A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Wednesday prohibited movement of vehicles, other than those of forest officials, through the Fourth Mile-Uppupara forest route to Sabarimala.
The Bench, comprising Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and Justice K. Surendra Mohan, also directed the authorities, including the police, to ensure that this prohibition was enforced forthwith.
The court directed that any official found to have violated the order would be proceeded against.
The court ordered the police to ensure that there was no traffic congestion on the Vandiperiyar-Sabarimala road.
Disaster management
The Bench also reminded the government that it should take urgent steps to put in place a disaster management plan at Sabarimala.
The court issued the directives on a suo motu proceeding initiated in connection with the Pulmedu stampede in January 14 this year in which 102 Sabarimala pilgrims were killed.
Noise pollution
The court said it did not find any reason to permit private vehicles through the Fourth Mile to Uppupara Road as it was not a tourist spot.
The court added that allowing a large number of vehicles through this route would not only create problems such as noise pollution but also affect the flora and fauna of the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Tiger reserve
The court said the road passed through the tiger reserve, which has been declared a wildlife sanctuary. So, persons other than forest officials should not be allowed to enter the road.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2201783.ece
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Panna trail leads to MLA kin; minister blames dacoit - DNA
Bhopal/Indore: Relatives of a BJP MLA have been linked to a tiger death in the Panna Tiger Reserve.
The forest department recently handed over details of nearly two dozen cases related to tiger deaths in Panna to the home department asking for a CBI probe. The government picked up only three cases considering them worthy of an independent investigation.
One of these cases trails back to a close relative of BJP MLA from Bundelkhand region.
According to Prayatna, an environmental action group that has been demanding CBI probe into the tiger deaths, forest officials had seized a jeep with Uttar Pradesh registration plates (UP 92/9434) in 2007. The jeep was reportedly trying to enter the Panna Tiger Reserve with armed passengers, forcefully.
The jeep was later released to one Babbu Singh, a close relative of a BJP MLA from Bundelkhand region, sources said.
The officials said that a case was lodged under the primary offence report (POR) 355/2007. There was apparently no follow up on the matter for several years.
The other two cases of tiger deaths shortlisted for a CBI enquiry also expose chronic laxity on part of the government.
In one of these cases, forest officials recovered jaw trap and bones of tiger acting on a complainant filed by one Kalyan Singh, resident of village Sukhwah in Panna district. The tiger, whose body parts were seized by the police, was reportedly killed between 2004 and 2005, but the POR was registered only in January 28 this year.
When contacted, highly placed officials said that the forest department had sought details of these cases from the director of the sanctuary. No records were provided to the headquarters.
In the third case taken up by the government, it has been revealed that the officials never lodged a POR about the killing at all. The tiger in this case was killed between 2004 and 2005. The forest department, however, did not register a POR.
Their inaction has raised serious questions on the intentions officials dealing with the Panna tiger deaths.
Ajay Dubey of Prayatna alleged that the forest department has overlooked even more serious cases with clear evidence.
"What is interesting is that they were clear cases of poaching but were recorded as revenge killings," Dubey said.
Reacting to the NGO's allegations, minister for forests, Sartaj Singh told DNA that gender imbalances and threat from dacoit 'Thokia' led to the elimination of the tigers from PTR.
The minister further clarified that, "the forest guards could not protect the tigers due to presence of dacoits in the area."
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/GUJ-AHD-panna-trail-leads-to-mla-kin-minister-blames-dacoit-2241600.html
The forest department recently handed over details of nearly two dozen cases related to tiger deaths in Panna to the home department asking for a CBI probe. The government picked up only three cases considering them worthy of an independent investigation.
One of these cases trails back to a close relative of BJP MLA from Bundelkhand region.
According to Prayatna, an environmental action group that has been demanding CBI probe into the tiger deaths, forest officials had seized a jeep with Uttar Pradesh registration plates (UP 92/9434) in 2007. The jeep was reportedly trying to enter the Panna Tiger Reserve with armed passengers, forcefully.
The jeep was later released to one Babbu Singh, a close relative of a BJP MLA from Bundelkhand region, sources said.
The officials said that a case was lodged under the primary offence report (POR) 355/2007. There was apparently no follow up on the matter for several years.
The other two cases of tiger deaths shortlisted for a CBI enquiry also expose chronic laxity on part of the government.
In one of these cases, forest officials recovered jaw trap and bones of tiger acting on a complainant filed by one Kalyan Singh, resident of village Sukhwah in Panna district. The tiger, whose body parts were seized by the police, was reportedly killed between 2004 and 2005, but the POR was registered only in January 28 this year.
When contacted, highly placed officials said that the forest department had sought details of these cases from the director of the sanctuary. No records were provided to the headquarters.
In the third case taken up by the government, it has been revealed that the officials never lodged a POR about the killing at all. The tiger in this case was killed between 2004 and 2005. The forest department, however, did not register a POR.
Their inaction has raised serious questions on the intentions officials dealing with the Panna tiger deaths.
Ajay Dubey of Prayatna alleged that the forest department has overlooked even more serious cases with clear evidence.
"What is interesting is that they were clear cases of poaching but were recorded as revenge killings," Dubey said.
Reacting to the NGO's allegations, minister for forests, Sartaj Singh told DNA that gender imbalances and threat from dacoit 'Thokia' led to the elimination of the tigers from PTR.
The minister further clarified that, "the forest guards could not protect the tigers due to presence of dacoits in the area."
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/GUJ-AHD-panna-trail-leads-to-mla-kin-minister-blames-dacoit-2241600.html
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Eye in the sky to help track big cats of Palamau A.S.R.P. MUKESH
Ranchi, July 5: Goodbye pugmark spotting. Enter Global Positioning System (GPS).
The 1,014sqkm Palamau Tiger Reserve is set to hit hi-tech highway with navigational satellites monitoring its rich treasure trove of flora and fauna, protecting particularly the towering rows of Shorea robusta or sal from the axe brigade and the majestic but endangered Panthera tigris or Royal Bengal Tiger from poachers.
Divisional forest officer (core) of the reserve Premjit Anand said they had procured four GPS apparatus some time ago and the system would debut soon after reserve officials were trained.
“A three-day crash course is scheduled for our 20-odd front-line members of staff from tomorrow. After successful installation of some four dozen cameras along tiger corridors, we are ready to launch the GPS,” he said, explaining that the system would enable precise monitoring of the entire reserve — right from animal movements to status of check dams and water bodies.
“We have four GPS gadgets at hand for the core area. Once the system takes off, more devices will be introduced to cover buffer zones as well,” he added.
According to Anand, forest guards will be trained on how to use the satellite-based system to capture details on territorial tiger behaviour, distribution of animals in the core area, level of water bodies and tourist movements.
“First, the animal corridors will be mapped based on co-ordinates (latitude and longitude). Then, this data will be linked to three different satellites and fed into the computer through a common server. Once these are done, forest officials will have electronic access to every nook and cranny of the reserve on a real-time basis,” Anand explained.
The Palamau Tiger Reserve is also planning to impose a blanket ban by this year on private vehicles like Rajasthan’s Sariska Tiger Reserve and Uttarakhand’s Corbett National Park.
The idea is for the reserve to gradually organise a fleet of vehicles from local private operators to facilitate tourist tours. But, for starters, the authorities have decided to enforce a colour code on private vehicles.
Bright is bane for big cats and so, only black, white and grey cars will be allowed inside the reserve.
“Animals, especially tigers, tend to react in an unpredictable manner to flashy colours like red, yellow, orange, et al. This leads to accidents. Hence, we will first regulate colours of vehicles and then gradually disallow private vehicles,” Anand said.
