Karanth is like the species (tiger) he studies -- extremely territory-conscious and essentially a loner," he said in an email to HT.
However, the day Karanth's letter was published, asking the government to overhaul its method of estimation, Ramesh approved a new scientific plan for counting the big cat population.
The environment minister Jairam Ramesh incorporated some of Karanth's suggestions in the new plan such as annual monitoring and tiger estimation in 41 tiger reserves, wider coverage of camera-traps to capture in-depth tiger demography and greater reliability of data.
Karanth described the decision as "practical, cost-effective and useful".
Agreeing with him, Ramesh said this important milestone in the tiger conservation strategy will allow regular updates on the number and health of the tigers across India.
India has 70% of the world's tigers but most of them live in 15 reserves, constituting a mere 10% of the remaining tiger habitat.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Govt-got-its-math-on-tigers-wrong/Article1-697690.aspx
iable" data.
The letter added to the pressure on the government to adopt a new comprehensive methodology to count the tigers. K Ullas Karanth and seven Indian and international scientists said in their letter, "These (government's) assertions cannot be verified because details of tiger photo-captures at sampled locations, as well as of spatial extrapolations from these data, are incomplete."
Ramesh hit back by accusing Karanth, a member of the ministry's National Tiger Conservation Authority, of being intellectually dishonest and said the tiger estimation was correct. "Karanth is like the species (tiger) he studies -- extremely territory-conscious and essentially a loner," he said in an email to HT.
However, the day Karanth's letter was published, asking the government to overhaul its method of estimation, Ramesh approved a new scientific plan for counting the big cat population.
The environment minister Jairam Ramesh incorporated some of Karanth's suggestions in the new plan such as annual monitoring and tiger estimation in 41 tiger reserves, wider coverage of camera-traps to capture in-depth tiger demography and greater reliability of data.
Karanth described the decision as "practical, cost-effective and useful".
Agreeing with him, Ramesh said this important milestone in the tiger conservation strategy will allow regular updates on the number and health of the tigers across India.
India has 70% of the world's tigers but most of them live in 15 reserves, constituting a mere 10% of the remaining tiger habitat.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Govt-got-its-math-on-tigers-wrong/Article1-697690.aspx
Tiger treks 280km in search of own territory Amit Bhattacharya, TNN
NEW DELHI: A young male tiger, wandering through Karnataka's forests in search of a patch to call its own, has achieved a feat that will put it in the record books. In 15 months, the tiger travelled 280km as the crow flies, more than the straight-line distance between Delhi and Shimla, the longest documented distance traversed by a tiger anywhere in the world.
This came to light after a tiger was caught in Gama village near Shikaripur town of Karnataka's Shimoga district on May 1. It had strayed into a betelnut plantation and was stoned by a mob. The cornered tiger attacked and killed a man before it was tranquilized by forest officials.
On May 7, at an event watched by Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh, the tiger was released in the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. Photographs taken during the tiger's release were analysed by scientists of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, a wildlife NGO which has been camera-trapping in Karnataka's forests for around two decades.
"Photo-matching with our database, the animal was reliably identified as male tiger BPT-241, last camera-trapped in Gundre, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, on February 11 and February 18, 2010," said Dr K Ullas Karanth, head of CWS India.
"A GIS map showed that the straight line distance moved by this tiger since its photo-capture from Bandipur to Shikaripur is about 280km. The actual distance travelled by it would be more than 350km," Karanth said.
Looking at the map, one could say the tiger would have generally moved through forest patches but would also have traversed through coffee plantations, he added.
Karanth said though young male tigers were known to travel long distances to establish their territory, this is the longest dispersal documented through camera-trapping or radio-telemetry.
In 2006, a young male tiger, BDT-130, was camera trapped in Bhadra forests and then again in Dandeli in 2008. The straight line dispersal in that case was 197km. A radio-collared tiger in Russia was found to have travelled 195km.
