Thursday, August 25, 2011
NTCA may clear Tadoba tiger plan on Aug 26 Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is likely to approve the tiger conservation plan for Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) on August 26.
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, was amended in 2006 and a separate chapter added on to the NTCA which replaced 'Project Tiger'. This chapter has provisions (Section 38V) for preparing a tiger conservation plan (TCP), which includes staff development and deployment plan, for proper management of a tiger reserve.
The TCP of TATR will be discussed by NTCA on Friday. Along with TATR, TCP of Naxal-infested Indravati tiger reserve in Chhattisgarh will also be taken up. Prior to this, a meeting is scheduled on August 25 to discuss the TCPs of Satpura-Bori and Pench tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh.
Chief wildlife wardens and respective field directors will attend the meeting. A representative from Wildlife Institute of India (WII) will also be present.
Of the four tiger reserves in Maharashtra, TCPs for Pench and TATR were prepared in 2009. While the government approved the TCP for TATR and sent it to NTCA, it is learnt that TCP of Pench is still with the government.
"TCPs for Melghat and Sahyadri tiger reserves have not been prepared yet," officials said. The objectives of the TCP is to ensure protection of reserves and provide site specific habitat inputs for a viable population of tigers, co-predators and prey animals without distorting the natural prey-predator ecological cycle in the habitat.
Once approved by NTCA, the TCP will also aim at ecologically compatible land uses in the tiger reserves and areas near it for addressing the livelihood concerns of local population, so as to provide dispersal habitats and corridors for spillover population of wild animals from the designated core areas.
"The TCP will also ensure that forestry operations of regular forest divisions and those adjoining tiger reserves are not incompatible with the needs of tiger conservation," officials stated.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Marathoner tiger killed in territorial fight
Subhash Chandra N S, Bangalore, Aug 23, DHNS:
Wildlife biologists have confirmed that the tiger found dead a week ago in Bhadra Tiger Reserve was the same animal released into the wild after much fanfare by former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.
The tiger had hit the headlines for travelling a record 280 km from Bandipur to Esoor (Gama) village in Shikaripur.
But the animal has been found dead three months after being captured, radio-tagged and released back into the wilderness in May. Its death has been attributed to a territorial feud with a fellow tiger.
B K Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests - who confirmed the tiger’s death in Mutthodi last week - said the post-mortem had revealed that it had died after suffering serious injuries in a territorial fight.
“The tiger suffered multiple fractures on both its forelegs and hind legs. It also sustained claw and canine injuries on the neck and other parts of the body. During the fight, both the animals have rubbed against each other. Since the ground is wet due to monsoon, we could see a lot of pug marks,” he explained. He said the post-mortem report had revealed that the tiger was healthy and able to hunt before it died.
A wildlife expert confirmed that the dead animal had been matched with the picture of the one released into the wild.
Top wildlife biologists confirmed that it was the same three-year-old tiger that had perplexed scientists by travelling 280 km from Bandipur and had strayed into Esoor village.
The animal killed one person and injured two before it was captured and released back into the forest following consultation with senior scientists of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
The tiger was released at Hipla Hadlu in Bhadra reserve on May 7, 2011, by Ramesh, who is said to have voluntarily come to Bhadra to release it.
WCS scientists compared the stripe patterns of the animal by photo-matching it with their database of tiger pictures and confirmed that the beast was BPT-241, which was last camera-trapped in Gundre area of Bandipur Tiger Reserve on February 11 and 18, 2010.
The database of tiger pictures has been the result of the Society’s two-decade research initiative.
A GIS map showed that the “straight line” distance travelled by the tiger from Bandipur to Shikaripur was about 280 km, which the animal had covered since it was captured on camera. However, it could have taken a far more round about route.
This was considered one of the longest scientifically recorded dispersals of a wild tiger in the world, based purely on the camera-trapping data. WCS scientists were intensively camera-trapping the Bhadra area in the hope that the animal would settle down there.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/185879/marathoner-tiger-killed-territorial-fight.html
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
India's tigers struggle for space
Even as tiger numbers have increased from 1,411 in 2006 to 1,706 in 2010, their habitat has shrunk. According to a report on the 'Status of Tigers in India,' the loss of habitat has been mostly in places outside protected areas. This means that man is literally eating up the forests, and beyond the protected fences, tigers face a certain death, observes Atula Gupta
In March this year, the Ministry of Environment announced that the tiger population of the country had increased from 1,411 in 2006 to 1,706 in 2010.
This caused a flutter among environmentalists around the world, who hailed India’s efforts to finally usher in some good news when most other species under threat were still in the danger zone. But amidst the celebration, what got overlooked was the other revelation of the census - the fact that more than 12 per cent of the habitat of the Indian national animal has shrunk in the past four years.
The combined effect of the two statistics therefore alters the picture in a major way. It signals a warning that if the imbalance continues, it can only lead to further problems for the animal and the entire ecosystem of the country.
The report ‘Status of Tigers in India’ cited two important points. The surveyors found that compared to 2006, the estimates showed a 20 per cent increase in the tiger population. They also found that tigers now occupied an alarmingly lesser area than 2006. From 93,600 square kilometres to just 72,800 square kilometres, their home had shrunk. What further added to the worry is that close to 30 per cent of the estimated tiger population was outside the 39 tiger reserves and India does not have a strategy to protect the big cats in these areas.
The real picture
For tigers in India today, therefore, the scenario is far from being less threatening. In fact, it has turned more complicated because while the number of tigers has increased, there is not enough space to contain them. According to the report, the loss of habitat has been mostly in places outside the protected areas. This means that man is literally eating up the forests, and beyond the protected fences, tigers face a certain death.
Biologists say this is a rather alarming turn of events because it may not just lead to more human-animal conflict in the future but also restrict the healthy growth of tiger numbers. With no access to different breeding populations in other parts of the country, the genetic exchange will be reduced to zero and inbreeding will eventually weaken the entire tribe of an area.
The greatest fear now is that if the tiger population is wiped out at one place, it can still be re-introduced, but if it does not have any place to live, no amount of re-introduction and relocation can help in its survival.
Y V Jhala, lead author of the report says, “The loss of corridors does not bode well for the tiger. Poaching can wipe out individual tiger populations, but these can be re-established by reintroductions as has been done in the Sariska and Panna Reserves. However, once habitats are lost, it is almost impossible to reclaim them for restoration.”
The most natural progression for the tigers looking for new territories is to roam outside the protected areas and under current circumstances that is what might spell their doom. First they will not find a habitat they are used to and second they will face humans. Looking at India’s history of tackling incidents such as these, the wild animal will unquestionably be the last one to be saved if human life is threatened.
Tiger and its habitat
India is home to half of the world population of tigers with just 3,600 tigers worldwide. We have a significant role in ensuring that the species is protected not just for the sake of the country, but for the whole world.
Within the country, the Nagarhole-Mudumalai-Bandipur-Wayanad reserve forests have 534 tigers, which has the single largest population of tigers in the world. This proves that especially in the Western Ghats belt, the increasing population needs more habitat, and the major hindrance to declaring more protected areas is infrastructure growth.
“Many tiger reserves are under threat from coal mining, hydel power projects and irrigation projects. There is a need for nine per cent economic growth and there is no dispute in that, but we have to reconcile growth with environment,” said former environment minister Jairam Ramesh. The task now is to have a multiple action plan. Reduce poacher insurgency, increase forest cover, reduce human-animal conflict and increase protected areas.
India’s chance to save the tiger is also a chance for the country to save its forests and create a self-sustaining ecosystem. Rising tiger numbers is not a hindrance to growth but a means to sustain it. The problem is not restraining the tigers, but finding equilibrium between development and biodiversity. If India can step up to the challenge, then the country can rightly take pride in its efforts to save tigers.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/185483/indias-tigers-struggle-space.html
In March this year, the Ministry of Environment announced that the tiger population of the country had increased from 1,411 in 2006 to 1,706 in 2010.
This caused a flutter among environmentalists around the world, who hailed India’s efforts to finally usher in some good news when most other species under threat were still in the danger zone. But amidst the celebration, what got overlooked was the other revelation of the census - the fact that more than 12 per cent of the habitat of the Indian national animal has shrunk in the past four years.
The combined effect of the two statistics therefore alters the picture in a major way. It signals a warning that if the imbalance continues, it can only lead to further problems for the animal and the entire ecosystem of the country.
The report ‘Status of Tigers in India’ cited two important points. The surveyors found that compared to 2006, the estimates showed a 20 per cent increase in the tiger population. They also found that tigers now occupied an alarmingly lesser area than 2006. From 93,600 square kilometres to just 72,800 square kilometres, their home had shrunk. What further added to the worry is that close to 30 per cent of the estimated tiger population was outside the 39 tiger reserves and India does not have a strategy to protect the big cats in these areas.
The real picture
For tigers in India today, therefore, the scenario is far from being less threatening. In fact, it has turned more complicated because while the number of tigers has increased, there is not enough space to contain them. According to the report, the loss of habitat has been mostly in places outside the protected areas. This means that man is literally eating up the forests, and beyond the protected fences, tigers face a certain death.