According to the senior forest official, banning private vehicles all at once may affect tourist influx. “So, we will go step by step to ensure proper regulation of vehicles and maintenance of the reserve,” he said.
Reserve officials are currently scouting for vehicle operators in the Palamau region to be registered by the forest department.
“We will soon begin registration of local operators. Once we have a substantial pool of vehicles to take tourists around the reserve, we will bar entry of private cars,” Anand said.
adding that the car hire rates would be advertised at the entrance.
Every reserve tour vehicle will have a tracker-cum-guide. “This will help us in two ways. First, tourists will have expert escorts. Second, we will be able to monitor illegal activities such as poaching and damage to flora,” the divisional forest officer said.
The 1,014sqkm Palamau Tiger Reserve is set to hit hi-tech highway with navigational satellites monitoring its rich treasure trove of flora and fauna, protecting particularly the towering rows of Shorea robusta or sal from the axe brigade and the majestic but endangered Panthera tigris or Royal Bengal Tiger from poachers.
Divisional forest officer (core) of the reserve Premjit Anand said they had procured four GPS apparatus some time ago and the system would debut soon after reserve officials were trained.
“A three-day crash course is scheduled for our 20-odd front-line members of staff from tomorrow. After successful installation of some four dozen cameras along tiger corridors, we are ready to launch the GPS,” he said, explaining that the system would enable precise monitoring of the entire reserve — right from animal movements to status of check dams and water bodies.
“We have four GPS gadgets at hand for the core area. Once the system takes off, more devices will be introduced to cover buffer zones as well,” he added.
According to Anand, forest guards will be trained on how to use the satellite-based system to capture details on territorial tiger behaviour, distribution of animals in the core area, level of water bodies and tourist movements.
“First, the animal corridors will be mapped based on co-ordinates (latitude and longitude). Then, this data will be linked to three different satellites and fed into the computer through a common server. Once these are done, forest officials will have electronic access to every nook and cranny of the reserve on a real-time basis,” Anand explained.
The Palamau Tiger Reserve is also planning to impose a blanket ban by this year on private vehicles like Rajasthan’s Sariska Tiger Reserve and Uttarakhand’s Corbett National Park.
The idea is for the reserve to gradually organise a fleet of vehicles from local private operators to facilitate tourist tours. But, for starters, the authorities have decided to enforce a colour code on private vehicles.
Bright is bane for big cats and so, only black, white and grey cars will be allowed inside the reserve.
“Animals, especially tigers, tend to react in an unpredictable manner to flashy colours like red, yellow, orange, et al. This leads to accidents. Hence, we will first regulate colours of vehicles and then gradually disallow private vehicles,” Anand said.
According to the senior forest official, banning private vehicles all at once may affect tourist influx. “So, we will go step by step to ensure proper regulation of vehicles and maintenance of the reserve,” he said.
Reserve officials are currently scouting for vehicle operators in the Palamau region to be registered by the forest department.
“We will soon begin registration of local operators. Once we have a substantial pool of vehicles to take tourists around the reserve, we will bar entry of private cars,” Anand said.
adding that the car hire rates would be advertised at the entrance.
Every reserve tour vehicle will have a tracker-cum-guide. “This will help us in two ways. First, tourists will have expert escorts. Second, we will be able to monitor illegal activities such as poaching and damage to flora,” the divisional forest officer said.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Tadoba tiger reserve to be partially closed during monsoon Mazhar Ali, TNN
CHANDRAPUR: It's final - the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) will remain partially closed in the monsoon period. From July 15 to September 30, the park will see restricted movement. Tadoba is only tiger reserve in the country that remains open during the monsoon for the tourist. TATR management had forwarded a proposal for closure of the park during monsoon this year and it has been approved with certain conditions. Orders to this effect were received at TATR office on Monday.
The proposal seeking closure of the TATR on lines of other tiger reserves was forwarded by the CCF and field director Vinaykumar Sinha earlier in May this year. However it evoked debate among the greens whether the closure would be in the interest of the park or not. While reasons like breeding and germination season for wildlife and flora respectively, hurdles created by tourist vehicle getting struck in muddy roads etc were given in favour of the closure, concerns were raised about poaching and forest theft if tourism gets closed. Even the higher-ups in forest department pondered deeply over the pros and cons of closure.
Chief wildlife warden SK Khetrapal held a meeting in Nagpur on June 21 to discuss the issue, but the subject remained undecided at that time. Khetrapal sought additional data over vehicular movement on pucca road and carrying capacity on this patch.
After scrutinizing the data provided by the TATR, Khetrapal on Saturday issued orders for partial closure of the tiger reserve from July 15 to September 30. It is for first time in over 15 years of creation of TATR, when specific tourist regulation directives have been issued for monsoon period.
CCF, TATR, Vinaykumar Sinha informed that as per orders the tourist movement on kuccha roads in the park would be completely closed during monsoon. The 19 km long pucca road between Moharli and Tadoba would remain open for tourists, but the private vehicular movement would be greatly restricted. "Only tourist 16 vehicles, i.e. eight vehicles per shift, would be allowed in the park during the day. The tourist vehicles would start from Moharli gate and travel up to Tadoba on pucca road and return through same route. All the gates other than Moharli would remain closed for the tourist during the monsoon period," he said.
At present over 120 tourist vehicles are allowed to enter into the park during a day from four different gates of tiger reserve.
Sinha however maintained that that there would be no restriction of movement of state transport's bus that moves across the tiger reserve during its passenger ferries. Similarly there would be no restriction upon the movement of villagers residing inside the park from any of the gates.
When asked about increasing security during the monsoon season after closure of tourism on internal roads, he said that TATR would observe monsoon patrolling programme devised for rainy season. "Special squads have been constituted in each forest round on the tiger reserve. These squads would move from one protection hut to other carrying out extensive patrolling and would submit daily report to the higher-ups," he said.
Welcoming the decision conservationist Bandu Dhotre, said, "It's a balanced decision and interest of tourist and wildlife and their habitat has been take care of. Restriction of tourism on internal roads would help the wildlife and their habitat to flourish. At the same time allowing the tourists on pucca road would ensure the earnings of stakeholders dependent on tourism."
MONSOON CLOSURE:
* Tourist movement on kuccha roads closed during monsoon
* Only Moharli gate will remain open, all others close
* 19-km stretch between Moharli and Tadoba will remain open
* Private vehicular movement severely restricted
* Only 16 tourist vehicles - 8 per shift - will be allowed during a day
* Special monsoon patrol squads formed
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tadoba-tiger-reserve-to-be-partially-closed-during-monsoon/articleshow/9105123.cms
The proposal seeking closure of the TATR on lines of other tiger reserves was forwarded by the CCF and field director Vinaykumar Sinha earlier in May this year. However it evoked debate among the greens whether the closure would be in the interest of the park or not. While reasons like breeding and germination season for wildlife and flora respectively, hurdles created by tourist vehicle getting struck in muddy roads etc were given in favour of the closure, concerns were raised about poaching and forest theft if tourism gets closed. Even the higher-ups in forest department pondered deeply over the pros and cons of closure.
Chief wildlife warden SK Khetrapal held a meeting in Nagpur on June 21 to discuss the issue, but the subject remained undecided at that time. Khetrapal sought additional data over vehicular movement on pucca road and carrying capacity on this patch.
After scrutinizing the data provided by the TATR, Khetrapal on Saturday issued orders for partial closure of the tiger reserve from July 15 to September 30. It is for first time in over 15 years of creation of TATR, when specific tourist regulation directives have been issued for monsoon period.
