Tigers move out of Corbett park boundary

Reported by Tania Saili Bakshi, Edited by Amit Chaturvedi | Updated: September 03, Dehradun: The Corbett Tiger Reserve has one of the densest tiger populations in the country. But now with the number of big cats on the rise, the new worry for the forest department is that many tigers are going beyond the park boundaries in search of fresh territory. This brings them in conflict with people and also makes them easy targets for poachers. "With the population of tigers going up; their area of movement has decreased due to which they are moving away from the Corbett Tiger Reserve in search of water, food and rising temperature as well," said SS Sharma, the Chief Wildlife Warden. Most Recent Nokia reportedly testing Lumia 610 successor 'Glory' with 4-inch display Could cancellation of coal licences help Parliament get back to work? Also See 2:02 Tigers move out of Corbett park boundary 1:56 Tigers at Corbett poisoned or beaten to death Uttarakhand has shown a big jump in tiger numbers - from 178 in 2008 to 235 - in the latest census. Now, efforts are being made to provide protection to tigers in the adjoining Lansdowne and Ramnagar forest divisions. "Better management in parks is required. Basic facilities like food and water needs to made available," said Anand Singh Negi, a tiger expert. While rising number of tigers has brought good news for Uttarakhand, limited tiger territory and shrinking habitat has seen a rise in tigers moving to the upper reaches in the Corbett Tiger Reserve. And if this trend continues, man and animal conflict will be inevitable - something the forest department has to think off before it's too late. http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/tigers-move-out-of-corbett-park-boundary-262204

Skin of adult RBT skin seized, four arrested in Odisha

PTI | 11:09 AM,Sep 03,2012 Baripada (Odisha), Sept 3 (PTI) In what could be termed as the first of its kind incident in Similipal Tiger Reserve area, forest personnel stumbled upon a huge skin of a Royal Bengal Tiger (RBT) and arrested four persons. On a tip off, the forest personnel raided a private lodging here last night and seized the about eight feet long and three feet wide skin which was about to be sold out for Rs 80,000, Bijay Kumar Panda, DFO, Baripada said. Earlier, a forest personnel had posed himself as a middleman and bargained with the traders to which they had agreed. The arrested traders, identified as Niranjan Mohanto, Chandrakant Sahu, Narendra Beshra and Dharanidhar Patra, belonged to Khunta area under the foothills of Similipal. They confessed that the RBT aged about 20 years was shot dead by poachers a year ago near Phulbadia under Barahakamuda range in core area of Similipal Project Tiger. There were gun shot marks at two or three places on the skin. "In all other earlier incidents, we had seized the skin of Panthers. But, for the first time today, we seized the skin of a RBT", Panda said adding based on the information provided by the traders efforts are being made to nab the poachers. PTI COR SKN RG SK

Satpuda to take up its works with PM

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Sep 2, 2012, 07.36PM IST NAGPUR: The Satpuda Foundation (SF), a NGO working for tiger conservation in Central India, has decided to take up its various works with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) meeting slated for September 5. ""This is for the first time Vidarbha has got an opportunity to represent country's highest decision-making body on wildlife and forest issues, under the chairmanship of Prime Ministers. It could be possible due to Satpuda Foundation's pathbreaking work in the region,"" remarked Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda and also NBWL member. Though the routine life in most of the parts of Vidarbha was disrupted due to heavy rains, Satpuda Foundation staff was still moving in the field perceiving its task of tiger conservation as usual. Tribal kids from Sillari and Kadbikheda villages in the buffer of Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) participated in 'seed sowing' drive during the monsoon. Around 35 students participated in the activity and sowed 50 seeds of fruit trees. Satpuda provided an opportunity to these kids by arranging a massive plantation programme in buffer villages. Conservation officer Anoop Awasthi, Bandu Uikey and Dilip Lanjewar played a vital role. Rithe said in view of the new government policy to hand over various activities to eco-development committees (EDCs), Satpuda Foundation is assisting buffer villages like Tuiyapaar, Wanera, Pipariya, Usaripar, Sawara and Wagholi around Pench to prepare village micro-plans. At Wanera the social survey was conducted after discussing village micro plans and eco-development and joint forest management (JFM) programme. At Narhar, the meeting was held with village EDC members about giving up use of firewood and grazing in the forests. Similar meetings were conducted in Kolitmara, Wagholi, Pipariya and Usripar. Rithe informed the Foundation teams arranged 'shramdaan' programmes at Salai and Pipariya. The NGO's staff voluntarily joined forest department officials in anti-poaching drives around Pench despite rains. Meanwhile, Satpuda has started free health check-up camps for remote villages. In four medical camps, 144 patients from Khapa, Wagholi, Kirangisarra and Ghoti were treated. Besides, mobile health units were started at Kirangisara and Ghoti villages. The NGO has started a special education van for the past two years. Regular film shows on wildlife are organised for villagers. The SF also arranged environment education programmes in 12 schools in Pench buffer villages like Narhar, Kolitmara, Ghatpendhari, Salai, Piparia, Khapa, Kadbikheda, Usaripar, Sillari, Sawara,Phulzari and Ghoti. ""We have also provided employment to three youths Kabirdas Gajbhiye and Mukunda Lanjewar, both from Ghoti and Keshav Gajbhiye from Pipariya. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Satpuda-to-take-up-its-works-with-PM/articleshow/16214368.cms