Biologists say this is a rather alarming turn of events because it may not just lead to more human-animal conflict in the future but also restrict the healthy growth of tiger numbers. With no access to different breeding populations in other parts of the country, the genetic exchange will be reduced to zero and inbreeding will eventually weaken the entire tribe of an area.
The greatest fear now is that if the tiger population is wiped out at one place, it can still be re-introduced, but if it does not have any place to live, no amount of re-introduction and relocation can help in its survival.
Y V Jhala, lead author of the report says, “The loss of corridors does not bode well for the tiger. Poaching can wipe out individual tiger populations, but these can be re-established by reintroductions as has been done in the Sariska and Panna Reserves. However, once habitats are lost, it is almost impossible to reclaim them for restoration.”
The most natural progression for the tigers looking for new territories is to roam outside the protected areas and under current circumstances that is what might spell their doom. First they will not find a habitat they are used to and second they will face humans. Looking at India’s history of tackling incidents such as these, the wild animal will unquestionably be the last one to be saved if human life is threatened.
Tiger and its habitat
India is home to half of the world population of tigers with just 3,600 tigers worldwide. We have a significant role in ensuring that the species is protected not just for the sake of the country, but for the whole world.
Within the country, the Nagarhole-Mudumalai-Bandipur-Wayanad reserve forests have 534 tigers, which has the single largest population of tigers in the world. This proves that especially in the Western Ghats belt, the increasing population needs more habitat, and the major hindrance to declaring more protected areas is infrastructure growth.
“Many tiger reserves are under threat from coal mining, hydel power projects and irrigation projects. There is a need for nine per cent economic growth and there is no dispute in that, but we have to reconcile growth with environment,” said former environment minister Jairam Ramesh. The task now is to have a multiple action plan. Reduce poacher insurgency, increase forest cover, reduce human-animal conflict and increase protected areas.
India’s chance to save the tiger is also a chance for the country to save its forests and create a self-sustaining ecosystem. Rising tiger numbers is not a hindrance to growth but a means to sustain it. The problem is not restraining the tigers, but finding equilibrium between development and biodiversity. If India can step up to the challenge, then the country can rightly take pride in its efforts to save tigers.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/185483/indias-tigers-struggle-space.html
Tiger bones seized from two suspected poachers
The seizure of a sack filled with tiger bones from two men suspected to be involved in poaching is threatening to turn conservation measures into a myth. The sack also contained five skins of barking deer and spotted deer, all bearing bullet holes. The deer are also protected animals under Schedule III of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Officials fear that the two men arrested are involved in the lucrative, but illegal trade of tiger bones. What is more alarming though, is that officials suspect the animal to have been poached in the vicinity of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, an area heavily monitored by forest guards. Officials believe that the case would draw the wrath of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
Normally, wildlife sleuths stumble on tiger skins. But it’s hard to establish a case of poaching from the skin alone. The bones are a different matter, and is indicative of a true case of illegal hunting. Police have begun investigations in Bangalore and Kushalnagar, where the arrests and seizure were made.
“We were shocked as this is probably the first time we have found tiger bones,” a source, who was present during the seizure, said. “We hope this gives us leads to the bone trade, which is a serious concern.”
The two men arrested in the Bharatinagar police station limits on Sunday were identified as Chidananda and his associate.
Both have a criminal past. Police also recovered deer horns and a skull from them. The tiger bones are said to be of an adult animal. One of the accused claimed he found the contraband in Dubare, Kodagu district. However, officials suspect the origin to be between Dubare and Nagarahole — right in the middle of a tiger reserve.
Police are now searching for the tiger’s paws and other body parts, which will provide more leads into the case. Those found guilty of poaching tigers face a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment under Section 51 (1) c of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act.
“The bullet holes are cause for grave concern,” said Sharath Babu, honorary wildlife warden, Bangalore. “Entering a forest area with an illegal weapon attracts charges of hunting under the Wildlife Act. A thorough investigation has to be done to crack the case and bring those involved to book.”
Pramod Kumar, sub-inspector, Bharatinagar, said, “Yes, we have arrested two people and have seized a bag full of bones and other wildlife products. An investigation is being conducted and details cannot be divulged at this stage.”
http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/10/2011082320110823001113880f6373e68/Tiger-bones-seized-from-two-suspected-poachers.html
Officials fear that the two men arrested are involved in the lucrative, but illegal trade of tiger bones. What is more alarming though, is that officials suspect the animal to have been poached in the vicinity of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, an area heavily monitored by forest guards. Officials believe that the case would draw the wrath of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
Normally, wildlife sleuths stumble on tiger skins. But it’s hard to establish a case of poaching from the skin alone. The bones are a different matter, and is indicative of a true case of illegal hunting. Police have begun investigations in Bangalore and Kushalnagar, where the arrests and seizure were made.
“We were shocked as this is probably the first time we have found tiger bones,” a source, who was present during the seizure, said. “We hope this gives us leads to the bone trade, which is a serious concern.”
The two men arrested in the Bharatinagar police station limits on Sunday were identified as Chidananda and his associate.
Both have a criminal past. Police also recovered deer horns and a skull from them. The tiger bones are said to be of an adult animal. One of the accused claimed he found the contraband in Dubare, Kodagu district. However, officials suspect the origin to be between Dubare and Nagarahole — right in the middle of a tiger reserve.
Police are now searching for the tiger’s paws and other body parts, which will provide more leads into the case. Those found guilty of poaching tigers face a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment under Section 51 (1) c of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act.
“The bullet holes are cause for grave concern,” said Sharath Babu, honorary wildlife warden, Bangalore. “Entering a forest area with an illegal weapon attracts charges of hunting under the Wildlife Act. A thorough investigation has to be done to crack the case and bring those involved to book.”
Pramod Kumar, sub-inspector, Bharatinagar, said, “Yes, we have arrested two people and have seized a bag full of bones and other wildlife products. An investigation is being conducted and details cannot be divulged at this stage.”
http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/10/2011082320110823001113880f6373e68/Tiger-bones-seized-from-two-suspected-poachers.html
Monday, August 22, 2011
After tigers, officials missing in Sariska RAKHEE ROY TALUKDAR
Jaipur, Aug. 21: First, it was vanishing tigers. Now Sariska National Park is grappling with the problem of vanishing officials.
After the zero-tiger-count scandal of 2004-05, big cats have been roaring again at Sariska with six being relocated in 2008. But one has died and the rest haven’t been breeding.
Wildlife observers partly blame the vacant posts at the park at every level, and the repeated change of the top official: the district forest officer (DFO).
Sources say nobody wants to be in charge at Sariska because of the big responsibility and the possibility of more tiger deaths causing another scandal. So, as soon as a new DFO is appointed, the official starts pulling strings for a transfer.
Each DFO has got out of Sariska within two or three months since November 2010 when one of the relocated tigresses, ST1, died. The last, Sharda Pratap Singh, was shifted to the chief minister’s office after just a month.
P.S. Somshekhar, Rajasthan’s chief conservator of forests (CCF), claimed the state wildlife department faced a shortage of senior officials who could be appointed DFO.
But he conceded: “As soon as one moves up the seniority level, they are posted in Jaipur and cannot take up field jobs or are reluctant to take them.”
Former Sariska DFO Sunayan Sharma was more forthright: “They know they will be here for a little while and would rather not do anything than take steps that may backfire. Besides, the protection of the park and the animals is a major issue and nobody wants to take up the big responsibility.”
It isn’t just the DFOs. Three of the six posts of assistant conservator of forest (ACF) are vacant; so are five of the seven posts for rangers who monitor, protect and develop the ranges, each of which is about 250sqkm at Sariska.
At least four posts of foresters — the frontline staff in the park’s protection — are vacant. The required number of forest guards is 103 but there are only 97. Till recently, the number was just 57.
ACF Ghanshyam Sharma was in charge of Sariska for two weeks till the new DFO, P. Kathirwal, took charge a few days ago. Kathirwal, however, has been away in Tamil Nadu since taking over.
Wildlife observers say that if the state was serious about getting Sariska back on track, it would have ensured at least the DFO’s post didn’t stay vacant. A long-term DFO could have made sure there was constant monitoring of the tigers.
The 881sqkm park, about 110km from Jaipur, is surrounded by 26 villages and therefore needs constant monitoring to check poaching and human interference.
Breeding puzzle
The lack of breeding among the five relocated tigers remains a mystery. The animals’ stool samples were sent in May to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad, but it has been unable to establish if hormonal imbalance is the cause.
The Hyderabad centre wants a series of stool samples with 10-day gaps, which has not been possible to collect during the monsoon months.
Wildlife experts say the tigers relocated from Ranthambhore are weak, whereas healthy tigers that were already breeding should have been selected. But Ranthambhore’s strong tourism lobby prevented this lest the tourists headed to Sariska instead.
The government seems to have thrown up its hands.