CCF, TATR, Vinaykumar Sinha informed that as per orders the tourist movement on kuccha roads in the park would be completely closed during monsoon. The 19 km long pucca road between Moharli and Tadoba would remain open for tourists, but the private vehicular movement would be greatly restricted. "Only tourist 16 vehicles, i.e. eight vehicles per shift, would be allowed in the park during the day. The tourist vehicles would start from Moharli gate and travel up to Tadoba on pucca road and return through same route. All the gates other than Moharli would remain closed for the tourist during the monsoon period," he said.
At present over 120 tourist vehicles are allowed to enter into the park during a day from four different gates of tiger reserve.
Sinha however maintained that that there would be no restriction of movement of state transport's bus that moves across the tiger reserve during its passenger ferries. Similarly there would be no restriction upon the movement of villagers residing inside the park from any of the gates.
When asked about increasing security during the monsoon season after closure of tourism on internal roads, he said that TATR would observe monsoon patrolling programme devised for rainy season. "Special squads have been constituted in each forest round on the tiger reserve. These squads would move from one protection hut to other carrying out extensive patrolling and would submit daily report to the higher-ups," he said.
Welcoming the decision conservationist Bandu Dhotre, said, "It's a balanced decision and interest of tourist and wildlife and their habitat has been take care of. Restriction of tourism on internal roads would help the wildlife and their habitat to flourish. At the same time allowing the tourists on pucca road would ensure the earnings of stakeholders dependent on tourism."
MONSOON CLOSURE:
* Tourist movement on kuccha roads closed during monsoon
* Only Moharli gate will remain open, all others close
* 19-km stretch between Moharli and Tadoba will remain open
* Private vehicular movement severely restricted
* Only 16 tourist vehicles - 8 per shift - will be allowed during a day
* Special monsoon patrol squads formed
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tadoba-tiger-reserve-to-be-partially-closed-during-monsoon/articleshow/9105123.cms
NTCA committee on orphaned tiger cubs Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has constituted a three-member committee for examining issues relating to abandoned and orphaned tiger cubs from the wild, so as to explore the feasibility of their in-situ rearing and release in low tiger density habitats. The committee members are Prof PC Tyagi, YV Jhala, both scientists with Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, and SP Yadav, deputy inspector general (DIG) of NTCA as the member convener.
Yadav said that the terms of reference (ToR) of the committee will include country-wide assessment of the wild caught orphaned and abandoned cubs; identification of low density tiger reserves; to give recommendation for rehabilitation of such cubs vis-Ã -vis the NTCA guidelines; to prescribe 'minimum standards' for creation of tiger safaris; and to examine feasibility of ex-situ to in-situ linkage in the context of tiger. The committee will submit its report in 60 days, Yadav said.
MoEF meet on tiger reserves: The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has called a meeting of field directors of all tiger reserves at Bandipur in Karnataka. The two-day meet on July 29 and 30, will be inaugurated by union environment and forest minister Jairam Ramesh. All chief wildlife wardens of tiger-bearing states have been told to attend the meeting and make presentations on status of tiger reserves in their states.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NTCA-committee-on-orphaned-tiger-cubs/articleshow/9105095.cms
Yadav said that the terms of reference (ToR) of the committee will include country-wide assessment of the wild caught orphaned and abandoned cubs; identification of low density tiger reserves; to give recommendation for rehabilitation of such cubs vis-Ã -vis the NTCA guidelines; to prescribe 'minimum standards' for creation of tiger safaris; and to examine feasibility of ex-situ to in-situ linkage in the context of tiger. The committee will submit its report in 60 days, Yadav said.
MoEF meet on tiger reserves: The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has called a meeting of field directors of all tiger reserves at Bandipur in Karnataka. The two-day meet on July 29 and 30, will be inaugurated by union environment and forest minister Jairam Ramesh. All chief wildlife wardens of tiger-bearing states have been told to attend the meeting and make presentations on status of tiger reserves in their states.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NTCA-committee-on-orphaned-tiger-cubs/articleshow/9105095.cms
Monday, July 4, 2011
Big cats find a new home — Goa's Mhadei sanctuary -HT
Your leisure trip to Goa will soon have an added advantage — tracking wild tigers. Over 35 tigers have been found residing in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in north Goa, about 60 to 90 kms from hot tourism hot spot beaches such as Anjum, Bombolin and Colva. Goa was not a traditional
home for tigers but in the last few years, tigers from neighbouring Bimgad and Anshi Dandeli tiger reserves in Karnataka had visited forests areas in Sattari Taluk of north Goa because of biotic pressures.
"There is evidence to show that tigers in Goa are not merely transient animals and but are resident population as," Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh said.
Mhadei sanctuary is a contiguous tiger landscape with tiger areas in Karnataka.
In the recent few years, tiger numbers have increased in the landscape in Western Ghats pushing the tigers to look for new habitats.
"Tigers can travel long distances to find their home base and it has also happened in case of Goa," said an official of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
The Dehraduun-based Wildlife Institute of India has spotted 35 tigers in Mhadei, situated in Sattauri Taluk of north Goa and said the sanctuary has a good habitat for maintaining a stable tiger population.
Ramesh, in a letter to Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat said there was considerable support for the creation of a tiger reserve and wildlife conservation. "By declaring Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve, we could also ensure the long-term protection of bio-diversity rich areas," he said.
The state government has been asked to submit a proposal to declare the wildlife sanctuary, which has been so far out of bounds for tourists, as a tiger reserve.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Goa-new-home-for-tigers/Article1-716511.aspx
home for tigers but in the last few years, tigers from neighbouring Bimgad and Anshi Dandeli tiger reserves in Karnataka had visited forests areas in Sattari Taluk of north Goa because of biotic pressures.
"There is evidence to show that tigers in Goa are not merely transient animals and but are resident population as," Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh said.
Mhadei sanctuary is a contiguous tiger landscape with tiger areas in Karnataka.
In the recent few years, tiger numbers have increased in the landscape in Western Ghats pushing the tigers to look for new habitats.
"Tigers can travel long distances to find their home base and it has also happened in case of Goa," said an official of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
The Dehraduun-based Wildlife Institute of India has spotted 35 tigers in Mhadei, situated in Sattauri Taluk of north Goa and said the sanctuary has a good habitat for maintaining a stable tiger population.
Ramesh, in a letter to Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat said there was considerable support for the creation of a tiger reserve and wildlife conservation. "By declaring Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve, we could also ensure the long-term protection of bio-diversity rich areas," he said.
The state government has been asked to submit a proposal to declare the wildlife sanctuary, which has been so far out of bounds for tourists, as a tiger reserve.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Goa-new-home-for-tigers/Article1-716511.aspx
Tiger reserve water bodies full to the brim TNN
DALTONGANJ: Wildlife in the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) can now enjoy water sport.
The good monsoon after more than three years has helped fill up the water bodies at Madhu Chuan, Bouliyya and Noohahee, inundating the PTR.
Elephants of the reserve are enjoying a "deluxe bath", said a tracker as there is sufficient water for them in the ponds. Elephants use more water for bath than any other wild animal.
The newly built 16 water turfs are also friendly to the wildlife. PTR field director S E H Kazmi said there were water turfs built in the past too, but its design was not friendly to wild animal because of its structure.
"This time the department has constructed 16 water turfs in the design of a plate, where the surface is coarse to prevent fall of any wildlife," said Kazmi. The field director is hopeful that these water will sustain this reserve in the coming summer also.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Tiger-reserve-water-bodies-full-to-the-brim/articleshow/9091260.cms
The good monsoon after more than three years has helped fill up the water bodies at Madhu Chuan, Bouliyya and Noohahee, inundating the PTR.