Tourism in core areas ban will up poaching, fears forest minister

Bagish K Jha, TNN | Sep 2, 2012, 12.38PM IST INDORE: Tourism acts as shield for wild animals. Tigers and other wild animals are safe only because of tourism. "As such, a complete ban on tourism in core areas of reserve forests will increase poaching," fears Madhya Pradesh forest minister Sartaj Singh. The minister was in the city to inaugurate a girl's hostel of forest department for its employee's kids, on Saturday. Singh said that his ministry has taken several measures against poaching and it was bearing good results of late. "Presence of tourist and forest department officials helps keep a day-to-day watch on the number of tigers and wild animals and their movements. Their absence, however, will encourage poachers. It will not be possible to station a forest guard in every corner of the forest," Singh said. Singh said that as of now, the matter pertaining to ban on tourism in core areas of reserve forests is with the Supreme Court and the apex court has directed the union government to come up with new guidelines for tourism in the core areas. "We have filed our reply on August 29 and next hearing is on September 27 when the court will decide its further course of action. We have submitted our suggestions to the committee of union government which will formulate the new guidelines of tourism in core areas," he said. He said that forests and reserve forests in MP are in better shape and the number of tigers is increasing. "Buffer zones of reserve forests across the state have been notified. The buffer zone notification of Panna National Park has been done on August 13 as per the guidelines of the court," he said. Taking a dig at Gujarat government that had denied to shift a lion of Gir alleging rampant poaching in Madhya Pradesh, Singh said that Gujarat government was raising the issue of poaching as it did not want MP to have the lion. "We have contented that for survival of the species, it would be good to have their presence in different geographical areas," he said. Tiger tourism is one of the main attractions of tourism in MP and is one of the major sources of revenue generation for Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) that owns several hotels and guest houses in and around the forest areas. It also provides direct and indirect employment to a large number of people across the state. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/Tourism-in-core-areas-ban-will-up-poaching-fears-forest-minister/articleshow/16193209.cms

SC extends ban, but hints at regulated tourism in tiger areas

New Delhi: Extending the ban on tourism in core tiger reserve areas till September 27, the Supreme Court today indicated it was not averse to permit regulated tourist activities, subject to the Centre evolving suitable revised guidelines to protect the depleting wild cat. A bench of justices A K Patnaik and Swatanter Kumar granted four weeks to the Centre to evolve the fresh guidelines after consultations with States, all stake-holders, hotel associations affected by the ban, guides and tour operators. On July 24 the apex court had banned all tourism activities in the core tiger reserve areas. "There is always a watch when tourism is allowed. If there is no tourism there will be no humans to watch the tigers. "Poachers will immediately be caught by tourists and the guides. Poachers actually work undercover. If no tourists are allowed, it will be a field day for poachers," the bench told Attorney General GE Vahanvati, who agreed with the observations. The apex court passed the observation after the AG sought permission to revise the existing guidelines to ensure that tigers were protected even while tourism is promoted. During the nearly hour-long hearing the bench asked the Centre whether the existing tiger conservation guidelines envisage a complete ban on all activities inside core areas. The Centre submitted that the rules did not envisage a complete ban, rather provided for 20 per cent activities inside the core areas. "There seems to be some kind of clash, some kind of difference of opinion between centre and the states. Please ensure these are resolved. "Also identify which activities shall be allowed and not allowed inside core areas," the bench observed adding it wanted comprehensive guidelines to promote both growth of tiger population and regulated tourism. The bench asked the AG to ensure regulated tourism as hundreds of vehicles are trooping in an out of the core areas. "It has been a free for all till now. Is it necessary to take 100 vehicles into the core areas," the apex court wondered. Senior counsel Dushyant Dave, appearing for Rajasthan and States like MP, urged the court to immediately lift the ban to ensure that the parks are opened by October 1, 2012. The counsel cited instances of Uganda, Kenya and certain other countries to claim that tourism regenerates wildlife and that there was no justification for the apex court to ban it. Another senior counsel Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the Hotel Association of India, maintained that tourists did not venture into the core areas, but were only taken on guided excursions for a short period of time. He lamented that in view of the ban hotels have had to cancel bookings from foreign countries and the livelihood of several lakh of people was at stake. However, senior counsel Raj Panjwani, appearing for petitioner, Ajay Dubey, submitted that the Centre had failed to evolve a comprehensive plan for the past two decades. The Centre had earlier filed an affidavit seeking permission to review the existing guidelines for conservation of tigers in the wake of the apex court's order banning tourism in core areas of tiger reserves. In its affidavit, the Centre had also contended that the states have expressed concern that many local people depend on tourism for their livelihood and banning tourism in core areas of the tiger reserves would result in loss of such income leading to discontent which may be a threat to wildlife and forests. Under the existing guidelines and rules of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the states have to notify the list of core and buffer areas of tiger reserves in their respective jurisdictions. As per the guidelines, buffer zones are the areas which lie in the periphery of core areas, also known as critical tiger habitats. Tiger breeding takes place in core areas which are meant to be kept free of any disturbance, including tourism. The buffer zones constitute the fringe areas of tiger reserves up to a distance of 10 kms. There are an estimated over 1,700 tigers in the country. PTI