CCF Somshekhar said the authorities were “in no hurry” to relocate more tigers to Sariska. “Sariska is an experiment for us. We are trying our best but one cannot control nature,” he said.
“We too want good news from the park but so far there has been nothing major to rejoice over. The tigers have been mating but unfortunately they have not conceived. It happens with humans too.”
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110822/jsp/nation/story_14407861.jsp
After the zero-tiger-count scandal of 2004-05, big cats have been roaring again at Sariska with six being relocated in 2008. But one has died and the rest haven’t been breeding.
Wildlife observers partly blame the vacant posts at the park at every level, and the repeated change of the top official: the district forest officer (DFO).
Sources say nobody wants to be in charge at Sariska because of the big responsibility and the possibility of more tiger deaths causing another scandal. So, as soon as a new DFO is appointed, the official starts pulling strings for a transfer.
Each DFO has got out of Sariska within two or three months since November 2010 when one of the relocated tigresses, ST1, died. The last, Sharda Pratap Singh, was shifted to the chief minister’s office after just a month.
P.S. Somshekhar, Rajasthan’s chief conservator of forests (CCF), claimed the state wildlife department faced a shortage of senior officials who could be appointed DFO.
But he conceded: “As soon as one moves up the seniority level, they are posted in Jaipur and cannot take up field jobs or are reluctant to take them.”
Former Sariska DFO Sunayan Sharma was more forthright: “They know they will be here for a little while and would rather not do anything than take steps that may backfire. Besides, the protection of the park and the animals is a major issue and nobody wants to take up the big responsibility.”
It isn’t just the DFOs. Three of the six posts of assistant conservator of forest (ACF) are vacant; so are five of the seven posts for rangers who monitor, protect and develop the ranges, each of which is about 250sqkm at Sariska.
At least four posts of foresters — the frontline staff in the park’s protection — are vacant. The required number of forest guards is 103 but there are only 97. Till recently, the number was just 57.
ACF Ghanshyam Sharma was in charge of Sariska for two weeks till the new DFO, P. Kathirwal, took charge a few days ago. Kathirwal, however, has been away in Tamil Nadu since taking over.
Wildlife observers say that if the state was serious about getting Sariska back on track, it would have ensured at least the DFO’s post didn’t stay vacant. A long-term DFO could have made sure there was constant monitoring of the tigers.
The 881sqkm park, about 110km from Jaipur, is surrounded by 26 villages and therefore needs constant monitoring to check poaching and human interference.
Breeding puzzle
The lack of breeding among the five relocated tigers remains a mystery. The animals’ stool samples were sent in May to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad, but it has been unable to establish if hormonal imbalance is the cause.
The Hyderabad centre wants a series of stool samples with 10-day gaps, which has not been possible to collect during the monsoon months.
Wildlife experts say the tigers relocated from Ranthambhore are weak, whereas healthy tigers that were already breeding should have been selected. But Ranthambhore’s strong tourism lobby prevented this lest the tourists headed to Sariska instead.
The government seems to have thrown up its hands.
CCF Somshekhar said the authorities were “in no hurry” to relocate more tigers to Sariska. “Sariska is an experiment for us. We are trying our best but one cannot control nature,” he said.
“We too want good news from the park but so far there has been nothing major to rejoice over. The tigers have been mating but unfortunately they have not conceived. It happens with humans too.”
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110822/jsp/nation/story_14407861.jsp
Experts see more big cats than reserve cameras
- VTR officials question counting methodology, to take up matter with conservation authority
SANJEEV KUMAR VERMA
Patna, Aug. 20: Experts have questioned the latest tiger count at Bihar’s Valmiki reserve, saying the park could have more than the eight big cats the census says it has.
Authorities at the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR), in West Champaran district, claim that the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had goofed up in not taking into account the entire occupancy area of the park and instead relied on the data collected over just 444sq km of the 750sq km area the reserve straddles. The data on tiger occupancy was done through the camera trap method laid over 444sq km. Under this system, a camera trap is installed in a site that the animal is expected to visit. When a motion or infrared sensor detects the presence of an animal, a photo is taken.
According to the camera trap data, eight tigers were present within the 444 sq km area of the reserve. However, while carrying out extrapolation work, as has been done in case of other parks (see table), the numbers were kept the same, leading to confusion over the methodology applied while arriving at the tiger count in case of VTR. In the Siwalik-Gangetic plains, under which the reserve falls, camera trapping was done across 31 to 59 per cent of the tiger occupied forest.
Extrapolation is a mathematical term for gathering data from a sample size and then using this data as the base for projecting estimates for the entire area.
“We fail to understand the logic behind keeping VTR figures the same as the result of the camera trapping, while in case of other reserves of this landscape, estimated figures have been increased accordingly on the basis of extrapolation,” VTR field director Santosh Tiwari told The Telegraph.
He said the same report says that tiger density in the reserve is 1.8 per 100 sq km and if one takes into account this figure, the number of big cats would be much more. “We have decided to raise this issue before the conservation authority so that necessary corrections in the tiger estimates of VTR could be done,” Tiwari said.
The country level tiger estimation work is carried out by NTCA in collaboration with Wildlife Institute of India (WII), tiger states and some outside agencies.
WII scientist Y.V. Jhala had an explanation. “In case of VTR we came up with a conservative estimate as this reserve shares a boundary with Nepal’s Chitwan park. There is every possibility of tigers from the Nepal side being counted as those of VTR,” he said.
Asked whether he intended to come up with a supplementary report to clear such points, Jhala said there was no need for any such thing. “One need not come out with such a report for a difference of a few tigers. When one takes into account things at national level, the result would be the same,” he said.
According to estimates, India is home to 1,706 tigers. The estimate has also given a range about the numbers and says that the figure could vary between 1571 and 1875.
Wildlife activists differed with Jhala.
“The system of extrapolation appears to have some serious discrepancies. There is an urgent need to fine-tune the techniques being used to arrive at conclusions about tiger numbers in the country,” said a Delhi-based wildlife activist, who is also a member of the national board for wildlife.
An NTCA member, who too requested anonymity, told The Telegraph that he had already raised questions about the flaws in estimation at a recent meeting of the authority.
K. Ullas Karanth of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, who is at present in the US, in an email reply to The Telegraph’s queries on the apparent flaws said: “My team and I will do a thorough study of the detailed report later this month after I return. I do not want to comment at this stage.”
Karanth has been known to be critical of the methods being used for tiger estimation in the country.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110821/jsp/frontpage/story_14359079.jsp
SANJEEV KUMAR VERMA
Patna, Aug. 20: Experts have questioned the latest tiger count at Bihar’s Valmiki reserve, saying the park could have more than the eight big cats the census says it has.
Authorities at the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR), in West Champaran district, claim that the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had goofed up in not taking into account the entire occupancy area of the park and instead relied on the data collected over just 444sq km of the 750sq km area the reserve straddles. The data on tiger occupancy was done through the camera trap method laid over 444sq km. Under this system, a camera trap is installed in a site that the animal is expected to visit. When a motion or infrared sensor detects the presence of an animal, a photo is taken.
According to the camera trap data, eight tigers were present within the 444 sq km area of the reserve. However, while carrying out extrapolation work, as has been done in case of other parks (see table), the numbers were kept the same, leading to confusion over the methodology applied while arriving at the tiger count in case of VTR. In the Siwalik-Gangetic plains, under which the reserve falls, camera trapping was done across 31 to 59 per cent of the tiger occupied forest.
Extrapolation is a mathematical term for gathering data from a sample size and then using this data as the base for projecting estimates for the entire area.
“We fail to understand the logic behind keeping VTR figures the same as the result of the camera trapping, while in case of other reserves of this landscape, estimated figures have been increased accordingly on the basis of extrapolation,” VTR field director Santosh Tiwari told The Telegraph.
He said the same report says that tiger density in the reserve is 1.8 per 100 sq km and if one takes into account this figure, the number of big cats would be much more. “We have decided to raise this issue before the conservation authority so that necessary corrections in the tiger estimates of VTR could be done,” Tiwari said.
The country level tiger estimation work is carried out by NTCA in collaboration with Wildlife Institute of India (WII), tiger states and some outside agencies.
WII scientist Y.V. Jhala had an explanation. “In case of VTR we came up with a conservative estimate as this reserve shares a boundary with Nepal’s Chitwan park. There is every possibility of tigers from the Nepal side being counted as those of VTR,” he said.
Asked whether he intended to come up with a supplementary report to clear such points, Jhala said there was no need for any such thing. “One need not come out with such a report for a difference of a few tigers. When one takes into account things at national level, the result would be the same,” he said.
According to estimates, India is home to 1,706 tigers. The estimate has also given a range about the numbers and says that the figure could vary between 1571 and 1875.
Wildlife activists differed with Jhala.
“The system of extrapolation appears to have some serious discrepancies. There is an urgent need to fine-tune the techniques being used to arrive at conclusions about tiger numbers in the country,” said a Delhi-based wildlife activist, who is also a member of the national board for wildlife.
