Security scan at Corbett, 4 other tiger hubs on cards

THURSDAY, 09 FEBRUARY 2012 00:16 PNS | DEHRADUN HITS: 158 The National Tiger Conservation Authority will be conducting security audit in five tiger reserves across the country including the Corbett tiger reserve in Uttarakhand. Though the NTCA deputy inspector general SP Yadav said he was too busy to either recall the names of these tiger reserves or the parameters of the security audit, wildlife activists state that all wildlife and environment in addition to tigers could benefit greatly if the security audit is undertaken efficiently and its recommendations are executed effectively at the ground level. Apart from being India’s national animal, the tiger is also important because its conservation will ensure the conservation of many other animals and the environment. India also holds over half of the world’s tiger population (in the wild) with 1,706 living in the nation according to the latest tiger census report released by the NTCA in March 2011. This makes the security audit of tiger reserves all the more important because inspite of efforts undertaken by the authority and State forest departments, poaching of tigers and other big cats, their prey species and anthropogenic damage in protected areas has continued in many parts of the nation. According to the letter issued by the NTCA to five tiger reserves including Nagarhole tiger reserve in Karnataka, Tadoba-Andheri in Maharashtra, Bandavgarh in Madhya Pradesh, Kaziranga in Assam and Corbett in Uttarakhand in January this year, security audit of these reserves will be undertaken within six months. http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/41299-security-scan-at-corbett-4-other-tiger-hubs-on-cards.html

PTR tiger count stalled for want of equipment

TNN Feb 4, 2012, 10.35PM IST DALTONGANJ: The fourth phase of the tiger census in Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) is likely to be delayed. Sources said the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has asked for an estimate of tigers here but for want of infrastructural facilities, the process if likely to be delayed. The PTR does not have digital and trapping cameras in large numbers, global positioning system equipment and range finders. Sources said without these equipment, PTR cannot go for the fourth phase of the count. The tech support is necessary for accuracy of figures. Sources said the number of tigers in PTR has been fudged. In early 1994, there used to be 49 tigers whereas today the PTR struggles to count a little near a dozen big cats. The field director-cum-conservator, S E H Kazmi, conceded, " Right now these equipment are not with the PTR and hence it is difficult to go for any estimation. The fourth phase count is a sophisticated procedure in which all information is to be fed into a software and even a minor inaccuracy will be declared an error." DNA test of scat of tigers is now the main plank of counting its population but there are other things like a range finder. A range finder gives the exact position of wildlife in any tiger reserve. The PTR is segmented into 30 zones and sources said more than half the zones are in highly sensitive areas affected by extremism. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-04/ranchi/31024319_1_palamu-tiger-reserve-tiger-census-ptr

Eco-Pro activists stage agitation

TNN | Feb 9, 2012, 06.15AM IST CHANDRAPUR: Wildlife organization Eco-Pro staged a day-long sit-in agitation before the office of chief conservator of forests (CCF) on Wednesday to press the demand of initiating fire protection works in the forest. However, it turned out that fire protection works have been stranded across the state for lack of grants. The organization is now planning to the take up the matter with the state forest minister. Incidents of fire in forests generally begin in March, and therefore forest authorities accomplish their preparation to tackle the fires by February 15 every year. However, this year, no initiative in this regard has been taken so far due to lack of funds. Alarmed by the delay, Eco-Pro had raised the issue with APCCF (planning and development) Shri Bhagwan during his recent visit here. But as no grants were released for fire protection, Eco-Pro activists led by their president Bandu Dhotre staged the sit-in. "Lack of fire protection works such as fire line cutting and deployment of fire watchers, puts entire forest and wildlife in danger. While precious forest is lost in fires, herbivores too are deprived of their food in the area. Uncontrolled fires also lead to the death of newborns and cubs of wild animals, as they are unable to move away swiftly. Only fire protection measures can help checking this problem, but thanks to lack of funds its works are withheld," said Bandu Dhotre. CCF of Chandrapur circle BSK Reddy agreed that fire protection works are held up due to lack of grants. "The situation is the same across the state as grants are not available to take up fire protection work. We have received a part of aid on Wednesday itself, and it would be immediately released to start the work," he said. Reddy said that they have sought help from Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) for taking up fire protection works in the buffer zone of tiger reserve. TATR is going provide some aid from its tiger protection foundation for fire protection in buffer, he added. Dhotre said that as fire protection works are held up across the state, his organization would take up the issue with the forest minister Patangrao Kadam. More than two dozen activists of Eco-Pro participated in the agitation. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Eco-Pro-activists-stage-agitation/articleshow/11817708.cms