Abandoned weak cub to be shifted to Kanha on Sept 1

TNN | Aug 30, 2012, 05.35AM IST BHOPAL: A cub, which was abandoned by a tigress in the Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) would be taken to - Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR) on Saturday, September 1, for its rehabilitation. "The date for shifting the six-month cub has been finalised and it would be taken to KTR in a specially designed vehicle with park veterinarian and a divisional forest officer keeping a watch on it. The striped-animal will be first put in a house for some months, thereafter in an enclosure before releasing it in the wild," PTR field director RS Murthy told TOI. More than three months ago, a tigress, T-1 abandoned the cub in the PTR after which the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) asked the MP forest department to shift it to Van Vihar national park and animal rescue and rehabilitation here. But the forest officials had asked the NTCA that it wants to shift the animal to KTR, which was cleared. T-1 gave birth to the cub along with three other cubs in a cave of PTR on February 16. On March 29, the tigress shifted to another cave some 2 km away from the first one, but didn't carry the weak cub. But, it returned to its previous cave on April 2 and fed this abandoned cub. This time around also, T-1 didn't take the cub with it after which the PTR authorities with electronic gadgets, kept a close watch on it and when its condition deteriorated it was rescued from the cave on April 12 and kept in a well-equipped room in PTR. Felines usually abandon their cubs when they turn weak, according to wildlife experts. All preparations have to be made for keeping the cub in KTR, officials said. Kanha sanctuary employees have mastered the technique of hand-rearing cubs by successfully raising two orphaned tigresses. KTR is having housing and an enclosure in which two orphaned tigresses were reared and later on translocated to PTR to revive big cat population. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Abandoned-weak-cub-to-be-shifted-to-Kanha-on-Sept-1/articleshow/15974738.cms

Bookings hit at Ranthambore over SC ban

TNN | Aug 30, 2012, 03.03AM IST JAIPUR: It was a day of mixed fortunes for Rajasthan that has been advocating regulated tourism in tiger reserves rather than a complete ban. The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to formulate fresh guidelines for protection of tigers in core and buffer zones, providing room for an alternate route to be considered. However, with the court deciding to continue the ban till the next hearing on September 27, just days before the Ranthambore tiger reserve opens to visitors on October 1, tourism at the park is sure to take a beating. The online booking of Gypsies and canters for a safari at the park by the forest department is yet to begin. "Normally, online bookings start a month or two before the park opens for the season. However, this time with the Supreme Court ban, there is no way we can begin bookings. Else, tourists' money will get stuck," said AC Chaubey, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan. Till the last season, to get a Gypsy booked for a safari was a matter of luck as bookings are closed within the first week of the season owing to heavy rush of tourists. Requests for cancellation of rooms at hotels too have started pouring in. Balendu Singh, president, Hotel Owners' Association in Ranthambhore said, "October November are major months for us. With festivals lined up, tourists head to Ranthambhore. This is not the case this year. Most people who are travelling on a holiday like to plan their tour well in advance but with the Supreme Court ban there is an uncertainty about visits to the park. The effect can be felt in the number of bookings." With the court fixing the date of hearing in the case so close to the time when the park opens to public, hoteliers said fate of several bookings have been left to the last minute. "First, we had told them (tourists) that by Wednesday the court would come up with a decision, but now with the ban being extended, we will have to intimate them once again through e-mails. We hope that the ban is eventually lifted. Ranthambhore has managed well with regulated tourism since several years and other states can learn from us. Even during peak season, just 40 vehicles are allowed to go inside the park everyday," he adds. On the brighter side, with the Supreme Court in its fresh order asking stakeholders to make their submissions within a week to the committee set up for framing the guidelines for consideration, it is possible that many states, including Rajasthan, that have earlier sent their recommendations to the ministry will now approach the court straight away. Rajasthan that has been leading a crusade of sorts gathering all tigers states in the country under an umbrella so that the total ban is lifted might just decide to represent its case on its own. However, officials refused to comment anything on the matter and said, "It is too early to decide on such things now." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Bookings-hit-at-Ranthambore-over-SC-ban/articleshow/15969295.cms

Ranthambore’s green cover expands after torrential rain

TNN | Aug 28, 2012, 05.46AM IST JAIPUR: Fifty-two tigers against a backdrop of lush green undergrowth, springs, waterfalls and brimming water bodies. This and much more await tourists this season at Ranthambore tiger reserve. The torrential rain in the state for the past one week, though threw life out of gear in most places, has added more greenery to the forests in the state. Though the national park is now closed for tourism due to monsoon, it is scheduled to open on October 1. "Torrential rain has done a world of good to forests in the state. While the water bodies in Ranthambore are overflowing, the rains have virtually turned the reserve into a rainforest. If tourism is ever allowed in the reserves, it will be a treat for the visitors," an official said. "The rain has also added to the green cover of the reserve. With no entry for tourists or vehicles, nothing has been able to disturb the undergrowth in the forests,"sources said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Ranthambores-green-cover-expands-after-torrential-rain/articleshow/15865419.cms

Man-eater was pushed out of its territory

Bangalore:, Aug 27, 2012, DHNS: The big cat, spotted at a waterhole in May, strayed into agricultural fields of HD Kote The tiger that was captured at HD Kote by the Forest department on Sunday, was aged, injured and pushed out of the forest by a dominating male, Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) has revealed. The big cat identified as NHT-222 was frequently camera-trapped since May 2005 in various parts of the tiger reserve, said a press release issued by Dr K Ullas Karanth, Director, CWS. “It was first photo-captured on May 6, 2005, when it was 3-4 years of age in Metikuppe range of Nagarahole. From these first sets of photos, we estimated him to be about 3-4 years of age at that time. He has been subsequently camera-trapped several times during our annual surveys. His last photo-capture was on December 26, 2011, during our current round of phase-IV monitoring conducted with the Forest department,” said Karanth. It strayed into fields He said that in May 2012, the animal was injured in the front right paw and had never recovered since then, and until recently, it was seen in agricultural fields. Subsequently, it raided cattle and killed a woman. “The Forest department patrols observed an injured tiger near Hosakere tank in Sunkadakatte area. We identified it as NHT-222. “It appears that this male tiger aged about 12 never recovered from its injury and has since been pushed out to the reserve fringes. “At the time of its capture, it had a severe injury on its front right paw. It also had discoloured and worn-out teeth, with broken canines,” Karanth said. Karanth said Nagarhole had a high density of tiger ranging between 10-12 animals per 100 sq km. According to studies conducted by CWS, about 22 per cent of the tiger population is lost every year due to mortality and outward dispersal. “NHT-222 has now become a part of this annual loss. However, because of a rich prey base, tigers are reproducing well in Nagarahole-Bandipur, with resident females producing large litters, easily making up for the annual losses,” he said. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/274664/man-eater-pushed-its-territory.html