An NTCA member, who too requested anonymity, told The Telegraph that he had already raised questions about the flaws in estimation at a recent meeting of the authority.
K. Ullas Karanth of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, who is at present in the US, in an email reply to The Telegraph’s queries on the apparent flaws said: “My team and I will do a thorough study of the detailed report later this month after I return. I do not want to comment at this stage.”
Karanth has been known to be critical of the methods being used for tiger estimation in the country.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110821/jsp/frontpage/story_14359079.jsp
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Nod to tiger conservation foundation rules Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN
NAGPUR: In a boost for tiger conservation, the governing body headed by forest minister Patangrao Kadam has finally cleared rules to run tiger conservation foundations (TCF) in three of state's tiger reserves - Tadoba-Andhari, Pench and Melghat.
"The TCF rules are approved with many innovative provisions," said Praveen Pardeshi, principal secretary for forests, Maharashtra. He said power to levy gate entry fees has been delegated to field directors and may be increased by 10% per year. Secondly, income of 'project tiger' can be utilised for eco-development but have to targeted at activities that create biomass alternatives for village dwellers - like cooking gas connection and subsidy for cylinders to reduce fuel wood conservation, creation of fodder plots in villages and to reduce free grazing by cattle in open forest.
The official said the foundations would focus on protection activities including incentives to informers and those who help detect poaching. "Now local youths will be employed for fire protection and stake of local villagers will be high," Pardeshi told TOI.
SK Khetarpal, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), wildlife, Maharashtra, said the foundations would start operation in a day or two. Khetarpal is also member-secretary of the governing body that approved the rules. Apart from Kadam, senior forest officials, MLAs Sunil Kedar from Saoner, Kewalram Kale from Melghat, and state environment minister Sanjay Deotale attended the meeting.
The tiger foundations were set up following amendment to Wildlife (Protection) Act in 2006. Section 38X provides for their establishment in each tiger reserve to facilitate and support management, apart from taking initiatives for involving people in conservation.
The foundations for TATR and Pench were set up on November 25 and December 15, 2008. In Melghat it was set up on February 10, 2009.
Three foundations were ready, no rules were framed to govern them financially, they could not start functioning. A three-member committee of field directors was set up to frame the rules. These rules have now been approved. "Many times funds are released in March and in such a situation, it's impossible to complete proposed works. Now, field directors will be able to deposit these funds in TCF. Gate fee will also go to the foundation," officials said. 'Tadoba Ratna' award will be constituted for conservation works.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Nod-to-tiger-conservation-foundation-rules/articleshow/9643158.cms
"The TCF rules are approved with many innovative provisions," said Praveen Pardeshi, principal secretary for forests, Maharashtra. He said power to levy gate entry fees has been delegated to field directors and may be increased by 10% per year. Secondly, income of 'project tiger' can be utilised for eco-development but have to targeted at activities that create biomass alternatives for village dwellers - like cooking gas connection and subsidy for cylinders to reduce fuel wood conservation, creation of fodder plots in villages and to reduce free grazing by cattle in open forest.
The official said the foundations would focus on protection activities including incentives to informers and those who help detect poaching. "Now local youths will be employed for fire protection and stake of local villagers will be high," Pardeshi told TOI.
SK Khetarpal, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), wildlife, Maharashtra, said the foundations would start operation in a day or two. Khetarpal is also member-secretary of the governing body that approved the rules. Apart from Kadam, senior forest officials, MLAs Sunil Kedar from Saoner, Kewalram Kale from Melghat, and state environment minister Sanjay Deotale attended the meeting.
The tiger foundations were set up following amendment to Wildlife (Protection) Act in 2006. Section 38X provides for their establishment in each tiger reserve to facilitate and support management, apart from taking initiatives for involving people in conservation.
The foundations for TATR and Pench were set up on November 25 and December 15, 2008. In Melghat it was set up on February 10, 2009.
Three foundations were ready, no rules were framed to govern them financially, they could not start functioning. A three-member committee of field directors was set up to frame the rules. These rules have now been approved. "Many times funds are released in March and in such a situation, it's impossible to complete proposed works. Now, field directors will be able to deposit these funds in TCF. Gate fee will also go to the foundation," officials said. 'Tadoba Ratna' award will be constituted for conservation works.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Nod-to-tiger-conservation-foundation-rules/articleshow/9643158.cms
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
RTI lady killed, stink of tiger mafia
Bhopal, Aug. 16: A right to information campaigner who had raised questions on several tiger deaths across Madhya Pradesh was shot dead as she got into her car moments after stepping out of home this morning.
Shahla Masood, known to be working on alleged malpractice in the state’s wildlife conservation, tourism and other departments, had before leaving home updated her Facebook account, urging people to support Anna Hazare’s movement against corruption.
Police said the 35-year-old was shot by an unidentified assailant as she sat in her Santro in the Koh-e-Fiza locality of the Madhya Pradesh capital.
“Shahla Masood was shot dead around 11am when she was sitting in her car,” senior superintendent of police Adarsh Katiyar said.
The SSP said a massive hunt had been launched to nab the assailant though the motive behind the murder wasn’t clear yet.
Ajay Dubey, a close associate of the slain RTI campaigner, said Shahla had “raised questions regarding several tiger deaths” across the state. “People involved in the racket may be responsible,” he added.
A former model, event manager and later a full-time RTI activist, Shahla was feared by many politicians and bureaucrats.
Dubey demanded a CBI probe into the murder. “We have no faith in the state government, so the matter should be investigated by the CBI.”
The killing of Shahla has again raised questions on the ability of governments to protect whistleblowers or rights activists.
In April this year, Niyamat Ansari, an RTI activist from Latehar, Jharkhand, was killed for exposing embezzlement of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act funds.
“The fact that a lady can be murdered like this in broad daylight outside her own house shows that there is no security worth its name in Bhopal,” leader of Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Ajay Singh told PTI.
State police chief S.K. Raut visited Shahla’s residence, where a police force was deployed.
“I am sure…we will solve the murder soon,” PTI quoted IG Shailendra Shrivastava as saying.
Shahla’s body has been sent for post-mortem. Police have seized the car and locked her room.
Sources said the Bhopal-based activist had stayed up the whole of last night and watched the dramatic scenes of Hazare’s arrest this morning.
They said before leaving home, Shahla had updated her Facebook account, urging people to support Hazare’s movement.
Her last status update on Facebook read “Gandhi: ‘the purpose of civil resistance is provocation.’ Anna has succeeded in provoking the government and the opposition. Hope he wins us freedom from corruption. Meet at 2pm Boat Club Bhopal.”
A PTI report said Shahla’s aunt Rubab Zaidi came down to see why her niece hadn’t driven off even 15 minutes after stepping out of home. When she reached the car, Zaidi saw Shahla slumped inside. She then called Shahla’s father.
The activist was single and her only sister lives in America.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110817/jsp/frontpage/story_14385802.jsp
Shahla Masood, known to be working on alleged malpractice in the state’s wildlife conservation, tourism and other departments, had before leaving home updated her Facebook account, urging people to support Anna Hazare’s movement against corruption.
Police said the 35-year-old was shot by an unidentified assailant as she sat in her Santro in the Koh-e-Fiza locality of the Madhya Pradesh capital.
“Shahla Masood was shot dead around 11am when she was sitting in her car,” senior superintendent of police Adarsh Katiyar said.
The SSP said a massive hunt had been launched to nab the assailant though the motive behind the murder wasn’t clear yet.
Ajay Dubey, a close associate of the slain RTI campaigner, said Shahla had “raised questions regarding several tiger deaths” across the state. “People involved in the racket may be responsible,” he added.
A former model, event manager and later a full-time RTI activist, Shahla was feared by many politicians and bureaucrats.
Dubey demanded a CBI probe into the murder. “We have no faith in the state government, so the matter should be investigated by the CBI.”
The killing of Shahla has again raised questions on the ability of governments to protect whistleblowers or rights activists.
In April this year, Niyamat Ansari, an RTI activist from Latehar, Jharkhand, was killed for exposing embezzlement of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act funds.
“The fact that a lady can be murdered like this in broad daylight outside her own house shows that there is no security worth its name in Bhopal,” leader of Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Ajay Singh told PTI.
State police chief S.K. Raut visited Shahla’s residence, where a police force was deployed.
“I am sure…we will solve the murder soon,” PTI quoted IG Shailendra Shrivastava as saying.
Shahla’s body has been sent for post-mortem. Police have seized the car and locked her room.
Sources said the Bhopal-based activist had stayed up the whole of last night and watched the dramatic scenes of Hazare’s arrest this morning.
They said before leaving home, Shahla had updated her Facebook account, urging people to support Hazare’s movement.
Her last status update on Facebook read “Gandhi: ‘the purpose of civil resistance is provocation.’ Anna has succeeded in provoking the government and the opposition. Hope he wins us freedom from corruption. Meet at 2pm Boat Club Bhopal.”
A PTI report said Shahla’s aunt Rubab Zaidi came down to see why her niece hadn’t driven off even 15 minutes after stepping out of home. When she reached the car, Zaidi saw Shahla slumped inside. She then called Shahla’s father.