NGOs kept out of tiger census

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Feb 8, 2012, 07.20AM IST NAGPUR: SK Khetarpal, the state's principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), has shut the door on NGOs but kept it open for individuals to participate in the phase IV tiger monitoring exercise beginning on Friday. "But it's up to the park managers to decide on the participation of individuals. I won't interfere in this matter," Khetarpal told TOI on Tuesday. The exercise, which was to start earlier from February 2 to 7, will now be held between February 10 and 17 in tiger reserves and their buffer areas, and sanctuaries and national parks. Khetarpal had told TOI in January that only volunteers with wildlife and genuine credentials would be allowed to take part in the monitoring. On Monday, TOI received several calls from wildlife buffs on being denied participation by park managers. The wildlife chief said the department has enough staff to conduct the exercise. "The real field work can be done in a better way by forest staffers who are familiar with the areas. It's also an opportunity for the new forest recruits to learn techniques," he said. On transparency, the chief wildlife warden said, "What can be more transparent than the cameras. We've good number of tigers that are spilling over in non-protected areas. The camera traps cannot be tampered with. Moreover, the Wildlife Institute of India ( WII) will check the data which cannot be distorted." VK Sinha, field director & chief conservator (CCF) of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), said the first lot of compass and rangefinders needed on transact lines has been received. More are expected in a few days. Unavailability of these gears, along with zilla parishad and panchayat polls, was one of the reasons to postpone the monitoring exercise. The exercise will go on even without rangefinders in the hilly terrain and dense forests of Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) as it difficult to sight animals beyond 30-40 metres. "MTR needed 275 rangefinders but considering the topography I have sought only 10," said A K Mishra, field director of MTR. MTR will allow the participation of wildlife lovers. "They need to produce a photo identity card for verification," said Mishra. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) are among the NGOs which have been denied permission. WWF coordinator for Satpuda Maikal Landscape Project, Chhitaranjan Dave, has expressed disappointment over the move. SP Yadav, the deputy inspector general (DIG) of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), confirmed that it has left the participation of NGOs to PCCFs. "All we insist is that the national monitoring protocol be followed," he said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NGOs-kept-out-of-tiger-census/articleshow/11802640.cms

CBI probe for Panna tiger debacle stuck at the lowest level

MAHIM PRATAP SINGH The Hindu A tiger seen at the Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh. File photo: R. Sreenivasa Murthy Three years after the entire tiger population of the Panna Tiger Reserve was decimated, the Madhya Pradesh government has neither been able to fix responsibility for the disaster, nor has it handed over the enquiry to the Central Bureau of Investigation inspite of requests from the Ministry of Environment and forests and even the Prime Minister's Office. A new string of official communication, copies of which are available with The Hindu, suggests that a CBI investigation into the Panna debacle is being held up due to non-communication from the ground i.e. office of the Field Director, Panna Tiger Reserve. Last year, the Prime Minister's Office forwarded a complaint regarding CBI enquiry into the Panna debacle to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). On 20th July 2011, the NTCA wrote to the Madhya Pradesh government asking for an update on the matter. The state government sent the NTCA request to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) who in turn asked the Field Director, Panna Tiger Reserve to send the details of available evidence required for the CBI probe. Since then, the PCCF (Wildlife) office has sent repeated reminders in May, August, September and December 2011―to the Field Director, PTR, asking him to make available the evidence for three poaching cases that the state government had identified for CBI enquiry in 2010. But there has been no response from the Field Director. In March 2010, in response to a letter from NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal advising for a CBI enquiry into the Panna debacle, the state government had identified three poaching cases and had admitted the need for a CBI probe. The latest reminder to the FD was sent in December 2011, which unequivocally stated: “Regarding CBI probe in the disappearance of Panna tigers...in spite of repeated reminders, you have not provided us with the details and evidences relating to three cases identified by the government.. we are receiving constant reminders from the government from the government...please send the details as soon as possible” (translated from Hindi). Interestingly, the Field Director (FD) R.S. Murthy had only recently exposed the official-poacher nexus in the PTR in a confidential report last year, which was accessed by wildlife activist Ajay Dube under the Right to Information Act (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2487974.ece). In the report, Mr. Murthy had indicted the forest staff for acting in collusion with local hunting communities such as the Pardhis and the Bahelias as well as with national and international poaching mafia by suppressing cases or not registering one at all. “We believe that the FD is under pressure from some senior officials responsible for the loss of tiger population in Panna. This is the same officer who had exposed the official-poacher nexus through his report, why is he silent now inspite of repeated reminders,” asked Mr. Ajay dube, who obtained the entire chain of correspondence under the Right to Information Act. Not only has the state government not been able to fix responsibility in the case, it has failed to demarcate a buffer zone for the Panna Tiger Reserve, a requirement under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, amended in 2006. In such a situation, the future of the national animal appears bleak at the Panna Tiger Reserve, which is constantly under attack from poaching and illegal mining. http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article2869203.ece