Elephants of the reserve are enjoying a "deluxe bath", said a tracker as there is sufficient water for them in the ponds. Elephants use more water for bath than any other wild animal.
The newly built 16 water turfs are also friendly to the wildlife. PTR field director S E H Kazmi said there were water turfs built in the past too, but its design was not friendly to wild animal because of its structure.
"This time the department has constructed 16 water turfs in the design of a plate, where the surface is coarse to prevent fall of any wildlife," said Kazmi. The field director is hopeful that these water will sustain this reserve in the coming summer also.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Tiger-reserve-water-bodies-full-to-the-brim/articleshow/9091260.cms
Slot for N-E in tiger body
Guwahati, July 3: The Northeast has finally got a voice in the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the apex body of tiger conservation in the country.
Firoz Ahmed, a wildlife biologist with Aaranyak who has carried out camera trapping in wildlife parks of Assam, has been inducted as a member of the NTCA.
Ahmed’s term is for one year and it will end in September next year. The notification for his appointment was issued in the last week of June.
“I will try to highlight the issues of the Northeast in the tiger conservation policies of the Centre,” he told The Telegraph today.
Ahmed was the team leader of the Kaziranga camera trapping exercise, which put the park on top of the world after it was found that the park had a tiger density of 32 per 100 sq km. Ahmed said though tiger reserves in the region have resources, rigorous planning was required at the management level to use the resources to their best.
He is also developing individual profile of tigers in Kaziranga, Orang, Manas and Nameri under the Tiger Informatics through Geospatial and Ecological Research (TIGER) project.
“This will assist the managers and other stakeholders with updated information on tigers of the region and create awareness among the masses,” Ahmed said.
He had recently carried out an appraisal of Dampa tiger reserve in Mizoram, one of the important landscapes in the Indo-Bangladesh border with contiguous forests in both the countries.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110704/jsp/northeast/story_14192136.jsp
Firoz Ahmed, a wildlife biologist with Aaranyak who has carried out camera trapping in wildlife parks of Assam, has been inducted as a member of the NTCA.
Ahmed’s term is for one year and it will end in September next year. The notification for his appointment was issued in the last week of June.
“I will try to highlight the issues of the Northeast in the tiger conservation policies of the Centre,” he told The Telegraph today.
Ahmed was the team leader of the Kaziranga camera trapping exercise, which put the park on top of the world after it was found that the park had a tiger density of 32 per 100 sq km. Ahmed said though tiger reserves in the region have resources, rigorous planning was required at the management level to use the resources to their best.
He is also developing individual profile of tigers in Kaziranga, Orang, Manas and Nameri under the Tiger Informatics through Geospatial and Ecological Research (TIGER) project.
“This will assist the managers and other stakeholders with updated information on tigers of the region and create awareness among the masses,” Ahmed said.
He had recently carried out an appraisal of Dampa tiger reserve in Mizoram, one of the important landscapes in the Indo-Bangladesh border with contiguous forests in both the countries.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110704/jsp/northeast/story_14192136.jsp
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Nepal to 'fingerprint' tigers for conservation-TNN
KATHMANDU: To pinpoint the exact population of wild Bengal tigers and to combat poaching, Nepal will start "fingerprinting" its big cats from this fall, marking a switchover to hi-tech DNA profiling from the current tiger censuses conducted the old-fashioned way by using cameras and assessing pugmarks.
The two-year Nepal Tiger Genome Project, funded by the US Agency for International Development, will be conducted by Kathmandu-based Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal (CMDN) in collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech University and the University of Idaho.
According to Dibesh Karmacharya, CMDN international director as well as the project’s principal investigator, from September-October, teams will fan out to the four national parks in Parsa, Bardiya, Chitwan and Kailali districts, the habitats of the bulk of Nepal’s big cats, and other areas where strays are found, to collect faeces. These will then be analysed at CMDN’s laboratory to create a DNA data base of Nepal’s tiger population.
As per the last tiger census, there were 155 tigers in Nepal in 2010. However, one of the big cats, Namo Buddha, who was captured, fitted with a collar to keep track of his movements and then translocated in January 2011, went missing soon after that. In June, it was officially acknowledged that he had been killed by poachers.
"The genome data base will be more accurate than pugmark spotting or camera sightings," Karmacharya told TNN. "It will also help identify carcasses found in the border areas."
With wild animals from Nepal, including elephants and rhinos, straying into Indian forests and vice versa, the DNA bank will also help Nepal assess whether tigers found killed in the border areas were from Nepal or India. Furthermore, it could lead to an assessment of favoured habitats as well as areas where poaching gangs are active and help boost security measures. The results of the project will be shared with experts worldwide through scientific publications and presentations.
This is the first time that Nepal will begin the genome-mapping of a wild, semi-extinct species. In India, scientists are already developing DNA data banks of tigers and snow leopards.
http://m.economictimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/nepal-to-fingerprint-tigers-for-conservation/articleshow/9063971.cms
The two-year Nepal Tiger Genome Project, funded by the US Agency for International Development, will be conducted by Kathmandu-based Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal (CMDN) in collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech University and the University of Idaho.
According to Dibesh Karmacharya, CMDN international director as well as the project’s principal investigator, from September-October, teams will fan out to the four national parks in Parsa, Bardiya, Chitwan and Kailali districts, the habitats of the bulk of Nepal’s big cats, and other areas where strays are found, to collect faeces. These will then be analysed at CMDN’s laboratory to create a DNA data base of Nepal’s tiger population.
As per the last tiger census, there were 155 tigers in Nepal in 2010. However, one of the big cats, Namo Buddha, who was captured, fitted with a collar to keep track of his movements and then translocated in January 2011, went missing soon after that. In June, it was officially acknowledged that he had been killed by poachers.
"The genome data base will be more accurate than pugmark spotting or camera sightings," Karmacharya told TNN. "It will also help identify carcasses found in the border areas."
With wild animals from Nepal, including elephants and rhinos, straying into Indian forests and vice versa, the DNA bank will also help Nepal assess whether tigers found killed in the border areas were from Nepal or India. Furthermore, it could lead to an assessment of favoured habitats as well as areas where poaching gangs are active and help boost security measures. The results of the project will be shared with experts worldwide through scientific publications and presentations.
This is the first time that Nepal will begin the genome-mapping of a wild, semi-extinct species. In India, scientists are already developing DNA data banks of tigers and snow leopards.
http://m.economictimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/nepal-to-fingerprint-tigers-for-conservation/articleshow/9063971.cms
Friday, July 1, 2011
Chhattisgarh asked to propose tiger reserve status for Guru Ghasidas park-PTI
The Centre has asked Chhattisgarh government to submit a proposal to National Tiger Conservation Authority to declare Guru Ghasidas National Park in the State as a tiger reserve, saying it had the potential to support a viable population of the big cat.
This national park lies between Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh and Jharkhand’s Palamau tiger reserves. It is also contiguous with Madhya Pradesh’s Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve.
In a letter to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said, “This would ensure (use of) the largest landscape within this part of Central India for tiger conservation“.
Noting that the area was surveyed by the Wildlife Institute of India last year, the Minister said, “Though the prey population in the habitat is very low at present, it has considerable diversity.”
“Therefore, with good management and protection under Project Tiger, the area has a potential for supporting a viable tiger population along with the Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve,” Mr. Ramesh added.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article2147726.ece
This national park lies between Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh and Jharkhand’s Palamau tiger reserves. It is also contiguous with Madhya Pradesh’s Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve.
In a letter to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said, “This would ensure (use of) the largest landscape within this part of Central India for tiger conservation“.