The activist was single and her only sister lives in America.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110817/jsp/frontpage/story_14385802.jsp
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Cabinet gives nod to cheetahs, more funds for Project Tiger
New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Thursday approved re-introduction of cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and hike in Project Tiger estimates from Rs.650 crore to Rs.1,216.86 crore due to rise in cost of relocation of villages from tribal habitats.
The CCEA also approved increased compensation in case of loss of human life in man-animal conflict.
According to a government release, increase in cost of Project Tiger has been necessitated due to "increased action for relocation of villages from the notified core/critical tiger habitats as also inclusion of additional components".
It said there will be a change in the funding pattern in respect of northeastern states by increasing the central share from the existing 50 percent to 90 percent for recurring expenditure.
The release said compensation for man-animal conflict has been raised to Rs.2 lakh in case of loss of human life.
Another component of Project Tiger approved by the CCEA is re-introduction of cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Re-introduction of cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan would benefit all the 40 tiger reserves falling in 17 tiger states, the statement said.
"Re-introduction of cheetahs in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan under the scheme at a cost of Rs.50 crore after ensuring the historical co-existence of cheetahs with other carnivores, especially the tiger, would benefit all the 40 tiger reserves falling in 17 tiger states, besides the people living in the fringe areas (buffer), as well as communities opting for voluntary relocation from the core/critical tiger habitats," it added.
The tiger population in the country has registered an increase from 1,411 in 2006 to 1,706 in 2010.
India has the maximum number of wild tigers and tiger habitats in the world conserved due to Project Tiger.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) provides a statutory basis to Project Tiger and has an overarching role as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Project Tiger was launched by the government in 1973 in nine reserves of Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal over an area of approximately 14,000 sq. km.
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=111772
The CCEA also approved increased compensation in case of loss of human life in man-animal conflict.
According to a government release, increase in cost of Project Tiger has been necessitated due to "increased action for relocation of villages from the notified core/critical tiger habitats as also inclusion of additional components".
It said there will be a change in the funding pattern in respect of northeastern states by increasing the central share from the existing 50 percent to 90 percent for recurring expenditure.
The release said compensation for man-animal conflict has been raised to Rs.2 lakh in case of loss of human life.
Another component of Project Tiger approved by the CCEA is re-introduction of cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Re-introduction of cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan would benefit all the 40 tiger reserves falling in 17 tiger states, the statement said.
"Re-introduction of cheetahs in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan under the scheme at a cost of Rs.50 crore after ensuring the historical co-existence of cheetahs with other carnivores, especially the tiger, would benefit all the 40 tiger reserves falling in 17 tiger states, besides the people living in the fringe areas (buffer), as well as communities opting for voluntary relocation from the core/critical tiger habitats," it added.
The tiger population in the country has registered an increase from 1,411 in 2006 to 1,706 in 2010.
India has the maximum number of wild tigers and tiger habitats in the world conserved due to Project Tiger.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) provides a statutory basis to Project Tiger and has an overarching role as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Project Tiger was launched by the government in 1973 in nine reserves of Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal over an area of approximately 14,000 sq. km.
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=111772
Thursday, August 11, 2011
TATR gets funds for village relocation -Mazhar Ali, TNN
CHANDRAPUR: The relocation of villages located inside Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is going to get a boost with the receipt of pending funds released by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in the coming days. TATR is expected to receive the installment of Rs2.88 crore to initiate rehabilitation process of village Ramdegi (Navegaon) in the coming days.
Similarly, funds for relocation of Jamni village are expected to be released in October this year, sources said. After being rebuked by the high court in October last year, the government had accelerated the process of rehabilitation of villages out of TATR.
The rehabilitation committee headed by district collector had forwarded the proposals of rehabilitation of Ramdegi and Navegaon villages to NTCA collectively worth Rs43.2 crore. While NTCA readily approved both the proposals, it had released the funds only for Ramdegi village. The first installment of Rs2.88 crore for rehabilitation of Ramdegi was released in the final days of the last financial year.
But by the time it reached the state government for disbursement, the financial year had ended. "The funds cannot be utilized in next financial year unless revalidated by union government. PCCF had forwarded a proposal for revalidation of the funds, so that it could be utilized in current financial year. The funds is expected to be released soon," said CCF and field director, TATR, Vinaykumar Sinha. Funds for rehabilitation of Jamni village are expected by October, he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/TATR-gets-funds-for-village-relocation/articleshow/9559927.cms
Similarly, funds for relocation of Jamni village are expected to be released in October this year, sources said. After being rebuked by the high court in October last year, the government had accelerated the process of rehabilitation of villages out of TATR.
The rehabilitation committee headed by district collector had forwarded the proposals of rehabilitation of Ramdegi and Navegaon villages to NTCA collectively worth Rs43.2 crore. While NTCA readily approved both the proposals, it had released the funds only for Ramdegi village. The first installment of Rs2.88 crore for rehabilitation of Ramdegi was released in the final days of the last financial year.
But by the time it reached the state government for disbursement, the financial year had ended. "The funds cannot be utilized in next financial year unless revalidated by union government. PCCF had forwarded a proposal for revalidation of the funds, so that it could be utilized in current financial year. The funds is expected to be released soon," said CCF and field director, TATR, Vinaykumar Sinha. Funds for rehabilitation of Jamni village are expected by October, he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/TATR-gets-funds-for-village-relocation/articleshow/9559927.cms
Green groups seek tiger reserve tag for park
- Environmentalists hope status upgrade will help Dibru-Saikhowa get more funds from Centre
RIPUNJOY DAS
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
Dibrugarh, Aug. 10: Environmental groups have urged the Centre to declare Dibru-Saikhowa National Park as a tiger reserve in the hope that it will attract funds.
According to official data, the national park, spread across Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts with a total area of 765 square km, including the 340 square km core zone, had 31 tigers in 2001-2002.
Although the number has gone down because of lack of conservation efforts and some other factors, it is roughly estimated that the park still has around 15 tigers.
During the 2010 tiger census — reports of which were released recently — pugmarks were found in three areas of the park. “We have seen that the many small reserves with only three or four tigers have been accorded the status of tiger reserve which has helped them receive crores of rupees. It is unfortunate that the Centre and the state government has so far neglected the park compared to other national parks of the state,” the secretary of Dibru-Saikhowa Conservation Society, Joynal Abedin, said.
In 2003, the then state joint secretary of forests and present Lakhimpur deputy commissioner Anwaruddin Choudhury had written to the then chief conservator of forests (wildlife) M.C. Malakar to take up the matter of according tiger reserve status to Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Dhansiri reserve forest in Karbi Anglong.The proposal was forwarded to the Centre by Malakar. However, the Centre has failed to take any steps on the issue, which has irked nature lovers and also given them a chance to press for tiger reserve status for Dibru-Saikhowa.
“Despite being rich in its flora and fauna, apart from being a treasure hub of orchids, the Assam government has never given importance to the park. Therefore, we urge the government to accord the status of a tiger reserve to Dibru-Saikhowa so that conservation efforts can be carried out in the real sense,” Niranta Gohain, director of Wave Eco-Tourism, another NGO, said.
There are five tiger reserves in the Northeast — Kaziranga, Nameri and Manas in Assam, Namdapha in Arunachal Pradesh and Dampa in Mizoram.
With the formation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laying much stress on the conservation of tigers in India, the NGOs feel that according the status of tiger reserve is the only option for development of Dibru-Saikhowa.
However, the divisional forest officer of the national park, Vaibhav Mathur, said, “In the present circumstances it would be totally unscientific to declare Dibru-Saikhowa a tiger reserve.”
“There is a huge human population inside the core zone of the park, which has created a lot of pressure upon the national park. Firstly, this population of over 10,000 needs to be a relocated. There are several other issues like acute shortage in manpower as well which needs to be addressed,” he added.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110811/jsp/northeast/story_14362737.jsp
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
New Tiger Reserves
Ministry of Environment and Forests
The “in-principle” approval has been accorded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority for creation of six new tiger reserves, and the sites are: (i) Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh), (ii) Ratapani (Madhya Pradesh), (iii) Sunabeda (Odisha), (iv) Mukandara Hills (including Darrah, Jawahar Sagar and Chambal Wildlife Sanctuaries) (Rajasthan), (v) Kudremukh (Karnataka) and (vi) Kawal Sanctuary (Andhra Pradesh). Besides, the States have been advised to send proposals for declaring the following areas as Tiger Reserves: (i) Bor (Maharashtra), (ii) Suhelwa (Uttar Pradesh), (iii) Nagzira-Navegaon (Maharashtra) (iv) Satyamangalam (Tamil Nadu), (v) Guru Ghasidas National Park (Chhattisgarh), and (vi) Mhadei Sanctuary (Goa). Under section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 State governments are authorised to notify an area as a tiger reserve on recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan in a written reply to a question by Shri Kanwar Deep Singh in Rajya Sabha today.