NGO files plea over buffer notification

Dipannita Das, TNN Aug 26, 2012, 02.17AM IST Supreme Court|rush|Ashish Kothari|ashish PUNE: An intervention application filed by city-based NGO Kalpavriksh in the Supreme Court states that state governments are likely to bypass and violate the processes put down in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the Forest Rights' Act, 2006, in the rush to notify buffer areas around tiger reserves. The apex court, in the Ajay Dubey vs. National Tiger Conservation Authority (special leave petition no(s).21339/2011) case, had issued a directive on July 24 asking state governments to notify the buffer areas within three weeks. The application pointed out that in most states there was no consultation with the affected villagers, or a very cursory one with a few meetings. "This is conducive for greater mistrust and suspicion, hence more conflicts between the local people and the forest department. In such a rush, the notification is issued without proper scientific basis. All this could backfire on wildlife conservation too," the organization said. The NGO has requested the Supreme Court to recognise these issues. Ashish Kothari, petitioner on behalf of Kalpavriksh, told TOI, "If the court allows, we would like to argue for a review of this case through a proper process. Notification of buffer areas around national parks and sanctuaries is to curb destructive developmental activities. There are other options too like declaring areas as eco-sensitive or as biodiversity heritage sites, which can curtail destructive activities while allowing livelihoods to continue. All options must be considered using the best available knowledge and democratic processes.'' In an earlier order on April 3, 2012, the apex court had directed states to issue the notification within three months. Taking exception to the fact that some states (including Maharashtra) had not done so, the court ordered them to issue them within three weeks, failing which contempt proceedings would be initiated, and state secretaries asked to pay Rs 50,000 fine, each. Kalpavriksh's contention is that the short time was contrary to the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 which provides for specific conditions to be fulfilled prior to declaration of the buffer areas. It states that the 'buffer and peripheral areas' are to be declared in such a manner that the rights of scheduled tribes as well as other forest dwellers are recognized. This requires full implementation of the Forest Rights Act, which has not been done in any of the core or buffer areas of tiger reserves. "As per the Wildlife Act, the limits of a buffer area are to be determined on the basis of scientific and objective criteria developed on the basis of consultation with the gram sabha. An expert committee should be constituted and the buffer zone area should be identified keeping in view and recognizing the livelihood, developmental, social and cultural rights of the local people. It should aim at promoting coexistence of wildlife and human activity. Hence, the notification process would take time,'' Kothari said. Conservationists and environmentalists who participated in a national consultation on protected areas and forest rights recently in New Delhi had the same views. The group is part of 'Future of Conservation Network (FoC),' a network of ecological and social organizations and individuals committed to effective and equitable conservation of bio-diversity. Neema Pathak, a member of Kalpavriksh and of FOC, said the court had given very little time for identifying and notifying the buffer areas and holding consultation with gram sabhas. These areas have a significant human population, and the law mandates discussions with gram sabhas and formation of an experts' committee. "It is not clear if the amicus curae has informed the court about all aspects of the real situation. We have already sent a letter to the ministry of tribal affairs,'' she added. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-26/pune/33401479_1_buffer-areas-areas-around-tiger-reserves-forest-rights-act

Tour operators' Pench proposal glosses over govt norms on tiger tourism

Nitin Sethi, TNN Aug 26, 2012, 05.43AM IST Tour Operators for Tigers|TOFT|Tiger tourism|Pench Tiger reserve|National NEW DELHI: Lease out 150 sq km of prime forest land to private tourism companies next to a prominent tiger reserve for 50 years. Buy it, if possible. Run an exclusive resort on the cordoned off land with rents upto $4,000 a night providing revenue of upto $4 million a year. Hire a few locals for minor services like supervisors, guards and other lower-level functionaries. This is the proposal from Tour Operators for Tigers (TOFT) — one of the most prominent association of tiger-tourism operators, who have opposed the Union government's regulations on eco-tourism and the Supreme Court's interim ban on tourism on core of tiger reserves. TOI accessed the business proposal that TOFT had submitted to the Madhya Pradesh government to run the exclusive Africa-style eco-tourism zone adjacent to Mowgli land-Pench Tiger Reserve. TOFT, which has several high-end eco-resort owners and tour operators as partners across the most prominent tiger reserves, has openly solicited and collected funds from tour operators in several countries to fight the Supreme Court's ban and the government's guidelines restricting tourism in the name of Guide Association of Madhya Pradesh and Kanha Lodge Association. The association, along with prominent wildlife NGOs like Wildlife Protection Society of India, whose head Belinda Wright also runs a resort in MP, has taken a public stand against stopping tourism in the core of tiger reserves. TOFT has opposed the imposition of a cess on its revenues to be used for conserving wildlife and providing livelihood to locals as proposed in the government guidelines. The TOFT Pench proposal was advocated in 2009 and got an in-principle approval from the MP government, which too has opposed the restrictions on tiger tourism, but is yet to take off. TOI, however, could not determine the current status. Julian Matthews, who heads TOFT, did not respond to TOI's emailed queries. But the details of the proposal give an insight into the kind of tourism TOFT advocates in India. Documents show that the 'conservancy' operation was to be run by a company called Great Plains Safari Company, which runs similar operations in Africa and National Geographic Society. It was supported by a carbon trading firm backed by the international bank Credit Suisse and the then WWF chairman. The multi-million dollar operation promised to hire 228 locals, including about 65 for running resorts, and the rest of the employees would continue to work for "government work guarantee scheme". TOFT sought a three-year tax holiday for its venture. It claimed that the total annual profits would be about $1 million by the end of fifth month of its operations — of which half would be shared with 'communities'. It has claimed that it would start the controversial carbon trading system in the area by banning cutting of bamboo and restricting harvesting of other timber out of which the `communities' would get $1 million annually. The company would also buy livestock from locals to reduce pressure on the forest land. TOFT has not stepped back even though this particular proposal hasn't come to fruition. On its website it is running a campaign against the guidelines and the court order stating, "Most of today's conservationists fell in love with nature when staying in these rest houses and lodges (inside the tiger reserves). Valmik Thapar, Bittu Saghal, Billy Arjan Singh to name a few you know. How can you destroy our children's chance of experiencing nature in this natural way?" Ads by Google Local Airport Taxi Reliable Airport Taxi Sevices, Easy to Book by Phone or Online www.taxi2airport.com Switzerland Tour Packages Traveling to Switzerland? Save 40% on Hotel+Airfare Deals. Book Now! www.TheSwissHolidays.co.in/Travel TOFT is asking for a different set of norms. It says, "These guidelines must plan for a huge increase in numbers of visitors, both from International visitors but more especially from our own Indian markets - and you must encourage and incentivize us (with other great wildlife habitats and wildlife experiences) to spread our clients." It seeks a "clear 'road map' as to how to build a better nature tourism industry that delivers both an exceptional wildlife experience to our clients — comparable with many other parts of the world in which we are in fierce competition — but most importantly a powerful tool for conservation to save our Forests and Wildlife." But it notes, "sadly, the guidelines do not yet offer any of these benefits." http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-26/flora-fauna/33402153_1_tiger-tourism-tiger-reserves-belinda-wright