Noting that the area was surveyed by the Wildlife Institute of India last year, the Minister said, “Though the prey population in the habitat is very low at present, it has considerable diversity.”
“Therefore, with good management and protection under Project Tiger, the area has a potential for supporting a viable tiger population along with the Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve,” Mr. Ramesh added.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article2147726.ece
Use armed force to guard Simlipal: Jairam to CM
More than a year after the massacre of more than a dozen elephants in Orissa’s Simlipal Tiger Reserve, the country’s fourth biggest tiger reserve, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has asked Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to take urgent measures to safeguard the tigers in the state’s Similipal national park.
Similipal is one of India’s first Project Tiger reserves. Spread over 845.70 sq km, it is home to many Royal Bengal Tigers and elephants.
Between April and May last year, 14 elephants were slaughtered by poachers inside the tiger reserve situated in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa. A probe team from National Tiger Conservation Authority, which found seven elephant carcasses, in its report said the staff of the tiger reserve had burnt and destroyed the carcasses.
“There was a concerted effort to destroy the remains of the elephant carcasses, which amounts to destruction of evidence without registering a case. Although there is absolutely no evidence to suggest the involvement of forest staff in the actual killing of the elephants, the destruction of evidence and the fact that the elephant deaths were not reported by the staff, should be treated as a very serious matter,” the NTCA committee said in its report.
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/RAJ-JPR-sariskas-tale-of-woes-continues-with-sluggish-relocation-of-villagers-2231507.html
Similipal is one of India’s first Project Tiger reserves. Spread over 845.70 sq km, it is home to many Royal Bengal Tigers and elephants.
Between April and May last year, 14 elephants were slaughtered by poachers inside the tiger reserve situated in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa. A probe team from National Tiger Conservation Authority, which found seven elephant carcasses, in its report said the staff of the tiger reserve had burnt and destroyed the carcasses.
“There was a concerted effort to destroy the remains of the elephant carcasses, which amounts to destruction of evidence without registering a case. Although there is absolutely no evidence to suggest the involvement of forest staff in the actual killing of the elephants, the destruction of evidence and the fact that the elephant deaths were not reported by the staff, should be treated as a very serious matter,” the NTCA committee said in its report.
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/RAJ-JPR-sariskas-tale-of-woes-continues-with-sluggish-relocation-of-villagers-2231507.html
Sariska's tale of woes continues with sluggish relocation of villagers -DNA
Jaipur: Rehabilitating villages situated in critical tiger habitats is perhaps the most crucial task for the forest department authorities involved in tiger conservation works, however work in this regard is moving at a snail's pace in Rajasthan.
"Out of the twenty eight villages earmarked for relocation, only Bhagani village has been shifted till date. Work on shifting Umri, Sukol and Dabli villages is also on. However, the major problem we face is that these villages, after taking relocation packages, settle again in the nearby villages. So, the whole purpose of relocation is being defeated," said an official posted at Sariska Tiger Reserve.
In Sariska, relocation work at Kankwari, the village where tiger ST1 was poisoned, and Rotlyala and Kraska villages is yet to begin even after the Forest department already having the financial sanction for the work.
Situation is more or less same in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Only two villages, Indala and Machanki, have been shifted out of the park so far while the relocation work in seven other villages is still pending despite financial sanctions.
In Ranthambhore, Kalighat, Bhid, Kathuli, Hindwad, Mopr Doongari, Dangra, Bheempura, Mudarhedi villages, having more than 1,500 families, are still to be shifted out of the park. Forest authorities maintain they are in the process of shifting these villages but officials don't wish to come on the record.
"The lethargic Forest department is affecting the tiger conservation work in the state as nobody in the department seems to be bothered about the growing human- animal conflict situation. In Ranthambhore, villagers leave their cattle in the jungle to graze during monsoon while forest officials turn a blind eye towards the situation. Hoards of villagers coming out with fuel wood is a very common scene every evening in Ranthambhore," said Shatrunjai Singh, a tiger conservationist. All tiger conservation efforts will go waste if the villages are not shifted out of the park soon, Singh added.
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/RAJ-JPR-sariskas-tale-of-woes-continues-with-sluggish-relocation-of-villagers-2231507.html
MoEF in favour of declaring Mhadei as a tiger reserve -PTI
Panaji, Jun 29 (PTI) Union Ministry of Environment and Forest's letter asking Government of Goa to prepare a proposal to declare Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve will have far reaching consequences on the Iron ore mining industry there, a noted environmentalist said today.Rajendra Kerkar, who has been campaigning to notify Mhadei as a tiger reserve said, "Around 36 mines, which are active around Mhadei will be hit directly while several others will be affected once the tiger reserve is notified"."The mining activity in the areas like Pissurlem and Honda in Sattari talukas will be shut down as it will fall in the buffer zone," Kerkar said, adding currently there is no buffer zone for state's wildlife sanctuaries.Union minister for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh yesterday wrote a letter to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat asking him to submit a proposal to notify Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve.The green activists in the state have been lobbying for several years to declare this bio-diverse hotspot in the Western Ghats as a reserve for big cats.Goa is the largest exporter of iron ore in the country with around 45 million metric tonnes of ore being extracted annually.The environmentalists had been protesting against mining activities going on within the reserve forest area and wildlife sanctuaries. Mhadei Wildlife sanctuary, spread across 208 sq km, was notified in the year 1999 and is surrounded by thickly-forested Bhimgad, Bondla, Mahaveer, Anshi-Dandeli and Sawantwadi.Goa chief wildlife warden Dr Shashi Kumar said, "It will not be difficult to prepare a proposal for the tiger reserve. But it has to be done in consultation with the locals." In case there is human habitation in the sanctuary, the state will need to take decision on their rehabilitation, he added.
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/moef-in-favour-of-declaring-mhadei-as-a-tiger-reserve/742636.html
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/moef-in-favour-of-declaring-mhadei-as-a-tiger-reserve/742636.html
Global Tiger Day every July 29
BANGALORE: Every year July 29 will be celebrated as Global Tiger Day. This has been one of the major recommendations made at the Global Tiger Summit. BK Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) told Express that Karnataka is home to more than 20 per cent of the nation’s tiger population with an estimated 300 tigers.
Majority of the tigers are confined to Bandipur, Bhadra, Nagarhole, Dandeli, Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary and Kudremukh tiger reserve areas.
The State Forest Department (Wildlife) has three basic mantras. “Firstly restoring the tiger habitat, addressing the issues of human habitats on the fringes of tiger reserve areas and finally measures to prevent and control poaching and smuggling of tigers,” he added.
At the summit held at St Petersburg in Russia which was attended by heads of 12 governments, including India in November, the fact that tiger numbers and habitats have declined by 40 per cent (from about 10,0000 to below 3,500) in the past one decade, was brought out. The tiger has been one of the indicators of a healthy ecosystem and failure to reverse these trends will result in not only the loss of tigers but also a loss of biodiversity throughout the Asiatic region.
With increased coordination, the tiger range countries (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam) would be striving to double the number of wild tigers by 2020.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/global-tiger-day-every-july-29/163880-60-115.html
Majority of the tigers are confined to Bandipur, Bhadra, Nagarhole, Dandeli, Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary and Kudremukh tiger reserve areas.
The State Forest Department (Wildlife) has three basic mantras. “Firstly restoring the tiger habitat, addressing the issues of human habitats on the fringes of tiger reserve areas and finally measures to prevent and control poaching and smuggling of tigers,” he added.