KP
(Release ID :74171)
The “in-principle” approval has been accorded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority for creation of six new tiger reserves, and the sites are: (i) Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh), (ii) Ratapani (Madhya Pradesh), (iii) Sunabeda (Odisha), (iv) Mukandara Hills (including Darrah, Jawahar Sagar and Chambal Wildlife Sanctuaries) (Rajasthan), (v) Kudremukh (Karnataka) and (vi) Kawal Sanctuary (Andhra Pradesh). Besides, the States have been advised to send proposals for declaring the following areas as Tiger Reserves: (i) Bor (Maharashtra), (ii) Suhelwa (Uttar Pradesh), (iii) Nagzira-Navegaon (Maharashtra) (iv) Satyamangalam (Tamil Nadu), (v) Guru Ghasidas National Park (Chhattisgarh), and (vi) Mhadei Sanctuary (Goa). Under section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 State governments are authorised to notify an area as a tiger reserve on recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan in a written reply to a question by Shri Kanwar Deep Singh in Rajya Sabha today.
KP
(Release ID :74171)
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Tiger population increases in Sathyamangalam forest
PTI
The tiger population in Sathyamangalam forest has increased from 10 to 18 in the past two years, Conservator of Forests, Erode District, has said.
D Arun, the Conservator of Forests, said on Sunday that the recent census had shown an increase of eight tigers in the range in comparison with the 2009 figures.
Addressing a meeting organised by the Living with Nature Movement, Mr. Arun said strict vigil in the forest areas in the district had led to the increase in wildlife population.
He said the district has two forest divisions with vast forest cover: Sathyamangalam and Erode. As per the recent census, Sathyamangalam is home to 785 elephants, 564 Gaur, 212 Sambar variety deer, 309 spotted deer, 377 Black Buck deer, 127 wild boar, 19 panther and 18 tigers, he said.
Similarly, Erode forest division has 70 elephants, 20 bison, 645 spotted deer, 208 sambar variety deer and 20 panthers, he said.
Sufficient water and food were available for the wild animals inside the forest, but sometime due to migration, some elephants were entering private lands, causing damage to the crops, he said. In order to prevent such incidents, digging of trenches has already commenced in the forest areas, he added.
The tiger population in Sathyamangalam forest has increased from 10 to 18 in the past two years, Conservator of Forests, Erode District, has said.
D Arun, the Conservator of Forests, said on Sunday that the recent census had shown an increase of eight tigers in the range in comparison with the 2009 figures.
Addressing a meeting organised by the Living with Nature Movement, Mr. Arun said strict vigil in the forest areas in the district had led to the increase in wildlife population.
He said the district has two forest divisions with vast forest cover: Sathyamangalam and Erode. As per the recent census, Sathyamangalam is home to 785 elephants, 564 Gaur, 212 Sambar variety deer, 309 spotted deer, 377 Black Buck deer, 127 wild boar, 19 panther and 18 tigers, he said.
Similarly, Erode forest division has 70 elephants, 20 bison, 645 spotted deer, 208 sambar variety deer and 20 panthers, he said.
Sufficient water and food were available for the wild animals inside the forest, but sometime due to migration, some elephants were entering private lands, causing damage to the crops, he said. In order to prevent such incidents, digging of trenches has already commenced in the forest areas, he added.
Goa not keen on responding to MoEF letter on tiger sanctuary
PTI | 04:08 PM,Aug 08,2011
Panaji, Aug 8 (PTI) Even though the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) had asked the Goa government to submit a proposal to declare Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve, the coastal state might not respond to it as it is not sure whether there are tigers in the sanctuary. State Forest Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues today hinted at it when he told reporters that the state government might not respond to the MOEF letter. "Why should we reply? We have not been asked to reply?" he questioned. The minister also said that the state government is not sure whether there are tigers existing in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. When the minister was told that the existence of tigers in the sanctuary was noticed during animal census, Rodrigues said, "It is the wildlife institute's and not my job to know whether there are tigers (in the sanctuary)." The Congress minister said that declaration of sanctuary as a tiger reserve would turn out to be "unpopular" as local people are opposing it. "We will have to take everyone into confidence," he said. In June, the MoEF had written to Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat asking him to submit a proposal for setting up a tiger reserve.
Monday, August 8, 2011
A Tigress and three tigers missing from Ranthambore
JAIPUR: Three tigers and one tigress are reportedly missing from the Ranthambore national park and are untraceable for the last few months.
"One tiger is untraceable since December last year and the others are missing since February this year. They do not have radio collars and our effort to trace them is on," Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief Wildlife warden U M Sahai said.
No signs of territorial fight have been detected yet and the teams of forest department are making efforts to locate them, he added.
"In monsoon season, tracking big cats becomes difficult. They are missing for months even then it would be too early to anticipate that they are dead because it (missing) happens many times due to various reasons," Deputy Conservator of Forest- Ranthambore Y K Sahu said.
"No dead body has been found yet," he said. "We are hopeful that they would be traced after monsoon gets over. Tigers T21, T29, T40 and tigress T27 are missing," Sahu said, adding, there are more than 40 tigers, tigresses and cubs (in all) in Ranthambore.
The famous Ranthambore national park is located in Sawaimadhopur district, 130 kms from here in Rajasthan.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-06/flora-fauna/29858409_1_ranthambore-national-park-u-m-sahai-tigress
"One tiger is untraceable since December last year and the others are missing since February this year. They do not have radio collars and our effort to trace them is on," Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief Wildlife warden U M Sahai said.
No signs of territorial fight have been detected yet and the teams of forest department are making efforts to locate them, he added.
"In monsoon season, tracking big cats becomes difficult. They are missing for months even then it would be too early to anticipate that they are dead because it (missing) happens many times due to various reasons," Deputy Conservator of Forest- Ranthambore Y K Sahu said.
"No dead body has been found yet," he said. "We are hopeful that they would be traced after monsoon gets over. Tigers T21, T29, T40 and tigress T27 are missing," Sahu said, adding, there are more than 40 tigers, tigresses and cubs (in all) in Ranthambore.
The famous Ranthambore national park is located in Sawaimadhopur district, 130 kms from here in Rajasthan.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-06/flora-fauna/29858409_1_ranthambore-national-park-u-m-sahai-tigress
After 50 tiger deaths, 3 poachers convicted
For a country which wants to slap a fine of Rs 1-crore on citizens who are cruel to their pet dogs, chickens and buffalos, poachers of India’s national animal — tiger — have been let off rather lightly. But the unthinkable happened last week: For the first time in Karnataka, the nation's tiger capital, three tiger poachers were convicted and sentenced to three years' imprisonment by the 9th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's court in Bangalore.
Prior to this, it was only arrests of wildlife poachers that made news as conviction eluded sleuths of the CID Forest Cell and other police personnel.
Nabbing the culprits
A team from Upparpet police station comprising inspector M R Mudavi, sub-inspectors S D Shashidhar and Sridhar K Poojar and some constables nabbed a three-member gang on August 17, 2008, in Gandhinagar. Acting on a tip-off, the police contingent arrested M David Kumar (29), Kodandapani (29) of Koramangala and P Venkataswamy (33) of Krishnagiri and seized two tiger pelts, tiger paws and a few pieces of tiger bones worth Rs 15 lakh. The booty was sourced from Chandapura, on the city outskirts. The three were booked under various provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
Upparpet police station inspector Lokeshwar, who took over as investigating officer in the case, said, "We provided enough documents to the court and are happy that the poachers have been convicted. This will teach other poachers a lesson."
Conservationists smiling
The rare conviction has put the smile back on the faces of conservationists. Sanjay Gubbi, member of the Karnataka State Wildlife Board, said: "The conviction is a welcome change on the conservation front. All these years, it was only reports of arrests which made news but culprits would eventually go scot-free. Even though the punishment is inadequate, I am happy that it has started happening."
Upparpet: Wildlife trade hub
For years, areas within Upparpet police station limits including Gandhinagar, Majestic, KG Road, Avenue Road and the infamous Tulasi Thota were the hub of wildlife trade in IT city.
In 2008 alone, 24 cases relating to the wildlife trade were registered including the trading of six tiger pelts, nine leopard pelts and one rhinoceros horn. The numbers kept increasing over the years.
The high number of cases gave the area the dubious distinction of entering the national wildlife crime database managed by the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI).
Poaching unabated every year
Even though the dwindling tiger population set off alarm bells and led to calls for stringent laws, poaching in various national parks and tiger reserves continues unabated. Last year, in Karnataka alone, the forest department recovered as many as six tiger pelts and arrested a couple of poachers. And 50 tigers have fallen prey to poachers in the last 30 years, says Sanjay.
It's only in the last couple of years that tiger deaths have been properly tracked in India after the setting up of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Till then, there were no efforts to keep track of the big cats' mortality rate even though their population was slowly being decimated.