'Man-eater' tiger trapped

TNN | Aug 27, 2012, 04.56AM IST MYSORE: The tiger, which supposedly killed a tribal woman, was trapped by forest department officials at Heggadadevana Kote on Sunday. The big cat was shifted to the Mysore zoo to treat an injury on its left front limb. It had two scars from old injuries on its back. Five hours after the 'man-eater' was sighted at around 12.30 pm near Heballa, forest officials succeeded in rescuing the tiger, aged around 10 years, by tranquilizing it. Initially, sharp shooters Akram and Karumbaiah missed the tiger twice as it sat hidden behind a bush. As there was no elevated place nearby, an elephant from Ane Chowkur elephant camp was pressed into action to rescue the injured cat. Abhimanyu, a Dasara elephant, was brought to the spot at around 4pm. The sharp shooters then sat on Abhimanyu, along with mahout Vasanth and tranquilized the animal within an hour. "The tiger sat near a bush and was struggling to move due to the injury," veterinarian K S Umashankar told TOI. Mysore territorial DCF Gaonkar said after the attack on Mahadevamma, the tribal woman, at the vicinity of Bommalapura, the department had been on high alert. An officer said the tiger may have entered human habitat in search of an easy prey as the animal was aged and injured. The authorities are yet to take a decision on leaving the tiger back to the forest after treatment, considering that it had turned a man-eater. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Man-eater-tiger-trapped/articleshow/15792539.cms

Abandoned cub in Panna to get a new home in Kanha

TNN | Aug 27, 2012, 02.07AM IST BHOPAL: The six -month old tiger cub that was abandoned by a tigress in the Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) would shortly get a new home in the world's famous Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR). "We are going to shift the tiger cub by road to KTR where it would be housed in an enclosure before being released in the wild," PTR field director RS Murthy told TOI. A divisional forest officer (DFO) and veterinarian would accompany the cub from PTR to KTR, he added. "Possibly we might shift the cub on Monday or later this week," Murthy said. All preparations have to be made at KTR for housing the cub, officials said. Kanha sanctuary has perfected the art of hand-rearing cubs by successfully raising two orphaned tigresses. KTR is having an enclosure in which the two orphaned tigresses were reared and later on trans-located to PTR to revive the big cat population. More than three months ago, a tigress christened T-1 abandoned the cub in PTR after which the NTCA asked the MP forest department to shift it to Van Vihar zoo and animal rescue and rehabilitation here. But the forest officials had asked National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) that it wants to shift the cub to KTR which was cleared. The tigress christened T- 1 gave birth to this cub along with three others in a cave of PTR on February 16. On March 29, the tigress shifted to another cave some 2 km away from the first but didn't carry the fragile cub. But, it returned to its previous cave on April 2 and fed this abandoned cub. This time also, T - 1 didn't take the cub with it after which the PTR authorities with electronic gadgets, kept a watch on its movement and when its condition deteriorated it was rescued from the cave on April 12 and kept in a well-equipped room in PTR. Felines usually abandon their cubs when they turn weak, according to wildlife experts. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Abandoned-cub-in-Panna-to-get-a-new-home-in-Kanha/articleshow/15784369.cms