Late last year, a young male tiger created a scare among villagers near Mathura in western UP, which experts at the Wildlife Institute of India said, had come from Ranthambore. The tiger then made its way to the Bharatpur bird sanctuary, from where it was relocated to Sariska.
"We have not seen any documentary evidence of the distance travelled by that tiger," said Karanth. " WII has been running a camera-trapping project in Ranthambore for the past five years. If there is proof that this tiger came from there, the evidence should be made public,"Karanth added.
Meanwhile, more camera traps have been placed in Bhadra to track the fate of BPT-241. Like all tigers, he will have to compete with other males to establish his territory, Karanth said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/wild-wacky/Tiger-treks-280km-in-search-of-own-territory/articleshow/8331667.cms
This came to light after a tiger was caught in Gama village near Shikaripur town of Karnataka's Shimoga district on May 1. It had strayed into a betelnut plantation and was stoned by a mob. The cornered tiger attacked and killed a man before it was tranquilized by forest officials.
On May 7, at an event watched by Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh, the tiger was released in the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. Photographs taken during the tiger's release were analysed by scientists of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, a wildlife NGO which has been camera-trapping in Karnataka's forests for around two decades.
"Photo-matching with our database, the animal was reliably identified as male tiger BPT-241, last camera-trapped in Gundre, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, on February 11 and February 18, 2010," said Dr K Ullas Karanth, head of CWS India.
"A GIS map showed that the straight line distance moved by this tiger since its photo-capture from Bandipur to Shikaripur is about 280km. The actual distance travelled by it would be more than 350km," Karanth said.
Looking at the map, one could say the tiger would have generally moved through forest patches but would also have traversed through coffee plantations, he added.
Karanth said though young male tigers were known to travel long distances to establish their territory, this is the longest dispersal documented through camera-trapping or radio-telemetry.
In 2006, a young male tiger, BDT-130, was camera trapped in Bhadra forests and then again in Dandeli in 2008. The straight line dispersal in that case was 197km. A radio-collared tiger in Russia was found to have travelled 195km.
Late last year, a young male tiger created a scare among villagers near Mathura in western UP, which experts at the Wildlife Institute of India said, had come from Ranthambore. The tiger then made its way to the Bharatpur bird sanctuary, from where it was relocated to Sariska.
"We have not seen any documentary evidence of the distance travelled by that tiger," said Karanth. " WII has been running a camera-trapping project in Ranthambore for the past five years. If there is proof that this tiger came from there, the evidence should be made public,"Karanth added.
Meanwhile, more camera traps have been placed in Bhadra to track the fate of BPT-241. Like all tigers, he will have to compete with other males to establish his territory, Karanth said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/wild-wacky/Tiger-treks-280km-in-search-of-own-territory/articleshow/8331667.cms
States squabble over who has most tigers, Amit S. Upadhye and Ambarish B Bengaluru
The latest tiger census has caused tiffs between states.
Barely a month after the Ministry of Environment and Forests released the tiger numbers for the country and its states, two states have written to the Centre seeking a re-survey of the findings on tiger numbers.
The Karnataka Forest Department has written a letter stating that the tigers from their state have been added in the numbers of Tamil Nadu. The Madhya Pradesh government has also sought a revised list of tigers, after it was reported that they had 50 tigers less than the tiger census figures of 2006.
According to officials from Karnataka, the present census count has 50 tigers less than the total number of tigers mentioned in the previous tiger census held in 2010.
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, had conducted the census during 2010 and Karnataka was declared the new Tiger State of India, with 300 tigers out in the wild. It was followed by Madhya Pradesh, which has 257 tigers in the wild.
During the earlier, 2007 census Madhya Pradesh had close to 300 tigers. The decline of 43 tigers has worried the officials in that state. A official from MoEF said that both Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh forest departments have sought a re-survey since the numbers appear low, despite a higher number of direct sightings in the last few years.
Wildlife officials from Karnataka Forest Department said that a re-survey has been sought in Bandipur Forests, which abuts the Tamil Nadu forest area.