Karnataka, with more than 390-400 big cats, has four tiger reserves including Bandipur, Nagarhole, Anshi-Dandeli and Bhadra Tiger reserves. Recently, the central government also notified Biligiri Ranga Temple Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve. Bandipur, Nagarhole and Dandeli were once the hub of poachers though such incidents have come down in the last one year due to the efforts of forest officials.
http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?page=article§id=1&contentid=2011080720110807131257210a884b569
Prior to this, it was only arrests of wildlife poachers that made news as conviction eluded sleuths of the CID Forest Cell and other police personnel.
Nabbing the culprits
A team from Upparpet police station comprising inspector M R Mudavi, sub-inspectors S D Shashidhar and Sridhar K Poojar and some constables nabbed a three-member gang on August 17, 2008, in Gandhinagar. Acting on a tip-off, the police contingent arrested M David Kumar (29), Kodandapani (29) of Koramangala and P Venkataswamy (33) of Krishnagiri and seized two tiger pelts, tiger paws and a few pieces of tiger bones worth Rs 15 lakh. The booty was sourced from Chandapura, on the city outskirts. The three were booked under various provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
Upparpet police station inspector Lokeshwar, who took over as investigating officer in the case, said, "We provided enough documents to the court and are happy that the poachers have been convicted. This will teach other poachers a lesson."
Conservationists smiling
The rare conviction has put the smile back on the faces of conservationists. Sanjay Gubbi, member of the Karnataka State Wildlife Board, said: "The conviction is a welcome change on the conservation front. All these years, it was only reports of arrests which made news but culprits would eventually go scot-free. Even though the punishment is inadequate, I am happy that it has started happening."
Upparpet: Wildlife trade hub
For years, areas within Upparpet police station limits including Gandhinagar, Majestic, KG Road, Avenue Road and the infamous Tulasi Thota were the hub of wildlife trade in IT city.
In 2008 alone, 24 cases relating to the wildlife trade were registered including the trading of six tiger pelts, nine leopard pelts and one rhinoceros horn. The numbers kept increasing over the years.
The high number of cases gave the area the dubious distinction of entering the national wildlife crime database managed by the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI).
Poaching unabated every year
Even though the dwindling tiger population set off alarm bells and led to calls for stringent laws, poaching in various national parks and tiger reserves continues unabated. Last year, in Karnataka alone, the forest department recovered as many as six tiger pelts and arrested a couple of poachers. And 50 tigers have fallen prey to poachers in the last 30 years, says Sanjay.
It's only in the last couple of years that tiger deaths have been properly tracked in India after the setting up of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Till then, there were no efforts to keep track of the big cats' mortality rate even though their population was slowly being decimated.
Karnataka, with more than 390-400 big cats, has four tiger reserves including Bandipur, Nagarhole, Anshi-Dandeli and Bhadra Tiger reserves. Recently, the central government also notified Biligiri Ranga Temple Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve. Bandipur, Nagarhole and Dandeli were once the hub of poachers though such incidents have come down in the last one year due to the efforts of forest officials.
http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?page=article§id=1&contentid=2011080720110807131257210a884b569
Evaluation lists major threats to three Tiger Reserves
Up and coming development projects, increasing pressure from tourism and pilgrimage, increasing number of hotels and conflicts with local communities are the major threats faced by the three tiger reserves in the State.
The weaknesses include inadequate trained and competent staff in the tiger reserves, disturbance due to human settlements inside the reserves and fringes, exotic plantations, invasive species, increasing human – wildlife conflict in certain pockets and some corridors still falling outside the tiger reserves.
The ‘Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Tiger Reserves in India: Process and Outcomes 2010 – 2011,' brought out by the Wildlife Institute of India and National Tiger Conservation Authority, has listed the strengths of the tiger reserves as well.
Connectivity to adjoining areas, strong support of stakeholders, good scientific research information and strong eco-development programme have been identified as strengths of Kalakad – Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
Sound protection strategies, adequate baseline information, adequate support of local people, co-ordination and contiguity with Kerala are the strong points for Anamalai.
At Mudumalai, the landscape adjoining Bandipur and Wayanad has provided space for migration of large mammals and integration into the ecosystem. Protection system, with anti-poaching strategies in place, has been termed good.
In all three reserves, the study has viewed the establishment of tiger foundations, growing interest of research among individuals and institutions and increasing government support as opportunities.
Prepared under the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) framework, the outcome of the MEE process has categorised the three tiger reserves in the State as very good. The Western Ghats landscape has been rated 75 on the MEE score, 10 points above the average of 65 per cent for all five clusters.
However, the team chaired by State's former head of Forest Department C.K. Sreedharan with Yogesh Dubey and E.A. Jayson as members which evaluated Cluster IV covering nine tiger reserves (TR) in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu has found several shortcomings in management.
Management plan
While all TRs have an approved management plan, none of them has approved tiger conservation plan, the report noted. The present system of beat, section and range as unit of management, has to be evaluated to see if it was serving the twin major purposes of protection and implementation of developmental programmes.
While enforcing Acts, it was noticed that booking of wildlife offences, filing of charge sheets and taking them to logical conclusions in a time bound manner was also absent in most TRs.
Apart from inadequately trained staff, the motivational level was not very high due to lack of adequate incentives. Besides, there was lack of arms and ammunitions and efficient communication systems and other equipment.
Most of the TRs lacked true research and development support to make them sustainable, said the report. It has also found shortcomings in capacity building of staff in wildlife management, unorganised tourism management, lack of internal monitoring and evaluation systems, delayed release of funds. Another major drawback reported was the inadequate attention paid to local communities inside the TRs and in the immediate surroundings and failure to accept them as full partners in management practices.
Implementation of Forest Rights Act 2006 has been found to be quite tardy and poor in most of the TRs.
The report also emphasised the need for a comprehensive resettlement programme to reduce serious biotic interference, active management of animals straying into agricultural fields, steering of tiger foundations in proper direction and participation of stakeholders in management which was only moderate now.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2334108.ece
The weaknesses include inadequate trained and competent staff in the tiger reserves, disturbance due to human settlements inside the reserves and fringes, exotic plantations, invasive species, increasing human – wildlife conflict in certain pockets and some corridors still falling outside the tiger reserves.
The ‘Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Tiger Reserves in India: Process and Outcomes 2010 – 2011,' brought out by the Wildlife Institute of India and National Tiger Conservation Authority, has listed the strengths of the tiger reserves as well.
Connectivity to adjoining areas, strong support of stakeholders, good scientific research information and strong eco-development programme have been identified as strengths of Kalakad – Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
Sound protection strategies, adequate baseline information, adequate support of local people, co-ordination and contiguity with Kerala are the strong points for Anamalai.
At Mudumalai, the landscape adjoining Bandipur and Wayanad has provided space for migration of large mammals and integration into the ecosystem. Protection system, with anti-poaching strategies in place, has been termed good.
In all three reserves, the study has viewed the establishment of tiger foundations, growing interest of research among individuals and institutions and increasing government support as opportunities.
Prepared under the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) framework, the outcome of the MEE process has categorised the three tiger reserves in the State as very good. The Western Ghats landscape has been rated 75 on the MEE score, 10 points above the average of 65 per cent for all five clusters.
However, the team chaired by State's former head of Forest Department C.K. Sreedharan with Yogesh Dubey and E.A. Jayson as members which evaluated Cluster IV covering nine tiger reserves (TR) in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu has found several shortcomings in management.
Management plan
While all TRs have an approved management plan, none of them has approved tiger conservation plan, the report noted. The present system of beat, section and range as unit of management, has to be evaluated to see if it was serving the twin major purposes of protection and implementation of developmental programmes.
While enforcing Acts, it was noticed that booking of wildlife offences, filing of charge sheets and taking them to logical conclusions in a time bound manner was also absent in most TRs.
Apart from inadequately trained staff, the motivational level was not very high due to lack of adequate incentives. Besides, there was lack of arms and ammunitions and efficient communication systems and other equipment.
Most of the TRs lacked true research and development support to make them sustainable, said the report. It has also found shortcomings in capacity building of staff in wildlife management, unorganised tourism management, lack of internal monitoring and evaluation systems, delayed release of funds. Another major drawback reported was the inadequate attention paid to local communities inside the TRs and in the immediate surroundings and failure to accept them as full partners in management practices.
Implementation of Forest Rights Act 2006 has been found to be quite tardy and poor in most of the TRs.
The report also emphasised the need for a comprehensive resettlement programme to reduce serious biotic interference, active management of animals straying into agricultural fields, steering of tiger foundations in proper direction and participation of stakeholders in management which was only moderate now.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2334108.ece
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Tiger numbers in AP up or down
HYDERABAD: The number of tigers in the state has gone up from 53 in 2006 to 72 in 2010, according to the state forest department.� Speaking to Express, deputy conservator of forests A Shankaran said the state government has stepped up anti-poaching measures in the last two years and has seen a lot of improvement in the number of tigers.
Earlier, there used to be a single unarmed forest beat officer in a particular area who would not be able to do much in times of crisis. To rectify this problem, the state government has constituted protection camps with 6-8 local tribal youths. Also, it has set up mobile strike forces who patrol the forest area.