Fighting chance for India's tigers: Poaching declines

Last Updated: Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 12:16 100 0 New Delhi: In cheering news for wildlife conservationists, tiger poaching dropped nearly 60 percent in 2011 as compared to the previous year, though it continues to pose a major threat to the survival of the big cat in the country, a leading NGO said. According to the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), 13 tigers were hunted last year as compared to 30 in 2010 - a decline of 57 percent. The bodies of poached tigers, seized bones and skins were computed to arrive at the figures. Adding other factors like road accidents, infighting, fighting with other animals, electrocution, found dead, and rescue and treatment, the overall toll rises to 61. In 2010, it was 58. However, top on the list of WPSI's tiger mortality is the found dead figure, 21. The toll from infighting was the same as that of poaching. In the previous year, 10 tigers died in such fights. "There has been definitely a decrease in poaching cases in 2011 compared to 2010, but it does not mean poaching has stopped," WPSI's Tito Joseph said. This could be "due to effective patrolling strategies adopted by the tiger authority (National Tiger Conservation Authority) in coordination with other agencies," Joseph said. The illegal wildlife trade continues to be a major threat to tigers. Joseph said traders were offering huge amounts of money in black markets for tiger body parts. "Recently trade activities were detected in Vietnam and Cambodia. The threat is not only from China (a known hub for such trade) but also from Southeast Asian countries," he said. "We need to be vigilant 24 hours 365 days," Joseph said. "Wildlife articles always have a very premium market and prices are not going to come down easily," U.C. Tiwari, wildlife warden of the Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, told IANS. The 1,200-plus sq km Corbett sanctuary is one of the 39 tiger reserves in the country. The poaching figure only reflects the cases that come to light and it may not truly reflect the ground condition, said Tiwari. He warned that the situation could turn alarming if the mortality rate of adult tigers rises. "Because adult tigers don't die easily,... there has to be some extraordinary circumstance." According to WPSI, of the 21 tigers found dead in 2011 many were adult tigers. In 2010, 15 tigers were found dead. "The fact that many poachers are now lodged in jails has surely contributed to the decrease. They are still cooling their heels in different jails," the official added. Acknowledging this, Ashok Kumar, an eminent tiger conservationist and vice chairman of the NGO Wildlife Trust of India, said poaching has reduced considerably as many poachers were jailed. "Our lawyers fight against them in court so they do not come out of jails. "All Alwar (Rajasthan)-based poachers are today in jails," said Kumar, referring to a gang blamed for extermination of tigers in the Sariska reserve, one of the two tiger sanctuaries in the state. Kumar has been at the forefront of the fight against poachers and illegal trade of wildlife for over two decades. He was the first director of Traffic India, which studies wildlife trade. Rajasthan is also home to the famed Ranthambore National Park. Sariska currently has five tigers, all shifted from Ranthambore as part of a government attempt to repopulate tigers in the reserve. The latest official tiger census report released in March 2011 estimated about 1,700 tigers in the country. IANS http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/fighting-chance-for-india-s-tigers-poaching-declines_757335.html

Evidence of presence of tiger found in Choral forest

PTI | Feb 6, 2012, 07.14PM IST INDORE: Initial survey and evidence collected by the forest department have indicated presence of a tiger in Choral forest, spread over 10 sq km area in Barwah-Devas-Indore region, official sources today said. A ten-member team from district forest department, led by Sub-Divisional forest officer Abhay Jain, found carcasses of two bulls with bite-marks on the neck, and pugmarks of a sole tiger, in the range of Bagoda, Pitambari and Naniya, sources said here. "The team has not sighted the tiger so far, but villagers have claimed to have seen it," an official said, adding "we do not attribute credence to that unless it is sighted by the experts". A cave, suspected to be the tiger's den, was also seen,sources said. The pugmarks were estimated to be fortnight-old. The area is home to wild animals such as cheetal and neelgai. Wild Life Institute of India had earlier indicated presence of at least five to seven big cats in the Choral forest, the sources said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Evidence-of-presence-of-tiger-found-in-Choral-forest/articleshow/11780439.cms

Govt sees Nandhor valley as next tiger reserve!

TUESDAY, 07 FEBRUARY 2012 00:10 PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | NEW DELHI Located at the heart of Terai Arc Landscape along the Himalayan foothills, Nandhor valley in Uttarakhand has caught the attention of National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) for its potential of a good tiger habitat. The Standing Committee of the board in its last meeting favoured its declaration into a protected area at the earliest. In its recent camera trapping WWF studies found at least four tigers in the area. According to Dr AJT Johnsingh, member of the NBWL Standing Committee, Nandhor area has been found to have good tiger presence and if protected, it can become as successful as Corbett National Park. “Protection was crucial, as a particular local community inhabiting the area was known to indulge in hunting.” he added. Spanning an area of about 18,00sq. km is spread out in Haldwani, Terai east and Champawat forest divisions, with the Gola, Kilpura-Khatima-Surai and Boom-Bhramdev wildlife corridors. The vegetation of the Nandhor valley forests comprises a mosaic of dry and moist deciduous forests with traces of temperate forests towards the higher elevation areas. “This landscape still holds potential for the conservation of tigers, as it has nearly 1,000 sqkm of tiger habitat that needs better protection”, the experts pointed out. The area is also well connected with the forests in Nepal across the Sharada river on the eastern side and it continues till the eastern part of Sukhlaphanta Wildlife Reserve, they added. According to Joseph Vattakaven, Tiger-Coordinator, WWF-India, “Tigers once had a wide distribution across the Nandhor valley. They have, however, been exterminated due to various causes driven by adverse human impacts. But with protection and connectivity in place, tigers will rebound and provide us with a wonderful opportunity to increase their numbers.” Occupancy surveys and camera trapping completed in parts of Chakata and Nandhor ranges of Haldwani forest division have revealed tigers in both the ranges with multiple captures of four tiger individuals being recorded. A large male tiger along with the trapping of a tigress with her two sub-adult cubs indicates the great potential of the area as a breeding ground for tigers. Among the other significant species caught on the cameras are the Himalayan black bear amongst others which are usually found at higher altitudes. “This landscape can house a breeding population of 40-50 tigers, but poaching by local communities of prey species and occasionally tigers is potentially a major cause of absence of tigers in this area”, Joseph added. http://dailypioneer.com/nation/40753-govt-sees-nandhor-valley-as-next-tiger-reserve.html