“The river Moyar divides Bandipur in Karnataka and Mudhumalai in Tamil Nadu geographically, but hundreds of animals including tigers and elephants move from one part to the other. Unlike Bandipur, which is one of the first tiger reserves in the country and well protected, the neighbouring Mudhumalai has no protection for tigers. Also the numbers which Tamil Nadu is showing, need to be checked,” said a forest official.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/states-squabble-over-who-has-most-tigers-683
Barely a month after the Ministry of Environment and Forests released the tiger numbers for the country and its states, two states have written to the Centre seeking a re-survey of the findings on tiger numbers.
The Karnataka Forest Department has written a letter stating that the tigers from their state have been added in the numbers of Tamil Nadu. The Madhya Pradesh government has also sought a revised list of tigers, after it was reported that they had 50 tigers less than the tiger census figures of 2006.
According to officials from Karnataka, the present census count has 50 tigers less than the total number of tigers mentioned in the previous tiger census held in 2010.
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, had conducted the census during 2010 and Karnataka was declared the new Tiger State of India, with 300 tigers out in the wild. It was followed by Madhya Pradesh, which has 257 tigers in the wild.
During the earlier, 2007 census Madhya Pradesh had close to 300 tigers. The decline of 43 tigers has worried the officials in that state. A official from MoEF said that both Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh forest departments have sought a re-survey since the numbers appear low, despite a higher number of direct sightings in the last few years.
Wildlife officials from Karnataka Forest Department said that a re-survey has been sought in Bandipur Forests, which abuts the Tamil Nadu forest area.
“The river Moyar divides Bandipur in Karnataka and Mudhumalai in Tamil Nadu geographically, but hundreds of animals including tigers and elephants move from one part to the other. Unlike Bandipur, which is one of the first tiger reserves in the country and well protected, the neighbouring Mudhumalai has no protection for tigers. Also the numbers which Tamil Nadu is showing, need to be checked,” said a forest official.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/states-squabble-over-who-has-most-tigers-683
Despite ban, construction of canal on at Ranthambore Anindo Dey, TNN
JAIPUR: Despite an order from the Central Empowered Committee earlier in the year banning all construction work at the Ranthambore tiger reserve, a huge canal is being dug threatening to affect its ecological balance.
As environmentalists raised questions over the construction, the state government sprang into action on Saturday. The forest officials said the project has been temporarily stayed with an intervention from chief secretary S Ahmed.
Sources at the park said a100-feet wide and 5-7 km long canal is being dug between Khushalidarra and Mansarovar lake.
"The new canal has stopped the flow of water to Khushalidarra nullah and diverted it to Mansarovar," said conservation biologist Dharmendra Khandal of the Tiger Watch.
Over the past 20 days, nearly 20,000 Dhonk trees spread across at least five kms have been uprooted. The canal, Khandal said, will also destroy one of the most important tiger corridors between Ranthambore National Park and Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary.
Khandal has written to the CEC and the state government to take action in this regard.
CEC, in March, in response to a letter by conservationist Belinda Wright, had stopped all construction work at the sanctuary. Wright had complained about construction of some dams and anicuts in the sanctuary.
When contacted, officials of the state forest department expressed shock at the ongoing construction work in the reserve. Sources from the department however, revealed that the project is undertaken by the irrigation department.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Despite-ban-construction-of-canal-on-at-Ranthambore/articleshow/8327040.cms
As environmentalists raised questions over the construction, the state government sprang into action on Saturday. The forest officials said the project has been temporarily stayed with an intervention from chief secretary S Ahmed.
Sources at the park said a100-feet wide and 5-7 km long canal is being dug between Khushalidarra and Mansarovar lake.
"The new canal has stopped the flow of water to Khushalidarra nullah and diverted it to Mansarovar," said conservation biologist Dharmendra Khandal of the Tiger Watch.