At the summit held at St Petersburg in Russia which was attended by heads of 12 governments, including India in November, the fact that tiger numbers and habitats have declined by 40 per cent (from about 10,0000 to below 3,500) in the past one decade, was brought out. The tiger has been one of the indicators of a healthy ecosystem and failure to reverse these trends will result in not only the loss of tigers but also a loss of biodiversity throughout the Asiatic region.
With increased coordination, the tiger range countries (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam) would be striving to double the number of wild tigers by 2020.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/global-tiger-day-every-july-29/163880-60-115.html
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Greens roar with delight at tigers' permanent status TNN
PANAJI: Protection of the flagship species like tiger in Mhadei wildlife sanctuary is a golden opportunity for Goa not only to conserve the big cat but also halt the spreading tentacles of destruction, say environmental activists. Carving out a tiger reserve in the eco-sensitive region will lead to focused protection of the tiger as well as the entire ecology. "This is a great opportunity for Goa to protect the region's lifeline, River Mhadei from diversion," says Bicholim-based activist, Ramesh Gawas.
Concurring with him, Sujeet Dongre, co-ordinator, centre for environmental education (CEE) said, "The status of the project tiger site will certainly enhance the level of protection even as it enjoys a certain status as a wildlife sanctuary. And the state will receive more funding for focused protection of the tiger and consequently the surrounding environment," he added. Some environmentalists are satisfied that the status of the flagship species is no longer that of a visitor to the state.
Says Clinton Vaz, co-ordinator of wild Goa, an NGO. "It is now official that they are residents of Goa," he said. Jairam Ramesh, union minister of environment and forest had referred to the resident status of the Goa tiger in his letter to chief minister Digambar Kamat. But some are aware of the Goa government's lack of seriousness in mooting a proposal for a tiger reserve. "It is very reluctant about it only because of mining interests," Gawas said. The preliminary report that the samples of tiger bones found in the Keri poaching case did not belong to the big cat was an indication of it. "Secondly, it was the Centre that had to prod the state to submit a proposal on the tiger reserve," Gawas added. Agrees Vaz, "The people have been crying hoarse for a long time that the tiger is a resident of Goa," he said. Sawant said that on-field evidence gathered by wildlife lovers suggests that Goa may have more big cats than is assumed. "Tigers have existed in Goa since time immemorial," he said.
Environmentalists believe that the next step is to work together. "Both sides (people and the forest department) are now accepting the fact that tigers are residents of Goa," says Vaz. But Siddarth Karapurkar, a Margao-based social activist said that people's protection should be woven into habitat protection. "They have lived for centuries and are better forest protectors than the forest department," he said. Activists in Bicholim and Sattari are also satisfied about Tuesday's development. "The proposal should have come much earlier, but it should not be delayed to allow further destruction," Amrut Singh of the Animal Rescue Squad said. He and various other activists said that the Swami Vivekanand Paryawaran Sanghatana, Keri, headed by Rajendra Kerkar, and the Bombay Natural History Society had contributed in creating awareness about the issue. "The government has to respond immediately as there are several benefits to the state," Gawas concluded.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Greens-roar-with-delight-at-tigers-permanent-status/articleshow/9044148.cms
Concurring with him, Sujeet Dongre, co-ordinator, centre for environmental education (CEE) said, "The status of the project tiger site will certainly enhance the level of protection even as it enjoys a certain status as a wildlife sanctuary. And the state will receive more funding for focused protection of the tiger and consequently the surrounding environment," he added. Some environmentalists are satisfied that the status of the flagship species is no longer that of a visitor to the state.
Says Clinton Vaz, co-ordinator of wild Goa, an NGO. "It is now official that they are residents of Goa," he said. Jairam Ramesh, union minister of environment and forest had referred to the resident status of the Goa tiger in his letter to chief minister Digambar Kamat. But some are aware of the Goa government's lack of seriousness in mooting a proposal for a tiger reserve. "It is very reluctant about it only because of mining interests," Gawas said. The preliminary report that the samples of tiger bones found in the Keri poaching case did not belong to the big cat was an indication of it. "Secondly, it was the Centre that had to prod the state to submit a proposal on the tiger reserve," Gawas added. Agrees Vaz, "The people have been crying hoarse for a long time that the tiger is a resident of Goa," he said. Sawant said that on-field evidence gathered by wildlife lovers suggests that Goa may have more big cats than is assumed. "Tigers have existed in Goa since time immemorial," he said.
Environmentalists believe that the next step is to work together. "Both sides (people and the forest department) are now accepting the fact that tigers are residents of Goa," says Vaz. But Siddarth Karapurkar, a Margao-based social activist said that people's protection should be woven into habitat protection. "They have lived for centuries and are better forest protectors than the forest department," he said. Activists in Bicholim and Sattari are also satisfied about Tuesday's development. "The proposal should have come much earlier, but it should not be delayed to allow further destruction," Amrut Singh of the Animal Rescue Squad said. He and various other activists said that the Swami Vivekanand Paryawaran Sanghatana, Keri, headed by Rajendra Kerkar, and the Bombay Natural History Society had contributed in creating awareness about the issue. "The government has to respond immediately as there are several benefits to the state," Gawas concluded.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Greens-roar-with-delight-at-tigers-permanent-status/articleshow/9044148.cms
Cat and mouse game over Rajasthan's tigers
Jaipur, June 29 (IANS) The Rajasthan government's failure to speed up relocation of villages inside the two tiger reserves in the state has once again raised doubts over its decisiveness to protect the majestic cats, experts say.
Since the relocation was announced in 2008, the forest department has been able to shift only three of the 92 villages falling inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar district and the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district.
In 2005, the forest department had planned to shift these villages after tigers in Sariska were completely wiped out on account of poaching.
The man-animal conflict inside the reserves pose a serious threat to the wild cat, as the villagers often poison the tigers to protect their livestock and families.
According to wildlife experts, Rajasthan has around 45 tigers left.
"One village - Bhagani - has been shifted from Sariska, while Indala and Machanki have been moved from Ranthambore since 2008. The process of relocating six villages from Sariska and seven from Ranthambore is underway," a forest department officer told IANS.
However, the department is yet to start relocation of the remaining villages.
"With this pace, the government might never be able to shift all villages and this poses a serious threat for the wildlife," said Babu Lal Jaju, state incharge of NGO People for Animals.
The state government had faced widespread protests in 2004-05 when it was reported that Sariska did not have any tigers left.
A report in March 2005 by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that poaching had wiped out the wild cat population.
Facing flak from different quarters, the state government decided to relocate tigers from Ranthambore to Sariska. From 2008, five tigers, including two males, have been relocated to the reserve.
However, in November 2010, the first relocated tiger died due to poisoning.
Experts say lopsided land acquisition too has slowed down the relocation process, but the state government disagrees.
"We give Rs.10 lakh and land as compensation to each relocated family, but the consent of the family is required. In many cases, we don't get it, so it becomes hard for us to convince the villagers to shift," said the forest officer.
"We are discussing steps to speed up the process and will soon implement them," he added.
Ranthambore National Park, which covers an area of around 400 sq km, is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country. The park's abandoned fortress, lakes and above all, around 40 majestic tigers, have made it one of the most filmed wildlife reserves in the world.
The park is also home to animals like the jackal, mongoose, sloth bear and leopard.
Sawai Madhopur is some 175 km from state capital Jaipur.
Sariska, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile princely state of Alwar, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955.
It was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. Spread over 866 sq. km, the area also has animals like leopards, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, sambars, langurs, wild boars, four-horned deer and many species of birds.
It is located some 110 km from Jaipur.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=248029
Since the relocation was announced in 2008, the forest department has been able to shift only three of the 92 villages falling inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar district and the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district.