Illegal construction of resort near Nagzira core area stalled

TNN | Aug 27, 2012, 01.28AM IST GONDIA: The construction of a commercial resort barely 5 metres from Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary core area border was stalled on Thursday after sustained efforts by the green volunteers. An entrepreneur of Raipur had started resort work by flouting norms about a year and a half back, taking advantage of duel jurisdiction of forest and revenue departments. But Nisarga Mandal pursued the matter and the forest department finally stalled the resort work on Thursday. With the completion of Adani thermal power plant, the number of visitors to Nagzira was expected to go up substantially. Seeing an opportunity, Dr Jaffar Khan of Raipur purchased 8 acres land allegedly in the name of his tribal employees near village Jambli (Khamba) in Sakoli tehsil on the outskirts of the sanctuary. The work on the huge resort was started soon. Eyebrows were raised as no construction activity is allowed within 10km of the wildlife sanctuary. But the problem was that this area technically came under the revenue jurisdiction of Bhandara district while the sanctuary was under the Gondia jurisdiction. The developer was claiming that he had all the mandatory sanctions required for the project from National Board of Wildlife or revenue department, New Delhi. And the work continued unabated till recently. When Nisarga Mandal started opposing the resort citing the Supreme Court directives on protection of tigers and necessity for corridors, assistant conservator of forest (wildlife), Umarzari, issued a notice to Jaffar Khan on May 31. It said the construction activity had increased poaching in the area and a bison was killed on May 27. The letter also said the noise of generators and construction work was disturbing wildlife. It was also posing a hindrance to the proposed tiger corridor connecting Pench, Kanha National Park, Nagzira, Navegaon and Tadoba Andhari reserve. The department asked the developer to stop resort work and submit the various permissions and NOCs. Despite serving a notice, the construction was continuing till now. However, due to pressure from Nisarga Mandal, a team of forest and revenue department officials visited the spot and directed the developer to stop work immediately. The work was subsequently stopped. Ashok Khune, ACF (wildlife) of the newly formed New Nagzira Wildlife Zone, Umarzari, said the construction was hardly a couple of metres away from the core area border and needed to be destroyed immediately. Sakoli ACF (wildlife) DD Patle under whom the disputed construction comes said the developer had been asked to stop the work. "The developer has given a written undertaking that the work would not be started till he produced the requisite permission," said Patle. Speaking to TOI, Dr Jaffar Khan denied the allegations and claimed that such stories were spread by some officers of the forest department having vested interests. He said, "this was not a tribal land since the last 75 years as per revenue records. Moreover, these restrictions were applicable only for tiger protection routes and Nagzira was never a tiger project," he added. Swahila, wife of Dr Jaffar Khan Rubi Khan, purchased 2.25 acre land on February 27 last year. She obtained non-agriculture certificate from the tehsildar on May 12, 2011 and also a no objection certificate from Khanba-Jamdi Gram Panchayat after a resolution was passed on September 25, 2011. The land was measured by the revenue department in the presence of RFO, he said. Khan claimed that the caretaker at the site was forced by the forest officers to give an undertaking to stop construction on August 24. He said, "this was done without my consent and therefore was not binding." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Illegal-construction-of-resort-near-Nagzira-core-area-stalled/articleshow/15782467.cms

Andhra Pradesh cool to tiger tourism ban debate

Sudipta Sengupta, TNN | Aug 27, 2012, 03.38AM IST HYDERABAD: Hitting headlines and engaging environmentalists in unending debates is the Union ministry of environment & forest's (MoEF) flip-flop over banning tourism in core areas of India's tiger reserves. But back home in Andhra Pradesh these goings-on have failed to even remotely perturb officials of the forest department who maintain that the ban has little or no relevance in the state. Incidentally, AP houses India's largest tiger reserve, the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR), which is spread over an area of 4,500 square kilometres. The tiger count here is pegged between 53 and 67 at present. The official indifference is largely rooted in the complete absence of tourism activity in and around NSTR. Barring two vehicles deployed for a mini safari from Farahabad into the forest, the tiger reserve has no other tourist packages on offer. But, following the SC ban, even this service has been suspended. The Mallela Theertham waterfall in the middle of dense growth, though still open to public, continues to register negligible footfall. The average annual count of tourists to these sites, maintained by local tribals under the state's community-based eco-tourism (CBET) programme, is just about 3,000-4,000. Miles away from the 'den', even the peripheral pocket of Mannanur (check-post located at the entrance to the forest) receives only a handful of tourists at the 10 government cottages available there. "All of them are pilgrims either returning from or on their way to the Srisailam temple. A stop in the forest is just incidental," said Farida Tampal, state director of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF-India). While Tampal was for a ban on over-commercialisation of tiger reserves, she feels that a 'controlled-tourism' concept should be implemented to make people aware of AP's wildlife wealth. "Camps and tours in the peripheral region might not be a bad idea. Right now, the NSTR is completely off the tourism radar," she added. The reserve's core area covers close to 3,500sqkm with a buffer zone of 1,100sqkm. Forest officials, however, aren't complaining. The missing tourists, they argue, help preserve the sanctity of NSTR. "The tiger reserve has little scope for tourism owing to its rocky terrain. The probability of sighting tigers here is very low. Why would tourists want to come here?" questioned Rahul Pandey, field director, NSTR. That such limited access to the forest deters revenue collection as well is a problem that does not seem to bother the department either. "The government does not earn even a penny from this tiger reserve. Both Mallela Theertam and Mannanur are managed by locals under CBET. The revenue generated from these places is shared among them," Pandey said. That the collections are abysmally low, estimated to be at around Rs 15 lakh per year, is another story. But while the state government department, irrespective of the interim ban, insists that it has no plans to boost tourism in NSTR, some environmentalists seem to believe otherwise. They say that forest officials had been engaged in drawing up an eco-tourism project within the reserve's core area prior to the SC ruling. "The project has obviously been stalled now. But depending upon the court's final verdict, it might resurface again," the wildlife expert said on condition of anonymity. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Andhra-Pradesh-cool-to-tiger-tourism-ban-debate/articleshow/15788888.cms