Over the past 20 days, nearly 20,000 Dhonk trees spread across at least five kms have been uprooted. The canal, Khandal said, will also destroy one of the most important tiger corridors between Ranthambore National Park and Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary.
Khandal has written to the CEC and the state government to take action in this regard.
CEC, in March, in response to a letter by conservationist Belinda Wright, had stopped all construction work at the sanctuary. Wright had complained about construction of some dams and anicuts in the sanctuary.
When contacted, officials of the state forest department expressed shock at the ongoing construction work in the reserve. Sources from the department however, revealed that the project is undertaken by the irrigation department.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Despite-ban-construction-of-canal-on-at-Ranthambore/articleshow/8327040.cms
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Reserves to conduct annual tiger monitoring, using camera traps
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has asked states that are home to tigers that the big cat should be monitored annually using camera traps in all reserves, beginning November this year. This was conveyed to all tiger reserve field directors by Minister Jairam Ramesh at a three-day meeting held in New Delhi from May 9 to 11.
“A protocol will be developed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institute of India for the monitoring soon and forest personnel will be trained in undertaking the programme,” Melghat Tiger Reserve field director A K Mishra told The Indian Express .
The MoEF calls this Phase IV of its tiger monitoring programme. “This will initiate intensive, annual monitoring of tigers at the tiger reserve level, across 41 protected areas in the country, commencing from November 2011,” a statement from the ministry says. “This marks an important milestone in our comprehensive tiger conservation strategy. Annual monitoring at the tiger reserve level will allow us to get regular updates on the number and health of tiger populations across the country, and will strengthen our conservation efforts,” Ramesh said. Until now, the monitoring was done over a four-year cycle.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/reserves-to-conduct-annual-tiger-monitoring-using-camera-traps/790568/
“A protocol will be developed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institute of India for the monitoring soon and forest personnel will be trained in undertaking the programme,” Melghat Tiger Reserve field director A K Mishra told The Indian Express .
The MoEF calls this Phase IV of its tiger monitoring programme. “This will initiate intensive, annual monitoring of tigers at the tiger reserve level, across 41 protected areas in the country, commencing from November 2011,” a statement from the ministry says. “This marks an important milestone in our comprehensive tiger conservation strategy. Annual monitoring at the tiger reserve level will allow us to get regular updates on the number and health of tiger populations across the country, and will strengthen our conservation efforts,” Ramesh said. Until now, the monitoring was done over a four-year cycle.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/reserves-to-conduct-annual-tiger-monitoring-using-camera-traps/790568/
Thursday, May 12, 2011
R'bore saga: Have money, see tiger Anindo Dey, TNN
JAIPUR: Next time out on a safari to the Ranthambore national park curse not your luck if the tiger remains elusive. Instead let the money do the work!
Sources at the park, revealed that at the national park tips can create magic! The larger the tis to the tourist guide, or even promise of it, the brighter the chances of spotting a tiger or two.
"Spotting or even trailing is just a matter of effort. One has to carefully monitor the tell-tale signs left behind by the animal. And it is here that promises of tips make all the difference," the source said.
The countdown for an encounter with the tiger during a safari in fact begins right from the time tourists board a vehicle.
"The tourist guide strikes up a conversation with the passengers. And he subtly puts forth that in the event of spotting a tiger he would like to be tipped. The instant reaction of the tourist is a give away for him," the surce added.
Typically such a conversation stretches like this: "Sir, aap tiger dekhoge toh kush ho jaoge. Phir hamee bhi kush kar dena." (Sir, you'll be delighted on spotting a tiger. Then please me too.)
The tips can vary from anything between Rs 100 to Rs 1,000 per person depending on the size of the vehicle and hence the number of heads in it. The tips are apart his usual fee of Rs 150 which is deducted as part of the ticket money for the safari. Tips are collected by the driver and the guide once the vehicle is out of the park and is heading for the hotel.