Tigress Spotted at Kudremukh National park: Will It Be Declared a Tiger Reserve ?

By: Rang7 Team February 6, 2012 Wildlife conservationists feared the re-introduction of mining in Kudremukh National Park in Karnataka. But the recent sighting of a tiger family at the park may help put these fears at rest. One of the forest staff on his regular patrol duty spotted a tigress with her three cubs at a pond in the Pandarmakki area of the Bhagavathi forest range of the National Park. This new sighting has only further strengthened the call for ban against mining in the park area. In fact wildlife conservationist and forest officers have noted that wildlife and fauna have been regenerating and flourishing after the mining activity had been stopped in the National Park. The cat family of four including mother and three cubs were spotted on January 26. The patrol officer followed the tigress and her family for almost 20 minutes. Kudremukh means horse face and Kudremukh National Park is named after a peak in the park forest range which is shaped like a horse face. Situated in a mountainous area and comprised of a thick forest range comprising of wide variety of fauna, the park is home to many a endangered animals and rare avian species including the Malabar giant squirrel, common langur, sloth bear, lion tailed macaque, barking deer and others. Now the sighting of a tigress and her cubs has added to the list of animals that can be sighted here and this has prompted the need to notify the area as Tiger Reserve which will further add security to the area while at the same time keeping a more vigilant eye on the poachers. “The sighting of a tiger is welcome and shows that the area has great potential to carry tiger population. Two months ago, during a routine visit, we had sighted close to 50 sambar deer in one herd, which is rare even in tiger reserves of the state," said B. K. Singh, Wildlife PCCF. After the incident was reported wildlife activist are increasing their tempo to declare Kudremukh National Park as a Tiger Reserve which will help keep illegal tourism activities in check. “The reported sighting of four tigers definitely brings some cheer. The process of natural recovery is slowly kicking in and it is vitally important to ensure that Kudremukh National Park is fully insulated from the pressures of tourism and allowed to recover. The current tourism policies adopted in deciduous forests like Bandipur and Nagarahole cannot be introduced in the sensitive rain forest ecosystem of Kudremukh," said Praveen Bhargav, Trustee, Wildlife First Organisation. However local political leaders who have a vested interest in mining are against the idea of the National Park being declared or notified as a Tiger Reserve. They are fighting on the basis that notifying the area as a Tiger Reserve will lead to it being a wildlife protected area and this means evicting forest dwellers in large numbers. However according to the forest department more than 100 families have already agreed for a re-settlement programme out of Kudremeukh National Park in a voluntary eviction programme sponsored by the centre. So all the other allegations are baseless. Kudremukh National Park is divided into four ranges Kudremukh, Kerekatte, Kalasa, Shimoga. The park is situated in the Western Ghats and spread over three districts of Karnataka; Dakshin Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur. Kudremukh National Park has many tourist attractions including waterfalls, pilgrimage shrines and is considered a trekker’s paradise. http://www.rang7.com/news/national-park/tigress-spotted-kudremukh-national-park:-will-declared-tiger-reserve-1011.htm

TATR to establish baseline water quality system

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Feb 7, 2012, 02.32AM IST NAGPUR: The Tadoda-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is fast adapting to environment-friendly water technology. After portable instant water purifiers Neeri-Zars and 'Phytorid' wastewater treatment technology, the park has decided to establish baseline water quality by collecting samples from artificial and natural water holes. VK Sinha, chief conservator of forests ( CCF) & field director of TATR, confirmed that water samples will be collected from water holes and Tadoba lake in TATR by scientists from National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). "The idea is to have descriptive water quality information in a format usable for park planning and management. It will ensure the integrity of park water quality, due to its importance in sustaining natural and park ecosystems," Sinha told TOI. The project will be implemented with the help of water technology and management division (WTMD) of NEERI. Principal scientist and head of WTMD Pawankumar Labshetwar said NEERI has already collected water samples of Tadoba lake. The samples from artificial water holes will be collected in April when they are filled. "We will establish a baseline of water quality. Although wild animals have good resistance power, we will find out whether such water can affect health of animals. No such studies have been done in the past," said Labshetwar. The TATR is surrounded by many industrial units, power plant and coal mines. Besides, there is pressure from tourists. How pollution from all these elements affect TATR water is not known. The project includes retrieve water quality and related data and develop a complete inventory of all retrieved data park-based water quality data management system, it seems. The TATR has already installed portable instant water purification system Neeri-Zars developed by NEERI at its protection huts. Besides, it is working on installing environment-friendly 'Phytorid' treatment technology system for disposal of waste water for rest houses and staff quarters. Sewage water entering the forests spoils its virginity and puts pressure on the eco-system, Sinha says. Labshetwar said NEERI has also collected water from villages inside TATR. "We are compiling report on the samples taken," he added. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/TATR-to-establish-baseline-water-quality-system/articleshow/11785317.cms