Tribals have right to live near wildlife sanctuaries: Supreme Court

Read more on »wildlife sanctuaries|V Kishore Chandra Deo|Supreme Court|Kishore Chandra NEW DELHI: The Centre would approach the Supreme Court to look into the rightful claims of tribals living near wildlife sanctuaries, while addressing the ban on tiger tourism. On July 24, the Supreme Court had issued a stern directive to nine states to notify core and buffer zones of tiger reserves and prohibit any tourism within the core breeding grounds of the big cats. Following the order, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has received alarming reports of forcible eviction of tribals from near wildlife sanctuaries. Speaking to ET, Tribal Affairs Minister V Kishore Chandra Deo said, "In the name of demarcating core and buffer zones after the Supreme Court order, the state governments are deliberately evicting forest dwellers from their land. We have received alarming reports of eviction of tribals from Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh." The minister said that the Supreme Court has not been kept informed about the ground realities in the wildlife sanctuaries. "Tribals have a symbiotic existence with wildlife for decades now. The states have not implemented the Forest Rights Act and PESA. Under these Acts they need to recognise the tribal's right to their land. Now they are evicting them and depriving them of their means of livelihood," Deo said. His ministry would now make a case for first implementing existing laws and protecting interest of tribals, while making efforts for conservation of the natural breeding grounds for tigers. The SC would hear the matter on Wednesday. Only Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Arunachal Pradesh notified breeding grounds and filed affidavits, after the court's April 3 directive. The court on July 24 gave states three weeks to demarcate core and buffer zones but Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Karnataka are yet to respond. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/tribals-have-right-to-live-near-wildlife-sanctuaries-supreme-court/articleshow/15594130.cms

MoEF takes a U-turn on tourism ban in core of tiger reserves

Dhananjay Mahapatra, TNN | Aug 22, 2012, 04.23AM IST NEW DELHI: A month after the Supreme Court relied on the government's guidelines to ban tourism in core areas of tiger reserves, making popular destinations like Corbett National Park out of bounds for wildlife enthusiasts, the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) on Tuesday did an about turn, telling the court that it needed to re-think the guidelines. The SC's July 24 order banning tourism in core areas had led to loud protests from states and thriving commercial ventures in and around tiger reserves. The ministry, which had gone to great lengths to finalize the detailed guidelines, appears to have wilted under political and commercial pressure and sought time from the court to review its "finalized" guidelines. On July 9, MoEF filed the 'Guidelines for Ecotourism in and around Protected Areas' in the apex court and said, "Any core area in tiger reserve from which relocation has been carried out will not be used for tourism activities." The guidelines were based on key recommendations of the Tiger Task Force (2005) and were in sync with Section 38(v) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended in 2006), which defined core/critical wildlife habitats as such areas that needed to be kept inviolate for tiger conservation without affecting the rights of Scheduled Tribes or forest dwellers. But on Tuesday, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) functioning under the MoEF in its affidavit through advocate Wasim A Qadri said the Union government had received inputs and suggestions from states in the context of the SC's interim order banning tourism in core areas of tiger reserves and that it needed time to consider them. "The states have expressed concern that many local people depend on tourism for their livelihood and hence stoppage of tourism in core areas of tiger reserves would result in loss of such income leading to discontent which may be a threat to wildlife and forests," the NTCA said. "Besides, the common citizen would be deprived of an opportunity to appreciate our natural heritage. Further, concerns have been expressed from various quarters on the process adopted by states in notifying the buffer areas of tiger reserve," it said. Citing the loss of income to local population and people being deprived of appreciating wildlife heritage, the Union government requested the court to permit it to "review the guidelines and conduct more consultations with all stakeholders including state governments and representatives of local and indigenous communities besides reviewing the process adopted by states in notifying buffer areas of tiger reserves". But in the guidelines submitted to the court on July 9, the Centre was well aware of the tourism activities happening in core areas of tiger reserves. "Given that tourism has been happening in these core/critical areas, there is a need for phasing this out and moving it to peripheral/buffer areas to benefit local communities," it had said. "Within five years, permanent facilities located inside of core tiger habitat/critical wildlife habitat, which are being used for wildlife tourism, should be phased out," it added. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/MoEF-takes-a-U-turn-on-tourism-ban-in-core-of-tiger-reserves/articleshow/15594310.cms

Govt backs off on tourism ban in core tiger areas

Anindo Dey, TNN | Aug 22, 2012, 12.59AM IST JAIPUR: A month after the Supreme Court banned tourism in core areas of tiger reserves on the basis of Union environment ministry's guidelines, the ministry did an about turn on Tuesday, telling the court that it needed to rethink the guidelines. The SC order banning tourism in core areas had led to loud protests from states and thriving commercial ventures in and around tiger reserves. In an affidavit, the Centre cited loss of livelihood and a threat to wildlife and forests in the event of a ban on tourism. The affidavit also mentions loss of a chance for the common people to see the natural heritage. The affidavit, jointly filed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the ministry of environment and forests, says that the earlier guidelines need to be reviewed as it required more consultations with stakeholders. State govt keen to lift ban on tiger tourism The Centre on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court seeking its permission to review the existing guidelines on tiger sanctuaries in the country, on which basis the court had imposed a ban on tourism in the core area of tiger reserves. In fact, Rajasthan has been taking a keen initiative to get the ban lifted. On Tuesday morning, minister for tourism, forests and environment Bina Kak got a call from the ministry of forests and environment (MoEF) confirming the receipt of a letter she had sent to the chairperson of the National Advisory Committee (NAC) Sonia Gandhi, after the court order. "I had written to the chairperson of the NAC and president of Congress Sonia Gandhi requesting her to direct the MoEF for a review and a revision of the guidelines submitted to the court for tourism in tiger reserves. This morning I got a call from Union minister Jayanthi Natarajan that a copy of my letter has been forwarded to her by the NAC chairperson," said Kak. The minister has also been coordinating with forests ministers from other tiger states for becoming a party to the case. "I have spoken to Chhagan Bhujbal in Maharashtra and to the forest ministers from Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh and Union minister Subodh Kant Sahay. We will all be a party in the case now," she said. "Wildlife is important but so is tourism. However, tourism should be regulated. Often tourists serve as an eye for us. As far as Rajasthan is concerned, we have done everything that was told to us by the NTCA. This time when I went to Ranthambore even the small time hotel owners were also on a dharna following the order but they have confidence in the government of Rajasthan. They assured us that they will do whatever we tell them to. Even if the Supreme Court allows them inside but if we tell them not to do so they will abide by us," Kak added. Not different are the view of conservation groups. "We have all seen the guidelines of the MoEF ever since the court order. There are definite flaws in them. In fact, the government of Rajasthan, which has a hotel inside the forest premises, feel more than the others. There are some NGOs that might too intervene," said conservation biologist Dharmendra Khandal of Tiger Watch. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Govt-backs-off-on-tourism-ban-in-core-tiger-areas/articleshow/15592229.cms