In 2005, the forest department had planned to shift these villages after tigers in Sariska were completely wiped out on account of poaching.
The man-animal conflict inside the reserves pose a serious threat to the wild cat, as the villagers often poison the tigers to protect their livestock and families.
According to wildlife experts, Rajasthan has around 45 tigers left.
"One village - Bhagani - has been shifted from Sariska, while Indala and Machanki have been moved from Ranthambore since 2008. The process of relocating six villages from Sariska and seven from Ranthambore is underway," a forest department officer told IANS.
However, the department is yet to start relocation of the remaining villages.
"With this pace, the government might never be able to shift all villages and this poses a serious threat for the wildlife," said Babu Lal Jaju, state incharge of NGO People for Animals.
The state government had faced widespread protests in 2004-05 when it was reported that Sariska did not have any tigers left.
A report in March 2005 by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that poaching had wiped out the wild cat population.
Facing flak from different quarters, the state government decided to relocate tigers from Ranthambore to Sariska. From 2008, five tigers, including two males, have been relocated to the reserve.
However, in November 2010, the first relocated tiger died due to poisoning.
Experts say lopsided land acquisition too has slowed down the relocation process, but the state government disagrees.
"We give Rs.10 lakh and land as compensation to each relocated family, but the consent of the family is required. In many cases, we don't get it, so it becomes hard for us to convince the villagers to shift," said the forest officer.
"We are discussing steps to speed up the process and will soon implement them," he added.
Ranthambore National Park, which covers an area of around 400 sq km, is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country. The park's abandoned fortress, lakes and above all, around 40 majestic tigers, have made it one of the most filmed wildlife reserves in the world.
The park is also home to animals like the jackal, mongoose, sloth bear and leopard.
Sawai Madhopur is some 175 km from state capital Jaipur.
Sariska, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile princely state of Alwar, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955.
It was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. Spread over 866 sq. km, the area also has animals like leopards, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, sambars, langurs, wild boars, four-horned deer and many species of birds.
It is located some 110 km from Jaipur.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=248029
Cat and mouse game over Rajasthan's tigers
Jaipur, June 29 (IANS) The Rajasthan government's failure to speed up relocation of villages inside the two tiger reserves in the state has once again raised doubts over its decisiveness to protect the majestic cats, experts say.
Since the relocation was announced in 2008, the forest department has been able to shift only three of the 92 villages falling inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar district and the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district.
In 2005, the forest department had planned to shift these villages after tigers in Sariska were completely wiped out on account of poaching.
The man-animal conflict inside the reserves pose a serious threat to the wild cat, as the villagers often poison the tigers to protect their livestock and families.
According to wildlife experts, Rajasthan has around 45 tigers left.
"One village - Bhagani - has been shifted from Sariska, while Indala and Machanki have been moved from Ranthambore since 2008. The process of relocating six villages from Sariska and seven from Ranthambore is underway," a forest department officer told IANS.
However, the department is yet to start relocation of the remaining villages.
"With this pace, the government might never be able to shift all villages and this poses a serious threat for the wildlife," said Babu Lal Jaju, state incharge of NGO People for Animals.
The state government had faced widespread protests in 2004-05 when it was reported that Sariska did not have any tigers left.
A report in March 2005 by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that poaching had wiped out the wild cat population.
Facing flak from different quarters, the state government decided to relocate tigers from Ranthambore to Sariska. From 2008, five tigers, including two males, have been relocated to the reserve.
However, in November 2010, the first relocated tiger died due to poisoning.
Experts say lopsided land acquisition too has slowed down the relocation process, but the state government disagrees.
"We give Rs.10 lakh and land as compensation to each relocated family, but the consent of the family is required. In many cases, we don't get it, so it becomes hard for us to convince the villagers to shift," said the forest officer.
"We are discussing steps to speed up the process and will soon implement them," he added.
Ranthambore National Park, which covers an area of around 400 sq km, is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country. The park's abandoned fortress, lakes and above all, around 40 majestic tigers, have made it one of the most filmed wildlife reserves in the world.
The park is also home to animals like the jackal, mongoose, sloth bear and leopard.
Sawai Madhopur is some 175 km from state capital Jaipur.
Sariska, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile princely state of Alwar, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955.
It was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. Spread over 866 sq. km, the area also has animals like leopards, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, sambars, langurs, wild boars, four-horned deer and many species of birds.
It is located some 110 km from Jaipur.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=248029
Since the relocation was announced in 2008, the forest department has been able to shift only three of the 92 villages falling inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar district and the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district.
In 2005, the forest department had planned to shift these villages after tigers in Sariska were completely wiped out on account of poaching.
The man-animal conflict inside the reserves pose a serious threat to the wild cat, as the villagers often poison the tigers to protect their livestock and families.
According to wildlife experts, Rajasthan has around 45 tigers left.
"One village - Bhagani - has been shifted from Sariska, while Indala and Machanki have been moved from Ranthambore since 2008. The process of relocating six villages from Sariska and seven from Ranthambore is underway," a forest department officer told IANS.
However, the department is yet to start relocation of the remaining villages.
"With this pace, the government might never be able to shift all villages and this poses a serious threat for the wildlife," said Babu Lal Jaju, state incharge of NGO People for Animals.
The state government had faced widespread protests in 2004-05 when it was reported that Sariska did not have any tigers left.
A report in March 2005 by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that poaching had wiped out the wild cat population.
Facing flak from different quarters, the state government decided to relocate tigers from Ranthambore to Sariska. From 2008, five tigers, including two males, have been relocated to the reserve.
However, in November 2010, the first relocated tiger died due to poisoning.
Experts say lopsided land acquisition too has slowed down the relocation process, but the state government disagrees.
"We give Rs.10 lakh and land as compensation to each relocated family, but the consent of the family is required. In many cases, we don't get it, so it becomes hard for us to convince the villagers to shift," said the forest officer.
"We are discussing steps to speed up the process and will soon implement them," he added.
Ranthambore National Park, which covers an area of around 400 sq km, is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country. The park's abandoned fortress, lakes and above all, around 40 majestic tigers, have made it one of the most filmed wildlife reserves in the world.
The park is also home to animals like the jackal, mongoose, sloth bear and leopard.
Sawai Madhopur is some 175 km from state capital Jaipur.
Sariska, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile princely state of Alwar, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955.
It was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. Spread over 866 sq. km, the area also has animals like leopards, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals, sambars, langurs, wild boars, four-horned deer and many species of birds.
It is located some 110 km from Jaipur.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=248029
Tiger population increases in Sathyamangalam forest
Erode (TN), Jun 29 (PTI) Population of tigers in the Sathyamangalam forest in the district has risen to 28 in 2011 as against 18 in 2009, a census by forest officials stated.
Forest officials said in 2007, there were only eight tigers. The number declined to seven in 2008 but increased to 10 in 2009 and at the end of that year there were 18 big cats in the area. In 2011, the number increased by 10.
"Camera trapping technique was followed in detecting the number of tigers," they said.
The number of elephants has increased from 815 in 2007 to a little over 900 in four years.
Officials said it was proposed to dig 75 km long trenches in Erode and Sathyamangalam forest divisions following complaints from farmers that elephants were entering their lands and damaging standing crops like banana, coconut and other fruits.
Strict vigil is being maintained to prevent poaching, they added.
Forest officials said in 2007, there were only eight tigers. The number declined to seven in 2008 but increased to 10 in 2009 and at the end of that year there were 18 big cats in the area. In 2011, the number increased by 10.
"Camera trapping technique was followed in detecting the number of tigers," they said.
The number of elephants has increased from 815 in 2007 to a little over 900 in four years.