Also, whenever animals enter a village in search of water source or food, they either get killed by electric fences around farms or villagers poison them in an attempt to safeguard their cattle and crops.
To resolve this, the government pressed into service six animal rescue vans last year, according to the deputy conservator of forests. The rescue vans are equipped with tranquillisers so that, whenever there is an incident of wild animal straying into villages, these vans immediately go to the villages and take the animal back into forests.� Another eight vans will be added to the existing six by the end of this year. The forest department aims to have one such van for each district in the next three years, Shankaran added.� The government has also increased compensation for loss of life in case of wild animal attack. Earlier, the compensation was Rs 1 lakh and now it has been increased to Rs 2.5 lakh. Compensation for crop damage has also been increased to Rs 6000 per acre (from the earlier Rs 2000).
Apart from these measures, the state government has proposed to develop Kawal sanctuary in Adilabad district. As part of this, around 1200 sqkm around the sanctuary will be developed as the buffer area, in addition to development of 896 sq km of the core sanctuary area.� When asked about providing the forest guards with arms, Shankaran said though extremist activities in the forests have come down, the possibility cannot be ruled out completely. The government is cautious about providing weapons to forest officials as it might attract extremist groups’ attention.
However, environmentalists disagree with the government’s claim of increase in the number of tigers.
Imran Siddiqui, a wildlife biologist, Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society, says according to the present estimated number of tigers in the state, at least 4 or 5 cubs should be added to the tiger population every year, which is not the case.� When there is a 12 percent decrease in the tiger habitat, how can there be a 20 percent increase in the number of tigers?� he asks.� He also found fault with the methodology in which tiger counting has been done.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tiger-numbers-in-ap-up-or-down/173193-60-114.html
Earlier, there used to be a single unarmed forest beat officer in a particular area who would not be able to do much in times of crisis. To rectify this problem, the state government has constituted protection camps with 6-8 local tribal youths. Also, it has set up mobile strike forces who patrol the forest area.
Also, whenever animals enter a village in search of water source or food, they either get killed by electric fences around farms or villagers poison them in an attempt to safeguard their cattle and crops.
To resolve this, the government pressed into service six animal rescue vans last year, according to the deputy conservator of forests. The rescue vans are equipped with tranquillisers so that, whenever there is an incident of wild animal straying into villages, these vans immediately go to the villages and take the animal back into forests.� Another eight vans will be added to the existing six by the end of this year. The forest department aims to have one such van for each district in the next three years, Shankaran added.� The government has also increased compensation for loss of life in case of wild animal attack. Earlier, the compensation was Rs 1 lakh and now it has been increased to Rs 2.5 lakh. Compensation for crop damage has also been increased to Rs 6000 per acre (from the earlier Rs 2000).
Apart from these measures, the state government has proposed to develop Kawal sanctuary in Adilabad district. As part of this, around 1200 sqkm around the sanctuary will be developed as the buffer area, in addition to development of 896 sq km of the core sanctuary area.� When asked about providing the forest guards with arms, Shankaran said though extremist activities in the forests have come down, the possibility cannot be ruled out completely. The government is cautious about providing weapons to forest officials as it might attract extremist groups’ attention.
However, environmentalists disagree with the government’s claim of increase in the number of tigers.
Imran Siddiqui, a wildlife biologist, Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society, says according to the present estimated number of tigers in the state, at least 4 or 5 cubs should be added to the tiger population every year, which is not the case.� When there is a 12 percent decrease in the tiger habitat, how can there be a 20 percent increase in the number of tigers?� he asks.� He also found fault with the methodology in which tiger counting has been done.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tiger-numbers-in-ap-up-or-down/173193-60-114.html
Friday, August 5, 2011
Tiger poaching: Sariska probe resume - TNN
SARISKA: The state government on Thursday resumed a probe that had been ordered in 2005 after it came to light that all tigers in the Sariska reserve have been poached.
Additional chief secretary and development commissioner B B Mohanty arrived at the tiger reserve on Thursday morning and began the probe. He is being helped by the assistant conservator of forest Bhagwan Singh Nathawat. Officials revealed Mohanty took possession of all records dating back to the period before all the tigers had been poached.
"Statements of various forest officials, including many of those working here in 2005, were recorded. The statements of NGOs working for tiger conservation were also recorded," officials said.
"We have written to all involved that whosoever has any information on the incident can give us their side of the story. We will also be sending notices to people who were engaged here but are now retired, including field directors, DFOs and other officials, and get information from them," Mohanty said.
"We will be look into the matter carefully so that whosoever involved does not go scot-free. In addition to this we will also be giving our recommendations so that the incident is repeated," he said adding the report by the R N Mehrotra committee will be a great help.
Officials explained the probe is being resumed now because the person who was heading the probe team then retired eventually.
"This was revealed recently and we decided to resume the probe and have sought details of all officers who were at Sariska between 1995 and 2005. The idea is to trace those responsible for dereliction of duty," officials said.
Highly placed sources said after it came to light in 2005 that all the Sariska tigers had been poached, the state had ordered an independent probe into it. However, the probe remained incomplete after a preliminary stage as the then additional chief secretary Alka Kalla who was heading the probe failed to make much progress. She retired about two years ago.
Subsequently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also probed into the incident while an empowered committee set up by the centre to also look into it. Both the agencies have submitted the report and have not found any official guilty in particular though it has rapped the all concerned authorities of negligence. Later, notorious poacher Sansar Chand was arrested.
While state forest department officials explain the resumption of the probe as a natural process after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Rajasthan assembly recently traced the order to be incomplete. Incidentally, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had also pointedly put in its report on the incompletion of the probe. In perhaps one of the biggest setback to conservation, the entire tiger population was wiped out due to poaching from Sariska before the whistle was blown in 2005.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Tiger-poaching-Sariska-probe-resumes/articleshow/9488179.cms
Additional chief secretary and development commissioner B B Mohanty arrived at the tiger reserve on Thursday morning and began the probe. He is being helped by the assistant conservator of forest Bhagwan Singh Nathawat. Officials revealed Mohanty took possession of all records dating back to the period before all the tigers had been poached.
"Statements of various forest officials, including many of those working here in 2005, were recorded. The statements of NGOs working for tiger conservation were also recorded," officials said.
"We have written to all involved that whosoever has any information on the incident can give us their side of the story. We will also be sending notices to people who were engaged here but are now retired, including field directors, DFOs and other officials, and get information from them," Mohanty said.
"We will be look into the matter carefully so that whosoever involved does not go scot-free. In addition to this we will also be giving our recommendations so that the incident is repeated," he said adding the report by the R N Mehrotra committee will be a great help.
Officials explained the probe is being resumed now because the person who was heading the probe team then retired eventually.
"This was revealed recently and we decided to resume the probe and have sought details of all officers who were at Sariska between 1995 and 2005. The idea is to trace those responsible for dereliction of duty," officials said.
Highly placed sources said after it came to light in 2005 that all the Sariska tigers had been poached, the state had ordered an independent probe into it. However, the probe remained incomplete after a preliminary stage as the then additional chief secretary Alka Kalla who was heading the probe failed to make much progress. She retired about two years ago.
Subsequently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also probed into the incident while an empowered committee set up by the centre to also look into it. Both the agencies have submitted the report and have not found any official guilty in particular though it has rapped the all concerned authorities of negligence. Later, notorious poacher Sansar Chand was arrested.
While state forest department officials explain the resumption of the probe as a natural process after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Rajasthan assembly recently traced the order to be incomplete. Incidentally, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had also pointedly put in its report on the incompletion of the probe. In perhaps one of the biggest setback to conservation, the entire tiger population was wiped out due to poaching from Sariska before the whistle was blown in 2005.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Tiger-poaching-Sariska-probe-resumes/articleshow/9488179.cms
'Tiger reserve only way to check mining' TNN
BICHOLIM: Strongly backing the suggestion of union ministry of environment and forests for a tiger reserve in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary, environmentalists from Sattari taluka have asserted that this will not only help protect the tiger but will also protect the forest cover which in turn provides water security.
Ranjit Rane from Sonal, Sattari, Vishwash Parab, Rajendra Kerkar and Deepaji Rane from Kumbharkhand told mediapersons in Valpoi that the tiger reserve must become a reality as it will benefit Goa and Goans. They pointed out that Sattari taluka faces the threat of new mining leases.
"To curtail this looming danger, the only alternative is to transform Mhadei wildlife sanctuary into Mhadei tiger reserve," said Parab.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Tiger-reserve-only-way-to-check-mining/articleshow/9486459.cms
Ranjit Rane from Sonal, Sattari, Vishwash Parab, Rajendra Kerkar and Deepaji Rane from Kumbharkhand told mediapersons in Valpoi that the tiger reserve must become a reality as it will benefit Goa and Goans. They pointed out that Sattari taluka faces the threat of new mining leases.
"To curtail this looming danger, the only alternative is to transform Mhadei wildlife sanctuary into Mhadei tiger reserve," said Parab.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Tiger-reserve-only-way-to-check-mining/articleshow/9486459.cms
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