Tigers reign as people leave

Anindo Dey, TNN | Aug 22, 2012, 01.01AM IST JAIPUR: The shifting of a few villages from the periphery of Ranthambore National Park has started showing results. The big cats, which were scrambling for space, have now more space to move around and expand their breeding zones. On Tuesday morning, tigress T-22 was seen mating with tiger T-23 in Bodal beat near Mordungri village. Thirty families from the village moved to Amli, some 35 km away in Tonk district, barely a month back. Originally consisting of about 157 families, the rest had earlier took the offer of cash package of Rs 10 lakh and relocated. "It is good news indeed. My officers were on their field trip when they sighted the two tigers barely yards away from the Mordungri village. The tigers were mating. T-22 is the mother of T-23 and T-24," said Bina Kak, minister for tourism, forests and environment. "While tracking on Tuesday around 7.30 am, I noticed fresh pugmarks on the road towards Gura and heard tigers' roar on the right. On intensive tracking, the male and female were noticed together and were seen mating 4-6 times," says Rajesh Gupta, field director, Ranthambore. Officials are hopeful that if and when T-22 litters, it would probably choose some area near Mordungri. Earlier in April, tigress T-9 had given birth to two cubs close to Padra village which was relocated in December 2011. "The relocation of Mordungri was possible because of a pivotal role played by Sawai Madhopur district collector Giriraj Singh Kushwaha. He was ably assisted by my officers. The villagers who vacated moved away on their own and were never coaxed. They were provided land as compensation apart from gas connections, poverty line cards and water supply," added Kak. Mordungri is situated at a strategic point along the corridor extending from the Ranthambore National Park and the Sawai Man Singh sanctuary. "The removal of disturbances adds to the natal area for tigers. Natal areas are breeding zones for tigers. In this case, with the villagers shifting, the tigers automatically occupied these areas for breeding. We are hopeful that the relocation of more villages will further add to the habitat of tigers here," said an official. So far, 15 villages have been relocated from Ranthambore since 1976. While 12 were relocated in that year, Indala was relocated in 2008-09. Machangi in 2009-10, Padra in 2010-11 and finally Mordungri in 2012. The relocation of these villages will add to more space for the tiger population that has been burgeoning. Currently there are about 52 tigers, including 27 cubs in the reserve. However, there are more villages awaiting relocation and officials say that Katauli and Bhid villages may be the next in line. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Tigers-reign-as-people-leave/articleshow/15592246.cms

Govt notifies Sahyadri reserve buffer

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Aug 22, 2012, 01.14AM IST NAGPUR: A day ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on banning tourism in core areas of tiger reserves, the Maharashtra government finally notified buffer zone of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) along the crest of Western Ghats in Kolhapur Wildlife Division in Western Maharashtra. According to highly placed sources, both, the buffer and core area of the STR will combine an area of 1,165.56 sq km. It includes buffer zone of 424.34 sq km. The state had notified 741.22 sq km STR on January 5, 2010. It consisted of Chandoli National Park (317.67 sq km) and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary (423.55 sq km). However, sources said of the 741.22 sq km actual core area i.e. critical tiger habitat (CTH) will be 600.21 sq km. The remaining 141 sq km area has been included in the buffer. According to Wildlife Institute of India estimation, there are 24 tigers in the tiger reserve and its landscape. "The CTH area has been chosen after consultations with gram sabhas, inquiries and expert committee's decision under the provisions of Section 38 (V) of the amended Wildlife Protection Act 1972," officials told TOI. Maharashtra's principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) SWH Naqvi said a detailed notification about the buffer will be out soon. He refused to comment further, saying the matter would be heard in the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The National Board for Wild Life has already recommended rationalization of Koyna sanctuary by excluding around 100 sq km area of the STR which includes 14 villages and windmill projects. However, the condition is that Maharashtra will have to notify proposed sanctuaries like Rajmachi (122 sq km), Sudhagarh-Tamni (220.18 sq km), Tipagad (52.4 sq km), Isapur (121.55 sq km) and Kolamarka (187 sq km) in the future. Considering the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines, a tiger reserve should be around 800-1000 sq km with an equal area of buffer for breeding of 100 tigers. However, barring Melghat, no tiger reserve in the state fulfils the guidelines. The Supreme Court will hear the petition filed by Prayatna, an NGO based in Bhopal, demanding ban on tourism in core areas of tiger reserves on Wednesday. On July 24, the apex court had rapped the states for not notifying buffer zones around tiger reserves and had imposed a ban on tourism in core areas of reserves till further orders. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Govt-notifies-Sahyadri-reserve-buffer/articleshow/15592445.cms