Pugmarks confirm tiger’s presence in Choral forest

Bagish K Jha, TNN | Feb 6, 2012, 01.15AM IST INDORE: A day after confirming the presence of tiger in Choral forest area, the forest department says that the analysis of the pugmark found from the forests indicates that they belong to a tiger. The department will now be initiating a programme to create awareness among the villagers to save tigers and to keep themselves safe from the animal. Chief conservator of forest P C Dubey said, "Experts suggested that the pugmark found on Saturday belonged to a tiger which is likely to be around 10 years old. The pugmark is of five inch by five inch in square shape". Dubey said that local villagers have been talking about the presence of tiger in the region for long, but this is the first time the department has got proof about its presence. They believe the tiger has not migrated from any other forest. "Forest belt of Indore, Dewas, Brwah, Choral and Udainagar is very dense and rich with herbivore population, besides, there is plenty of water resources. All these are ideal habitat for tiger," said Dubey adding that Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradoon has indicated about presence of seven tigers in this area in their recent survey. The forest department has convened a meeting of the Deputy Forest Conservators to monitor the situation. The department has also convened a meeting of DFOs of Indore, Dewas and Barwaha, forest guards and rangers, Van Samitis and villagers at Naniya village where the tiger's pugmark was found on February 4 to brief the forest officials and villagers about the landscape management strategy for the protection of tiger. Department has also alerted the forest officials and Van Samitis to keep an eye on movement of strangers in the forest area. "Villagers have been asked to inform forest official instantly in case they see any stranger in the area," said Dubey adding that conservation and protection of tiger is now priority of the department. Besides, for the conservation of tiger in the area, the department has chalk out multi-prong strategy under landscape management. Wherein Indore, Dewas and Badwani will work together and share information about tiger movement. "It is important to adopt an integrated approach as a tiger moves in area of 1500 square kilometers," said Dubey. To avoid man and animal conflict and engage maximum people in conservation and protection of tiger forest department is also relaxing its compensation rule. The department has instructed its officials to make instant payment and take considerate view in case of any damage to crop and cattle of villagers due to wildlife. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/Pugmarks-confirm-tigers-presence-in-Choral-forest/articleshow/11771353.cms

Villages to be relocated but VIP guesthouse stays

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Feb 6, 2012, 01.14AM IST NAGPUR: The relocation of five villages inside Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is being expedited because the critical tiger habitats (CTHs) need to be inviolate for tigers. But in sharp contrast to this the huge VIP complex right inside Tadoba's core is being renovated instead of phasing it out. From April 1, 2008, when former PCCF (wildlife) B Majumdar banned entry for tourists and VIPs to complex, it was decided to keep bare minimum structures by phasing out remaining quarters. However, after four years, these structures stay and instead of removing them, suites have been renovated with better facilities for VIPs. At present, there are four suites in the VIP guesthouse, an 18-bedded youth hostel, two holiday homes, forest department's own colony of 15 quarters, a canteen and field director's bungalow. All structures are situated on southern shore of Tadoba lake and are major source of disturbance to wildlife. Conservationists have alleged that shifting of complex is being purposefully delayed as this complex consists support staff of VIP guesthouse that is on a hillock overlooking Tadoba lake and that VIPs and their kin want to continue enjoying exclusive privilege of staying inside a tiger reserve. Interestingly, in 1995, when Tadoba was declared a tiger reserve, basic condition of 'Project Tiger', now National Tiger Conservation Authority was to remove pucca structures. It was also mentioned in management plan of TATR. As it is, as per Wildlife Protection Act 1972 amended in 2006, a reserve has to be inviolate. "Why should the department waste public money on renovation? Officials can make a halt at Moharli. If a field director or wildlife official needs a halt, there are quarters inside. Who knows who's staying in the name of officials? Why a VIP guesthouse needed?" asks Avinash Prabhune, a RTI & consumer rights activist. On the contrary, chief wildlife warden SK Khetarpal says, "There is no proposal to shift VIP guesthouse. It has been converted into a camp office. Only officers will only be allowed to stay there. The guesthouse is not being fully renovated but petty repair works are being done." He adds that field staff stationed in Tadoba means better protection of the area. "Finally, I've left such decisions with respective field directors as they are second line of command and should build confidence," he said. CCF & TATR field director VK Sinha justifies VIP guesthouse and quarters at Tadoba saying, 'We need it for stay of recently appointed researchers. Quarters have been whitewashed as staff needs a better place for living. As per rules, the structures are not being used for tourists." Sinha further said the old canteen has been converted into range office and toilets have been repaired for tourists so that they need not relieve themselves anywhere inside the park. All said and done, demolishing the concrete structures was a long-pending demand of conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts. The decision to stop using VIP guesthouse was raised several times by conservationist Harshawardhan Dhanwatey in state wildlife board (SWB) meetings. The decision was taken accordingly by B Majumdar. Bandu Dhotre of Eco-Pro, NGO working for tiger conservation in Chandrapur says, "The focus in tiger reserves is to increase infrastructure for protection. Till date, increasing protection has been considered equivalent of increasing the infrastructure for protection." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Villages-to-be-relocated-but-VIP-guesthouse-stays/articleshow/11771346.cms