"It is the tourists who are to be blamed for introducing the practice of paying tips to the guides. The tourists guides follow a roaster system for allotment of guides to vehicles. But sometimes tourists, specially those who are on their second or third trip to Ranthambore, prefer guides of their choice. Here the preferred guide often sacrifices his fee of Rs 150, giving it to person whose turn it really was, because he knows that the tips he collects at the end of the trip will be much higher than the fee," the source said.
Such tourists are mostly English-speaking and naturally seek English-speaking guides, which is a rarity in Ranthambore. The tips paid in these cases are often in dollars.
Divided into five zones, tigers in Ranthambore can be easily spotted in some zones. But due to rules of allowing a maximum of eight vehicles per zone at a time, zone numbers are allotted on a random basis by the computer. Even here tips to the right person can allow for switching from a zone that is not so conducive to spotting a tiger to one that is.
"Despite an online reservation system for going into the park, tour agents manage to book all seats before hand. Therefore, going into the park without the help of an agent is next to impossible. It is these agents who manage to convince the right person in the forest department and allow tourists to switch zone. The fees for such a service starts from Rs 500 and can stretch on depending on the urgency of the tourist and the season," the source added.
Tourists guides too often manage to fool unsuspecting tourist and switch zones among themselves taking those tourist willing to payhigher tips to zones that are more conducive to tiger spotting.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Rbore-saga-Have-money-see-tiger/articleshow/8255201.cms
Sources at the park, revealed that at the national park tips can create magic! The larger the tis to the tourist guide, or even promise of it, the brighter the chances of spotting a tiger or two.
"Spotting or even trailing is just a matter of effort. One has to carefully monitor the tell-tale signs left behind by the animal. And it is here that promises of tips make all the difference," the source said.
The countdown for an encounter with the tiger during a safari in fact begins right from the time tourists board a vehicle.
"The tourist guide strikes up a conversation with the passengers. And he subtly puts forth that in the event of spotting a tiger he would like to be tipped. The instant reaction of the tourist is a give away for him," the surce added.
Typically such a conversation stretches like this: "Sir, aap tiger dekhoge toh kush ho jaoge. Phir hamee bhi kush kar dena." (Sir, you'll be delighted on spotting a tiger. Then please me too.)
The tips can vary from anything between Rs 100 to Rs 1,000 per person depending on the size of the vehicle and hence the number of heads in it. The tips are apart his usual fee of Rs 150 which is deducted as part of the ticket money for the safari. Tips are collected by the driver and the guide once the vehicle is out of the park and is heading for the hotel.
"It is the tourists who are to be blamed for introducing the practice of paying tips to the guides. The tourists guides follow a roaster system for allotment of guides to vehicles. But sometimes tourists, specially those who are on their second or third trip to Ranthambore, prefer guides of their choice. Here the preferred guide often sacrifices his fee of Rs 150, giving it to person whose turn it really was, because he knows that the tips he collects at the end of the trip will be much higher than the fee," the source said.
Such tourists are mostly English-speaking and naturally seek English-speaking guides, which is a rarity in Ranthambore. The tips paid in these cases are often in dollars.
Divided into five zones, tigers in Ranthambore can be easily spotted in some zones. But due to rules of allowing a maximum of eight vehicles per zone at a time, zone numbers are allotted on a random basis by the computer. Even here tips to the right person can allow for switching from a zone that is not so conducive to spotting a tiger to one that is.
"Despite an online reservation system for going into the park, tour agents manage to book all seats before hand. Therefore, going into the park without the help of an agent is next to impossible. It is these agents who manage to convince the right person in the forest department and allow tourists to switch zone. The fees for such a service starts from Rs 500 and can stretch on depending on the urgency of the tourist and the season," the source added.
Tourists guides too often manage to fool unsuspecting tourist and switch zones among themselves taking those tourist willing to payhigher tips to zones that are more conducive to tiger spotting.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Rbore-saga-Have-money-see-tiger/articleshow/8255201.cms
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