Officials said it was proposed to dig 75 km long trenches in Erode and Sathyamangalam forest divisions following complaints from farmers that elephants were entering their lands and damaging standing crops like banana, coconut and other fruits.
Strict vigil is being maintained to prevent poaching, they added.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Goa may soon get its first tiger reserve PRISCILLA JEBARAJ
“The region is one of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats”
It's better known for its formula of “Sun, sea and sand,” but the State of Goa could soon get its first tiger reserve.
While the small coastal State may have only one resident tigress — who recently gave birth to cubs — it is located next to forests with larger tiger populations in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The Centre hopes that declaring this area as a protected reserve for the big cat will also stymie the rampant exploitation of mining resources.
In a letter to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh suggested that the State submit a proposal to have the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary declared as a tiger reserve.
“There is evidence to show that tigers in Goa are not merely transient animals but are a resident population as well,” said Mr. Ramesh.
Conservationists in the area have been advocating a tiger reserve in north Goa for years, and Mr. Ramesh noted that there is “considerable local community support” for the proposal.
He added that Mhadei is a contiguous tiger landscape to Karnataka’s Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve which has 35 tigers. A 2008 study by the Wildlife Institute of India pointed out that this interstate region is one of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats.
Mr. Ramesh suggested that the State government could even expand the proposed tiger reserve beyond the existing boundaries of the Mhadei sanctuary in a bid to “ensure the long term protection of biodiversity-rich areas”.
“The region is one of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats”
It's better known for its formula of “Sun, sea and sand,” but the State of Goa could soon get its first tiger reserve.
While the small coastal State may have only one resident tigress — who recently gave birth to cubs — it is located next to forests with larger tiger populations in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The Centre hopes that declaring this area as a protected reserve for the big cat will also stymie the rampant exploitation of mining resources.
In a letter to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh suggested that the State submit a proposal to have the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary declared as a tiger reserve.
“There is evidence to show that tigers in Goa are not merely transient animals but are a resident population as well,” said Mr. Ramesh.
Conservationists in the area have been advocating a tiger reserve in north Goa for years, and Mr. Ramesh noted that there is “considerable local community support” for the proposal.
He added that Mhadei is a contiguous tiger landscape to Karnataka’s Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve which has 35 tigers. A 2008 study by the Wildlife Institute of India pointed out that this interstate region is one of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats.
Mr. Ramesh suggested that the State government could even expand the proposed tiger reserve beyond the existing boundaries of the Mhadei sanctuary in a bid to “ensure the long term protection of biodiversity-rich areas”.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2142214.ece
It's better known for its formula of “Sun, sea and sand,” but the State of Goa could soon get its first tiger reserve.
While the small coastal State may have only one resident tigress — who recently gave birth to cubs — it is located next to forests with larger tiger populations in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The Centre hopes that declaring this area as a protected reserve for the big cat will also stymie the rampant exploitation of mining resources.
In a letter to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh suggested that the State submit a proposal to have the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary declared as a tiger reserve.
“There is evidence to show that tigers in Goa are not merely transient animals but are a resident population as well,” said Mr. Ramesh.
Conservationists in the area have been advocating a tiger reserve in north Goa for years, and Mr. Ramesh noted that there is “considerable local community support” for the proposal.
He added that Mhadei is a contiguous tiger landscape to Karnataka’s Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve which has 35 tigers. A 2008 study by the Wildlife Institute of India pointed out that this interstate region is one of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats.
Mr. Ramesh suggested that the State government could even expand the proposed tiger reserve beyond the existing boundaries of the Mhadei sanctuary in a bid to “ensure the long term protection of biodiversity-rich areas”.
“The region is one of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats”
It's better known for its formula of “Sun, sea and sand,” but the State of Goa could soon get its first tiger reserve.
While the small coastal State may have only one resident tigress — who recently gave birth to cubs — it is located next to forests with larger tiger populations in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The Centre hopes that declaring this area as a protected reserve for the big cat will also stymie the rampant exploitation of mining resources.
In a letter to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh suggested that the State submit a proposal to have the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary declared as a tiger reserve.
“There is evidence to show that tigers in Goa are not merely transient animals but are a resident population as well,” said Mr. Ramesh.
Conservationists in the area have been advocating a tiger reserve in north Goa for years, and Mr. Ramesh noted that there is “considerable local community support” for the proposal.
He added that Mhadei is a contiguous tiger landscape to Karnataka’s Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve which has 35 tigers. A 2008 study by the Wildlife Institute of India pointed out that this interstate region is one of the best potential tiger habitats in the Western Ghats.
Mr. Ramesh suggested that the State government could even expand the proposed tiger reserve beyond the existing boundaries of the Mhadei sanctuary in a bid to “ensure the long term protection of biodiversity-rich areas”.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2142214.ece
Mohini smiles at forest officials' goof-up in trap camera picture -DNA
Jaipur: Serendipity can at times be embarrassing. At least it was with the forest officials when they got the first trap camera picture of the footloose tiger Mohan after months of efforts and it turned out to be a tigress's, or Mohini's, if the big cat allows us to christen her so!
After meticulously following the Ranthambhor tiger T47, nicknamed Mohan, for months, which kept wandering from as far as Dholpur, Baseri, Bari in Rajasthan to Bhind-Morena in Madhya Pradesh, and finally settling in Ghanteshwar valley in Keoladeo Sanctuary; the forest officials were in for a rude shock when the first trap camera picture of the big cat turned out to be a tigress's. The embarrassing turn of events not only puts in question the efficacy of officials but also draws a blank on what actually happened to T47, if this one is a tigress.
"We are still examining that this big cat is Mohan or not. It seems a tigress from the picture we got, so we are also examining whether this is the same big cat which has roamed as far as Bhind in MP," said YK Sahoo, field director at Ranthambhore National Park (RNP). Forest officials may not be sure of tiger being Mohan or Mohini, but experts who have seen the picture confirm that the big cat photographed is a tigress. "This big cat does not have any ruff on its face, the characteristic of a male tiger, and also her head is not as big as a male tiger's. So in all probability, this big cat is tigress for sure," said Divya Bhanu Singh Chawda, member, National Board of Wildlife, and cat specialist group of World Conservation Union (IUCN).
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/RAJ-JPR-mohini-smiles-at-forest-officials-goof-up-in-trap-camera-picture-2228912.html
After meticulously following the Ranthambhor tiger T47, nicknamed Mohan, for months, which kept wandering from as far as Dholpur, Baseri, Bari in Rajasthan to Bhind-Morena in Madhya Pradesh, and finally settling in Ghanteshwar valley in Keoladeo Sanctuary; the forest officials were in for a rude shock when the first trap camera picture of the big cat turned out to be a tigress's. The embarrassing turn of events not only puts in question the efficacy of officials but also draws a blank on what actually happened to T47, if this one is a tigress.
"We are still examining that this big cat is Mohan or not. It seems a tigress from the picture we got, so we are also examining whether this is the same big cat which has roamed as far as Bhind in MP," said YK Sahoo, field director at Ranthambhore National Park (RNP). Forest officials may not be sure of tiger being Mohan or Mohini, but experts who have seen the picture confirm that the big cat photographed is a tigress. "This big cat does not have any ruff on its face, the characteristic of a male tiger, and also her head is not as big as a male tiger's. So in all probability, this big cat is tigress for sure," said Divya Bhanu Singh Chawda, member, National Board of Wildlife, and cat specialist group of World Conservation Union (IUCN).
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/RAJ-JPR-mohini-smiles-at-forest-officials-goof-up-in-trap-camera-picture-2228912.html
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