PTR tiger count stalled for want of equipment

TNN Feb 4, 2012, 10.35PM IST DALTONGANJ: The fourth phase of the tiger census in Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) is likely to be delayed. Sources said the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has asked for an estimate of tigers here but for want of infrastructural facilities, the process if likely to be delayed. The PTR does not have digital and trapping cameras in large numbers, global positioning system equipment and range finders. Sources said without these equipment, PTR cannot go for the fourth phase of the count. The tech support is necessary for accuracy of figures. Sources said the number of tigers in PTR has been fudged. In early 1994, there used to be 49 tigers whereas today the PTR struggles to count a little near a dozen big cats. The field director-cum-conservator, S E H Kazmi, conceded, " Right now these equipment are not with the PTR and hence it is difficult to go for any estimation. The fourth phase count is a sophisticated procedure in which all information is to be fed into a software and even a minor inaccuracy will be declared an error." DNA test of scat of tigers is now the main plank of counting its population but there are other things like a range finder. A range finder gives the exact position of wildlife in any tiger reserve. The PTR is segmented into 30 zones and sources said more than half the zones are in highly sensitive areas affected by extremism. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-04/ranchi/31024319_1_palamu-tiger-reserve-tiger-census-ptr

Tell-tale tiger signs excite activists, lovers

Express News Service , The New Indian Express BHUBANESWAR/ROURKELA: As tiger population continues to be a raging controversy in Odisha, pug marks of a Royal Bengal Tigress and two cubs along the borders of Sundargarh and Jharkhand have cheered up wildlife experts and lovers. On Wednesday evening, a tigress reportedly attacked and killed two buffaloes in South Chirubera Forest of Bisra block under Rourkela Forest Division of Sundargarh. DFO Atish Behera confirmed that only the heads of the bovines were found and pug marks of an adult tiger and two cubs, which are not less a year-and-a-half-old, detected. �Between January 16 and 23, a tigress was spotted near SAIL mines at Tensa of the Bonai Forest Division of Sundargarh. Bonai DFO AK Mishra confirmed it to be a tigress and measured the pug marks at 12.5 cm in width and 13.5 cm in length. While the recurrence of the pug marks and the killings of cattle have aroused excitement, Wildlife officials are guarded in their reaction to appearance of the big cats in the region. “We need to ascertain whether the big cat is marking its territory or has strayed into the forests from a contiguous habitat. We will keep a watch,” Chief Wildlife Warden Janardan Dibakar Sharma said. �Although speculations are rife about increasing population of Royal Bengal Tigers (RBTs) in Saranda forest, there have been no visual or DNA evidences yet. The Wildlife Wing now plans to maintain samples of the pug marks, their GPS records and timing to understand if the big cat is indeed marking its territory, Sharma said. �He said Bonai Forest Division is an ideal habitat given its forest density, prey base and herbivore population but there has to be a definite evidence of tiger. �Although tiger population occurred in Saranda, the increased proliferation of Left Wing ultras in the bordering regions of Odisha and Jharkhand has been a major problem for monitoring. Due to Naxal fear, Forest field staff have rarely ventured into the remote pockets in the last several years. �Besides, mining is another cause behind increasing fragmentation of habitats and disturbances for the big cats. The growing clout of the ultras in the region may just have given the tigers a safe haven. Meanwhile, AK Choudhary, Forest Range Officer of Sasangada in Jharkhand, said in August last year a big cat was spotted in Saranda. RBTs, he said, occurred in Saranda which is known as ‘Heaven of Sal’ and ‘Land of 700 hills’ spread over 850 sq km. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/telltale-tiger-signs-excite-activists-lovers/227156-60-117.html

Kawal awaits tiger reserve tag

TNN | Feb 3, 2012, 02.29AM IST HYDERABAD: More than four months have passed since the Centre gave its nod to the Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary in Adilabad district but the project is still waiting on the 'tiger reserve' tag. And while authorities have long cited the crisis in tribal affairs as the primary reason behind the delay, wildlife experts suggest that the story is something else. According to them it is an uninterested forest department and an equally complacent state government, which is dithering on the proposal that needs to be cleared to give Kawal the distinction of being the 42nd tiger reserve in the country. The wait, experts say, is fast becoming a cause for concern as Kawal has seen a sharp rise in anti-social activities in the last five months. Apart from hundreds of trees being felled everyday by the timber mafia, attacks by poachers, too, is becoming more frequent, according to experts. That apart, there has also been a rise in the tiger population in the area (there have been seven sightings of late), which, according to experts, calls for immediate attention. "This is a very important tiger zone and, if protected well, can open up a continuous corridor with central India, especially Tadoba (100km away), thereby helping in tiger conservation efforts," said Imran Siddiqui, member of the advisory board for Kawal and a local wildlife activist. However, experts maintain that better security for the sanctuary would only be sanctioned after it has bagged the 'tiger reserve' tag. Experts said that that notification will lead to more funds through the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and help Kawal grow as a tiger habitat. "Poaching will come down drastically. Fewer trees felled would mean an improving herbivorous population leading to better tiger breeding. So, it is very important that it be given the tag soon," reiterated Rajeev Mathew, a wildlife expert. While Mathew agrees that there are tribal issues that need to be addressed before the initiation of any such proposal, he believes that it is not something that cannot be resolved in a few months. However, considering how little the progress has been so far in government offices, activists feel that the plan might well hit a dead end. Their fears are perhaps rooted in the indifference amongst senior forest officials who seem least interested in the Kawal story. In fact, when contacted, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF- head of the forest force), Hitesh Malhotra said that branding the wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve would do it little good. He argued that the department was already doing all it could to protect Kawal and that any more it could not do. "We have enough mobile guards and camps in the sanctuary area. Even without it being a tiger reserve, we are giving it maximum protection. The tag will change nothing," Malhotra said, dismissing the hoopla around the tiger reserve notification. The ground reality, though, is very different according to locals. Not only has the area been given only four base camps - as against the 16 promised last year - there is also a good portion of the sanctuary that is lying in neglect. "More than one-third of the core Kawal area falls under Nirmal (also in Adilabad district), which does not have a regular forest officer to monitor it. Once declared a reserve, this will get corrected and the entire area will come under the unified command of a forest conservator," a local said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Kawal-awaits-tiger-reserve-tag/articleshow/11734154.cms

Project Tiger: Bhadra, Kudremukh dropped

Bangalore, Feb 2, 2012, DHNS: The State government has dropped a proposal to expand the Bhadra Tiger Reserve as well as include Kudremukh National Park under Project Tiger after local people opposed it, Law Minister Suresh Kumar told the Assembly on Thursday. Replying to the issue raised by Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah, the minister said the government shelved the plan in the interest of tribals and other forest dwellers. The State government had proposed to expand the area of Bhadra tiger reserve from the existing 500.16 sq km to 848.62 sq km. Besides, 600 sq km of Kudremukh Park was proposed to be brought under Project Tiger. In the wake of strong protests from people in Chikmagalur district, the decision to drop the proposal has been notified, the minister said. Suresh Kumar said the re-classification of protected areas under Bannerghatta National Park, Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary will continue as planned. Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda had recently announced that he had written to the Centre to drop expansion plan of Project Tiger in the contiguous Bhadra reserve. The move comes ahead of the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha by-poll as the Bhadra reserve is in the constituency. Earlier, legislators, especially from the Malnad region, cutting across party lines, said there was stiff opposition to the proposal. “There is no public consultation. People are worried about their livelihood”, Sringeri MLA D N Jeevaraj said. Siddaramaiah said people displaced by the Bhadra reservoir had been rehabilitated. “They will be displaced again if Project Tiger is expanded across the region,” he said. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/224187/project-tiger-bhadra-kudremukh-dropped.html

State govts told to ban tourism in key tiger areas

Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times Several resorts in and around tiger reserves may cease to exist as the Centre has asked state governments to acquire 800 to 1,000 square kilometers to provide core inviolate (empty) area for tigers and ban tourism there. In new guidelines issued to relocate 6,000 families in 41 tiger reserves in India, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has told the state governments that even private land includes estates should be acquired for creating inviolate space. "The above component has been included under the Project Tiger scheme for providing 100 % central assistance to states to acquire such areas, if necessary, for making the core/critical tiger habitat inviolate," the NTCA guidelines issued last week said. A study by Dehradun based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has shown that this much inviolate area is required for a viable population of 20 breeding tigresses. The NTCA believes that having them in core area will help in sustaining a population of 75-100 tigers in a reserve. "We can have a sustainable tiger population of 3,000," a NTCA official said. In a bid to achieve the goal, the NTCA told the state governments to acquire land and relocate people by paying a compensation of up to Rs 10 lakh from the core area for declaring it inviolate. "A detailed guideline has been issued on how to relocate people in conformation with the Forest Rights Act and rejuvenate the land," the official said. Resorts and guest houses around smaller tiger reserves such as Kanha in Madhya Pradesh and Ranthambore in Uttar Pradesh would get acquired, if the state governments implement the guideline. However, hospitability industry around bigger reserves such as Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand will not be affected. Tourism may further suffer as the guideline asks shifting of tourism from the core tiger areas to the buffer zone so check adverse impact of human interference on animals. The NTCA has blamed excessive unregulated tourism for falling tiger population in many reserves. Vishal Singh of Travel Operators for Tigers, a body of lodge owners around tiger reserves in India said their data showed that tiger population had either increased or stabilised where tourism was allowed and accused NTCA of failing to put its house in order. "Falling tiger population is not because of tourism but other conservation issues which NTCA has failed to address," he said. The NTCA has linked further release of funds for tiger conservation with implementation of these guidelines. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/State-govts-told-to-ban-tourism-in-key-tiger-areas/Article1-805335.aspx

Prowling big cat remains elusive even after a month

TNN | Feb 2, 2012, 05.06AM IST LUCKNOW: A month has finished since the forest officials began efforts to trap the prowling tiger in Kakori. However, no success has come their way yet. The forest officials are still camping in the area. The department is being assisted by a team from the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) as well. The WTI team had joined the operation on January 10 to provide technical assistance to the forest department to trap the tiger. However, neither department nor WTI team has been able to locate the tiger. The sources in the department claim that it has cost government a good amount of money already. "And an additional amount has been asked for too," said sources. The last kill made by the tiger, about two days back, was located 2 km away from the CISH campus, where the tiger had taken refuge for the last 20 days or so. It indicated that the feline could have moved away from the spot. On Wednesday, however, the forest department could not find out the current location of the big cat. The department has planned to lay one big net to trap the wandering tiger, as enclosures have proved to be almost futile. The enclosures have been put at the same place where the tiger had killed a blue bull, inside the CISH campus. "We had set up a 'machaan' also but the tiger did not come out of the dense cover. It had instead dragged the kill inside the forest area," said a forest official in Kakori. The tiger is believed to have strayed from south Kheri and covered more than 250 km, to have reached its present location. The operation seems to be heading the same way, as the one in 2009, in which a stray tigress from Pilibhit was shot dead, after forest department failed to trap it safely. Meanwhile, the change of guard at the forest department might give the operation a fresh lease of life. Chief wildlife warden (CWW) B K Patnaik retired on Tuesday. Mohammad Ehsan has taken the charge of CWW now. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Prowling-big-cat-remains-elusive-even-after-a-month/articleshow/11721472.cms

Wildlife Institute team probes death of tiger cubs

TNN | Feb 1, 2012, 11.10PM IST KANPUR: A two-member team from Wildlife Institute of India (WII) visited Kanpur zoo on Wednesday to ascertain why the tiger cubs died of kidney failure. The team had been sent by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), which is probing the matter as to how did the three tiger cubs born to Tigress Trusha died of a similar disease. The cubs were born on May 30 last year but died one after the other. The post-mortem examinations of all the three cubs had one thing in common. The cause of death was renal failure. The team members inspected the enclosures of the tiger cubs. Pradeep K Malik and Pradeep Chandra Tyagi, the two scientists from WII inspected Kanpur zoo and stated the conditions to be satisfactory. Talking to mediapersons on Wednesday evening, the two scientists mentioned that they were satisfied with the condition of the enclosures. There are ample chances of improvement, they added. The WII scientists also saw the IVRI reports which stated that the tiger cubs had died due to kidney failure. It was to be probed how the cubs contracted the disease. "We will talk to scientists in Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) to know why the cubs contracted infection in the kidneys. We will seek a detailed report from them," Malik said. Zoo director K Praveen Rao said that the scientists from WII, Dehradun, saw the enclosure of the tiger cubs and suggested that improvements can be made. The two scientists spoke to the zoo veterinarians and discussed with them how the cubs contracted infection in the kidneys. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Wildlife-Institute-team-probes-death-of-tiger-cubs/articleshow/11718332.cms

Tiger census put off due to elections

TNN | Feb 1, 2012, 01.37AM IST NAGPUR: Owing to multiple reasons, the annual tiger estimation exercise to be taken up in four tiger reserves, national parks and sanctuaries has been rescheduled. The eight-day exercise, which was to be held from February 2 to 7, will now be held from February 10 to 17. A fresh schedule was issued by the PCCF (wildlife) office on Tuesday. "Officials concerned sought some time to procure essential material like cameras and rangefinders needed to conduct the census exercise. Hence, the date has been rescheduled," said SK Khetarpal, the principal chief conservator of forests for wildlife. Khetarpal added that another problem was about the zilla parishad elections on February 7. Absence of forest staff on poll duty might affect census work. "By postponing the exercise, we might be able to do it in a better way," he added. The NTCA is yet to release funds for the census exercise. "We expect it in a day or two. We also want to sign an MOU with the NTCA. All this will be completed before February 10," said Khetarpal. The PCCF said the fourth phase will help know tiger numbers in each reserve with the help of mark recapture based camera traps. The cameras will be two-sided and placed at 4 sq km each for 45-60 days i.e. 1,000 nights. After the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) adopted the new tiger census methodology in 2006, figures of individual tiger reserves have not been declared. The numbers included estimation of a protected area (PA) and its entire landscape. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-census-put-off-due-to-elections/articleshow/11706058.cms